Yu Yu's eyes sparkled with curiosity as he asked the visitors, "May I ask, young lords, from where do you all come?"
A young lady with an arrogant yet prideful attitude stepped forward, her introduction dripping with grandeur. "We come from the esteemed Steel Iron Sect, one of the only Five Eight Rank Sects of the Qi Province."
Yu Yu's eyes widened in awe, and he exclaimed, "Wow!" His reaction was precisely what the group had been expecting, and they smiled proudly, feeling quite satisfied with the impression they had made.
Yu Yu asked cautiously, his eyes cast downward in a show of deference, "With your permission, may I ask what is the reason for your esteemed visit to my humble sect?"
Senior Brother Zhen's smile seemed to hold a hint of condescension as he replied, "We come here with our own interests. We have come to question your lowly sect on why you retreated from participating in the upcoming Sect Tournament?"
Yu Yu nodded thoughtfully, his expression a mask of understanding. He scratched his chin, his eyes sparkling with a hint of curiosity.
Senior Brother Zhen's demeanor shifted, his voice taking on a powerful, commanding tone. "Summon your sect master here and ask him to provide us with an explanation!" he shouted, his words echoing through the courtyard.
Yu Yu's eyes widened in feigned fear as he trembled before Senior Brother Zhen. He asked in a low, nervous voice, "Young Lord, please don't shout. Your shout alone is terrifying enough to scare this humble me."
Senior Brother Zhen's face broke into a satisfied smile as he watched Yu Yu cower. He nodded, his expression still smug, and said, "Go and bring your lowly sect master here."
Yu Yu nodded hastily, but then suddenly froze, his expression changing to one of thoughtful concern. "Sorry, young lord," he said, "but currently, no one is in the sect. They've all gone out for training. So, please understand my dilemma."
Senior Brother Zhen's expression darkened, his frown deepening as he felt a growing sense of unhappiness.
Senior Brother Zhen's anger flared, his voice rising in indignation. "I don't care about that! When your sect master returns from training, tell him that we came here."
Yu Yu nodded hastily, his head bobbing up and down. "Of course, of course."
Senior Brother Zhen turned to leave, his arrogance evident in every step. "Also, tell him that if he doesn't participate in the upcoming Sect Tournament, I will personally destroy your sect."
With that, Senior Brother Zhen departed, leaving Yu Yu to watch the carriage disappear into the distance. Yu Yu's smile never wavered, remaining pure and calm, full of serenity.
His eyes reflected the disappearing carriage, but his heart remained unmoved, without any fluctuations. The smile still plastered on his face seemed to hold a hint of something more, something that only he knew.
******
Within the chamber, Wudi Egun silently observed the events unfolding outside. He watched as Senior Brother Zhen and his entourage departed, leaving behind a trail of arrogance and intimidation.
Wudi Egun's expression was a mixture of amusement and concern. He couldn't help but wonder if he should laugh or cry at the consequences of his decision to retreat from the Sect Tournament.
However, this encounter had broadened his horizon, forcing him to realize that he couldn't afford to ignore worldly affairs if he intended to continue interacting with human civilization.
"Perhaps it's time to consider relocating the sect," Wudi Egun thought to himself. "We can grow in silence, keeping a low profile until we've amassed enough power to stand against the world." This small event had inadvertently prompted Wudi Egun to rethink his sect's strategy and future.
That night, Wudi Egun gathered his elders and disciples, convening an emergency meeting to discuss the sect's future. He presented his proposal to relocate the sect, citing the need to avoid unnecessary conflicts and protect their way of life.
The gathering was met with unanimous agreement, as everyone shared Wudi Egun's concern about the sect's vulnerability in the face of worldly affairs. They, too, recognized that they couldn't forever ignore or avoid the complexities of human society.
With a collective decision made, the sect's members swiftly sprang into action. They packed their belongings, said their goodbyes to the old sect, and sold the building to a new owner. As they departed, they left behind a part of their history, embarking on a new journey that would shape the future of the Sunburn Sect.
