Hunyuan Immortal Sect

Chapter 410: Complete Acceptance
Upon hearing this, Su Zhirou's eyes lit up, and she immediately looked at Song Xian, the meaning in her eyes self-evident.

Song Xian merely smiled slightly: "Your sect and my sect are mortal enemies. I believe in Fellow Daoist Xiao's sincerity, but are your sect's disciples truly willing? How can my sect believe them?"

Xiao Ling's expression remained unchanged: "Previously, we were each serving our own masters. The grudges between sects had nothing to do with the disciples of both sides. When your sect was in decline, many of your disciples also came to join our sect. Just like them, the disciples who came to join your sect this time were of their own free will. Moreover, I believe that with Sect Leader Song's magnanimity, he should not mind their original identities and will give them fair treatment."

"Let me discuss this matter with my fellow disciples. Fellow Daoist Xiao, please rest here for a few days."

After chatting for a while, Xiao Ling was taken to the guest hall by Yang Shen.

Song Xian then summoned Jiang Zichen, instructing him to send more people to keep a close watch on Xiao Ling's every move, and to strengthen the defense of the formation and increase vigilance.

The next day, he sent someone to summon Lin Zixiang. The group gathered in the main hall to discuss Xiao Ling's defection.

“I think this matter should be handled with caution. The Luoyun Sect is a great enemy of our sect, and this Xiao Ling has a close relationship with Tao Jinyuan, the sect leader of the Luoyun Sect. We don’t even know if Tao Jinyuan is alive or dead. It’s not appropriate for us to accept so many disciples of the Luoyun Sect at once.” Lin Zixiang frowned after hearing this and took the lead in expressing his opinion.

"Junior Brother Zichen, Junior Brother Qi, both of you, please share your thoughts." Song Xian looked at the two of them.

Jiang Zichen touched the bridge of his nose and coughed lightly: "I think it's fine if it's just Xiao Ling, but if a hundred or two hundred Luoyun Sect disciples all join, it might pose a threat to the sect's safety. After all, it's impossible to confirm whether each of them is truly sincere in their allegiance."

"Even if they sincerely surrender, if one day they receive an order from the Luoyun Sect to secretly start a rebellion, would they comply?"

"Moreover, Tao Jinyuan's fate is unknown. If Luoyun Sect regroups, they might just turn to them again."

Qi Xiaobai echoed, "I agree with Elder Lin and Junior Brother Jiang. The sect is not short of manpower at the moment. If we want to recruit cultivators, it would be better to recruit a large number of rogue cultivators than to bring in so many disciples from the Falling Cloud Sect."

Song Xian simply nodded after hearing this, but did not say anything.

"What is the Sect Leader's opinion?" Jiang Zichen asked, seeing his expression and knowing that he did not agree with the three's opinions.

Song Xian slowly said, "Although the sect is not short of low-level Qi Refining cultivators, Foundation Establishment cultivators are still very scarce. Now is the time to develop and use people. The addition of Xiao Ling and Wang Feng can greatly enhance the strength of our sect. However, if we do not accept those Qi Refining cultivators from Luoyun Sect, the two of them will not join us individually."

"Accepting this group of Luoyun Sect disciples is more beneficial than harmful to our sect. As for safety, there is no need to worry too much. A hundred or two hundred people can't cause any big trouble. After they join, we will scatter them and not assign them to the mountain gate."

"You don't know this yet, do you? The reason why the Beast Taming Sect intercepted the Yunxuan Sect was actually on the orders of the Xuanyuan Sect."

"The Xuan Yuan Sect has ordered all major sects in the counties to search for and arrest disciples of the Yun Xuan Sect."

"In other words, Yunxuan Sect no longer has any foothold in Xishu County. Luoyun Sect naturally has no chance of making a comeback."

"Moreover, our sect and the Luoyun Sect are mortal enemies. Their defection to our sect is already considered a betrayal by the Luoyun Sect. Even if Tao Jinyuan were not dead, we would not accept these rebellious disciples again."

"Alright then! Junior Brother Zichen, go to Xijiang County, visit Jiang Feng, and ask him about Tao Jinyuan's fate."

"If he is already dead, we will accept him completely; if he is still alive, we will discuss it further."

Jiang Zichen nodded in agreement.

Qi Xiaobai followed up, saying, "If any disciples of the Luoyun Sect know alchemy, talisman making, weapon crafting, formation making, spiritual cooking, or spiritual plant cultivation, we can assign them to corresponding tasks. Although the sect has a large number of members, there are not many disciples with a special skill, especially those with outstanding skills."

George Lam remained silent.

Besides the reasons mentioned above, Song Xian had a deeper consideration in order to take in the people from Luoyun Sect.

He speculated that the internal conflicts within the Qianqing Emperor were intensifying, and that a momentous upheaval might soon sweep through the Qin Kingdom.

The current strength of the Hunyuan Sect is far from sufficient, so he wants to expand his manpower and strength as soon as possible to cope with the challenges that may come in the future.

