In the season of spring planting, grass grew lush and orioles flew.
The fields of Thousand Canals were bustling with activity, filled with the songs of busy farmers everywhere.
Song Qianji wielded his hoe, driving the Curved Shaft Plow. As he sowed seeds by hand, he infused the soil with water from the Fountain of Immortality.
His fluid movements suddenly halted: "Don’t curse me in my Domain… and ask why? Of course I can sense it."
The souls within the Domain usually toiled in a wheat field, and only when Song Qianji used the Fountain of Immortality could they perceive the outside world.
"What a waste of a treasure! You were fortunate enough to obtain such a precious item, yet you use it to water the land!"
"Your land has meager Spirit Qi. No matter how much you water it, it can’t compare to a natural Spirit Vein."
"Exactly, don’t waste it. Watering the land is worse than watering me—help nourish my soul."
Song Qianji said, "One more word from anyone, and I’ll deduct a point."
Half of the white light orbs fell silent, while the other half jumped around in agitation, their emotions running high:
"Do you know how hard it is to earn a single point? Have you ever worked a day in your life?"
"You deduct points as you please—utterly inhuman! Shameless and unprincipled Song the Exploiter!"
Song Qianji thought to himself, Back when I was working day and night, you all were still enjoying offerings in ancestral halls.
"Whoever shuts up first gets an extra point."
Most of the noise died down, with only a few reluctant voices remaining, now isolated and weak.
"You think you’re working for me, for Thousand Canals? In truth, working is for your own good."Song Qianji sighed deeply, spinning his deception and illusory reasoning, "Having something to do gives your life—no, your soul-life—meaning." Otherwise, you’d be worthless to the world—what’s the difference between that and being trash? Over time, you’d be driven mad by loneliness and boredom. Isn’t it much better now? You don’t have to trouble yourselves with pointless, unanswerable questions—just focus on the task at hand. Whether human or soul, everyone needs to be managed by a system."
The white light orbs couldn’t help but nod: "That does make some sense."
True Person Xuyun vaguely felt there was something off about this reasoning, reminiscent of the old methods used to discipline Outer Sect disciples.
But he couldn’t pinpoint the flaw right away and hesitated to speak up, fearing a solo point deduction.
The wheat field fell silent, returning to peace and tranquility.
Song Qianji raised his hoe again, suppressing a smile at the corner of his lips.
This management system was incredibly effective—thanks to the Huawel Sect for their contributions to his Domain’s development.
That he could obtain Thousand-Ditch Prefecture and that Thousand Canals had progressed this far was also thanks to the selfless assistance of the Huawel Sect and Xuyun.
Amid the spring breeze, emerald clouds, and misty willows, a line of wild geese flew leisurely across the sky above Song Qianji.
But birds flying over Huawel Mountain dared not sing.
After the spring rain, the moss was damp, and the mountain wind carried a slight chill.
The entire Huawel Mountain was shrouded in dark clouds, with a heavy aura of death overpowering the vitality of spring.
True Person Xuyun did not want Song Qianji’s gratitude.
The Fleeting Water Bridge had been restored to its original state, but the ruins of the Main Peak had yet to be fully cleared. Glazed tiles and precious jade materials were continuously transported up the mountain, with all Deacons bustling about, casting spells.
Someone suggested the sect leader temporarily relocate elsewhere, but Xuyun refused. He wanted to witness the Cosmos Palace rise from the ground himself. Chen Hongzhu and Yuan Qingshi stayed by his side the entire time.
Shattered palaces and broken bridges could be rebuilt; injuries could heal over time.
But once a sect’s dignity and prestige collapsed, they were difficult to restore.
Chen Hongzhu sighed, "This time last year, the sect was preparing for the Grand Audience Assembly—what glory. Who could have imagined today?"
Spring was supposed to be the season for tributes. Across the Western Sky Continent, mortal territories and minor sects and families attached to the Huawel Sect would compete to present their offerings.Nowadays, various sects find all sorts of excuses to delay, pushing back the date repeatedly, with veiled skepticism in their words: Your Main Peak has been shaved off by others, what ability do you still have to protect the eight directions, and what face do you have to receive offerings from everyone?
Other sects watch like tigers eyeing their prey, restless and ready to stir.
Xu Yun recalled the entire incident.
The cause of the sect's great calamity initially stemmed from a minor Outer Sect disciple who had clashed with a Deacon.
Their methods of handling the matter were not flawed. Xu Yun searched his conscience and believed that any other major sect would have made the same choices at every step.
It was just that Huawel Sect happened to kick this iron plate.
Song Qianji was deliberately left behind by Xian Jianchen as a pretext to challenge the sect.
Xian Jianchen did as he pleased, bullying others to the extreme.
Xu Yun wondered, could there truly be no one in this world capable of restraining him?
The position of sect master should never have fallen to Xu Yun.
That night, Xian Jianchen drank and sang, barged into the Cosmos Palace, and casually pointed, saying, "You're the one."
No one dared to oppose, so he became the sect master and remained so until today.
Hastily taking over that night, the young Xu Yun was both terrified and exhilarated. Kneeling before the countless memorial tablets in the ancestral hall, he swore an oath: he would dedicate his entire life to expanding and glorifying the sect.
Now, looking around, he saw broken walls and ruins. The ancestral hall's spirits had scattered, and the foundation left by their ancestors had vanished into nothingness.
Everything he possessed and pursued had come and gone in the blink of an eye, turning to dust.
Was he to be manipulated by Xian Jianchen for the rest of his life?
As Xu Yun thought of this, a surge of malevolence suddenly rose in his heart—
If he could make Xian Jianchen and his disciple fall into eternal damnation, he would pay any price.
"Master, a guest has arrived."
