Chapter 113: Chapter 112: A Trip Back to the Clan

Feiyue Lake possessed a Tier Three Top-Grade Spiritual Vein, was rich in Spirit Grass, and had a hundred acres of Tier Three Spirit Fields, but the strength of the Flood Dragon hidden within it was unknown.

Cyan Bull Valley had a Tier Three Low-Grade Spiritual Vein. Its resources were scarce, but the Demon King’s strength was manageable, making the risk of a Pioneer War relatively low.

At this point in the discussion, the pros and cons of both locations were quite clear.

The former was an aggressive choice, the latter a conservative one.

"Junior Brother Bai, what are your thoughts on this?"

Gu Xisheng turned slightly, a faint smile playing on his lips.

"My experience is limited; I’ve never even ventured deep into Black Mountain. What opinion could I possibly have? I’m just here to listen to the insightful views of my Senior Brothers."

Bai Zichen shook his head.

’In his view, since the two Ancestors hadn’t directly specified a target for the Pioneer War, it meant they already knew what they were doing. The Tier Three Demon Kings of both Feiyue Lake and Cyan Bull Valley must be within their ability to handle.’

’After all, no matter how intense the initial fighting became, the decisive moment would still require a Core Formation True Man to make a move.’

’Sending Foundation Establishment Cultivators against a Tier Three Demon King would just be throwing lives away.’

’Even if they managed a costly victory, a Tier Three Demon King could flee at will; they had no way to trap it.’

’With that in mind, Feiyue Lake was the obvious choice.’

’Besides, Liang Yu, who had proposed Feiyue Lake, had shown him kindness even before he reached Foundation Establishment. Liang Yu’s close friend, Pei Dongyong, had even gifted him a Spiritual Artifact.’

’As for the Elders from the Alchemy Hall and the Talisman Hall, Bai Zichen still couldn’t put a name to every face.’

’If the choice was truly his, was there any question?’

"In my opinion, Feiyue Lake is the better option. Cyan Bull Valley is over six thousand li from the Sect. Establishing such a long supply line would put immense pressure on the Miscellaneous Affairs Hall."

Gu Xisheng stated his opinion, but his reasoning was highly unconventional; not a single other Elder had mentioned it.

"After we clear out the Demon Beasts and the army fights its way to Cyan Bull Valley, it doesn’t mean the Spirit Lands along the route will remain empty. Other Demon Beasts will quickly move in to occupy them."

"We’ll be facing a Tier Three Demon King and dozens of Tier Two One-Horned Kui Oxen. It would be normal for the final assault to last for months. With such a massive force of Cultivators, consider the daily consumption of Spirit Rice, Talismans, and Elixirs; the repair of damaged Magical Artifacts and Array Banners; the treatment of the wounded... Unless you assign several Foundation Establishment Cultivators to me and have them carry a large number of storage bags purely for logistics, our supply line will become a major problem."

Gu Xisheng’s expression was grave; he had clearly considered this matter long before.

"In previous Pioneer Wars, we weren’t far from the Sect’s Main Mountain, so this issue wasn’t as pronounced. Feiyue Lake, compared to Cyan Bull Valley, is at least a thousand li closer, which will significantly reduce the logistical pressure."

"Senior Brother Gu, have you reported this matter to the Sect Leader?"

Bai Zichen was impressed. The Miscellaneous Affairs Elder seemed like a smooth operator, but his insight was unexpectedly profound.

"I mentioned it long ago. The Sect Leader only said that when the time comes, he would dispatch more forces and set up posts along the route to protect the supply teams..."

Gu Xisheng sighed. The disciples of the Miscellaneous Affairs Hall were certainly as competent as any when it came to handling affairs, but in terms of combat strength, they were nothing to boast about.

"Alright. Since everyone has their own valid points, we’ll put it to a vote among all the Elders."

Seeing the contentious atmosphere brewing between the two factions of Elders, Wei Dao struck the Jade Plate again.

Two lines of text appeared on each Elder’s Token: ’Feiyue Lake’ and ’Cyan Bull Valley’. A simple tap on one of them would register their vote.

Bai Zichen glanced at Gu Xisheng beside him. The man pressed firmly on ’Feiyue Lake’, and the other line of text vanished.

Lan Hong followed Gu Xisheng’s lead, likewise pressing ’Feiyue Lake’.

’This voting method is anonymous, but I wonder if the Sect Leader can see each Elder’s individual choice...’

