Immortality Cultivation: I can use my clansmen’s energy and blood to add points.

Those mysterious black monks, with strong strength and secretive whereabouts, caused great losses to Qingyun Sect. They not only attacked affiliated families and spiritual mines, but also sneaked into the outer areas of Qingyun Sect several times to carry out sabotage and assassination, causing panic among the people.

Although the sect's top leaders organized several large-scale clearing operations, they had little effect and instead resulted in the loss of a lot of manpower.

What is even more troublesome is that at this time when external enemies are surrounding the sect, serious disagreements have arisen within the sect due to the allocation of certain resources and different strategies on how to deal with external threats.

The faction headed by the Great Elder advocated concentrating forces, defending the mountain gate, and waiting for the opportunity.

The other faction, represented by Fang Zhenxiong, the elder of the Law Enforcement Hall, advocated taking the initiative and uniting with other sects to completely wipe out those men in black.

The two factions were arguing, which led to the increasingly intensified conflicts within the sect. Some elders and disciples who were usually nasty also took the opportunity to take sides and form cliques, causing the entire sect to fall into a state of division.

"Then... who are those men in black? Why are they enemies of our Qingyun Sect?" Luo Qingchen asked with a frown.

Qin Mingyuan shook his head, a trace of solemnity on his face: "This is also what we have been investigating. Those men in black do not seem to be from a specific demon sect, but rather a well-organized and well-trained mysterious force. Their skills are complicated, but they all carry a cold and evil aura. As for their purpose, it is still unclear, but judging from the fact that they specialize in plundering spiritual stones, spiritual medicines and other cultivation resources, I am afraid they are aiming for something big."

As they were talking, the group had already arrived in front of a magnificent palace located halfway up the mountain. Above the palace hung a golden plaque with the words "Council Hall" inscribed on it.

"Okay, follow me first." Qin Mingyuan said, "The headmaster and several elders should be in the hall discussing matters at this moment. You have been missing for many years, and now that you have returned safely, you should report to them first."

Luo Qingchen and the other two looked at each other, and saw a hint of solemnity in each other's eyes. They knew that what they were going to face next might not just be a simple report, but more likely a test with turbulent undercurrents.

Especially the Law Enforcement Hall Elder Fang Zhenxiong. Since he is a representative of the pro-war faction and has a grudge against them, he will probably not let them go easily.

Entering the meeting hall, I saw that the atmosphere inside was solemn and dignified.

Right above the main hall, there sat a middle-aged Taoist priest wearing a purple Taoist robe, with a gaunt face and an imposing manner without even getting angry. He was none other than the head of the Qingyun Sect - Xuan Yang Zhenren.

On both sides of Master Xuan Yang sat more than a dozen elders with strong auras and different expressions. Among them, the old man sitting second from the left with a sinister face and sharp eyes was none other than Fang Zhenxiong, the elder of the Law Enforcement Hall. When he saw Luo Qingchen and the other two coming in, a barely perceptible cold light flashed in his eyes.

“Master, all elders.” Qin Mingyuan stepped forward and bowed, “Our disciples Luo Qingchen, Lin Wan’er, and Su Xiaowan, who have been missing for many years, have returned safely to the sect today. I have come to report to the master and all the elders.”

As soon as these words came out, there was a slight commotion in the hall. Everyone's eyes were focused on Luo Qingchen and the other two.

A hint of surprise flashed across Xuan Yang Zhenren's calm eyes. He spoke slowly, his voice steady and powerful: "Luo Qingchen, Lin Wan'er, Su Xiaowan, the three of you are finally back."

"Disciple Luo Qingchen, greetings to the Sect Master, and to all the elders!" The three of them bowed in unison.

"No need to be so polite." Master Xuan Yang raised his hand slightly. "Where have you been during these years of disappearance? What have you been through? Tell me in detail."

Luo Qingchen stepped forward, took a deep breath, and began to report to the headmaster and the elders in detail how they had mistakenly entered the deadly swamp, the series of dangers they had encountered afterwards, and their experiences in the meteorite crater and Luofeng slope.

He deliberately concealed the specific details about the star map fragments and the speculation about Bailing'er's identity as a dragon girl. He only said that she got some ancient relics by chance, and hinted that Bailing'er had a special physique that could avoid danger and seek good fortune.

Even so, when the elders in the hall heard about their thrilling experiences such as encountering a strange shadow in the underground ancient temple, fighting off the meteorite spider in the meteorite crater, and being besieged by the Qingmu Sect and the Zhao Family monks at Luofeng Slope, they would let out low exclamations from time to time.

Especially when Luo Qingchen mentioned that they had killed several demon cultivators and had conflicts with Qingmu Sect, Zhao Family and other forces, Fang Zhenxiong's brows visibly frowned.

