424 - A Sect Leader’s Ascension

Chapter 424: The Formation of the Chu-Qin Alliance The first light of dawn broke, and the sudden snowstorm ceased, leaving the land blanketed in a pristine sheet of silver. Ten "Silver-backed Transport Rays" hovered above, connected nose-to-tail in a circular formation, encircling Siguo Mountain like a celestial gathering. From the summit to the mid-mountain, throngs of people gathered, all of them esteemed cultivators revered with utmost respect in the mortal world. Looking around, the reddish banner of the Chu-Qin, gifted by the Wei family in those bygone days, stood prominently among the sea of red-robed figures. Each robe bore two golden characters, "楚秦" (Chu-Qin), over the left chest. While disciples of the Chu-Qin Sect left the banner plain, other sects added their family emblems beneath these characters for distinction. For instance, the Xiong family had a small "熊" (bear) character below, marking their affiliation with the Chu-Qin Alliance. "Live and die together, bless our Chu-Qin!" With a rallying cry, thousands responded in unison, their voices harmonizing in a powerful chant that seemingly reached the heavens, making everything feel dreamlike. Today marked the establishment of the Chu-Qin Alliance, another pinnacle in Qi Xiu's life journey. Alas, it coincided closely with Gu Tiesheng's pill condensation ceremony, and the sect's resources were quite strained. To save on spiritual stones, Nangong Yanran suggested that the alliance's establishment ceremony also serve as a military exercise. In essence, they would parade with the beast ships to make a spectacle without incurring significant expenses. After some boastful proclamations, Qi Xiu waved his hand dramatically. "All aboard!" The command was deafening, and the sound of thousands of robes flapping was akin to a tempest. Many beams of light shot into the sky, each following pre-arranged groups to board the beast ships. "Move!" Qi Xiu instructed the Zhao family beast tamers, and the beast ships started their slow transformation from a circle to a straight serpent formation, heading directly south towards the border. At the forefront of the beast ship convoy stood a grand pavilion. This majestic hall, newly constructed, displayed a signboard with three characters: "議事堂" (Hall of Deliberation), serving as the central hub of the Chu-Qin Alliance. Qi Xiu occupied the high seat with Gu Tiesheng on his left and Xiong Fourteen on his right. Below them, aligned on both sides, were the four affiliated family heads and several late foundation-building disciples, all seated in ordered distinction. The Chu-Qin Sect featured Qi Xiu and Gu Tiesheng as Golden Core experts, with foundation disciples including Mo Jianxin, Gu Tan, Duoluosen, Zhang Shengnan, Qin Guangyao, and Nangong Yanran, among 14 in total. Around 300 Qi refining disciples populated areas around Siguo Mountain, Chu-Qin Mountain, Shandu Mountain, Tianyin Mountain, and also managed some unallocated territories within the Shandu region, totaling over 150,000 people. The Bei Lie Mountain's Xiong family had Xiong Fourteen as a Golden Core expert and nine foundation-building members, alongside approximately 450 Qi refining disciples. Their influence extended to the areas around Bei Lie Mountain and the southern parts of Shandu, covering an 110,000 strong population. The Kongqu Mountain's Qi family had ten foundation-building members, including Qi Bingyan, and about 300 Qi refining disciples, covering a 50,000 population around Kongqu Mountain. The Li Mountain's Gan family comprised seven foundation-building members, including Gan Long, and about 400 Qi refining disciples, covering a population of 100,000 in the Li Mountain surroundings. The Yuanhe Mountain's She family had five foundation-building members, including She Yishan, and around 250 Qi refining disciples, covering a 70,000 population around Yuanhe Mountain. The Twin-Link Mountain's Song brothers were two foundation-building members with nearly 50 Qi refining disciples, covering about 8,000 people around Twin-Link Mountain. The Nanlong Mountain's Baisha Gang had Sa Nuo and the Gan sisters as foundation-builders, along with over 20 Qi refining disciples, operating in the areas around Nanlong Mountain and covering a population of around 20,000. These seven powers together accounted for nearly half of the Chu-Qin Alliance's population and about a third of its cultivator count, making them immensely influential. The Chu-Qin Alliance was a loosely-knit sect alliance, with each faction managing its own affairs. Qi Xiu held the decisive power over major issues, bringing alliance forces under unified command during wartime. To sustain the operation of the Chu-Qin Alliance, the Chu-Qin Sect offered half of their Si Guo Market profits and established a council of nine foundational cultivators to handle routine affairs. Each of the four affiliated families provided one representative, while Chu-Qin Sect supplied four, with the last from the Baisha Gang, being Sa Nuo. The Song brothers, due to the frequent changes of hands and recent rise, did not yet qualify to participate. Additionally, a vacancy for an elder within the alliance was reserved for each family to be filled by Golden Core cultivators, with only Xiong Fourteen currently representing his clan. As families advanced in cultivation, new foundation builders could fill these positions. Whatever the council or elder titles represented, they were essentially gifts from Gu Tan to placate other families. In practice, major decisions lay solely with Qi Xiu, while others merely executed his will. In truth, the real sacrifice was losing half of the Si Guo Market's profits. Despite retaining ownership, with Lingmu Alliance territory opening up, market profits were bound to soar—potentially doubling past revenues. Yet, the Chu-Qin Sect would need to forfeit six to seven thousand third-grade spirit stones annually. Nevertheless, as expenses like border fort renovations and transportation were costs they would have incurred regardless, a significant portion of these spirit stones would stay within Chu-Qin Sect. Most importantly, those expenses