Hunyuan Immortal Sect

Chapter 491 Conditions for Core Formation
"Does Sect Leader Song mean that your sect will send 1,500 people to assist you?"

Although Song Xian's words were already very clear, Xu Yaoming still confirmed them again, as if he had just heard them as a hallucination.

The reason for this was that the matter was completely unexpected. He had originally planned to have Hunyuanzong send 500 people, but he was worried that Song Xian would refuse, so he went to confront him in person to ensure that Hunyuanzong would not play any tricks.

If he doesn't come in person, but only sends someone to summon him, Song Xian probably won't go. He will probably send Jiang Zichen instead, just like before.

Jiang Zichen, given his status, couldn't possibly make such a decision, especially with another person involved; there's a difference in their positions.

This matter is urgent, and if we drag it out, things might go wrong.

Before he came here, he expected that Song Xian might be unhappy about recruiting five hundred disciples of the Hunyuan Sect and would try to negotiate.

So when they entered, they had a serious and businesslike demeanor, and they were prepared with their own explanations.

Unexpectedly, Song Xian not only agreed immediately, but also took the initiative to request an additional thousand people, and Hunyuan Sect would be fully responsible for the extra manpower. This was like a pie falling from the sky, which was unbelievable.

“That’s right. Our sect has dispatched 1,500 people, plus 500 people from various sects in Bianxi City. I will personally lead 2,000 people from this city to assist your sect in eliminating the scourge of the Murong family.”

Xu Yaoming's expression was no longer serious. He narrowed his eyes slightly and stared directly at Song Xian, as if trying to see through his heart.

The two looked at each other for a while, and he seemed to understand something, nodding somewhat in realization: "Alright, let's do as Sect Leader Song wishes."

"Then please inform your clan that we will be leading two thousand men there. Also, please convey a small request to my clan."

"Master Song, please speak."

Xu Yaoming seemed to have anticipated this, and immediately took the bait. He knew that Song Xian was a man who wouldn't act without a reason, and that his initiative to send an additional thousand men to help must have something to ask for. He just didn't know what Hunyuan Sect wanted to gain, so his eyes revealed a hint of curiosity.

"I dare not ask for anything else, except for a small wish: that when I attempt to break through to the Golden Core realm in the future, I may be able to borrow the spiritual veins of your sect. I hope that Master Xu can put in a good word for me in front of your sect. If I can get this opportunity, I will surely repay you handsomely."

Song Xian finally revealed his purpose: for him personally, nothing was more important than this.

He has now reached the tenth level of Foundation Establishment and has the Golden Essence Pill in hand. It can be said that everything is ready except for the final step. Once he reaches the Great Perfection of Foundation Establishment, he can try to form the Core. The only thing he lacks is the spiritual vein required for Core Formation.

The Beast Taming Sect's mountain gate is a top-grade third-tier spiritual vein, sufficient for Core Formation. Xu Zhuoxuan previously formed his Core at the Beast Taming Sect's mountain gate.

However, just because Xu Zhuoxuan was able to use the Beast Taming Sect's mountain gate to break through to the Golden Core Realm doesn't mean he can too.

Although Hunyuan Sect was established by Beast Taming Sect, he is neither Hong Haoran's nephew nor a disciple of Beast Taming Sect. Why would Beast Taming Sect use its mountain spiritual veins for him to form his core?

It is important to know that breaking through to the Golden Core Realm requires a large amount of spiritual energy.

Even with the density of spiritual veins at the Beast Taming Sect's mountain gate, which is sufficient for Foundation Establishment cultivators to form their Core Formation, it still requires a period of preparation. During this time, it will affect the use of the sect's disciples' cultivation rooms.

Xu Zhuoxuan was able to use the sect's spiritual energy to attack Golden Core cultivators because of his relationship with Hong Haoran. Even though the disciples of the Beast Taming Sect harbored resentment, there was nothing they could do.

If Song Xian thought that his close relationship with the Beast Taming Sect gave him the right to use the sect's spiritual veins to make requests, he would undoubtedly be humiliating himself.

In the eyes of many in the Beast Taming Sect, the Hunyuan Sect was nothing more than an obedient dog.

He knew in his heart that without a special opportunity, it would be very difficult to obtain the chance to form a core at the Beast Taming Sect. Therefore, he had been considering this matter for a long time, wondering what conditions he could offer in exchange for the opportunity to form a core at the Beast Taming Sect.

The opportunity is right in front of him. The Beast Taming Sect urgently needs manpower to attack the Murong family. If he doesn't seize this opportunity, it will be even more difficult in the future.

In exchange for a chance to form a Golden Core by providing double the troop support, this deal was undoubtedly worthwhile for Song Xian personally, and it was also a win-win situation for the Hunyuan Sect as a whole.

If he can break through to the Golden Core Realm, then the sect will reach a new level.

Their fates were intertwined; everyone understood that their destiny was closely linked to that of the Hunyuan Sect.

Moreover, mobilizing 1,500 people from the sect does not equate to sacrificing 1,500 people.

