I'm in Yellow Maple Valley, and I have one equipment slot!

Author Luan Xinghai Han Paopao is waiting for you with "I Have an Equipment Slot in Huangfeng Valley!"

Not long after, Zhou Yuan rode his escape light and quietly returned to Ling Shu Mountain in Dongyu Kingdom.

Along the way, the atmosphere within the territory of Dongyu Kingdom was quite different from when I left a year ago.

Large flying boats and beast-drawn carriages came in an endless stream.

Carrying cultivators and supplies, they headed in different directions outside the borders of Dongyu Kingdom.

It was those local sects of Dongyu Kingdom that were "persuaded to leave" by the four major powers that were now migrating.

Although it was hard to leave their homeland, many cultivators wore expressions of reluctance and helplessness.

However, faced with the official announcement issued jointly by the four major powers of Tiannan and the coordinating cultivators they dispatched, no sect dared to openly resist.

The disparity in strength is too great; resistance would be tantamount to throwing an egg against a rock.

Moreover, the four major powers have also offered relatively reasonable compensation and resettlement plans.

There's always a way out.

Some smaller sects even believe that having a powerful backer is not necessarily a bad thing.

As for those independent cultivators who occupy small patches of spiritual veins or lands, as long as they are not within the designated core spiritual vein areas...

There is no need for mandatory relocation.

The announcements from the four major powers also stated that after the establishment of the Ascension Sect, independent cultivators are welcome to participate in the entrance examination, and those who abide by the rules are allowed to move around in non-core areas.

This gave many independent cultivators who had no intention of joining a sect or who thought they would have difficulty passing the assessment a glimmer of hope, and their resistance was greatly reduced.

Overall, the power transition in Dongyu Kingdom is proceeding smoothly and rapidly under the strong intervention of the four major powers.

Before the waves of resistance could even rise, they were calmed down by an invisible, immense force.

Zhou Yuan was very satisfied with this.

It saved him a lot of trouble.

Back at the Ling Shu Mountain cave, the restrictions were activated, and Yuan Yao, Yan Li, Zi Ling, Mei Ning, Ouyang Qing, and the other women had already sensed it.

They all came out to greet them with joy.

We haven't seen each other for a year, so we have a lot to talk about.

Zhou Yuan briefly recounted his experiences in Tiancheng, his eventual peace talks with Mulan, and his acquisition of Dongyu Kingdom as the foundation for his sect to be established, to the women.

Although many perilous details were omitted, the women were all overjoyed to hear that Zhou Yuan not only escaped unscathed but also facilitated peace talks, averted a major war, and ultimately gained a kingdom.

"Brother Zhou, are you really going to start your own sect? Will the whole country be ours?" Yuan Yao, the most lively of them all, tugged at Zhou Yuan's sleeve and asked excitedly.

"Great! We finally have a foundation that truly belongs to us!"

Zi Ling could not hide her excitement.

Although she was born into the Miaoyin Sect, the Miaoyin Sect is long gone.

Being able to participate in the creation of a brand new and more powerful sect is of great significance.

Yuan Yao, Mei Ning, and Ouyang Qing also wore happy expressions, their eyes filled with anticipation for the future.

Having followed Zhou Yuan for many years, wandering aimlessly, they are finally about to settle down.

How can one not feel excited about starting their own business?

"good."

Seeing the women's joyful expressions, Zhou Yuan also showed a gentle smile.

"From now on, Dongyu Kingdom will be our foundation. We will establish our sect, recruit disciples, and pass on our lineage. You will all be the founding elders of our Ascension Sect."

"Founding elders?" The women exchanged smiles, their hearts filled with a sense of responsibility and pride.

Zhou Yuan did not immediately begin the relocation process.

Establishing a school of thought is not something that can be accomplished overnight. The most important thing right now is to further enhance one's own strength in order to meet the challenges that may be faced after the establishment of the school.

He entrusted the affairs of the cave to the women, and then entered the innermost secret chamber to begin his seclusion.

The goal of this seclusion is clear—to refine all the remaining Geng essence into the other thirty-six Green Bamboo Bee Cloud Swords!

