"Whoosh! Whoosh!"
A common white carrier pigeon descended into a big building.
This building occupied a considerable amount of space at the corner of Qinghe County. It was obvious that someone of high importance lived here.
The passers-by that walked past this building would either be envious or keep their heads down. No one dared to step out of line.
This was the place of the local tyrant in Qinghe County, the Head of the Spirit Returning Sect!
"Kuku!"
The pigeon flew into a quiet and secluded courtyard and was received by a hand that was white like a white jade.
"Master! Urgent report from Qingye City!"
The owner of the hand removed the message from the leg of the pigeon. His face changed as he looked at the pretty lady, whose face was partially covered by a veil, by his side.
This lady was around 30 to 40 years old. She appeared to be very graceful with eyes that shone bright like stars. It was easy to imagine that she was a beauty when she was younger.
This lady was the head of the Spirit Returning Sect and Qinghe County's only Grandmaster. Her name was Shi Yutong.
She was rumoured to have brought her disciple to visit a friend far away. At this moment, however, to everyone's astonishment, she was already in the building.
Shi Yutong took a look at the message. Her brows furrowed as she spoke in a grave tone, "Song Zhong's actions are overboard!"
She knew that Song Zhong had just lost his beloved son and it was inevitable that he would step out of line.
It would not be a problem if he killed off a few foes. However, he was overboard in killing a deacon of the sect over a suspicion.
"Master!"
A young maiden at the side of Shi Yutong said, "My father…"
"Don't worry. I have ordered my men to fetch Minister Lin from Qingye City. Soon, you will be able to meet him in the county!"
Shi Yutong smiled.
This maiden was the daughter of Minister Lin and was formally betrothed to Fang Yuan. Her name was Lin Leiyue.
Shi Yutong calmly analysed the factions within the sect, as if she wanted Lin Leiyue to quickly understand the situation, "With Song Zhong as such, Elder Yan's faction would not dare to raise the matter up. According to what I know, the Zhou Family is not totally annihilated.I just have to wait for them to bring up the matter before I uphold justice!"
"It is just that…"
Lin Leiyue appeared to be hesitant.
"Do you think that I am unreasonable?"
Shi Yutong laughed. She glanced at Leiyue as if she knew what she was thinking.
"Leiyue would not dare to think so!"
Lin Leiyue apologized with a bow.
"This is what I have to teach you today. Balance!"
Shi Yutong's tone grew serious, "As the Sect Master, it is important to understand and balance the power and authority of those beneath you! Previously, Elder Yan's faction has many who are untamed. We can use the current situation and kill two birds with one stone. We will use force to overcome force and help Elder Han. By doing so, I will act as a mediator and hold the power to decide their fate. This is of paramount importance. Do you understand what I am talking about?"
"What master is saying that we should not readily take sides and instead act as a mediator?"
Lin Leiyue blinked her eyes.
"Not bad!"
Shi Yutong nodded her head, "Silly girl, you are indeed witty. You need to understand that in a powerful organization, there will be fights between the factions. As the Head, you will need to achieve balance and equilibrium, forcing the factions to rely on us. By doing so, it will be easy to assume command of them…"
If Leiyue was just an ordinary disciple, Shi Yutong would not say such words to her. However, Shi Yutong was training Leiyue to become the next Sect Master and as such, kept nothing from her.
"Thank you master for your pointer!"
Lin Leiyue understood very clearly that, to her master, the Zhou Family was nothing. It would just be luck that brought them to the county. If they could not reach the county, it would just mean that they were unlucky.
Since Shi Yutong had already decided to act, Song Zhong would not come to a good end.
As the Wuzong of the Spirit Returning Sect, Shi Yutong naturally had the grandeur and the confidence.
"Hehe… It is funny that that Song Zhong's son, Song Yujie, still wanted to ask for your hand in marriage? That is crossing the line and being too greedy…."
Shi Yutong glanced at Lin Leiyue and poked fun at her, "Our Yue'Er is such an outstanding beauty, how many guys are going to fall in love with you in the future?"
"Master!"
Lin Leiyue flushed and stomped her foot, "Even you are making fun of me!"
"You always understand where your priorities lie. I am not worried about you!"
Shi Yutong said solemnly yet gently.
Lin Leiyue trained with her in a high-level inner technique which required pure yin.She had many suitors within and outside the sect. However, these people only did so to increase their social status. Both the master and disciple knew the reason behind so.
"The world is vast! What you saw previously was only the tip of an iceberg…"
Shi Yutong said solemnly, "Leiyue, you were born with opened meridians which, together with your Spiritual Moon Body, makes you best suited for my 'Bright Moon Formula'. You have the potential to greatly surpass me and eventually reached the true Cultivation World…"
"The true… Cultivation World!"
