https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-279-A-Decade-of-Crisis-Expansion-and-1314-Spirit-Mountains-/12964762/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-281-The-Microscopic-World-Sword-Son-So-does-love-really-disappear-/12964764/
Chapter 280: Opening the Mountain Gate! The Gift Bags are Gone? Hong Wu's Stirring Trouble!
Chapter 280: Opening the Mountain Gate! The Gift Bags are Gone? Hong Wu's Stirring Trouble!
Elder Su Xinghai and the other elders were also busy, their excitement bringing them to tears on several occasions.
In just a short decade, they had transformed from a struggling third-rate sect on a single Spirit Mountain to a thriving power with over 1300 Spirit Mountains, their strength now rivaling their peak period. The internal stability and income were even better than before. How could they not be thrilled? How could they not be overjoyed? In this life, they had no regrets.
The most wonderful part was that previously, with limited resources, it was a thousand times more difficult for the five elders to break through. But now...
Their cultivation had been steadily rising.
All of them had entered the Sixth Level!
Wu Xingyun had even reached the Seventh Level.
And this wasn't their limit; given more time, they could continue to break through and grow stronger.
How fortunate they were!
...
In less than two days, the Moon Embrace Sect underwent a complete transformation.
Their territory expanded more than doubled, and the various Spirit Mountains that originally belonged to other sects, each with its unique style, were now neatly organized, despite their apparent disorder.
All were rearranged and renovated in the style of the Moon Embrace Sect.
At a glance, it was clear that they belonged to the same sect.
The formation arrays had also been set up.
If one were to fly high into the sky and look down, they would discover a massive presence in this once unremarkable region filled with numerous sects.
Spirits of light soared into the sky!
The protective sect formation was so powerful that just a glance was enough to instill fear in cultivators below the Seventh Level.
Meanwhile, the Moon Embrace Sect was also undergoing internal adjustments.
First was the most important trio: pill refining, spirit beast cultivation, and artifact forging.
All three were expanded.
Each of the three branches was allocated one hundred Spirit Mountains for future development.
The Spirit Beast Garden was expanded tenfold, giving Zhu Rou Rong more room for development.
The expansion of the Alchemy Pavilion was not as exaggerated, but with one hundred Spirit Mountains, the pill refining branch had more territory to transform spirit fields and cultivate spirit herbs. The newly arrived Wood Elves could also be put to good use, mass-producing high-quality spirit herbs.
The Fire Virtue Peak had always lacked sufficient territory.
Now, with this expansion, they could finally relocate all the disciples.
Thanks to the capable Wood Elves, the pill refining disciples were also growing, and they could now afford the monthly bonuses for the Fire Virtue Peak disciples, providing them with the same treatment as other Moon Embrace Sect disciples.
That very night, the Fire Virtue Peak disciples relocated, and their original territory was temporarily sealed with a formation.
On the same night, they received their first internal sect welfare.
They were ecstatic!
"Holy sht?!"
"This?"
"Did they make a mistake?"
A former Fire Virtue Sect outer disciple, now a Fire Virtue Peak outer disciple, trembled as he looked at his monthly bonus, "One, two, three... seven, Seventh Rank Essence Condensing Pills!!!"
"No, is this something we outer disciples can receive?"
"I should quickly return it, lest the inner disciples get punished and blame me later."
"Then, according to you, I should return it too?" His dorm mate's face went stiff.
"What? You too???"
"No, did they give you the wrong one too?"
"It's not just us."
The other two disciples' scalps went numb, "We got the same."
"Ah???"
They were all stunned.
They initially thought it was just a mistake with their own bonuses.
But now, everyone had received the wrong one? This was clearly impossible!
"Could it be..."
"Is the inner disciple in charge of distributing the bonuses trying to be a traitor, wasting the sect's wealth?"
"No, your idea is too far-fetched. These precious pills are extremely rare, and if he did this, he would be discovered very soon."
"
students"
surrounded him, their eyes filled with envy and admiration.
"But, how can we explain this?"
Their scalps tingled.
They wanted to eat them, but they were afraid of getting into trouble with the Moon Embrace Sect if they did.
