How can simply creating a sect make you invincible?

A group of people were on their way to Water Marsh City...

"Young friends, we are from the Qin family of Shuize City. I am Qin Jie, an elder of the Qin family. I was out on business and unexpectedly encountered the Black Wind Stronghold on my return. Once we return to Shuize City, our Qin family will certainly repay you all with a proper thank you."

"No need to be so polite. We won't be staying in Water Marsh City for long; we'll be leaving in two or three days," the mage replied.

"How can this be? At least let us do our part as hosts."

Let's discuss everything once we reach Water Marsh City.

"Young friends, your attire is quite impressive. May I ask which major sect you belong to?" Qin Jie asked.

"We all come from small, insignificant sects, nothing to brag about," Ning Tian replied.

"They're all so young. Even that four or five-year-old girl next to me, I can't see through her cultivation level. The cultivation method she uses is clearly from a major sect, yet you're telling me it's from a small, insignificant sect? Who are you trying to fool?" Qin Jie muttered to himself.

"Hahaha... You young friends are truly outstanding! Even though you come from a small sect, you have already achieved such cultivation. It is no exaggeration to call you 'prodigies'."

"Elder Qin, you flatter us. We are only where we are today because of luck."

"My young friends are too modest."

"This Qin Jie seems a bit too enthusiastic, trying to find out our background," Ning Tian thought to himself.

A gentle breeze carrying moist air swept across the open fields, dispelling the dust of their long journey. After two days of trekking, they arrived at a vast, misty region crisscrossed by waterways.

The group gazed at the city standing quietly before them, which resembled a fairyland on the water. This was Water City.

The entire city is embraced by vast expanses of clear blue water, with winding cobblestone streets and crisscrossing waterways. Clear water flows around the city, and stone bridges are scattered across the water, with pavilions and waterside terraces built along the water's edge. The whole city is permeated with a gentle and warm watery atmosphere, completely different from the wild wilderness outside.

As soon as the group arrived outside the gates of Shuize City, the Qin family members were already waiting there, clearly having received instructions beforehand.

The head steward quickly stepped forward and respectfully bowed to Qin Jie, saying, "This subordinate greets the Third Elder."

"Okay, get up! Have you prepared everything I asked you to arrange?"

"Third Elder, everything is ready."

"Well done. These young friends are the distinguished guests invited by our Qin family."

"Greetings, distinguished guests! I am the steward of the Qin family in Shuize City. I have been waiting for you here for quite some time!" The steward's voice was humble and polite, and his tone was full of enthusiasm.

"Hmm...no need for formalities," Ning Tian said.

"Let's not stand here and talk. Let's go into the city first! Let's go to my Qin residence to rest for a while. I have already ordered people to prepare wine and food. Afterwards, you can stay at my Qin family's house for a while, and let us show you the hospitality of a host."

Ning Tian replied calmly with a slight nod, "Thank you for your hospitality, Elder Qin. I will take my leave of you."

"Young friends, you are mistaken! You have saved so many people from me and the Qin family. How can such a small matter be considered a bother? We would love for you to stay at the Qin family's residence."

As soon as the words were spoken, the group began to move forward, with four companions walking side by side. The five of them, accompanied by two spirit pets, stepped into the gentle, tranquil water city with unhurried steps.

On the river, a light boat glided slowly, rippling the water. People on the street stopped to watch, their eyes filled with kindness and friendliness, without fear or aloofness. A gentle, moist air enveloped them, the fragrance of flowers wafted through the air, and the babbling brook created a soothing melody. Along the way, the steward carefully guided them, explaining the sights of the city, as the group slowly made their way towards the Qin residence.

Inside the main hall of the Qin residence...

"Qin Jie sent a message back yesterday, telling me everything. I am truly grateful to my young friends for their righteous help in saving so many members of my Qin family," said the Qin family head.

"Patriarch Qin, you're too kind. We only intervened because we couldn't stand those evil cultivators."

"Ah, my young friends are still too modest."

"Brother, the food and wine are ready. Why don't we eat and chat?"

"Oh dear! I'm so confused, I've been so busy chatting. Come on, let's go to the table and eat while we talk."

As soon as I sat down, the maids brought over plates of exquisite dishes.

"Young friends, come, come, let's all have a drink together," the Qin family head suggested.

"That's right, I, Qin Jie, thank you for saving my life, young friend. I'll drink this cup in one go, but you young friends can make yourselves at home."

"Patriarch Qin, Elder Qin. My senior brothers and sisters don't drink, so let's have a few drinks with you." The monk glanced at Kunkun and replied.