Decades ago, he had successfully refined the first batch of Geng essence into thirty-six flying swords, enabling him to unleash half of the Great Geng Sword Formation, whose power was already astonishing.

Now, after a series of battles and searches, the amount of Geng Jing is enough to upgrade all the remaining thirty-six natal flying swords!

Once the mission is accomplished, all seventy-two Green Bamboo Bee Cloud Swords infused with Geng essence will be ready, and the complete Great Geng Sword Formation will be able to reappear in the world!

Its power is far beyond that of half a sword formation, and it is enough to become his true trump card. If it were an ordinary late-stage Nascent Soul cultivator, he would even have the strength to kill him in one battle.

Inside the secret chamber, Zhou Yuan sat cross-legged in front of the refining furnace, his expression solemn. He threw heavy pieces of Geng Essence, each with a pale golden luster, into the furnace and slowly burned them with his own infant fire.

Then, one after another, the gleaming green bamboo bee cloud swords were thrown in. Using supreme sword techniques and divine sense, the refined Geng essence was guided to seep into the flying sword body, strand by strand, perfectly fusing with the original materials and enhancing its sharpness, hardness, and spirituality.

This is an extremely mentally and physically demanding process that allows no room for error.

Fortunately, Zhou Yuan had a strong spiritual sense and his magical power recovered very quickly. He also had experience refining Geng essence multiple times, so the progress was quite smooth.

Time slipped away quietly amidst the tedious yet focused work of crafting weapons.

One year later.

"Zheng—!"

A clear and resonant sword cry, seemingly capable of tearing through the void, suddenly rang out from the secret chamber, penetrating layers of restrictions and faintly reaching outside the cave!

Inside the secret chamber, Zhou Yuan suddenly opened his eyes, his gaze sharp as lightning, as if two tiny sword shadows had flashed by. A thought stirred within him.

"Whoosh whoosh whoosh—!"

Seventy-two golden, dazzling swords, their sharpness almost tangible, emerged one after another from his acupoints and dantian, instantly filling the entire secret chamber!

Each flying sword is about three feet long, with golden light flowing all over its body. The natural patterns on the sword are intertwined with Gengjin runes, exuding a terrifying aura that is indestructible and can cut through everything.

The seventy-two flying swords trembled slightly, emitting a "humming" resonance, faintly forming the prototype of an extremely profound sword formation, cutting the space in the secret chamber into a slight distortion.

"Great Geng Sword Formation, activate!"

Zhou Yuan let out a low shout, and his sword technique changed.

"Buzzing—!"

The seventy-two Gengjing flying swords shone brightly at the same time, and each flying sword instantly split into several or even dozens of extremely condensed golden sword lights!

In an instant, golden light surged within the secret chamber, and hundreds upon hundreds of golden sword lights, solid as solid and incomparably sharp, appeared out of thin air, layer upon layer, densely packed, completely engulfing Zhou Yuan's figure!

These sword lights are not the sword energy condensed by magic power like the Ten Thousand Swords Technique, but are actually derived from the natal flying sword mixed with Geng essence. Each sword light contains nearly half the sharpness and power of the flying sword itself, and is further enhanced by the sword formation, with each sword light echoing the others.

Its power increases exponentially!

The sword light merely hovered still, yet the chilling sword intent and cutting power it naturally emitted sliced ​​countless fine white marks into the walls of the secret chamber, which were reinforced with multiple restrictions!

If activated at full power, its power is simply unimaginable!

If an ordinary late-stage Nascent Soul cultivator were trapped in this formation, they would likely suffer a great loss in an instant without top-tier defensive magic treasures or special supernatural abilities!

Weaker late-stage Nascent Soul cultivators might even struggle to confront them head-on, risking their demise!

The complete Great Geng Sword Formation is finally complete!

Zhou Yuan's overall strength has surged once again!

A satisfied smile appeared on Zhou Yuan's face. With another thought, countless golden sword lights, like weary birds returning to their forest, entered the bodies of the seventy-two flying swords. The flying swords also transformed into streaks of golden light and returned to their bodies.

