Chapter 480 - 449: The Star-Picking Sect’s Abnormal Activity

Chapter 480: Chapter 449: The Star-Picking Sect’s Abnormal Activity

For the next few days, Jinyun Valley became lively.

Ding Fei, the Chief of the Internal Affairs Hall, issued a single decree, directly summoning the ancestors of all major subordinate families under their jurisdiction to Jinyun Valley.

Even though he was only a Qi Refining Cultivator.

But who didn’t know that his words and deeds almost always represented the Valley Master?

Just as many people were guessing whether another war was about to break out, some even began to rub their hands in anticipation.

This was because, in recent years, Jinyun Valley’s wars of external expansion had been a string of victories. Countless small clans had made a fortune, and some had even been promoted to Foundation Establishment Clans as a result.

However, they learned the reason for the summons was that Jinyun Valley was preparing to dig a canal. This canal would cover all subordinate factions within the valley’s jurisdiction, even crossing several major prefectures to extend to the Black Tortoise Calm Sea.

If possible, it would even be extended to some of the major clans in other large prefectures in the future.

Due to the enormous scale of the project, all the major families were required to participate.

When this news was released, all the Cultivators under the valley’s jurisdiction were dumbfounded. But after thinking through the implications, they realized this method wouldn’t just benefit the subordinate families—even ordinary Cultivators would profit.

For the vast majority of Loose Cultivators, traveling was no easy feat due to the endless Demon Beasts and Tribulation Cultivators outside.

And transporting goods by land was also extremely expensive.

If the canal was built, they would have access to every corner under the valley’s jurisdiction.

Countless Cultivators naturally clapped and cheered.

...

"Each family will provide the manpower, and Jinyun Valley will provide the funds. If there aren’t enough hands, then recruit Loose Cultivators. The standards for each section of the canal must not be lowered. If any mistakes are made, the ancestors of the respective clans can bring me their heads!"

This was Chen Che’s only demand regarding the matter.

For such a public works project, he naturally wouldn’t tolerate anyone cutting corners under his nose. This move would not only connect all the territories under his jurisdiction and promote water transport, but also provide jobs for a large number of Loose Cultivators.

It would prevent idle Cultivators from becoming Tribulation Cultivators just to obtain cultivation resources.

Of course.

Part of the reason for doing this was also a fear of the Primordial Sect.

They had once set a rule: a Golden Core under the Primordial Sect’s jurisdiction could not occupy territory exceeding a single prefecture.

This was naturally a cage drawn on a map by the Primordial Sect, an attempt to trap a clan’s Golden Core cultivators. The goal was to prevent them from obtaining too many resources, which could support the rise of multiple Golden Core cultivators or, secretly, a Nascent Soul cultivator.

Facts had proven the Primordial Sect’s method correct.

Not counting the already-deceased Ye Yuanji, four Golden Core cultivators had already appeared in Yunzhou alone.

In the short term, Jinyun Valley was unlikely to start another war of expansion, so their only option was to promote mutual exchange among their subordinates.

After the meeting dispersed,

The clans that had originally kept their gates tightly shut all began to recruit Loose Cultivators for work on a massive scale. As far as the eye could see, their territories were filled with scenes of bustling activity.

...

"Have you figured anything out?"

In Jinyun Valley, Yu Yunko stood on a mountain peak, looking at her younger brother beside her and asking with a hint of a test in her voice.

"I can’t see anything. All I know is that this Valley Master likes to stir up trouble for no reason and is obsessed with grand projects, just like a mortal."

Yu Yunfei said slowly after racking his brains for a moment.

"You..."

Yu Yunko almost laughed out of exasperation. She shook her head and said,

"You can’t just look at the surface of things. In the Cultivation World, all the major families hide their treasures away, a practice that does more harm than good. Once Jinyun Valley’s waterways are all connected, it will promote mutual exchange between the various families."

"Before long, Foundation Establishment Cultivators will start popping up like mushrooms after a spring rain throughout Jinyun Valley’s territory."

Yu Yunfei found this hard to believe. His face filled with suspicion. "Sis, do you have some sort of feelings for Valley Master Chen? Why else would you hold him in such high regard?"

Yu Yunko gritted her teeth in frustration.

’Such a simple and obvious concept, yet my own brother can’t see it.’

However, he did have a point. She had traveled abroad for over a decade. While she hadn’t seen as much as Yu Qian, she had met many Golden Core cultivators.

There were those single-mindedly focused on Cultivation, indifferent to the world; those who lusted for power; those who delighted in slaughter; and those who were sinister and vicious... But she had never met anyone as unique as Chen Che. Even she didn’t know how to describe him.

"Forget it. You’ll stay in Jinyun Valley for a while. I’ll announce to the outside world that your Core Formation failed and not even your bones remain."

Yu Yunko glanced at him.

"Fine."

