30: Chapter 30 Master, will you find me a junior sister or a master's wife?

Ling Hao walked out of the quiet room, his gaze sweeping over the new buildings that appeared after the clouds and mist dissipated.

Spiritual Fields, Spiritual Veins, Mission Hall... The Sect's atmosphere had taken on a brand new look.

"Let's see what good stuff came with this upgrade."

With a thought, he opened the System panel.

After promoting to the second grade, the System interface was brand new:

For example [Sect] | [Disciples] | [Mall] | [Grotto-Heaven]. The operations were more intuitive:

Disciples: Clearly listed Disciple information, but noted a lack of management structure.

Mall: Integrated the three major malls—Disciple Points, Reputation, and Sect Master Points—making them convenient to view.

Sect Overview: The terrain and buildings within a hundred-mile radius of Tianyuan Mountain were presented for the first time in a 3D map format, clear at a glance!

The core change was that the Sect range (large map) had expanded to a hundred-mile radius! This meant that within these hundred miles, Ling Hao could maintain his Void Refinement Stage cultivation!

In this remote area, he was almost an invincible existence!

The small map clearly marked the towns within a hundred miles, with Liuling Town prominently listed. Unfortunately, Jiuling City and Green Leaf Sect were still outside the hundred-mile radius and could not be brought under control.

What Ling Hao was most interested in was the new module [Grotto-Heaven].

Click to enter: [Grotto-Heaven]

(Grotto-Heaven concept map.jpg)

(Progress bar.jpg)

—Early Stage—Middle Stage—Late Stage—Perfection (Small World)+

Realm Bonus: Void Refinement Level 1

Warm Reminder: Investing Dao fragments (crystals), Spiritual Veins, Spiritual Mines, spiritual plants, spiritual seeds, spiritual springs, Innate spiritual objects, and other Heaven And Earth Treasure can perfect the Grotto-Heaven Law, accelerate evolution, and increase the Realm bonus limit!

Cultivating the Grotto-Heaven to Early Stage Perfection grants three hours of Void Refinement Stage Dao trace resonance.

"Whoa!"

Ling Hao's eyes lit up! So the Void Refinement Stage cultivation within the Sect range could be further improved?!

"Dao fragments? Is it this?"

Ling Hao immediately took out the few colorful crystal fragments he had collected while suppressing the Spiritual Qi storm.

The fragments were shrouded in faint yet profound Dao Aura. This was a treasure for Soul Transformation Stage Cultivators, but of little use to him and his Disciples at the moment.

Ling Hao tried clicking the "+" sign to invest the fragments into the Grotto-Heaven. The fragments in his hand were swallowed as if by an invisible vortex and instantly disappeared.

Ling Hao stared fixedly at the progress bar... It didn't move at all!

"Tsk, as expected, thinking a few fragments would cause a reaction was too optimistic."

Ling Hao curled his lips, not really surprised.

It seemed he had to find another way. Ling Hao rubbed his chin and pondered. This matter was neither difficult nor easy. The Spiritual Vein and Spiritual Mine his Sect had just discovered were the Foundation and could not be touched.

But... other people's could! For example, those who were blind and came to his door to cause trouble!

"Whoever comes to provoke me, I will uproot their Sect and turn it into nourishment for the growth of this Grotto-Heaven! They will become stepping stones on my path to invincibility!"

A cold, sharp glint flashed in Ling Hao's eyes.

However, the Sect range was ultimately limited, and one's own hard strength was the Foundation! For instance, right now:

Promoting to the Foundation Establishment Stage required more excellent Disciples!

The newly added Spiritual Fields and Spiritual Mines needed Disciples to manage them!

Completing the System's main mission required even more support from Disciples!

To summarize in one sentence: The Sect urgently needs Disciples!!!

Ling Hao cast his gaze into the distance; he could only patiently wait for the opening of the Sect gates in a month.

"Right, I almost forgot there's also a Sect gift pack."

Ling Hao clapped his hands, and his figure instantly disappeared.

Fuqu Courtyard.

Chi Wanhe was wearing a pink dress, sitting cross-legged and Cultivating.

Ling Hao's figure landed quietly in the courtyard.

