I've already become an immortal lord, and only now is the spiritual energy reviving?

Guanhua Dark Room.

Like a decree inscribed in bronze cast from molten lava, it slowly faded away.

The lingering heat still lingered in everyone's eyes, and the burning sensation persisted for a long time.

"The army marches to the northern border."

Hua Yangzi still clutched his whisk in his hand, his gaze sweeping across the map:

"Yan'er, tell me, what are you thinking?"

After years of ups and downs, Hua Yangzi still holds a high position as the sect leader.

Whenever there was a major event, he had long been accustomed to consulting this exceptionally talented disciple.

Shu Yan stood quietly before the painting, dressed in white, her clothes as pure as snow, untouched by any dust.

Upon hearing her master's inquiry, the girl remained calm, her fair fingertips pointing directly at the black mark representing [Langdang Mountain].

"beat."

One word, but it carries weight.

"Master, the fig leaf has long been torn away completely."

"A while ago, my senior brother and I broke through to the Foundation Establishment stage and announced it to the world."

"Now, within a radius of several hundred miles around Qinglu Mountain, whether it is a wandering cultivator or an ordinary village, everyone knows who the new master of this place is."

"Wandering cultivators seek a powerful backer, while ordinary villagers pray for protection."

"A large population is a good thing, but there are only so many jobs and a limited territory. If we don't expand our territory, just settling people will be enough to bankrupt the sect."

Fingertips tapped once more on the rugged mountains of the North, which resembled the spine of a wild beast.

"As marked on the map of the Sacred Furnace, a Demon King with an Iron Mane is entrenched in Langdang Mountain, having just entered the Foundation Establishment stage."

"We used to have to go out of our way when we saw a Foundation Establishment level demon, but now..."

Shu Yan glanced at Chai Wu, who stood beside her like an iron tower:

"My senior brother and I joined forces to kill a pig demon that had just broken through to the next realm, which was a piece of cake."

"Taking Langdang Mountain will double our territory, but the most important thing is that it will open up a trade route to the northern desert."

"I've heard that the Great Temple in the desert possesses many Buddhist treasures; perhaps we could try to make contact with them."

Hua Yangzi nodded repeatedly, a hint of eagerness appearing in his eyes, which was quickly replaced by worry.

He subconsciously looked outside the hall:

That's the logic.

"But with both of you gone, the main camp is empty. If the Imperial Sword Sect launches a counterattack, how can the remaining disciples resist?"

The importance of defending one's home is no less than that of conquering new territories.

If your backyard catches fire, you'll lose everything.

"Master, do you perhaps believe that the Guanhua Sect is only being upheld by my senior brother and me?"

"Um?"

Hua Yangzi was taken aback.

Shu Yan didn't keep anyone in suspense, and slightly raised her chin towards the Danxia Peak behind the mountain:

"Have you visited the molten lava pool in the past few days?"

Hua Yangzi shook his head.

He was busy settling the refugees, so how could he have time to take care of that big furnace?

"Master, you might as well sense it."

Shu Yan smiled lightly:

"Normally, when the molten lava pool is raging with fire, it is difficult for vegetation to grow within a radius of ten miles."

"How is it today? Tender green vines are sprouting from the crevices of the volcanic rock, and even the ancient charred wood shows signs of budding."

"Qin Ranqing, you're about to reach the Foundation Establishment stage?!"

"Exactly."

Shu Yan's tone was firm:

"The 'Azure Vine Entwining Silk Technique' cultivated by Peak Master Qin belongs to the wood element, and he also possesses the 'Emerald Vine Body'."

"Borrowing my senior brother's terrifying Yang energy, I can balance Yin and Yang, make up for the deficiencies of many years, and further unleash my wood-elemental spiritual power to the extreme."

"Right now, the vitality and spiritual energy are almost unable to suppress the earth fire. Peak Master Qin will emerge from seclusion in the next day or two."

Changing the subject, her gaze shifted mischievously to Chai Wu beside her:

"Senior brother, you should know the most about this, shouldn't you?"

Chai Wu, who was crossing his arms and looking like a wise man, suddenly froze.

"Um...

Chai Wu's gaze wandered, as if he suddenly found the carved beams quite interesting, and he dared not meet anyone's eyes.

"I don't know! I just came out of seclusion myself! My interaction with Peak Master Qin was purely a friendly spar!"

Seeing his apprentice's naive and unwitting expression, Hua Yangzi was speechless for a moment, and a great weight was lifted from his heart.

Furthermore...

Shu Yan added:

"Since Guanhuamen has been favored by the Holy Furnace and received such good fortune, it naturally has a backup plan."

"With its strong foundation, anyone who dares to make a move should be prepared to have their claws chopped off."

She did not specify what methods she used.

Hua Yangzi glanced at the empty shrine in the main hall and wisely kept quiet.

Shu Yan's gaze returned to the map:

"The Western [Molten Gold Concentrate], which the Holy Furnace specifically mentioned, is like a piece of fat meat that's already within reach."

"Order Peak Master Han to send some clever disciples to mine. Just dig, but don't plant any flags or build any fortresses."

