Su Xuanlin realized that this was the second time Wen Qixue had mentioned needing a plot of land. The first time was on the flying ship as Yun Zhong brought them to Danxia Valley, though at the time, their priority was reshaping Wen Qixue’s body, and the mention of the land had been casual. But now, it was clear that for Wen Qixue, this was a matter of primary importance.
Though Su Xuanlin did not know why Wen Qixue required this land, he became anxious. “Xue-ge, is this land truly necessary? Will not having it impact your cultivation?”
Wen Qixue’s form had become that of a child, and for a long period, the spiritual energy he absorbed would be diverted toward physical growth. If his cultivation were further impaired… Su Xuanlin made a firm decision: “If it’s truly impossible otherwise, let us find a suitable location and seize one.”
“If Yuanwu Gate can occupy such a large territory for no reason, why shouldn’t we?”
Wen Qixue: “…” Although Su Xuanlin had seemingly abandoned the villainous path depicted in the fragments of the foreign soul’s memory, Wen Qixue had to admit that Su Xuanlin was remarkably well-suited to being a villain.
He patted Su Xuanlin’s shoulder, soothing him. “It is not quite so urgent.”
“The reason I require this land is simply that my divine sense has become too burdened with items, and I need to release some, otherwise it will impose a slight pressure on my consciousness. If it is truly impossible, it is no great calamity.”
At most, it would just be uncomfortable. He was currently at the Qi-Refining stage; even if his divine sense remained at the Golden Core level, the limitations of his physical form made it difficult to exert his peak Golden Core divine sense effectively. Therefore, it was better to unload some of the weight to alleviate the pressure. If he couldn’t, the pressure would only be moderate. Given his divine sense was fundamentally at the Golden Core level, it could withstand the strain.
He reminded him again: “There is no need to go out and seize a plot of land.”
Yet, at that very moment, others began to sow discord. Lan Qinchuan stroked his chin in thought: “Actually, Su Xuanlin’s idea is not unfeasible.”
“There are many powers in the Guangling Continent today. Under normal circumstances, anyone with a Golden Core cultivator can establish a decent sect. If you don’t need to establish a sect, finding a patron to secure a small city is a trivial matter.”
He pointed to himself: “I should suffice as a patron. If that is not enough, I will go and drag Qin Yuyue from the Tianhuan Sect over.”
Rong Mingmo cautioned: “Brother Qin is in the Western Continent; it is too far, that is unsuitable. Why not look to me!”
“If you intend to establish a city, medicinal pills are essential this is my expertise. If that is not enough, I can acquire more within the Valley; the younger disciples in the Valley always have a surplus after their daily practice.”
Wen Qixue looked at Lan Qinchuan, then at Rong Mingmo, quite helpless. “Why are you both so eager?”
Rong Mingmo chuckled, clearly proud: “Without realizing it, I have become someone who can be a patron to others!”
Compared to Rong Mingmo, Lan Qinchuan remained somewhat rational. He warned: “If you truly intend to establish a city, at least one of you—Su Xuanlin or Wen Qixue—must reach the Foundation Establishment stage, otherwise, you will not command respect.”
“Even with a Golden Core cultivator as a patron, you must possess sufficient strength yourself.”
Wen Qixue couldn’t help but remind them: “I only want to store some items; I have no true intention of establishing a city.”
Rong Mingmo insisted: “You should build one regardless. Whatever you need to store, since you require a space as large as a sect, the best way to avoid suspicion is to build a city.”
“Surely you don’t intend to return to the Heavenly Sword Sect?”
She made an expression of utter disgust: “Fellow Daoist Wen, take my advice: that broken sect is no good; it is utterly unsuited for you.”
Lan Qinchuan echoed the sentiment: “Indeed. If you were to return to the Heavenly Sword Sect, you might as well stay in our Danxia Valley!”
At that moment, a voice drifted in from outside the door: “What? Wen Qixue wants to return to the Heavenly Sword Sect? That won’t do; even if you must return, now is not the time!”
Yun Zhong strode into the room. Lan Qinchuan and Rong Mingmo rose in unison: “Second Elder.”
Yun Zhong waved them off and took large strides toward Wen Qixue, placing a hand on his shoulder: “Truly, Little Wen, listen to me. Now is not a good time to return to the Heavenly Sword Sect. I have been in contact with people from the Tianhuan Sect; the Heavenly Sword Sect is in utter chaos. If you return now, you might be dragged into some terrible mess.”
“If you are truly unaccustomed to the Central Continent, I shall inform the Tianhuan Sect; they would surely be willing to take you in.” He glanced at Su Xuanlin. “And Little Su, too.”
