With the rise of my family, I can summon the Daoist Soldiers' Nest.

The return route was exactly the same as the way there, still the old road carefully planned by Elder Liang.

Elder Liang had detailed arrangements for where to avoid bustling cities and where to hide at night, which was also a survival strategy that the Qingyuan Sword Sect had explored over many years.

After all, there are countless forces stronger than the Sword Sect within the Tang Dynasty. If one were to inadvertently enter the airspace of some powerful forces, one would inevitably attract unnecessary trouble.

Through these two personal experiences, Lin Ye gained a clear understanding of this winding and circuitous road home.

In the end, everyone safely flew to Jubei City.

This time, no soldiers were scrambled to intercept or check the suspects.

Once you cross the Jubei City, you've officially entered the territory of the Northern Han Kingdom.

However, along the way, the group never saw any trace of the Bloodstained Sect members.

Three months ago, they encountered the disciples of the Lixue Sect who were also exploring Leize at Feiyun Ferry.

However, they have not been seen since their withdrawal from Lei Ze or during their rest period at Fei Yun Ferry.

The journey was uneventful; neither their presence nor news of their misfortune could be found. It was unknown whether they had already found another way or had met with a terrible fate.

Clouds and dust filled the air as wild geese flapped their wings and flew north, crossing the magnificent Lancang River that divides the Northern Han Dynasty in two.

Finally, in the afterglow of the setting sun, everyone could see the territory of the Qingyuan Sword Sect, the outline of Xining Prefecture in Wuwei County, and they were finally able to return to their homeland safely.

Sect Leader Chu Huaixi and his followers had already been eagerly waiting at the mountain gate.

After all, once they entered Wuwei County, they no longer made a fuss about concealing their whereabouts, and the higher-ups of the Sword Sect had already received the news.

Sect Leader Chu's gaze swept over the seventeen figures who were descending from the Cloud Dust Flying Goose, and his tense nerves finally relaxed slightly.

Twenty people set off in a grand procession, and seventeen returned safely. Although a few were clearly seriously injured, the casualty rate was much lower than in previous expeditions.

These are a third of the elders of the Sword Sect, plus two Supreme Elders. If anything were to happen to them, the Sword Sect's recent resurgence would likely plummet back to rock bottom.

Fortunately, most people returned safely.

After a brief exchange of pleasantries, everyone followed the sect leader directly to the council hall. Inside, the sect elders who had remained were already gathered.

As Sect Leader Chu took his seat, Liang Feiyu began to recount the entire story of his trip to Lei Ze.

From the moment the group landed on the island, killed the Water Ape, and obtained the acquired spiritual medicine, to their sparring with other forces and successfully forming a contract with a third-rate nest.

Then, the conversation shifted to the encounter with the Moon Gazing Rhinoceros herd, the subsequent scattering of the group, Lin Ye's miraculous survival after consuming the Azure Grass, his seizing the opportunity to kill the Crimson Flame Flood Dragon, and his breakthrough to a first-class martial artist, as well as his significant improvement in lightness skills.

Finally, the story of the birth of the innate nest that shook the Tang Dynasty was mentioned.

Liang Feiyu explained the dangers and opportunities involved one by one.

As the story unfolded, the atmosphere in the hall became increasingly dramatic.

When the topic of obtaining a postnatal spiritual treasure came up, the top elders in the audience visibly breathed heavily and their eyes gleamed.

When the topic turned to third-rate contract dens, everyone was overjoyed, as if they could see the future of their sect.

When Liang Feiyu recounted Lin Ye's extraordinary adventures, everyone became even more interested and asked Lin Ye to demonstrate them on the spot.

Faced with Lin Ye's superb lightness skill, which allowed him to move like a ghost and walk on flat ground within the council hall, the elders were full of praise and exclaimed that Lin Ye's luck was simply heaven-defying.

However, until Liang Feiyu finished his story, he never mentioned Lin Ye's contract with a second-rate nest.