In this battle, the Beast Taming Sect clearly held an absolute advantage. Not to mention that the Beast Taming Sect itself was stronger than the Murong family, it also had the assistance of thousands of cultivators recruited from various city sects.

Without external assistance, the Murong family will certainly be unable to withstand the attack.

The fact that the Beast Taming Sect dared to openly attack the Murong family suggests that, even if it didn't receive support from the Xuan Yuan Sect, it at least had the tacit approval of the Xuan Yuan Sect's higher-ups.

Under these circumstances, other forces in Xishu Commandery would not dare to intervene.

.........

Upon hearing Song Xian's proposed conditions, Xu Yaoming finally smiled. He had no reason to refuse. Whether the sect agreed to the conditions was not his concern. However, if he could exceed the target and recruit two thousand people to assist in the battle in Xijiang County at this critical moment, it would be a real achievement for him.

Moreover, this condition is not outrageous; it can be considered a reasonable request based on common sense.

“No problem, I will send someone to report this matter to the sect as soon as I get back. However, whether the sect agrees or not is not up to me, and this back and forth will take a lot of time. I don’t have time to wait for Sect Leader Song to get a specific reply from the sect before gathering people to go to Xijiang County for reinforcements.”

"Since Sect Leader Song has this intention, please lead the two thousand recruited cultivators from Bianxi City to Xijiang County first. Once the sect sees your sincerity, it will surely agree to Sect Leader Song's request to borrow the spiritual vein."

Song Xian readily agreed: "Alright, it's a deal. Then I'll have to trouble Manager Xu."

He knew, of course, that this was not something Xu Yaoming could decide on his own. Making a request through Xu Yaoming was merely a way to obtain an admission ticket.

He already had a complete plan. Once he arrived in Xijiang County, he would visit the Golden Core cultivators of the Beast Taming Sect again.

The Beast Taming Sect is currently in dire need of manpower, and attacking the Murong family is of paramount importance to them. Giving them a chance to form their core in exchange for the full support of the Hunyuan Sect should be acceptable to the Beast Taming Sect. Given their connections, it is believed that the Beast Taming Sect will agree to this condition.

The two discussed the specifics of the recruitment for a while longer, until all the details were finalized, before Xu Yaoming took his leave.

.........

As night fell, the moon and stars shone brightly, and several core members of the Hunyuan Sect gathered in the brightly lit hall.

Song Xian sat in the main seat and slowly recounted the matter of the Beast Taming Sect's recruitment. When they heard that he was going to personally lead the team and had decided to send an additional thousand disciples to provide support, the people below all looked surprised and puzzled.

Before anyone could ask, he took the initiative to explain the reason.

Upon learning that it was in exchange for a chance to reach the Beast Taming Sect's mountain gate and form their core, the others nodded in understanding, except for Lin Zixiang, who remained somewhat worried. "What if the Beast Taming Sect doesn't agree? Will our sect still have to send 1,500 disciples to assist us?"

"We weren't originally in a position to negotiate with the Beast Taming Sect, but this battle has given us that opportunity. Regardless of whether the Beast Taming Sect agrees or not, we must first demonstrate our sincerity. Senior Brother Zixiang, do you think this is inappropriate?"

"No, I fully support it. If we can exchange this for the opportunity to form our core, that would be the best outcome. After all, nothing is more important than the sect leader forming his core."

Song Xian glanced at him and smiled slightly: "It's good that everyone understands. Senior Brother Zixiang will be in charge of recruiting the team, with Junior Brother Hu Xiaobao and Junior Brother Zichen assisting."

"Yes," the three replied.

Song Xian gave some further instructions, asking each department to make the necessary preparations for scheduling, and then ended the meeting, leaving only Lin Zixiang, Hu Xiaobao, and Jiang Zichen behind.

After the others got up and left, he spoke: "In this battle, in addition to the 1,500 disciples, I intend to send ten Foundation Establishment cultivators to accompany us, and the rest will stay behind. The reason I've kept you here is to discuss who will accompany the team and who will stay behind."

Upon hearing this, the three men reacted differently. Jiang Zichen lowered his gaze, Hu Xiaobao's expression was cold and stern, and Lin Zixiang glanced at the two of them. Seeing that they remained silent, he then spoke.

"Since our sect returned to Bianxi City, there has been no large-scale war, but our personnel have expanded significantly. These people have no merits, so their assistance to the Beast Taming Sect in this war is a good opportunity for them to gain experience. I intend to select all the recruits from the disciples of these emerging sects, including Foundation Establishment cultivators."

"What do you think?" Song Xian looked at Hu Xiaobao and Jiang Zichen.

“I agree.” Hu Xiaobao nodded immediately.

“I agree as well,” Jiang Zichen echoed immediately.

"Then so be it! Ten Foundation Establishment cultivators, besides myself. Senior Brother Zixiang and Xiaobao, as sect elders, you two should also go and set an example. The remaining seven will be selected from those who have made fewer contributions." Song Xian pondered for a moment and slowly presented the list of participants.