After Luo Qingchen finished speaking, the hall fell into a brief silence.

Xuan Yang Zhenren looked at Luo Qingchen with deep eyes and said slowly: "I never thought that you would have such a bizarre and tortuous experience. It is not easy to return safely from so many dangers. You have brought back important information for the sect and also demonstrated the character of my Qingyun Sect disciples. Very good."

He changed the subject and continued, "However, your actions outside have caused a lot of trouble for the sect. Especially the conflict with Qingmu Sect and the Zhao family, I am afraid it will lead to their revenge. The sect is in a troubled time right now, it is really not appropriate to create trouble."

"Master, you are wrong!" A loud voice suddenly sounded, it was the elder of the Law Enforcement Hall, Fang Zhenxiong. He stood up and stared at Luo Qingchen with a burning gaze, "What's wrong with disciples being bullied and resisting? If my disciples of Qingyun Sect have to swallow their anger when they are wronged, then where is the dignity of my Qingyun Sect? In my opinion, Luo Qingchen and his men did nothing wrong! To deal with those villains, we should use thunderous means to let them know how powerful my Qingyun Sect is!"

His words sounded righteous, as if he was defending Luo Qingchen and the other two.

Luo Qingchen sneered in his heart. This Fang Zhenxiong was indeed a cunning old man. He was openly praising himself, but in fact he wanted to push himself to the forefront, portraying himself as a brave and aggressive person who easily got into trouble, and at the same time he was also promoting his theory of advocating war.

As expected, an elder from the Great Elder's faction immediately retorted, "Elder Fang's words are too extreme. The sect is now surrounded by powerful enemies outside and unstable inside. We should practice peace and recuperate. Although Luo Qingchen and the others have excusable reasons, their actions are indeed a bit reckless. It is not a wise move to create powerful enemies for the sect."

"Hmph! If we keep giving in, the enemy will only become more aggressive! My Qingyun Sect has stood for thousands of years. How could we have ever been afraid of anyone?" Fang Zhenxiong snorted coldly.

Seeing that the two factions were about to quarrel over this matter again, Master Xuan Yang frowned slightly, raised his hand to stop them and said, "Okay, let's not talk about this matter for now. Luo Qingchen and the others just came back and are exhausted from the journey. Let them go down and rest first."

He looked at Luo Qingchen and the other two and said, "Let's not discuss your merits or demerits for now. The sect will make arrangements based on the information you bring back and your own wishes. Elder Qin, you take them to settle down first."

"Yes, Master." Qin Mingyuan bowed and replied.

Just as Luo Qingchen and the other two were about to leave with Qin Mingyuan, Fang Zhenxiong suddenly spoke again: "Master, I have something else to report. Today, someone openly committed a crime in the market and injured several disciples of our Law Enforcement Hall. His arrogance was extremely arrogant! According to my son Fang Hao, the perpetrator seemed to be somewhat similar to Luo Qingchen. Master, please investigate this matter, severely punish the perpetrator, and rectify the sect rules!"

As soon as these words were spoken, the eyes of everyone in the hall were once again focused on Luo Qingchen.

Here it comes! Luo Qingchen thought to himself. This Fang Zhenxiong really would not miss any opportunity to suppress him.

As Fang Zhenxiong finished speaking, the meeting hall fell into dead silence.

All the elders focused their attention on Luo Qingchen, their scrutinizing eyes seemed to see through him.

Luo Qingchen sneered in his heart, this Fang Zhenxiong was indeed a shrewd and calculating person.

This accusation was thrown out immediately when he had just reported his training experience and received initial approval from the headmaster, in order to put him in a passive position.

"What does Elder Fang mean by this?"

Luo Qingchen spoke neither humbly nor arrogantly, his voice calm without the slightest ripple.

"What do you mean? You injured my Law Enforcement Hall disciple in the market, and you dare to pretend you don't know?"

Fang Zhenxiong sneered, with a hint of pride in his eyes.

"From what I know, those disciples were helping your precious nephew to force sales and bully the old man. I was just doing a brave and righteous thing and gave him a light punishment."

Luo Qingchen spoke slowly and steadily, but every word was clear and powerful.

"What nonsense! Haoran is a decent person, how could he do such a thing?"

Fang Zhenxiong flew into a rage and slammed the table.

"You are slandering our Fang family's disciple! Master, this person has committed treason as soon as he returned. He is unworthy of being a disciple of our Qingyun Sect!"

"Elder Fang, calm down."

Master Xuan Yang spoke calmly, his eyes moving back and forth between Fang Zhenxiong and Luo Qingchen.

"Whether this matter is right or wrong, we still need to investigate in detail. Luo Qingchen, do you have any witnesses or evidence?"

Luo Qingchen smiled slightly and took out a piece of purple spiritual herb from the storage bag.

