The Smiling, Proud Wanderer, becoming a disciple of Yue Buqun.

The Huashan Sect is a branch of Hao Datong and is one of the branches of the Quanzhen School. In recent days, it has claimed to share the same origin as the Huashan Sect, which means it is also a branch of the Quanzhen School, but it is unknown which branch it is.

But Jiang Ning was even more surprised at this moment, because Yue Buqun had previously said that the branches of the Quanzhen Sect had gradually disappeared, leaving only the Huashan Sect.

The emergence of a new branch of Quanzhen (全真) was truly unexpected.

"Reporting to the Heavenly Venerable, we are not one of the Seven Masters of Quanzhen."

Wujizi slowly recounted their origins.

"I see."

Jiang Ning nodded.

It turns out that these Taoist priests were descendants of some disciples of the Quanzhen School who went into seclusion in the mountains after the sect disintegrated. However, they usually lived in seclusion in the deep mountains and rarely appeared in the world, so few people knew about them.

Their presence here was truly due to the widespread dissemination of Jiangning's edict to subdue demons; even they knew about it, which prompted them to descend the mountain and come here.

After confirming the identity, Jiang Ning was overjoyed to find that the other party was indeed a descendant of the Quanzhen lineage. He smiled and said, "So it turns out that you Daoists and my Huashan Sect are of the same lineage and origin, both branches of the Quanzhen lineage. This is truly a cause for celebration."

After revealing their identities, Wujizi and the others secretly observed Jiang Ning's expression, feeling quite uneasy.

They hadn't originally intended to introduce themselves, fearing that Jiang Ning and the Huashan Sect would think they were poor relatives trying to curry favor and look down on them. However, during their brief conversation, they found Jiang Ning to be quite easygoing, so they introduced themselves.

Seeing that the other party's joy seemed genuine, they smiled as well.

"Since it is one of the branches of Quanzhen, it is only right to get closer to it."

Jiang Ning said with delight, "For many years, my master Yue Buqun thought that the Quanzhen School had disappeared and only the Huashan School remained. He was very disappointed. Now that he heard that the Quanzhen School still has other branches that have been passed down to this day, my master is also very happy."

"We are all from the Quanzhen School, so why haven't we kept in touch for so many years?"

Jiang Ning asked.

Wujizi gave a wry smile: "Back then, my master and the others also wanted to get closer to the Huashan Sect, but at that time the Huashan Sect was still the leader of the Five Mountains Sword Sects and had a great reputation in the martial arts world. We were afraid that the Huashan Sect would look down on us, so we did not make contact."

The Huashan Sect is descended from Hao Datong, who was one of the Seven Masters of Quanzhen in his day. His status far surpassed that of other Quanzhen disciples. Especially after the Huashan Sect reached its zenith, the descendants of these ordinary disciples dared not contact them, fearing that instead of building closer ties, they would be humiliated.

More importantly, although the Huashan Sect is a branch of Hao Datong, it has not had any real Taoists in recent years. Instead, it has become more like a Jianghu (martial arts world) person. As a result, they gave up the idea of ​​contacting the Huashan Sect. It was not until recently, when Jiang Ning announced that the Huashan Sect was a branch of Quanzhen and that the Huashan Sect had returned to Quanzhen, that they had the intention to make contact.

"This……"

Jiang Ning chuckled; he could understand the other party's concerns.

"Master Wujizi, are there only a few of you left in your lineage now?"

"The Celestial Venerable may simply call me Wujizi."

Wujizi said in a panic, "Our lineage is left with only a few of us brothers and a few young disciples. My master, Mingxuzi, passed away ten years ago."

Jiang Ning felt a little disappointed upon hearing this, but it was also within his expectations.

He observed that these individuals wore very simple Taoist robes with numerous patches, and were thin. Although they possessed some martial arts skills, they were only average, indicating that they were not experts and that their lineage likely did not have many disciples.

Jiang Ning then asked, "Since you are also descendants of the Quanzhen lineage, are there any other branches of the Quanzhen lineage that have survived to this day?"

"Have."

Wujizi nodded.

When their patriarch left the Quanzhen School, he also had contact with other Quanzhen disciples. Over the years, they have maintained contact with each other and have been cultivating in the deep mountains.

Jiang Ning's eyes lit up upon hearing this, and he asked, "Could we invite them to meet us?"

Wujizi laughed and said, "Heavenly Venerable, they are all in the city now."

Jiang Ning became interested and said, "Then I'll trouble you to introduce me, Daoist."

"As instructed by the Heavenly Venerable."

Wujizi bowed and said.

Before long, dozens of Taoist priests arrived in front of Jiang Ning.

“The lineage of Quanzhen Dongmingzi”.

"Hanshan Daoist, a descendant of the Quanzhen School."

"The legacy of Quanzhen..."

Dozens of Taoist priests bowed to Jiang Ning.

"Greetings, Heavenly Venerable."

"Please rise, everyone."

Jiang Ning said.

After everyone stood up, Jiang Ning continued, "I originally thought that only the Huashan School of the Quanzhen Sect survived in the past. I never expected that there would be so many Taoist priests who share the same lineage as the Huashan School. This is truly a cause for celebration."

Hearing Jiang Ning's joyful voice, dozens of Taoist priests couldn't help but smile.

