Chapter 150: Foundation

When news of the Tianxuan Sect being subjugated spread, the entire Western Region fell silent.

The Master of Wanhua Valley was the first to send someone to offer congratulations. The visitor was a female cultivator at the Peak Nascent Soul Stage, bringing a cart of Spirit Medicine and a handwritten letter. The letter was very polite, stating that Wanhua Valley and Qinghe Sect would always be friends, and that in the future, they would rely heavily on Young Master Su regarding the Soul Transformation Stage Pill. After reading the letter, Su Yun had Valley Master Su Yao write a reply, enclosing two Soul Transformation Stage Pills. Upon receiving them, the Valley Master sent over another two carts of Spirit Medicine.

The Sword Sect Master did not send anyone; he came personally. He arrived alone, carrying that black longsword on his back, and landed before the mountain gate of the Tianxuan Sect. Su Yun met him at the gate. The two stared at each other for a moment before the Sword Sect Master spoke.

"Sect Leader Zhao Tianxing is dead, and the Tianxuan Sect is gone. Of the three Sects in the Western Region, only two remain now. What do you intend to do?"

Su Yun said, "Qinghe Sect does not fight for territory. You two may divide the Tianxuan Sect's former territory. I only want this mountain."

The Sword Sect Master glanced at him. "Are you not afraid that if we two grow too strong, we will deal with you in the future?"

Su Yun smiled. "You will not. Wanhua Valley needs the Soul Transformation Stage Pill, and the Sword Sect needs the Soul Transformation Stage Pill. Only if I am alive will you have Medicinal Pill."

The Sword Sect Master was silent for a moment, then nodded. "You are right. Su Yun, you are different from Sect Leader Zhao Tianxing. Sect Leader Zhao Tianxing wanted to annex the Western Region, while you only want your own place. This is very good."

He turned to leave but stopped after a few steps. "The Sword Sect has a rule: every ten years, we hold a Sword Gathering, and all Sects in the Western Region may send people to participate. Will Qinghe Sect come to this year's Sword Gathering?"

Su Yun thought for a moment. "We will."

The Sword Sect Master left. Su Yun stood before the mountain gate, watching his back disappear into the horizon. The Sword Sect Master was a smart man who knew what should be done and what should not. Dealing with such a person was not tiring.

In the following days, Su Yun began to reorganize the Tianxuan Sect. He first dealt with the male Disciples. The Tianxuan Sect originally had over two thousand four hundred people; the eight hundred and forty-seven female Disciples had already been subjugated by him. There were over one thousand five hundred male Disciples remaining, among whom over thirty were at the Nascent Soul Stage, over two hundred were at the Golden Core Stage, and over one thousand were at the Foundation Establishment Stage.

Su Yun did not kill them. He had Zhao Lingxuan pass on the message, giving them two choices: those willing to stay must have their cultivation abolished and remain on the mountain as laborers. Those unwilling to stay could pack their things and leave; the Tianxuan Sect would not make things difficult for them.

Of the more than one thousand five hundred male Disciples, not a single one was willing to stay. Having their cultivation abolished was more painful than death for them. That very afternoon, they packed their belongings and left. Some sought refuge in other Sects, some became Loose Cultivator, and some went to the Northern Wilderness to make a living. Su Yun did not care where they went, as long as they were not in front of him.

After dealing with the male Disciples, Su Yun began to reorganize the female Disciples. Of the eight hundred and forty-seven, twenty-three were at the Nascent Soul Stage, two hundred and ten were at the Golden Core Stage, and the rest were all at the Foundation Establishment Stage. He reorganized them, dividing them into three large groups based on their cultivation. The Nascent Soul Stage group was led by Zhao Lingxuan, the Golden Core Stage group was led by another female cultivator at the Early Nascent Soul Stage, and the Foundation Establishment Stage group was overseen by several female cultivators at the Peak Golden Core Stage.

Valley Master Su Yao rushed over from Qinghe City, bringing a large quantity of Medicinal Pill and Cultivation Technique. She settled in the Tianxuan Sect, giving lectures to the female Disciples every day, teaching them Alchemy, how to Cultivate, and combat. Fairy Jianyun and Zi Wuji also arrived. Fairy Jianyun was responsible for teaching sword techniques, and Zi Wuji was responsible for teaching lightning techniques. The three of them performed their respective duties, managing the Tianxuan Sect in an orderly fashion.

Su Yun did not stay at the Tianxuan Sect. He left the Sect in the care of Zhao Lingxuan and returned to the Central Region himself.

Qinghe City remained the same. Zhao Lanxin was waiting for him at the city gate; seeing him return, she ran over and threw herself into his arms. Su Yun held her, gently patting her back. Zhou Ruoyun also ran over, tugging at his sleeve, tears streaming down her face. Liu Wugou stood in the crowd, her eyes red, yet she smiled and said that Master had returned. Elder Han Yue stood at the very back, her expression calm, but her eyes never left him.

Su Yun walked into the city and sat down in the courtyard. Zhao Lanxin brought over a bowl of soup and placed it before him. He took a sip; it was the spirit chicken soup she had stewed, and the taste was much better than last time.

"Your skills have improved," he said.

Zhao Lanxin blushed and gestured that she was learning. Su Yun smiled and pulled her into his embrace. The little girl leaned against his chest, quiet and peaceful.

In the evening, Valley Master Su Yao sent word back from the Western Region. The Tianxuan Sect had completely stabilized; the eight hundred plus female Disciples were all cultivating diligently, making rapid progress. Neither Wanhua Valley nor the Sword Sect had come to cause trouble, and the Western Region was peaceful. After reading the message, Su Yun placed the note on the table.

He was thinking about something. The Central Region had been pacified, and the Western Region was nearly so. Next, it was time to go to the Northern Wilderness. In the Northern Wilderness, there were Thunder Beasts at the Late Huashen Stage, the Ten Thousand Year Cold Pool, and even deeper secrets. That red dot sealed within the Physical Body of True Monarch Bingpo had escaped from the Northern Wilderness. He needed to go and find out exactly what that was.

But he was not in a hurry. The affairs in the Central Region and the Western Region were not yet over; he needed time to sort everything out. Valley Master Su Yao was refining the Soul Transformation Stage Pill, Fairy Jianyun was breaking through to the Mid Spirit Severing Stage, and Zi Wuji was also in seclusion. He would set off once they were all prepared.

He leaned back in his chair, gazing at the sky. Zhao Lanxin was leaning on his shoulder, already asleep. Moonlight spilled down, illuminating her face. A delicate little face, slightly pouting lips, and a hint of a smile at the corners of her mouth. Su Yun lowered his head and kissed her forehead. The little girl nestled further into his embrace, falling into a deeper sleep.

He held her and closed his eyes. The Tianxuan Sect in the Western Region, Qinghe City in the Central Region, Qingyou Valley in the Southern Region. His influence stretched from south to north, forming a line. This line was still long, but every step was taken steadily.