"This purple magnolia is the spiritual herb that the old man was forced to buy. There were many onlookers at the time. If necessary, you can summon them as witnesses."

He placed the purple magnolia in the palm of his hand, and the magical herb exuded a faint fragrance.

"Besides, if I really had bad intentions, with my cultivation level of the middle stage of the Golden Core, how could a few disciples in the Foundation Establishment stage be safe and sound?" As soon as these words came out, a low murmur of discussion suddenly sounded in the hall.

Indeed, with the strength displayed by Luo Qingchen, killing those disciples would be a piece of cake if he really wanted to.

Fang Zhenxiong's face darkened, and he obviously realized this loophole.

"Humph! Who knows if you are holding back on purpose in order to gain a good reputation!"

He retorted with a specious argument.

"Elder Fang, what you said is a bit too much."

An elder sitting on the right spoke slowly. It was Elder Xiao from the Alchemy Hall.

"Luo Qingchen returned this time and brought back important information for the sect. He has made an invaluable contribution. If there is no solid evidence, we should not make groundless accusations."

"Elder Xiao is right."

Qin Mingyuan also spoke at the right time, "Luo Qingchen and the others just came back and are unfamiliar with the place. How could they cause trouble for no reason? In my opinion, there may be another hidden story behind this matter."

Seeing that the situation was not good, Fang Zhenxiong quickly changed his strategy.

"Even if those disciples were at fault, Luo Qingchen shouldn't have taken action on his own. According to the sect's rules, such disputes should be handled by the Law Enforcement Hall. He is stepping in and defying the sect's rules!"

"According to the sect rules, if a disciple encounters injustice outside, he or she does have the obligation to stop it."

Luo Qingchen retorted calmly.

"Besides, the situation was urgent at the time. If it had not been stopped in time, the old man would have suffered even more. Does Elder Fang think that the sect rules are more important than human life?"

He said this with such righteousness that Fang Zhenxiong was speechless for a moment.

"You are using strong words to make sense!"

Fang Zhenxiong was so angry that his face turned red.

"Master, this guy is sharp-tongued and is clearly trying to quibble!"

"enough."

The majestic voice of Master Xuan Yang sounded, and the hall suddenly became quiet.

"Let's put this matter aside for now and make a conclusion after finding out the truth. Luo Qingchen, you guys go down and have a rest first. I'll summon you if there's anything else."

Luo Qingchen bowed and saluted, but sneered in his heart.

This Master Xuan Yang seems to be fair, but in fact he is trying to smooth things over.

The facts are clear, but they insist on delaying, obviously trying to balance the forces of all parties.

"The disciple retire."

The three were about to leave when Fang Zhenxiong spoke again.

"Wait! Luo Qingchen, I heard that you brought back a lot of rare treasures this time?"

There was a gleam of greed in his eyes.

"According to the sect's rules, all important treasures obtained by disciples outside should be handed over to the sect for unified distribution. Are you hiding anything?"

Luo Qingchen's heart moved. This old fox really couldn't hold himself back anymore.

It seems that the news of the previous fight in the market town has reached his ears.

"Everything that a disciple has gained is an opportunity gained through risking one's life, so we will naturally follow the sect's rules."

Luo Qingchen responded indifferently.

"I just don't know which treasures Elder Fang is referring to?"

"Don't play dumb! The fragments of the star map and the magical tortoise shell are not ordinary items!"

Fang Zhenxiong pointed it out directly.

"How can an outer sect disciple like you control such a valuable treasure?"

It turned out to be the case.

Luo Qingchen instantly understood Fang Zhenxiong's true purpose.

This old guy had been eyeing his treasure from the very beginning, and the previous accusations were just a prelude.

"The star map fragments are indeed somewhat special, but the mystery within them requires further study."

Luo Qingchen responded calmly.

"As for the tortoise shell, it is Xiaowan's protective magic weapon and has nothing to do with me."

"Humph! Who knows if you guys have any secret dealings with each other?"

Fang Zhenxiong stared at the tortoise shell in Su Xiaowan's arms, his greed undisguised.

"That tortoise shell can withstand the attack of a late Jindan cultivator. It is definitely not an ordinary item! How can an outer sect disciple possess such a valuable treasure?"

Su Xiaowan became furious when she heard this and took a step forward to protect the turtle shell.

"This is my family's amulet. Why should I give it to you?"

"How can I allow you to be so presumptuous, little girl?"

Fang Zhenxiong scolded harshly.

"You are a casual cultivator, how could your family have such a valuable treasure? It must have another origin!"

"Elder Fang, you can't say that."

Elder Xiao spoke again, with a hint of dissatisfaction in his tone.

"Su Xiaowan is a disciple of my Qingyun Sect. Her family heirlooms are naturally protected by the sect rules. How can you take them away by force?" (End of this chapter)