Qin Renhuang just became an immortal, and you told me this is the prehistoric time

This is not only a powerful defensive magic weapon, but also a "seal of the sect leader's inheritance" bestowed by the sect leader himself! Its symbolic meaning, for him, is even more profound than that mysterious little green bottle, giving him a sense of weighty excitement and recognition.

He carefully put the feather robe into his personal storage bag, placing it together with his most precious items, treating it as if it were his life.

Han Li wholeheartedly agreed with the sect leader's instruction to hurry up and exchange for and comprehend the "unorthodox" cultivation techniques of the Mulan Grassland.

He had long discovered that the Tianxing Sect's library was all-encompassing, the techniques of the seven sects of Yue Kingdom were more moderate and peaceful, while those of the Nine Kingdoms Alliance were more bizarre and unpredictable, and the inheritance of the Mulan Grassland carried a wild, direct, and even somewhat bloody power.

Whether it was totem blessing, bloodline burning, or the methods of shamans communicating with the spirits of nature, they all broadened his horizons, and he vaguely felt that if he could extract the essence of them, it might provide new inspiration for his cultivation path.

However, the biggest question lingering in his mind was why the sect leader would, at this critical juncture, completely merge the Mulan Grassland, which had always been at odds with the cultivators of the plains and whose cultivation systems were also very different, into the Tianxing Sect.

His original plan, though difficult, had a clear outline.

With the sect leader's personal endorsement of his status as the "next sect leader," coupled with his deliberate efforts to befriend and bestow favors over the years, he has gathered a group of cultivators who are willing to follow him or at least superficially acknowledge his position.

After the sect leader ascends to heaven and leaves, he can use the noble title of "designated successor of the previous sect leader" to temporarily stabilize the situation, and then use the resource advantages of the Spirit Plant Hall and the heaven-defying ability of the Heavenly Bottle to slowly cultivate spiritual herbs, accumulate capital, and improve his own cultivation.

Once he has enough strength, he will gradually consolidate his power, suppress or eliminate those old-fashioned Nascent Soul elders who are too powerful and only care about their own interests, and truly take control of the Tianxing Sect and carry it forward.

However, the arrival of the monk Mulan completely disrupted this seemingly feasible plan!
The hundreds of Mulan Nascent Soul cultivators, who harbored blood feuds with the former members and also coveted the sect's resources and high-level cultivation techniques, were like a barrel of gunpowder forcibly poured into a cauldron of boiling oil. When the sect leader was in power, he could suppress the explosion with absolute force.

However, once the sect leader leaves, these two forces will inevitably clash in a life-or-death conflict. The Tianxing Sect will instantly fall into a fierce internal struggle, or even split into two opposing camps that fight each other!

What will become of him, the nominal "next sect leader," caught in the middle? Who will listen to him? Even if he wants to maintain the sect's integrity, he'll likely be powerless. Is he supposed to lead the few who are willing to follow him against both Mu Lan and his old followers? That would be suicidal.

But if left unchecked, the Tianxing Sect will fall apart, and how will he complete the mission entrusted to him by the sect leader? Is he just going to watch the library and treasure vault left by the sect leader, which gathers the essence of cultivation from all over the world, be destroyed and divided up in the flames of war?

The thought of that situation sent chills down Han Li's spine and weighed heavily on his heart.

Seemingly sensing the deep worry and confusion in Han Li's eyes, Ying Xuan's voice rang in his ears again, carrying a peculiar sense of reassurance.

"Are you worried that the incorporation of the Mulan people will cause internal strife within the sect, making it impossible for you to take over in the future?"

Han Li was startled and immediately bowed.

"This disciple dares not presume to fathom the Sect Leader's profound intentions, but... I do indeed have this concern. Mu Lan and her former subordinates have too deep a grudge, and their cultivation methods and philosophies are also different. Forcibly bringing them together may cause great trouble. This disciple is afraid... afraid of failing the Sect Leader's trust."

"rest assured."

Ying Xuan's tone was calm, yet it conveyed an undeniable certainty.

"When I leave, I will naturally leave you with a... clean and pure Tianxing Sect."

"Completely clean?"

Han Li was stunned and didn't react for a moment.

"good."

Ying Xuan's illusory figure seemed to carry a hint of a smile.

"Gather all the disciples who truly recognize your status as the 'next sect leader' and are willing to follow you, regardless of their cultivation level, under the command of the Spirit Plant Hall. This is the most direct support I can give you."

Han Li was initially somewhat bewildered, but as he pondered the words "clean and tidy," and looked at the sect leader's seemingly calm yet profound gaze, a thought that made his heart pound and almost unbelievable suddenly surged up within him!
Clean house!

The sect leader's intention is... before he leaves, he will eliminate all those restless, uncontrollable Nascent Soul elders, whether from the Mulan Grasslands or the former Tianxing Sect!