*******
Atop the serene Tri-leaf Yang Hill, Wudi Egun and his team arrived, marking the beginning of a new chapter in their journey. Currently, they found themselves in a mortal zone, a land where mortals resided and cultivators were scarce.
In this world, mortal zones coexisted with cultivators' territories, forming a delicate balance between the two. These lands were dubbed "mortal zones" due to their lack of spiritual energy or Spiritual Fields, making it impossible for even the weakest of cultivators, the Dao Apprentices, to emerge, let alone more powerful entities.
As a result, cultivators generally ignored these lands, leaving mortals to live simple, ordinary lives, far removed from the world of cultivation.
Wudi Egun had chosen Tri-leaf Yang Hill for a specific reason, one that would provide his sect with a unique advantage. Despite the lack of spiritual energy in the mortal zone, Wudi Egun possessed a Mid-Rank Spiritual Gathering Array. This powerful artifact could easily support the cultivation of his disciples, elders, and even himself.
A Mid-Rank Spiritual Gathering Array was typically reserved for Dao Masters and Dao Nobles, making it more than sufficient to support a Dao Expert like Wudi Egun, as well as his lower-realm cultivators.
The second reason Wudi Egun chose this location was its remoteness from cultivator civilization. By establishing their sect here, they could silently continue to grow, avoiding unwanted attention and conflicts with other cultivators.
This strategic decision would allow Wudi Egun's sect to flourish in secret, biding their time until they were ready to emerge onto the cultivation world's stage.
"Let the laborers construct the sect, then," Wudi Egun said, his gentle smile still plastered on his face.
Elder Mu nodded in agreement. "You are right, Sect Master."
Despite their immense power, surpassing that of ordinary men by hundreds of thousands of times, they acknowledged the importance of specialized skills for menial tasks. Thus, they entrusted the construction work to the contracted laborers.
For the time being, the group had taken shelter in the nearby Jiao Village. The village served as a peaceful and heartwarming temporary residence.
As the laborers worked on the construction, Wudi Egun and his companions took their time to observe and offer guidance, instructing the workers on the placement and design of each building.
Suddenly, a familiar notification appeared before Wudi Egun.
[Ding! System has found that the sect has been destroyed and the Host is in the process of establishing a new sect.]
[Analyzing the casualties...]
[Casualty Analysis Complete!!]
[It seems there is no real casualty.]
[For the compensation for loss, System is providing Host with a Condolence Gift:
High-Rank Cultivation Technique {Sword Burial}
100,000 Inferior-Grade
Low-Rank Spiritual Stones
10 Mid-Rank Cultivation Pills
Superior-Grade Mid-Rank Weapon {Sky-splitting Sword} ]
Wudi Egun's eyes widened in surprise as he read the message. He had no idea that he was eligible for a condolence gift. Nevertheless, he was thrilled to receive the free gifts, a pleasant surprise amidst the chaos of rebuilding his sect.
After a while, Wudi Egun and his companions decided to return to Jiao Village, nestled at the foot of the hill. The village was small, with only a handful of residents. As they arrived, they were greeted by a harmonious atmosphere that filled the air.
Currently, Wudi Egun and Elder Mu were staying with Uncle Pao and his family in their humble abode. The small house could only accommodate five people at a time, which is why only Wudi Egun and Elder Mu had chosen to stay with the Pao family.
The remaining members of the sect had been warmly welcomed by the other villagers, who had graciously offered them shelter in their own homes.
Uncle Pao's household was a warm and loving one, consisting of his wife and their young daughter, who happened to be around the same age as Wudi Egun.
As Elder Mu and Wudi Egun returned to the Pao residence, they noticed a young lady sitting outside, sewing her old clothes. She was a vision of simple beauty, with long black hair cascading down her back, reaching her waist.
Her figure was slender and delicate, neither curvaceous nor voluptuous, but perfectly suited to her frame. Standing at around 5'8" feet tall, her petite appearance only added to her charm.
