Chapter 152: That’s Quite a Surprise

Chapter 152: Chapter 152: That’s Quite a Surprise

"Distributing the spots was a real hassle, but it’s finally done."

The Sect Leader of Purple Cloud Valley watched the setting sun. Instead of relief at having finished the task, his voice was tinged with anxiety.

"Profound Nether Province is about to descend into chaos. Under these circumstances, the Mo Family can’t directly protect the entire Great Xia Dynasty. Even if I return to the family, I won’t be able to do it."

Mo Xuan spoke calmly. The spots to be allocated weren’t just for Fire Dragon Valley, but also included the annual quota of disciples the Mo Family accepted from Purple Cloud Valley. Every year, the Sect Leader would send a group of True Disciples directly to the Mo Family, where they would become an official part of the family.

He had long been aware of this arrangement. If everything went smoothly, one of these disciples would inevitably climb to a high position in the Mo Family, thereby directly benefiting the entire Purple Cloud Valley.

Although the region around the Great Xia Dynasty was remote, its resources were not barren. At the very least, there were more than enough for the first three Realms: Body Tempering, Meridian Passage, and Qi Refining. For the Mo Family, using what amounted to negligible resources to gain a steady stream of new talent was, in a sense, a win-win situation.

But things don’t always go according to plan. The Mo Family isn’t located in Profound Nether Province. When the region’s original overlord, the Profound Nether Sect, decided to completely unify the province, the Mo Family wouldn’t go to war with them over it.

The Mo Family would take a group of people and leave, and the Profound Nether Sect would not launch a devastating strike on Purple Cloud Valley. But sometimes, the Profound Nether Sect didn’t need to do anything; Purple Cloud Valley, and even the Great Xia Dynasty, might not survive the chaos long enough to see the Profound Nether Sect restore order.

Although the storm was still brewing and had not yet reached its most dangerous point, Purple Cloud Valley had received a warning and absolutely had to prepare.

"Is there really no other way?"

The Sect Leader was unwilling to give up. He could, of course, abandon Purple Cloud Valley and leave on his own. His own family, including his wife and children, were in Mo Province, the Mo Family’s stronghold, where nine-tenths of the local powers were vassals of the Mo Family. But the entire Purple Cloud Valley couldn’t just be uprooted and moved.

"The Profound Nether Sect’s goal isn’t to destroy everything, but to establish a completely new order. Purple Cloud Valley just needs to ensure its survival through the chaos, and things will naturally get back on track. When the time comes, you’ll only need to acknowledge the Profound Nether Sect as the leader of Profound Nether Province. I believe the Profound Nether Sect will be happy to give me some face—or to be more precise, to give the Mo Family face."

Mo Xuan remained calm. The message from the former Peak Master had indeed confirmed the news about the Profound Nether Sect, but in reality, the Profound Nether Sect couldn’t care less about this region. Forget Purple Cloud Valley; even the Great Xia Dynasty, the neighboring Black Feather Dynasty, and Tianya City combined were hardly worth their notice.

Once the Profound Nether Sect re-establishes order, they won’t even bother coming here personally. However, the powers that have been covetously eyeing this region will inevitably try to seize this opportunity. They’ll occupy this territory to secure a better position and more resources in the reshuffled Profound Nether Province.

"This is the first time I’ve heard you openly admit you’re from the Mo Family."

The Sect Leader couldn’t help but stare. He’d known Mo Xuan’s identity ever since they first made contact with the Mo Family, but no matter how he tried to broach the subject indirectly, Mo Xuan had always refused to confirm it.

"I never denied it."

Mo Xuan shook his head. When he had left home for his trial, he used a Teleportation Talisman and arrived directly within the territory of the Great Xia Dynasty. As it happened, Purple Cloud Valley was recruiting disciples, so he joined the sect.

He had expected to cultivate here for a few years, a few decades at most. But not only did he end up meeting the love of his life, he also recently took on three disciples who pleased them both greatly.

Liu Chen’s Talent could be called unparalleled. As for Ji Suyao and Ye Linglong, they each reminded him and his partner of their younger selves.

"Are you planning to take all three disciples to the Mo Family?"

The Sect Leader couldn’t help asking. He had his suspicions about the extent of Liu Chen’s Talent, and with him around, Purple Cloud Valley’s chances of weathering the crisis would be much higher.

"Liu Chen will stay behind. He cannot go to the Mo Family until I have stabilized the situation within the family."

Mo Xuan shook his head. ’Having too much Talent isn’t always a good thing. Before I secure my position in the Mo Family, who knows what someone might try to pull.’ He was certain, however, that Suyao and Linglong would be safe once they returned.

This was always the way of the Mo Family: the men of the clan would forever face trials of iron and blood, while the women were treated in the exact opposite manner.

’Besides, judging from my father’s attitude last time, my partner and my two disciples will become his new cherished treasures. The best resources and the safest environment for cultivation will be waiting for them.’

’As for me, after returning to the Mo Family, the first thing I must do is enter the Secret Realm to undergo the inheritance trial and advance my Realm. After that, I’ll have to cultivate while simultaneously handling the family’s messy affairs until I become the undisputed Patriarch.’

’If I brought Liu Chen back with me, he’d just end up being sent somewhere else to train anyway. It’s better to leave him in Purple Cloud Valley. At least he’s familiar with this place.’

"That’s quite a surprise. But are you sure he won’t read too much into it?"

The Sect Leader couldn’t help but look over. He had just been thinking about it himself—Liu Chen was the most outstanding disciple, making it unlikely that he would be the one left behind. But who could have known that it would be Liu Chen?

"That’s his business."

Mo Xuan shook his head, unwilling to discuss the topic further. Liu Chen wasn’t a child of the Mo Family, so there was no guarantee he would join them. However, based on his recent observations, Mo Xuan felt that Liu Chen placed great importance on their master-disciple bond.

"You’re awfully nonchalant about it."

The Sect Leader shook his head. As he stepped back onto the Flying Ship, the clear ringing of a bell echoed across it. The nearby Purple Cloud Valley disciples hurried aboard. Once all the sect disciples had returned, more than a dozen Loose Cultivators who had passed the screening lined up and boarded the deck.

Once all were aboard, the Flying Ship shot into the sky, officially beginning its journey home.

The great commotion roused Liu Chen from his cultivation. He took a moment to adapt to his vision, now that his Bright Eyes Technique had reached the Perfection stage. If he observed carefully, Liu Chen could even see the texture of his own skin.

’If I continue to develop it along these lines until it becomes a unique Skill, the Bright Eyes Technique should be able to see the flow of Spiritual Power within a Cultivator’s body, or perhaps even the Spirit Patterns of the Body Tempering Realm and the Spirit Veins of the Meridian Passage Realm.’

Liu Chen’s eyes returned to normal, and he resumed his cultivation. All that was left was to wait for the Flying Ship to land. That would take some time, and since there was nothing better to do, he might as well spend it cultivating.

An hour later, Ye Linglong’s voice came from outside his room. "Senior Brother, we’re almost at Purple Cloud Valley. Master wants us to gather."

Liu Chen slowly opened his eyes, rose to his feet, and walked outside.

"When we get back, I plan on making some Spiritual Cuisine to fill my stomach. Would you two junior sisters be interested?"

Liu Chen asked slowly, looking at his two junior sisters in the courtyard. His words made both Ye Linglong and Ji Suyao pause, as if their gentle senior brother from the old days was back.