supported the purchase of a "Yimu Wind Shuttle" from the southern Chu Sect at an annual cost of five thousand third-grade stones over ten years. Though suffering financial outflow, Chu-Qin Sect could recover through Shandu, Tianyin mines, and scattered Chu-Qin shops. As the flying shuttle operated, additional significant revenue from the alliance would boost their income. In conclusion, Qi Xiu maintained a firm grip on major power, albeit with some operational compromise for the Chu-Qin Sect. As members toasted and conversed, a harmonious atmosphere prevailed in the hall, with the warships boasting themselves as they neared the Lingmu Alliance border, looping eastward to the relic Fu Alliance boundary. This maneuver caused suspicion and tension along the way, as with three Golden Cores and over five thousand cultivators, their force could easily overpower any non-Nascent Soul sect. After a show of power and several formation exercises, they leisurely returned to Siguo Mountain. Though this was an alliance rather than a sect, individuals soon resumed their routines. Qi Xiu dismissed everyone homeward, and order restored to its usual calm. Back in the cliff-top hall, Qi Xiu reviewed his sect’s status carefully. With half the Si Guo Market profits waived, Chu-Qin Sect retained less than a tenth of it, about a thousand third-grade stones annually, poised for growth. The Tianyin and Shandu mines were at peak production, steadily contributing four thousand third-grade stones annually. This level was maintainable for some time, although the stone reserves would eventually deplete. Chu-Qin shops had over a decade of stable growth, generating around three thousand annually. After entering the three cities of Lingmu Alliance, their number exceeded ten. Cultivating spirit herbs and minerals could still fetch about a thousand third-grade stones annually. These four primary sources constituted over 80% of Chu-Qin Sect’s income, yet rising everyday expenses with increased followers meant a high outflow. Despite spreading some costs through the alliance, about five thousand third-grade stones remained essential yearly, with a surplus of six to seven thousand third-grade stones annually. This increase, compared to before their agreement with Lingmu Alliance, sufficiently covered upcoming expenses for cultivators like Qin Changfeng’s pill condensation without distractions. The five million stone compensation from Lingmu Alliance added much-needed financial respite. In terms of personnel, Master Qi Xiu and Elder Gu Tiesheng were the two Golden Core cultivators. In the late foundation-building phase, Mo Jianxin’s pill condensation seemed impossible, while Zhang Shengnan’s prospects were dim. Qin Changfeng and Duoluosen held significant potential, while Gu Tan had some chance. Further out was Mingzhen, whose expenses remained considered despite the Ming family’s relocation. In the mid foundation-building phase, Qin Guangyao showed promise, while Nangong Yanran remained entangled in worldly affairs, and Yao Qing simply lacked the time, though his pursuit differed. Early foundation-builders’ future remained unclear; Yu Qing’er, Kan Xuan, and Qin Liangkun, with the best credentials, gained admittance to the inner sect; the other three were less distinguished, one being a non-clan origin, while two were from the local Luo clan. Luo Zi from the Luo family, with the most potential, was involved in a strategic alliance with Yan’er Sect, organized by Qi Xiu. He had to let go when Ming family members like Ming Zhen relocated. Mo Jianxin, Gu Tan, Nangong Yanran, and Zhang Shengnan joined the Chu-Qin Alliance council, consistently holding a five-to-four advantage thanks to Sa Nuo’s presence, ensuring practical dealings without obstruction. This arrangement subtly elevated Sa Nuo’s status, acting as an underlying test from Qi Xiu. With a complex inner world seeking assurances and unable to grasp Sa Nuo’s mind directly, he had to rely on such means. To ensure personal cultivation wasn’t disrupted, the council typically rotated duties among its members, with Mo Jianxin representing them publicly, while others participated nominally. The sect's administrative affairs officially transitioned to Nangong Yanran, with Qi Xiu continuing to implement plans preventing her pill condensation. Most inspiring to Qi Xiu was the emergence of promising youth within his sect: Zhan Ji, after Zhan Ji feng; Shen Chang, followed by Shen Yuzhuo, and Gu Xiu’s successor, Gu Bao. These generations of former acquaintances’ offspring all possessed singular spiritual roots, stirring a dormant, nostalgic favor deep within Qi Xiu’s heart. Generations have passed since the descendants of Zhan Qiu and Qin Zhi, and their lineage has grown to only about a hundred people. Yet, miraculously, the Zhan family has produced another single spiritual root cultivator, a testament to divine favor. As for the Guo family, who were obliterated by the Lingmu Alliance and had lost all cultivators, Qi Xiu had no choice but to accept the Guo-named commoners into the Chu-Qin. Now, after many years, a new single spiritual root cultivator has emerged, potentially signaling the Guo family's resurgence. It's imperative to provide them with attentive guidance. With the establishment of the Chu-Qin Alliance, Qi Xiu acquired another responsibility: offering regular instruction to disciples from various families within the alliance. Chu-Qin Sect's high success rate in cultivating talents has long evoked envy from outsiders. In truth, one major reason for other families joining the Chu-Qin Alliance is their eager desire for Qi Xiu's guidance in their cultivators' training. His reputation as a master instructor has spread far and wide. ... "You learn too slowly..." Presently, Huo Guan had just concluded a teaching session. He was somewhat exasperated by the old lion, an ancient beast from the wild, and its learning capacity. "I see that you understand things clearly, so why is it that when it comes to concrete knowledge, you're worse than a three-year-old child?" "No rush..." The old lion leisurely transmitted its mental signals. "Time is abundant..." (To be continued)