91: Factions

"Fellow Daoist Zhang, you only need to go to the Internal Affairs Hall to explain the situation and reveal your Realm. The Internal Affairs Hall will then report it to the Sect Leader of Carefree Sect."

"After that, you just need to wait for the Sect Master to summon you."

"The Xiaoyao Sect is not very strict in managing Foundation Establishment Cultivators, nor are there that many rules."

"As for the situation regarding the Foundation Establishment Elders of the Xiaoyao Sect, it is a bit complicated. Since Fellow Daoist Zhang has just become a Foundation Establishment Cultivator, it is better not to get involved..."

The Li Family Foundation Establishment Cultivator briefly explained the situation regarding the Foundation Establishment Elders of the Xiaoyao Sect.

The Xiaoyao Sect currently has a total of 128 Foundation Establishment Cultivators.

Among them, thirty-nine are Cultivators who broke through to the Foundation Establishment Stage from Inner Sect Disciples and Core Disciples.

Sixty-three are Cultivators who broke through to the Foundation Establishment Stage from Outer Sect Disciples and Utility Disciples.

Twenty-six are Loose Cultivators and Foundation Establishment Cultivators who joined the Xiaoyao Sect from the original Chang Sheng Sect.

These Foundation Establishment Cultivators have split into three factions due to their original identities.

Each faction is not very united internally, and they often fight openly and secretly for their own interests.

The Li Family Foundation Establishment Cultivator, having just joined the Xiaoyao Sect, has an unstable Foundation and has not participated in any of this.

He even deliberately befriended two Foundation Establishment Cultivators in the Late Stage who were Loose Cultivators that joined the Xiaoyao Sect.

Besides that, Outer Sect Disciples, Utility Disciples, Loose Cultivators, and Foundation Establishment Cultivators from the original Chang Sheng Sect are not eligible to become the Sect Head of the Xiaoyao Sect.

Only by breaking through to the Golden Core Stage can one become a Grand Elder of the Xiaoyao Sect, surpassing the Sect Head.

The Li Family Foundation Establishment Cultivator told Zhang Qingxiao all this information without the slightest reservation.

"Many thanks for the reminder, Fellow Daoist Li."

"I have just broken through to the Foundation Establishment Stage and need to Cultivate with a calm mind; I will not participate in these internal struggles."

After hearing this, Zhang Qingxiao felt a bit of a headache. He just wanted to Cultivate properly, earn the Spirit Stones he needed for cultivation, and did not want to get involved in these internal struggles.

"Fellow Daoist Zhang, that is the best course of action."

"In the future, our two families should grow closer."

"Now that Fellow Daoist Zhang has also achieved Foundation Establishment, I wonder when you plan to become Dao Companions with Wanqing?"

The Li family Foundation Establishment cultivator had also heard of Zhang Qingxiao's thoughts from Li Wanqing's mother. Seeing that he had already broken through to the Foundation Establishment Stage, he also wanted the two to become Dao Companions as soon as possible.

Only in this way could the relationship between the two families become closer.

"After I officially become an Elder of the Xiaoyao Sect, I will bring Wanqing over."

"I do not plan to hold any ceremony; I want to keep a low profile. I hope Fellow Daoist Li will not take offense."

After learning about the complicated situation in the Xiaoyao Sect, Zhang Qingxiao wanted to be even more low-key and did not want to deal with any messy ceremonies.

"What are you saying, Fellow Daoist Zhang? We will be one family in the future, so whether there is a ceremony is not important."

"When the time comes, it will be enough for the Cultivators of our two families to gather together."

The Li family Foundation Establishment cultivator said nonchalantly.

He originally wanted Zhang Qingxiao to be low-key; not inviting friends, just having a simple meal with family members and going through the motions would be perfect.

"I have the same intention."

Zhang Qingxiao did not stay with the Li family Foundation Establishment cultivator for too long. After finishing the important matters and chatting briefly, he took his leave and went to the Internal Affairs Hall.