"This place is too close to [Shulufang]. If we openly occupy this area, it would be tantamount to slapping the Imperial Sword Sect in the face."

"Of course, we don't cause trouble, but we're not afraid of trouble either."

Chai Wu finally found an opportunity to interject, and said in a harsh voice:

"If they refuse to cooperate, then make them return everything they've taken, with interest!"

Shu Yan smiled, did not refute, and continued:

"As for the Eastern [Wind and Thunder Apricot], its companion cloud beast is also a troublesome one. We'll deal with it after we've pacified the Northern Pig Demon."

......

The back mountain, a secluded stone house.

This place was originally used to be a dumping ground for miscellaneous items, but after some renovations, it has become quite tranquil.

On the jade bed.

An ancient-looking medicine gourd hung near Xu Sixing's mouth, dripping emerald green liquid.

"Tick-tock".

"Burp~"

For months, miraculous medicines have been continuously supplied.

Its originally dilapidated body has gradually become thicker and heavier.

The Zhenli sword in his arms gradually resonated with his soul as his body was nurtured.

The vast power of the Dao Foundation flowed within the sword.

Xu Sixing still appeared to be at the Qi Refining stage.

But the sword is in hand.

Even when facing a Foundation Establishment cultivator undergoing major repairs, he dared to offer a sword strike to test the waters.

"Squeak."

The stone door was pushed open.

Sunlight streamed in, causing Shu Yan's skirt to flutter.

Xu Sixing instinctively sprang to his feet and respectfully clasped his hands in greeting:

"Greetings... Miss Su."

As soon as he said it, he remembered his previous conversation and changed his words:

"I have met the Venerable Qingyan."

"Don't be so formal."

Shu Yan waved her hand and casually sat down at the stone table:

"As I said before, strictly speaking, you can also be considered a Foundation Establishment cultivator in my sect."

"We're all of the same generation, so let's skip those formalities for outsiders."

Xu Sixing felt a warmth in his heart and smiled freely: "Since Senior Sister has given the order, Junior Brother will not stand on ceremony."

Calling her "senior sister" comes naturally to me.

No longer feeling the same precariousness he had when he was in the Imperial Sword Sect, he felt much more open-minded.

"I wonder what brings you here today, Senior Sister?"

"Zhenyue and I are going to Langdang Mountain in the Northern Territory to hunt demons and clear the way; it will take some time."

"There are many elderly and infirm members in the sect. Although we have backup plans, it's always good to have an extra layer of protection."

"I know your body is still being nurtured and should not be moved rashly."

"Looking around Guanhua Gate, apart from the two of us, you are the only one who can keep the situation in check during a crisis."

Xu Sixing was stunned for a moment.

Watching the house?

Why would you let an outsider who had just "died" a few days ago, and who hadn't even had a formal ceremony to acknowledge his ancestors, guard the old nest?

What a heavy burden of trust.

Even after serving as a "house dog" in the Imperial Sword Sect for twenty years, no one had ever entrusted their life and fortune to him so openly.

"Don't worry, senior sister!"

Xu Sixing pressed his palm against the Zhenli sword, his eyes flashing with a cold light:

"As long as my junior brother is here, Guanhua Gate will stand!"

"good."

Shu Yan left behind a bottle of pills and drifted away.

Xu Sixing stood at the cave entrance, looking at his disciples who were dressed simply but whose eyes shone with light, and felt a surge of emotion.

Guanhua Sect is far superior to the cold, calculating, and seniority-driven Yujian Sect.

......

Outside the mountain gate.

Chai Wu carried a newly replaced giant sword on his shoulder.

This is an old antique found in a corner of the Danxia Peak warehouse. Although it doesn't look very appealing, it's sturdy and durable.

He frowned as he watched Shu Yan descend the mountain alone.

"Junior sister, is it really reliable to leave Xu boy alone to guard the house?"

"It's not that I don't trust him, after all, he's a latecomer to the profession and his health is still fragile. What if something unexpected happens..."

Shu Yan paused.

The mountain breeze blew, her hair danced lightly, and her figure appeared somewhat transparent.

"Senior brother."

As Shu Yan finished speaking.

Chai Wu was startled to find that the sensation under his feet was different; the once solid loess mountain path had disappeared without him noticing.

A mighty river flows ceaselessly, its waves surging silently beneath our feet.

In the vast emptiness, on the water's surface, and in the shadows of the forest, figures in white robes stepped out.

All the women looked at Chai Wu, their voices mingling, creating a scene that seemed both real and unreal.

"What I cultivate is the 'Thousand Rivers Flowing Moon Reflecting the True Scripture'."

"What I have created is the 'Consciousness-Only Imagery Mind-Monkey Platform'."

"And how do you know that the one who went with you to the North is the real one?"

Chai Wu opened his mouth wide, but couldn't utter a single word for a long time.

Finally, he stomped his foot heavily, shattering the illusory water droplets on the ground, and cursed under his breath:

"You bunch of brainless idiots, your hearts are filthy! Let's go, let's go slaughter a pig!"

Two streaks of light, one earthy yellow and the other shimmering white, vanished into the void and headed straight for the vast, desolate mountains to the north.