"Quickly, gather the twenty-four low-level disciples together. This is the order from Elder Ting, whose disciple Lan Xinyu is level twenty-nine and twenty-six. While it's generally difficult to judge the age of cultivators, all the elders' disciples are highly talented." A steward went ahead to gather these disciples, either registered or personally taught by Xuan Qingbo and others. These low-level disciples had all undergone assessments of character and talent; some were from the five great families, others were not, but all were the future pillars and hopes of the Qingxuan Sect in the outside world.
At this moment, most of these lower-level disciples were cultivating in a secluded courtyard, with only a few going out with the others to exercise occasionally.
Here, there are also two deacons guarding and supervising.
"Brother Luo Bei, what's going on? Why are you here to announce this sudden gathering?" one of the deacons greeted him warmly and with surprise.
But judging from Senior Brother Luo's serious expression, something was clearly wrong.
"The Lei family has sent people again, and this time they're coming in force! Elder Xuan asked me to inform everyone that Elder Lan will be here soon. Junior Brother Wan, Junior Brother Chen, the four of us will take twenty-four low-level disciples and prepare to evacuate!" Senior Brother Luo said.
"What?! The Lei family is here again! This is a huge problem! Lord Lei Tai gave us a month's notice, and it's not even half a month yet. Could it be that he has changed his mind? I wonder who it is for? We are just guest elders and stewards, and our strength is still very weak. How can we fight against the Lei family! Quick, quick, quick, gather the low-level disciples together!" Junior Brother Chen, who had just spoken, exclaimed in surprise.
“Brother Chen is absolutely right! However, things are urgent, so I think we should gather these lower-level disciples first!” said Senior Brother Wan.
Deacon Luo, Deacon Wan, and Deacon Chen, the three guest deacons, were in the same faction. Deacons were two ranks below elders, and above them was the chief deacon. Only after that were the elders. The three deacons, like the other deacons, were also guest deacons, which was equivalent to the rank of elder. This was not an insult to them, nor was it an indication that they were being treated as servants. Their arrival together gathered all the lower-ranking disciples, arousing their great curiosity and respect.
Especially Stewards Wan and Chen, who often guide everyone's cultivation based on proximity, can be considered more than half teachers. The six elders and disciples, Han Peng, Qi Hui, Lan Xinyu, Zhou Xie, Feng Nie, and Ouyang Qingtong, have each taken in four new disciples, while Xuan Qingbai and Qingzhu have not taken in any disciples so far.
Among these ideas were those of the six disciples.
For the Qingxuan Sect to gain widespread recognition and influence in the outside world, it needs powerful figures to oversee it. It must have at least one expert! But cultivating an expert requires a significant amount of time for training.
Among all the elders' disciples, Xuan Qingji possesses the highest talent. Given time, and with the crystals from the profits of the Northwest Imitation Market currently being used for cultivation, Xuan Qingji's cultivation will improve rapidly. He will undoubtedly be among the future masters of the sect!
However, Qingzhu's personality is not suitable for taking on disciples, at least not for now. Qingzhu spends most of her time with Xuan Qingbo, and if she were to take on disciples, given her impatient nature, not only would she not be able to take good care of them, but they might also become a new burden for the other six.
Even so, the six elders and their disciples didn't have much time to educate the other disciples. They needed time to cultivate themselves, and they also needed to spend time managing the marketplace.
In general, as the major powers adapt and stabilize, the Qingxuan Sect doesn't have much time left.
This time, Lei Mansion suddenly announced the establishment of Black Wind City, bringing the location of Northwest Fang City into its sphere of influence. This is the first major calamity that Xuan Qingbo and others have faced!
"Everyone, pack your important belongings. Elder Lan will be here soon. Elder Lan, Deacon Wan, Deacon Chen, and I will lead you to prepare for evacuation at any time! Don't ask me why, just follow orders!" Senior Brother Luo and all the other lower-level disciples said in unison, their voices cold and stern.
After he finished speaking, Lan Xinyu arrived.
At this moment, Lan Xinyu showed no panic on her face, and her composure was admirable.
"Everyone understands what Deacon Luo said. Now, everyone follow me and Deacon Luo, with Deacon Wan and Deacon Chen following behind. Let's go!"
No one knew that although Lan Xinyu appeared calm, she was actually very worried inside.
Fortunately, modern construction techniques enabled the city to have underground passages leading to the outside, so that if all else fails, one can go underground and leave. It's just a pity that this market has to be abandoned in such a desperate situation.
Lan Xinyu was heading towards the entrance of this underground passage. Even the guest stewards, such as Steward Luo, Steward Wan, and Steward Chen, didn't know about this place.
However, what they saw was the future of Qingbo Sect, betting on the future of Qingxuan Sect in the outside world, so in many matters they only supported it and did not interfere casually.
They didn't tell Lan Xinyu and the others about the secret passage. They didn't seem to have any displeasure.