"During this trip to Lei Ze, you all braved hardships and risked your lives, not only gathering many spiritual items for the sect, but also acquiring a third-rate nest."

The Sword Sect will never forget your contributions, and will reward you according to the sect rules later.

As for the elders and true disciples who unfortunately sacrificed their lives, the sect will certainly treat their widows and descendants well.

As the murmurs below subsided, Sect Leader Chu Huaixi spoke slowly, his tone gentle yet carrying an undeniable authority.

He paused slightly, his gaze sweeping over the eager faces of the first-rate elders below, before continuing.

"As for that acquired spiritual artifact, the sect will make overall arrangements. Of course, the promise I made before departure remains unchanged: the elders who participated in this exploration will have priority in the allocation."

"Let's stop here for today. You've had a long journey, so go and rest."

Remember, whatever was said in the council chamber today must be kept strictly confidential; not a single word must be revealed to anyone.

The elders in the hall rose to take their leave and gradually departed the council hall.

Lin Ye was about to leave with the others, but Elder Liang Feiyu gestured for him to stay.

After the hall doors closed, leaving only Lin Ye and the two elders inside, Sect Leader Chu Huaixi suddenly stepped down from the main seat, stared at Lin Ye without saying a word, and circled him twice.

Lin Ye felt uneasy about the sect leader's strange behavior and wondered if Elder Liang had discovered something suspicious when he was investigating the nest on the island.

"I must say, Lin, your incredible luck is simply unbelievable."

Chu Huaixi suddenly stopped and exclaimed, "Not only did you discover such a rare treasure as the Azure Grass, but you also escaped from the mouth of the Crimson Flame Flood Dragon, turning misfortune into blessing and breaking through to the first-class level. You even managed to take over a second-class nest."

On the way back just now, Elder Liang mentioned this matter to me, and I was still half-believing and half-doubting. I never expected that my Qingyuan Sword Sect could produce someone like you.

He then changed the subject, his expression becoming serious, "However, good fortune can be a double-edged sword. Too much luck not only attracts the envy of heaven, but also the envy of others."

That's why I just instructed Elder Liang to conceal your contract with the second-rate nest from the other elders.

I will also order other people who know the truth to keep it a secret. In the near future, I will try my best to keep them from leaving the mountain.”

Upon hearing this, Lin Ye finally felt relieved and quickly cupped his hands in thanks, saying, "Thank you for your understanding, Sect Leader. You have been very thoughtful."

"However, it would be a great waste to possess such a valuable treasure but leave it unused."

Chu Huaixi stood with his hands behind his back, looking intently at Lin Ye. "The Sword Sect will find a suitable time so that you can openly and legitimately set up your lair, but now is not the time."

"After all, you are nominally a member of the Sword Sect. Even if you report to the court now that you have a second-rate lair, the court may not grant you any more territory."

Firstly, the imperial court has always been suspicious and wary of the sword sect; secondly, you have already been granted fiefdoms in two counties, but if you were to grant fiefdoms in three more counties because of a second-rate stronghold, that would be half the size of a prefecture, and the imperial court would never easily agree to that.

"So what I mean is that you should lie low for a while and wait for the next outbreak of war with the Northern Xiongnu before seeking an opportunity to make military achievements."

Haven't you always longed to be on the battlefield in person?

I previously disagreed because you, as a lord, had two dens under your control, and your martial arts skills were weak, making it too dangerous.

But things are different now. You've broken through to the first-rate level and possess unparalleled lightness skills. Even if you encounter a martial artist who has acquired their skills, you'll be able to escape unscathed. As long as you act cautiously, your life should be safe.

"Once you have earned some military merits on the battlefield, and with the help of the Sword Sect, then when you bring out the second-rate stronghold, the imperial court will have enough reason to grant you the fiefdom of three counties."

After listening to the sect leader's plan, Lin Ye suddenly understood and realized that the sect leader was thinking of him. He quickly bowed and said, "Disciple understands and will follow the sect leader's arrangements."