No longer hesitating, Bai Zichen pressed his index finger on ’Feiyue Lake’, making his choice.

In a matter of moments, all the Elders had cast their votes.

Wei Dao glanced at the result, his expression unchanging. "All twenty-nine present have voted. With sixteen votes to thirteen, Feiyue Lake is the choice."

While the Elders from the Law Enforcement Hall faction beamed with delight and those from the Alchemy Hall and Talisman Hall looked on resentfully, Wei Dao had already sent the result via flying missive to the Core Formation Ancestor.

"A decree from Ancestor Yangg: The pioneering of Feiyue Lake is approved!"

About an incense stick’s time later, a flying message talisman bearing Ancestor Yangg’s own handwriting arrived at the Ancestor Hall. It contained the Core Formation True Man’s opinion regarding the outcome of the Elders’ consensus.

With the result of the Elders’ vote decided and the Core Formation Ancestor’s approval given, Sect Leader Wei Dao immediately began to mobilize their forces.

"Issue the Pioneer Decree to all Cultivators in Black Mountain County! The target of this Pioneer War is Feiyue Lake! The seven Tier Two Spirit Lands and fourteen Tier One Spirit Lands along the route will not be claimed by the Qingfeng Sect. After the war, they will be awarded based on contribution."

"All listed Cultivation Noble Families are to send twenty members each in the first phase. All other Cultivation Clans are to send ten members each. They must be led by a Foundation Establishment Cultivator, and the more the better. Loose Cultivators are welcome to register; as long as you contribute, you will be generously rewarded."

"The Law Enforcement Hall will form the first contingent for the Pioneer War. You have three months to train the disciples in Battle Array coordination."

"The Miscellaneous Affairs Hall has three years to prepare a complete list of resources required for the Pioneer War. In the meantime, you are to prepare the first batch of supplies immediately."

"Alchemy Hall, Artifact Refining Hall, and Talisman Hall: cease all current tasks. Based on the list that the Miscellaneous Affairs Hall will provide, you are to schedule all refining tasks accordingly."

"Fellow Brothers, now that our target is set, let us cast aside our prior disagreements and advance as one! Let us take Feiyue Lake and add another Tier Three Spirit Vein to our Qingfeng Sect!"

All the Elders bowed in unison.

With their various tasks assigned and a great war looming, the Elders departed with a newfound sense of urgency in their steps.

Sect Leader Wei Dao asked Bai Zichen and Lan Hong to stay behind for a moment, reassuring them to focus on their Cultivation.

As they had only recently reached Foundation Establishment, they would not be conscripted for the initial stages of the war. This would give them enough time to familiarize themselves with their new strength in the Foundation Establishment Stage and to prepare their Spiritual Artifacts.

’The expedition sets out in three months. The Demon Beasts at the front are easy to deal with, just annoyingly numerous... According to Senior Brother Sect Leader, it will be at least a year before I’m assigned a mission.’

Just now in the Ancestor Hall, Wei Dao had joked that he once considered taking Bai Zichen as his disciple. But before he could make up his mind, they had become fellow brothers of the same generation.

Bai Zichen could only respond with humble denials.

When he first joined the Qingfeng Sect, one of Bai Zichen’s goals had been to become a Direct Disciple of Sect Leader Wei Dao, a fact that had earned him the jealousy of Mo Changfeng.

Who could have imagined that just a few years later, Bai Zichen would be a Foundation Establishment Elder, while Mo Changfeng was nothing but a lost soul in the wilds of Black Mountain.

’Senior Brother Peng left in a hurry; he must be off to rush the refining of a batch of Low Tier, Disposable Magical Artifacts. Since I have nothing pressing to do, I’ll head back to the Clan. It’s been so many years since I left.’

Bai Zichen mounted his Colorful Cloud Robe, passed through the Mountain Gate, and flew toward the place where he had grown up.

Besides visiting his kin, he also needed to discuss the matter of the Pioneer War with the Clan Leader, Bai Xianzhong.

’It looks exactly the same as when I left...’

At the speed of the Colorful Cloud Robe, Bai Zichen sat contemplating his future Cultivation plans, and in the blink of an eye, he arrived at his destination.

A strange, complex emotion welled up inside him as Hanxiu Peak came into view.

"Which senior is visiting? Please land your Magical Artifact. After you give your name, this junior will announce your arrival to the clan."

