Chapter 35: Development

In the meeting hall of the Ethereal Sect, the six Ethereal Tigers, along with Zhang Chengyue, were discussing the development of the sect and the upcoming meeting with the leaders of other sects on the second day of the second month, when Oupeng would meet with them.

Oupeng still sat in his usual spot, looking at his fellow disciples who had grown up together. After nearly ten days of rest, it seemed he had fully controlled his rapidly increased martial arts skills. The divine light in his eyes had become internalized, and from the outside, he looked like an ordinary person, truly returning to simplicity.

Oupeng was very pleased, but he wasn't the only one. Everyone except Zhang Chengyue, who hadn't taken the pills, was in high spirits. Of course, after nearly ten days of cultivation, their initial excitement had calmed down. Now, they needed to readjust the development strategy of the Ethereal Sect, striving to strengthen the sect's power and become a super sect on par with Daling Temple, Chuanxiang Sect, and Tian Dao Alliance as soon as possible.

Oupeng cleared his throat and said, "Fellow disciples, congratulations on your significant improvement in martial arts."

The others also bowed in gratitude, saying, "Congratulations to all, thank you, Sect Leader."

Oupeng continued, "Now that our Ethereal Sect has greatly improved in strength, I wonder what the other three sects are up to. Chengyue, do you have any news?"

Zhang Chengyue quickly replied, "Sect Leader, news has come from Wanjian Peak. The Sword Master Wan Chengjiu and several of his sect's protectors have been in seclusion for several days. After emerging, they, like our senior disciples, do not meet outsiders, indicating that their skills have improved. The Tan family operates as a family business, and our spies cannot penetrate the upper levels, so we don't know the specific situation. As for Yanming Manor, we have no way to intervene. The outer servants know very little, and we have no information about the inner manor."

Oupeng was not pleased and said, "Chengyue, you have done a lot of work in this area, but it's still not enough. If we want to make the Ethereal Sect bigger, we need information. You must speed up the process and use various methods to plant our spies in other sects. Without information, we are blind."

Zhang Chengyue, with a guilty expression, said, "Yes, Master, I will pay more attention in the future."

Oupeng added, "I haven't instructed you well in this area. In the past, I only had you practice martial arts, but now I will teach you more about sect affairs. You should learn more from your Fourth Senior Brother and be more attentive in the future."

Zhang Chengyue nodded in agreement.

Then, Oupeng said, "The herbs from the secret location have been used to refine a new batch of pills. We now have nearly fifty. Fellow disciples, inform your direct disciples to gather at the martial arts hall tomorrow afternoon to prepare for seclusion and cultivation. Keep it confidential. Also, Chengyue, inform your junior disciples."

Everyone indicated their understanding.

Oupeng thought for a moment and said, "Chengyue, select some talented disciples from the second and third generations to come to the meeting hall tomorrow. We need to expand our core disciples."

At this point, Senior Brother Shangguan Laosi interjected, "Sect Leader, now that our Ethereal Sect has greatly improved in strength, we should consider how to expand our influence."

Oupeng nodded and said, "Yes, that is one of the topics for today's meeting."

Hu Laoda suggested, "Laosi, expanding our influence is not something that can be achieved overnight. Do you have any suggestions?"

Shangguan Laosi said, "I have been thinking about this for several days and have some ideas."

Oupeng smiled and said, "Go ahead, who doesn't know you are our Ethereal Sect's wise treasure?"

Shangguan Laosi said, "Actually, the idea is not difficult. The first step is to follow Senior Brother's plan and enhance the strength of our core disciples. Form an elite team from these core disciples and assign them to the external affairs hall to carry out the task of expanding our influence. Wanjian Peak to the south has likely also improved significantly due to this opportunity. It's not advisable to engage them in conflict at this stage, and there's a possibility of an alliance with them in the future, so we can't move against them. The Luoshui Sect to the east and the Jinwu Sect to the west are weaker than us, making them good targets. However, attacking both at the same time would divide our strength, so Senior Brother needs to weigh the options."

Oupeng thought for a moment and said, "Let's target the Luoshui Sect for now. The Jinwu Sect to the west has overlapping influence with Wanjian Peak, and there might be a connection between them. Perhaps Wanjian Peak is also eyeing them. Once Yucheng and Wan Jucheng form an alliance, we can probe their intentions. The Luoshui Sect has always been rooted in the Luoshui River, which we lack. Now that they are not fully developed, we should act first. Controlling both water and land will bring endless benefits to our Ethereal Sect."

Hu Laoda suggested, "Third Senior Brother, our weakness is in water routes. Why not target the Xingrong Sect to the east? The Xingrong Sect is not very strong, and we have a good chance on land."