In comparison to the ethereal fairies of the cultivation world, she was indeed ordinary. Yet, there was an undeniable allure to her unassuming beauty, one that was both refreshing and endearing.
Pao Ying's eyes sparkled as she noticed the arrival of Wudi Egun and Elder Mu. She stood up, bowed in greeting, and smiled warmly.
Elder Mu, a middle-aged man with a gentle aura, laughed heartily and said, "Little girl, no need to be so courteous. Just act normal."
Wudi Egun nodded in agreement, and Pao Ying gently sat back down on the bamboo bed, continuing to sew her old clothes.
Elder Mu smiled and didn't disturb her, choosing instead to walk inside the house for some rest. "Once in a while, living the life of a mortal is not a bad thing," he thought to himself.
The group had been living in Jiao Village with the identity of a merchant family, concealing their true identities as cultivators. As a result, the villagers believed them to be ordinary merchants.
Wudi Egun took a seat next to Pao Ying and said unhurriedly, "Lady Ying seems to be very masterful in sewing. I believe that whoever marries you would be a lucky man."
Pao Ying chuckled gently, her charm captivating at that moment. With a soft voice, she teased, "Then why don't you be that man, young lord?"
Upon hearing her tease, Wudi Egun kindly smiled, his eyes gleaming with sincerity. "I fear I don't deserve a beautiful soul like you."
His words were not a mere courtesy; as a cultivator, Wudi Egun knew that his path was inescapably tied to violence and destruction. The weight of his future actions hung over him, an unavoidable reality.
Pao Ying's face flushed slightly as she covered her soft, red lips. Her voice was lovely as she replied, "Maybe it's just that I'm not worthy of you, young lord. Otherwise, as you've said, the man who marries me would indeed be a lucky man."
Finishing her sentence, Pao Ying stood up unhurriedly and began walking towards the house. Wudi Egun watched her enter, his gaze lingering on the doorway. He remained silent, lost in thought.
As night descended, the sky transformed into a breathtaking canvas of glittering stars and a charming moon. Wudi Egun, Elder Mu, and Pao Ying sat outside the house, enjoying the peaceful evening after dinner.
Uncle Pao and Aunt Xi emerged from the house, their faces warm with smiles. Uncle Pao's aged voice filled the air as he spoke, "Young lord, Elder Mu, you two must be tired after all that work. Why don't my daughter help you massage your body?"
Elder Mu chuckled and replied, "I would enjoy that, if you do it. My body feels too sore, maybe because I have grown old and am not young anymore. Hahaha."
Pao Ying humbly offered, "Then please let me serve you, Elder." For her, serving an elder was not shameful, but rather a duty and an honor.
Elder Mu shook his head, declining her offer. "Haha, no need, no need my child. I was just joking with you, but I appreciate your kindness."
Uncle Pao and Aunt Xi smiled knowingly, but remained silent.
Wudi Egun, however, seized the opportunity to tease Pao Ying. With a playful smile, he said, "I would appreciate it if Lady Ying were to help me massage my leg."
Pao Ying raised an eyebrow in amusement, but didn't respond. Wudi Egun continued, his eyes locked onto hers, "You see, after all that walking, I'm feeling my leg sore and numb, so please..."
Pao Ying let out a gentle sigh and walked over to Wudi Egun, sitting down beside his leg. Her skilled fingers began to massage his muscles, easing the tension.
Wudi Egun closed his eyes, savoring the pleasure of her touch. He took a deep breath, exhaling slowly as he complimented, "Such a wonderful experience, Lady Ying. Your hands seem to be a gift from heaven."
The group erupted into laughter, and for a moment, they allowed themselves to be swept away by the peaceful and joyous atmosphere.
Under the starry night sky, this harmonious scene unfolded, melting the hearts of all who witnessed it. Time seemed to stand still as they basked in the warmth of this fleeting moment.
Before they knew it, the night had slowly come to an end, leaving behind a sense of serenity and tranquility.