"One for Li Tai, one for Huang Qi, one for Gu Qingming, one for Shen Su, one for Zhang Yanqing, one for Yang Shen, and one for Xiao Ling."

Lin Zixiang had anticipated that he would be called up for the conscription. After all, he was the head of the Martial Guard Pavilion. With more than half of the sect's disciples being sent out in such a large-scale battle, he had no reason not to go. Therefore, he was not surprised that Song Xian had selected him as one of the ten. He calmly said "okay".

Hu Xiaobao's expression didn't change much, and he nodded as well.

After all, Song Xian, as the sect leader, personally led the team, so what could he possibly say?

The group discussed the specifics further, and after the meeting, they all left.

……

The sky was clear and sunny, with not a cloud in the sky.

The spirit ship, fluttering the flag of the Beast Taming Sect, sped through the air. At the bow, Song Xian and Xu Yaoming stood side by side. Looking into the distance, they could vaguely see a huge blue light screen, which was the location of the Beast Taming Sect's front-line headquarters.

Just as the spirit ship approached, two streaks of light shot out and stopped in front of it. They were two Foundation Establishment cultivators dressed in the robes of the Beast Taming Sect.

Under Xu Yaoming's command, the spirit ship slowly came to a stop. After the defensive shield on it was deactivated, a slender Foundation Establishment cultivator from the Beast Taming Sect flashed onto the spirit ship and bowed to Xu Yaoming: "Senior Brother Xu, I have been ordered to come and welcome you and the fellow Daoists from Bianxi City."

“Junior Brother Zhang, it’s been a long time.” Xu Yaoming returned the greeting. “Let me introduce you. This is Fellow Daoist Song Xian, the sect leader of the Hunyuan Sect in Bianxi City. Sect Leader Song, this is Junior Brother Zhang Wentian of our sect.”

"Fellow Daoist Zhang, the two thousand recruited cultivators from this city have arrived. What are your orders?"

"Sect Leader Song, Senior Brother Xu, you two should come with me to see Uncle Xu and follow his instructions. The rest of you can wait here for now."

"Okay." Song Xian nodded, gave an instruction to Lin Zixiang behind him, and then rose up with him, leaving the spirit ship.

After walking for a short while, the three entered the blue light curtain and arrived at a spacious and bright hall. Zhang Wentian said "Wait a moment" and then left.

After a while, a burly old man with graying temples entered from outside. He was none other than Xu Xiansheng, an elder of the Beast Taming Sect.

Xu Yaoming and Song Xian had already sensed the arrival of the person and got up early to wait with their hands at their sides.

"This disciple greets Martial Uncle Xu."

"Greetings, senior."

The two men stood by, respectfully welcoming Xu Xiansheng inside.

"Have all two thousand cultivators from Bianxi City arrived?" Xu Xiansheng asked expressionlessly as he walked to the main seat and sat down. Without any pleasantries, he went straight to the point.

"Reporting to Senior, all 1,500 disciples of our sect, plus the 500 cultivators recruited by various sects in Bianxi City, have arrived here and are awaiting your command."

Song Xian immediately replied, and deliberately emphasized that 1,500 of the 2,000 cultivators were disciples of the Hunyuan Sect, in order to leave a good impression and let the higher-ups of the Beast Taming Sect know that he had done his best to assist them this time.

"You two thousand men are now going to Huayan Valley, where a force from our sect is stationed. You will follow the orders of our disciple Zhao Botao."

"Yes."

"You will now lead the conscription team from the western part of the city to join them."

"This disciple takes his leave," Xu Yaoming replied, turning and heading out of the hall.

Song Xian glanced at him, then had no choice but to accept his farewell and leave.

He had originally intended to take the opportunity of their meeting to bring up the matter of borrowing the Beast Taming Sect's mountain gate to form his core, but Xu Xiansheng didn't give him a chance to speak at all. If he were to forcefully bring up this matter at this time, it would only cause resentment and might backfire.

"Master Xu, when you return to your sect to report for duty, I hope you will put in a good word for me in front of your sect. Whether I can get this opportunity to break through to the Core Formation stage depends on you."

Only after they were far from the main hall did Song Xian speak, explaining that Xu Yaoming had not come as a combatant, but rather to escort the cultivators recruited by Bianxi City. He would return to Bianxi City after the handover was completed.

Although the Beast Taming Sect has declared war on the Murong family, it doesn't need another Foundation Establishment disciple like him. If the war goes badly, the Beast Taming Sect may continue to recruit sects from various cities, and it needs him, as the person in charge, to take charge of the follow-up matters.

"Don't worry, Sect Leader Song. Whenever I have the chance, I will definitely mention this matter to my senior uncles in the sect. However, I am just a nobody and my influence is limited."

"I would be extremely grateful if Steward Xu would just put in a good word for me."

The two rose into the air and returned to the spirit ship, leading two thousand cultivators from Bianxi City towards Huayan Valley.

(End of this chapter)