Hunyuan Immortal Sect

Chapter 502 Rising Fame
There were no traces of the Murong family cultivators inside the defensive light barrier; they had clearly all fled.

Hong Haoran did not give up. He immediately ordered his troops to split up and capture and kill the fleeing Murong family cultivators.

After this great battle, many of them had nearly exhausted their spiritual power, but there was nothing they could do but continue to pursue the fleeing Murong family cultivators.

Song Xian's troops pursued the enemy to the northwest for a while, but fortunately they only encountered a few scattered low-level cultivators from the Murong family.

Most of them wisely chose to surrender, while the small number who were unwilling to surrender were easily dealt with.

According to these people, the Murong family had originally prepared a third-tier spirit ship to help them escape from Xijiang County, but after leaving the mountain gate, they were attacked by Song Zhongping, the Grand Elder of the Beast Taming Sect, and others, and the spirit ship was destroyed.

Without the spirit ship, they could only scatter and flee. Before they dispersed, the Murong family leaders gave them instructions, requiring the surviving disciples to gather in Xishu County.

After the chase ended, the group returned to the Murong family's mountain gate and were assigned to guard a nearby hill.

……

As night fell, in a simple tent on a desolate hillside, the lights were on, and Song Xian, Lin Zixiang, Hu Xiaobao, Yang Shen, Xiao Ling, and Huang Qi gathered in one room.

In this attack on the Murong family's mountain gate, nearly half of the Hunyuan Sect disciples were killed or wounded, and only six of the ten Foundation Establishment cultivators survived. Among them, Li Tai, Gu Qingming, Shen Su, and Zhang Yanqing all died.

This can be described as the most devastating battle in the sect's history since its founding.

"Junior Brother Lin, immediately organize a team to send the injured disciples back to the sect to rest and recuperate, and ensure that they recover from their injuries."

"For those disciples who unfortunately died, if their bodies can be found, they should be transported back to the sect for burial. If they have relatives or descendants, they should be properly settled and given compensation in accordance with the sect's regulations."

"Among the disciples who remain, those who deserve reward should be rewarded, and those who deserve honor should be honored..."

Just as Song Xian was arranging post-war matters, a disciple came to the tent: "Reporting to the sect leader, Senior Zhao Botao of the Beast Taming Sect has arrived."

"Please let him in." Song Xian ended the meeting, and the others got up and left. Soon, Zhao Botao entered from outside with a smile on his face.

"Fellow Daoist Zhao, your presence is an honor. I am deeply sorry for not welcoming you properly."

Zhao Botao chuckled and said, "We are friends who have fought side by side and gone through life and death together. There is no need for such politeness from Headmaster Song. If it weren't for Headmaster Song's heroic efforts today, our troops would have suffered heavy casualties. In fact, I should thank Headmaster Song."

"Fellow Daoist Zhao is too kind. I was just doing my duty. The victory over the Murong family was mainly due to the strength of your sect. I dare not take credit for it."

"Even so, Sect Leader Song's contribution is undeniable. He single-handedly repelled Murong Hai, and when the battle was going poorly, he killed several Foundation Establishment cultivators of the enemy army, causing the enemy army to panic and collapse without a fight. If it weren't for Sect Leader Song's great power, our army would have been utterly defeated today."

"This is all thanks to everyone. How could I dare to claim credit for it? Our victory today is also due to Fellow Daoist Zhao's skillful leadership."

Zhao Botao's smile widened. He was supposed to be punished for leading his troops to retreat from the formation without permission or orders, but Hong Haoran gave him another chance to redeem himself. His troops not only defeated the enemy forces on the east side of the formation, but also arrived at the formation's light barrier first.

This back-and-forth not only caused no harm but also brought merit.

After the battle, he inquired privately and found out that of the three teams that stormed the formation, only his team had defeated the Murong family's enemy army without any support.

The main force of the Beast Taming Sect in the south only turned the tide after Hong Haoran personally led his troops into the formation to provide support.

The western part of the formation had already been routed, but the enemy heard the order to retreat and returned to the mountain gate, which allowed them to regroup. Therefore, they were the last of the three formations to arrive in front of the defensive light barrier.

After returning to the Murong family's mountain gate to rest and recuperate, Hong Haoran praised him a few times when he reported the battle situation to Hong Haoran.

All of this was because of Song Xian. He knew very well that if Song Xian had not killed the enemy's commander Murong Zhibo and broken the enemy's morale, the enemy would not have been able to flee back to the mountain gate in such a crushing defeat.

Hearing Song Xian take the credit and say that he was a good leader, he was naturally very pleased.

"Sect Leader Song is right, this is everyone's achievement. I said the same thing when I reported to the Sect Leader today. However, there are different levels of achievement. Sect Leader Song's defeat of Murong Hai and killing of the enemy's commander Murong Zhibo is something that everyone in this sect has witnessed, and I have reported it to the Sect Leader truthfully."

"Then thank you very much, Fellow Daoist Zhao."

Song Xian didn't really care about this. He wasn't a member of the Beast Taming Sect, and no matter how great his achievements, the sect wouldn't promote him. At most, they would give him some spirit stones as a reward, which was beneath his means.

If the Beast Taming Sect were to grant some resources and spiritual veins based on merit, there would be some hope. However, the Beast Taming Sect never mentioned this matter from beginning to end. They didn't promise it before the war, and they certainly wouldn't give it after the war.

"Of course. By the way, our sect leader wants to see Sect Leader Song at noon tomorrow, and I've come to inform him of this."