However, it was not appropriate to tell these things to the others, since it was just his personal speculation without any evidence. If he spoke out rashly, it might cause panic among the sect disciples.

…………

The sun was shining brightly, but the sky was covered with dark clouds.

A spirit ship bearing the banner of the Hunyuan Sect sped from afar and landed outside Luoyun Mountain.

On it, numerous disciples of the Falling Cloud Sect jumped down one after another.

Inside the mountain gate, high in the sky, golden auspicious clouds shrouded the area. Lin Zixiang led the Hunyuan Sect members in a state of high alert, the two sides standing facing each other hundreds of feet apart, like two warring factions.

After all the disciples of Luoyun Sect jumped off the spirit ship, Jiang Zichen walked out of the golden auspicious cloud-shrouded formation and approached Xiao Ling and Wang Feng, who were at the head of the group. He bowed and greeted them with a smile, saying, "Fellow Daoist Xiao and Fellow Daoist Wang, I have come to welcome you on the orders of the sect leader. Welcome to our gathering. The sect leader is waiting inside. Please follow me."

"Thank you for your trouble, Fellow Daoist Jiang." Xiao Ling returned the greeting, and Wang Feng followed suit, saying, "We are deeply grateful that your sect has not held a grudge and has been willing to accept us."

"Please wait here for a moment, fellow Daoists. Please, you two!" Jiang Zichen gestured for them to proceed and walked away.

The two followed him into the mountain gate and headed towards George Lam and his group.

"Let me introduce you. This is Elder Lin Zixiang, Junior Brother Hu Xiaobao, and Senior Brother Qi Xiaobai." Jiang Zichen introduced the Foundation Establishment cultivators of the sect to the two of them one by one.

"Greetings, Fellow Daoist Lin, Fellow Daoist Hu, and Fellow Daoist Qi." Wang Feng and Xiao Ling bowed to the three of them.

Hu Xiaobao and Qi Xiaobai returned the greeting, but Lin Zixiang only nodded to the two of them.

Jiang Zichen led the two through the ranks of the Hunyuan Sect members and walked step by step up to the mountain gate.

Looking at the familiar road scenery and palaces before him, Wang Feng felt a little sad, but he quickly composed himself.

In front of the magnificent hall, Su Zhirou was already waiting. When she saw Jiang Zichen leading the two of them on foot, she quickly went to greet them with a smile: "Sister Ling'er, Senior Brother Wang, you've arrived."

Looking at the radiant, beautiful, and smiling Su Zhirou before him, Wang Feng's eyes revealed a subtle, complex expression: "Junior Sister Su, it's been many years, and you're even more charming than before."

"Thanks to you, Sister Zhirou." Xiao Ling smiled slightly.

"Let's go! Your husband is waiting for you inside." Su Zhirou took Xiao Ling's hand, and the group filed into the main hall. Inside, Song Xian sat in the main seat, smiling as he looked at them.

"Greetings, Sect Leader Song." Both of them bowed in greeting.

"No need for formalities, please have a seat!" Song Xian waved his hand, gesturing for the two to sit down.

Upon learning of Tao Jinyuan and Wen Yiren's deaths from Jiang Feng, Song Xian immediately dispatched a group of people to their hiding place in a two-tiered spirit ship, accompanied by Xiao Ling, to fetch all the disciples of the Luoyun Sect. "Sect Leader Song is magnanimous and has taken us in. We are deeply grateful and are willing to serve your sect with utmost loyalty," Wang Feng said sincerely.

"There is no blood feud between Luoyun Sect and my sect. Although there were some frictions and misunderstandings before, they are all in the past. In terms of relationship, we are one family. My wife is from your sect, and I am also related to Fellow Daoist Tao."

"The misunderstanding between Luoyun Sect and my sect was like a minor conflict between brothers. Now that my brother's family is in ruins and he has come to seek refuge with relatives, how could I refuse him?"

"We are very happy to welcome Fellow Daoists Wang and Xiao. From now on, we are all fellow disciples and should not distinguish between each other."

"Our sect has always treated everyone equally, without any distinction of faction or personal relationships. Fellow Daoists, there is no need for you to be so reserved."

"Please convey these words to all the disciples who have come to join us."

Wang Feng nodded: "Master Song has a refined and noble character, which I admire."

"Our sect needs manpower in various places right now. Junior Brother Zichen will arrange the positions for those people. If you need anything, you can also let Junior Brother Zichen know."

Song Xian chatted amiably with the two men for a while, and then ordered Jiang Zichen to take the Luoyun Sect members to Xiangyu Mountain for a stay. It was a second-grade low-level spiritual vein. He told them to settle down there first, and then select them to take up their posts in various departments.

.........

As night fell, the moon shone brightly and the stars were few. The inner courtyard of the mansion was quiet, but inside the house, a passionate lovemaking session had just ended.

Su Zhirou lay in Song Xian's arms like a lump of mud, her head resting on his shoulder, her arms tightly wrapped around his neck, her eyes gentle as water: "Husband, leave Ling'er at Luoyun Mountain! I'll have someone to talk to."

