252: Chapter 252 The Sect Master Arrives in Person

Yun Ling remained silent for a long time.

This made Yun Jian extremely nervous.

He knew well that the Sect Master was deep-thinking and that calling him here was no casual inquiry.

Yun Ling still had his back to him; after a long while, he finally spoke slowly, "Declined the recruitment? A rural Family... Yun Jian, you certainly have a shallow perspective."

He turned around, a sharp glint flashing in his eyes as he swept his gaze over the bowing Yun Jian.

"That Ye Jing may seem old and frail, but his actions are calculated and airtight. In just a few years, he reached Foundation Establishment right under our noses and is now rapidly gathering Loose Cultivators as Retainers."

"He has even divided his forces for management and established halls and regulations, managing the Ye Family with perfect order. Their Foundation is now more solid than that of an ordinary mid-sized Family."

"Could such methods really belong to an old man of the Qi Refining Stage?"

"He has likely been hiding his brilliance for years, only now showing the fruits of his long accumulation."

Yun Jian's heart jolted, and he hurriedly agreed in a low voice, "The Sect Master has the Wisdom Eye. It was my shortsightedness. I previously thought the Ye Family was just a small Family content with their corner of the world. I didn't expect them to expand their power so much in just a few years; it is truly rare."

Previously, within the Qingyun Sect, the Sect Master had not yet formed his Golden Core and had to keep a low profile. Furthermore, the Xuanyou Sect was causing trouble, and he was unable to spare a Clone.

That was why the Yan State was overlooked. Facing the Ye Family's interference with the Yan State's imperial Family, they had turned a blind eye. After all, as long as the Yan State remained stable, those from the Xuanyou Sect couldn't brazenly act as enemies of the Qingyun Sect.

Things were different now. The Ye Family was about to become the next Chen Family; they could no longer ignore them and allow them to grow stronger.

At this moment, Yun Ling let out a soft chuckle, "The Xuanyou Sect is slaughtering the families under our Sect's jurisdiction, and the Li Family has defected to the Lingxiao Sect. Our Qingyun Sect is currently short on manpower."

"The Ye Family is rising now, entrenched on the periphery of our Sect. With a little cultivation, they can be used to keep the Li Family in check or even annex them, becoming a great help to our Qingyun Sect."

Yun Jian had a sudden realization upon hearing this and quickly cupped his hands to request orders, "The Sect Master is wise! I shall head to the Ye Family immediately and have them submit to our Qingyun Sect!"

He was quite familiar with the Ye Family and had previously promised them protection, so there was some rapport between them.

"Wait."

Yun Ling stopped him, "Since we are talking about cooperation, we must show some sincerity. I will personally go to meet that Patriarch Ye!"

Hearing this, Yun Jian looked up sharply, his eyes filled with shock as he hurriedly bowed to dissuade him.

"Sect Master, you mustn't! Your status is noble; you are the pillar of our Qingyun Sect. The Ye Family is but a newly risen low-tier Family. How could we trouble you to go in person?"

"It is enough for me to go. No matter how shrewd Ye Jing is, he would never dare to slight the Qingyun Sect's honor!"

In his view, the Sect Master was a grand figure of the Golden Core Stage. Personally visiting a newly risen rural patriarch was far too demeaning.

Yun Ling gave a faint smile, "Yun Jian, you need to fix that habit of looking down on others. Why do you still think the Ye Family is that same rural Family in your eyes?"

"If we use the Sect's might to force their surrender, it will only provoke a rebellious heart. Even if they submit on the surface, they will harbor resentment deep down, making it difficult to use them in the future."

He walked slowly to the window in the hall, looking out at the mist-shrouded mountains. His fingertips tapped lightly on the windowsill in a steady rhythm.

"Currently, our Sect faces internal and external troubles. The Xuanyou Sect is watching like a tiger, and the Li Family has defected. We are in need of people. I can see that the Ye Family has immense potential, so we cannot force them; we can only win them over with courtesy."

"My personal visit is not a condescension; it is a gesture of goodwill and also a test. I want him to see the Qingyun Sect's sincerity. If he doesn't know what's good for him, then he is seeking his own death!"

As the last words fell, a sharp light flashed in Yun Ling's eyes.

The pressure of the Golden Core Stage on his body, though only fleeting, made Yun Jian tremble all over. He didn't dare say another word and could only bow his head to accept the order.