The chilling, sharp aura in the sealed room slowly dissipated.

Just then, a fluctuation came from the barrier outside the secret chamber; it was Yuan Yao's telepathic message:

"Brother Zhou, we have a guest visiting outside. It's Senior Wei Wuyai from the Nine Kingdoms Alliance."

"Wei Wuyai? He came in person?" Zhou Yuan was slightly surprised. He straightened his robes, waved his hand to open the secret chamber's barrier, and walked out.

Outside the cave, Wei Wuyai saw Zhou Yuan come out and said with a smile, "Fellow Daoist Zhou, I apologize for disturbing you."

"Seeing your spirit is full and your aura is sharp, your cultivation must have improved again. Congratulations!"

"Fellow Daoist Wei is too kind. Please have a seat."

Zhou Yuan invited Wei Wuyai into the cave and had him sit down. Yuan Yao served him some spiritual tea and then quietly withdrew.

"Fellow Daoist Wei has come in person; has there been any progress regarding the affairs of Dongyu Kingdom?"

Zhou Yuan asked directly.

"Exactly."

Wei Wuyai nodded, took out a jade slip and handed it to Zhou Yuan, "Within the territory of Dongyu Kingdom, the core spiritual vein areas that originally belonged to several mid-level sects have been basically cleared. The largest and best one among them is the original site of the 'Illusionary Form Sect's' mountain gate—Xingyi Mountain."

"This mountain is located in the central-western part of Dongyu Kingdom. Its main peak is thousands of feet high, and the mountain range stretches for more than 800 miles. A branch of a large spiritual vein lies underground, and the concentration of spiritual energy is second to none in Dongyu Kingdom. In addition, the terrain is treacherous. After discussing with fellow Daoists Zhiyang and Hehuan, we all believe that this place is the most suitable as the mountain gate of the Ascension Sect. The jade slip contains a detailed geomantic map of Xingyi Mountain and the surrounding area, as well as the distribution of spiritual veins."

Zhou Yuan took the jade slip, scanned it with his divine sense, and absorbed all the information about Xingyi Mountain's terrain, spiritual veins, and original architectural layout. He nodded and said, "This place is indeed excellent. Thank you for your trouble, fellow Daoists."

The location, the spiritual veins, and the existing foundation all met his expectations.

"I'm glad Fellow Daoist Zhou is satisfied."

Wei Wuyai smiled and then asked, "I wonder when Fellow Daoist Zhou has chosen to celebrate the founding of this sect? At that time, I, Wei, will certainly bring generous gifts to offer my congratulations!"

Zhou Yuan pondered for a moment and said, "Let's set it for after March. There will be plenty of time to prepare the mountain gate and send out invitations."

"After March? Great!"

Wei Wuyai clapped his hands, "At that time, all the prominent sects in Tiannan will surely send representatives to attend the ceremony. Fellow Daoist Zhou's Ascension Sect will undoubtedly make a name for itself and become another pillar of the Tiannan cultivation world! I will not disturb you any longer and wish Fellow Daoist Zhou all the best!"

"Thank you for your kind words, Fellow Daoist Wei." Zhou Yuan saw Wei Wuyai out of the cave.

After seeing Wei Wuyai off, Zhou Yuan didn't delay any longer and immediately began preparations for the relocation.

For establishing a sect, the mountain gate is fundamental. Although the cave dwelling on Ling Shu Mountain is good, it is only a temporary place for seclusion. Whether it is the scale of spiritual energy, the terrain, or the future development potential, it cannot compare with Xing Yi Mountain.

He personally led Yuan Yao and the other women to begin dismantling the layers of array formations and restrictions set up inside and outside the cave.

Those array flags, array plates, and array-setting artifacts were all collected and carefully crafted over many years, so naturally he wanted to take them all with him to set up a new mountain-protecting array.

He even carefully disassembled the teleportation array and collected the materials.

This was a meticulous and tedious project, but fortunately, there were enough people and Zhou Yuan had a deep understanding of the Dao of Battle, so progress was quite fast.

