Meeting Fellow Disciples

The old man hurriedly caught the iron token. Upon inspecting it, he saw it was actually the command token of a Core Formation cultivator from their sect! This person was indeed a senior of their own sect. The iron token was genuine, bearing the unique mark of the Landou Sect that could not be forged. The old man and the others were utterly stunned. These disciples hailed from various peaks of the Landou Sect, spanning both the Five Elements branch and the Yin-Yang branch. They wracked their brains, yet no matter how hard they thought, they could not recall the sect having such a martial uncle. …… Inside Dongming Island. The Core Formation cultivators sat inside a bamboo pavilion, admiring the wondrous scenery outside. Fine wine and spiritual fruits were laid out before them as they sat discussing the Dao, bursts of laughter ringing out from time to time. The atmosphere seemed exceptionally harmonious. The bamboo pavilion was not large, but not many Core Formation cultivators had arrived on Dongming Island at this time, so seated scattered about, it still felt spacious. First Seat Lu of the Landou Sect and other Core Formation cultivators sat in the center, surrounded like stars cupping the moon. Qin Sang, using the pseudonym Mingyue, sat beside Daoist Moyu, listening more and speaking less. In this short time, he had learned quite a few secrets of the various sects on Landou Island. "Fellow Daoist Mingyue's cave dwelling is on Mount Baogu on Tianxing Island? With your cultivation, you certainly wouldn't be an unknown. Before I took charge of Canglan Peak, I often traveled to Tianxing Island, yet I never heard of you," First Seat Lu looked toward Qin Sang, speaking with a hint of curiosity. "This poor Daoist is merely an itinerant cultivator, truly a nobody. Moreover, before forming my core, I was active in the Demon Sea all along. With the recent turmoil there, I had no choice but to relocate to the Inner Sea and rent a cave dwelling on Mount Baogu to settle down. I rarely showed myself in Tianxing City before, so few people know me; it is only natural that First Seat Lu hasn't heard of me." Qin Sang took a sip of fine wine, his expression placid as he spoke, before concluding with an emotional sigh, "Who knows when the unrest in the Demon Sea will subside. Fortunately, I saw the signs early and fled back to the Inner Sea in time, but the foundation I built in the Demon Sea was completely ruined. Depressed and unable to focus in secluded cultivation, I thought to travel about. Passing through here, I happened upon Fellow Daoist Moyu and have imposed on his hospitality for a few days." "The Demon Sea!" An enlightened look crossed First Seat Lu's face. "No wonder Fellow Daoist Moyu holds you in such high esteem. For you to dare venture into the Demon Sea while still in the Foundation Establishment stage—even I feel inferior before such courage." The others chimed in with agreement. Landou Island was not too far from Tianxing Island. Out of curiosity, they had all visited the Demon Sea and knew well the dangers lurking there. Hearing that Qin Sang had roamed the Demon Sea alone for so many years, they began to reassess his strength. Qin Sang gave a light laugh. "I was forced by circumstance. I envy all of you even more, having sects to back you up—unlike me, who was reduced to a stray dog once caught in the turmoil. First Seat Lu, I heard earlier from Fellow Daoist Moyu that Senior Lu is currently resisting demon beasts on Dahuang Island. Has any news come back? When might the beast tide be driven back?" Qin Sang asked with feigned urgency. First Seat Lu's eyes flickered, the suspicion in his heart easing somewhat. He guessed that this man's presence on Dongming Island was less about watching the ceremony and more about inquiring after news from the Demon Sea. Seeing that the others were also very curious about the matter, First Seat Lu did not conceal anything and said placidly, "My adoptive father is likely occupied with pressing affairs and has not sent word back recently. However, regarding the situation in the Demon Sea, I have heard a bit from other fellows. It is said that holding Dahuang Island is not difficult, but as for when the beast tide will recede, that is hard to say..." As he was speaking, a streak of flowing light suddenly pierced the thin mist and flew straight into the bamboo pavilion. First Seat Lu's expression shifted slightly. With a flicker of his figure, he appeared at the