“Although it is not currently the time for the Tianhuan Sect to open its doors to recruits, with your and Little Su’s exceptional talent, opening a back door for you is no problem.”
Wen Qixue explained helplessly: “Elder Yun, I have no intention of returning to the Heavenly Sword Sect.”
“My death in the Heavenly Sword Sect signifies that my connection with them has reached its end. Why would I return?”
Yun Zhong felt relieved: “That is good.”
He looked around at the individuals present, confused: “Then what are you discussing? How did the Heavenly Sword Sect even come up?”
After an explanation from Lan Qinchuan and Rong Mingmo that was more like a verbal sparring match than an account, Yun Zhong pondered for a long while before declaring: “This is an excellent plan!”
The more he thought about it, the more sensible it seemed. Yun Zhong slapped Lan Qinchuan on the back: “This is a great idea!”
Lan Qinchuan: “…The strength required to swing a hammer is indeed substantial.” Fortunately, he was a sword cultivator with decent physical conditioning; had it been Rong Mingmo, he couldn’t be certain she would have survived the strike.
Rong Mingmo retreated silently, putting some distance between herself and Yun Zhong.
Wen Qixue sensed something from Yun Zhong’s reaction. He narrowed his eyes slightly: “Elder Yun, do you have any suggestions?”
Yun Zhong pushed Lan Qinchuan aside, sat beside Wen Qixue, and said: “Little Wen, you should know that many other sects have established cities near their bases.”
Wen Qixue nodded. This was true.
In reality, most cities were not established by sects, but any sect that commanded fear would naturally attract a group of people. Initially, it might have been for the sake of seeking protection, but over time, these people would gather into a city. Even below Yuanwu Gate there was a Yuanwu City, not to mention larger sects, whose surrounding cities were only larger.
But Danxia Valley truly had no such city nearby.
Yun Zhong sighed and explained: “Danxia Valley was established about six hundred years ago, exactly when deviant cultivators were hunting down those with Innate Spiritual Roots. The Valley Master and several of us discussed the matter and established Danxia Valley, our initial goal being to shield those Innate and single-root cultivators who were scattered outside the great sects and vulnerable to being hunted.”
“But we were few, and we could not stop the army of deviant cultivators. Thus, the primary goal of Danxia Valley at the time was concealment—a point we cannot abandon even now.”
Wen Qixue seemed to understand: “So, Danxia Valley now requires a city?”
Yun Zhong slapped Wen Qixue’s shoulder: “Clever, that is exactly it.”
Wen Qixue: “…”
He rubbed his shoulder. Not for nothing were they hammer-wielders; even without spiritual energy, that slap stung. He asked Yun Zhong: “So, Elder Yun, what is your intention?”
Yun Zhong stated directly: “Danxia Valley can provide the land, and we can provide high-level puppets to guard the gates. You need not even permit others to enter the city; you merely need to observe those who come to trade with Danxia Valley and ensure no one harbors ill intentions.”
Wen Qixue pondered for a moment: “By your account, it does not matter if there are no people in the city; the presence of puppets would suffice.” After all, they only required a place to trade with others.
Yun Zhong nodded: “Correct. That was our initial plan.”
“However, there is no wall in this world without cracks; over time, that place will inevitably attract attention. The reason we require such a city now is because there are currently too many people exploring Danxia Valley.”
Wen Qixue understood. Aside from serving as a venue for trading with other individuals or sects, this city also served as a smokescreen to conceal the true Danxia Valley. And unlike puppets, actual people would be better suited to monitoring the surrounding developments with precision.
Wen Qixue curled his lips: “I understand. Elder Yun, this is an excellent idea.”
Yun Zhong laughed heartily and slapped Wen Qixue’s shoulder twice more: “No hurry, no hurry. Later, I shall forge several high-level puppets for you; you will certainly not be the one to suffer a loss.”
“When the time comes, the Valley Master will build a teleportation channel between Danxia Valley and the city. If you encounter any true danger, you may teleport directly back to Danxia Valley. However, this channel must not be spoken of to anyone; it shall be placed within your City Lord’s mansion!”
Wen Qixue: “…”
He rescued his shoulder from Yun Zhong’s grasp. By now, he stopped hiding his intent and stated plainly: “I shall place it in the Compass Hall.”
Yun Zhong glanced at him: “The Compass Hall? The ruin inside your divine sense? Oh, I suppose you wanted that large piece of land specifically to release those ruins.”
“Indeed; one cannot leave them in one’s divine sense indefinitely; it is far too fatiguing.”
The others present were all consumed by curiosity.
Su Xuanlin asked: “Xue-ge, what kind of ruin is it?”
Though Lan Qinchuan and Rong Mingmo remained silent, both were hanging on every word. They were incredibly curious.