With the rise of my family, I can summon the Daoist Soldiers' Nest.

Liu Zhenghua led Lin Ye and Liu Yingping on a swift journey, and soon arrived at the residence of the Wangchuan Peak Sect Leader.

He stepped forward and gently knocked on the door knocker, explaining his purpose to the gatekeeper: "I have important business to discuss with the sect leader." The disciple dared not delay and hurriedly went inside to report.

A short while later, a steady response came from inside the door, and the three were led into an elegant hall.

The sect leader, "Master Qingxi" Chu Huaixi, was already sitting quietly in the hall, dressed in a plain-colored Taoist robe. His face was thin and his eyes were deep, exuding an air of authority without anger.

Sect Leader Chu looked up at the three people who had entered, his gaze lingering briefly on Lin Ye as if he were pondering something. He then turned to Liu Zhenghua, his tone calm but tinged with doubt: "Elder Liu, what brings you to see me in such a hurry?"

Liu Zhenghua cupped his hands and said, "Reporting to the Sect Leader, Lin Ye, an outer sect steward, recently signed a contract for a Daoist soldier's lair in Xiang County, Qingyang Prefecture, where his family is located. I have come to report this."

Upon hearing this, Sect Leader Chu, who had been sitting upright, trembled slightly and stood up abruptly, his gaze fixed on Lin Ye, his eyes revealing surprise and inquiry. He slowly sat down, still staring at Lin Ye, and said in a deep voice, "Tell me the details."

Lin Ye maintained his reporting posture, "Reporting to the Sect Leader, I am Lin Ye, an outer sect steward who came down the mountain half a year ago. After coming down the mountain, I returned to my hometown by Yandang Lake in Xiang County."

My family, the Lin family, originally owned a horse farm. Six years ago, the Northern Xiongnu launched a surprise attack on Xiang County, causing heavy casualties to my family. With no one to manage it, the horse farm was abandoned and taken over by other families in the county.

Six months ago, I returned to Xiang County on the orders of my sect to develop my family using the resources gifted by the Sword Sect. When the families in the county learned that I was an outer sect steward of the Sword Sect, they returned the horse ranch to me.

He paused, then continued: Some time ago, Uncle Lin Qiang saw that the family was gradually improving, and proposed to clear out the monsters in the horse farm and rebuild the horse farm.

Two days ago, I led my people to clear out the area. That night, we were attacked by a pack of Black Wind Wolves. While chasing the third-rate wolf king, I discovered an unguarded Taoist soldier's lair and made a pact with it.

After listening, Sect Leader Chu frowned slightly, pondered for a moment, and then pressed on, "The horse ranch was occupied by a family from the county town. Why didn't they clear out the demonic beasts, causing the ranch to fall into disrepair? You chased after a third-rate wolf king all by yourself? What kind of Daoist soldier's lair was that? And who else knew you had a contract with that lair?"

Lin Ye remained expressionless and performed the tasks one by one.

"The small families in the county town have limited power, and there is no den to suppress them in Xiang County. There are many monsters, so the horse farm has been abandoned and monsters have been entrenched there."

I have mastered the sect's secret manual, the Shadow Spear. I only went to chase after the Wolf King after I and a clansman who was about to break through to the third rank were severely injured by him.

The contract's nest is a third-rate production-type Taoist soldier called "Rotten Soil Ant Servant".

I only told my mother about this, to prevent the spies from the Northern Xiongnu from finding out, and then I rode back to the sect as fast as I could.

After listening, Sect Leader Chu's serious face finally showed a slight smile. "I roughly understand."

The horse ranch had been abandoned for a long time, and a nest had sprung up on its own. The production-type Taoist soldiers produced by the nest were relatively weak and were killed by the nearby wolf pack, which is how you managed to find them.

Deacon Lin, please don't blame me for asking so many questions, but this concerns the master of the lair, and the sect must be cautious.

Historically, some people from the Northern Han Dynasty defected to the Northern Xiongnu, using their power to establish alliances and acquire fiefdoms. However, during wartime, they turned against them, allowing the Northern Xiongnu cavalry to invade rapidly—a lesson that serves as profound.

His tone softened, "I'm pleased that you reported to the sect immediately. But I still have to ask, do you intend to offer your nest to the sect, or do you want to use it to acquire a fiefdom and develop your family?"

Lin Ye did not hesitate at all. "I hope to acquire a fiefdom and develop my family. Only in this way can the nest truly play its role. Only when the family is strong can it provide more resources to the sect."

Sect Leader Chu waved his hand, as if he had expected his choice. "So you've come to seek the support of the Sword Sect?"

"Exactly." Lin Ye nodded. "The Lin family is weak, with spies all over the Northern Xiongnu and bandits rampant in Gongchang Prefecture. Without the protection of a sect, the Lin family would find it difficult to resist either assassination attempts by experts or attacks by bandits."

We earnestly request the Sword Sect to send warriors to garrison Lin Family Village. The Lin Family is willing to transfer 50% of the profits from its fiefdom to the sect.

Sect Leader Chu pondered for a moment, then smiled and said, "Fifty percent is too much. Let's stick to the usual and go for thirty percent. Your thoughtful consideration has impressed me."