His thoughts were interrupted by his disciple's announcement. Xu Yun frowned slightly: "I’ve already said to temporarily close the mountain gates and refuse visitors, lest those with ill intentions come to fish in troubled waters."
Yuan Qingshi said, "But he wrote five words, claiming you would certainly see him."
Xu Yun sneered. This trick again—could the visitor be Song Qianji?
If not for that note saying, "The lotus falls in the Dead Sea, the gate of life opens within the clouds," and the subsequent series of events...
Xu Yun unfolded the letter, fixed his gaze upon it, and his expression abruptly changed: "Quickly invite the master!"
A tall, elderly monk in golden-red kasaya, with kind eyebrows and benevolent eyes, slowly crossed the Fleeting Water Bridge as if emerging from the clouds.
The gloom over Huawel Mountain was suddenly swept away by a clear breeze, instantly bathed in bright sunlight.
Chen Hongzhu felt a stir in her heart. Could this be the "Miraculous Hand Divine Monk" Wuxiang, who once divined her marriage fate?
I’ve already taken vows and devoted myself to the Dao, so it seems his divination was inaccurate.
What are his intentions in visiting now?
Xu Yun approached with a bitter smile to greet him: "It’s been many years since we last met. I never expected to see you again today. Having endured calamity, our dwellings are in disarray. I am ashamed to receive you, Master."
The elderly monk clasped his hands together, smiling serenely, his gaze lightly sweeping over Chen Hongzhu and Yuan Qingshi.
Xu Yun coughed lightly: "Your master and I have important matters to discuss."
"Yes." Chen Hongzhu bowed and withdrew, her heart filled with deep confusion. Her father had been despondent for days, often sighing and appearing aged. Why did this monk’s arrival instantly rejuvenate him?
Xu Yun was eager to ask something but seemed afraid to do so. With a wave of his horsetail whisk, he cast a Spirit Qi barrier to block any prying eyes.
The elderly monk wasted no words, directly producing a jade basin. Inside, shallow blue seawater held a silver-petaled lotus flower, still in bud."Patron, what you seek, this humble monk has found. The flower blooms at midnight tonight, and withers in an instant," the old monk said. "Do not miss it."
Xu Yun trembled violently, standing rigidly still, only his aged eyes blazing with light: "Dead Sea Lotus, Dead Sea Lotus!"
The old monk smiled. "With this spiritual herb, your old injury can be healed, and your ascension to the Transformation Stage is within reach."
Xu Yun carefully cradled the jade basin, his expression bordering on madness: "Good, excellent! Master, your kindness to me is like being reborn!"
...
Xu Yun escorted his guest to Fleeting Water Bridge, filled with profound gratitude and respect.
"No need to see me further," the old monk casually suggested. "In this humble monk's opinion, it would be best to completely waive the annual tribute, close the mountain gates, and focus on recuperation."
After brief consideration, Xu Yun replied: "As the Master suggests. From today, we shall recall all disciples traveling abroad. When the secret realm opens, we will wash away our shame and restore our sect's prestige."
Wuxiang nodded with a smile. "Well said."
Chen Hongzhu watched as the old monk flew into the clouds, wondering how meeting a single monk could make her father make such a decisive resolution without hesitation?
She advised: "If we completely waive the annual tribute, it will be difficult to reinstate it later. If we close the mountain gates and channel all the formation's power into defense, while we can resist external enemies, how will we descend the mountain to recruit disciples?"
Xu Yun, confident and proud, declared: "Your father will enter seclusion tonight. When I emerge, all difficulties will be resolved!"
Chen Hongzhu urgently said: "Father and the Peak Lords previously promised me - permission to descend the mountain to recruit new outer sect disciples, permission to participate in managing the Scripture Depository, Spirit Stone Mine, and Outer Sect. If we completely close the mountain gates, then..."
Wouldn't those promises become empty words?
"Junior Sister, you see the current situation," Yuan Qingshi quickly interjected. "Limited by circumstances, we must prioritize the greater good. Matters previously promised to you can be discussed again in three years."
He stepped forward to pull Chen Hongzhu, but she stood unmoved, her eyes slightly reddened.
"You deceived me!" she cried sharply.
"Who deceived you?" Xu Yun was angered by her ingratitude. "If you insist on going, everything previously promised will be given to you! But until the secret realm opens in three years, you cannot return to the sect!"
Yuan Qingshi persuaded: "Junior Sister, don't be willful. Wandering alone in the dangerous outside world, without fellow disciples to help, you can hardly protect yourself, let alone recruit outer sect disciples." He lowered his voice, "Actually, Elder Liu has already brought back some mortals from below the mountain for mining and cultivating spiritual plants. You needn't worry about lacking manpower..."
"Senior Brother, you don't understand," Chen Hongzhu murmured.
Xu Yun's tone softened slightly: "Hongzhu, stop making trouble. Stay by your father's side to cultivate. The secret realm in three years will be your great opportunity."
Chen Hongzhu smiled bitterly, knelt on both knees, struck the ground with her sword, and kowtowed three times:
"Father, your daughter takes her leave!"
Early spring. After rain at Hua Wei.
The cultivator Chen Hongzhu descended into the mortal world carrying thirty thousand Spirit Stones, three thousand volumes of Dao scriptures, three hundred bottles of elixirs, and thirty precious swords.
As a woman, she opened platforms to lecture on scriptures, accepting disciples on her master's behalf, paying no heed to the Cultivation World's mockery and ridicule.
She didn't compete with major sects for disciples, traveling instead through poor and remote areas, teaching reading and writing, healing the sick, primarily lecturing on Dao scriptures for enlightenment. Regardless of whether they had Spirit Roots or not, everyone could attend her teachings.
Three years later, she unexpectedly created her own domain, called "Little Huawel Sect."
Holding a torch against the wind, illuminating the long night.
OpenNovel