Sage of Humanity

The crackling sounds continued to emanate from the Heaven's Augury Pillar, and above the sect's encampment, the heavy clouds bore down so thickly that the entire encampment began to darken.

Everyone looked up, and although there was still some unease in their hearts, since Guk Yang had already soothed his cultivators, there was not much panic.

The moment the sounds from within the Heaven's Augury Pillar ceased, the dense clouds suddenly sank lower, and from a distance, it looked as if a massive wad of cotton had crashed down upon the Righteous Blood Sect's encampment.

Gale-force winds arose, causing the disciples to squint their eyes.

When the clouds dispersed and the sun shone through once more, the nature's spiritual energy within the entire encampment underwent a revolutionary change.

Being extremely sensitive to such changes, the cultivators let out cries of astonishment throughout the encampment, and all the disciples wore looks of disbelief.

Because the nature's spiritual energy within the encampment had suddenly become much denser.

Previously, the enhancement from the Heaven's Augury Pillar was only at 19th Dao, but now it reached 99th Dao, making the disparity with the outside world's spiritual energy concentration a full tenfold.

This change was exceedingly obvious.

The disciples cheered and jumped for joy, for they all came from backgrounds as independent cultivators, with no fixed abode, clinging to the outskirts of the Righteous Blood Sect's marketplace. It was only after Lu Ye arrived at the encampment that he took them under his wing, allowing them to enjoy the treatment and privileges that normal cultivators were entitled to.

Not long ago, when the spiritual energy of the encampment had been enhanced, all the disciples were thrilled, because this meant that the efficiency of their cultivation would also increase.

Now, the increase was even more exaggerated, soaring from a twofold difference to tenfold.

Everyone knew that the good days had come.

Even if their talents were not exceptional, practicing cultivation in such an environment meant their efficiency would not falter compared to cultivators from other sects.

While the disciples of the encampment were celebrating, Lu Ye had already used the Heaven's Augury Pillar to return to the Nine Provinces sect headquarters.

The encampment was bustling, but the atmosphere at the sect headquarters was still desolate, for the Righteous Blood Sect currently had very few official disciples. Aside from the few that Hua Ci had originally brought over, only a handful of people like Guk Yang and He Xiying had been added, most of whom spent their time cultivating in the encampment and seldom returned to headquarters.

Lu Ye first went to pay his respects to the sect master and listened to the sect master's teachings.

"This time, the matter in the inner circle has become such a big deal. The two Divine Sea Realm cultivators have already agreed on terms, and Ten Thousand Demons Ridge will compensate us with some items as a condition for you to back off. You should avoid going out for a while and stay out of the limelight," the sect master said.

"Yes," Lu Ye responded, then asked, "Sect master, does this mean I should no longer freely break through other sects' encampment arrays in the future?"

"Who said that?"

"Didn't you say that the two Divine Sea Realm cultivators have already agreed on terms?"

"That was the condition for you to back off this time. After backing off, can't you emerge again? However, everything will have to wait until the compensation from Ten Thousand Demons Ridge is in place. Moreover, if the recent incident in the inner circle were to happen again, Ten Thousand Demons Ridge would not let it go without a fight with the Haotian Alliance. They have already suffered such a big loss and will not allow a similar event to occur. Therefore, in your future actions, you must find the right balance—do not provoke Ten Thousand Demons Ridge too much. If we really push them to the brink, neither Ten Thousand Demons Ridge nor the Haotian Alliance will fare well," the sect master explained.

After pondering for a moment, Lu Ye said, "I understand, master."

The sect master's intention was clear: Lu Ye could still use his own methods to take over the encampments of Ten Thousand Demons Ridge in the future, but it was best not to involve thousands or even tens of thousands of Haotian Alliance troops as he did this time, as it could easily trigger a backlash from Ten Thousand Demons Ridge.

"Then I will take my leave," Lu Ye said.

"Yiye."

Lu Ye turned around.

The sect master looked at him with a smile: "Having you join Evil Moon Valley back then was fortune for this old man, and a blessing for the Righteous Blood Sect."

Lu Ye bowed deeply, "It has also been a blessing for this disciple."

"Go on," the sect master said.

Looking back, Lu Ye realized that being able to smoothly join the Righteous Blood Sect was part luck, and in part due to Pang Dahai. It was Dahai's detailed explanations and covert guidance that day that led Lu Ye to decide to join the Righteous Blood Sect.

Back in Evil Moon Valley, it seemed like Pang Dahai was being deliberately cryptic, but now it seemed that his intentions were truly benevolent. Moreover, since he was the nephew of Pang Zhen, the Deputy Leader of the Haotian Alliance, and a disciple of the Righteousness Sect, in hindsight, it was clear that he did not wish to see the Righteous Blood Sect removed from the Alliance, which is why he had subtly pointed Lu Ye towards joining the Righteous Blood Sect, to help ensure its survival.

If the opportunity arose, he must go to express his gratitude.

Every time Lu Ye returned from an outing, Shui Yuan would prepare a feast of delicious foods, and this time was no exception.

At the dining table, everyone feasted heartily, especially Giant Armor, who had never experienced such delicious medicinal cuisine. Once he sat at the table, he did not stop, eating so much that he nearly swallowed his tongue.

He was of a reticent nature, and even though he had been following Lu Ye for a while, he had a laid-back attitude toward everything and did not pay much attention to others. But at this moment, he held Shui Yuan in the utmost respect.

Lu Ye and Li Baxian clinked their glasses, as the Fourth Disciple glanced uneasily at Shui Yuan, only to realize that Second Senior Sister was not paying him any heed, which allowed him to let loose all at once.

