154: Chapter 154 A New Look for the Sect, Talent in Array Formations

Time flew by, and three months passed in the blink of an eye.

After the battle with the White Bone Demon Venerable, Luoxia Sect did not fall into silence; instead, it ushered in unprecedented vigorous development.

Both inside and outside the Sect, everything was renewed.

The restored City Protecting Great Formation's light curtain was as solid as glass, with nine layers of starry barriers operating day and night.

On the ruins of the outer city district, new shops, workshops, and inns sprang up like bamboo shoots after rain, forming three bustling streets.

The changes in the inner Sect area were even more astonishing.

Centered around the Starfall Dao Academy, the buildings of the four branches were arranged in an orderly yet varied manner.

The Star Gazing Platform of the Starry Vein towered into the clouds, the Body Tempering Pool of the Dragon Soul Vein steamed with heat, the Martial Arts Field of the War Formation Vein echoed with shouts and battle cries, and the Artifact Refining Furnaces of the Pill and Artifact Vein burned day and night.

Even more eye-catching was that three... First-Tier Spiritual Veins had quietly appeared beneath the Sect!

The concentration of Spiritual Qi increased by thirty percent, making the operation of the City Protecting Great Formation much smoother.

When Disciples cultivated, the Spiritual Qi they absorbed was purer, and the difficulty of breaking through Bottlenecks was significantly reduced.

Regarding this, Lin Yue publicly claimed it was 'Spiritual Vein remnants seized from the Black Lotus Cult, repaired by a Formation Great Master and implanted underground.'

No one doubted it.

After all, it was reasonable for a Devil Head of the White Bone Demon Venerable's level to carry a few Spiritual Vein remnants.

Only a few core members like Lin Cang knew the truth—those three Spiritual Veins came from the creation of a pocket Realm.

'Sect Master, the quality of these three Spiritual Veins is purer than any known First-Tier Spiritual Vein in the Southern Realm.'

At the underground Spiritual Vein hub, Lin Cang felt the surging pure Spiritual Qi underfoot and sighed:

'No Impurities, no evil Qi, can be directly absorbed and refined... Such Spiritual Veins would be considered treasures even in the Central Domain.'

'This is just the beginning.'

Lin Yue stood on the formation eye stone platform at the center of the hub, looking down at the Spiritual Vein network extending like a spiderweb below:

'According to the plan, over the next three years, at least thirty-six First-Tier Spiritual Veins will be implanted underground to form the 'Heavenly Stem and Earthly Branch Spiritual Vein Great Formation.' By then, Luoxia Sect's Spiritual Qi concentration will be over ten times that of the outside world.'

'That will be a true... Holy Land for cultivation.'

Lin Cang's eyes flashed with longing, but then he frowned: 'But with more Spiritual Veins, it's inevitable that others will covet them. Those Sects in the Central Domain have always fiercely competed for Spiritual Vein resources.'

'Then let them know the price of coveting.'

Lin Yue's tone was calm but carried an undeniable chill: 'Luoxia Sect is not a soft persimmon. If they want to reach out, they must be prepared... to have their hands chopped off.'

As his words fell, the formation eye stone platform suddenly lit up.

A light screen unfolded before the two, displaying real-time scenes from various parts of the Sect.

In the images, eight hundred newly joined Disciples were diligently cultivating under the guidance of Elders from each branch.

Little Star sat cross-legged at the highest point of the Star Gazing Platform, surrounded by dazzling starlight, her aura having reached... the ninth layer of Qi Refining Stage!

In just three months, from the first layer to the ninth layer of Qi Refining.

Such speed even surprised Lin Yue a little.

'This girl...'

Lin Cang also saw Little Star and couldn't help but praise: 'A Star Spirit Body is indeed a Prodigy. At this rate, she can attempt Foundation Establishment by the end of the year.'

'No rush.'

Lin Yue shook his head: 'The more solid the Foundation during the Qi Refining Stage, the higher the future achievements. Let her consolidate at the ninth layer of Qi Refining for half a year, repeatedly temper her Meridians with the Power of the Stars, and build her Foundation to the extreme.'

'Understood.'

Lin Cang noted it down and switched to other images.

On the Martial Arts Field of the War Formation Vein, Lin Hu was drilling three thousand War Department Cultivators.

Compared to three months ago, this army's aura was more solemn, murderous, and refined.

Everyone wore unified Star Pattern Battle Armor, wielded standard thunder pattern armor-piercing crossbows, and moved with seamless coordination.

