Bombarding Cultivators with Cluster Artillery

Jinlingshan Mountain.

"It has indeed been a long time since I've been here…" Jiang Ding sat down cross-legged.

Divine Sense and Sword Intent unfolded, and he immediately felt the difference compared to the dormitory, as the five to six times purer metallic Spiritual Power surged toward his Elixir Field, refined and integrated into the electromagnetic cyclone within.

"If I deploy the Blue-Golden Tree, within a year, I can reach Qi Practicing Level 8."

Jiang Ding opened his eyes and glanced at the Golden Pendant on the ground, flickering rapidly, at least more than a month had passed.

"But first, I need to take care of some minor issues."

Eight years.

In all the years since he entered Qiyu Sect, he had never set foot outside, nor had he ever exhibited his cultivation in Qi practicing.

Initially, things were fine.

Foundation-building cultivators within the sect, despite some dissatisfaction, still treated this little uncle-instructor, acknowledged personally by the two Golden Pill Monks, with respect. If he commanded something, most would follow through, and no one would stand in his way.

Even with the intense enmity between Zhou Kunlong of the Peak of Foundation Building in Huomai and Chu FengXi, the Jinmai leader, should a real issue arise, a letter from the Elders would compel them to do as told, begrudgingly, without daring to show any disrespect.

The customs and laws of the Sect stood firm here.

Even with harbored resentment, they could only act out through underhanded means that couldn't be brought to light.

The situation began to change in the third year.

Li Qingyun, the personal disciple of the Senior Elder who had been in seclusion for a long time, emerged, and his cultivation surprisingly advanced to the Late-stag Qi Practicing. As the Senior Brother in charge of Tianleifeng Peak, he began some initial experiences in preparation for taking over the sect leadership in the future.

As a personal disciple, he was the future of the Sect. Cultivation, discernment, and experience were indispensable.

Li Qingyun was courteous in dealing with others, caring for the cultivation life of his fellow disciples. During his tenure as the Elder Disciple of Tianleifeng, he managed everything in an orderly manner, gaining heartfelt approval from the disciples and earning high praise from everyone within the sect, including the Foundation-building uncles, in a short period.

Gradually, he gained the title Qiyuzi.

In contrast, another person with a higher seniority and seemingly even greater talent became much more conspicuous.

Moreover, he had encroached upon a lot of interests that originally belonged to the Qi Practitioners' mortal clans and the Foundation-building cultivators.

This easily attracted hatred.

So, labels such as 'deceiver', 'destroyed Spiritual Root', 'Goldenspirit Turtle', and so on began spreading within the sect and brewing a huge uproar.

Liu SanQi, the head of the sect, even made a point to warn Jiang Ding gravely.

Naturally, Jiang Ding ignored it.

For eight years, he had been occupied with learning; he rested for less than an hour each day. Where would he find the time to pay attention to these messy issues, to engage in petty squabbles with a bunch of Qi Practitioners over some ridiculous titles?

The consequences also revealed themselves.

The smooth-running Fanren Supervision Bureau immediately faced many obstacles. Families affiliated with inner and outer Sect disciples immediately started causing trouble, dominating in towns and official circles. The recruited Xiantian Martial Artists dealt with the matters symbolically and then let it be.

Jiang Ding couldn't invert priorities and disrupt his learning schedule for this reason.

As time went on, the Fanren Supervision Bureau slowly fell into disuse, fully demonstrating the common phenomenon in the Cultivation World of swift success or failure depending on one person.

It was expected that old acquaintances like Chen Xi, Gong Caiyu, and Han Lin would continuously face oppression.

Divine Sense touched the Golden Pendant.

After a moment, Liu SanQi hastened up the mountain with the twelve Maids of Spring, Summer, Autumn, and Winter, moving quickly.

"Paying respects to Little Uncle Grandmaster!"

He still spoke with reverence.

Eight years had passed, and his temples seemed to have a bit more gray hair, and more wrinkles as well.

"What's the matter?"

Jiang Ding asked.

This question was regarding the multiple attempts Liu SanQi had made to contact him via the pendant over the past month, never receiving a response.

"To report to Little Uncle Grandmaster!"