There was wine, and they drank heartily until they were slightly tipsy.

After the meal, everyone went their separate ways.

On Moon Lake, Lu Ye and Li Baxian floated at the center of the lake on a boat, each with a fishing rod in front of them, engaged in fishing.

Yiyi was brewing tea beside them, the fragrance filling the air.

Fishing wasn't something Lu Ye was good at—he usually just caught fish by diving into the lake. However, his fourth senior brother was quite skilled in this area and particularly enjoyed the feeling of angling.

Every time he returned, he would inevitably come to Moon Lake to fish for Blood Red Trout.

"Blood Red Trout can be considered a cultivation resource of our sect. Have I ever told you that these spirit fish are used for disciples' body refining?"

"You have."

"Every disciple has a certain quota, but as a kid, who understood these things? Whenever I craved it, it was always the first senior brother or second senior sister who would bring me here to catch one. Sometimes we did it without anyone noticing, and other times the old man would find out, and I'd get an inevitable thrashing. That's why I particularly disliked the old man when I was young. But now that I think about it... with the old man's cultivation in the Divine Sea Realm, there wasn't much within the sect that could be hidden from him. The things I thought were done without his knowledge, in reality, he simply couldn't be bothered to care. And whenever I was punished, it was the first senior brother and second senior sister protecting me."

"The First Senior Brother... what kind of person is he?"

Li Baxian fell silent for a moment before saying, "Like you, he was a prodigious talent. But he was different from you, remaining obscure while in the Spirit Stream Realm. It was only when he reached the later stages of the Cloud River Realm that he suddenly showed his extraordinary talent, and then he advanced to True Lake and Divine Sea at an incredibly fast speed, pushing the Righteous Blood Sect to the top tier of sects. However... success and failure both lay with him. Little junior brother, you're growing up in a far harsher environment than we did, and you will face even greater dangers. Therefore, I hope you remember one thing, don't ever follow in the first senior brother's footsteps."

Lu Ye nodded, "I won't."

Yiyi served two cups of tea and sat quietly beside them, watching the float bob up and down in the center of the lake.

"Did you notice anything different about second senior sister this time you came back?" Li Baxian suddenly asked.

Lu Ye thought for a moment, then said, "She hasn't been nagging you about drinking?"

Li Baxian chuckled wryly, "When she's in a good mood, she nags less." He looked around, then spoke in a low voice, "Second Senior Sister has ascended to Divine Sea."

Lu Ye was stunned!

Before he arrived at the Righteous Blood Sect, the entire sect had only two people, the sect master and second senior sister, one in the Divine Sea Realm and one in True Lake. If it wasn't for the high esteem of the Righteous Blood Sect in the past, it would have been delisted long ago.

Now that the second senior sister had also ascended to Divine Sea, the Righteous Blood Sect had two strong cultivators in the Divine Sea Realm. Shui Yuan's ascension at this time probably had something to do with the Soul Cleansing Water he had provided her earlier.

However, when speaking of it, the personnel structure of the Righteous Blood Sect had some gaps. Below the two Divine Sea Realm powerhouses, there wasn't even a True Lake, let alone a Cloud River.

The development of the sect was a long and arduous task.

"The news hasn't spread yet, so only a few of us know about it."

As they talked, Li Baxian suddenly pulled his rod, and a dark red Blood Red Trout leapt out of the water. Yiyi clapped her hands excitedly by the side, her cheeks flushed with excitement as if she was the one who had caught the fish.

Lu Ye also pulled his rod, but ended up catching only loneliness.

Li Baxian laughed, "Fishing may seem simple, but it really tests one's patience and also requires seizing those fleeting opportunities. Little Junior Brother, don't be too hasty in some matters; just let them take their natural course."

He obviously saw something, and said meaningfully, "The development of a sect isn't dependent on one person alone. The first senior brother is a lesson from the past, which is why I said not to follow in his footsteps."

"Understood."

"The reason you asked me to stay wasn't just to have dinner, was it? Was there something else?"

"I wanted to ask Brother for guidance on the Weapon Control Technique. I heard that brother can control a hundred swords. Is it true or not?"

"What do you think?" Li Baxian countered instead of answering.

"It sounds exaggerated," Lu Ye replied honestly, because his psychic power far surpassed cultivators of the same level, which is why he could make such a comment.

In terms of psychic power, Lu Ye was confident that he was superior to Li Baxian, but even at his own current limit, he probably couldn't control ten Spiritual Artifacts, let alone a hundred swords—it was simply too terrifying.

"I didn't expect that Senior Brother would be underestimated by me," Li Baxian laughed, then suddenly patted the gourd at his waist.
Explore more stories with My Virtual Library Empire

When the mouth of the gourd opened, the ringing sound of swords filled the air, and behind Li Baxian, streaks of Liu Guang floated, the afterglow of the setting sun casting colorful lights on them, creating a beautiful sight.

Lu Ye looked over and was shocked.

The rumors... were actually true.

With his cultivation at the 8th Heaven, Li Baxian could control a hundred swords!

"How did you do that?" Lu Ye was very puzzled.

"I'll teach you."

Moments later, by the shore of Moon Lake, Lu Ye and Li Baxian stood forty zhang apart, attacking each other with controlled weapons, the clanging and clinking sounds incessant. As they exchanged blows, Li Baxian's voice intermittently reached Lu Ye's ears.

In the center of the lake, in the small boat, Yiyi tended to the two fishing rods, now and then pulling this one up, then that one, busy all the while, yet without catching a single fish, puffing her cheeks out in frustration.

She looked around,