They had no choice.
Finally, they left their dorms and discussed the matter with their fellow disciples.
They then discovered that all the Fire Virtue Peak disciples were either stunned or going crazy.
"What the fck???"
"All of them received pills according to their current cultivation level, and they're all Seventh Rank, three pills each?"
"Someone, help me, quick, I can't take it anymore."
"Could it be... that this is really the normal welfare?"
"No way, we have to ask."
"Yeah, we outer disciples and servants don't know anything. Let's ask the inner disciples, who has connections?"
"I do, I'll ask."
"No, the inner disciple you know just moved here, how would he know anything? Ask our executor elder."
Amid the chaos, they plucked up the courage to find the executor elder.
But when they knocked, no one answered.
They peeked inside and found the executor elder holding the pills with a silly smile on his face.
"..."
Suddenly, he realized, "You brats, instead of cultivating, what are you doing here?!"
They hurriedly voiced their confusion and astonishment.
Hearing this, the executor elder laughed, "Don't worry about it, fools. Just eat them with peace of mind. This is the regular welfare of the Moon Embrace Sect!"
"What?!"
The outer disciples' eyes widened, and they couldn't hold back their surprise any longer.
"It's... it's really the regular welfare?"
"Monthly Bonus??"
"This... this is truly astonishing!"
"With such excellent benefits, our cultivation will surely skyrocket!"
"Not just you, even I, as an elder, am thrilled!"
The Executor Elder stroked his beard, feeling deeply gratified.
Amazing!
Previously, he had been stationed at the Fire Virtue Sect's original site, so he was genuinely unaware of the Moon Embrace Sect's benefits.
Especially when recalling the initial decision to 'join' the Fire Virtue Sect, the internal opposition was actually quite significant.
This was especially true among the middle and lower-level elders and disciples.
If it weren't for the unanimous support from the upper echelon, this merger might not have gone smoothly.
Even so, some middle and lower-level elders chose to leave the Fire Virtue Sect, and many disciples also departed.
At that time, he had also considered leaving.
Two of his friends even urged him to go with them.
At that moment... he was truly tempted.
But considering the Fire Virtue Sect's kindness towards him, he decided to stay.
After staying, he found that there wasn't much difference after the merger, so he didn't feel any discomfort. The sun still rose as usual.
Until today, when he received the news of the relocation, he still had a bit of resistance in his heart.
But now...
Resist?
Pfft! Only a fool would resist.
If I had known that the Moon Embrace Sect had such great benefits, why would I resist the merger?
I would have been the first to raise both hands and feet, even 'three legs' in agreement!
Whoever opposes, I'll curse their ancestors for eighteen generations!
"The only thing is that this news can't be leaked."
He muttered to himself, "Otherwise, I'll definitely tell those old friends and make them regret it!"
"And they tried to convince me to leave?"
"Good thing I was smart and stuck to my decision!"
"So cool!"
"This is simply too cool!"
"With such benefits, I'll surely rise even higher. Entering the Inner Sect isn't impossible. Imagine the even better benefits then!"
"Even if the competition intensifies, and I can't enter the Inner Sect, just these Outer Sect benefits are enough to boost my strength."
"..."
Amidst his excitement, the Executor Elder couldn't be bothered to deal with the disciples and immediately dismissed them.
But suddenly, he remembered something and called out, "Come back!"
"Remember to spread the word. Although the pills are good, you can't take too many. Otherwise, you might get sick or have problems, and the sect won't take responsibility."
"Remember, with your talent and cultivation, one pill every ten days is enough!"
"Yes, Elder."
"..."
That night, a large number of Fire Virtue Peak disciples fell into a 'manic' state.
They couldn't calm down and meditate for a long time.
They couldn't even fall asleep.
...
The next day.
The mountain gate was wide open!
The Moon Embrace Sect was fully prepared.
But...
The preparations now were different from the past.
The first time Lin Fan crossed over and opened the mountain gate, he wanted to display all the good things and show others that their sect also had valuable items.
But now...
The good stuff had to be hidden! It wasn't that they were being overly grand.
The only thing that remained unchanged was the provision of spirit beast meat to those who came to pay respects to the mountain.
