Chapter 143: The Gathering of Third-Rank Sects

Chapter 143: The Third-Rank Sect Assembly

Ning Qian and the others quickly lowered their heads in unison, bowing deeply toward the empty air. "Disciple pays respects to Uncle Shadow Master."

In his arms, Yun Ying cradled a pitch-black Howling Soul Hound, while beside his pant leg, a snow-white Howling Sky Hound hovered midair. Six months ago, the Howling Sky Hound finally broke through its cultivation level, ascending to a second-rank spirit beast and acquiring the second-rank innate skill—Flying. However, this skill left Jiang Yan somewhat disappointed; Flying merely allowed the Howling Sky Hound to soar through the air but did not enhance its combat power or spirit stone efficacy.

"Uncle Master, Master is receiving a visit from Master Kongse of the Huasheng Temple down the mountain. I have been asked to invite you to greet Master Kongse on Master's behalf," Ning Qian said respectfully, keeping his head bowed, addressing the hovering Yun Ying.

"Pfft, a bunch of bald little monks—how boring! I have no interest in greeting them. Ning Qian, since you are the senior brother's disciple, why don't you go welcome them instead?" Yun Ying pouted dismissively, clearly looking down on the little Kongse monk.

Ning Qian chuckled softly, helpless toward Yun Ying’s petulance. Perhaps only when Master emerges from seclusion would Yun Ying, the little uncle, behave like a proper gentlewoman.

"Zisu, you’ve laid your foundation! Wonderful! Now that you’ve established your foundation, senior brother has to take me to the Linqing Prefecture to play. Hee hee," Yun Ying’s face suddenly lit up with joy upon seeing Zisu. Tossing aside the Howling Soul Hound in her hands, she clapped excitedly.

The poor Howling Soul Hound was tossed around a few times before crashing to the ground, thoroughly disoriented. Yet as a first-rank upper-tier spirit beast, though not invincible, it could withstand multiple falls without serious harm.

"Sigh, it took three Foundation Establishment Pills for you to succeed. Senior brother was right: your talent is somewhat lacking. Ning Qian established foundation without any pills; you needed three. Henceforth, you’ll surely require more spirit medicines," Yun Ying said, folding her hands behind her back, speaking with an air of authority toward Zisu.

A faint blush colored Zisu’s fair, delicate face. She lowered her head slightly, her tone tinged with melancholy: "Disciple understands. Thank you, Uncle Master, for your guidance."

"Three Foundation Establishment Pills to succeed—Lady Zisu’s talent and root bone are indeed exceptional," came a gentle, composed voice from the steps outside the cultivation arena.

Zisu lifted her head slightly, a glimmer of light flickering in her otherwise dim eyes, seemingly pleased by the compliment.

"Why must you be so harsh, Yun Ying? I observe that Lady Zisu not only has outstanding physique but also an indomitable spirit. With Master Jiang’s guidance, she will surely become a peerless expert renowned throughout the Thousand Realms," the speaker continued as a gentle-looking white-robed novice ascended the high platform halfway up the mountain, followed by Sun Yang, a white-robed disciple of Mount Hua.

"Master Kongse, greetings," the Mount Hua disciples respectfully bowed to the approaching monk.

"Disciple pays respects to Uncle Shadow Master," Sun Yang greeted Yun Ying with deep reverence, mingled with a hint of awe.

Yun Ying waved her hand impatiently, addressing Master Kongse, "Little monk, didn’t you just leave a few days ago? Why are you back again? My senior brother is still in seclusion and has no time to see you."

Master Kongse’s gaze swept over the standing Zisu. His calm eyes briefly flared with warmth, which quickly faded. His attention then shifted to the other Mount Hua disciples—seeing Ning Qian, who had established his foundation, and Sun Yang, nearing the peak of the Qi Refining stage—his heart surged with turmoil. Who exactly was Jiang Shi, this mysterious sect leader who had, in just a few years, cultivated second-generation disciples of Mount Hua to the point of Foundation Establishment?

Turning his eyes back to the petite Yun Ying, Master Kongse was even more stirred. She looked no more than seven or eight years old, yet Jiang Shi had propelled her into Foundation Establishment. Such strength truly earned his admiration. Pressing his palms together in front of his chest, the gentle monk addressed Yun Ying warmly:

"Little Master Yun, Lady Zisu took three Foundation Establishment Pills to succeed, a testament to her superior talent. When Xie Wenyuan of the Golden Flame Sect established foundation, it took six pills to succeed. Lady Zisu’s aptitude is thus far more excellent. Also, taking three pills is likely Jiang Shi’s minimum standard. I suspect he has at least one more pill reserved for Lady Zisu. If even senior brother is treated this way, why speak harshly to Lady Zisu, Little Master Yun?"

Yun Ying turned her head in irritation, pouting defiantly. "I don’t care. Little monk, do you have a problem with that? Hmph, all the disciples here are from Mount Hua. If you like..." Her words abruptly stopped as she clapped a hand to her mouth.

"A fine steed admires a hero, and a hero is enamored with a beauty. Though I am no hero, I have passions and desires too. Why shouldn’t I have someone I like?" Master Kongse smiled gently at Yun Ying, his serene face showing no embarrassment.

Yun Ying bit her lip with frustration, regretting her slip of the tongue. Remembering her senior brother’s stern admonition, worry filled her heart. If senior brother found out and punished her after emerging from seclusion, she’d be in serious trouble.