"Xiao He."

Chi Wanhe opened the door, revealing a small head.

"Revered Master? Do you have something to find me for?"

"Yes, arrange a courtyard for your new Junior Sister tonight."

Ling Hao instructed.

"Oh, alright... Wait!"

Chi Wanhe reacted, her beautiful eyes widening instantly.

"Junior Sister?! Revered Master, you accepted Miss Du?"

Ling Hao nodded:

"She has outstanding talent in the path of Body Refining, and as her Revered Master, I admire her greatly, so I accepted her as a Disciple."

"Is that so..."

Chi Wanhe nodded her little head, but couldn't help but mutter to herself.

Revered Master's "admire her greatly"... why did it sound a bit strange? He wasn't admiring something else about her, was he?

"Alright, you go make arrangements later. As your Revered Master, I'm going to go raid a Sect first, I'll be back soon."

Ling Hao said and turned to leave. Raid a Sect?! Chi Wanhe was shocked. Which unlucky person had provoked Revered Master again?

"Revered Master, wait!"

Chi Wanhe hurriedly asked, "Then where is the third Junior Sister now? I need to go find her!"

"She is resting in my quiet room in Haoran Tower."

Before the words faded, Ling Hao's figure had already disappeared.

Haoran Tower? Quiet room?!

Chi Wanhe was stunned on the spot, her little mouth slightly open.

Wasn't that Revered Master's own residence? Why would the third Junior Sister be resting there?!

A thought uncontrollably popped up. Revered Master didn't bring her over... could it be that the third Junior Sister... couldn't get out of bed?

Hmm, very likely! Thinking back to Revered Master's "admire her greatly" expression just now...

Chi Wanhe instantly felt she had found the truth! She helplessly held her forehead and muttered to the direction where Ling Hao disappeared.

"Revered Master... are you finding me a Junior Sister, or are you finding me a Mistress again? One after another..."

...

Huoyan Sect, the Sect was built against a volcano. Buildings stood on the crimson rock walls, and scorching mist steamed all year round. From a distance, it looked as if it were burning in flames.

Deep within Huoyan Peak, inside a suspended pavilion.

A man with a feminine face, wearing a loose red robe that revealed a large part of his chest, was admiring a painting with great interest.

The woman in the painting wore antique clothing, her appearance vivid and lifelike. Most eye-catching were those slender jade legs, which were wrapped in a layer of black silk stockings as thin as cicada wings, adding a touch of mystery and charm.

"Tsk tsk, this painting technique is truly extraordinary."

The man gently stroked the figure in the painting with his fingertips, a hint of evil desire flashing in his eyes.

He looked out the door and muttered to himself:

"Counting the time, Green Leaf Sect should have 'invited' the person here, right? It's just right for her to copy a 'Huoyan Handsome Man Bathing in Fire' for me!"

"Report! Elder Tong requests an audience!"

The guard's voice came from outside.

"Let him in."

The white-bearded old man Tong Xiu walked in, his gait panicked, his face unable to hide his fear.

"Where is she?"

The feminine man saw him return empty-handed, a cold glint flashing in his eyes.

Tong Xiu fell to his knees with a thud, his voice trembling:

"Sect Master, please forgive me! It... it was the bunch of trash from Green Leaf Sect; they failed to bring back Qin Zhaoxue!"

"Speak!"

Song Qingfeng's voice turned suddenly icy.

"Qin Zhaoxue... she has defected to the Moonshadow Sect of Tianyuan Mountain! That fool Shan Tianxiong took all the Foundation Establishment Elders to demand her, but as a result... they were killed on the spot by that Sect Master Yueying, the entire army was wiped out!"

Tong Xiu prostrated on the ground, cold sweat soaking his back, feeling extremely fortunate that he had been lazy and didn't go, thus escaping a disaster.

"All dead?! Including Shan Tianxiong?"

Song Qingfeng stood up abruptly, and a violent Golden Core Aura instantly filled the pavilion!

"It is absolutely true! Those who escaped back said that the Sect Master Yueying... is a Golden Core True Person!"

Tong Xiu buried his head even lower, almost embedding it into the floor.

"Golden Core?!"

