Hunyuan Immortal Sect

Chapter 387 A Great Rise in Momentum
The next day, Song Xian summoned Lin Zixiang and Hu Xiaobao, told them about his conversation with Xu Yaoming, and put them in charge of leading the Yuyuan Sect, Qianfeng Sect, Huaxuan Sect, Jiangliu Sect, and Ding Family to attack the scattered cultivator forces in Bianxi City, mainly to recruit members from these scattered cultivator forces. The two gladly accepted the order.

As the sun sets, a magnificent glow illuminates the horizon, as if the sky is draped in a golden veil.

Since the Beast Taming Sect returned to Bianxi City, all the sects in Bianxi City have been in a state of panic. Some say that the Beast Taming Sect will purge all the rebellious forces in Bianxi City, some say that the Beast Taming Sect will not launch a major attack, and some say that the Beast Taming Sect will annihilate some forces while preserving others.

Every day there are all sorts of rumors, but the newly appointed head, Xu Yaoming, has not revealed a word. Those who want to see him wait outside Qiyuan Mountain almost every day, but very few are actually granted an audience.

On this day, inside the main hall of Qiyuan Mountain, Wang Xuan, the leader of the Yuyuan Sect, Cao Xun, the leader of the Qianfeng Sect, Guan Yong, the leader of the Huaxuan Sect, Liu Yong, the leader of the Jiangliu Sect, and Ding Wenxiang, the head of the Ding family, gathered together. They had all received jade slips from Xu Yaoming requesting them to attend the meeting.

The group sat in the main hall, whispering amongst themselves.

They had no idea why Xu Yaoming had suddenly summoned them. In the past few days, they had all met with Xu Yaoming and offered him benefits, but Xu Yaoming had never clearly stated whether he would protect them.

"Senior Wang, didn't Steward Xu reveal anything to your sect? Among us, only you have met Senior Xu several times. We've all been on the same boat, and there are no outsiders here. I hope you won't hesitate to tell me." Cao Xun, the sect leader of Qianfeng Sect, looked at Wang Xuan and asked in a low voice, trying to see some clues from his face.

The other three also looked at him simultaneously.

Wang Xuan, with a cold and expressionless face, said, "Haven't I already said that I don't know why I was suddenly summoned?"

"Master Xu summoned us all, probably because he has already decided how to deal with us."

“I guessed so. As far as I know, since Master Xu came to Bianxi City, he has only met a few of us, apart from the Hunyuan Sect. The fact that he has summoned us all here this time is most likely to announce the results of the punishment.”

“If we are safe, then other forces are in danger.”

As the group was discussing amongst themselves, a disciple from the Beast Taming Sect outside shouted, "Uncle Xu has arrived!"

The five men immediately stood up, like subjects waiting for the emperor.

Soon, Xu Yaoming entered the main hall, accompanied by another person, none other than Song Xian.

Upon seeing Song Xian enter, the group's expressions varied, while Wang Xuan immediately lowered his head.

Song Xian, however, kept his eyes straight ahead and didn't even glance at the group.

"Greetings, Steward Xu." The five people standing on both sides bowed their heads and paid their respects.

"Fellow Daoist Song, please have a seat." Xu Yaoming ignored the five people who were bowing and politely invited Song Xian to sit down.

Song Xian nodded slightly and sat down in the first seat below. Xu Yaoming walked straight up the steps, sat down in the main seat, and glanced at the five people below: "No need for formalities."

The group, who had been bowing, lowered their hands upon hearing his words.

"I have summoned you here today because of an important matter. After careful consideration and reporting to the sect, I have decided not to pursue the past rebellious acts of your five sects."

Several people immediately showed joy on their faces, but Wang Xuan kept his head down and remained expressionless.

"Thank you, Manager Xu."

"From now on, our clan will follow the lead of Master Xu."

"Master Xu has shown us immense kindness and virtue, which our clan will never be able to repay."

Several people then expressed their opinions.

"Don't rush to thank me, I haven't finished yet. Although you all betrayed our sect under the threat of the Falling Cloud Sect, you still did things that harmed our sect. Since you have deeply realized your mistakes, I will now give you a chance to repent and make amends."

"You are to eliminate the other forces in Bianxi City. From now on, only your five sects will remain in Bianxi City. The Hunyuan Sect will take the lead in this matter, and you will follow Fellow Daoist Song's instructions in everything."

"The resource territories occupied by those forces that have been wiped out will be allocated to you depending on the situation."

Upon hearing this, the group was overjoyed. They had been somewhat uneasy, wondering why Xu Yaoming had summoned them. But when they heard that he didn't intend to hold them accountable, they were already satisfied. They never expected that Xu Yaoming would share the resources controlled by those independent cultivators with them, something they had never dared to even dream of before.

"Rest assured, Master Xu, our sect will do everything in its power to eliminate the rogue cultivators in Bianxi City for your sect."

"We are all ashamed of our magnanimity and tolerance, Master Xu."

"At the command of Master Xu, our clan will go through fire and water without hesitation."

