Clan Rise: Starting as a Grandfather Chapter 1267: 826: Unpredictable Ghost Sect (Part 2)

“Family Head Lu, there's no need for such politeness. Qing, please pour tea for Family Head Lu!”

Her voice rang out, pure and musical, filling the tower like fresh snowfall on a jade bell, creating a light tinkling as it flowed past the copper bells hanging from the eaves.

“My gratitude to the Sect Master!” Following her directions, Lu Fusheng took a seat at the nearby desk, where an elegant woman brought him a cup of tea.

With vapors rising from the hot tea, Yue Qing continued, “Family Head Lu, do you have a matter you'd like to bring up with me?”

“Yes, there's an issue I need to inform the Sect Master about!”

“What might that be?”

“Yang Zhenshan, the head of the Lingxi Yang family, desires to secure a spot among the affiliated families. Since we share a strong bond, he requested that I put in a word to the Sect Master for him!” Lu Fusheng explained.

“The Lingxi Yang family, and Yang Zhenshan?” Yue Qing lifted her gaze, her once detached look turning more attentive, “Who exactly is he?”

“The Lingxi Yang family counts as merely a small clan in the Ancient County, yet Yang Zhenshan ventured into the Ancient Relic Array in the 60th year and gained an immortal opportunity, making him a Foundation Establishment Cultivator now!” Lu Fusheng stated steadily.

A subtle gleam appeared in Yue Qing’s luminous eyes, “So you're saying Yang Zhenshan has reached the Foundation Establishment stage?”

“Precisely, his breakthrough to Foundation Establishment happened not long ago!”

Yue Qing’s mouth curved into a smile akin to a newly opened peach flower, “Who would have thought that an immortal fate could truly be found within the Ancient Relic Array!”

The Transmission Hall inside the Ancient Relic Array holds Immortal Dao techniques, a fact that's widely known.

Throughout the years, the three great sects have gathered plenty of Immortal Dao techniques from the Transmission Hall, and even individuals from the twelve families or minor clans have claimed several, but apart from the three major sects, hardly anyone else has managed to progress far on the Immortal Path.

For one thing, those who enter the Ancient Relic Array are all Martial Artists at the Heavenly Gang Stage, meaning they're no longer youthful, and even with a spiritual root, switching to Immortal Dao practices proves challenging for notable achievements.

Additionally, the scarcity of Immortal Dao resources means a lone Foundation Establishment Pill often blocks most from advancing on the Immortal Path.

Even the three major sects struggle to train a single Foundation Establishment Cultivator, much less the families and lesser clans.

“I'm quite interested in how he accomplished the Foundation Establishment!” Yue Qing asked.

She was well aware of the challenges in forming the Immortal Dao Foundation, including the support offered by the Foundation Establishment Pill.

While Foundation Establishment might not always demand a Foundation Establishment Pill, the odds of succeeding without one are extremely low.

“Lu Fusheng has no knowledge of that!” Lu Fusheng shook his head faintly.

Yue Qing rose and stepped forward from the silk screens. Dressed in a pristine white silk gown, her complexion was whiter than frost, her eyebrows finely drawn like in a portrait, evoking an immortal who had stepped down from the lunar palace.

“Do you know Yang Zhenshan well?”

“Indeed, to speak frankly to the Sect Master, in an earlier demon assault on our county city, Yang Zhenshan was the one who rescued me from peril!” Lu Fusheng rose as well and responded.

“You claim honesty, yet why hold back until now?” Yue Qing regarded him with a playful half-smile.

Lu Fusheng clasped his hands together, offering no defense, merely stating, “I request the Sect Master's pardon.”

Yue Qing studied him briefly, then broke into a grin, “No worries!”

“Inquire if Yang Zhenshan would like to become part of my Illusion Moon Sect!”

“Oh!” Lu Fusheng raised his head, staring at her in surprise.

Yue Qing displayed a soft smile, “The value of a Foundation Establishment Cultivator merits the Illusion Moon Sect's active pursuit. Regarding the family slot, joining the Illusion Moon Sect would render it quite insignificant.”

The three principal sects have long focused on developing Immortal cultivators, particularly after the Golden Core Great Cultivator from Hidden Sword Mountain perished. Each has yearned for a Golden Core Cultivator in their ranks to solidify dominance over the Sea of Spirit.

Regrettably, for more than three centuries, no Golden Core cultivators have appeared, let alone Foundation Establishment ones.

For the Illusion Moon Sect specifically, there's currently just one Foundation Establishment cultivator left, and that individual is approaching the end of their life.

The Illusion Moon Sect desperately requires a Foundation Establishment cultivator to sustain its Immortal Dao legacy, and with Yang Zhenshan's sudden emergence, Yue Qing is keen to bring him on board.

Naturally, were it some obscure Foundation Establishment Cultivator, Yue Qing wouldn't rush to show interest in recruiting them.

But Yang Zhenshan stands out. Coming from the Lingxi Yang family in the Ancient County—a modest clan—it fits perfectly with Yue Qing’s inclinations.

Yang Zhenshan’s strategy to reveal himself publicly strayed a bit from his initial intentions.

“This~~” Lu Fusheng wavered.

“Never mind, escort him here, and I'll converse with him directly.” Yue Qing decided.

“Understood!” Lu Fusheng paused briefly and realized Yang Zhenshan ought to attend in person, as he couldn't make the choice for him.

“Then, I'll depart now!”

…

Lian Family Town, the ancestral residence of the Lian family.

Under the chilly moonlight, in a isolated yard, within the faintly lit room.

The Lian family patriarch sat in a meditative pose on a woven mat, his visage pale and gaunt, his entire form radiating a deathly presence, as though his very breathing had grown profoundly feeble.

“Your time is running out; this is your final opportunity to decide!”

A shadowy figure loomed entirely cloaked in blackness behind him.

The Lian family patriarch opened his dim eyes and rasped, “I refuse to ally with one who conceals their face. Reveal who you are.”

“Heh heh, even on the brink of death, such concerns persist. If you decline our partnership, it won't just be your end, but the downfall of the whole Lian family!”

The dark silhouette emitted a harsh, derisive chuckle.

“Disclose your identity!” The Lian family patriarch persisted obstinately.

“At this juncture, why not reveal it? I am Soul-breaking Blade Mo Xuanyu.”

The Lian family patriarch turned rigidly, “Soul-breaking Blade, heh heh, do you consider me a doddering idiot?”