He left only those cultivators who were willing to acknowledge him and follow him, and they would most likely concentrate in the Spirit Plant Hall, which was relatively "safe" and easy for him to control!

This...this has completely cleared away all obstacles for him!
That's right! The sect leader is right. The biggest trouble for the Tianxing Sect in the future is not any external enemy, but these Nascent Soul cultivators within the sect who have different thoughts, are ambitious, and are powerful!
With these people around, even with the sect leader's token and title, I, a mere Golden Core cultivator, simply cannot control the situation. It is almost inevitable that the Tianxing Sect will split and engage in internal strife.

But what if... what if these "troubles" were personally "resolved" by the sect leader before he left?
The rest were cultivators who were willing to acknowledge him or at least outwardly obey him. Even if they were few in number and not highly skilled, they were at least internally unified and there was no powerful opposing force that could threaten him!
With the Nascent Soul level protective array left by the sect leader, the vast amount of cultivation techniques in the library, and the continuous resources produced by the Spirit Plant Hall... even if the overall strength of the Tianxing Sect plummeted from "number one in the world" to "first-class or even second-class".

However, with these foundations and the fact that surrounding forces dare not act rashly in the short term due to the sect leader's remaining prestige, he has plenty of time to develop slowly and rise again!
Even more profound thoughts flashed through Han Li's mind.

The reason why the sect leader did not directly promote himself to the Nascent Soul stage is probably not only because of the "cost" involved, but also because the Nascent Soul stage involves the very foundation of the soul. Forcibly promoting him would pose too great a risk. It would be much safer to clear out the disobedient Nascent Soul and let his Golden Core grow slowly in a "clean" environment!
The sect leader is really... paving the way for himself as the "successor" in every aspect!

Thinking of this, Han Li's confusion and worries vanished instantly, replaced by gratitude and excitement like a volcanic eruption! He was originally just an ordinary boy from a mountain village, possessing the worst four spiritual roots. If it weren't for the sect leader's discerning eye, exceptional promotion, and the opportunity bestowed upon him, he would have been completely lost.

In his entire life, he probably wouldn't even be able to touch the threshold of Foundation Establishment, let alone reach the Golden Core stage! But now, the sect leader not only gave him cultivation and status, but also prepared to clear all obstacles for him before leaving, handing over the core foundation of the entire Tianxing Sect to him intact!

This kindness, this trust, is higher than mountains and deeper than the sea!

"Sect Leader!" Han Li knelt down with a thud, his eyes burning, his voice trembling uncontrollably.

"Disciple...disciple is unworthy of such favor from the sect leader, and has planned so much for disciple! Disciple...disciple..."

He was so excited that he became somewhat incoherent.

Ying Xuan's illusory figure offered a slight support.

"Rise. Remember my words: win over the hearts of the people and stabilize the Spirit Plant Hall. Don't worry about anything else."

"Yes! This disciple will remember!"

Han Li kowtowed heavily before standing up, his eyes now filled with unwavering determination and fervor.

"Rest assured, Sect Leader! After your ascension, I will do my utmost to govern the Tianxing Sect and ensure its continued prosperity! One day, I will restore the Tianxing Sect to its former glory, no, surpass the glory it enjoyed during your time!"
Let the name of the 'Heavenly Star Sect' not only resound throughout this realm, but in the future... if our disciples have the opportunity to ascend to the Spirit Realm, we will surely rebuild the Heavenly Star Sect in the Upper Realm! Let our sect's lineage shake the heavens and earth!

At this moment, the young Han Li was filled with boundless pride. The anxiety and unease he had felt due to his weak strength and the complex situation were replaced by a heavy sense of responsibility and an unwavering belief.

He wasn't just trying to maintain the status quo; he wanted to create something new! He had to live up to the sect leader's painstaking arrangements and immense gratitude!
Ying Xuan looked at Han Li, whose face was flushed with excitement and who couldn't wait to get started, and smiled even more. He waved his hand.

"Go and prepare well. Make good use of the herb garden and those seeds."

"Yes!"

Han Li responded loudly, bowed deeply again, and then carefully put away the jade boxes that Ying Xuan had just given him, which contained more rare medicinal herb seeds and seedlings. With great excitement, he left the quiet room.

Watching Han Li's departing figure, Ying Xuan's illusory image slowly dissipated, his true form on the core island of the Heavenly Gang and Earthly Fiends Formation, a playful smile on his lips.

"The clean and tidy Tianxing Sect... Ha."

He muttered to himself, his gaze seemingly already illuminating the "clean" future.

What he told Han Li was half true and half false. It was true that he wanted to eliminate most of the unruly and scheming Nascent Soul cultivators, but it wasn't just for Han Li's sake.

