399: Sect strength

Xiao Ruobai and the other three sent their Divine Thoughts into that simple Qiankun Bag. Even though they were mentally prepared, they were still shocked by the massive amount of divine materials, precious medicines, scriptures, and ancient artifacts contained within.

However, having followed Gu Changge for a long time, their horizons and Heart-Nature were already extraordinary. They each selected some suitable treasures according to the needs of their own Dao paths.

"Revered Master, we have finished our selection."

Xiao Ruobai resealed the Qiankun Bag and placed it back on the stone table in front of Gu Changge.

Gu Changge nodded slightly, not even looking at the bag, and simply waved his hand.

"Mm, go then. Meditate in peace and do not let this experience go to waste."

Gu Changge's voice was peaceful.

"Yes, Revered Master!"

The four replied in unison, bowed once more, and then each found their usual quiet spots for meditation on Zizhu Peak. They sat cross-legged and began to carefully process their various insights from the trip to the Emperors Tomb.

Gu Changge's gaze swept over his Disciples, a nearly imperceptible trace of satisfaction flashing in his eyes.

Gu Changge casually fiddled with an egg in his hand, his gaze piercing through layers of clouds and mountains, casting toward a place ten thousand miles outside the Azure Profound Sect's mountain gate.

In his Divine Sense perception, three familiar and somewhat sneaky figures were concealing all their Qi and cautiously creeping back toward the Sect.

They were the Second Ancestor, Third Old Ancestor, and Fourth Ancestor.

A nearly imperceptible smile flashed in Gu Changge's eyes, and then his mind moved slightly.

A peaceful and indifferent Divine Thought instantly crossed space and landed in the mind of Xuan Yangzi, who was handling affairs on the Main Peak.

A moment later, a streak of light rose from the Main Peak and quickly landed on Zizhu Peak, where Xuan Yangzi's figure appeared.

"Junior Brother Changge, you were looking for me?"

Xuan Yangzi walked quickly to the stone table, his face full of inquiry.

Gu Changge did not answer directly, his gaze merely falling casually on a corner of the stone table.

The seemingly unremarkable and simple Qiankun Bag that Xiao Ruobai had returned floated up on its own and landed steadily on the tabletop in front of Xuan Yangzi.

"This item is some treasures Xiao Hei brought back from the Western Regions Sumeru Ancient Monastery during his trip out. Xiao Ruobai and the others have already taken a few things for themselves.

Take the rest, Senior Brother, to replenish the treasury and distribute them to suitable Disciples or Elders in the Sect."

Hearing this, Xuan Yangzi's gaze fell on the Qiankun Bag covered in profound Buddhist Runes. His pupils constricted slightly, and his breath hitched for a moment.

Treasures from the Western Regions Sumeru Ancient Monastery?

Although he already knew Xiao Hei had wiped out the Mount Sumeru Ancient Monastery, seeing this Qiankun Bag—which represented the accumulated essence of an ancient Buddhist Holy Land—placed so lightly before him still moved him.

Despite being the Sect Head with a steady Heart-Nature, he could not hide the storm of emotions in his heart at this moment.

"This is too precious! Junior Brother Changge, this..."

He looked at Gu Changge, his eyes filled with heartfelt gratitude. With these resources, the foundation of the Azure Profound Sect would become unimaginably deep; the future was promising!

"A strong Sect is the fundamental basis. This item is useless to me; Senior Brother should just accept it."

Gu Changge waved his hand, interrupting Xuan Yangzi's refusal, and instead asked, "How has the situation been within the Sect lately?"

Mentioning the Sect's recent status, Xuan Yangzi perked up, a trace of heartfelt relief appearing on his face.

He carefully put away the Qiankun Bag and said solemnly, "Thanks to your great fortune, Junior Brother Changge, the Sect's current atmosphere is indeed unprecedented!

With the support of your massive resources, especially the Azure Cloud Secret Realm and numerous Heaven And Earth Treasures, the Sect's strength is changing with each passing day."

He paused for a moment and then detailed the situation.

"First, regarding the Sect and peak Elders, more than forty people have now successfully broken into the Saint Realm!

