Journey to the head

Several days later, a giant ship broke through the thick clouds and appeared in the airspace of Qingzhou. Its silvery-white hull was dazzling under the sunlight, covering the starlight surrounding the giant ship. Only the huge ram was wrapped in starlight, pointing straight at the sky like a sharp sword.

On its left and right sides, two warships flew alongside. On the heavy, dark armor, large runes flowed continuously and densely, and many ferocious spikes extended from the armor, with large spiritual energy cannon holes crowded between the spikes.

These two warships were already large, but they were several sizes smaller compared to the silver behemoth.

As the three airships revealed their impressive appearance, the previously noisy Qingzhou immediately quieted down.

Especially on the airships, the blue flags with cloud patterns fluttered in the wind, proudly announcing their names.

Yunshan Sect, Commander-level - Flying Expeditionary Divine Vessel! Champion-level - Starry Sky Majestic Divine Vessel!
The natives of Qingzhou looked up in awe at the three warships soaring through the sky, and suddenly remembered how, sixteen years ago, the Yunshan Sect led the allied forces northward from Cangzhou to exorcise demons, slaying monsters and evil spirits along the way, saving Qingzhou from fire and water, and finally slaying four great demons of the primordial spirit in the battle of Mengyu Mountain, thus quelling the demon chaos in Qingzhou!
Now, the Yunshan Sect has re-entered Qingzhou!

Upon receiving the message, the various Nascent Soul and Golden Core sects dared not delay and, in accordance with the letter's instructions, each sent their sect leaders to the Two Elements Mountain of the Magnet Extreme Sect.

Those sects that had seized the spiritual veins after the demonic chaos, as well as various rogue cultivators and diverse forces, remained silent and dared not make any moves until they realized that the native sects of Qingzhou were gathering and that they were excluded. They then sensed that something was wrong and began to take various actions amidst the undercurrents.

Some panicked and prepared to flee, some banded together and formed alliances, some actively roamed around gathering information, some schemed and bribed officials, and some offered up most of their wealth, knelt down beside the three warships, and begged to meet Commander Yunshan.

However, the Yunshan Sect's group completely ignored the diverse lives of people in Qingzhou and did not stop for anyone even for a moment, heading straight towards Liangyi Mountain.

Silent and imposing, it crushed the petty thoughts of many.

On Liangyi Mountain, a group of cultivators were eagerly awaiting their arrival.

Standing in the front row were the four Nascent Soul sects of Qingzhou: Baoqing Sect (two Nascent Soul cultivators), Sanjie Sect (two Nascent Soul cultivators), Jiusu Sect (one Nascent Soul cultivator), and Yinfu Sect (one Nascent Soul cultivator).

Then there are two former Nascent Soul sects that have fallen to Golden Core sects: Yuecheng Sect and Shangshan Sect. Although they no longer have any Nascent Soul cultivators, they still have several Golden Core cultivators each.

After that, there was the nominal ruler of Qingzhou, the Ciji Sect, and four other Golden Core sects.

As for the Yuehua Sect, a partner sect of the Yunshan Sect, they are still guarding the Yunshan ancestral lineage in Quyang County and have not come here.

Master Ding Shu of the Magnetic Pole Sect looked at the pile of backs of heads in front of him and sighed softly.

So what if we still uphold the Immortal Register? In the past ten years or so, which sect in Qingzhou still considers my Magnetism Sect to be the leader of the state?
In the past, a single imperial edict could mobilize the entire prefecture, not to mention the flattery and year-round offerings. But now, orders cannot even leave Liangyi Mountain. When encountering these Nascent Soul sects, they don't even offer a few polite words. Although there is not much sarcasm in their eyes, the pity they show is more disheartening.

Now, the Yunshan Sect has sent a message thousands of miles away, and all the major sects in Qingzhou have gathered at Liangyi Mountain to welcome them. These Nascent Soul sects are scrambling to get there, and have immediately pushed themselves, the host and former leader, to the back row.

Master Ding Shu sighed again, while his two junior brothers beside him looked on with a mixture of grief and dejection.

If it were just their own family welcoming the Yunshan Sect, that would be perfectly reasonable.

The fact that the immortal talisman could still be preserved and that the immortals could reside on Liangyi Mountain is entirely thanks to the Yunshan Sect. All the cultivators present should also be grateful to the Yunshan Sect for saving their lives.

