Chapter 89

Yue Qing and Xu Feiniao began to reform the Wutai Sect, opening the mountain gates wide to recruit disciples. They adopted the model of the Maoshan Sect, enrolling three hundred named disciples to handle tasks such as cleaning pavilions, raising rare birds, sewing clothes, and cooking. The Wutai Sect paid them monthly wages and taught them basic qi cultivation techniques. If a disciple showed good potential and character after three months of observation, they would be promoted to an upper courtyard disciple. Those unsuitable for cultivation but with sincere hearts and three years of service could become lower courtyard disciples.

The upper courtyard disciples were taught by Yang Li, who imparted the authentic Wutai Sect Daoist methods, from the Great and Small Five Elements Divine Chapters to the Taiyi Mystical Techniques, guiding them step by step to achieve immortality. The lower courtyard disciples were taught by Ling Qi, who instructed them in qi cultivation, body tempering, sword and knife techniques, talisman drawing, and potion making. Those who were diligent could master flying sword techniques and travel through the heavens, while the least capable could still exorcise ghosts and ward off evil, becoming yin-yang masters. Both groups of disciples studied Daoism in the Yellow Dragon Palace.

Liu Quan managed the Seven Stars Palace, overseeing all internal affairs; Deng Bagua managed the Xiantian Pavilion, where unused elixirs and magical treasures were stored. He also compiled all the various magical techniques learned by the disciples, placing them on the top floor as rewards for meritorious disciples. Any disciple who contributed to the Wutai Sect could enter the Xiantian Pavilion to choose a reward. The famous Tian Gang Di Sha swords of the Wutai Sect were mostly stored here, and disciples were honored to obtain one, considering it a true mark of being a Wutai Sect disciple.

Xu Feiniao managed the Yellow Extreme Palace, wielding the Taiyi Yin-Yang Sword and responsible for punishing those who violated the sect's rules. Only direct disciples were eligible for her punishment. Other violations were handled by Liu Quan. Disciples like Yang Li and Tao Jun, who were direct disciples, strictly adhered to the rules and diligently practiced, so no one violated the rules. Therefore, she spent most of her time either gathering herbs to make elixirs or refining the Tianmo Zuxian Sword. The Great Ancestor Taiyi Hunyuan had passed the method of refining the Tianmo Zuxian Sword to her before his passing. This sword was the first demonic sword of the Wutai Sect and the treasure of the Northern Demon Sect. Although the Taiyi Yin-Yang Sword was now available, she was determined to refine the Tianmo Zuxian Sword to use it in the third sword duel to sweep away the Emei Sect. Yue Qing had tried to persuade her several times, but she refused to give up. Fortunately, with the protection of the Dragon Sparrow Ring, she was not at risk of being possessed by foreign demons or suffering from a mental breakdown.

Yue Qing managed the Taiyi Palace, where his task was to study the Tongxuan Zhenjing. He would periodically descend to the Yellow Extreme Palace to share his insights with the disciples. He appeared the most relaxed but was under the greatest pressure, as he also had to manage the four groups of demons in the Qingshui Valley, thousands of miles away.

According to Yue Qing's plan, the Wutai Sect had suffered a significant blow after the split, and the Emei Sect would not allow them to rise peacefully. Just a few elder-level experts from the Emei Sect could drive Yue Qing and his followers out of Wutai Mountain, leaving them in disarray. Even if they were not completely defeated, they would be like stray dogs. Reviving the Wutai Sect would then be a joke. Although Yue Qing had formed many alliances, such as with the Maoshan and Laoshan Sects, these sects could not permanently station in Wutai Mountain, while the Emei Sect could attack at any time. Therefore, Yue Qing encouraged the rapid expansion of the Qingshui Valley, gathering many stray cultivators to form the four groups of demons. Since the Qingshui Valley was located at the border of Sichuan and Yunnan, almost under the nose of the Emei Sect, it made the Emei Sect deeply wary.

When Yue Qing took Deng Bagua as a disciple, he orchestrated a fierce battle with the Emei Sect. Wei Fengniang used the White Light Sword to kill Yuanjue Chan Master and sever Drunken Daoist's legs, while Wanshi Master died under Long Fei's Nine Mother Yin Soul Sword. Their heads were sent to Shang Heyang to refine the White Bone Heart Hammer.

The Emei Sect lost two more elders, and what was most infuriating was that their heads and spirits were used to refine magical treasures, a greater humiliation than when Yue Qing killed Xu Yuantong and Wu Yuanzhi. Therefore, the Emei Sect was rallying allies to plan a full-scale attack on the Qingshui Valley, leaving no time to deal with the Wutai Sect, thus giving them a precious respite.

