87: Go to Taiyi Gate

“If the Sect can procure the Wu Family's Ore materials, the Wei Family will naturally no longer be able to block their sales. This plan is excellent!” Xiao Zhuo tapped his knuckles lightly on the table, instantly grasping Wu Qianning’s intention. This was indeed the best way for the Wu Family to escape their predicament.

The Yuyang Sect's prestige around Qingyang City was at its zenith.

Once the Sect began purchasing the Wu Family's Ore, the Wei Family would surely fall silent.

Those merchants who originally relied on the Wei Family, upon learning that the Wu Family had climbed onto the Yuyang Sect's big tree, would probably flock to them.

“Senior Brother is discerning.” Wu Qianning's fingertips unconsciously rubbed the cloud patterns on her sleeve, her palms slightly sweaty, “The Wu Family is willing to supply the Sect's needs long-term and stably at cost price plus a ten percent small profit.”

As she looked up, a draft swept through, and a few strands of dark hair brushed past her slightly red eyes.

Xiao Zhuo gazed at her, as if starlight flowed in his eyes: “Junior Sister, I will certainly help with this matter. It’s just…” He paused slightly, and the rustling of bamboo leaves outside the courtyard suddenly became clear, “The Wu Family's future path, after all, must be walked steadily by themselves.”

These words were like a morning bell and an evening drum, making Wu Qianning’s heart tremble.

She lowered her head, looking at the swaying reflection in the tea, a lotus seed-like bitterness rising in her throat—she understood that Xiao Zhuo was politely informing her that the favor between the Wu Family and him was now settled.

She stood up and performed a proper curtsy: “The entire Wu Family will forever remember Senior Brother’s kindness of rebirth.”

Xiao Zhuo closed his eyes and nodded.

A stream of Divine Thought shot out from his glabella, instantly passing through layers of mountains and heading straight for the Artifact Refining Hall on Cuiyun Peak.

After only half a cup of tea, a gentle breeze wafted by.

“Elder Xuan Xu has agreed.” Xiao Zhuo, after receiving the information transmitted back by his Divine Thought Incarnation, spoke calmly, “For the specific purchasing details, you can go and discuss them with him yourself.”

Wu Qianning’s heart was filled with mixed emotions, both the joy of having her wish fulfilled and a hint of wistfulness as things settled.

She bowed deeply again: “Many thanks, Senior Brother! Qianning takes her leave!”

Seeing Xiao Zhuo smile and nod, she turned and departed, her blue-clad figure quickly disappearing outside the courtyard gate.

Xiao Zhuo watched the receding slender figure, his fingers caressing the cool jade tablet at his waist.

This touch silently reminded him that his every word and action now was enough to influence the destinies of countless people.

As dusk gathered, he turned and disappeared into the shadows of the side room, leaving only the bamboo leaves fluttering in the courtyard.

The next day, at three quarters past the hour of Wei.

The sweet rain had just stopped, and the water shimmered.

On the reconstructed Sect square, a thousand Yuyang Disciples stood in formation, their robes reflecting the sky and water, exuding a vibrant vitality amidst the solemnity.

True Man Xuan Wei and the four Peak Masters stood on the high platform.

Xuan Wei, in a black robe with silver patterns and a crane feather sash, exuded a profound Aura: “The Taiyi Sect is the ancestral home of our Yuyang Sect! Sealed for a thousand years, it reopens its Sect gates today! The Xuan Cloud Peak Master will lead you all to assist. I hope you will be cautious in your words and actions, and not tarnish our Yuyang reputation!”

“We respectfully obey the decree!” A thousand voices roared in unison, the sound like thunder, shaking the surrounding leaves and residual rain to fall!

Immortal Master Xuan Yun nodded slightly to Xuan Wei, his gaze sweeping over Xiao Zhuo, who stood at the forefront below.

He unfurled his wide sleeve, and majestic magical power surged, as a majestic treasure ship, thirty zhang long, rumbled down onto the square!

The ship's bow, a giant Taotie mouth, exhaled cloud Qi, emanating an ancient and solemn Aura.

“Board the ship! Depart!” Immortal Master Xuan Yun's voice was like a grand bell.

Three hundred blue-clad Inner Sect Disciples and seven hundred green-clad Outer Sect Disciples boarded the ship in an orderly fashion.

Xiao Zhuo and Immortal Master Xuan Yun, with a flash of their figures, landed on the towering main control platform of the giant ship.

Once all the Disciples had boarded, Xuan Yun gave the order.

The intricate blue array patterns at the bottom of the ship lit up in sequence, powerful wind elemental energy gathered and roared, and the giant ship slowly ascended into the sky, then transformed into a stream of light, shooting straight to the southeast!

The floating treasure ship broke through the clouds, its huge shadow rapidly sweeping across the land.

Scattered Yao Beasts along the way, sensing the immense pressure, fled in panic.

This journey was unusually peaceful.

In the Jizhou region, the demonic clouds that once covered the sky were much thinner.

The appearance of the Taiyi Sect Secret Realm had led to the demise of several Dominator Rank Yao Beasts entrenched in Jizhou, giving this land, long plagued by demonic troubles, a rare respite after a thousand years.