"That's right, my senior brothers and sisters don't drink, so we two will keep Patriarch Qin and Elder Qin company with a few drinks," Kun Kun chimed in.

Qin Jie and his companion exchanged a glance and laughed, "Haha, it's alright, if you don't want to drink, just eat more. Come on, young brothers, let's have a drink!"

"Kun Kun, you're such an embarrassment, what kind of lousy names have you come up with?" Mu Qingcheng thought to herself.

"May we ask who your master is? Could you tell us so we can see if we know your master?" the Qin family head asked.

"Haha... Our master is just an unknown figure, so Patriarch Qin certainly wouldn't recognize him."

"How could someone who can teach such outstanding disciples as Heng and Ha be an unknown person? Young friend, you are too modest."

"What I said is true. Our master rarely leaves the sect and doesn't have many friends, so it's normal that Patriarch Qin doesn't recognize him," the monk replied.

"Young brothers, you two might as well tell me. I know many senior experts and members of many families in Zhongzhou."

"My master's name is Mo Fu, and his master's name is Huang Gu. I wonder if Patriarch Qin knows them?"

"Mo Fu? Huang Gu?" Why are these two names so strange? They seem more like titles of honor. The Qin family head and Qin Jie mentally went through everyone they knew, but there wasn't a single person with the surname Mo or Huang.

"Haha, Brother Heng and Ha, we were indeed ignorant."

"It's alright. As I said, our master doesn't usually leave the sect and has few friends, so it's normal that no one knows," the monk said.

"It would be strange if you knew that our master has never left the sect! Unless you add the word 'Great Emperor' after their names, you might have some impression of them," Kun Kun chuckled to himself.

"I wonder how many days you young friends plan to stay here? I have already arranged for servants to guide you through the sights of Water Margin City," Qin Jie asked.

"It should only take two or three days. Elder Qin, there's no need to send anyone. We can just go out and wander around on our own," Ning Tian replied.

"Haha, alright then. Remember to let me know if you need anything. In Shuize City, our Qin family still has some influence."

"Then thank you in advance, Patriarch Qin and Elder Qin."

"Oh! Young friend, you're being too polite."

An hour later, everyone was full and satisfied.

"Someone, take these young friends down to rest."

A maid led the way, and the group was heading towards the guest courtyard. Xiao Ningyun looked around curiously.

"Junior Brother Kun, look! That stone lion is huge!"

"Junior Brother Monk, why are the fish in that pond golden?"

"Sister Qingcheng, look at that lantern, it's so big!"

The maid gave a slight bow and said, "Distinguished guests, this is the guest courtyard. There are many rooms inside. Please feel free to ask if you need anything. I will be waiting here."

"No need, you may leave!"

"Miss, please let me stay here, otherwise my family will punish me."

"Don't be afraid. If Elder Qin wants to punish you, just say that we told you to step down," Mu Qingcheng said.

"Alright then! This servant will take her leave now."

The Qin family's guest courtyard was also very large, with pavilions, terraces, rockeries, and waterside pavilions, all exquisitely crafted. The spiritual energy was also abundant, and the courtyard was filled with spiritual plants, lush and verdant as far as the eye could see.

Xiao Ningyun, who had been looking around, suddenly stopped. Her eyes fixed on a courtyard deep within the Qin family compound—the array within the courtyard was rendered useless under her double pupils. She saw a set of steps leading to a secret room.

Inside the sealed room, people were chained up, and some were locked in cages.

There was a man with more than a dozen tubes inserted into his body, and bright red blood flowed down the tubes into a huge stone trough on the ground.

Beside the stone trough lay dozens of shriveled corpses, like oranges that had been squeezed dry, leaving only the rinds.

Ning Yun's hands began to tremble. Deep within the secret room was another inner room, its door ajar.

Inside was a huge bronze cauldron, with a ghostly blue flame burning beneath it. Red liquid churned within the cauldron, and bubbles bubbled up.

That was a cauldron full of blood.

On the table beside the cauldron, dozens of jade bottles were neatly arranged, each labeled "Longevity Elixir".

Ning Yun could no longer hold back and cried out, "Ah..."

Mu Qingcheng was startled and immediately went to hug her: "Ning Yun! What's wrong?"

"Sister Qingcheng, there are so many people locked up there. They are so pitiful. Their blood has been drained."

Mu Qingcheng looked in the direction she pointed, but saw nothing. However, Mu Qingcheng knew about her junior sister's double pupils; she must have seen something.