Chapter 144: Chapter 6: What Can Be Done If He Cannot Be Persuaded?
 

“Are you serious, Daoist Brother?” Jiang Liyan asked in astonishment.

“How could I jest?” Wei Dongliu replied earnestly.

“Has Daoist Brother reached Core Formation?” Jiang Liyan inquired.

“Not yet,” Wei Dongliu responded, “As far as I’m aware, for a Loose Cultivator to establish a Sect within the Mortal Life Path, one only needs to be at the Refining Mansion stage of cultivation.”

“Although that’s the rule, a Sect founded by a Refining Mansion stage Loose Cultivator is nothing but cannon fodder in the Mortal Life Path,” Jiang Liyan reminded him.

Wei Dongliu simply smiled slightly, without replying, he stood up, bowed ceremoniously, and then gracefully departed.

Jiang Liyan watched his figure disappear at the end of the mountain road.

After a long while, she slightly narrowed her eyes.

This man constantly claimed to be a Loose Cultivator who had fortuitously received the inheritance of the Tong Xuan Gate.

Yet, how could an ordinary Refining Mansion stage cultivator have possibly withstood her Heavenly Demon Marvelous Sound Technique just now?

Furthermore, he intended to establish his Sect… Who doesn’t know that Sects founded by Refining Mansion stage cultivators in the Mortal Life Path are no better than third-rate organizations?

Unless this man’s actual cultivation level far surpassed that of average Refining Mansion stage Loose Cultivators, then it would make sense for him to withstand the Heavenly Demon Marvelous Sound Technique, as well as his plans to rebuild the Tong Xuan Gate.

Thinking this, she felt a sense of curiosity and anticipation rise within her.

Picking up her chopsticks and dipping them into the copper pot to pick up a slice of fish, Jiang Liyan’s eyes curved into crescent moons as she chewed carefully.

She had thought that her time in the Taihang Mountains was exceedingly dull, but unexpectedly she had encountered such an intriguing person.

How marvelous, indeed marvelous!

Meanwhile, after leaving the pavilion, Wei Dongliu continued walking up the mountain, when he heard the Kunlun Mirror in his Sea of Consciousness asked:

“Why have you suddenly decided to start your Sect?”

“The Tong Xuan Gate has already fallen,” Wei Dongliu spoke indifferently, “If I join another Sect, with the temperament and practices of the Demon Cult, my life and death will ultimately be at the mercy of a master.”

“If I could ascertain that a piece of the Heaven-Mending Stone is within a certain Sect, I would endure the humiliation and remain hidden among them. But now, I’m merely investigating news about the Hell Path, so why take such a huge risk? Establishing my own Sect would be safer.”

The Kunlun Mirror pondered for a moment before speaking:

“What you say is not without reason.”

“What do you mean ‘not without reason’? This is the most rational course of action, okay?” Wei Dongliu replied disdainfully, “I won’t waste more words with you, this foolish mirror. I must hurry and attend to important matters.”

After another hour passed, Wei Dongliu arrived at the Affairs Office of Mount Wutai.

The so-called Sect Affairs Office is generally located at the outermost part of the Sect Residence, to facilitate interaction with the external mines, medicine gardens, and branch residences.

Of course, even at the outermost part, there are usually patrolling disciples responsible for security, not allowing individuals from other Sects to enter without permission.

That Wei Dongliu, a mere Loose Cultivator, could even reach the doorstep of the Affairs Hall without encountering a single disciple to question his identity, this demonstrated just how lax the discipline and system within the Mortal Life Path really were.

“Excuse me,” he approached the counter and knocked on the tabletop, “What is the procedure to establish a Sect?”

The Mortal Life Path deacon looked up, glancing at him with slight surprise:

“You want to establish a Sect?”

“Yes.”

“What cultivation level has Daoist Brother achieved?”

“Refining Mansion stage.”

“That will cost ten Intermediate Grade Spirit Stones.”

Wei Dongliu: ………

Now they were asking for money.

Luckily, both Qiu Changtian and Luo Yan weren’t short on money; he took out a large Intermediate Grade Spirit Stone and handed it over.

The deacon took the Jade Slip, lifted his writing brush, and asked:

“The name of the Sect?”

“Myriad Laws Mystic Profound Sect,” Wei Dongliu replied.

“If Daoist Brother really insists on this name, then this would be the thirty-third Myriad Laws Mystic Profound Sect registered here,” the deacon said, having found him to have a pleasant appearance and a neither servile nor overbearing attitude, and since he handed over the money readily, he gave him an extra reminder, “Nowadays, there are too many Sects with ‘Tong Xuan’ in their name, which may not be advantageous for gaining fame. Has Daoist Brother given this proper thought?”

“I’ve made up my mind.” Wei Dongliu nodded and said.

“Okay.” The deacon wrote two plaques, keeping one and handing the other to Wei Dongliu, saying, “With this, your sect is now officially registered and becomes an affiliate of our Mortal Life Path.”