The Yao Beast tribes, having lost their top combat power, withdrew one after another, and the sky over Jizhou was clearer than ever before.

After three hours of flight, the majestic main peak of the Taiyi Sect, Wentian Peak (Heaven Questioning Peak), which pierced the firmament, was already visible in the distance!

A moment later, the treasure ship landed steadily on the Taiyi Sect's spacious Sect square.

The Yuyang Sect Disciples filed out and lined up neatly.

Just then, spiritual light gathered in the sky above the square, and a ten-zhang tall green-robed figure condensed out of thin air!

His figure was tall and straight, with a youthful face and white hair, and his eyes seemed to hold flowing starlight. It was none other than Immortal Master Azure Heaven!

He looked down at the Yuyang Sect crowd on the square, his voice gentle yet carrying immense authority:

“This Immortal Master is Azure Heaven, the current Sect Head of the Taiyi Sect. The Yuyang Sect has not forgotten its ancient ties and has sent many to assist, which greatly pleases this Immortal Master! During your stay at the Taiyi Sect, all resources will be supplied equally to the Disciples of this Sect.” His sleeve robes billowed like clouds, “Furthermore, a small gift has been prepared for you all. As the Taiyi Sect reopens its Sect gates, I hope you all will work together with all your might!”

Before he finished speaking, a giant jade box appeared out of thin air.

The lid opened, and countless white jade pill bottles, carrying a rich medicinal fragrance, flew like meteors, precisely towards each Yuyang Disciple, with one bottle even landing in front of Xuan Yun and Xiao Zhuo!

“Thank you, Sect Head, for your generous gift!” Immortal Master Xuan Yun bowed deeply, his voice resonant.

“Thank you, Sect Head Immortal Master!” A thousand Disciples thanked in unison, their voices shaking the clouds.

Immortal Master Azure Heaven’s illusory figure smiled and nodded, his gaze turning to Xiao Zhuo and Xuan Yun: “Xiao Zhuo, Xuan Yun, please follow this Immortal Master to the Taiji Hall for a talk.” With that, the enormous Divine Thought Incarnation dissipated like smoke.

Immortal Master Xuan Yun quickly arranged for several capable Disciples to lead the teams and wait, then he and Xiao Zhuo transformed into two streams of light, shooting straight towards the magnificent Taiji Hall at the mountain peak.

Inside the hall, Immortal Master Azure Heaven’s true body sat on the Sect Master’s throne, smiling as he watched the two enter the hall.

“Greetings, Senior!”

“Greetings, Sect Head Immortal Master!”

Xiao Zhuo and Xuan Yun once again performed solemn bows.

The Taiyi Sect was once the leader of the Dao Sect, and its Sect Head was revered as the “Dao Sect Head”; this was an ancient custom.

“Dispense with the formalities.” Immortal Master Azure Heaven raised his hand slightly, his gaze sweeping over Xiao Zhuo, finally resting on Xuan Yun, a look of gratification evident on his face, “After two thousand years, the Yuyang Sect still remembers the affection of its ancestral home and has sent many to assist. This Immortal Master is greatly pleased! Excellent! Excellent!”

Immortal Master Xuan Yun’s usually unruffled face also showed a rare hint of a smile: “It is the honor of the Yuyang Sect to be able to contribute a small effort to the ancestral home.”

Immortal Master Azure Heaven flicked his finger, and a spiritual light wrapped around an ancient jade tablet flew to Xuan Yun: “This is the master command for the Restrictions of each peak of this Sect. You can use this to divide Restriction permissions and arrange for Disciples to be stationed as deacons on each peak.”

“Yes! Xuan Yun understands!” Immortal Master Xuan Yun respectfully accepted the token and bowed to receive the order.

Seeing Immortal Master Azure Heaven nod slightly in acknowledgment, he tactfully excused himself to arrange the affairs of the thousand Disciples.

In the grand hall, only Xiao Zhuo remained.

The core mission of the thousand Yuyang Sect members coming this time was to assist the Taiyi Sect in reopening its Sect gates—responsible for future Disciple recruitment, handling daily administrative tasks, and even teaching basic Cultivation Techniques to newly admitted Disciples.

Currently, the Taiyi Sect only had Immortal Master Azure Heaven as a lone Sect Master, and dividing Restriction permissions was a last resort.

This move was tantamount to opening up many Cultivation Techniques and Secret Realms of the Taiyi Sect, apart from its core Legacy, to these Yuyang Sect Disciples.

If they ultimately chose to return to the Yuyang Sect, the Taiyi Sect’s foundation would inevitably leak out.

But this was the best solution at present.

Immortal Master Azure Heaven could not personally attend to everything. Such trivial matters as teaching new Disciples could not possibly be expected of a Shattering Realm Sect Master.

Previously in the Secret Realm, he had used the Sacred Artifact cloud heaven mirror to project the glorious scenes of the past and manifest the soul shadows of ancient sages to impart the Dao, but this was a Divine Ability that consumed immense energy and could not be maintained for long.