Two months later, the entire Ling Shu Mountain cave, except for the immovable mountain structures, had all the important array cores dismantled and packed away.

Except for the fact that the spiritual energy in the cave is still more concentrated than in other places, the entire cave is no different from an ordinary desolate mountain cave.

"Set off!"

At Zhou Yuan's command, he summoned the captured Wind Chariot, carrying Yuan Yao, Yan Li, Zi Ling, Mei Ning, and Ouyang Qing. They transformed into a white streak of light and left Ling Shu Mountain, which they had cultivated for many years, speeding towards Xing Yi Mountain in the central part of Dong Yu Kingdom.

Several days later, the majestic and continuous outline of Xingyi Mountain came into view.

The main peak, Xingyi Mountain, is indeed magnificent.

The mountain is majestic, like a sharp sword pointing to the sky, with clouds and mist swirling around its waist, adding to its ethereal beauty. A sweep of divine sense reveals the abundant and pure spiritual energy emanating from a large branch of the spiritual vein below.

Although the original pavilions, towers, halls and corridors in the mountains are somewhat dilapidated, the framework is still intact and can be used with a little repair.

Zhou Yuan drove the Wind Chariot and slowly landed on a relatively flat square at the top of the main peak of Xingyi Mountain.

This place should have been the main hall square of the Illusionary Form Sect. The ground was paved with huge white jade stones. Although it was covered in dust, its former grandeur was still evident.

As soon as everyone got off the flying vehicle, Zhou Yuan stirred his divine sense and looked towards the foot of the main peak.

There, he sensed a familiar aura, which was bringing with it hundreds of auras of varying strengths, heading towards the mountain.

A moment later, a slightly aged but vigorous white figure flew up to the summit and landed in front of Zhou Yuan. It was none other than Linghu Patriarch of Huangfeng Valley.

Behind him, hundreds of cultivators flew up one after another. The seven leading figures were all at the Core Formation stage, while the rest were at the Foundation Establishment stage. They were both men and women of different ages, but all wore the same Yellow Maple Valley attire. Their faces showed curiosity, excitement, and a hint of trepidation as they bowed to Zhou Yuan.

"Greetings, Senior Zhou!"

"Fellow Daoist Linghu, what is this...?" Zhou Yuan looked at Ancestor Linghu.

With a sincere smile, Elder Linghu cupped his hands and said, "Fellow Daoist Zhou, I heard that you plan to establish your sect in three months. I thought that with so many things to do at the new sect, you must be short-handed. So I specially selected a hundred of my more clever disciples from the valley to see if they can help out with some odd jobs. Moving stones and timber, cleaning the halls, and setting up some simple restrictions are all things they can handle. I hope Fellow Daoist Zhou will not find them lacking."

He adopted a very humble attitude, completely placing himself in the position of "helping".

The hundred Yellow Maple Valley disciples behind him stood respectfully with their hands at their sides, not daring to be negligent in the slightest. They had been strictly ordered before coming here to obey Zhou Yuan's commands and be regarded as the sect leader.

Upon hearing this, Zhou Yuan understood.

Linghu Patriarch is determined to submit to him. Sending his disciple here in advance is both a gesture of goodwill and a preparation for the future integration of Huangfeng Valley into the Shengxian Sect.

Zhou Yuan was naturally pleased with this outcome.

With the help of these hundred well-trained disciples who at least know some basic common sense about the cultivation world, the initial construction work will undoubtedly go much more smoothly.

"Fellow Daoist Linghu, you are very kind."

Zhou Yuan nodded, a smile appearing on his face. "In that case, let all my fellow disciples stay and help out for now."

"Yuan Yao, Zi Ling, you two make arrangements to divide and clear the area of ​​the palaces on the mountain, repairing what needs repairing and rebuilding what needs rebuilding."

"yes!"

Yuan Yao, Zi Ling, and the hundred disciples of Huangfeng Valley responded in unison.

With the addition of these hundred new recruits, Xingyi Mountain suddenly became lively.

