"Xuanji, I know you have always been low-key, not liking to cause trouble or seek attention, but after Foundation Establishment, we must celebrate. It not only boosts the clan’s morale but also enhances the clan’s cohesion. When people’s hearts are scattered, it’s hard to lead. But as long as the hearts are steady, the problems are not that big."
"We have to invite the two nearby Purple Mansion Clans and eighteen Foundation Establishment Clans to connect emotionally. On the one hand, we constantly compete with each other; on the other hand, we must join forces to resist the oppression of Dan Yang Sect."
The Grand Elder’s face turned serious when mentioning the latter, beginning to tell Lu Xuanji some things.
These things were not necessary to know in the past.
But after Lu Xuanji’s Foundation Establishment, he was qualified to know.
Dan Yang Sect is one of the three major sects in Chu Country, occupying the Land of the Twelve Commanderies, ruling over about three hundred Cultivator Clans. They continually levy taxes and other dues from subordinate Cultivator Clans, causing Dan Yang Sect to become wealthier while many Cultivator Clans become increasingly impoverished.
Joining Dan Yang Sect, a cultivator can reach the peak of Qi Cultivation in twenty years; but staying within the clan, it takes thirty or even forty years to reach Qi Cultivation peak.
Similarly, a Cultivator Clan seeking to purchase a Foundation Establishment Pill often needs fifteen thousand Spirit Stones; yet in Dan Yang Sect, it only costs ten thousand Spirit Stones. At Dan Yang Sect, Foundation Establishment Pills are not only cheap but also plentiful.
Dan Yang Sect has abundant resources, leading many clan talents to join Dan Yang Sect. The clan elders and clan leader can’t even stop them, as such obstruction would harm the children’s promising futures and could invite resentment from future generations.
On one hand, continuously sucking blood from various clans, exploiting them and accumulating massive wealth; on the other hand, using this wealth to absorb talents, making the sect increasingly powerful and prosperous.
Yet, Cultivator Clans not only lose their wealth but also see their talents draining away, growing ever more difficult.
Many Cultivator Clans cannot develop even after decades or centuries, some even constantly declining.
Not only that, whenever battling in the Hundred Thousand Mountains against Demon Beasts and Demon Cultivators, they always conscript cultivators from Cultivator Clans, sending them to the frontlines to venture into dangerous areas. After such wars, many Cultivator Clans often suffer severe damage.
Even though Dan Yang Sect offers compensation strategies, like compensating a fallen Foundation Establishment Cultivator with a Foundation Establishment Pill.
But a single Foundation Establishment Pill can never compare to a living Foundation Establishment Cultivator.
Taking a Foundation Establishment Pill only has a thirty percent chance of becoming a Foundation Establishment Cultivator, which pales in comparison to a living one.
Dan Yang Sect extracts taxes, exploits talents, and depletes forces through war, continuously consuming the strength of many clans.
Many Cultivator Clans not only fail to develop but also decline after reaching a certain stage.
"Resist, but how? Dan Yang Sect has three Golden Core Ancestors; any resistance is suicidal." The Grand Elder said, "We are not to resist King Yama, but the little devils. Those little devils are the most troublesome. To resist these little devils of Dan Yang Sect, our Wu, Ye, and Lu Clans, along with some smaller clans, maintain a tacit understanding."
"Your Foundation Establishment banquet with Xiaoxue not only should be held, but it should be grand."
"The poorer one is, the more they can’t even afford a pot, the more they must dress impeccably and be in high spirits."
Seeing the Grand Elder speak this way, Lu Xuanji could only nod and agree to a grand banquet.
To showcase the clan’s strength, the Grand Elder even wrote to Lu Tianwen of Dan Yang Sect, asking him to return to the clan and make an appearance at the banquet to keep things in check.
For a grand preparation, it took a full month, with top-grade Spirit Rice, Demon Beast Meat, Spirit Fruits, Spirit Wine, and more, costing over two thousand Spirit Stones, which would strain the clan’s supplies, causing financial difficulties. It felt like taking on appearance without substance, but it had to be done.
Because without it, they couldn’t deter people.
The weaker one is, the more they need to dress well and pretend; while strong cultivators have the strength and confidence, they don’t need to pretend and can dress casually.
At the Medicine Garden of Dan Yang Sect.
Lu Tianwen read the letter and sighed, "The Lu Family is in some trouble, I must return... otherwise, if the Lu Family collapses, it would also be bad for me."
Kept the letter, and asked the sect elders for leave directly.
Packed everything, left the sect, and headed toward Changyuan Mountain.
Traveling by sword, taking more than twenty days to reach Changyuan Mountain.
At the Mountain Gate, Lu Xuanji met this uncle from Dan Yang Sect.
This uncle left the clan for Dan Yang Sect at the age of twelve.
In the early days, this uncle got some support from the clan to stand firm in Dan Yang Sect, and similarly, after becoming a Foundation Establishment Cultivator, he also provided some help to the clan, helping establish some connections within Dan Yang Sect.
During leisure time, this uncle would return home to stay for a while.
But after his parents both passed away, his relationship with the Lu Family faded.
Lu Tianwen said dryly, feeling somewhat unfamiliar with this nephew.
But amidst unfamiliarity, there was also a hint of surprise.
This nephew succeeded in Foundation Establishment with just one Foundation Establishment Pill despite the family’s decline and resource scarcity, seemingly possessing excellent talent and aptitude.
Foundation Establishment Pill only has a thirty percent chance of becoming a Foundation Establishment Cultivator.
To succeed in Foundation Establishment on the first try with the Foundation Establishment Pill is indeed a mark of genius.
In the sect, many cultivators needed two or three attempts with the pill before achieving Foundation Establishment.
"Uncle, my cultivation is somewhat slow, only at the Fourth Layer of Foundation Establishment."
Lu Xuanji slightly frowned.
This uncle reached Foundation Establishment at thirty, but now at a hundred and ten, he’s only at the Fourth Layer, which is somewhat slow.
"Nephew, the sect has its advantages, and the clan has its ones. The sect nurtures you to work well. In Dan Yang Sect, at the Qi Cultivation Stage, the welfare is good, tasks are relatively few, and there’s considerable time for cultivation; but after Foundation Establishment, tasks become complex, and cultivation time decreases... I’m considered good, as at least there’s a chance to attempt Purple Mansion before sitting off."
Lu Tianwen said with a smile.
In the clan, it’s the opposite; tasks are more complex at the Qi Cultivation Stage, and cultivation time is less; but after Foundation Establishment, tasks are relatively easier, and cultivation time is more.
This is the difference between a clan model and a sect model.
It’s hard to say whether such a model is good or bad.