Translator: AnubisTL
Upon returning to the sect, Li Qing found a mountain of urgent matters awaiting his attention.
First and foremost were the sect's critical decisions and administrative tasks. Many had piled up while the other supreme elders hesitated, leaving them for Li Qing to resolve.
Fortunately, none of these matters were truly urgent, so delaying their resolution until Li Qing's return wasn't a problem.
Of course, if Li Qing had truly wandered off for a decade or two without returning, that would have been a different story.
The most pressing issue was the intelligence and reports from the Great Wilderness Domain. Li Qing immediately began reviewing the relevant intelligence jade slips.
With a gentle touch of his divine sense, he instantly absorbed the recorded information into his Sea of Consciousness.
Approximately six months prior, a mid-transformation great demon had emerged in the Great Wilderness Domain—a mysterious demon crocodile calling itself the Crocodile Venerable!
This Crocodile Venerable had swiftly united the remaining demon tribes of the Great Wilderness Domain into a formidable Demon Race Alliance, annexing vast swathes of territory.
Meanwhile, the three demonic path sects that dominated the Great Wilderness Domain—the Yin Puppet Sect, Ghost Sword Sect, and Blood Spirit Sect—had predictably turned on each other after annihilating the orthodox sect forces.
It was precisely this situation that created an opportunity for the Crocodile Venerable to exploit.
"Just as I predicted," Li Qing murmured, shaking his head with a sigh. "These demonic path sects will never find peace. Now that their great enemy, the righteous path, is gone, they've truly begun their internal strife."
Demonic path cultivators have always been prone to extremism. Due to the nature of their cultivation manuals, their practices inevitably involve bloody and brutal methods.
This is one reason why demonic path cultivators can achieve rapid breakthroughs in their cultivation. Sometimes, sacrificing tens of thousands of lives in human sacrifices proves more effective than consuming any spirit pills or elixirs.
For demonic cultivators, conflict and slaughter are practically daily occurrences, utterly unavoidable.
"The situation in the Great Wilderness Domain remains chaotic."
Amidst this turmoil, the survival prospects for rogue cultivators naturally grow increasingly precarious. Many have already begun fleeing the Great Wilderness Domain, fearing entanglement in the demonic path's conflicts.
The Azure Ridge Domain has become a primary destination for these fleeing rogue cultivators.
"The heaven and earth spiritual energy in the Azure Ridge Domain has recovered significantly. In a few more years, it might rival the Great Wilderness Domain."
Li Qing's eyes flickered slightly as he weighed the advantages and disadvantages of the situation.
Due to the chaos in the Great Wilderness Domain, the number of cultivators in the Azure Ridge Domain was bound to surge, especially rogue cultivators.
While there were no immediate problems, no one could predict what might happen in the future. As the dominant force in the Azure Ridge Domain, the Lingyun Sect would inevitably be affected.
Whether this impact would be positive or negative remained uncertain.
Therefore, it was crucial to prepare in advance to deal with any potential future developments.
The other core formation true lords within the sect lacked expertise in handling such matters, so they directly delegated the issue to Li Qing.
"Most of the cultivators fleeing to the Azure Ridge Domain for refuge are likely rogue cultivators, and their primary motivation is naturally to acquire cultivation resources."
As a former rogue cultivator himself, Li Qing understood their mindset perfectly.
"The rest isn't too concerning, but the former site of the Lingyun Sect—a place brimming with spiritual energy—will undoubtedly attract the covetous eyes of many rogue cultivators."
"This Spirit Vein Land, so rich in spiritual energy, has remained unoccupied solely because it's a weak spatial node connecting to the demon realm. But other rogue cultivators won't care about such considerations."
If these rogue cultivators caused any serious trouble, the Lingyun Sect would ultimately bear the brunt of the consequences.
Realizing this, Li Qing rubbed his temples, feeling a headache coming on. Dealing with this matter would indeed be quite troublesome.
As the situation in the Great Wilderness Domain grew increasingly chaotic, it was inevitable that core formation realm rogue cultivators would flee to the Azure Ridge Domain. In the Great Wilderness Domain, core formation realm rogue cultivators were quite common.
"For now, we can only reinforce the former Lingyun Sect site with more personnel. We need at least three foundation establishment realm elders stationed there at all times, rotating them in shifts."
"Ordinary rogue cultivators below the core formation realm can be expelled immediately, but core formation realm cultivators will be a significant problem."
No cultivation sect would willingly antagonize core formation realm rogue cultivators, especially the Lingyun Sect, which currently lacked a Nascent Soul True Monarch to oversee matters.
After a long silence, Li Qing's eyes suddenly lit up.