However, most of them were dressed in tattered clothes and were all emaciated. If they weren't dressed as Taoist priests, they would have been mistaken for beggars.

This shows that their lives have indeed not been very good over the years.

Upon learning of their current residence, Jiang Ning asked, "Since we all share the same lineage and are descendants of my Quanzhen Sect, would you be willing to join my Huashan Sect?"

Upon hearing this, everyone looked at each other in bewilderment.

After a moment, an old Taoist priest stepped forward and bowed.

"Since it is a decree from the Heavenly Venerable, we should obey it."

The other Taoist priests also chimed in.

"I will obey the Heavenly Venerable's decree."

They were all descendants of the Quanzhen lineage, but they had no inheritance and were practically like unorthodox Taoists. Now that Jiangning was willing to accept them and bring them under the wing of Hao Datong's lineage, it was a pleasant surprise for them.

Chapter 779: Arrival in Pingding Prefecture

None of the dozens of Taoist priests refused, and they all expressed their gratitude to the Heavenly Venerable for his great grace.

After deciding to accept these dozens of Taoist priests, Jiang Ning informed Yue Buqun.

Yue Buqun indeed showed a look of surprise and delight.

"What? They really are descendants of the Quanzhen lineage?"

"good."

Jiang Ning nodded.

He has confirmed that it is indeed not false.

“Alas, I searched for them back then, but to no avail. I thought that only the Huashan Sect remained of the Quanzhen Sect, but I never expected that there were so many Quanzhen descendants in the world.”

Yue Buqun exclaimed with delight, "Now they have come because of you, and you have accepted them; this is the will of Heaven!"

The Huashan Sect was originally a branch of the Quanzhen Sect. Now that so many descendants of the Quanzhen lineage have been incorporated into the Huashan Sect, its status as the orthodox sect of Taoism is even more unquestionable. It would not be an exaggeration to say that the Huashan Sect is the Quanzhen Sect itself.

Seeing Yue Buqun's undisguised joy, Jiang Ning knew that Yue Buqun was indeed very excited.

In Yue Buqun's mind, his ultimate goal was to develop the Huashan Sect into the same sect as the Quanzhen Sect of the past, and make it the number one sect in the world. However, this was indeed a bit of a pipe dream for Yue Buqun back then.

But now things are different; there is now real hope that all of this can be realized.

"Ning'er".

Yue Buqun patted Jiang Ning's shoulder forcefully and sighed.

"In my opinion, the best thing I ever did in my life was to save you from those bandits and then take you into my fold."

Without Jiang Ning, there would be no Innate Skill, no Huashan Sect as we know it today. At this time, Yue Buqun would probably still be struggling for the survival of the Huashan Sect, living a very repressed life under the shadow of the Songshan Sect, and eventually becoming someone he no longer is.

Yue Buqun felt that Jiangning was simply the hope given to him by the ancestors of the Huashan Sect and the patriarch Chongyang.

Jiang Ning laughed upon hearing this.

"If my master had not saved me, I would have died long ago. It is my destiny to be able to study under my master in this life."

"Yes, it's fate, it's fate."

Yue Buqun burst into laughter.

This is indeed fate, the most beautiful fate in the world.

"Oh, right."

Yue Buqun brought up the important matter.

"We are now a hundred miles from Pingding Prefecture and not far from Blackwood Cliff. Should we start attacking Blackwood Cliff now or wait for the Hengshan Sect, Taishan Sect, and Wudang Sect to arrive before we attack?"

Jiang Ning said, "Let's set off now."

Besides the Huashan, Emei, and Kunlun sects, there are now thousands of Taoist priests in the city who have come here in accordance with Jiangning's decree. In addition, countless martial arts practitioners are constantly gathering here. Their current strength is close to 20,000, which has reached or even exceeded the scale of the last siege against Ren Woxing.

They are now ready to fight Dongfang Bubai.

"Shouldn't we wait a little longer?"

Yue Buqun asked.

This is only a short time after Jiangning issued the imperial edict, yet so many people have responded to the edict and Jiangning's appeal to come here. If they continue to wait, even more people and sects will come, and then they will have a better chance of success.

"I heard that Master Chongxu has already brought his entire sect here, and martial arts practitioners from all over the land are still arriving in droves. Perhaps we should wait a little longer?"

Yue Buqun offered his suggestion.

Jiang Ning thought for a moment and nodded, saying, "Alright, let's wait a few more days."

Yue Buqun breathed a sigh of relief.

Jiang Ning continued, "However, Pingding Prefecture is under the control of the Demonic Sect, and many members of the Demonic Sect are guarding it. If we want to attack Blackwood Cliff, Pingding Prefecture is the forward position. Master, we can take Pingding Prefecture first, and then wait for the righteous path to gather before attacking Blackwood Cliff and eradicating the Demonic Sect."

"Pingding Prefecture?"

Yue Buqun pondered for a moment.

"Alright."

Yue Buqun agreed, since the Demonic Sect couldn't just stand by and watch them gather their forces; they would probably strike first. It was better for them to make their move first, set up the battlefield in Pingding Prefecture, and thus restrain the Demonic Sect, preventing them from resorting to any tricks.

With Jiang Ning making the decision, Zhen Shanzi, the leader of Kunlun Sect, and Qingzhu, the nun of Emei Sect, who were traveling with him, had no objections, and they set off the next day to attack Pingding Prefecture.