The others started flattering him again, but Wang Xuan remained silent with his head down.

Song Xian, who had been silent all along, finally spoke. He glanced at everyone and said, "Since Fellow Daoist Xu has entrusted our sect with the task of suppressing the rebellious sects in Bianxi City, our sect will cooperate fully. This is an opportunity for you to redeem yourselves. Military campaigns are no small matter. Let me make this clear: if anyone disobeys orders, don't blame me for being impolite."

"Yes. Our household will follow Senior Song's instructions." Ding Wenxiang was the first to respond.

"If Senior Song has any instructions, our clan will do them without hesitation."

The others also expressed their opinions in turn.

.........

Xu Yaoming convened a meeting and ultimately decided that only five sects would be retained in Bianxi City, while all other forces would be eliminated. The news spread like wildfire. Before the members of Yuyuan Sect, Qianxuan Sect, Huaxuan Sect, Jiangliu Sect, and the Ding family could even gather, those forces that had received the news came knocking on his door one after another.

They knew that Emperor Hunyuan was in charge of this operation and wanted to ask Song Xian for a way out.

Inside the spacious and bright main hall of Luoyun Mountain, representatives of more than a dozen forces gathered together. Each of them could not hide their tension, unease, and anxiety, and they whispered among themselves.

Everyone already knew about Xu Yaoming's decision; they were at their wits' end, with nowhere else to go.

They had only come to Emperor Hunyuan for help as a last resort, and they never expected that Song Xian would be willing to see them and even convene a meeting to gather everyone together.

Of course, some people suspected that this was a trap, and that the leaders of these forces were to be captured in one fell swoop. Therefore, most of the leaders did not participate and only sent a representative.

Regardless, the fact that Hunyuan Sect is willing to talk is at least a glimmer of hope.

While everyone was discussing the matter in a state of confusion, disciples of the Hunyuan Sect outside shouted that their sect leader had arrived.

In an instant, everyone stood up.

Before long, Song Xian led Lin Zixiang and Hu Xiaobao in from outside.

Everyone saluted.

After Song Xian took his seat at the head of the table, he glanced at everyone and said in a clear and loud voice, "As you all have probably heard, the Beast Taming Sect has decided to wipe out some sects in Bianxi City. Unfortunately, your sect is on their list of targets."

"Senior Song, please save our sect. Our sect is willing to serve you like an ox or a horse to repay your kindness."

"Senior Song, if you would be so kind as to show mercy, our entire sect would be grateful for your great kindness and would follow your lead from now on."

"Senior Song, please have mercy on our sect! We were forced to join the Bianxi City Independent Alliance." "Senior Song, if you are willing to put in a good word for our sect with the Beast Taming Sect and save our sect, we are willing to give you all our wealth."

"Our faction is willing to offer half of its resources and territory as a token of our gratitude..."

Everyone was terrified.

Song Xian waved his hand expressionlessly, and the hall immediately fell silent: "The reason I called you here today is because I know you have been coerced by the Luoyun Sect. Considering how difficult it has been for you to cultivate, I want to save your lives."

"The Beast Taming Sect has issued its order. No matter what, your sect cannot continue to exist."

"You may have already heard that the Beast Taming Sect has gathered five sects, including the Jade Abyss Sect, to annihilate you. The 15th of this month is the deadline. At that time, my sect will lead them to attack your sects one by one."

"With your strength, even if you join forces now, you are no match for them, not to mention that the Beast Taming Sect can send troops to support you at any time. Don't make futile resistance and throw your lives away in vain. Now you only have two paths before you."

"First, slink away from Bianxi City, or leave the sect and become a rogue cultivator."

"Second, join our sect. No matter who you are, as long as you join our sect, we will treat you all equally and will not discriminate against you because you are a newcomer."

"As you all know, our sect has now taken over all the resource territories of the former Luoyun Sect, including spiritual veins, spiritual fields, spiritual gardens, and spiritual pools."

"If you surrender voluntarily, our sect will not only allocate a spiritual vein for you to cultivate, but also entrust you with the management of resource-rich areas such as spiritual fields. In short, we will never treat you unfairly."

"You can decide for yourselves."

After saying this, Song Xian didn't wait for them to speak before instructing Lin Zixiang to see the guests out and kicking everyone out.

In reality, he had this message secretly leaked to incite panic among these forces. Once they were cornered, it would be much easier for him to propose incorporating them.

This is why he set the assembly time for the 15th. He needed to give these forces time to react, but he couldn't be too lenient, lest something unexpected happen.

A little over ten days is just the right amount of time.

……

Less than two days after this meeting, a group of independent cultivators came to join them.

This independent cultivator force is small, with only about thirty people. It was originally a small force in Huatian Town, with a first-grade mid-level spiritual vein under its jurisdiction and three resource territories. Its main industry is manufacturing wooden flagpoles needed for low-level formations.

Song Xian warmly welcomed them, allocated them a mid-grade spiritual vein, entrusted them with a first-grade mid-grade mine to manage, and promised to entrust them with the management of the sect's beast pill refining industry.