I have repeatedly tested all of them using the Heart-Testing Jade Pendant in conjunction with the Secret Realm's grand array, confirming that their Heart-Nature and loyalty are all without issue.

I have had them step down from their public Elder positions and become the Sect's hidden foundation, cultivating diligently in the depths of the Secret Realm to consolidate their Realms."

At this point, Xuan Yangzi gave a wry smile. "It's just that these fellows, having just reached the Saint Realm, are at their peak of spirit and energy.

They are howling in the Secret Realm, itching for a fight, wishing they could immediately find someone to battle for three hundred rounds to stretch their limbs. It's only out of respect for the Old Ancestors' authority that they haven't started fighting each other, and have instead stayed to quietly polish their Saint Dao Laws."

Gu Changge understood upon hearing this; this fit the mindset of those Elders who had struggled for many years and finally achieved success.

"Furthermore," Xuan Yangzi's tone carried a hint of pride.

"The Great Ancestor, with the help of the Opportunity you bestowed, successfully broke through a month ago and officially stepped into the Great Saint Realm!"

"As for the elite Disciples cultivating in the Azure Cloud Secret Realm..."

The light in Xuan Yangzi's eyes grew even brighter.

"Most of them have now successfully broken through to the Cave Heaven Realm or even the Heavenly Human Realm! Their progress is lightning fast! In time, they will surely become the pillars of the Sect!"

After finishing in one breath, Xuan Yangzi looked at Gu Changge with a gaze full of emotion.

In just a short time, from top to bottom, from the foundation to the new blood, the Azure Profound Sect had undergone a near-complete transformation.

All of this, tracing back to the source, began at Zizhu Peak, with this seemingly lazy and calm Junior Brother in front of him.

"Mm, not bad." Gu Changge nodded slightly, a look of understanding flashing in his eyes.

The steady improvement of the Sect's strength was within his expectations. Those new Saints with excess energy and a desire for actual combat were an interesting phenomenon.

Gu Changge thought of something else and looked at Xuan Yangzi.

"Where is Senior Brother Shi? It has been several days since the Emperors Tomb affair ended; why hasn't he returned to the Sect yet?"

Xuan Yangzi was stunned for a moment, his brow furrowing slightly. "Junior Brother Wanshan? He hasn't returned yet?"

He recalled for a moment, his tone carrying uncertainty and a hint of worry.

"When the situation in the Emperors Tomb was about to turn chaotic, I did indeed instruct him and several other Peak Masters to evacuate first.

With his speed and personality, he should have returned to the Sect long ago. Could he have encountered some trouble on the way?"

Gu Changge said no more, his eyes seeming to hold a swirling galaxy deep within.

In the next moment, his vast and peerless Divine Sense silently enveloped the entire Eastern Region.

In an instant, a scene in a wild ancient forest over a hundred thousand miles away was clearly reflected.

Shi Wanshan's Qi was slightly disordered. He was using the complex terrain and Escape Techniques to constantly change positions, his posture showing a bit of caution and distress.

About a hundred miles behind him, two figures with obscure Qi but clear tracking intentions were clinging to him like maggots on a bone, refusing to let go.

One of them was at the Late Stage Saint Realm, while the other had reached the Middle Stage Saint King Realm.

The person in the Late Stage Saint Realm had violent fluctuations of Qi, carrying hidden shame and resentment. It was none other than that Purple Robe Saint who had been stripped bare by the Azure Profound Sect's Old Ancestor in the Emperor's Mausoleum earlier!

"Oh?"

Gu Changge's brow twitched almost imperceptibly.

Although Senior Brother Shi had a lively personality, he was experienced in combat, with a mind that was meticulous despite his rough exterior. He also had a cultivation at the Late Stage Saint Realm. Even if he couldn't defeat a Middle Stage Saint King, escaping shouldn't be difficult.

Now, however, he seemed to be chased quite miserably, unable to completely shake them off.

His face turned cold. With a slight thought, he raised his hand and lightly brushed the void in front of him.

Immediately, the air above the stone table rippled like water, and hazy shadows began to gather and flow.

Fragments of images regarding Shi Wanshan's experiences over the past few days since leaving the Emperors Tomb quickly turned from blurry to clear, appearing before them.