Even ordinary people without spiritual connections could strengthen their bodies by eating spirit beast meat for three days and easily defeat three opponents upon returning home.
...
"I wonder if there's any good news."
Inside the Moon Embrace Palace, Lin Fan was full of anticipation.
"It's been ten years."
"The great tribulation has passed, so can I get an 'SSS-level' reward this year?"
"..."
However, as night fell, students gathered around, but no good news arrived.
Apparently, the protagonist template hadn't come to pay respects to the mountain.
This left Lin Fan somewhat disappointed.
"Forget it, it's fate. There's no rule that says there must be a 'grand reward' after every tribulation."
Just as he was about to put this matter aside...
Wu Xingyun arrived with a frown on her face.
"Second Elder, why have you come?"
Seeing her knitted brows, Lin Fan asked proactively.
"Sect Master."
Wu Xingyun bowed respectfully, and the Dao Principle trembled.
"Something's happened."
"During this mountain gate opening, our Moon Embrace Sect's recruitment has been very unsatisfactory."
"Oh?!"
Upon hearing this, Lin Fan's brows furrowed as well.
He already knew that the protagonist template hadn't come to 'register'.
But what did 'very unsatisfactory' mean?
"That's not right."
"With the Moon Embrace Sect's current reputation, plus the thirty-seven sect territories we've taken over, logically, there shouldn't be a shortage of people coming to pay respects to the mountain."
"Is it a lack of talent?"
As Lin Fan asked, he swept his divine sense over the spirit mountains, and his brows furrowed even deeper.
"So few people?!"
In the vast Moon Embrace Sect, there were only a thousand people who came to pay respects to the mountain!
"Could someone be targeting our sect?"
"Bright Moon Sect?"
No, that's not right!
If it were the Bright Moon Sect, he would have received news from his other self.
Who is it? Lin Fan was secretly annoyed.
Damn it, I rely on disciples for food, and now someone's messing with me, not letting me recruit disciples... I'll find a way to get rid of them!
The grass on the Xi family's ancestral graves is already several feet tall, and someone's still causing trouble?
"Someone is causing trouble, but they're not specifically targeting our Moon Embrace Sect."
After spending time with Lin Fan, Wu Xingyun's way of speaking and tone had gradually changed, becoming more like Lin Fan's. At this moment, she smiled bitterly, "In this large area, there are hundreds and thousands of forces, and they've all been affected."
"???"
"What's going on?"
Lin Fan was astonished.
Wow, over a thousand forces have been affected? That's quite bold!
"We also noticed the lack of people coming to pay respects to the mountain, so we sent people to investigate and found out the reason."
"It's the Hongwu Immortal Alliance."
Wu Xingyun smiled wryly, "The Hongwu Immortal Alliance has sent out many people to 'recruit'."
"They've deployed people at almost every major transportation hub. They didn't forcibly take people or bring them away, but they promoted the Hongwu Immortal Alliance to everyone and invited them to 'pay respects to the mountain'."
"They even offer various benefits."
"For example, if any of the Hongwu Immortal Alliance's sects take a fancy to someone and they join, they can bring their entire family to enjoy the protection of the Hongwu Immortal Alliance, and they will even provide them with pills for strengthening their bodies..."
"Another example, they give a hundred Essence Stones upon entry."
"Even those who are rejected can receive a pill for strengthening their bodies."
"..."
Lin Fan's scalp went numb, "The Hongwu Immortal Alliance... No, has Hong Wu gone mad?!"
How much pills and Essence Stones will they have to give out? Why is he doing this?
It's not surprising that there are fewer people coming to the Moon Embrace Sect.
If the Hongwu Immortal Alliance is doing this, it would be strange if there weren't more people coming.
"We also don't understand, but they are going too far with this." Wu Xingyun spoke with anger, "This is cutting off our sect's future!"
"The other sects also have objections."
"But they are too weak, and the Hongwu Immortal City and the Hongwu Immortal Alliance are massive entities, especially with the Hongwu Loose Cultivator backing them. No one dares to provoke them, so they can only be angry but not speak up."
"However, we..."
