Superior Spiritual Vein
After Luo Tianyu spoke, Zhu Zhenwu also started to ingratiate himself with Murong Gong, calling him "brother" repeatedly.
This was the first time Murong Gong had received such treatment, but he remained courteous. He was familiar with his in-laws, whom he visited several times a year. After exchanging a few pleasantries, he led them into the array.
Standing next to Zhu Zhenwu was a handsome young man, known as a genius within several kingdoms. However, in front of Murong Xue and the others, he seemed very ordinary, leaving him feeling bewildered, especially when he looked at Luo Shaojie. He had sparred with Luo Shaojie before, but now Luo was a whole realm higher than him!
Murong Gong led Luo Tianyu and the others close to the great array. With a wave of his hand, an opening appeared, and the group entered. Observing from outside, the scattered cultivators and small factions could only marvel.
"I was wondering what kind of sect this Ping'an Sect was. Now I understand, it's the former Kaoshan Sect!"
"You just realized? The Kaoshan Sect isn't what it used to be! Look, they could soon join the ranks of the continent's top powers!"
"I don't get it. The Kaoshan Sect was just like our sect before. How did they rise so suddenly?"
"They must have come across some great opportunity."
The crowd was filled with envy and jealousy, especially seeing how Luo Tianyu treated Murong Gong. After all, Luo Tianyu was the king of a kingdom!
"I think that's as far as they'll go. They can at best invite people from the kingdoms. The top forces on the continent probably won't take this nouveau riche sect seriously," someone remarked sourly, garnering agreement from others.
"They just got lucky. They might become lackeys of the bigger powers. Even with a great array, the major forces have ways to deal with them. They might not breach the array, but they can wait outside and prevent any development. Aside from that dragon guarding their mountain, which might only be in the early Nascent Soul stage, they're no match for the mid or late Nascent Soul experts of the great forces."
"I bet some top force will show up and make them a subordinate sect, believe it or not."
"I think it's possible."
"This sect has great presentation but weak core strength. Even an empire could make them doubt their existence."
"Haha, you're overthinking it. This remote place, even with such a rising sect, won't attract the big forces' attention."
The crowd continued their sour remarks.
Murong Gong, after settling Luo Tianyu and the others, went out to welcome other guests or to invite those who hadn't been asked. He felt he hadn't invited enough powerful factions, with Luo Tianyu's being the best so far. Whether any major force would come was unknown, so he thought inviting more people would make the event more impressive.
Just after he left, three figures appeared in the sky above them—two men and one woman: an old man, a middle-aged man, and a young woman as beautiful as Murong Xue. As soon as they appeared, they were taken aback by the sight before them.
"This array is strong! And this dragon, though its level is unclear, I feel it could easily kill me!" exclaimed Liu Guangpu, gazing at the array.
Liu Zhengtao, also astounded, took deep breaths. Both men then glared at Liu Yuxi.
"Yuxi, you know what to do! The stability of our empire depends on you! If you make another mistake, I won't hesitate to execute justice!" Liu Guangpu scolded harshly. If not for his son being unable to have more children, he'd have discarded this granddaughter long ago. Liu Yuxi, biting her lip, looked as if she was facing the lowest moment of her life, her face pale. She could only nod miserably.
After giving their instructions, the three descended to Murong Gong and the others.
Liu Guangpu respectfully greeted Murong Gong, "Liu Guangpu, Supreme Emperor of the Qianyu Empire, greets you, fellow Daoist!"
Liu Zhengtao also bowed, "Liu Zhengtao, Emperor of the Qianyu Empire, greets you, Senior!"
Though Liu Zhengtao's cultivation was higher than Murong Gong's, he had to address him as "Senior" since his father called Murong Gong "fellow Daoist."
Liu Yuxi remained silent, head lowered.
Murong Gong, initially puzzled, turned grim upon hearing their introduction and seeing Liu Yuxi. Murong Xue and the others also looked cold.
Noticing this, Liu Guangpu furiously ordered Liu Yuxi, "Ungrateful granddaughter, kneel and apologize!"
Liu Yuxi flinched. Kneel? She thought just an apology would suffice!
Murong Gong and the others snorted coldly but remained silent, recalling their recent ordeal involving Liu Yuxi. Forgiveness was not easily given.
Nearby, onlookers were stunned by the presence of Liu Guangpu, a Nascent Soul expert. Those who doubted any major force would come were now dumbfounded.
Qianyu Empire?! What's going on?! Kneel and apologize?!
They watched in confusion.
Ignoring the crowd, Liu Guangpu unleashed his cultivation, "Kneel!"
Terrified, Liu Yuxi's face turned white, and she knelt with a thud, unable to speak or look at Murong Xue and the others, sure they were mocking her. Murong Xue, however, looked at Liu Yuxi with disdain.
Liu Guangpu demanded, "I told you to apologize, didn't you hear?!"