"Oh? Your sect leader wishes to see me? What brings you here?" Upon hearing this, Song Xian's eyes lit up.

"I don't know what it is, but it can't be anything bad."

"I wonder if I am visiting alone, or with others?"

"As far as I know, in addition to Sect Leader Song, the leaders of the sects from several other cities will also be going."

"Oh! Okay, I understand." Song Xian nodded, feeling somewhat disappointed. Hong Haoran's summons of the leaders who recruited cultivators from various cities was clearly just a routine expression of gratitude.

It is estimated that he was in a great mood after taking down the Murong family's mountain gate, so he wanted to meet them in person to show the importance that the Beast Taming Sect attaches to them.

"Then I won't bother you any longer. This time, our headquarters has won a great victory, which should be celebrated. When are you and your fellow Daoists free? I'll host a feast for us."

"Thank you for your kindness, Fellow Daoist Zhao. However, our sect is currently dealing with the funeral arrangements for our dead and injured disciples, so it may be inconvenient for us in the near future."

"It's alright, there will be plenty of opportunities in the future. I'll take my leave now." Zhao Botao got up and left.

……

Less than half an hour after he left, Feng Ziyi, the Grand Elder of Huayuan Sect, came to visit again.

The two met inside the tent, exchanged a few pleasantries, and then took their seats.

"I don't come here unless I have a reason. I wonder if Sect Leader Song has received an invitation from Senior Hong Haoran of the Beast Taming Sect?" After taking his seat, Feng Ziyi got straight to the point.

Upon hearing this, Song Xian immediately guessed why he had come. Earlier, when he had just arrived in Xijiang County, he had mentioned that after the war, they should jointly promise the Beast Taming Sect a security guarantee, ensuring that the Bright Moon Sect would not plunder the resources of their territory, but he had politely declined.

The reason for my return today must be for this matter.

Song Xian nodded calmly: "I have just received news that Senior Hong will summon us at noon tomorrow."

"I only learned of this letter recently, which is why I have taken the liberty of disturbing Sect Leader Song so late. Sect Leader Song should still remember our conversation outside the Beast Taming Sect's mountain gate!"

"Of course I remember."

"We will be meeting Senior Hong tomorrow. There is no better opportunity than this. I have reached an agreement with Fellow Daoist Jia Yun, the leader of Xuan Yang Sect. Tomorrow we will make a request to Senior Hong to ensure that our territory is not invaded by Ming Yue Sect. We hope that your sect can join us."

"Well..." Song Xian looked troubled.

Seeing his hesitation, Feng Ziyi quickly advised, "We all know Xu Zhuoxuan's character. He is narrow-minded and ambitious. Your sect has just fallen out with the Mingyue Sect. Although a major war did not break out under the mediation of the Beast Taming Sect, it was only because the Beast Taming Sect needed your sect and the Mingyue Sect to deal with the Murong family, so they did not want you to kill each other."

"Now that the threat from the Murong family has been eliminated, the Bright Moon Sect may very well take action against your sect. At that time, the Beast Taming Sect may not necessarily step in."

"Of course, I admit that Xu Zhuoxuan is most concerned about the spiritual veins of our sect, but this matter is also beneficial to your sect."

"If we can get a guarantee from the Beast Taming Sect, we can all feel at ease. Besides, this is a reasonable request."

"We helped the Beast Taming Sect annex the Murong family this time, and they guaranteed our safety. Isn't that what they should do? What is there for Sect Leader Song to worry about?"

Song Xian remained silent for a moment before slowly speaking: "To be honest, Fellow Daoist Feng, I have a difficult reason to accept your request. But I believe that Senior Hong will definitely guarantee the safety of your sect."

Feng Ziyi was surprised that he would refuse, and his face immediately turned a little ugly, but he quickly composed himself. Since the matter had already been brought up, there was no point in saying anything more.

"Since Sect Leader Song has his own difficulties, I cannot force him. As for our alliance, what are Sect Leader Song's thoughts?"

"This matter is of utmost importance and requires careful consideration. We will discuss it further after we return to our sect."

Song Xian is now only focused on obtaining the opportunity to reach the Beast Taming Sect and form his core. He does not want to cause any trouble and therefore will not agree to any of their requests.

Feng Ziyi's attempts to persuade him failed, and he could only leave helplessly.

…………

The next day, Song Xian arrived at the council hall of the Murong family's mountain gate as promised. When he was led inside, there were already several people seated in the inner room. In addition to Zhang Tianfang, the inner disciple of the Beast Taming Sect, there were also Feng Ziyi, the Grand Elder of the Huayuan Sect, and Jia Yun, the Grand Elder of the Xuanyang Sect.

"Sect Leader Song has arrived. Please, have a seat." Zhang Tianfang stood up with a smile to greet him.

Song Xian returned the greeting and took his seat below.

"Sect Leader Song is truly a dragon among men. I have heard that Fellow Daoist Song fought Murong Hai alone and forced him to retreat. This matter will surely spread throughout the entire Western Frontier County soon."

"These are all rumors. I am merely a Foundation Establishment cultivator. How could I be a match for Murong Hai? In reality, it was the disciples of our sect who provided the full assistance. Murong only retreated after receiving the order to withdraw."

"Sect Leader Song is too modest. More than one or two people witnessed your battle with Murong Hai. Although your sect's disciples helped, it mainly relied on your skills."

Song Xian smiled politely and did not continue the conversation.

After chatting for a while, around noon, footsteps sounded outside, and Hong Haoran strode in with his head held high.

(End of this chapter)