"Sect Master, our suggestion is to temporarily endure and observe the subsequent developments."
"After all, it's a Loose Cultivator, and at least one who has passed two or three tribulations. It's inevitable that he will be difficult to deal with."
"For example, let's wait and see the situation next year before making a decision?"
Lin Fan nodded slightly.
"Then let's observe for now."
The Moon Embrace Sect has many enemies.
They haven't even dealt with their previous enemies yet, and they still need to be on guard at all times.
Naturally, it's not a good idea to stick their necks out and become the 'Hongwu faction' at this time.
Moreover, their recruitment doesn't break any rules; at most, they are just engaging in intense internal competition.
But...
Why?
Is there something wrong with that Hong Wu Loose Cultivator?
"There is a problem!"
"Definitely a problem!"
Lin Fan increasingly felt that there was something wrong with 'Hong Wu'.
However, what exactly was the problem? Wu Xingyun instructed everyone to continue as usual and develop the sect, while Lin Fan, on his own, used the Eightfold Mirror Technique to try and spy on the Hong Wu Loose Cultivator.
However.
After searching within the Hongwu Immortal City and the Hongwu Immortal Alliance, he couldn't find any trace of the Hong Wu Loose Cultivator.
"We must be cautious!"
"This Hongwu Immortal Alliance will likely cause some big trouble sooner or later."
"The Moon Embrace Sect is close by, and if something happens, we might be the first to suffer."
"It's essential to be vigilant!"
"..."
Lin Fan began to ponder how to prepare for the possible 'thunderbolt' situation that the Hongwu Immortal Alliance might bring.
Meanwhile, in a secret room within the Spirit Beast Garden.
He Anxia concentrated with all his might, using every ounce of his Divine Sense to refine it to the extreme!
He raised his hand, focusing intently on the back of his hand, and observed it with all his might.
Skin... The texture, ridges, and imperfections on the skin.
The few 'hairs' on the skin. Then, he focused on the hairs as his 'target' and observed further.
Gradually, the hairs grew larger and larger...
It was exhausting!
He was extremely tired!
Whether it was his eyes or his Divine Soul, in the end, he felt his head spinning, and he almost fainted.
But he persisted.
"It's not enough!"
"It's still not enough!"
"If I can't succeed at this level, then I'm too... too incompetent?"
"It's still not enough!"
He clenched his teeth and continued to persist, further... 'magnifying'! His teeth were ground to pieces!
Blood dripped from the corners of his mouth.
In the end, even his eyes shed tears of blood.
Although he wasn't relying on his eyes to observe, he wanted to use both methods and also activated his cultivation to assist, which directly caused his eyes to be overwhelmed and almost have a major problem.
"I..."
"I will definitely succeed!"
Boom! Suddenly.
A thunderous roar echoed in his mind, like startling thunder, or the continuous rush of a river.
"Ah!"
Unintentionally, he turned around, and He Anxia was startled, letting out a cry.
He saw a giant, a towering giant!
The giant sat there, blood dripping from the corners of his mouth, his eyes fierce, and his face terrifying.
"Wait."
"That..."
"That is...?"
Suddenly, he felt that the giant was somewhat familiar. After careful identification, he was even more confused.
"That's... me?"
"I've grown bigger?"
"No, why am I seeing myself from this angle..."
"Wait, where am I? Who is that 'me'?"
He Anxia suddenly realized.
Looking down, he discovered that he didn't have a physical body.
"Has my Divine Soul departed my body? But it's not that my physical body has grown larger; it's that my Divine Soul has 'shrunk'?"
"But why am I so tiny?"
He quickly realized and calmed his mind, turning back.
Then, he breathed rapidly.
"This... what is this forest?"
He saw a 'Black Forest'! The forest was filled with tall, black trees without branches or leaves. Their thick trunks soared into the sky, covered in ridges.
"This... what is this...?"
"Roar!"
Suddenly, a roar came from the side.
A very strange beast, one that He Anxia had never seen before, roared and charged towards him!
"Could this be...?"
He Anxia was terrified yet excited.
"The Spirit Beast that Lin Zongzhu mentioned...?"
(End of Chapter)
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