Lin Leiyue muttered. Her eyes were yearning.
Her master's friend, who was an alchemy master, whom they visited opened her eyes to the world.
The alchemy masters, which were rumoured to be even rarer than the spiritual knights and the magical knights, possessed a set of skills where they were able to use their alchemy flames within their bodies, combined with spiritual ingredients to form spiritual pills that were able to work all kinds of wonders.
These spiritual pills did not have harmful side-effects and its effects were miraculous, as such, each type of pills was highly sought after by martial artists who were willing to fight for them.
For example, the 'Frozen Moon Pill' that her master got for her, was compatible with her body and allowed her to improve her martial arts skills by leaps and bounds. It would also increase the chance of success for her in the future when she attempted to break through the 3 Perilous Gates!
Before she witnessed it with her own eyes, Lin Leiyue would never imagine such a thing actually existed!
It was only natural that the alchemy masters were powerful members of the society where they were well-received. No one dared to offend them given their skills.
For example, the alchemy master that she visited had a Grandmaster that acted as a bodyguard. If it was not for the friendship that the alchemy master had with Shi Yutong, the alchemy master would not have stepped in to help Lin Leiyue.
This alchemy master was only a small part of the higher-levelled cultivation world!
Lin Leiyue was overwhelmed by her emotions when she thought of these.
Even though she was a lady, she dreamt to reach the pinnacle.
"I will not disappoint my master!"
Lin Leiyue bowed with firm resolution.
"Haha… That's good!"
Shi Yutong helped her up with both hands, and said, "Now, you just have to train hard. With the aid of the pill, you would be able to swiftly overcome the Pain Gate and increase your inner power. After that, I will make you a the successor of the sect. No one will dare to say a thing!"
'Brother Fang…'
Lin Leiyue thought of the ordinary youth that lived in the secluded valley when she heard this.
At that time, her master cancelled the wedding without understanding the details, and Lin Leiyue was in no position to resist.
If she was given another chance, would she have challenged the decision now that she had made up her mind?
Lin Leiyue's heart was in a mess. This was the first time she was perplexed…
…
"We have reached Qinghe County!"
Not far away, a carriage pulled by an ox drew closer. Fang Yuan gazed out at the city wall and smiled.
This was the first time that he had come to a big city and as such, he was excited.
"Cough cough…"
Zhou Wenwu insisted on accompanying Fang Yuan despite his illness. His face was an unnatural shade of red. "Once we reach the territory of the sect, not even Song Zhong would be able to do a thing. However, he would certainly arrange for brutes to stop me at the city gate…"
There were many routes along the way. As long as they were willing to detour, it was easy to avoid being blocked unless Song Zhong was the head of the Spirit Returning Sect.
However, if he had guessed that Zhou Wenwu was making his way to Qinghe County, it would be easy to just wait for him there.
"Brother Fang, do you have any idea?"
Zhou Wenwu looked expectedly at Fang Yuan.
Fang Yuan would not let anyone call him 'Master' on the journey as it would bring attention to himself.
Furthermore, his age was similar to Zhou Wenwu and after a few small talks, the two became closer and used it as an opportunity to change the way they addressed each other.
"I do not have a plan. However, I have a stupid idea!"
Fang Yuan's lips curled into a smile, "We just choose a door and barge in. It is that simple!"
"I see…"
Zhou Wenwu would never imagine that Fang Yuan's idea was to use simple brute force to barge in.
"This problem was caused by Song Zhong himself. Unless his faction would make a grave error and send people to stop us?"
Fang Yuan spread his arms, "This county has four gates, and as long as we are not too unlucky, we have low chance of meeting him unless he can split his body…"
He would be able to deal with the road blockers single-handedly if they were Song Zhong's disciples.
"What if…"
Zhou Wenwu was hesitant. He did not want to jeopardise the revenge now that it was within his grasp.
"If we really clash with Song Zhong, we can only duel with him. The members of the Spirit Returning Sect would come if there was a big commotion right?"
Fang Yuan glanced at Zhou Wenwu.
If they did not even know how to make use of such a wonderful opportunity, Song Zhong would be able to exterminate Zhou Tong's faction.
"That's right! We shall do as you say!"
Zhou Wenwu gritted his teeth.
He had nothing to be afraid of if an outsider like Fang Yuan would dare to do such a thing.
Little did he know that Fang Yuan dared to do so due to the fact that he was highly skilled in martial arts.
In the event that they met Song Zhong, he just had to use Zhou Wenwu as a shield and escape.
Song Zhong had no idea that he was the killer and would not chase him like a mad dog.
Furthermore, if Zhou Wenwu was killed by Song Zhong in front of everybody, it would further condemn Song Zhong!
"It is best for an outsider not to meddle in a battle between factions... If I take part in and did not handle the conflict well enough, I would likely be attacked by both sides or be used by them as a pawn!"