Just as Lan Xinyu was quickly bringing Qingxuan Sect's hopes from the outside world to the secret passage, outside the Northwest Imitation City Formation, a dozen or so people from Lei Mansion, led by Senior Brother Hua, arrived in a menacing manner.
That formation was much smaller than the one in the southwest of Fangshi, covering at most a radius of five miles.
It is also no match for the protective array of Lei Mansion. When Black Wind City is established in the future, the array covering Black Wind City will be even larger and will extend far beyond the southwest city.
"Senior Brother Hua, shall we go in first, or test the power of this formation?" A dozen people landed with arrogant expressions. One of them glanced at the formation and chuckled.
They didn't take this grand formation seriously at all.
"Such arrogance." Just then, the formation flashed and a dozen people appeared. Xuan Qingban led Han Peng and six others, along with several stewards, out and confronted Senior Brother Hua and the others head-on. His jade-like face was filled with arrogance and slight anger.
"Insolence!" Han Peng said coldly and angrily. "With your level of cultivation, you actually dare to say you're going to test the power of this great formation? What a joke! Even if Lei Tai himself came, he wouldn't be able to break through this protective formation!"
"Oh, who is it? It's none other than Xuan Qingbo, the outstanding young talent of the Qingxuan Sect!" Upon seeing Xuan Qingbo, a gleam of light flashed across the man's face.
Xuan Qingbo's beauty is truly divine. Every man desires her. If only I could have Xuan Qingbo in my household, I'd gladly give up a hundred years of my life!
"Now that Fairy Xuan has arrived, I will convey Lord Lei's decree! I order all the people of the Northwest Market to make a choice within three hours! Either submit to my Black Wind City and hand over 80% of the market's annual revenue, or leave within three hours and we will take over! Fairy Xuan, I believe you know what to do and where to go!"
"Lord Lei has also said that although Qingxuan Sect is a major sect in the cultivation world, this is the outside world. Although Lei Mansion is not very powerful, it is one of the four major forces: one city, one sect, one prefecture, and one clan. But let me be arrogant and say that Lei Mansion is not much worse than Fang City. As long as Fairy Xuan is willing to submit to Lei Mansion, then Fairy Xuan will become an elder of Lei Mansion, second only to Lord Lei and above everyone else. At that time, Fairy Xuan's status will also be above mine! Moreover, Fang City in the Northwest will also have room to develop under the protection of Lei Mansion. Why not? If you don't submit to Tian, do you think the other cities, sects, and clans will let you go?" Master Hua used Xuan Qingban's delicate body, his throat gurgling, to persuade her.
In his heart, he thought, "It's such a pity to let this woman die young!" However, although Lord Lei made such a promise, if this matter is accomplished, he will also become an elder of the Lei family, and then everyone will be equal in status!
This persuasion swayed the others somewhat. Although the Lei family harbored ill intentions, what Senior Brother Hua said made sense. The cultivation world was a dog-eat-dog world; if you were weak and refused to submit, your only fate was extinction. The weak submit to the strong—this was the general rule.
Seeing that Xuan Qingbo remained unmoved, as if watching him make a fool of himself, Senior Brother Hua felt a surge of shame and anger.
His expression turned cold as he continued, "Whether you choose to be enemies or friends with the Lei family, Fairy Xuan, please consider carefully! If you become enemies, the Lei family will not tolerate any threat within its territory. The only outcome will be the annihilation of all of you! To put it bluntly, with your highest cultivation level of only forty-seven, you actually think you can protect Fang City? Hmph! I've heard that Fang City has eight disciples. Are the others also from the Qingxuan Sect? If the others don't want to be wanted by the Lei family, then it's best to leave now or join the Lei family! Otherwise, once you become enemies, you will face the Lei family's relentless pursuit!"
Xuan Qinghui and the others all changed color. The guest elders and stewards changed color because the unfavorable situation they faced with the Lei family made them hesitant. Some were genuinely tempted. Otherwise, if what Senior Brother Hua said were true, they wouldn't be able to show their faces in public anymore.
This is a real dilemma!
Xuan Qinghui and the others were worried that these guest elders and stewards would leave. Currently, the person with the highest cultivation level in the Northwest City was not them, but the guest elders and stewards.
Once they leave, how will Fang City face Hua Shixiong's attack?!
Senior Brother Hua glanced at everyone, and his aura suddenly surged forth, growing stronger and stronger!
Thirty-eight, thirty-nine, forty, forty-one, forty-two, forty-three, forty-four, four-five, forty-six, forty-seven!
The pressure exerted on everyone as the aura continued to rise was immense.
Even Xuan Qinghui's usually calm expression changed. His eyes flashed with Yi Tian's killing intent, but the difference in their levels was insurmountable. The situation was extremely unfavorable for Fang Shi!