"That's right! I don't need to worry about this at all. If core formation realm rogue cultivators want to occupy that spiritual vein for cultivation, we can simply let them."
"Generally speaking, core formation realm cultivators understand the gravity of matters and wouldn't easily cause major trouble."
Li Qing quickly made his decision.
He resolved to lease out the former Lingyun Sect's old site, with only core formation realm cultivators eligible to rent a cave abode.
However, before leasing, he would inform these core formation realm cultivators about the site's true nature: a weak spatial node connecting to the demon realm.
"Heh, this kills three birds with one stone."
"First, I won't have to worry about any major issues arising with the Lingyun Sect's old site's spiritual vein. Core formation realm cultivators tend to value their lives."
"Second, this will generate a significant annual income in spirit stones, making good use of what would otherwise be a waste."
"Third, with core formation realm cultivators residing in cave abodes there, they'll be the first to suffer if anything goes wrong."
Li Qing couldn't be more pleased with this decision.
As for cultivators below the core formation realm, they were of no concern. The Lingyun Sect's reputation alone would easily deter them.
With that settled, Li Qing began reviewing the remaining intelligence jade slips.
The remaining matters were relatively minor, with only one or two items worth mentioning.
Recently, cultivators from the Ten Thousand Treasures Merchant Guild visited, expressing their desire to reestablish the Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion in the Azure Ridge Domain and maintain a cooperative relationship with the Lingyun Sect.
Li Qing naturally welcomed this proposal.
During the Shangqing Sect's campaign to annihilate the Heavenly River Sect, the Heavenly River Market was completely razed, severely impacting the Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion within.
Furthermore, the other Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilions in the Azure Ridge Domain also suffered collateral damage.
As a result, the Shangqing Sect, which later dominated the entire Azure Ridge Domain, developed a strained relationship with the merchant guild, leading to the guild withdrawing all its Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilions from the region.
Subsequently, the Shangqing Sect was overthrown, and the Lingyun Sect was reestablished.
The Ten Thousand Treasures Merchant Guild, having learned of these developments through unknown channels, now sought to reopen their pavilions in the Azure Ridge Domain.
To this end, the guild dispatched a high-ranking delegation to meet with the Lingyun Sect's leadership.
This matter naturally fell to Li Qing's responsibility.
"Just when I needed a pillow, one arrives," Li Qing murmured. "A meeting with the Ten Thousand Treasures Merchant Guild's representatives might be worthwhile." He was genuinely curious about this influential organization.
Hearing this, Dao Lord Bai Ling materialized beside him at the opportune moment.
"The Ten Thousand Treasures Merchant Guild? This organization is no ordinary power. It has stood strong in the Eight Regions of the Human Realm for centuries."
Li Qing was taken aback. He hadn't expected even Dao Lord Bai Ling to know of this merchant guild.
"Senior, even you've heard of the Ten Thousand Treasures Merchant Guild?"
Dao Lord Bai Ling chuckled softly. "Indeed. This guild even established its Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion in the demon realm!"
"Of course, only in the territories occupied by the human race."
"This guild focuses solely on business, prioritizing integrity above all else. They maintain absolute neutrality and believe in 'harmony brings wealth.'"
These words sent a jolt through Li Qing's heart. If even Dao Lord Bai Ling held such a high opinion of them, the Ten Thousand Treasures Merchant Guild must truly be extraordinary.
In the cultivation world, achieving absolute neutrality is no mere platitude; it requires immense power to uphold.
Especially in a chaotic place like the Ancient Demon Realm, where the guild managed to establish its Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion, their strength must be truly formidable.
Seeing Li Qing's expression, Dao Lord Bai Ling shook his head and sighed. "Cultivating good relations with the Ten Thousand Treasures Merchant Guild is indeed crucial. This guild likely has significant backing in the upper realm as well."
"Hiss!" This time, Li Qing was truly stunned. He couldn't help but gasp sharply.
"It's truly a stroke of heaven-defying luck that the Shangqing Sect wasn't wiped out by the Ten Thousand Treasures Merchant Guild back then," Li Qing couldn't help but sigh. He realized this was likely due to the guild's strict business principles, a testament to their unwavering integrity.
Even in those dire circumstances, the Shangqing Sect had been spared complete annihilation. The guild had merely withdrawn all Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilions from the Azure Ridge Domain—an act of remarkable restraint!
Therefore, Li Qing felt it was imperative to meet with the guild's representative in person.
Having made this decision, Li Qing instructed the sect elders to arrange a meeting with the representative. He wanted to personally meet the enigmatic leader of this powerful merchant guild.
Afterward, Li Qing resumed reviewing the remaining intelligence jade slips.