Under the command of Yuan Yao, Zi Ling, and other women, the cultivators displayed their supernatural abilities, some using magical artifacts to cut and move boulders and timber, others casting spells to clear weeds and dust, reinforce buildings, and still others setting up simple lighting, dust removal, and early warning barriers.

Their efficiency far surpassed that of ordinary people; in just a few days, the main building complexes on the summit had begun to take on a neat and tidy appearance.

Zhou Yuan then arrived at a place on the back mountain of the main peak where spiritual energy was most concentrated, which was also the core hub of the original Illusionary Formation Sect's protective mountain array.

This is a naturally formed platform, overlooking a deep abyss and connecting with the clouds above, offering a wide view. He began to take out all the array-setting artifacts, array flags, and array plates he had brought from Ling Shu Mountain, and combined them with the original array foundation of Xingyi Mountain and the direction of the earth's veins to begin setting up a brand-new mountain-protecting array belonging to the "Ascension Immortal Sect".

Having gained experience from reinforcing Ling Shu Mountain and comprehending the Shangyuan Extinction Array, Zhou Yuan was even more adept at setting up the array this time.

Using those original array points as the core, he embedded high-grade spirit stones as the driving force and set up a simplified but powerful "Minor Yuan Light Mountain Protection Array" as the core defense.

The outer perimeter is surrounded by a complex array of restrictions, including the "Five Elements Revolving Array," the "Nine Palaces Illusion Array," and the "Small Sumeru Vajra Restriction," which are nested in layers, combining offense and defense, and also have many functions such as trapping enemies, confusing them, and providing early warnings.

He also specially refined the "Purple Cheng Helmet" obtained from the Cangkun Mansion into the formation as a hidden trump card to trap the enemy.

The entire array setup process lasted for over a month. The moment the final array pattern was inscribed and the high-grade spirit stone at the core array eye was embedded and activated—

"Buzz—!"

A deep hum reverberated from the main peak of Xingyi Mountain, spreading outwards to the surrounding mountain ranges. Countless spiritual runes, some bright and some dim, flashed through the air, the mountains, and the earth's veins before slowly disappearing.

An invisible yet incredibly powerful force field quietly enveloped an area spanning hundreds of miles centered on Xingyi Mountain!

The new protective formation for the mountain is taking shape!

……

The next day, a swift beam of light descended from the horizon, making no attempt to conceal its formidable aura as a peak mid-stage Nascent Soul cultivator, and landed atop Xingyi Mountain. The beam of light dissipated, revealing the bald, eagle-eyed figure of the Heavenly Hatred Old Monster.

"Fellow Daoist Zhou, I have arrived as promised." Old Monster Tianhen cupped his hands to greet Zhou Yuan, getting straight to the point. He glanced around at the mountain gate under construction, a hint of emotion flashing in his eyes, which then turned into determination. "From now on, I am a member of the Ascension Sect. I am willing to do my utmost for the sect."

"Fellow Daoist Tianhen's arrival is an honor for the Ascension Immortal Sect," Zhou Yuan said with a smile. He led Old Monster Tianhen into a side hall that had been temporarily cleared out to serve tea, and briefly explained the sect's current plans and his scope of authority to him.

Tianhen Old Monster had no objection. His lifespan was limited, and all he sought was inheritance and posthumous fame. To obtain the name of a founding ancestor and live a peaceful hundred years would be the best possible end.

With the addition of the veteran powerhouse Tianhen Old Monster, the Ascension Immortal Sect's top combat strength and reputation have been enhanced once again.

Time flies, and in the blink of an eye, the day of establishing the sect has arrived.

On this day, just as dawn was breaking, Xingyi Mountain was already decorated with lanterns and colorful decorations, creating a festive atmosphere.

On the main peak square, a tall platform was temporarily erected and covered with a red carpet. Zhou Yuan, dressed in a brand-new black sect leader's robe embroidered with golden cloud patterns and wearing a purple-gold crown, stood side by side with Tianhen Old Monster, who wore a gray Daoist robe and had a solemn expression, in front of the platform.