“As for matters concerning the selection of your sect residence and recruitment of disciples, you will need to resolve them on your own. Our Affairs Office is only responsible for registration.”

Wei Dongliu heard this and couldn’t help but laugh.

What a setup, even in my previous life’s franchise agreements, at least some technology and raw materials were provided to the franchisee.

You, Mortal Life Path, give nothing but a “nominal protection right” and still charge me an intermediate grade spirit stone?

“Then, the principles for selecting the sect residence…” he had just begun to speak when he heard the deacon point to the Taihang Mountains map on the wall, saying, “Those marked with vermilion are already occupied by sects. You just need to choose an unclaimed area.”

Wei Dongliu looked at the map again, only to see it densely dotted with marks drawn in vermilion.

Overall, the closer one got to the main ridge line of the Taihang Mountains (that is, the direction of the Dragon Vein), the more abundant the spiritual energy, the denser the marked areas.

Many circles even overlapped, suggesting that these areas were shared by two sects. The amount of bitter conflicts and struggles, both overt and covert, behind this was self-explanatory.

He was staring at the map, lost in thought, when suddenly a pleasant and enchanting female voice rang out beside him:

“If fellow Daoist is looking for a place to start a sect, we have some vacancies near Tongtian Gorge.”

Wei Dongliu turned his head and who else could it be but the witch Jiang Liyan, who had previously tested him with an illusion technique?

“To think it’s Fellow Daoist Jiang!” The deacon recognized her as well, a hint of fear flashing in his eyes. He bowed and took a half-step back, saying, “If the Heavenly Demon Path doesn’t mind, then there’s no issue.”

“Tongtian Gorge?” Wei Dongliu expressed his slight surprise.

“Right here.” Jiang Liyan flicked her right hand, and a stream of starlight flew out from her sleeve. It was a silver needle that she then nailed directly onto the map.

Wei Dongliu focused and saw that it was a location south of the Taihang Mountains, surrounded by a large area of blank space not circled in vermilion.

“Fellow Daoist Jiang.” He pondered for a moment before asking, “That area near Tongtian Gorge…”

Jiang Liyan didn’t let him finish, cutting straight to the point:

“The terrain is extraordinary, and the river is vigorous, making it a splendid place full of spiritual energy. An ancient Intercepting Cult powerhouse once lived there. It’s a perfect place for starting a sect.”

“I see.” Wei Dongliu nodded, “Such an Immortal Sect wonderland, why hasn’t any other sect settled there?”

“Because the Heavenly Demon Path’s branch residence in the Taihang Mountains is in Tongtian Lake.” Jiang Liyan’s face was all smiles, “Those weak, unsupported common loose cultivators naturally fear the Heavenly Demon Path as they would scorpions or tigers, and they would rather avoid me than to get close.”

“Then why does Fellow Daoist Jiang invite me over?” Wei Dongliu also smiled, “After all, I am merely a loose cultivator.”

“You are different, Fellow Daoist Wei.” Jiang Liyan stepped closer, pressing her body close, and spoke in a charming voice, “I took a liking to you at first sight. If you could settle down in Tongtian Gorge, where we could see each other day and night, I would be more than satisfied.”

She pressed very near, as if about to cling to him. Before they even touched, a refreshing fragrance wafted to Wei Dongliu’s nostrils.

The Kunlun Mirror spoke irritably:

“This fragrance is mixed with an illusion technique! Does this demoness have her eyes on you, or what? Find a chance and deal with her quickly!”

“Ah Jing, be patient.” Wei Dongliu allowed her to press closer, merely whispering, “If it’s just an illusion attack, it means she’s only testing me. There’s no need to fall out with the Heavenly Demon Path just yet.”

“I think you’re enjoying her tests!” the Kunlun Mirror said indignantly.

While he was communicating with the Kunlun Mirror, Jiang Liyan stopped just as she was about to press against him. Seeing that his expression remained clear, she couldn’t help but be secretly shocked.

The Heavenly Demon’s wonderful sound technique failed to achieve, but how could her sprayed Ghostly Illusion Water not confuse him?

Could this man… Could this man be at the Golden Core Realm?!

No, that’s not right. The Ghostly Illusion Water is a strange object that confuses the divine sense. Even a Golden Core True Person, unless having taken an antidote in advance or using a cultivation technique to neutralize the effect, would be at risk of being affected.

How could he be so indifferent as if the Ghostly Illusion Water didn’t exist at all?

With various shocks in her heart, her mouth kept up the act, smiling:

“Would you honor me with your company, Fellow Daoist Wei?”

Wei Dongliu pondered for a moment, and just then, the Kunlun Mirror suddenly reminded him:

[Mysterious persona, Synchronization Value +1.]

This witch is really adorable! Wei Dongliu was thrilled.

Honor your company, of course, I’ll honor your company!