Furthermore, Lu Qian, the renowned leader of the Yunshan Sect, possesses a powerful background highly valued by the Taiyi Paradise, as well as the mysterious strength to slay four primordial spirit demons.
Let alone now that they've fallen to the Golden Core sect, even if they were still a Primordial Spirit sect, it would be normal for them to go out and greet the Yunshan Sect.

It's disheartening that these sects from Qingzhou have gathered on my Liangyi Mountain and are behaving this way.

But what can be done about this?

At the very front of the procession was Guixu Lingjun of Baoqing Sect. He gazed at the horizon, a hint of melancholy on his face.

Back then, Lu Qian led the Cangzhou Allied Army to relieve the siege of Baoqing Sect, and the two sides cooperated to kill many demons. At that time, they also drank and talked happily, and the two sides were equals.

Who would have thought that in less than a hundred or a thousand years, the Yunshan Sect would suddenly be able to look up to them?

Suddenly, a disciple beside him shouted, "They're here! They're here!"

Looking into the distance, everyone saw three cloud-mountain warships emerging from the clouds. They immediately roused themselves, each displaying their escape lights, and prepared to advance ten miles to meet them.

But just as they took off, they saw three warships stop in mid-air and then slowly descend onto the barren mountain below.

Only a few streaks of light remained suspended in the air.

"What does this mean?" someone asked in confusion. "The Yunshan warships aren't going into Liangyi Mountain?"

Master Ding Shu was a little nervous and began to recall whether there had been any mistakes in his previous reply to the Yunshan Sect. He had clearly shut down the mountain-protecting formation in advance, but the three airships did not enter. Did they have some kind of problem with his sect?
But then, those streaks of light flashed and flew towards Liangyi Mountain. Just as everyone was about to catch them, the Yunshan cultivators began to descend, leaving everyone bewildered. They had no choice but to follow them and land on the ground.

The light descended in front of Liangyi Mountain, and the crowd eagerly rushed forward, finally able to see Yunshan and his group of five.

The four precepts are Vajra Xiang Kong, Bottomless Taoist Fang Mengsheng, Thunder-Chopping Xiao Tianci, Xuanjizi Wei Zhaixing, and Huanggenmen Ye Xiao.

Judging from their positions, Xiao Tianci was the leader of the group.

Just as the people of Qingzhou were about to pay their respects, Xiao Tianci's eyes suddenly sharpened, and he looked down at the back of the crowd.

Remembering Wei Zhaixing's arrangements, he became serious and led Yunshan and his entourage in a respectful bow, his voice booming throughout the mountain gate.

"Xiao Tianci of the Yunshan Sect, along with his fellow disciples, has come to Liangyi Mountain on the orders of the Vice Sect Leader to pay respects to the True Man Ding Shu of the Ciji Sect!"

Upon hearing this, the room fell silent.

The various sects and factions of Qingzhou, especially the Nascent Soul Spirit Lords in the front row, all showed a hint of surprise on their faces, followed by embarrassment. They then remembered the True Person Ding Shu who had been forgotten in the corner, and quickly stepped aside to make way for him.

Master Ding Shu and his two junior brothers behind him were completely stunned and stood there without reacting.

As Xiao Tianci repeated it loudly again, Ding Shu Zhenren suddenly woke up from his dream. An indescribable surge of emotion rushed to his heart, making his eyes instantly sting.

He quickly pulled his two junior brothers forward, bowed in return, and repeatedly said that he dared not accept such a greeting.

Xiao Tianci seemed oblivious to the expressions of the other sect leaders. He supported Ding Shu Zhenren, preventing him from bending over, and recited the lines written by Wei Zhaixing.

"The Magnetism Sect was appointed by the Taiyi Paradise and holds the Immortal Register, making it the ruler of Qingzhou. Our Yunshan Sect's ancestral lineage is here, and we also occupy Quyang County, making us a member of Qingzhou. This trip is precisely to assist the Magnetism Sect and our fellow practitioners in Qingzhou in quelling the chaos caused by scattered cultivators and restoring order to Qingzhou."