Trembling, Liu Yuxi tearfully apologized, "I'm sorry everyone...I was wrong…"
Liu Guangpu coldly waved his sleeve, then smiled bitterly at Murong Gong, "Fellow Daoist, it's my fault for poor discipline. From now on, I'll make sure to correct this unworthy descendant's mistakes. If you need anything, just let me know. Also, for your sect's founding, I brought a gift. I hope you'll accept it."
He presented a box and opened it before the crowd, revealing a powerful spiritual vein. Murong Gong's eyes lit up. Their mountain range was good, but the spiritual energy was insufficient due to a weak spiritual vein. This superior spiritual vein would vastly enhance the area's spiritual energy.
The surrounding crowd was even more astonished than Murong Gong.
Seeing Liu Guangpu, a powerful cultivator at the Great Ascension stage, and hearing their introductions, everyone was left bewildered.
The Qianyu Empire?!
What is going on?!
And kneeling to apologize?!
Everyone was confused.
Those who had made sour remarks earlier felt as if they had been slapped in the face.
Seeing his granddaughter's disobedience, Liu Guangpu released his cultivation power and shouted, "Kneel or not!"
Terrified, Liu Yuxi turned pale as a sheet. She finally clenched her teeth and, with a loud bang, knelt on the ground. She kept her head down, not daring to look at Murong Xue and the others, certain that they must be mocking her at this moment.
Murong Xue didn't mock her but looked at the kneeling Liu Yuxi with disgust.
Liu Guangpu shouted again, "I told you to apologize, can't you hear?!"
Liu Yuxi trembled and could only apologize in a tearful voice, "I'm sorry, everyone... I... I was wrong..."
Liu Guangpu coldly flicked his sleeve and then looked at Murong Gong with a bitter smile, saying, "Friend, it's my failure to discipline my descendants properly. From now on, I will make sure to correct the wrongs of this unworthy granddaughter. Whatever you need, just tell me. Also, I brought a gift for your sect founding. Please accept it."
As he spoke, he took out a box and opened it in front of everyone. The moment the box was opened, a powerful surge of spiritual energy burst forth.
"A spirit vein?!"
Murong Gong's eyes lit up. Their mountain range was decent, but it had one flaw: the spiritual energy wasn't very rich, mainly because the spirit vein in the mountains wasn't strong enough. Seeing the high-grade spirit vein in the box made Murong Gong's heart race.
This was a high-grade spirit vein! With this, the spiritual energy density of their mountain range would reach unprecedented levels.
Those around them were even more shocked than Murong Gong. A high-grade spirit vein? This was worth millions of spirit stones!
Liu Zhengtao's cultivation was higher than Murong Gong's, but he could only call him senior because his father called Murong Gong a friend...
Liu Yuxi remained silent, her head lowered. Murong Gong had wondered who the visitors were. When he heard Liu Guangpu's introductions and saw Liu Yuxi, his face turned grim. Murong Xue and the others also looked cold.
Realizing this, Liu Guangpu angrily shouted at Liu Yuxi, "Unfilial descendant, kneel and apologize to everyone!"
Liu Yuxi flinched. Kneel again?! Wasn't apologizing enough?!
Murong Gong and the others coldly snorted but remained silent. The memory of being forced to work earlier still lingered in their minds. They wouldn't forgive Liu Yuxi easily!
Not far away, those watching were in shock. Moments ago, some had said no major power would come. Now, seeing Liu Guangpu, a Great Ascension stage expert, and hearing their introductions, they were dumbfounded.
The Qianyu Empire?! What is going on?! And kneeling to apologize?!
Those who had made sour remarks earlier felt as if they had been slapped in the face. Liu Guangpu, seeing his granddaughter's disobedience, released his cultivation power and shouted, "Kneel or not!"
Terrified, Liu Yuxi turned pale as a sheet. She clenched her teeth and, with a loud bang, knelt on the ground but kept her head down, not daring to look at Murong Xue and the others. She was certain that they must be mocking her.
Murong Xue didn't mock her but looked at the kneeling Liu Yuxi with disgust. Liu Guangpu shouted again, "I told you to apologize, can't you hear?!"
Liu Yuxi trembled and could only apologize in a tearful voice, "I'm sorry, everyone... I... I was wrong..."
Liu Guangpu coldly flicked his sleeve and looked at Murong Gong with a bitter smile, saying, "Friend, it's my failure to discipline my descendants properly. From now on, I will make sure to correct the wrongs of this unworthy granddaughter. Whatever you need, just tell me. Also, I brought a gift for your sect founding. Please accept it."
As he spoke, he took out a box and opened it in front of everyone. The moment the box was opened, a powerful surge of spiritual energy burst forth.
"A spirit vein?!"
Murong Gong's eyes lit up. Their mountain range was decent but had one flaw: the spiritual energy wasn't very rich. The spirit vein in the mountains wasn't strong enough. Seeing the high-grade spirit vein in the box made Murong Gong's heart race.
This was a high-grade spirit vein! With this, the spiritual energy density of their mountain range would reach unprecedented levels.
Those around them were even more shocked than Murong Gong. A high-grade spirit vein? This was worth millions of spirit stones!