Yue Qing remotely controlled the Qingshui Valley from the Taiyi Palace, where the four groups of demons practiced day and night, refining magical attacks and formations, preparing for battle. They formed an alliance with the Eastern and Western Demon Sects to resist the Emei Sect. They also sent emissaries to the Ciyun Temple to persuade Fayuan, forming an alliance with the Huashan Sect, gathering dozens of sword immortals in Chengdu. The Sichuan and Yunnan regions were filled with a tense atmosphere, and a major battle was imminent.

If the Emei Sect attacked the Qingshui Valley, they would first need to eliminate the nearby Ciyun Temple. Yue Qing's plan was to stop the Emei Sect at the Ciyun Temple, and if that failed, at the Qingshui Valley. If they still could not stop the Emei Sect, they would have to make a last stand at the Wutai Mountain.

One day, a young Daoist named Zhu Bailing, a disciple of Laoshan Sect's Master Wu Li, came to Wutai Mountain with a letter, inviting the Wutai Sect to the Laoshan Sect's inauguration ceremony. Liu Quan had him speak in the Seven Stars Hall and sent Shi Sheng to the Taiyi Palace to inform Yue Qing. Soon, Shi Sheng returned with the message: "Grandmaster and my great-grandmaster are refining techniques in the Yellow Extreme Palace. I will take Master Zhu to meet them."

Zhu Bailing followed Shi Sheng along the mountain path to the Yellow Extreme Palace, where two upper courtyard disciples on duty led him to a side hall.

Yue Qing and Xu Feiniao were drinking tea and talking. When Shi Sheng introduced the young man, who was about seventeen or eighteen years old, with a handsome and refined appearance, even more beautiful than Yang Li, though slightly less masculine, wearing a purple robe, he knelt at the entrance of the main hall and bowed: "Disciple Zhu Bailing, paying respects to the two masters."

Yue Qing told him to rise: "No need for formalities. Your master and I are old friends and fellow Daoists. Our sects are closely connected. Sit on that chair and have a cup of our Wutai Sect's fine tea. Then I have some questions for you."

Before coming, Zhu Bailing had heard that the Wutai Sect was the only super sect capable of rivaling the Emei Sect. It had suffered a major defeat after the Great Ancestor Taiyi Hunyuan's second sword duel, but in recent years, Yue Qing had reformed the sect, expelling many unruly disciples, and initiated the Heavenly Forge to refine magical treasures, reviving the sect's vitality. His master, Wu Li, spoke highly of Yue Qing, praising his character, Daoist techniques, and methods. Wu Li was straightforward and did not hide the fact that the Three Yang Qi Sword he wielded was a gift from Yue Qing, which was known throughout the Laoshan Sect. Therefore, Zhu Bailing was very curious about Yue Qing and often tried to sneak glances, but he felt the presence of Yue Qing, like the majesty of Mount Tai, heavy and awe-inspiring, making him hesitant to act rashly.

After Zhu Bailing had half a cup of tea, Yue Qing asked: "You are Zhu Bailing? I notice that your aura is quite different from Master Wu's. Did you bring any special skills when you joined?"

Zhu Bailing bowed slightly: "Disciple originally practiced on Nujing Island in the South China Sea, but it was a minor path, difficult to achieve. A few years ago, I was introduced to my master by my brother."

"Your brother... who is he?"

"My brother is a scattered immortal from Yujing Island in the East China Sea, named Xian."

"Zhu Xian?" Yue Qing frowned. "How did he join the Laoshan Sect?"

Although Zhu Bailing did not know why Yue Qing was so interested in them, he answered truthfully: "Years ago, Daoist Yi incited a flood in the East China Sea, affecting many coastal residents. My brother happened to be passing by and used his magic to protect the residents of seventy-two counties along the coast. This angered Daoist Yi, who injured my brother and had his monsters capture him to be taken to Dapeng Gorge for evil rituals. Fortunately, my master encountered him, killed hundreds of water monsters, and saved my brother. Seeing his potential, he took him as a disciple." After finishing, he saw that Yue Qing was still listening, so he continued: "My brother and I had a falling out over a woman a hundred years ago and have not spoken since. A few years ago, some old friends came to Nujing Island to invite me to join the Qingshui Valley. I refused because I did not want to be bound by rules. However, they turned on me instantly. Although I was not afraid of them, they had learned the Tianmo Dafa after joining the Qingshui Valley. I was restrained by the demon and was about to be taken back to the Qingshui Valley. Fortunately, my brother appeared and drove them away, recounting the past, and brought me to the Laoshan Sect to learn Daoism."

Yue Qing looked at him and suddenly asked: "Did you and your brother have a falling out over the Jade Lady Cui Ying, a disciple of the Holy Maiden?"

Zhu Bailing was shocked: "How do you know?"

Yue Qing waved his hand: "Forget it. Since your master does not mind, I will not interfere either."

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