Yuan Yao, Yan Li, Zi Ling, Mei Ning, and Ouyang Qing, dressed in exquisite dresses of various colors, stood on either side as the sect's first batch of core disciples.

The hundred disciples of Huangfeng Valley brought by Patriarch Linghu, along with dozens of local rogue cultivators from Dongyu Kingdom who were later recruited and passed the preliminary assessment, all changed into hastily made blue disciple robes embroidered with the words "Ascension to Immortality" and stood solemnly on both sides of the square.

As the sun rises, rays of light spread across the sky.

"Whoosh whoosh-!"

The sound of something cutting through the air began to come from all directions in the sky.

Streaks of light, each a different color and varying in strength, converged on Xingyi Mountain from all directions, like birds returning to their nests.

"Elder Wei Wuyai of the Nine Kingdoms Alliance and the Huayi Sect brings gifts to congratulate the Ascension Sect on its founding ceremony!"

"Elder Li Shan of the Righteous Path Alliance and the Tai Zhen Sect... has come to offer his congratulations on the orders of Venerable Zhi Yang!"

"Qianren of the Hehuan Sect, on the orders of his senior brother Hehuan, has come to offer his congratulations!"

"On behalf of Fellow Daoist Long Han, Hua Yu of the Heavenly Dao Alliance and Luanming Sect has come to attend the ceremony!"

"Giant Sword Sect, your congratulatory gift has arrived!"

"The Hidden Moon Sect sends its congratulatory gifts!"

"Ghost Spirit Sect, congratulations have arrived!"

"Tianque Fortress..."

"The Palm Leaf Sect..."

As the announcements of names rang out, envoys representing various large, medium, and small forces in Tiannan arrived in an endless stream.

Some were led by Nascent Soul cultivators, while others sent Core Formation elders, all carrying generous gifts.

On one side of the square, the specially set-out reception area was quickly filled with cultivators from all directions. At a glance, there were nearly twenty Nascent Soul cultivators who came to offer their congratulations!

Among them were powerful cultivators like Wei Wuyai who came in person, drawing frequent glances from the crowd and further elevating their opinion of the Ascension Sect and Zhou Yuan.

Everyone could see how much the three great cultivators of Tiannan valued and supported this newly rising sect leader, Zhou.

The rise of the Ascension Sect is probably unstoppable.

The auspicious time has arrived.

The bell tolled nine times, its sound reverberating through the mountains.

Zhou Yuan stepped forward, his gaze sweeping over the assembled guests and disciples below. His voice, amplified by his magical power, resonated clearly and calmly throughout the hall:

"Today, I am honored by the presence of all fellow Daoists at Xingyi Mountain. I, Zhou Yuan, hereby declare that the Ascension Sect is officially established today!"

"The purpose of our sect is to seek immortality and explore the path to longevity; to pass on the Daoist teachings and educate our disciples; and to protect the region and maintain order."

"From this day forward, Dongyu Kingdom shall be the foundation of my Ascension Sect. All cultivators and mortals within the territory of Dongyu Kingdom who abide by the rules of this sect shall be protected by this sect."

After a brief introduction, Zhou Yuan introduced Tianhen Old Monster beside him and formally appointed him as the "Supreme Elder" of the Ascension Sect, a position of great prestige second only to the sect leader.

Tianhen Old Monster stepped forward and nodded slightly to the crowd. Many cultivators present knew of his reputation, and seeing him join the Ascension Sect and become a "Supreme Elder" drew a chorus of gasps, and their gazes toward the Ascension Sect became even more awe-inspiring.

Following this, Zhou Yuan announced the upcoming arrangements for the Ascension Sect: "Our sect is newly established, and everything is yet to be accomplished. The recruitment of disciples will officially begin in three months. At that time, our sect will send people to various parts of Dongyu Kingdom to select children with spiritual roots and good character from among the mortals, and bring them back to the sect for training. At the same time, we also welcome independent cultivators from Dongyu Kingdom and even from all over Tiannan to participate in the entrance examination, and the best will be selected."