"Fortunately, Senior Brother Hua is only level 47, and we also have a level 47 cultivator on our side, so we are not without a fighting chance!" The others were under immense pressure and were already circulating their life demon power to reduce the feeling of being suppressed.
However, it can only be weakened, not eliminated. Many guest elders and deacons in their early thirties feel that their fate is out of their control. If Senior Brother Hua wants to kill them, he can do it instantly!
"Hmph!" A cold glint flashed in the eyes of the level 47 cultivator, who also released his aura. With forty-seven against forty-seven, Xuan Qingban's side immediately felt the pressure lessen, secretly relieved. "Using their level advantage to suppress others—the Lei Clan's methods aren't exactly honorable!"
When the aura surged back, the people next to Senior Brother Hua felt that it was like a ferocious beast. Their expressions changed slightly, but they remained surprisingly calm, all showing a look of contempt.
"How can these people be so confident? Are they so confident in Senior Brother Hua? Are they confident that Senior Brother Hua can suppress their side?"
"Haha, you think you can comment on Lei Mansion with just a mere level 47 cultivator? Lei Mansion isn't as weak as you think!" Senior Brother Hua said disdainfully.
His aura suddenly surged, reaching level forty-eight!
"Level 48! He's actually a Level 8 cultivator!" The sense of relief that had just appeared on the market side vanished instantly.
A level 48 cultivator against a level 47 cultivator could basically achieve an overwhelming victory! Even the level 47 cultivator from the city's side had a drastic change in expression.
The higher the level, the greater the difference between each level.
"Do we really have to rely on the Lei family?" Xuan Qingji wouldn't have given up so easily, but the situation left him no choice, and he couldn't help but sigh inwardly. Their greatest reliance was that level 47 cultivator, but now they were being suppressed by him. Once they were defeated, the rest of their side would be unable to defend against the enemy's attack.
Among the group led by Senior Brother Hua, the lowest level was level 38! Most of them were above level 40, and there were more than a dozen of them. How could they possibly defeat them?
"But if we were to ally with them, Qingxuan Sect would lose all face! Anyone with eyes can see that Lei Mansion is related to Black Stone City in the Plant Cultivation Realm. If we were to ally with them, it would be tantamount to admitting that there is a hierarchy among the three major forces in the Plant Cultivation Realm, and that Qingxuan Sect is a level below Black Stone City and Fire Cloud City!"
"If we don't cooperate, then the only option is to retreat!"
"Fairy Xuan! Give me your answer quickly!" At this moment, Senior Brother Hua coldly shouted at Xuan Qingban. "Our patience is limited. Half an hour has already passed, and there are still two and a half hours left!"
"Alright, please wait a moment, I need to discuss this with my fellow disciples!" Xuan Qingbo said calmly.
"Senior Sister!" Han Peng and the others exclaimed anxiously. This matter should have been uncompromising! How could Senior Sister have agreed to the three-hour agreement?
What if we can't find a better way to save the Northwest Market within three hours?
Xuan Qinghui glanced at his fellow disciples and said, "Given the situation, let's go back and discuss it! We need the agreement of the majority to decide what to do; this market belongs to everyone!"
Her tone seemed somewhat dejected. When Han Peng and the others saw that their senior sister had made a decision, they became even more furious with Senior Brother Hua and his group.
Xuan Qinghui entered the great formation and disappeared. However, Senior Brother Hua and the others did not follow him in.
"Senior Brother Hua, why don't we go in? What if they cheat and escape, leaving this fake market as an empty shell?" one of them said anxiously.
You must understand, Qingxuan Sect is a major sect. It's impossible for elders and disciples like Xuan Qingji not to have high-level storage bags. With all the good stuff taken, what benefits are left for the others to take?
Senior Brother Hua snorted and said, "Lord Lei has his own plans. Our Lei family is determined to take over the Northwest Market! We also cannot let go of the Qingxuan Sect's top disciples! Of course, if they can submit to us, they will be members of the Lei family, and thus our own people!"
"Is what Senior Brother Hua said true? What if Xuan Qingji really chooses to submit to the Lei Mansion?"
“Then Fairy Xuan is an elder of the Lei family!” Senior Brother Hua said calmly.
"What? Does Lord Lei really intend to recruit these people? Or does he plan to eliminate them after they've submitted?"
Senior Brother Hua frowned and coldly rebuked, "Lord Lei has his reasons for making these arrangements!"
Thinking to himself, are all these people idiots? Lord Lei's goal, even without killing Xuan Qingji and the others, is achieved simply by having them submit. Besides, once Xuan Qingban and the others choose to submit, you not only cannot neglect them, but you must also ensure their well-being.
This move is even more ruthless!
For example: I attended my cousin's wedding the other day. God, it was such a hassle! I was one of the ushering staff, and there were so many procedures. Apparently, this was a simplified version to accommodate the bride's family. All of us were involved, and after we finished entertaining them, we all threw up once, and then we had to keep drinking.
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