"What the Great Qin world lacks most are cultivators who are decisive in killing and willing to do anything for resources."

Ying Xuan thought to himself. The goblins in the wasteland, the various monsters, and even the enemies from other worlds that might be encountered in the future, are not something that a gentleman who values ​​benevolence and morality can handle.

The cultivators of the Tianxing Sect, who have struggled their way up in the cruel world of cultivation and have become increasingly arrogant and unscrupulous in recent years due to their powerful backers, are, in a sense, the most suitable "sharp blades" and "cannon fodder."

How could he possibly leave such "high-quality combat power" to Han Li, allowing him to "maintain the status quo" in this relatively peaceful world?
He will only take away those who are "useful." What he will leave for Han Li are only those cultivators who are relatively "simple," willing to acknowledge him, and who have been included in the "Spirit Plant Hall," a relatively safe circle where he may be able to exert influence in the future through certain means.

This was already the maximum "support" and "investment" he could give to this unexpected and somewhat interesting "successor".

As for whether Han Li can truly develop the "clean" Tianxing Sect, or even realize his bold claim of re-establishing the Tianxing Sect in the Spirit Realm... Ying Xuan is very much looking forward to it.

This may become an interesting window for him to observe "the changes in world lines and individual fates".

He composed himself and refocused his attention on the Heavenly Gang and Earthly Fiends Formation and the Heavenly Star Mountain Range below.

At this moment, the bustling activity in the Tianxing Mountains had reached its peak. Cultivators from the Mulan Grassland were still arriving in droves from the north, bringing with them the resources accumulated by their tribes, eager to exchange them for points.

Meanwhile, the original Tianxing Sect cultivators, especially those Nascent Soul elders who had old grudges against Mulan or sensed a crisis, were also making moves everywhere, contacting people, and desperately scavenging the last bit of resources of themselves and their affiliated forces, hoping to exchange for as many high-level cultivation techniques as possible before the sect leader left.

With so many high-level cultivators gathered in the relatively limited Tianxing Mountain Range, even with 108 modified high-quality spiritual veins, the available resources were stretched thin. The spiritual energy of heaven and earth above the mountain range and in most of the area was depleted.

Because it has become thin and disordered due to the frantic absorption, cultivation, and fighting of countless cultivators, it has almost reached the point of being "undetectable." Only the spiritual fields and medicinal gardens that are protected by multiple restrictions and receive special attention from Ying Xuan can maintain a relatively stable and rich spiritual energy environment.

Everyone knows that the Spirit Field is the sect leader's "favorite," and the next sect leader, Han Li, is the head of the Spirit Plant Hall. During the time the sect leader is still here, the Spirit Field and the Spirit Plant Hall are forbidden zones that no one dares to touch.

Even if Nascent Soul cultivators occasionally clash over resources or old grudges, they deliberately avoid the spirit field area. The bloody lessons learned from the past, where several Nascent Soul cultivators were silently eliminated by the sect leader for speaking disrespectfully or attempting to attack the formation, serve as stark warnings.

No one dared to gamble with their own life, lest they anger the next sect leader favored by the sect leader, or affect the growth of those precious spiritual roots in the spirit fields, and incur the sect leader's wrath.

Everyone knew perfectly well that once the sect leader obtained the coordinates of the hundreds of void passages from the Mulan Grassland, it was only a matter of time before he left this realm and ascended to the Spirit Realm, and that time wouldn't be long. Once the sect leader left, the Tianxing Sect, having lost the presence of a Nascent Soul cultivator and the absolute deterrent of its martial power, would disintegrate almost instantly.

But at the same time, it was also the last and greatest opportunity to "take advantage"! So, both the Mulan people and the old guard were secretly accumulating strength, preparing and waiting for that moment to arrive.

However, almost no one noticed, or rather, even if they did notice, they were powerless to do anything about it, or even welcomed it, that the tens of thousands of magical treasures of various kinds, hundreds of thousands of high-quality magical artifacts, and massive amounts of refining materials and array materials in the treasure vault were quietly decreasing at an inconspicuous rate.

One day, the disciples on duty were horrified to discover that the storeroom was more than half empty! The Nascent Soul cultivation techniques were sealed by the sect leader, and since his ascension, no one could undo the seals, rendering them useless. But these real magical treasures and materials were ownerless!
Many Nascent Soul cultivators stayed in the Tianxing Sect, even when the sect leader clearly favored Mu Lanren and internal conflicts intensified. Their only wish was to seize these treasures after the sect leader left.
But now, the treasure is gone!
Panic and suspicion spread in the shadows, but no one dared to speak out, much less question the sect leader. They could only suppress their doubts and anger, attributing it to the possibility that "it might have been exchanged or transferred ahead of time by other factions," thus exacerbating internal tensions and antagonism. (End of Chapter)