"Well said—‘a hero enamored with a beauty.’ Master Kongse, the sect’s great hall awaits. Ying’er, please lead Master Kongse up," Jiang Yan’s warm voice suddenly echoed from the peak of Mount Hua. Having just emerged from seclusion, Jiang Yan heard Master Kongse’s spirit-infused words and promptly extended the invitation.

"Amitabha. Master Jiang, I dare not disobey," Master Kongse respectfully placed one palm on his chest, his tone sincere. His gaze swept over the Mount Hua disciples, lingering on Zisu before turning to Yun Ying. "Little Master Yun, please. Master Jiang awaits us atop the peak."

Yun Ying stomped her foot in frustration, kicking the Howling Sky Hound aside as it circled her, then reluctantly ascended toward the mountain summit. Master Kongse smiled softly, palms pressed together, and followed at her heels with a steady pace, as if daring to ascend Mount Hua only if Yun Ying led the way.

After some time, seeing Master Kongse trailing unhurriedly behind, Yun Ying stomped again, transforming into a streak of golden light as she hastened toward the summit.

Inside Mount Hua’s grand hall, two young attendants brought tea, then bowed and withdrew.

Jiang Yan gestured toward Master Kongse. "Master Kongse, please enjoy the tea. This is spirit tea harvested from the Demon Realm. It calms the mind and purifies the turbulent spirit fluctuations within the body—especially beneficial for cultivators who have just advanced. You may savor it."

"This spirit tea is truly addictive. All the finest treasures from the Demon Realm’s Spirit Medicine Valley are monopolized by your family—I envy you," Master Kongse said, raising the cup placed on the table before him as he sipped.

Yun Ying, acting like a well-behaved child, sat demurely on the meditation cushion beside Jiang Yan, motionless, exuding the air of an elegant and gentle young lady.

"Senior brother," Yun Ying’s large eyes rolled, then she tugged Jiang Yan’s sleeve, whispering softly, "Zisu has established foundation! Senior brother, you promised to take me to play in Linqing Prefecture after she did. You must keep your word."

Jiang Yan glanced at the obedient Yun Ying and lightly patted her head. "All right. A promise made is a promise kept. Your senior sister will soon complete her Small Rebirth Pill and emerge from seclusion. If you reach mid-foundation establishment before Wan’er emerges, I will take you along on our upcoming trip to Linqing Prefecture."

"Yay!" Yun Ying jumped on the platform with glee, bounding a few steps. Suddenly recalling she was sitting beside her senior brother, she stuck out her tongue playfully before settling down cross-legged again.

"Has Jiang Shi already learned about the trip to Linqing Prefecture in half a month?" Master Kongse placed his empty teacup on the table and asked with puzzlement.

Jiang Yan chuckled, "The Xi He Sword Sect has fractured, leaving no experts. The three fourth-rank sects in Tianyue Realm are at war, causing the situation in East Wood District to deteriorate rapidly. The three major fourth-rank sects are mutually restraining each other; none can seize control of East Wood District. I believe your arrival is at the behest of one of these sects, to convene a meeting of the third-rank sects in East Wood District."

Master Kongse pressed his palms together at his chest, his tone tinged with melancholy. "The Way of Heaven cherishes life. Over the past year, the three major sects have fought fiercely, causing countless casualties and chaos in East Wood District. The foremost sect in Tianyue Realm sought help from my humble temple. Reluctantly, I have come to invite Jiang Shi."

"Master Kongse, are you trying to persuade me again? What business do I have convening a third-rank sect meeting?" Jiang Yan ruffled Yun Ying’s hair as he spoke.

"Have you reached Great Perfection yet?" Master Kongse ignored Jiang Yan’s question, instead querying him.

Jiang Yan’s face remained impassive as he humbly replied, "Thanks to your blessings, little monk, I have indeed reached Great Perfection."

"The Xi He Sword Sect has splintered; the fourth-rank sects are absent in East Wood District. The Golden Flame Sect’s highest expert is only in the late Foundation Establishment stage, and outside of the Golden Flame Sect, the highest cultivators in other third-rank sects of East Wood District are only mid-Foundation Establishment. To fill Xi He Sword Sect’s position among the fourth-rank sects, a cultivator at Great Perfection Foundation Establishment is indispensable."

Master Kongse glanced at Jiang Yan. Seeing no reaction, his gaze turned to Yun Ying beside Jiang Yan. She propped her delicate chin on her hand, her large eyes shining with curiosity as she stared at him. Master Kongse continued his persuasion.

"This upcoming third-rank sect assembly concerns that very fourth-rank sect position. Among those coveting it is only the third-rank Golden Flame Sect. Xie Wenyuan eyes this spot greedily, unaware it has long been preemptively reserved by another sect."

"If you showcase your abilities at the assembly and gain recognition from the major sects, Mount Hua will immediately become the foremost sect in East Wood District."

"What benefits does our sect gain, little monk?" Yun Ying’s sweet voice rang down from the platform.

Master Kongse was momentarily stunned. His gentle expression shifted oddly as he considered the question, then scratched his bald head before replying thoughtfully, "To command over a hundred sects in East Wood District and have the decisive word over the fate of a third-rank sect—is that not a great benefit?"

Jiang Yan waved his hand to forestall further questioning from Yun Ying and addressed Master Kongse, "These are castles in the air. Without sufficient sect strength, which third-rank sect would heed your command? The fall of Xi He Sword Sect’s Foundation Establishment experts is proof; they could no longer control the third-rank sects in their prefectures. Master Kongse, speak plainly—what other benefits can you offer to persuade me?"