Having the experience from another world, Fang Yuan's heart was clear like a mirror, "Whatever the case, once this is done, I must quickly escape and leave this place as far as possible."
"Please halt, this is a routine check!"
West Gate, Qinghe County.
Numerous martial artists clad in Spirit Returning Sect's robes were scrutinizing the many who were passing by the gate, and they paid special attention to the large carts passing by. Bribery did not work, and they create chaos in the vicinity.
An ox carriage slowly passed by, and as Zhou Wenwu observed the scene, he became increasingly nervous.
He thought that he could not hide from the strict checks, and would be forced to fight his way out.
Luckily for him, he realised that Song Zhong was not around, and heaved a sigh of relief.
By fearing the Spirit Returning Sect's reputation, the people entering the county did not dare to disobey. Many women were pulled out from their carriages, embarrassed. Their bodyguards were agitated.
Even though the checks were slow, the queue was still moving, and not long after, it was Fang Yuan's turn.
"Is it your wife or your daughter in the cart? Get her out and let me see!"
A perverted Sect member came forward and prepared to open the curtains.
"Keke…"
Fang Yuan looked into the cart, as though the whole thing was a joke.
"What are you laughing at?"
He could sense that the Sect member was already wielding a knife.
"You are with Song Zhong? You don't even know your own death, what an idiot!"
Fang Yuan shook his head, the fingers on his right hand opened and quick as a lightning, he struck.
"Kacha! Crack!"
A distinct sound followed as the Sect member held onto his forearm, and with agony written on his face, he fell to the ground.
"Eagle Claw Technique?"
The few Spirit Returning Sect members in the vicinity looked at each other, and under the command of a young man clad in a green robe, they rushed forward, "Together!"
"Ping!"
Fang Yuan took a deep breath and his skin starting to turn greenish-black. He did not run but took a step forward to counter-attack.
After avoiding the sword, he felt no pain when fists and kicks landed on his body, and even so for blunt weapons, the most he felt was a slight itch.
On the contrary, his claws struck out and every Sect member fell to the ground, wailing in pain.
This scene created even more chaos at the gates, and reinforcements came.
"Zhou Wenwu, now it's your time to perform!"
Fang Yuan scoffed, spun around, headed into the city and disappeared.
"I am the son of Spirit Returning Sect's deacon, Zhou Tong!"
Zhou Wenwu stood out and raised an iron token. "With the Sect's token as proof, I am here to report Elder Song, for killing my entire family of 73! May the Sect uphold justice for me!"
His last few words were loud and could be heard by all, and the Sect members changed their expression after hearing him.
Even though Song Zhong might be powerful, he could not do whatever he wanted in Qinghe County, and now that Zhou Wenwu said his piece, the Sect would definitely do something.
"This is really Zhou Wenwu!"
Not long after, a group of Sect members hurriedly brought an old man to the gate, looked at Zhou Wenwu and comforted him, "Do not worry, for the Spirit Returning Sect will not let his murderer off the hook!"
He stared at Song Zhong's followers who were laid on the ground and waved his hand. "Capture them!"
Many disciples rushed forward and used thick ropes to tie them up.
"Uncle Xue, I hope you will uphold justice for me!"
Zhou Wenwu let his emotions run wild, as tears welled up in his eyes.
However, the truth was that he felt vengeful deep within him.
The Sect would have known what had actually happened at Qingye City. All other elders had condoned Song Zhong's followers to wreck havoc, but all of them did nothing to blown things out of proportion, and therefore pressure the Sect Master.
However, the Sect Master remained calm despite the chaos.
It was as though the entire Sect swallowed her!
"Oh, where is the warrior that escorted you?"
Elder Xue felt Zhou Wenwu's pulse and appeared curious.
"Brother Fang? I think he left by himself…"
Zhou Wenwu knew that Fang Yuan did not want to get involved in the situation and so he said, "Where is the Sect Master? I want to see her right away!"
"This of course, but before that, may I introduce you to the area's Elder, Elder Han! He has waited for you for quite a while already!"
Elder Xue grabbed Zhou Wenwu's arm, and with his strength, Zhou Wenwu had no chance of escaping, even if he wasn't injured.
"Alright!"
Zhou Wenwu agreed, albeit unwillingly.
…
Within the crowd, Fang Yuan witnessed the scene and dispersed with the crowd.
"Indeed... The Spirit Returning Sect's internal conflicts are at its peak now, and Zhou Wenwu might be made use of by the elders!"
He did not want things to end up this way, and therefore created the chaos to attract attention, and took his leave.
Even Zhou Wenwu, their descendent had such treatment. What would he as an outsider receive?
