455 - A Sect Leader’s Ascension
**Chapter 455: Xing Jian Proposes a Transaction** As the group led by Gu Tan exited the hall, Chu Wuying appeared silently, showing concern, and deftly pulled a large cushion from a storage pouch, placing it under Qi Xiu. "You should take care of your health before tending to these matters." "Baishan Junshi's balance could collapse at any moment. We've already been moving too slowly," Qi Xiu replied, leaning back into the cushion and adjusting to a more comfortable position. "These individuals are carefully selected from the various vassal families under our respective jurisdictions. I've just reviewed them. They seem capable enough. Go ahead and spread them out. When Gu Tan reaches Jiedan at Haimen Island, he can oversee them remotely. However, the one who sat two seats to my left seems unreliable." Years of mutual understanding meant such matters needed no further explanation. Chu Wuying nodded and once more disappeared into the shadows. A great battle erupted atop Bai Mountain, with the ten major families' Nascent Souls clearly divided into factions, each turning against the other. Since then, the war below had not seen the intervention of Bai Mountain's Nascent Soul experts. What remained were intertwined skirmishes predominantly fought by Foundation Establishment and Energy Refining cultivators, each family stationed around the mountain, crushing and exhausting each other. The result was a chaotic conflict nearly engulfing the entire Bai Mountain. Currently, without the Nascent Soul support, Dan Alliance was on the brink of collapse under the assault of Jingmu Lihuo's coalition. The sword sects in the south held an edge over Ruijin Houtu but hadn't achieved a decisive advantage. Meanwhile, Hehuan Sect, which had been self-proclaiming neutrality yet subtly supporting Dan Alliance and the sword sects, was gearing up. They seemed prepared to launch simultaneous assaults: one northward to aid Dan Alliance and another southward for the final strike against Ruijin Houtu. If both fronts advanced as the sect wished, Bai Mountain's clamor would entirely fall into this opportunistic fisherman's grasp. The ever-shifting times placed Chu Qin Sect either outside or inside the situation. They had to find a way to rebalance Baishan or prepare to deal with a potentially dominant Hehuan Sect in the future. Of course, this assessment disregarded the results of the Nascent Soul battles atop Bai Mountain and outside influences. In discussions with Gu Tan, maintaining balance among Bai Mountain's factions was undoubtedly beneficial for Chu Qin Sect. Yet, they should not actively intervene. Remaining on the periphery and discreetly assisting, without provoking Hehuan Sect and others, was the expedient path—leave the rest to fate. "The key is in the measure; to strive for balance among Bai Mountain's factions without antagonizing the future victor," Gu Tan had remarked, which Qi Xiu wholeheartedly endorsed. However, striking such a balance was easier said than done. For the sake of securing future contingencies, actions in the outer seas needed to accelerate. The target remained the long-entangled Long family. Their misfortunes after establishing themselves in the outer seas stemmed largely from the Chu Qin Sect's missteps. Initially, they were exposed to chaos by Sha Nuo's Celestial Order announcement, and after their Nascent Soul family head fell, Wanshizhi and casual writings from 'Encyclopaedia' arrived. These writings exaggerated the Long family's past as the foremost vassal of Tianlimen, with countless treasures and orthodox Confucian texts enabling practitioners to swiftly and safely reach great heights. The writings slyly suggested their downfall within Tianlimen, leading to their move to the outer seas. This infamous old trick of Wanshizhi's, used to harm Chu Qin Sect, tarnished reputations and incited suspicion. Wanshizhi and Yao Qing's writings enjoyed some sales and credibility in the outer seas, and over decades, repeated mention of the Long family's deep roots and wealth inevitably lured short-sighted and greedy individuals. Along with the Long family's self-destructive in-fighting over succession after their Nascent Soul head's fall, internal strife weakened them significantly. A few years ago, coordinated outlaws seized the chance to invade the family’s main island, pillaging it thoroughly. The scripture pavilion was besieged for nearly a hundred days, only spared complete looting thanks to old friends who rushed to aid from the mainland. Using the pen to shed blood proved unexpectedly effective. As the Long family declined, Qi Xiu’s ambition grew. After all, the Long's island, seized when their Nascent Soul head was still alive, was larger and more fertile than Siguo Mountain. Although its central and surrounding islands were scattered and smaller, it was ample for housing Chu Qin Sect's people if not the entire Chu Qin Alliance. Regardless of Baishan's balanced or one-family dominance, Chu Qin Sect would remain until leaving Bai Mountain became