Among these defecting sects, the most powerful was the "Yunshui Sect"—a second-rate sect whose sect leader, Han Shan, was a mid-stage Nascent Soul cultivator, and whose two elders were also early-stage Nascent Soul cultivators. It was considered one of the top sects in the Southern Region.
However, this second-rate sect, which has three cultivators at the Spirit Integration Realm, only has a little over a hundred disciples, and the highest cultivation level among them is only at the Body Tempering Stage, which is completely inconsistent with the status of a second-rate sect.
However, this is not because Yunshui Sect is unworthy of its reputation as a second-rate sect, but because all of Yunshui Sect's disciples have been poached by Shenhai Sect!
Originally, Yunshui Sect had nearly two hundred disciples, many of whom had reached the Breakthrough Stage, and many others had reached the peak of Body Tempering. Overall, its strength was among the top in the second-rate sects of the entire Divine Radiance Continent.
But such a powerful sect has been gradually devoured by the Divine Sea Sect until it is reduced to what it is now. How can this not be disheartening?
When Han Shan realized that the Divine Sea Sect's willingness to protect these sects was actually a ploy to poach their disciples, it was too late. By the time he realized it, many of their core disciples had already been secretly persuaded.
Moreover, once this precedent is set, more and more disciples will be willing to go to the Divine Sea Sect—a first-class sect, who wouldn't want to go?
If there were better options, who would stay in a second-rate sect? Of course, they would go to a first-rate sect.
So when Han Shan realized something was wrong and tried to retain his sect's disciples, it was too late. Many had already wavered and were poached by the Divine Sea Sect, leaving only some disciples they looked down on.
The Yunshui Sect was gradually eroded in this way, to the point that it now only retains the title of a second-rate sect, but has already lost the strength of a second-rate sect.
Han Shan hated the Divine Sea Sect for this.
So today, he came to the Falling Sea Sect only to escape the encroachment of the Divine Sea Sect!
"Han Shan pays his respects to Sect Master Su!"
Inside the sect's main hall, Han Shan bowed respectfully with his hands clasped.
He appeared to be middle-aged, but his physique was strong and powerful. His red robe could not conceal his powerful muscles, and he looked energetic and imposing.
"Sect Leader Han, it's been a long time. Is there anything I can do for you today?" Su Yuewan asked languidly, her jade-like hand gently supporting her chin.
He recognized Han Shan; after all, when the Luo Hai Sect was at its peak, the Yun Shui Sect was already a second-rate sect.
Su Yuewan's understanding of other sects was limited to second-rate sects.
She was aware that Yunshui Sect was the strongest second-rate sect in the Southern Region.
"Sect Leader Su, to be honest, I've come today to pledge my allegiance to you." Han Shan's expression was slightly embarrassed. As the head of a sect, he had to humble himself before him, bowing his head as he spoke.
"I'm not afraid to admit it, but before this, Yunshui Sect was affiliated with Shenhai Sect. However, Shenhai Sect has been devouring us small sects too much over the years, completely blocking our path to development. In order for the survival of my sect, I had no choice but to come and seek refuge with Sect Master Su."
At this point, Han Shan himself felt somewhat ashamed.
It is truly shameful that a second-rate sect has fallen to such a state.
After hearing Han Shan's words, Su Yuewan's posture remained unchanged, and she even seemed more tired. She covered her mouth with her jade hand, yawned, and lazily stretched her graceful figure, saying lightly, "So, in other words, your Yunshui Sect was originally following behind the Shenhai Sect, but now you feel that the Shenhai Sect is exploiting you too much, so you want to come and follow behind my Luohai Sect, right?"
Han Shan understood Su Yuewan's implied meaning and immediately said, "Yes... but we will absolutely not ask for your protection for nothing. Our Yunshui Sect has prepared one million gold coins, as well as herbs and weapons worth 500,000, which we will give to you free of charge."
"I don't care about gold coins, and I have plenty of herbs and weapons. To expect me to risk offending the Divine Sea Sect and have your Cloud Water Sect follow my Falling Sea Sect with just these things seems unfair. Sect Leader Han should offer something more substantial," Su Yuewan said calmly, showing no interest in what Han Shan had presented.
Even Bai Hao, who was standing to the side, had lost interest.
Gold coins? Herbs? The Falling Sea Sect has plenty of those now.
These days, so many sects have been sending gold coins and herbs to Bai Hao that he was initially shocked when he saw 100,000 gold coins, but now even 1 million gold coins no longer interest him.
These things are far too ordinary and do not deserve the status of Yunshui Sect as a second-rate sect.
Those second-rate sects don't have much of value, so Su Yuewan can simply accept their gold coins and then nominally protect them. But the Yunshui Sect, as a second-rate sect, even though it has lost many treasures to the Shenhai Sect over the years, still has its foundation. If Su Yuewan doesn't offer something that can impress her, she really has no reason to protect them.
After all, the relationships involved with a second-rate sect are not ordinary.
Seeing Su Yuewan's attitude, Han Shan gritted his teeth, his face somewhat grave. After pondering for a while, he finally said:
"Sect Master Su, over the years, the foundation of our Yunshui Sect has been almost entirely devoured by the Shenhai Sect. I doubt you would be interested in what's left. However, I do have a clue about the Shenhai Sect that I believe you might find interesting."
Su Yuewan raised her eyebrows slightly, parted her cherry lips, and said, "Speak."
"About a month ago, I received definite news that the Divine Sea Sect had discovered a small, abandoned blessed land, suspected to be left behind by an ancient family. It is filled with all sorts of rare and precious spiritual plants and herbs. However, because it is an ancient blessed land, they did not enter it immediately, but spent quite some time searching for a way to enter. As for the timing, it should be soon, just in time for the spiritual plants inside to mature," Han Shan said.
"A blessed land?" Su Yuewan's eyebrows twitched, showing interest. "Do you know where that blessed land is located?"
“I know. It’s located about a hundred miles west of the Divine Sea Sect, inside a mountain called ‘Shouyang Mountain’!” Han Shan said.
"Interesting. If what you say is true, I will send someone to have a good chat with that guy Feng Qingjue. Afterwards, I can let your Yunshui Sect follow behind our Luohai Sect. But if I find out that this is a conspiracy between you and the Shenhai Sect, then you will bear the consequences." Su Yuewan's expression suddenly turned cold.
"Every word I have said is true, and I would never dare to deceive Sect Master Su!" Han Shan immediately knelt on one knee and said emphatically.
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