"This was, however, Song Zhong's fault, and if he was dealt with directly, it could save me a lot of trouble…"
At a dark corner, Fang Yuan changed his appearance and walked down the streets of the county without fear.
The chaos at the gate did not last long, and within the city, not many knew about it, and therefore business remained as usual.
Compared to Qingye City, there were many more skilled martial artists, and even the women here were equipped with knives, which caught Fang Yuan's attention.
Of course, there were those delicate ladies who never left their house, but if all women picked up martial arts, there would definitely be a handful that would have the potential for martial arts.
A prime example would be the Grandmaster martial artist from the Spirit Returning Sect, a lady well-known in Qinghe County.
"This visit to the county was primarily to send this ticking time-bomb, Zhou Wenwu here, as well as to bring back more spiritual plants and more information regarding the spiritual land…"
It was rare for Fang Yuan to leave the secluded valley, and now that he arrived at the county, he did not want to leave empty-handed.
He also wanted to find out what happened to Song Zhong.
"It is hard to obtain spiritual plants, and even harder to find out the secrets of the spiritual land, but there must be someone who knows about it…"
He scanned his surroundings, and saw a large building and a street market, with many people around, as though business was blooming.
"Four Seas Court?"
Fang Yuan mumbled to himself before entering the doorway.
"What would you like, young master?"
The moment he took a step in, a waiter approached Fang Yuan with a smile and did not look down on Fang Yuan because of his clothing.
"I am not from this place. What do you usually sell here?"
Fang Yuan examined the place and was filled with curiosity.
"Master, you have a good taste! Here at Four Seas Court, we are the biggest retailer in Qinghe County! From provisions to martial artist manuals and weapons, there's nothing we don't sell, and nothing we don't buy!"
The waiter proudly answered him.
"Oh?!"
Fang Yuan raised his eyebrows and knew that the waiter was not lying. The Four Seas Court was likely to have official backing, or they might even belong to the Spirit Returning Sect!
Otherwise, who other than the Spirit Returning Sect's own people, would dare to say such big words?
"Are you sure you sell all sorts of things?"
"Master, you must be kidding. There are so many types of treasure out there in the world, and if you are talking about the treasures in the legends, then we really don't have it, but within Qinghe County, if we don't have it, then nowhere else would have it!"
The waiter smiled and rebutted.
"That's true…"
Fang Yuan listened and had slight hopes. "I want to buy some spiritual plants, do you sell them here?"
"Spiritual plants?"
The waiter scoffed, "This stuff ain't cheap!"
"Mmm?"
Fang Yuan was surprised, "You really do have it here?"
Within Spirit Returning Sect, there seemed to be a small piece of spiritual land specially used to cultivate spiritual plants. Therefore, if some spiritual plants did get traded here it would not be surprising.
After all, Minister Lin did get his hands on a bottle of Vermillion Jade Rice, so this Four Seas Court should not disappoint him.
"Does master really want to buy spiritual plants?"
There was suspicion all over the waiter's face.
"Don't worry, are you afraid that I might not be able to afford it?"
Fang Yuan looked at him, smiled, and whipped out a piece of golden leaf. "Bring me there!"
For this journey, Fang Yuan brought out all the valuables he had within the valley, in case of emergencies. After all, buying spiritual plants and information on spiritual lands would require him to fork out a large sum of money.
"Alright!"
The waiter's eyes glittered. "Master, this way please!"
Within the Four Seas Court, there were many compartments, and after passing through a curtain, there was no more noise from the outside world.
"Room A13!"
The waiter brought Fang Yuan to a big room, took a bow and left.
Not long after, two young ladies appeared, invited Fang Yuan to take a seat and prepared tea and fruits.
"This level of service is a whole new level?"
Fang Yuan found it amusing. At this point, he saw an old man entered the room, looking like a minister. He greeted Fang Yuan and asked, "I am Old Qian, manager of Four Seas Court. Are you looking for spiritual plants?"
"Indeed, what do we have here? We can discuss the price!"
Fang Yuan waved his hand and appeared rich.
On the contrary, he had the jitters as he wasn't sure if he had enough valuables to exchange for the spiritual plants.
"Spiritual plants are after all not a rare item, and the Court has sold many of it. But there are only a few who managed to cultivate them, and many rich families have become poor because of this. Young master, you must consider carefully!"
Old Qian seemed to be giving advice. "However, only spiritual lands can cultivate spiritual plants in large scale, and in the entire Qinghe County, the only spiritual land lies within Spirit Returning Sect, and so the others…"
He shook his head, and his expression showed it all.
"But if one spends time and money, and puts in all the effort to take care of it, then there might be a slight chance that it would germinate. Otherwise, how did the rare spiritual plants appear in the wild?"
Fang Yuan, an expert in botany, had personal experience in growing spiritual plants, and with the experience, he could reply without hesitation.
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