More crucially—the number of Golden Core Cultivators in the War Department had increased from the previous three to... nine!

The six new additions were all veteran soldiers who had broken through from Foundation Establishment Peak in these three months.

Although they were only ordinary Golden Core Cultivators, with the war Formation, nine of them joining forces could suppress a Middle Golden Core Stage Cultivator.

'Lin Hu's War Department is now the sharpest blade of the Sect.'

Lin Yue evaluated: 'With these three thousand people, within the Southern Realm, except for old Nascent Soul Sects like Qinglan Sect, no one would dare to provoke us easily.'

'What about the Pill and Artifact Vein?'

'Lin De has successfully refined the Fourth-Tier Medium Grade Medicinal Pill 'Starlight Nascent Soul Condensing Pill,' with a stable success rate of thirty percent.

Lin Shi has overcome the mass production challenge of 'Star Pattern Battle Armor,' currently producing thirty sets per month, prioritized for distribution to Golden Core Cultivators in the War Department.'

Lin Cang recounted in detail: 'Additionally, as per the Sect Master's request, the Pill and Artifact Vein has opened a 'Contribution Exchange Point.' Disciples can use contribution points to exchange for Medicinal Pills, Magical Artifacts, Formation Materials... even Cultivation Technique Legacies.'

'How effective is it?'

'Extremely good.'

Lin Cang's face showed a smile: 'In these three months, the enthusiasm of Disciples for completing tasks, exploring Secret Realms, and hunting Yao Beasts has increased by at least fivefold. The Sect treasury's income has increased sevenfold compared to the same period last year.'

'More importantly, those Disciples of ordinary background have seen hope. As long as they work hard, they have the opportunity to obtain resources they previously wouldn't have dared to dream of.'

Lin Yue nodded.

This was exactly the effect he wanted.

For a Sect to last long, relying on a few Geniuses is not enough; the potential of all Disciples must be stimulated.

The contribution system was the catalyst.

'By the way, Sect Master.'

Lin Cang remembered something: 'The Azure Phoenix Immortal Master of the Seven Star Alliance sent a message yesterday, saying there's... movement in the Central Domain.'

'Oh?'

Lin Yue's eyes moved.

'According to the Seven Star Alliance's intelligence, several major forces in the Central Domain are paying close attention to the recent changes in the Southern Realm. Especially the incidents of 'Heavenly Sword Sect's destruction' and 'White Bone Demon Venerable's fall' have caused quite a stir.'

Lin Cang lowered his voice: 'It is said that Heavenly Sword Sect had backing in the Central Domain—'Ten Thousand Swords Sect.' Ten Thousand Swords Sect has sent people south to investigate the truth behind Heavenly Sword Sect's destruction and will arrive in the Southern Realm soon.'

'Ten Thousand Swords Sect...'

Lin Yue narrowed his eyes.

He had heard of this Sect, one of the seven great Sects in the Central Domain, famous for its sword Dao, with a Spirit Transformation Ancestor overseeing it, its strength far surpassing Qinglan Sect.

'What else?'

'Regarding Star Track Pavilion, Fellow Daoist Star Dust privately revealed that the Pavilion Master is very interested in the Sect Master and may personally visit in the near future.'

'Additionally...'

Lin Cang paused, his tone grave: 'Although the Black Lotus Cult appears quiet on the surface, according to information gathered by the intelligence network, they are secretly consolidating their forces, as if... preparing for some major action.'

Lin Yue was silent for a moment, then slowly said: 'When soldiers arrive, we will block them; when water comes, we will dam it with earth.'

'If Ten Thousand Swords Sect is reasonable, we can cooperate with the investigation. If they want to use it as a pretext... then let them see that the new master of the Southern Realm is not so easy to manipulate.'

'As for the Star Track Pavilion Master...'

A hint of deep meaning flashed in his eyes: 'Just as well, I also have matters I wish to consult him about.'

Regarding the Spirit Devouring Clan, regarding the Burial Dragon Abyss Seal, regarding... those secrets hidden in the dust of history.

'Regarding the Black Lotus Cult, continue to keep a close watch. Especially in the direction of Burial Dragon Abyss, report immediately if there is any unusual movement.'

'Understood.'

Lin Cang acknowledged and was about to leave when Lin Yue called him back.

'One more thing.'

Lin Yue took out a list from his robe: 'The candidates for the second batch of 'Secret Realm Special Training' should be decided.'