Being left hanging for a month didn't seem to bother Liu SanQi, who respectfully said, "A month ago, it was the day when the Elixirs, Spirit Fruits, and Spiritual Fish of Jinlingshan were harvested and completed, and according to yearly traditions, they are sold to the Sect Administrative Hall."

"Did something go wrong?"

"Yes, Junior Great-Uncle."

Liu SanQi smiled bitterly, "The General Affairs Hall, under the control of Uncle Zhou Kunlong, has slashed the purchase price to a mere tenth of what it once was, claiming that there has been a drastic plunge in the price of spiritual materials in the outside world, in addition to the poor quality of spiritual materials produced by Jinling Mountain this year, rendering them unsellable at a high price."

"To avoid tarnishing the reputation of our sect, this batch of inferior spiritual materials has been seized by the General Affairs Hall. They claim they will provide an answer after inspection."

"I see."

Jiang Ding understood and nodded.

"My senior brother... it seems he lacks a bit of patience," he sighed.

All the negative rumors swirling among the disciples, the harassment by old friends, and the scrutiny from the Fanren Supervision Bureau seemed to be mere child's play.

For a Golden Pill Monk to personally intervene in such trivial matters seemed rather beneath his status.

However, completely cutting off the financial resources of Jinling Mountain, resorting to near robbery, going ignored for the past months—this could no longer be considered petty squabbles among children.

Indeed.

For a mortal to reach the First Level of Qi Practicing is by no means an easy feat. With no progress in eight years, anyone would murmur to themselves, doubting whether they had made a gross misjudgment.

Liu SanQi and the twelve maids bowed their heads deeply.

Whatever the outcome, as servants and maids, all they needed to do was to adhere to their duties, and no one could fault them for that.

"Is the Junior Great-Uncle here?"

A thundering voice echoed through the mountains, reaching even the summit.

"This is Zhou Kun, a Qi Practitioner at the Peak of Qi Practicing who belongs to the Thunder Vein, having spent a long time in seclusion. I am troubled by doubts and kindly ask the Junior Great-Uncle not to spare any advice!"

"Is it him?!"

Liu SanQi and the twelve maids had a sudden change in expression, sneaking glances upward.

"That name sounds familiar. Who is he, and what's his story?" Jiang Ding asked with genuine interest.

"...Junior Great-Uncle..."

Liu SanQi mustered her courage, "Zhou Kun's master once guarded Yue Country, during the period you were staying there... He is a collateral member of Patriarch Zhou's family, as well as a disciple of the Supreme Elder of the Thunder Vein."

"It is said that after reaching the peak of his Qi Practicing last year, he became a hopeful contender for one of the Qiyu Sect's seven true transmissions, making him a prominent figure among the sect's disciples in recent years..."

"Quite a messy background."

Jiang Ding commented.

"Why won't the Junior Great-Uncle offer some guidance?!"

After a moment, Zhou Kun's voice from below carried a tinge of anger, "Could it be that you look down on me, Zhou Kun? Even a mere mortal dares to lack clarity in judging me?!"

"The Junior Great-Uncle cannot be such a narrow-minded person!"

"It's absolutely impossible!"

"If my guess is correct,"

"It must be some mortal who has harmed our sect's Junior Great-Uncle, usurping his identity, an action utterly shameless to the extreme!"

Zhou Kun's voice quickly turned to a cry, "Junior Great-Uncle! Why did you have to go like this!"

"Junior Great-Uncle!"

To everyone's astonishment, he burst into loud wailing in front of everyone at the foot of Jinling Mountain, crying bitterly.

Many inner and outer sect disciples who had been waiting nearby emerged, pulling out white mourning fabric, donning sackcloth and filial attire, while the mournful music started playing.

"Junior Great-Uncle, your spirit returns!"

"Without you, what will become of our sect..."

Suddenly, the sounds of weeping filled the area below the mountain.

Mourning cloth, incense candles, and lanterns were all present, and even a spirit tablet for Uncle Jiang Ding had been carved out, turning it into a grand and solemn funeral.

"Not a bad idea."

Jiang Ding's smile faded as he stood up.