Master Ding Shu trembled, his voice shaking slightly: "Tian Yuanzi is a gentleman of our time, with the integrity of Yu Heng, and Yunshan Sect is a renowned righteous sect. Sixteen years ago, you quelled the demon chaos and saved Qingzhou. Now you are again helping us with righteous military action. The pacification of Qingzhou depends entirely on your sect."

Xiao Tianci gripped his sword, Mo Hong, gave a soft "hmm," and turned his gaze to Wei Zhaixing.

Wei Zhaixing smiled helplessly and simply replied, "The commander of Qingzhou is still the Magnetic Extreme Sect. To quell the chaos among rogue cultivators, the sect leader of Ding Shu should be the most respected. At most, we can offer some suggestions, but we should ask the Magnetic Extreme Sect to issue the orders."

He flicked his prayer beads towards the sky, smiling and offering his approval. The Bottomless Daoist nodded slightly, and Ye Xiao, standing beside him, also wore a friendly smile, though he remained silent. This gesture, like a gentle spring breeze, nourished the hearts of True Person Ding Shu and all the disciples of the Magnetic Extreme Sect.

The ruler of Qingzhou is the leader of the Magnetic Extreme Sect.
How long has it been since I've felt respected?
Master Ding Shu took a deep breath, suppressing the excitement and sorrow in his heart. He quickly led his fellow disciples back a step and bowed, saying, "Gentlemen from Yunshan have come from afar to work hard for the peace of Qingzhou. The entire Ciji Sect is deeply grateful! Please, please come in!"

"Sect Leader Ding Shu, please!" Xiao Tianci breathed a sigh of relief, clasped his sword and bowed, insisting that True Person Ding Shu go first.

The cultivators from various sects and Nascent Soul cultivators in Qingzhou had no choice but to step aside and move to either side to meet them.

Surrounded in the very center, it felt as if I had returned to the heyday of the Magnetism Sect.

The long-standing frustration and disappointment in Ding Shu Zhenren's heart were replaced by immense warmth at this moment.

"Good, good! Fellow Daoists, please follow me!" Ding Shu Zhenren's voice was slightly choked as he straightened his back and led Xiao Tianci and the others up Liangyi Mountain.

The leaders of the various sects in Qingzhou looked at each other in bewilderment and could only silently follow behind the Ciji Sect and Yunshan Sect.

Looking back now, the fact that the Yunshan warships and elite troops voluntarily anchored in the barren mountains and did not enter the Liangyi Mountain gate was a silent form of respect.

Everyone had their own thoughts and guesses, but naturally they couldn't show any of them on the surface.

The envoy from Yunshan walked up the steps and reached the main hall at the summit as the sun was setting.

Master Ding Shu hurriedly ordered a banquet and offered the head seat to Xiao Tianci, but Xiao Tianci firmly refused. Thus, the host was hospitable, the guest was humble, and both enjoyed themselves.

Late at night, in the guest rooms, the various factions of Qingzhou were all secretly discussing their matters behind closed doors.

Beside Guixu Lingjun of Baoqing Sect, his Nascent Soul junior disciple frowned.

"What's the point of the Yunshan Sect's hypocritical posturing? The Ciji Sect has already declined to this state. To be honest, we already support the Yunshan Sect taking control of Qingzhou, so why waste time putting on such a show? Being so concerned about their reputation only makes them look bad to others."

Guixu Lingjun toyed with the teacup in his hand, not even raising his head: "Look down on me? Who dares to look down on me? You?"

The junior apprentice was taken aback by the remark and took a somewhat awkward sip of tea: "Then what do you think, Uncle?"

Guixu Lingjun gently stroked the cup, his eyes deep and profound.

"Know yourself and know your enemy, and you will never be defeated. Especially since the Yunshan Sect is very likely to become our superior in the future, we should study them more and learn more about their key figures."

“Among the cultivators of Yunshan, there are many wise men. Not to mention Tianyuanzi Lu Qian and Wanfa Zhenren who has inherited his true teachings, the current deputy sect leader Wang Yu is also mature, prudent, calm and cautious, and good at planning.”

"The leader of the group from Yunshan today is Xiao Tianci, but the core of the group is actually Wei Zhaixing. You may not know that Wei Zhaixing was a disciple of Yunshan before. After being sent out, he became the head of Jiyang Manor and turned the nearly declining Jiyang Manor into a thriving business. He is also exceptionally wise and far-sighted."