"This subordinate understands. I shall follow the Sect Master's orders."

Yun Ling withdrew his pressure and regained his usual indifference. "Yun Jian, let's go. This time, I will not bring any followers, only the two of us."

"Remember, do not make a scene or put on the Sect's airs. We will act as ordinary Fellow Daoists paying a visit."

"Yes!"

Yun Jian complied.

Then, Yun Ling summoned an immortal crane. The crane bowed, allowing Yun Ling to stand on its back.

Yun Jian immediately flew on his sword, following Yun Ling down the mountain.

The immortal crane flew high, crossing over rugged mountain ranges toward the Qinling Mountains.

Before long, they arrived at Lingyun Valley, where the Ye Family was located. It was truly a fine place. From a distance, the Ye Family's main residence was built against the mountain, with white walls and black tiles arranged in an orderly fashion. A simple mountain-protecting array was set up around the perimeter; though the flow of Spiritual Qi wasn't very dense, it was well-organized and orderly.

As Yun Ling flew down, Cultivators in the vicinity had already noticed them.

Now, every Cultivator who had submitted to the Ye Family wore a Jade Token issued by the Family at their waist. If a strange Cultivator approached, the patrolling Cultivators outside the area would immediately detect them.

Yun Ling and Yun Jian landed directly on the outskirts of Lingyun Valley. Two Cultivators immediately stepped forward, their expressions wary as they cupped their hands to Yun Ling and Yun Jian, saying, "You two, this is Ye Family territory. Without a formal Visiting card, you are not allowed to enter!"

Just as Yun Jian was about to announce their identities, Yun Ling raised a hand to stop him.

Dressed in a Plain Daoist robe and wearing a Silver hair crown, his features were gentle. He looked like an elegant Cultivator traveling the world, with none of the sharp aura of a Golden Core Cultivator.

Yet even so, his innate aura of authority still made the two Cultivators' hearts tighten. They subconsciously gripped their sword hilts, feeling that the person before them was unfathomable.

Yun Ling's gaze was calm, and his tone was indifferent, "Please inform the Old Patriarch Ye that Yun Ling of the Qingyun Sect has come to visit."

"Qingyun Sect? Immortal Master Yun Ling?!"

The two Cultivators were stunned at first, then their faces changed drastically. They were originally Cultivators from families under the Qingyun Sect's jurisdiction; how could they not recognize Yun Ling?

The Sect Master of the Qingyun Sect had actually come here in person so discreetly!

One of the Cultivators snapped out of it, his legs trembling slightly as he hurriedly bowed.

"Se... Senior, please wait. This Junior... this Junior will go inform the Patriarch immediately!"

With that, he rushed toward Lingyun Valley in a panic, fearing he might slight this grand figure.

In just a short while, a series of hurried footsteps came from the distance.

A group of people was seen surrounding an old man with white hair and a white beard, dressed in white robes, walking quickly toward them.

This was indeed the Ye Family Patriarch, Ye Jing.

Ye Jing had been cultivating when he suddenly felt Cultivators approaching. Then, a Cultivator responsible for guarding the home suddenly reported that the Qingyun Sect's Sect Master had arrived in person.

This gave Ye Jing quite a fright, and he hurriedly brought everyone in his Family out to welcome him.

Seeing Yun Ling from a distance—the Qingyun Sect's Sect Master whom he had only met once—Ye Jing bowed from several steps away and spoke respectfully.

"This old man is Ye Jing. I didn't know the Sect Master was honoring us with his presence. Please forgive my lack of a proper welcome!"

The Ye Family members behind him all bowed in unison to show their respect.

Looking at the bowing Ye Jing, a faint smile played on Yun Ling's lips as he stepped forward to give him a supportive gesture.

"Patriarch Ye, there is no need for such formality. I have come this time only in the name of a Fellow Daoist to catch up and discuss matters with you. Why the need for such ceremony?"

Ye Jing looked up at Yun Ling, his mind racing. The Qingyun Sect's Sect Master's sudden personal arrival definitely meant something was up.

Maintaining a calm expression, he still wore a humble smile and stepped aside to gesture him in, "It is a great honor for the Ye Family that the Sect Master is willing to grace my humble abode with his presence. Please, Sect Master, come inside for tea. This old man will certainly welcome you with the utmost hospitality!"