necessary. In that case, they would seize the Long family's stronghold in the outer seas. This strategic direction was Qi Xiu's determined plan. The twenty-plus spies embedded in various factions were preparatory steps for that time. "No matter what, Chu Qin Sect will not perish!" With this resolve, a feeling of resentment rose. Nangong Mu’s attack had depleted nearly a century of life essence. Even though compensation with invaluable restorative medicine was given later, Qi Xiu still faced a loss of nearly fifty years of vital energy. His path to forming Nascent Soul had now become significantly harder. Before becoming a Jiedan, Qi Xiu's lifespan was approximately 170 years. Post-Jiedan, frequent use of human face-patterned snake’s [Everlasting Moss] along with severe injuries left him with roughly 480 years. After Nangong Mu's act as if using a disposable tool, Qi Xiu, at 180 years of age, had about 260 effective years remaining. Not being too old for Nascent Soul formation meant only 150 to 160 effective years left, currently at the Golden Core third layer, requiring at least twenty years per layer at minimum—or the great path would be nearly hopeless. Ironically, due to past extensive use of Everlasting Moss, pills primarily composed of it, like [Grand Return Pill] or [Minor Return Pill], had become ineffective. The medicine from the Nangong family could only be used once; future attempts to extend lifespan would be extremely difficult. Deep in thought, Qi Xiu's attention was suddenly piqued as two individuals entered the underground hall again. Sha Nuo walked ahead, followed by someone whose features were obscured by a large cloak. "The Sect Master, the person has arrived." Sha Nuo acknowledged before leaving. Once out of sensing range, the cloaked figure drew back the hood: it was 'Chuqin's Lucky Star' Xing Jian. "Please forgive the secrecy, Xing Daoist. Current circumstances are delicate, leaving us no choice but to meet in such a covert manner." Recalling the time Xing Jian took a blow for Qi Xiu, the latter stifled a chuckle. Wearing the silver-gray mask to conceal aging, Qi Xiu gestured opposite. Xing Jian's features barely twitched seeing the mask, quickly regaining composure to discuss business directly. After Qingmu Zhilong breached North Dingshen Mountain and found He Yu and Jiang Yan but failed to capture them, Nangong Zhi organized a team from Nangong's household to seal the mountain, intending to trace He Yu through the teleportation array. Chasing Jiang Yan also led Xing Jian near North Dingshen Mountain. Despite belonging to the same lineage as the Nangong family and being a later generation Nascent Soul cultivator, this time they denied him entry to the mountain. "The matter of tracking Jiang Yan, it’s become an obsession of mine. Not allowing me to continue is simply unthinkable." Xing Jian's words held a weariness previously unseen, stirring a sense of empathy in Qi Xiu. Observing Xing Jian, his appearance remained handsome, yet years in pursuit had honed a more mature and restrained demeanor. Once brash and heedless, he now met Qi Xiu clandestinely for the sake of duty. "I hear from Jixia City that after Nangong Mu paid a hefty price to retrieve He Yu's body and your unconscious self from Gui Zheng, he impatiently attacked North Dingshen Mountain. I refuse to believe these two events are unrelated." "Jiang Yan surely lies within North Dingshen; why does Nangong seek them? What roles did you and He Yu play in this?!" Xing Jian's inquiries were misplaced, as only insiders could fathom He Yu's existence-altering artifact's interference, entangling with Jiang Yan. Such deep-seated secrets were perilous, shared only under the threat of death, leaving Qi Xiu no choice but to deflect with vague responses. "Master Qi! I am a disciple of the Enforcement Peak; don't you fear offending me more than the Nangong family?" Xing Jian stubbornly resumed asserting authority with pointed queries. Qi Xiu, long attuned to his antics, chuckled. "Heh, if you truly dismissed Nangong family concerns, wouldn’t you address me openly?" A critical hit left Xing Jian speechless. "Truly, Xing Daoist, why fret? Both you and the Nangong family seek Jiang Yan. Being of the same lineage, does it matter who locates him first?" Easing the awkward tension, Qi Xiu intervened. "I'm only…sigh!" Xing Jian’s head drooped further, his spirit visibly flagging. "This proposition from the Enforcement Peak may seem rational, but unless I personally capture Jiang Yan, how could I face my peers? Overcoming this would be insurmountable, further clouding my Nascent Soul formation attempts." Understanding his fervor, Qi Xiu maintained silence. "However…" hesitation flickered across Xing Jian’s eyes, an apology lingering in his voice. "What if... ahem, if we exchanged intel? I reveal what you wish to know, and you, in turn, share what I seek. What say you?" "Oh?" Surprised by he who once was a straightforward man now proposing a clandestine exchange, Qi Xiu's interest piqued, sitting up in curiosity. (To be continued.)