Song Qingfeng's face turned livid instantly.

"In this godforsaken place, how could a Golden Core appear?!"

His chest heaved; he was clearly extremely angry.

"Trash! A bunch of trash!! You are also trash!!!"

The terrifying pressure pressed down like a mountain. Tong Xiu felt his liver and gallbladder splitting, his soul flying away!

"Wait! Sect Master! There... there is one more thing!"

At the critical moment of life and death, Tong Xiu shouted hoarsely.

"I heard... I heard that the Moonshadow Sect will open its gates in a month and recruit Disciples!"

"Open the gates?"

Song Qingfeng's violent Aura paused slightly. Anger intertwined with calculation in his eyes, and a cruel, evil smile suddenly appeared on his face.

"Good! Very good!"

His gaze locked onto Tong Xiu like a venomous snake:

"Listen to me! First, you personally select manpower, mix into their Sect opening ceremony, and stir it up until it's turned upside down! Let everyone see the consequences of offending my Huoyan Sect!"

"Second, and most importantly!"

Song Qingfeng's voice was cold and sinister. "Use every means to find out the background of this Moonshadow Sect! Especially, who is standing behind it? Are they under the protection of Liuyun Temple? If not..."

Killing Intent surged in his eyes.

"Hmph! If it's verified that no one is backing them, I will personally appoint commanders, ordering Elder Miao and Elder Tang to make a trip! We must exterminate the Moonshadow Sect, every last one of them!"

Song Qingfeng waved his sleeve violently, Evil Qi surging into the sky:

"A mere Golden Core that just popped up dares to be so arrogant! Unless they have a Nascent Soul old monster sitting in their Sect, otherwise, I will definitely destroy this Moonshadow Sect! I, the Sect Master, have spoken!"

Tong Xiu was scared Soul Flying Away and Spirit Scattering by this monstrous Killing Intent, kowtowing as he scrambled away:

"Yes! Yes! This subordinate understands! Sect Master is wise! This subordinate will go handle it right away! I will definitely not fail the Sect Master's entrustment!"

"Get lost!"

"Yes!"

Tong Xiu almost used his hands and feet to escape the murderous pavilion.

Song Qingfeng withdrew his gaze, staring at the painting for a long time, his fingers tapping the table lightly, seemingly weighing his options.

A moment later, his gaze turned to a shadowy corner of the room:

"Mr. Pang, are you sure that Qin Zhaoxue is a rare 'Yin Dual Cultivation Physique'?"

In the shadows, an old, hoarse voice echoed faintly:

"The erosion qi eroding her for one night, causing her Physique to fall from Earth Grade to Yellow Grade—only a Yin-attribute Dual Cultivation Physique can explain it."

There was still doubt in Song Qingfeng's eyes:

"Such a wonderful Physique, why didn't you enjoy it yourself, sir, instead of telling me?"

"Heh," the voice in the shadows carried a touch of indifference, "I am nearing the end of my life; beautiful women are nothing but withered bones to me."

Song Qingfeng sneered in his heart, but remained calm on the surface.

The old voice sounded again:

"Have you made any progress on the ten people with the Ziyunying body fragrance I asked you to find?"

Song Qingfeng replied helplessly:

"Mr. Pang, please be patient, I am searching for them."

"If you can gather ten people as soon as possible, this... Earth Rank Low Grade Cultivation Technique in my hand will be yours."

The old voice carried temptation.

A flash of greed crossed Song Qingfeng's eyes, immediately followed by deep helplessness.

How could he not want it?

Earth Rank Low Grade Cultivation Technique!

Even though his father and mother were the Old Ancestors of the fourth-grade Sects Tianhuo Sect and Earth Flame Sect, and were dignified Nascent Soul True Lords!

Neither of them had ever possessed such a high-grade Cultivation Technique!

It was just that people who were completely eroded by erosion qi but still maintained their sanity were so rare, and hard to find. He had only found two so far.

Hmph, the Green Leaf Sect couldn't find people with the Ziyunying body fragrance, and couldn't bring back Qin Zhaoxue either.

They even said they would give this Sect Master a surprise. A surprise my ass! This kind of trash Sect deserved to be destroyed.