Two Bai Family Cultivators on duty saw a Flying Spiritual Artifact appear. Even if they couldn’t tell the difference between a Spiritual Artifact and a Magical Artifact, they could infer from its speed alone that the visitor’s Cultivation was impressive.

They hurried forward and called out loudly, simultaneously sending a Talisman to inform the clan of the arrival.

"Senior, you’ve come to the Bai Family. Do you have an appointment with one of our elders...?"

In recent years, the number of Black Mountain Cultivators had surged. Loose Cultivators often appeared nearby, and some had even occupied a few of the surrounding mountain peaks.

The Bai Family could only ensure the peaks immediately surrounding Hanxiu Peak remained unoccupied; they lacked the power to control anything further out.

One of the Bai Family Cultivators was still speaking when his clansman tugged sharply on his sleeve, making him realize something was amiss.

The young man who dismounted from the Flying Spiritual Artifact... how could he look so much like that legendary figure from the Clan?

"Is that... Brother Chenn?"

The older of the two Bai Family Cultivators asked tentatively. Though the clan had a portrait of him, his appearance had changed quite a bit over the years.

Bai Zichen gave a slight nod. He had a vague impression of them; there weren’t that many Bai Clan Members to begin with.

Even when he had lived in the Clan, he was constantly in seclusion for his Cultivation and rarely interacted with his fellow clansmen.

"Heavens, it really is Brother Chenn! You’re back! Should we... should we be addressing you as Foundation Establishment Ancestor now?"

Flustered and excited, the Bai Family Cultivators scrambled out of the way, clearing the path up the mountain.

Bai Zichen started up the familiar mountain path. Even the scenery on either side was much the same as he remembered. "We’re all clansmen. There’s no need for such ceremony."

He said that, but how could the Bai Clan Members possibly take his words at face value?

When the news of Bai Zichen’s successful Foundation Establishment reached the Bai Family, the clansmen’s first reaction was to wonder if there had been a mistake.

He had only been at the Qingfeng Sect for a few years. How could reaching Foundation Establishment be so easy?

Every Clan Leader had endured untold hardships to become a Foundation Establishment Ancestor and then guard the Clan for over a century.

The intimidating power of a Foundation Establishment Cultivator was etched into the very depths of every clansman’s soul.

It wasn’t until Clan Leader Bai Xianzhong personally came forward to confirm the news that the Bai Clan Members finally believed it.

The old stories about the "Qilin’s Son of the Bai Family" were dug up and discussed with feverish excitement. In the hearts of the younger generation, his status even surpassed that of the Clan Leader.

"Brother Chenn, why didn’t you let us know you were returning? We didn’t even have a chance to come out and greet you."

Bai Xianzhong, leading several Bai Family Elders, hurried to meet him, intercepting him halfway up the mountain.

"Clan Leader, there’s no need to be so formal. We are all members of the Bai Family. I’ve only come home for a visit."

Bai Zichen looked at the people behind Bai Xianzhong. In just a few years, new faces had appeared among the Bai Family’s Elders.

Honggu was clearly showing her age. She could have once been considered a middle-aged beauty, but now her figure had grown plump and wrinkles had appeared on her face.

Besides his uncle, Bai Jiu’an, there were two new faces among the Elders. He vaguely recalled them being Late-Stage Qi Refining clansmen back in the day.

"Are there guests here as well?"

Bai Zichen noticed a group of cultivators dressed in completely different attire following behind the Bai Family members.

"I am Liu Anx. Greetings, Fellow Daoist Bai." The man leading them bowed. "Fellow Daoist, your heaven-sent talent is astounding. To achieve Foundation Establishment at such a young age has already become a celebrated tale throughout Black Mountain."

"They are from a Noble Family that recently migrated to Black Mountain," Bai Xianzhong explained from the side. "The Liu Family is famous for Artifact Refining, and Brother Liu Anx himself is a Tier Two Refiner."

The newly migrated Noble Families were not on good terms with the original Top Five Families, but they interacted with the other Cultivation Families as equals.

The Liu Family, in particular, had frequent dealings with the Ink Bamboo Bai Family. Today, Liu Anx had happened to bring a few of his junior disciples to Hanxiu Peak for a study exchange.

"So it is Fellow Daoist Liu. I have long heard of your esteemed name."

Bai Zichen had indeed heard of him. He had received a Purified Water Bottle, a Magical Artifact, from him as a gift during Sect Leader Wei Dao’s hundredth birthday celebration years ago.