Hunyuan Immortal Sect

Chapter 504 A Double Win

Under the bright moonlight, Hong Haoran slowly entered the magnificent and spacious mansion at the mountain gate of the Beast Taming Sect.

Inside, Wang Xuan was already standing and waiting: "Master, we now know Murong Teng's whereabouts."

"Where is he now?" Hong Haoran asked calmly as he sat down in the main seat without stopping.

Although Murong Teng's escape from disaster is a potential threat, the situation in Xijiang County is now stable, and he is unlikely to cause any significant trouble. At least in the short term, there is no need to worry about him making a comeback.

"According to reliable sources, Murong Teng went to the Xuan Yuan Sect's mountain gate."

Hong Haoran nodded expressionlessly, not surprised at all. He had already learned from the surrendered Murong family cultivators that Murong Teng wanted them to go to Xishu County to meet him.

Since the agreement was to meet in Xishu County, they must go to Xuanyuan Sect to seek justice and appeal.

However, the Beast Taming Sect had already made preparations. Their attack on the Murong family was naturally tacitly approved by the higher-ups of the Xuan Yuan Sect.

Now that the Murong family has been driven out, the Xuan Yuan Sect will not go back on its word and force them to return to Xijiang County to disrupt the situation. Hong Haoran is confident of this.

"Murong Teng is quite smart; he didn't give up and head south to seek refuge in Nanhan County. It's a pity; if he had really gone to Nanhan County, the Xuan Yuan Sect would have eliminated him on the way without us having to lift a finger."

"Master, what if the Xuan Yuan Sect intervenes and asks us to return the Murong family's mountain gate to them? How should we respond?"

"Don't worry, I'm sure the Xuan Yuan Sect won't do that." Hong Haoran's eyes shone with confidence.

“First of all, we have already obtained their permission. If they interfere now, wouldn’t they be contradicting themselves? Secondly, if they forcibly intervene and force the Murong family to return to Xijiang County, it will not benefit them.”

"Things have escalated to this point, and the Xuan Yuan Sect understands that two tigers cannot share the same mountain. The Murong family's return to Xijiang County will only lead to endless fighting between us and the Murong family.

“In the past, the Xuan Yuan Sect might not have cared. But now, with the Southern Han County rebels eyeing them covetously, they will not let their internal conflicts go unchecked.”

“The Xuan Yuan Sect must know that no matter how nice the Murong family’s words are, they know in their hearts that the Xuan Yuan Sect secretly supports our attack on them.”

"So no matter what it does now, the Murong family will not be grateful to it; on the contrary, it will make us resentful."

"The Murong family is far weaker than us, so why should they risk losing more for a small gain?"

Wang Xuan nodded respectfully: "Master is right. I was too naive and did not think as thoroughly as you."

Hong Haoran smiled slightly. In recent years, he had been devoted to cultivation and had rarely managed sect affairs. Since Wang Xuan formed his core, he had even handed over the power of the sect to him. Hearing his words, he felt a little proud. The old fox is indeed shrewd! These young people are inexperienced after all.

"You haven't encountered many major events like this, so it's normal that your thinking isn't as thorough. You'll know how to handle things once you gain experience. To guess the other party's next move, you need to clearly understand what they are thinking so that you can deal with it calmly."

"Yes, disciple will remember Master's teachings." Wang Xuan flipped his hand and took out a stack of files: "Master, this is the list of those who made meritorious contributions and those who were injured or killed in this battle. Disciple has made preliminary arrangements for the rewards of those who made meritorious contributions and the compensation for those who were injured or killed. Do you think there is anything wrong with it?"

Hong Haoran waved his hand: "You can handle these small matters yourself, no need to show them to me. Do you know how many cultivators from the Murong family have fled to Xishu County?"

The exact number is not yet clear.

"We must keep a close eye on the Murong family's movements. Although the overall situation is settled, we cannot be careless."

"Yes, disciple understands. There is another matter. Song Xian of the Hunyuan Sect requested to borrow the spiritual energy of our sect to attack the Golden Core Realm. He mentioned this when he led the cultivators from Bianxi City to help in the battle. A few days ago, he came to see disciple again, begging our sect to allow him to form his Golden Core at the sect gate."

Hong Haoran's words were completely flat: "He proposed using our sect's mountain gate to break through to the Core Formation stage before even setting off? He certainly had a good idea."

"If we could lend him our sect's mountain gate to help him form his core, I estimate he would be very likely to break through to the Golden Core realm."

Hong Haoran glanced at him: "What makes you think he can succeed?"

Wang Xuan explained in detail: "This person is exceptionally strong, and can be considered the number one person below the Golden Core stage. At least in Xijiang County, no one can surpass him. He has many brilliant achievements before. This time, in the attack on the Murong family's mountain gate, the Second Brigade was able to defeat the enemy who were waiting in ambush and arrive at the defensive light barrier first. This person deserves the most credit."

"Master already knows that when the second battalion commander Zhao Botao faced the first wave of counterattack from the Murong family, he led his men to escape from the formation. The reason why our disciples were able to withdraw calmly without major casualties is because Song Xian blocked Murong Hai."

"He led two thousand cultivators from Bianxi City to resist Murong Hai's forces and even repelled them. It is said that he performed extremely well in this battle, almost single-handedly resisting Murong Hai's powerful offensive. Rumor has it that the two fought to a draw."

"Afterwards, the second brigade regrouped and attacked the formation again. When they encountered the second wave of counterattack from the Murong family, it was he who killed three Foundation Establishment cultivators, including the leader of the Murong family, in succession, which turned the tide."