"Given their planning, Yunshan's actions today must have a deeper meaning."

The junior apprentice snorted unconvinced: "Why does Uncle-Master have to boost others' morale? If we're talking about wisdom and strategy, you, sir, are second to none in Qingzhou. How could you be inferior to these two greenhorns?"

Guixu Lingjun shook his head and sighed softly: "Talented people emerge in every generation. How can we not accept getting old? Xiao Tianci and Wei Zhaixing, the twin stars of Cangzhou, are indeed extraordinary. They are both at the peak of the Golden Core stage at a young age. As long as they overcome the tribulation of their inner demons, the Yunshan Sect will have two more capable Nascent Soul cultivators."

He stopped sighing and continued, "In my opinion, there are two possibilities. One is that the Yunshan Sect does not intend to take over Qingzhou for the time being, but instead supports the Ciji Sect as an agent and a puppet, while it controls Qingzhou remotely from behind the scenes."

"The second point is to show attitude and send signals."

"What signal?" the apprentice asked.

"The Yunshan Sect respects order, respects the law, and obeys the decree of Taiyi Paradise." Guixu Lingjun said slowly, "Yunshan is a righteous and prestigious sect that upholds order. Even if it becomes powerful, it will not engage in bullying or launch attacks without cause. This is how it treats the Ciji Sect now, and how it will treat other sects in the future."

"Under Yunshan's command, there is fairness, justice, order, law, stability, and peace."

"This stance is far more effective in winning people's hearts than simply displaying force."

The nephew pondered carefully, then slowly nodded; he understood somewhat.

Guixu Lingjun suddenly smiled: "As far as I know, the three Golden Core cultivators who have survived from the Magnet Extreme Sect, including the sect leader Ding Shu Zhenren, are all honest and upright people. Perhaps the Yunshan Sect will take over Qingzhou even sooner."

Meanwhile, in the secret chamber of Liangyi Mountain, three Golden Core cultivators from the Magnetism Sect were discussing matters.

"Senior Brother Sect Leader, the Yunshan Sect is extremely courteous. From Sect Leader Lu Qian down, they are all truly benevolent and virtuous men." A junior brother said excitedly. He had drunk a few too many cups at the banquet, and his face was now flushed. "If we have their strong support, perhaps we can regain control of Qingzhou!"

Another junior brother was more composed: "In the end, we still have to rely on ourselves. How long can the Yunshan Sect help us?"

"Our forces are now extremely weak. We are all of poor aptitude and have difficulty eliminating our inner demons. Even with the resources from Taiyi Paradise, we will find it difficult to catch up with the Nascent Soul sects in the state. With insufficient strength, the so-called leadership is just an empty title and may even bring disaster upon us."

"Besides, the Yunshan Sect may be reliable now, but that doesn't mean it will be reliable in the future. Tian Yuanzi is making rapid progress and has been nurtured by the Taiyi Paradise. He may be able to advance to the Nascent Soul stage soon."

"The ancestral vein of Yunshan is in Qingzhou, and the possible grotto-heaven is in Qingzhou. If Tianyuanzi becomes a primordial spirit, why would he be willing to be transferred elsewhere?"

Master Ding Shu remained silent, his heart alternating between the bitterness and grievances of the past years and the brief warmth of today.

He thought for a long time, then let out a soft sigh of relief.

“Junior brothers, we were lucky to escape the pursuit of the great demon and witnessed our fellow disciples dying tragically before our eyes. In the end, we were the only ones left to survive.”

"You elected me as the sect leader, and I swore an oath to lead the remaining disciples to a peaceful life, free from fear and the threat of death."

"Since our original intention is like this, why bother to fight for leadership or control? As long as we can all cultivate the Tao in peace and live a tranquil life, that is enough."

Both Golden Core disciples nodded silently.

Master Ding Shu smiled slightly: "Originally, I had some reservations, but after meeting the envoy from Yunshan today, my doubts have disappeared."

"Qingzhou will eventually be ceded to the Yunshan Sect. They are all gentlemen and will surely treat us well in the future."

"Since that's the case, why not take the initiative and try to get more out of it?"

"I want to try and use that secret to secure a better future for my crew." (End of Chapter)