"Speaking of which, I just remembered. Half a year ago, when you came down the mountain, you brought two Taoist soldiers with you. At the time, I thought you were being a bit too high-profile and had some reservations about you. But after hearing your arrangements today, my opinion of you has changed drastically, and I have a lot of confidence in the Lin family's future."

He stood up. "You all go back and wait. I will summon the elders to discuss this matter and then come to see you again this afternoon."

As soon as he finished speaking, Master Chu's figure vanished like a gentle breeze, leaving only Lin Ye and Liu Zhenghua standing in the hall.

"Why don't you and Yingping go to my house for a meal and rest for a while? I won't go back; I need to go to the council hall to discuss this. Don't worry, I'm here; I won't treat you unfairly."

"You haven't had a good rest on this journey, so there's no rush. We'll discuss it and the sect leader will let us know." Liu Zhenghua patted Lin Ye on the shoulder, his tone gentle.

Lin Ye nodded. His nerves had been on edge the whole way, from the time the nest materialized to the time he rushed back to the sect. He had hardly relaxed for a moment. Now that he was in the Sword Sect, he could finally catch his breath.

He accompanied Liu Yingping to Liu Zhenghua's home. Lunch was light but warm, and they chatted about the family's recent situation and future plans. Madam Liu also inquired about his arduous journey. After lunch, he went to bed and slept until evening before being woken by a servant.

The sect leader sent someone to tell him to go to the council hall immediately.

Lin Ye quickly straightened his clothes and headed to the council hall alone.

Inside the hall, Sect Leader Chu Huaixi sat in the center, flanked by several elders dressed in blue robes, their expressions solemn. Liu Zhenghua was also among them.

Lin Ye walked steadily into the hall, composed himself, and bowed: "Lin Ye, outer sect steward, greets the sect leader and elders."

Sect Leader Chu nodded slightly and got straight to the point, "Lin Ye, today the elders and I discussed your contracted nest matter. We are very pleased that you reported it and sought the sect's help immediately."

However, since you have chosen to establish your stronghold within the family to obtain a fiefdom, while the Sword Sect will provide support, you are required to promise to transfer 30% of the fiefdom's profits to the sect within twenty years. This is explained to you in advance.

His tone was calm, yet carried an undeniable weight, as he went on to announce the specific support plan for the sword sect:

First, effective immediately, Lin Ye is promoted from outer sect steward to true disciple, and can learn the sect's true techniques to enhance his strength and safety.

Secondly, over the next twenty years, the Sword Sect will station one first-rate elder, four second-rate true disciples, and ten third-rate inner disciples permanently in Linjiawu, specifically responsible for protecting the fortress and nest.

However, these powers are only used to defend the nest and the fortress itself; the sect will not intervene in any of the family's struggles outside.

Third, the Sword Sect will allocate a sum of operational supplies to assist the Lin family in developing production.

Sect Leader Chu paused briefly, then added, "In addition, your Dao soldier 'Rotten Soil Ant Servant' is a production type, which can increase the yield of spiritual plants."

The sect is willing to exchange one second-rate combat-type Dao soldier, the Azure Vanguard Rider, for two of your Rotten Soil Ant Servants, with no upper limit on the number, in order to enhance your clan's combat strength.

Finally, he said in a deep voice: "Because Gongchang Prefecture currently has no stronghold to suppress and is in chaos, if you apply to the court for a fiefdom on your own, you may be assigned to the Gongchang Prefecture area."

The sect can make arrangements with the imperial court in advance to ensure that when you apply for a fiefdom, it is located in a safer and more controllable place.

Lin Ye was shocked. Fortunately, he trusted the sect and returned in time to report. Otherwise, if he had applied on his own, he might have been in danger and even been sent to a dangerous place like Gongchang Prefecture.

Although the sect takes 30% of the profits over twenty years, in return they receive one first-rate martial artist, four second-rate martial artists, and ten third-rate martial artists stationed there long-term.

In terms of combat strength, a mediocre fighter can defeat five trained soldiers, a third-rate fighter can defeat five mediocre fighters, a second-rate fighter can defeat five third-rate fighters... These forces are enough to directly confront thousands of well-trained soldiers.

Moreover, these are all from sects, possessing exquisite martial arts skills and stronger actual combat capabilities. Although the enemy will also include martial artists, they cannot all be soldiers.

However, with the combined strength of the family, it is extremely difficult for an enemy force of less than a few hundred men to breach the fortified village, greatly enhancing its security.

Lin Ye immediately and solemnly declared, "Thank you for the sect's strong support. I will dedicate myself to developing my family and fiefdom, and contribute even more to the sect. The Lin family swears to be loyal to the Sword Sect to the death!"

"Regarding the location of the fiefdom," he thought for a moment and said firmly, "I hope it will be located in Xiang County."

Sect Leader Chu smiled and said, "Alright, the sect will gather the relevant personnel tomorrow, and they will escort you back to Xiang County secretly the day after tomorrow."

As for applying to the imperial court for a fiefdom, the Sword Sect has already made arrangements by the time you arrive in Xiang County. You can then personally handle the matter. This will also allow you to take the opportunity to eliminate a group of Northern Xiongnu spies.