Chapter 689: Qingyun Sect

Chapter 689: Chapter 386: Qingyun Sect

Cyan Yang City, Qin Mansion.

For several months, Qin Yuesheng had been peacefully residing at home, occasionally going out for jaunts or to pick herbs and hunt in the nearby mountains around Cyan Yang City, living quite contentedly.

Ever since Xun Sheng ordered the ban of sea fish transactions into the city, the situation remained unimproved. The waters of the East Sea are connected to the rivers and streams of the nine provinces, so even if sea fish are not consumed, the creatures of the river such as river shrimp are also influenced by the blood of the Immortal, causing those who consume them to undergo strange transformations.

Some commoners suddenly achieve enlightenment, while others mutate into monsters, awakening powerful innate physiques.

If this situation continues to evolve, it is believed that by the end of the year, the state of the entire world will undergo significant changes.

Qin Yuesheng sat in the pavilion by the pond, head down, reading. The final step of the Saint Wheel Realm is to refine the mind and attain enlightenment, with no external force applicable. Achieve it, and one ascends in broad daylight, as easily as releasing a flood.

Fail to achieve it, and there is the possibility of sitting to death, leaving behind one’s own saint wheel as a fortuitous opportunity for others later.

This is why Qin Yuesheng now appears extremely composed, as it is something beyond force.

“Young master, there’s a group outside claiming to be disciples of the ‘Qingyun Sect,’ seeking an audience with the lord, saying they wish to promote the Qingyun Immortal Path. Should someone from our residence be selected, they will have the protection of the Qingyun Sect in the future,” Cao Zhengchun said, running to Qin Yuesheng’s side.

Qin Yuesheng raised an eyebrow, his expression unchanged.

He had heard of this Qingyun Sect from spies within the Tai Sui Alliance, a sect newly established just last month. The Sect Leader, Master Qingyun, is said to have realized the Immortal Path, and those who join can learn the art of ascending through the clouds.

The Qingyun Sect is located twenty miles south of Cyan Yang City on a verdant mountain. Initially very simple, the sect later gained financial support after disciples traveled and found wealthy merchants, attracting their support through Immortal Techniques, allowing them to build the main hall and other structures.

Qin Yuesheng never expected this group to have sent their disciples into Cyan Yang City.

Qin Yuesheng had heard much about people gaining enlightenment on the spot over the past few months but had never witnessed it himself. Seizing the chance today, he intended to have a good look.

Thus, Qin Yuesheng said, “Let him in, I’ll speak with him.”

“Yes,” Cao Zhengchun nodded in agreement.

Moments later, a young man in a blue robe followed Cao Zhengchun to the pavilion. This person had sword-like eyebrows and starry eyes, was handsome in appearance, carried a sword box on his back, and a gourd was tied to his waist, revealing a bit of a high Daoist’s image.

“I am Song Yu of the Qingyun Sect, greetings Young Master Qin,” the young man greeted with clasped hands and a smile.

His demeanor was very proper, neither humble nor arrogant, causing Qin Yuesheng to nod, “Daoist, what brings you to my residence?”

“Our Qingyun Sect is currently recruiting disciples widely. Those with fate may enter. After traveling around, I finally arrived in this Cyan Yang City, a land of outstanding people. Instantly, by scanning the city, only your residence had the most abundant Spiritual Qi, and I believed that a person with Immortal fate must live here,” the youth smiled and said.

“Oh?” Qin Yuesheng inquired, “Have you found who it is, Daoist?”

“It is you, Young Master Qin,” the young man pointed at Qin Yuesheng, confidently saying, “Your body radiates with a dazzling glow, surely a person with a Spiritual Root, fated with our Qingyun Immortal Path. By chance, I meet you today, and this scroll of Qingyun Dao Yuan Skill is my small token.”

The young man took out a jade scroll from his bosom and handed it to Qin Yuesheng, the quality of the jade scroll was excellent, with the words ‘Qingyun Dao Yuan’ engraved on its surface.

Qin Yuesheng reached out to take it, then opened the jade scroll to find it documented with many small characters, describing the cultivation methods of a particular Cultivation Technique.

Qin Yuesheng glanced through roughly, then understood that this Qingyun Dao Yuan Skill first focused on two methods of cultivation, ‘Breathing Technique’ and ‘Inner Elixir Condensation’. Although similar in approach to the Xiqi Daoist Temple from Huang Ting, there were slight differences in details.

“Could the Immortal’s blood even have the power of memory inheritance? Otherwise, how could mere mortals come up with such Cultivation Techniques upon a mere contact,” Qin Yuesheng thought to himself.

In this martial-dominated world, the emergence of these breathing techniques is undoubtedly a disruptor to the world’s power structure.

In a few more years, the nations across the nine provinces will certainly witness a situation where Martial Artists and cultivators stand evenly matched.

“Do you want me to go to the Qingyun Sect to cultivate?” Qin Yuesheng asked.

“Indeed, however, if Young Master Qin prefers to stay home and is unwilling to journey afar, you need not accompany me to Qingyun Sect. You can practice according to the cultivation method on the jade scroll, and our disciples will deliver wonderful Spirit Pills to you. Young Master Qin, by consuming them, can expedite your cultivation and achieve early ascension to Immortal realms,” the Daoist said.