Oupeng smiled and said to Hu Laoda, "Senior Brother, the Xingrong Sect's low profile has deceived us. I just received news that the leader of the Xingrong Sect is a former disciple of Daling Temple's law enforcement elder. The Xingrong Sect is clearly a pawn of Daling Temple in our Pingyang City and Yucheng. We can't move rashly. Besides, although the Luoshui Sect is skilled in water routes, if we act first and plan well, we have a good chance of success."

Oupeng took a sip of tea and continued, "Moreover, our Ethereal Sect has always been on land, and Pingyang City is sandwiched between the Luoshui Sect, Jinwu Sect, and Xingrong Sect, limiting our development. If we take over the Luoshui Sect's influence, we can use the Luoshui River to expand east or west, which will be very beneficial for the sect's development."

Everyone pondered in silence.

After a moment, Shangguan Laosi said, "Fourth Senior Brother, according to this plan, we might not have enough manpower."

Oupeng said, "I have already thought about this. The development of the Ethereal Sect requires more people. In the past, we focused on quality, but now that our senior disciples have improved, we lack junior disciples. Chengyue, consider recruiting a batch of new disciples to strengthen our sect. Take charge of the specific arrangements."

Zhang Chengyue nodded in agreement.

Then, Oupeng said to Zhang Chengyue, "Chengyue, you can go now. Inform your junior disciples and rest well. Prepare for the improvement of your skills tomorrow."

Zhang Chengyue, his face flushed with excitement, bowed and left.

Liu Laowu, who had not spoken, said, "It's just about improving skills. Look at you, Chengyue, so excited."

Zhang Chengyue thought to himself, "Sir, it's about improving skills. How can I not be excited? I heard you improved by twenty years in one go. How could you not be excited?"

Of course, he said, "Yes, Fifth Senior Uncle, I should remain calm."

Oupeng said, "Don't listen to your Fifth Senior Uncle. However, don't be too excited. When you take the pills, you need to calm your mind and focus on your cultivation, or you will waste the opportunity."

Zhang Chengyue quickly left, eager to escape Fifth Senior Uncle's gaze.

After Zhang Chengyue left the meeting hall, Oupeng turned to Liu Laowu and said with a smile, "Fifth Junior Brother, Chengyue is a steady young man. Don't tease him so much."

Xu Laoliu also said, "Hehe, you're talking about him, but weren't you just as excited when you took the bone-strengthening pill? You even got drunk with Shiniu. If you weren't happy, how could you have gotten so drunk?"

Liu Laowu's face turned red, and he argued, "I was absorbing the effects of the pill and was tired from practicing. Otherwise, how could I not drink more than Shiniu?"

Everyone laughed.

Then, Oupeng said seriously, "Fellow brothers, the drugs we obtained from the secret location have all been refined. In a few days, it will be the second day of the second month, and we have agreed to meet the leaders of the other three sects at Wutong Mountain. We need to discuss the next trip to the secret location to obtain more drugs, and perhaps the possibility of forming an alliance. What are your thoughts?"

Shangguan Laosi said, "Senior Brother, I think the possibility of forming an alliance is low."

Oupeng asked, "Why?"

Shangguan Laosi explained, "Wanjian Peak can form an alliance with our Ethereal Sect, as we are both martial arts sects, sharing prosperity and adversity. However, Yanming Manor and the Tan family, although they are in the martial arts world, do not participate in its affairs. They have no reason or strength to form an alliance with us."

Oupeng stroked his chin, deep in thought, and said, "A formal alliance is not feasible. Our four sects have different development directions, influence ranges, and compositions. Announcing an alliance would attract attention from other sects, and we would suffer more than gain. I prefer a loose alliance, or an alliance among the four leaders, rather than an alliance between the sects. This way, we can share the secrets of the secret location while keeping the information confidential."

Hu Laoda nodded and said, "This is a good idea. The purpose of the alliance is only for the secret location, separate from the interests of the sects. If any party leaks information about the secret location, the other three sects will jointly punish them."

Oupeng smiled bitterly and said, "If the information leaks, there will be a storm of bloodshed in the martial arts world. So, we must strengthen our own power as soon as possible."

Then, Oupeng turned to Li Laoe, who had been silent, and asked, "Second Senior Brother, have you looked at the sword manual?"

Li Laoe nodded but did not speak.

Oupeng, not minding, continued, "Do you think any of our current sword disciples can switch to this new style?"

Li Laoe shook his head.

Oupeng, somewhat dejected, said, "Sigh, switching halfway is indeed not appropriate. Fourth Senior Brother, when Chengyue recruits new disciples, you should select some from them to practice this sword manual. Also, please have Second Senior Brother guide them, and it would be best if Second Senior Brother could take on a few more direct disciples."

Li Laoe nodded in agreement, seeming to be more focused on sword cultivation since his recent improvement, and spoke less.

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(End of the chapter)