On the list, twenty names were densely written.

Besides the six core members like Lin Cang and the Personal Disciple Little Star, there were thirteen others—

All were the most outstanding and loyal Disciples from these three months.

Including three of the six newly advanced Golden Core Cultivators and ten Foundation Establishment Peak Cultivators.

'This special training has two goals.'

Lin Yue pointed at the list: 'First, have all ten Foundation Establishment Peak Cultivators break through to Golden Core.'

'Second, have the three newly advanced Golden Core Cultivators stabilize their Realms and master one Fourth-Tier secret technique.'

Lin Cang drew a sharp breath.

Another ten Golden Core Cultivators!

Added to the previous ones, Luoxia Sect's number of Golden Core Cultivators would exceed twenty!

What did this mean?

In the Southern Realm, except for Qinglan Sect, no other force had so many Golden Core Cultivators!

Cultivating ten Golden Core Cultivators in three months—if this speed got out, the entire cultivation world would go crazy.

'Time waits for no one.'

Lin Yue only said these four words.

He looked at the Spiritual Qi slowly flowing in the underground Spiritual Vein network, his gaze seeming to penetrate layers of rock and soil, looking toward the distant Burial Dragon Abyss: 'The Seal of Burial Dragon Abyss can hold for at most two more years.'

'Two years later, when the Spirit Devouring Clan breaks the Seal, it will be a disaster sweeping the entire cultivation world.'

'We must possess sufficient strength before then—not just strength for self-defense, but also... strength to take the initiative.'

Lin Cang fell silent.

He remembered the scenes seen when Star Dust extracted the evil seeds, remembered those three floating evil seeds, remembered the shadow's words 'wait for this Venerable to break the Seal.'

Yes, time was running out.

'This old one understands.'

Lin Cang put away the list: 'In three days, I will take them to the Secret Realm.'

'Mm.'

Lin Yue nodded, then suddenly asked: 'Besides cultivating, what else has Little Star been doing recently?'

'Well...'

A strange expression appeared on Lin Cang's face:

'She's studying Formations. Somehow hearing that the Sect Master is skilled in Formations, she pestered Fellow Daoist Star Radiance to teach her the basics. In these three months, she has mastered the setup of thirty-two First-Tier Formations.'

'Formations?'

Lin Yue raised an eyebrow.

A Star Spirit Body was a perfect match for cultivating star-related Cultivation Techniques, but Formations... required computational power and spatial sense, not closely related to spiritual body talent.

'Is she interested in Formations?'

'Not just ordinarily interested.'

Lin Cang smiled wryly:

'Fellow Daoist Star Radiance says this girl's talent for Formations is even more terrifying than her cultivation talent. She can replicate a First-Tier Formation after seeing it once, grasp the principles of a Second-Tier Formation in three days... Now she's starting to try creating composite Formations on her own.'

Lin Yue's eyes lit up.

A Formation Genius?

This was an unexpected delight.

'Tell her to study well. In three months, I will test her on a Third-Tier Formation. If she passes, I will personally teach her the 'Stellar Great Formation Chapter' from the Star Lord Inheritance.'

'Understood!'

Lin Cang withdrew.

In the secret chamber, only Lin Yue remained.

He walked to the edge of the formation eye stone platform, lightly tapped his finger, and the light screen switched to the scene outside the Sect's mountain gate.

There, a merchant convoy of ten carriages was slowly entering the newly built 'Welcoming Avenue.'

The flags on the carriages bore a pattern of a golden... sword.

'Ten Thousand Swords Sect...'

Lin Yue murmured to himself.

They arrived faster than expected.

He straightened his robe and turned to walk out.

It was time to meet the guests from the Central Domain.

And at the same time.

Deep within Burial Dragon Abyss.

At the edge of the Seal fissure, a shadow slowly coalesced.

It gazed in the direction of Luoxia Sect, emerald green flames flickering in its eyes: 'Lin Yue... star dragon nascent soul...'

'What a... perfect vessel.'

The shadow extended a withered finger and lightly tapped the Void Realm.

A point of dark red light, like a seed, vanished into the fissure and disappeared.

'Wait a little longer...'

'Wait until you grow a bit stronger, wait until the Seal weakens a bit more...'

'Then, you will be this Venerable's... first Clone upon returning to this world.'

A hoarse laugh echoed in the abyss.

As if the funeral bell of Hell was... slowly tolling.