"You have nothing to say to me! You have to talk to her." Song Xian glared at her: "I knew you were up to no good by putting in so much effort today."

Su Zhirou swayed her body slightly, speaking softly and coquettishly: "She has no relatives or friends now, all alone. If I don't take care of her, who will? Besides, when I returned to Luoyun Sect, she was the one who always looked after me. Husband, please arrange an important position for her, for my sake!"

"Did she ask you to whisper in her ear?"

"No."

"Really not?"

"Not really."

"What if I don't agree?"

Su Zhirou bit down on his neck, a piece of flesh between her teeth, and mumbled indistinctly, "If my husband doesn't agree, I'll bite him to death."

Song Xian held her tightly in his arms, his fingers gently stroking her long hair that cascaded down to her waist: "Tell me! What responsibilities do you want her to have?"

Su Zhirou loosened her grip: "Husband, let her help me! Husband always says that I don't really care about the affairs of Bianxi City, so wouldn't it be good to have Ling'er assist me? She is experienced and capable. Before, when we were in Luoyun Sect, she helped my aunt with all kinds of affairs."

“I’m helping you, but you don’t do anything. You don’t even know how many resources and territories we have in Bianxi City. Isn’t she in charge of everything?” Song Xian shook his head with a smile. Among the Foundation Establishment cultivators of Hunyuan Sect, Su Zhirou actually has the most real power because she manages all affairs in Bianxi City, but she never gets involved.

If Xiao Ling were to assist her, the power would definitely fall into Xiao Ling's hands. The two are close, so whatever Xiao Ling says would be the final word.

"Don't you have a husband? As long as he knows what's going on, that's enough." Su Zhirou bit his neck again, the threat obvious.

"Alright, let her handle it then!" Song Xian hugged his beloved tightly and kissed her forehead.

Letting Xiao Ling manage the affairs of Bianxi City isn't a bad thing, provided that she sincerely submits. All we need to do is keep a close eye on her.

Hearing this, Su Zhirou finally relaxed, satisfied.

"I know you two are close and speak without restraint, but you have to be careful not to leak any secrets. The matter of the Profound Heaven Fusion Fire Technique and the bead must be kept strictly confidential."

"I know, I'm not stupid."

"Oh right, that Wang Feng, I remember now. I fought him during the Foundation Establishment selection competition in Bianxi City. After the outcome was decided, he inexplicably told me to treat him well. Were you two on good terms back in the Luoyun Sect?"

"It wasn't very good. He used to be in charge of the sect's internal affairs, and I've met him a few times over."

"Does he have feelings for you? You're not allowed to meet with him alone anymore."

Su Zhirou nudged him with her head.

.........

In the blink of an eye, several days have passed.

The more than one hundred members of the Luoyun Sect have been assigned to various positions. Xiao Ling assists Su Zhirou in managing the affairs of Bianxi City, while Wang Feng is stationed in Bianxi City's markets, responsible for all market affairs except those in Tianshan.

Inside the spacious and bright hall of Luoyun Mountain, Song Xian entered from outside. Wang Feng, who was waiting inside, quickly stood up and bowed, saying, "Greetings, Sect Leader."

“Junior Brother Wang, please don’t stand on ceremony, please sit down.” Song Xian smiled and waved his hand: “Currently, all the affairs of the sect are handled by someone, so it’s not easy to make adjustments. I can only ask Junior Brother Wang to take charge of the market affairs for now.”

Wang Feng sat upright with a solemn expression: "We are already extremely grateful that the sect leader is willing to take us in."

“Originally, I wanted you to be in charge of the affairs of Tianshan, but there is only one second-grade cultivation room there, and Hu Xiaobao stays there for a long time. If you assist in management, there will be no cultivation room available, which will hinder your cultivation in the long run. Therefore, I left you in Bianxi City to be in charge of the market affairs here. You can choose a second-grade cultivation room on Luojia Mountain. This way, it will not delay your cultivation.”

"Thank you for your care, Master. I am grateful that you have entrusted me with the management of the market. I will do my best and be responsible to the end."

"I have summoned you here today because there is something I need to tell you to do."

Wang Feng stood up: "Please give your orders, Master."

"No need to be so serious, it's nothing serious. The Luoyun Sect and the Fengxing Sect both joined the Yunxuan Sect and have been in Xijiang County for so long, you should have met quite a few Foundation Establishment cultivators from the Fengxing Sect and dealt with them, right?"

Hearing this, Wang Feng had a rough idea of ​​what it was about: "I know all the Foundation Establishment cultivators of the Windwalking Sect, and I can talk to them, but I'm not very familiar with them."

"To be honest, I just received news that Zhuang Buyi, the leader of the Fengxing Sect, has been killed by the Yushou Sect. According to what you said before, you were tricked into going to Huayang County by Qi Yunxuan, so the Fengxing Sect must have been tricked as well."

"The Fengxing Sect is currently leaderless and must be in a mess. I think you should make the trip to Huayang County to find some people from the Fengxing Sect and try to recruit their Foundation Establishment cultivators to our sect."

(End of this chapter)