The final piece of information particularly caught his attention: cultivators from the Grasslands had been frequently sighted in the northern Azure Ridge Domain.
"The Holy Temple Tribes of the Grasslands..." Li Qing's brow furrowed deeply once more.
These tribes had always remained aloof from worldly affairs, rarely extending their influence beyond the Grasslands.
"Though our mountain gate isn't entirely undefended, the lack of a protective formation remains a significant vulnerability."
Without a protective formation, the sect would be vulnerable to core formation realm cultivators skilled in concealment techniques, making them nearly impossible to detect. After all, core formation ancestors couldn't maintain constant divine sense projection.
"We must instruct the cultivation clans near the Northern Grasslands to remain vigilant and maintain close communication. Any unusual activity from the Holy Temple Tribes must be reported immediately," Li Qing dictated in his response to the intelligence jade slip.
Turning to Dao Lord Bai Ling, he added, "Senior Bai Ling, I have a request to make of you!"
Dao Lord Bai Ling's ethereal form chuckled softly. "To set up a formation for your Lingyun Sect?"
Li Qing clasped his hands earnestly. "Precisely. Without a protective formation, the sect feels vulnerable and leaves us uneasy."
Dao Lord Bai Ling didn't refuse outright. "While I do possess several powerful formations, I am now merely a lingering wisp of consciousness, unable to act directly. I can only offer guidance from the sidelines."
"Moreover, some of the most potent formations require extremely rare materials. Even if you scoured every corner of your Lingyun Sect, you might not find them."
Li Qing didn't know how far Dao Lord Bai Ling had progressed in the art of formations during his lifetime, but based on his words on Beast King Mountain, his mastery likely reached the fifth-tier level.
However, the Lingyun Sect didn't currently require such a powerful formation. A fourth-tier grand formation, or even a third-tier grand formation, would be more than sufficient.
"Senior Bai Ling, the formation's tier doesn't need to be so high. A fourth-tier level would be more than adequate," Li Qing said respectfully, clasping his hands in a formal greeting.
Senior Bai Ling replied, "I came out with you to find a successor to my legacy, but before I could even start searching, you've already put me to work as a laborer."
"Ah, well, never mind. Since you brought me out of the ancestral land, I'll help you this once. But remember this, boy: finding a successor to my legacy must become your top priority!"
Li Qing exhaled deeply, then said gratefully, "Li Qing will keep this matter firmly in mind. Once I've finished handling these urgent sect affairs, I'll immediately instruct the sect elders to begin the search."
With this promise secured, Dao Lord Bai Ling said no more. Instead, he cut straight to the point:
"Summon all your sect's formation masters here. While they're here, let me inspect the Lingyun Sect's treasure vault for any usable spiritual materials!"
With that, the matter was settled.
Li Qing immediately issued orders, summoning all the formation masters within the sect.
While waiting, he quickly finished reviewing the remaining intelligence jade slips, finally allowing his tense spirit to relax.
"The next ascension conference is approaching. It's about time we select a sect leader to handle administrative affairs from among the candidates who participated in the previous conference."
Now that the Lingyun Sect had stabilized, Li Qing couldn't continue dedicating his time and energy to such matters. Cultivation remained the foundation of everything.
Therefore, he resolved to choose a sect leader before the next ascension conference.
Afterward, he would serve as a supreme elder, only participating in major decisions, while entrusting routine affairs to the sect leader.
This would allow him to focus entirely on cultivation.
Advancing to the nascent soul realm as soon as possible was paramount.
Following Li Qing's summons, all the sect's formation masters converged on the mountain peak housing the Sect Leader's Hall, including even those with only a rudimentary understanding of formations.
Outside the Sect Leader's Hall, the formation masters exchanged bewildered glances, unsure why Ancestor Limitless had summoned them.
Soon, the hall's massive doors slowly creaked open, and a tall, imposing figure emerged.
Li Qing surveyed the formation masters gathered before him and calmly announced, "Gentlemen, I won't keep you in suspense. I've called you here to deploy a Grand Formation to protect our sect!"
The formation masters froze in place, stunned by his words.
Deploy a Grand Formation to protect the sect?
Even the most skilled among them was only a second-tier high-grade formation master, utterly incapable of deploying a third-tier formation!
"Ancestor Limitless, we fear we lack the capability for such a task," one of them ventured.
"Indeed, indeed! We can manage second-tier Spirit Gathering Formations, but third-tier formations are beyond our reach."
"This matter requires careful consideration to avoid wasting spiritual materials."
Li Qing shook his head, a faint smile playing on his lips. "Rest assured," he chuckled. "I only require your assistance. I have my own methods for deploying the formation."
(End of the Chapter)
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