He paused, his gaze sweeping over the guests below, many of whom were accompanied by younger relatives and had eager eyes, before continuing:

"As for the kind intentions of all fellow Daoists to send their younger generations to our sect... I appreciate it. However, our sect is newly established and has limited manpower. In order to avoid a mix of good and bad people, which could damage the sect's atmosphere and foundation, we will not accept direct recommendations from other sects for the time being."

These were polite words, but the meaning was clear: they rejected the attempts by various factions to send people to them.

Many cultivators who brought their juniors showed disappointment on their faces, but no one dared to voice their doubts.

After all, this is the very foundation of their faction, and they have the right to decide.

The opening ceremony was held in a lively yet orderly atmosphere.

After the guests presented gifts and the disciples swore oaths, a grand banquet followed. Spiritual wine and fruits, delicacies and fine food were served, and disciples from the sect (mainly those from Huangfeng Valley) demonstrated sword formations and spells to add to the festivities. For a time, the guests and hosts were all happy and in harmony.

However, amidst this joyous and peaceful atmosphere, Zhou Yuan, who was sitting in the main seat and chatting with Wei Wuyai, Tianhen Laoguai, and others, subtly twitched his brow.

His terrifying divine sense, far surpassing that of his peers, was like an invisible net, constantly enveloping the area within hundreds of miles surrounding Xingyi Mountain.

Just now, he clearly sensed that in a secluded valley and dense forest about four hundred miles away from the mountain gate, a faint spiritual energy fluctuation, carrying a familiar, cold, and eerie aura, flashed by and then quickly receded and disappeared into the distance, vanishing from the edge of his consciousness.

That aura... was exactly the same as that of the Yinluo Sect demonic cultivators I encountered at the border years ago and later at the foot of Tiantian City!

Even more refined and insidious!

"People from the Yinluo Sect?"

Zhou Yuan frowned inwardly, a cold glint flashing in his eyes. "The war between Tiannan and Mulan has been over for almost two years, and the agreement has been signed. How come the Yinluo Sect hasn't left Tiannan yet? Moreover, they happened to appear near my sect on the very day I founded it..."

It seems that these demonic cultivators of the Great Jin Dynasty still harbor ulterior motives towards him, or rather, towards the Golden Thunder Bamboo magic treasure on his body!

The previous failures and losses have not deterred them; on the contrary, they may have aroused even deeper greed and a desire for revenge.

On the joyous occasion of establishing a new school of thought, unpleasant guests would arrive.

Although there was no direct provocation, this spying was already a silent threat and declaration.

Zhou Yuan remained outwardly calm, continuing to chat and laugh with the guests, but inwardly alarm bells were ringing and murderous intent was rising.

Urgent! Major plot twist! Watch now!

He paused, his gaze sweeping over the guests below, many of whom were accompanied by younger relatives and had eager eyes, before continuing:

"As for the kind intentions of all fellow Daoists to send their younger generations to our sect... I appreciate it. However, our sect is newly established and has limited manpower. In order to avoid a mix of good and bad people, which could damage the sect's atmosphere and foundation, we will not accept direct recommendations from other sects for the time being."

These were polite words, but the meaning was clear: they rejected the attempts by various factions to send people to them.

Many cultivators who brought their juniors showed disappointment on their faces, but no one dared to voice their doubts.

After all, this is the very foundation of their faction, and they have the right to decide.

The opening ceremony was held in a lively yet orderly atmosphere.

After the guests presented gifts and the disciples swore oaths, a grand banquet followed. Spiritual wine and fruits, delicacies and fine food were served, and disciples from the sect (mainly those from Huangfeng Valley) demonstrated sword formations and spells to add to the festivities. For a time, the guests and hosts were all happy and in harmony.

However, amidst this joyous and peaceful atmosphere, Zhou Yuan, who was sitting in the main seat and chatting with Wei Wuyai, Tianhen Laoguai, and others, subtly twitched his brow.

His terrifying divine sense, far surpassing that of his peers, was like an invisible net, constantly enveloping the area within hundreds of miles surrounding Xingyi Mountain.