The Disciple at the Internal Affairs Hall, upon learning that he had broken through to Foundation Establishment, immediately reported it to the Hall Master of the Outer Sect Internal Affairs Hall.

Then, after the Hall Master personally verified his identity and Realm, he politely asked him to return home and wait for the Sect Master's summons.

When he returned home, Zhou Yun had already called Li Wanqing and her mother over.

Seeing him return, the mother and daughter immediately greeted him and offered their congratulations.

Zhang Qingxiao responded very politely, then brought the two of them back to the living room.

Li Wanqing and her mother had clearly dressed up deliberately today.

They looked even more charming than usual.

Especially since Li Wanqing's mother was not that old to begin with, this dressing up made her look even younger.

The mother and daughter standing together had a unique charm.

If someone who didn't know them saw them, they would truly think they were a pair of sisters.

After entering the living room, Li Wanqing just asked a few curious questions before going to the kitchen to help Zhou Yun and Liang Qiaoer prepare dinner.

Leaving only Zhang Qingxiao to accompany her mother in the living room for a chat.

This made Zhang Qingxiao feel somewhat awkward.

It was always Li Wanqing's mother doing the talking while he responded.

"Wanqing broke through to the Qi Refining Stage Seventh Level a few days ago and is now a Cultivator in the Late Stage of Qi Refining."

"She hasn't taken many Medicinal Pills since she was young. When she was in the Middle Stage of Qi Refining, she only took a Golden Marrow Pill."

"There is a good chance that she will become a Foundation Establishment Cultivator in the future."

After praising her daughter for a while, Li Wanqing's mother asked seemingly casually:

"Fellow cultivator Zhang, now that you have successfully achieved Foundation Establishment, are you going to... with Wanqing?"

Although she did not finish her sentence, Zhang Qingxiao understood what she meant.

"Auntie, after I officially become an Elder of the Xiaoyao Sect, I will become a Dao Companion with Wanqing."

"I might have to wrong Wanqing a little, as I do not plan to hold a ceremony for becoming Dao Companions."

Zhang Qingxiao said somewhat embarrassedly.

"I am not wronged."

Li Wanqing, who was just about to bring the food to the table, hurriedly spoke up upon hearing Zhang Qingxiao's words.

After speaking, she realized she had been a bit too proactive. Seeing that both Zhang Qingxiao and her mother were looking at her, her face immediately turned red.

She lowered her head, placed the food she had brought over on the table, and quickly returned to the kitchen.

"Wanqing is still a bit thin-skinned..."

"Whether there is a ceremony is not important. As long as you treat Wanqing well in the future, I will be satisfied."

"You and Wanqing becoming Dao Companions—others don't have to be told, but you must tell Wanqing's grandfather."

Li Wanqing's mother had no objections to this; as long as her daughter could be happy, it would be fine.

"Please rest assured, Auntie, I will not treat Wanqing poorly."

Zhang Qingxiao said hurriedly and sincerely.

"That is good!"

"I am relieved that Wanqing can be with you."

The way Li Wanqing's mother looked at Zhang Qingxiao became even more satisfied.

During dinner, the atmosphere was very harmonious.

Li Wanqing's mother treated both Zhou Yun and Liang Qiaoer like her own daughters, and from time to time praised the two women for their good cooking.

She told Li Wanqing to learn from them more in the future.

The few women soon got along very well.

Seeing such a harmonious atmosphere, Zhang Qingxiao's hanging heart finally settled down.

After dinner, Li Wanqing's mother left the Zhang family alone, leaving Li Wanqing there.

Anyway, this was a matter of time, and the two would not be holding any ceremony.

He couldn't be bothered with going through the motions; in a couple of days, he would just invite the Li family Foundation Establishment cultivator over for a meal, and that would be enough.

For Cultivators, they are naturally free-spirited and do not have so many formalities.

If it weren't for the fact that Zhang Qingxiao hadn't made his stance clear before, he would have let Li Wanqing stay overnight at his house long ago.

In the evening, Zhou Yun very sensibly went to the cultivation room to Cultivate, leaving the space for Li Wanqing and Zhang Qingxiao.

...