Ye Feixue subconsciously touched her long hair and asked leisurely, "Brother, what do you think? Do you want me to go to the Dan Yang Sect or stay in the Lu Family?"
"I cannot decide your life for you; it all depends on your decision."
Lu Xuanji said, "Staying in the Lu Family has its drawbacks; the family resources are limited and cannot match those of the Dan Yang Sect. The 'Nine Heavens Flame Technique' given to you can only be cultivated to the third layer of the Purple Mansion Realm. Beyond that, you will need to find cultivation techniques yourself. However, if you stay in the Lu Family, you can become the Clan Leader in the future, with half of the family's resources at your disposal."
"Our Lu Family is small, but we have fewer troubles. The whole family is extremely united, and if we want to expand the Lu Family, there is relatively less internal friction."
"Joining the Dan Yang Sect will grant you many resources and top-tier cultivation techniques. You might even get the opportunity to apprentice under a Golden Core Ancestor. But the downside is that the Dan Yang Sect has numerous factions and fierce internal strife, and accidents can happen at any time... The Lu Family only has one Foundation Establishment Elder in the Dan Yang Sect, unable to provide you with much support."
"Naturally, stay in the Lu Family."
Ye Feixue said, "I have a Celestial Spirit Root, advancing to the Golden Core stage requires fewer resources. Staying in the Lu Family is not much different from staying in the Dan Yang Sect, so why risk getting caught in turmoil just to chase after some resources?
The Lu Family treats me well, and it's extremely safe here. In the Dan Yang Sect, some Purple Mansion Cultivators are nearing the end of their lifespans, and there are aging Golden Core Cultivators. If I enter there, I might risk possession and losing myself."
The Celestial Spirit Root requires very little in terms of resources.
There's no need to join the Dan Yang Sect.
The Dan Yang Sect isn't safe either; for many cultivators close to dying or seriously injured, possessing a Celestial Spirit Root would be the ultimate prize.
Possession is an art.
Nascent Soul cultivators above disdain possession because the Nascent Soul True Monarch can already manipulate heaven and earth laws and reincarnate, making possession unnecessary.
Possession mainly involves Golden Core and Purple Mansion Cultivators.
The ones being possessed mainly are Qi Cultivation Stage cultivators.
Qi Cultivation Stage cultivators have weak divine souls, making them the easiest targets for possession.
But once someone reaches the Foundation Establishment Stage, the divine soul strengthens, and possession leads to dissonance between the soul and flesh, making integration difficult.
After a possession in the Foundation Establishment Stage, reaching the Purple Mansion Realm is challenging.
In the Purple Mansion Realm, the upper dantian is developed, making the divine soul strong, and possession becomes impossible.
Qi Cultivation Stage cultivators are the most vulnerable.
Among Qi Cultivation cultivators, those with Four Spirit Roots and Five Spirit Roots are relatively safe because their poor aptitude makes them undesirable for possession; however, Three Spirit Roots, Dual Spirit Roots, and Anomalous Spirit Roots are more at risk.
If you are in the Dan Yang Sect with a strong background and backing, even the old cultivators wouldn't dare possess you.
But someone like Ye Feixue, without strong background or backing and possessing a Celestial Spirit Root, entering the Dan Yang Sect is like entering the tiger's den—one careless move and she'll become a stepping stone for others.
Of course, she might be mistaken. Perhaps those ancestors of the Dan Yang Sect are upright and high-minded, cherishing their juniors, and wouldn't engage in possession.
But Ye Feixue does not plan to test the benevolence of those Golden Core ancestors.
Human nature can't withstand a test.
Hearing this, Lu Xuanji smiled and said, "Congratulations on staying in the Lu Family. Let's go pay respects to the Grand Elder and the Clan Leader."
"Alright."
Ye Feixue nodded.
They arrived at the Cave Mansion to pay respects to the Grand Elder and the Clan Leader.
"Very good."
The Grand Elder nodded, "Xiaoxue, with you in the Lu Family, I'm relieved."
The Clan Leader also said, "Xiaoxue is innocent and playful; Xuanji, you must protect her."
"I will."
Lu Xuanji said.
"Xiaoxue, from today onwards, you will be Xuanji's Dao Companion. In the path of cultivation, only by relying on each other can you go further." The Grand Elder said, "Cultivation sects are essentially alliances of various cultivation clans. For example, the Dan Yang Sect is formed by the Ye, Ming, and Zhao Families, along with several smaller clans. They come together for common interests, with constant internal strife and factions. Joining the Dan Yang Sect requires choosing a side, otherwise, you cannot go far."
"Cultivation clans primarily rely on bloodlines, with families ranging from a dozen cultivators to just over a thousand. Because of their small numbers and limited power, there are also fewer troubles, and they remain relatively united."
"As for loose cultivators, they mostly travel in groups of three or five."
"Sometimes, a major sect or cultivation family will fall and become loose cultivators; similarly, some loose cultivators will establish families and become cultivation clans. Likewise, some cultivation clans expand their influence to a certain extent and transform into sects."
"Only by working together as a couple can you go further."
"I will," Ye Feixue said.
"Clan Leader, I understand."
Lu Xuanji nodded.
The Clan Leader was pleased.
At that moment, a piercing sound rang out, accompanied by frantic and tense voices.
Chirp chirp!
As the sound rang out, the grand array around Purple Sun Mountain activated. Runes rose in the void, fluctuating, emanating purple light, continuously gathering together to form a light shield that completely enveloped Purple Sun Mountain.
Boom boom.
At that instant, a destructive light slammed into Purple Sun Mountain, waves of destruction continuing to crash down.
Purple Sun Mountain shook, along with the Cave Mansion.
Rumble rumble rumble.
The ground trembled.
Lu Xuanji steadied himself amid the shaking and asked, "Clan Leader, what's happening?"
"As expected, it has come. Someone is attacking our Lu Family," the Clan Leader said, a hint of ruthlessness flashing in his eyes. "They've given up probing and are directly attacking Purple Sun Mountain with full force."
Lu Xuanji said, "We pay tribute to the Dan Yang Sect; won't those families fear the Dan Yang Sect's punishment?"
"Those families won't act, but certain hidden hands and loose cultivators will take action," the Clan Leader said, "Xuanji, I must go outside; be careful. If things get out of hand, remember to flee."
With that, the Clan Leader disappeared.
The Grand Elder also disappeared shortly after.
Lu Xuanji felt a chill, as the worst had happened.
Not that the Dan Yang Sect wouldn't seek revenge, but even if they do so afterward, what's the use when people are already dead?
"Quick, prepare for the worst,"
Lu Xuanji said, pulling Ye Feixue with him, preparing for the worst-case scenario.
...
Rumble rumble rumble.
A group of thirty cultivators appeared below Purple Sun Mountain.
But all of these cultivators were Foundation Establishment Stage.
Among them, the leader exuded a terrifying aura, already a Purple Mansion Great Cultivator.
"Flaming Sun Celestial Fire."
This Purple Mansion Cultivator activated a Pill Furnace, which transformed to a height of one zhang, with the carved dragons and tigers on it flashing brilliantly as though coming to life. Inside the Pill Furnace, runes changed, and at the furnace mouth, endless flames extended a hundred zhang long, sweeping towards Purple Sun Mountain.
Whoosh whoosh whoosh.
The Flaming Sun Celestial Fire burned intensely, sweeping through the area.
On Purple Sun Mountain, the array surged upward.
Bang bang.
Energy collided and dissipated.