pavilion entrance, catching the streak of light in his hand. Just as he was about to inspect it, a muffled boom sounded in the distance, and the ground trembled. The Core Formation cultivators present had exceptional hearing and faintly caught several cries of agony, recognizing them as the Landou Sect disciples guarding outside. "Who dares trespass on Dongming Island!" Old Daoist Huayang's face darkened with fury, and he rushed out immediately. First Seat Lu was even faster than him, his figure having already vanished into the mist. The others exchanged glances and flew out of the bamboo pavilion one after another. Qin Sang, having no personal stake in the matter, trailed at the very back. If someone dared to provoke the Landou Sect, he would only be pleased to see it happen—the more chaotic the situation, the more advantageous it would be for his plans. Still, he was curious as to who dared storm Dongming Island. When he reached the entrance, he saw First Seat Lu and the others confronting three Core Formation cultivators. The gatekeeping Landou Sect disciples lay wailing on the flanking slopes. With their cultivation, they were obviously no match for the intruders and had all been injured. Fortunately, the attackers had not struck to kill, and they were all still alive. All three intruders were unfamiliar faces. Aside from the youth at the rear whose cultivation was slightly lower, the other two were mid-Core Formation experts with imposing auras. However, First Seat Lu's side numbered more than ten Core Formation cultivators, and First Seat Lu himself was an expert at the peak of the late stage. Facing First Seat Lu and the rest, the three appeared rather outmatched. Yet even in this situation, the three intruders were aggressive and showed no sign of backing down. What puzzled Qin Sang even more was that when First Seat Lu and Old Daoist Huayang saw the intruders, their faces were filled with astonishment, their gazes exceedingly strange. The man leading them was a burly cultivator of formidable build. Looking at First Seat Lu, he let out a strange laugh. "What, Junior Brother Lu? Now that you've become First Seat and monopolize power, you don't even want to acknowledge your fellow sect brothers when you see them?" These words provoked an uproar. The cultivators from the other sects were all dumbfounded. Clutches tightening on their magic treasures, they found themselves in an awkward spot, neither able to put them away nor strike. They had initially thought foreign enemies were invading the island and had banded together in righteous anger, but hearing the man's tone, these intruders were actually disciples of the Landou Sect. For a moment, they did not know what to do. Everyone turned their eyes in unison toward First Seat Lu, looking for confirmation. Seeing his face grim as thunder, he offered no rebuttal. "The three of you also hail from the Landou Sect? Why has Qi never seen you before?" the cultivator surnamed Qi asked. At this moment, several people wore thoughtful expressions, seeming to know something. First Seat Lu's gaze narrowed slightly, and he demanded in a deep voice, "Senior Brother Gao, you broke the agreement, showed up here, and even injured the gatekeeping disciples. What do you intend to do?" They really were Landou Sect disciples! Could this be an internal sect feud? At present, Lu Xiaoyun held sole power in the Landou Sect, but the sect actually possessed two Nascent Soul Patriarchs; there was not a lack of power capable of contending with Lu Xiaoyun's lineage. It was just that the other patriarch had vanished from sight for many years, ostensibly in secluded cultivation. If that person had awakened while Lu Xiaoyun happened to be absent... The people present were all old monsters who had lived for centuries, and their thoughts ran wild. A murmur rippled through the crowd as they quietly put away their magic treasures. As outsiders, unable to discern the true state of affairs, they had no wish to cause any misunderstandings. "A mere handful of blind disciples who couldn't even recognize their martial uncles and dared bar us from entering the island—is Gao not even permitted to teach them a lesson?" The burly man sneered with disdain. "Our appearance here is naturally to take back what originally belonged to my Douniu Peak branch, which you people are currently usurping. Junior Brother Lu, return what is ours, and Gao will turn and leave without another word, never setting foot on Landou Island again!"