Just now, he clearly sensed that in a secluded valley and dense forest about four hundred miles away from the mountain gate, a faint spiritual energy fluctuation, carrying a familiar, cold, and eerie aura, flashed by and then quickly receded and disappeared into the distance, vanishing from the edge of his consciousness.

That aura... was exactly the same as that of the Yinluo Sect demonic cultivators I encountered at the border years ago and later at the foot of Tiantian City!

Even more refined and insidious!

"People from the Yinluo Sect?"

Zhou Yuan frowned inwardly, a cold glint flashing in his eyes. "The war between Tiannan and Mulan has been over for almost two years, and the agreement has been signed. How come the Yinluo Sect hasn't left Tiannan yet? Moreover, they happened to appear near my sect on the very day I founded it..."

It seems that these demonic cultivators of the Great Jin Dynasty still harbor ulterior motives towards him, or rather, towards the Golden Thunder Bamboo magic treasure on his body!

The previous failures and losses have not deterred them; on the contrary, they may have aroused even deeper greed and a desire for revenge.

On the joyous occasion of establishing a new school of thought, unpleasant guests would arrive.

Although there was no direct provocation, this spying was already a silent threat and declaration.

Zhou Yuan remained outwardly calm, continuing to chat and laugh with the guests, but inwardly alarm bells were ringing and murderous intent was rising.

—Your private mobile library, accessible anytime.

He paused, his gaze sweeping over the guests below, many of whom were accompanied by younger relatives and had eager eyes, before continuing:

"As for the kind intentions of all fellow Daoists to send their younger generations to our sect... I appreciate it. However, our sect is newly established and has limited manpower. In order to avoid a mix of good and bad people, which could damage the sect's atmosphere and foundation, we will not accept direct recommendations from other sects for the time being."

These were polite words, but the meaning was clear: they rejected the attempts by various factions to send people to them.

Many cultivators who brought their juniors showed disappointment on their faces, but no one dared to voice their doubts.

After all, this is the very foundation of their faction, and they have the right to decide.

The opening ceremony was held in a lively yet orderly atmosphere.

After the guests presented gifts and the disciples swore oaths, a grand banquet followed. Spiritual wine and fruits, delicacies and fine food were served, and disciples from the sect (mainly those from Huangfeng Valley) demonstrated sword formations and spells to add to the festivities. For a time, the guests and hosts were all happy and in harmony.

However, amidst this joyous and peaceful atmosphere, Zhou Yuan, who was sitting in the main seat and chatting with Wei Wuyai, Tianhen Laoguai, and others, subtly twitched his brow.

His terrifying divine sense, far surpassing that of his peers, was like an invisible net, constantly enveloping the area within hundreds of miles surrounding Xingyi Mountain.

Just now, he clearly sensed that in a secluded valley and dense forest about four hundred miles away from the mountain gate, a faint spiritual energy fluctuation, carrying a familiar, cold, and eerie aura, flashed by and then quickly receded and disappeared into the distance, vanishing from the edge of his consciousness.

That aura... was exactly the same as that of the Yinluo Sect demonic cultivators I encountered at the border years ago and later at the foot of Tiantian City!

Even more refined and insidious!

"People from the Yinluo Sect?"

Zhou Yuan frowned inwardly, a cold glint flashing in his eyes. "The war between Tiannan and Mulan has been over for almost two years, and the agreement has been signed. How come the Yinluo Sect hasn't left Tiannan yet? Moreover, they happened to appear near my sect on the very day I founded it..."

It seems that these demonic cultivators of the Great Jin Dynasty still harbor ulterior motives towards him, or rather, towards the Golden Thunder Bamboo magic treasure on his body!

The previous failures and losses have not deterred them; on the contrary, they may have aroused even deeper greed and a desire for revenge.

On the joyous occasion of establishing a new school of thought, unpleasant guests would arrive.

Although there was no direct provocation, this spying was already a silent threat and declaration.

Zhou Yuan remained outwardly calm, continuing to chat and laugh with the guests, but inwardly alarm bells were ringing and murderous intent was rising.