Upon hearing this, Hong Haoran simply nodded without changing his expression: "So, he made a significant contribution in this battle."

"Yes, and in this battle, Bianxi City not only mobilized two thousand cultivators, but also suffered nearly half their casualties." "Do you think he's reliable?"

"The Hunyuan Sect was originally just a small sect in Bianxi City. It migrated from Pingyuan County. It was only with the support of our sect that it became the leading force in Bianxi City. Based on its past performance, the Hunyuan Sect has always been obedient to our sect, so it seems reliable at present."

"You think highly of this person?"

“Master, you are wise. I believe this person is both capable and strong, and has great potential. Moreover, he has been supported by our sect. If we can help him break through to the Golden Core stage, he may be of great use to our sect in the future. In the current uncertain situation, having another Golden Core cultivator who obeys our sect’s orders is beneficial no matter what.”

Wang Xuan did not shy away from the question and answered truthfully.

Although these words came from the bottom of his heart, there were still some hidden thoughts he hadn't revealed. The reason he spoke well of Song Xian in front of Hong Haoran was partly due to the reasons he had just mentioned, and partly due to his dissatisfaction with Xu Zhuoxuan.

Since advancing to the Golden Core stage, Xu Zhuoxuan has become noticeably arrogant. Relying on his relationship with Hong Haoran, he doesn't even give him face.

Previously, when the Mingyue Sect attacked the Huayuan Sect's mountain gate, he sent someone to communicate with them and ask them to withdraw their troops, but they refused.

If the Bright Moon Sect were more powerful, they would be even less likely to take him seriously.

He knew the inside story. The Mingyue Sect had sent three thousand cultivators to participate in the war, and the secret price was that the Beast Taming Sect agreed to give the Mingyue Sect another chance to attack the Huayuan Sect.

Hong Haoran had already agreed to the matter, but he did not want the Mingyue Sect's power to expand further. He could not do anything openly, but he could secretly create obstacles for them.

To prevent the Mingyue Sect from expanding its power further, it is necessary to find someone to restrain Xu Zhuoxuan. If Song Xian can break through to the Golden Core stage, he can serve to restrain the Mingyue Sect.

Not to mention that Hunyuan Sect and Mingyue Sect had just fallen out and almost triggered a major war, Hunyuan Sect's own stance and attitude were not to want Mingyue Sect to annex Huayuan Sect.

Allowing Song Xian to form his core at the mountain gate wouldn't cost him anything; it was just a small favor. It would both do him a good deed and keep the Bright Moon Sect in check, making it a win-win situation for him.

That's why he was willing to say so many good things about Song Xian.

“Those who are capable are often hard to control!” Hong Haoran’s eyes flickered slightly. “However, what you said makes sense. The situation is uncertain now. If we can have another Golden Core cultivator who obeys the orders of our sect, we will definitely be useful in the future.”

"So, Master has agreed to let him form his core at the mountain gate?"

“He’s not a disciple of this sect. Letting him attempt to break through to the Golden Core realm within the sect would disrupt the use of the sect’s cultivation rooms, which is inconvenient. How about this: lend him the spiritual vein of the Murong family’s mountain sect to attempt to break through to the Golden Core realm.”

"Yes, my disciple understands."

…………

While the two were talking, Murong Teng, far away in Xishu County, was also having a secret meeting with the high-ranking members of the Xuan Yuan Sect.

"The Beast Taming Sect has long coveted our resources and has wanted to eliminate us as soon as possible. Therefore, they spread rumors and fabricated stories that our sect colluded with the rebels in Nanhan County in order to mislead your sect and annex our sect."

"Senior Fang, as you know, our family has always been loyal to your clan. This is something that heaven and earth can attest to. If there is even the slightest falsehood in this, may I die a horrible death."

"We hope that Senior Fang will consider our family's many years of hard work and dedication and uphold justice for us. We and our entire family will be deeply grateful and will repay your kindness with our lives."

Murong Teng stood in the hall with a desolate expression, maintaining his bowed posture, but his gaze was intense.

He had no choice but to rely on the Xuan Yuan Sect for help, and the person in front of him was the only one he could count on, because he was the person among the high-ranking members of the Xuan Yuan Sect who had the closest relationship with the Murong family.

Sitting in front of Murong Teng was a thin, elderly man with slightly white hair and beard. He had a kind face and was Fang Hongjun, the external affairs manager of the Xuan Yuan Sect.

"Please sit down!" Fang Hongjun waved his hand with a smile, inviting him to sit down.

"Thank you, Senior." Murong Teng sat down as instructed. "You..."

Before he could finish speaking, Fang Hongjun raised his hand to interrupt him: "I know what you're going to say. To be honest, I did speak well of you in this matter. But not everyone in the sect trusts you. The Beast Taming Sect is very well prepared, which has made many people suspicious of you."

"But don't worry, the sect will definitely investigate this matter. Once it's cleared up, we will allow you to return to Xijiang County in the future."

"Now that you've left Xijiang County, why don't you rest here for a while? I'll try to find a third-tier spiritual vein for you to stay in, so your cultivation won't be delayed. What do you think?"

Murong Teng knew that since Xuan Yuan Sect had chosen to sit idly by and ignore the Beast Taming Sect's actions, it would definitely not step in to force the Beast Taming Sect to relinquish the Murong family's resources in the short term. Therefore, he could only nod helplessly.

(End of this chapter)