In fact, this was how the Yu Family had operated for many years. On their official records, there were only two Golden Core cultivators—Yu Qian and Yu Yunko—and two with Fake Pills. All others were falsely reported as having failed their Core Formation.

Yu Yunfei nodded, but then he suddenly caught the implication in her words:

"Huh? Sis, you’re leaving?"

"A letter came from the clan. The Star-Picking Sect is secretly summoning the Golden Core cultivators under its jurisdiction. As the clan head, I must hurry back. It’s not just our Yu Race being mobilized; all Golden Core Influences under the Star-Picking Sect are being summoned."

Yu Yunko let out a long sigh.

But Yu Yunfei suddenly thought of something, and his expression changed drastically.

"It’s possible."

Yu Yunko nodded slightly and sighed. "It’s highly likely that someone is about to break through. That’s why they’re taking this chance to move against the Primordial Sect. Otherwise, there wouldn’t be such a huge commotion."

"Then our Yu Clan has been confined for nearly a thousand years. Could it be..."

"Fei’er, such is time, and such is fate."

Yu Yunko’s face was a mask of calm, but her words didn’t sound like she was resigned to her fate. "However, we haven’t reached that critical moment yet. At least the Primordial Sect’s ancestor hasn’t come out of seclusion. There’s still a chance..."

"Mmm."

Yu Yunfei nodded slowly, but in reality, his heart was in turmoil.

Returning to the original topic, Yu Yunko looked out beyond Jinyun Valley and instructed, "There’s still time. Stay in Jinyun Valley and learn what you can from Valley Master Chen. If, one day, the Yu Family is destroyed, you can still use what you’ve learned to rise again and rebuild the family."

...

Of course.

This was merely a private move by the Star-Picking Sect; the outside world knew nothing of it.

However, since the Yu Race knew, it was the same as Jinyun Valley knowing. After seeing Yu Yunko off, only a few familiar Golden Core cultivators remained, gathered in the main hall.

"After having their spine broken for nearly a thousand years, the Star-Picking Sect is finally about to be promoted to a Nascent Soul Major Sect."

The atmosphere was silent for a long time before Meng Qianxun couldn’t help but let out a long sigh.

Most factions would show signs of collapse after experiencing just one of these things: the death of an ancestor, a split, or internal strife. The Star-Picking Sect went through all three, yet not only did it survive for hundreds of years, but it’s actually showing signs of a renaissance.

Chen Che remained expressionless and said languidly, "The exact news isn’t out yet. Besides, Nascent Soul Formation isn’t that easy. Failure is possible even at the last moment!"

"But one day the result will be known. When the heavens collapse, how can any egg remain unbroken?"

Meng Changtu said, his heart in his throat.

In the last battle at the Black Tortoise Calm Sea, they had already witnessed the scale of a war between two major sects. It was only because both sides were evenly matched, and because of the Jinghai Palace, that they were forced to stop.

This situation was different.

In a war over orthodoxy, there was no possibility of a truce or reconciliation.

If the Star-Picking Sect’s side was the first to achieve a Breaking Tier and step into the Nascent Soul realm, they would inevitably sweep through the Primordial Sect with the force of a landslide.

"If the sky falls, the tall ones will hold it up. Right now, the ones who should be most worried aren’t us, but the Primordial Sect."

’So, sometimes, knowing too much is not a good thing.’

Chen Che shook his head slightly.

It was true. They were just Golden Core cultivators from a subordinate faction. There was no need to be more anxious than the emperor himself.

To take ten thousand steps back,

Even if the Primordial Sect fell, the Star-Picking Sect wouldn’t necessarily exterminate all of them. At worst, they could just leave the Star-Picking Sect’s territory.

A tree dies if it’s moved, but a person thrives.

Compared to Jinyun Valley, the one that should be panicking is the Primordial Sect.

"However, the most pressing matter right now is to increase our own strength."

Chen Che flicked his sleeve.

His composure served as a calming pill for the others.

...

After reassuring everyone, Chen Che clasped his hands behind his back and leisurely strolled to the top of the valley.

It wasn’t just bustling outside the valley; the disciples on the Martial Arts Arena were also cultivating diligently. The lively Zhou Lian, the calm and respectful Li Cang... The busy Pill Hall, the clanging Casting Hall...

In the eyes of mortals, Cultivators seemed to command heaven and earth, transcending the mundane world.

But in truth, how could anyone truly transcend worldly attachments in this life?

Amidst all the schemes and calculations, only strength was fundamental.

If he were given enough time.

He could have Jinyun Valley swallow the Primordial Sect, like a snake devouring an elephant.

But alas...

"Valley Master, the Lu Clan couple requests an audience."

Just then, Hu Yao hurried in to report.

"Oh?"

Chen Che raised an eyebrow, having already guessed their purpose. ’So soon? Have the materials been gathered already?’

He returned to the main hall. In less than half an incense stick’s time,

Lu Qinglian and her husband had arrived:

"Greetings, Valley Master."