“However,” the Daoist paused, “Refining Spirit Pills still requires heavenly treasures, rare herbs, and even with heavy spending, non-disciples of our sect cannot obtain a single one. If Young Master Qin wishes to purchase them, just a thousand silver taels can get you fifty Spirit Pills.”

“Please inform me of the Qingyun Sect’s location, I will surely visit you someday, and deliver the silver taels then,” Qin Yuesheng said.

“Very well.” The Daoist immediately revealed the location of Qingyun Sect.

“Young Master Qin, sorry to have disturbed you. I shall take my leave now,” the Daoist said, cupping his hands in a gesture of respect before turning to leave, showing no intention of staying longer.

The moment the young Daoist stepped out of Qin Mansion’s gate, a triumphant smile appeared on his face. This smile was too worldly, immediately shattering the aura of a sage he’d just created.

Qingyun Sect selects its inner sect disciples prioritizing eloquence and good looks, because such disciples are more effective when spreading teachings outside.

The Jade Scroll in the hands of Qin Yuesheng, given just now by the Daoist, was merely the first stage of the Qingyun Dao Yuan Skill. Without the subsequent stages to complement it, practicing is a waste of time, and even the first stage is difficult to master without the aid of Spirit Pills.

For this reason, the Qingyun Sect casts a wide net, specifically targeting wealthy families like Qin Yuesheng’s. If successful, it becomes a considerable income, a boon to Qingyun Sect.

They do not worry about someone not visiting Qingyun Sect to become a disciple after receiving the first scroll of Qingyun Dao Yuan Skill. Even if stood up, it doesn’t cause any loss to Qingyun Sect.

However, this Daoist would never have imagined that Qin Yuesheng, whom he regarded as an easy mark, possessed power that could be considered the pinnacle of the mortal realm, just a step away from becoming an Immortal. Thus, he hardly needed any such Immortal cultivation.

After the Daoist left, Qin Yuesheng immediately pondered over the Jade Scroll. Across the land, sects like Qingyun are emerging, as numerous as bamboo shoots after a rain, and such trends couldn’t be halted by mere obstruction.

To stabilize the world and preserve the overtly Li surname yet covertly Qin surname of the Great Tang dynasty, Qin Yuesheng had long devised a counterstrategy.

That strategy was to support a sect, elevating it to the supreme height nationwide, making it the foremost locus with all sects rallying under it, thus creating a draw effect.

As for the demonized humans, they were easier to handle—support a demonic family to unify and conquer other demonic families.

Grasping both unstable forces would ensure a century of peace in the mortal world.

Qin Yuesheng had contemplated this plan for many days without action, but today, the Qingyun Sect’s Daoist delivered himself, prompting official activation of the plan.

“Qingyun Sect, ascending to Qingyun; it’s quite fitting, saving me the effort of looking for another sect to test my skills,” Qin Yuesheng casually tossed the Jade Scroll into the lake, causing the carp to swarm around, vying for it.

The level of the Qingyun Dao Yuan Skill was not appealing to Qin Yuesheng. Casting it into the pond was inconsequential.

“Cao Zhengchun, how goes the martial art I taught you?” Qin Yuesheng inquired.

With the resources at his disposal, over the past year, Cao Zhengchun had entered the Inner Power Realm, making his martial prowess notable within Cyan Yang City.

This person was evidently loyal to Qin Mansion as Qin Yuesheng had taught him an exceptional martial art months prior, for times when someone needed to act on behalf of Qin Mansion.

“Master, it’s progressing well. With your guidance, I’ve already reached the second level,” Cao Zhengchun hurriedly replied.

“Very good, now go summon the Tai Sui Alliance members. I’m making a journey; have their leaders send one hundred people to accompany me.”

“Yes.”

This venture to Qingyun Sect required an impressive display of force at first to seize Qingyun Sect and gain its control. Qin Yuesheng intended to have Tai Sui Alliance members replace the Qingyun Sect’s leadership and proceed to annex all sects across the Nine Provinces and the East Sea, establishing a grand unified sect.

Since submitting to Qin Yuesheng, Tai Sui Alliance’s development had been swift, aided by Qin Yuesheng holding the reins of the Great Tang dynasty. With vast resources at his disposal, it was a simple task to raise a civilian force.

Under such circumstances, Tai Sui Alliance’s influence had already spanned across Jiangnan.

With the Daoist having disclosed Qingyun Sect’s location before leaving, Qin Yuesheng left Qin Mansion with Cao Zhengchun, ready to proceed to Qingyun Sect to complete the takeover.

If Bai Ningxuan were present, seeing Qin Yuesheng leaving, she would definitely insist on accompanying. Fortunately, this morning Duan Hongjin went to worship outside Cyan Yang City, and Bai Ningxuan tagged along to impress, yet hadn’t returned.

Having a female Grandmaster with his stepmother was reassuring to Qin Yuesheng, and saved the inconvenience of her accompanying him on his outings.

Outside Cyan Yang City, a hundred members of Tai Sui Alliance were already waiting on horseback.

With a grand gesture, Qin Yuesheng summoned Tiger Demon from the Sumeru Bag, transforming into Ah Hu upon reaching the ground.

Ah Hu was now larger than a full-grown bull, armored in bone, exuding a murderous aura.

Qin Yuesheng comfortably mounted, his seat steady, while Cao Zhengchun rode a white horse reserved for him. The group set off swiftly, galloping towards the distant official road.