With this example in mind, many forces in Bianxi City came to surrender one after another. In less than fifteen days, most of the independent cultivator forces had come to pledge allegiance, with a total number of nearly four hundred people.

Those who did not come to join were only a few die-hards and some sects that had migrated from Bian Shang Town and Bian Xia Town. They were protected by the Qianqing Sect's rules and regulations, and they stayed in the mountain gate, waiting for the situation to change.

On the fifteenth, all five sects, including Yuyuan Sect, sent people to gather at Luoyun Mountain. Under the leadership of Lin Zixiang and Hu Xiaobao, they quickly eliminated the remaining die-hard factions.

In reality, only one independent cultivator force called Xuanmingwu truly resisted to the end. After their mountain gate was breached, the remaining cultivators of this force also chose to surrender.

The other independent cultivator factions that refused to surrender were quite sensible when the mopping-up team arrived.

In this way, all the scattered forces and gangs in Bianxi City were wiped out, and Hunyuan Sect absorbed more than six or seven hundred cultivators, greatly increasing its strength.

To prevent these people from sticking together and forming small factions after entering the sect, he randomly assigned them to various teams. The Tianshan Camp, Hunyuan Camp, and Guard Camp were all expanded to teams of 100 people each, and a Bianxi Camp with 200 people was also established. In addition, many people were also absorbed by various halls and peaks.

After resolving the manpower issue, Song Xian focused his main efforts on Tianshan Market.

Previously, he had reached an agreement with the Mingyue Sect of Humen City through the Tianshan Market, obtaining the monster flesh and ore from the Xingyuan Merchant Guild of Muhe Grassland at a low price, and then selling them to them.

Now he controls Bianxi City, and with the support of the Beast Taming Sect, the Mingyue Sect has reclaimed Humen City and also controls a portion of the resource territory of Anyuan City that originally belonged to the Fengxing Sect.

Song Xian then sent someone to contact the Mingyue Sect, and the two sides successfully re-signed the previous agreement and strengthened cooperation in other areas.

Afterwards, he sent people to Tianshui City and Yongning City to discuss cooperation with the leading sects in the area.

Although the leading sects of these two cities were not eradicated by the Beast Taming Sect, they were dealt with severely, losing not only a large amount of wealth but also many resource-rich territories.

The Hunyuan Sect has a close relationship with the Beast Taming Sect and has become the leading sect in Bianxi City. Both of these forces want to improve their relationship with it, so it naturally wouldn't refuse such a win-win opportunity.

It didn't take much effort for the leading sects in both cities to sign cooperation agreements.

With this market established, Song Xian sent people to the Muhe Grassland to negotiate prices with the Xingyuan Chamber of Commerce, and they eventually reached a satisfactory price.

In addition, he also brought in more powerful forces to settle in Tianshan Market, intending to further expand the scale of the market.

.........

On a clear, sunny day, in the back mountain temple of Luoyun Mountain, Lu Yuan sat cross-legged with his eyes closed, the spiritual energy of heaven and earth transforming into tangible smoke that swirled around him.

The disciples of the Hunyuan Sect nearby were on high alert, and the entire mountain peak was already under martial law.

Lu Yuan's cultivation had already reached the Great Perfection of Qi Refining, but he had not yet established his foundation because he did not have a suitable spiritual vein.

After consolidating the scattered cultivator forces of Bianxi City, he proposed the requirement of Foundation Establishment. After preparing for nearly a month, he finally made up his mind to try Foundation Establishment.

As dusk approached, the sky turned fiery red, and the clouds were dyed a gentle orange-red, layer upon layer, surging across the horizon like ocean waves.

Lu Yuan opened his eyes from his meditation, looked up at the afterglow of the setting sun, his gaze hardened, and he took out a Foundation Establishment Pill and swallowed it in one gulp.

The spiritual energy between heaven and earth was attracted, and a large amount of spiritual power surged and gathered, forming visible vortexes of spiritual energy that rushed towards him.

As time went by, the spiritual energy vortexes devoured and merged one after another.

Lu Yuan's forehead was covered with large beads of sweat, and his whole body was trembling involuntarily, but he still gritted his teeth and refused to give up.

Finally, with a loud scream, Lu Yuan fell backward, unconscious.

Those watching from the outside were all alarmed by the sight. Song Xian rose into the air and arrived at the center of the dojo. They saw that his abdomen had been ripped open, and blood was gushing out from inside.

.........

Lu Yuan failed to establish his foundation. Not only that, but his spiritual sea acupoint was also damaged, harming his Dao root. He will never have the chance to establish his foundation again in this lifetime.

After he regained consciousness, Song Xian personally visited him and offered him much comfort. But he just stared blankly upwards, like a walking corpse.

After this incident, Lu Yuan seemed to age instantly, becoming taciturn and appearing melancholic, like an old man nearing the end of his life. Song Xian tried to comfort him twice, but to no avail.

(End of this chapter)