"Expects Shen Uncle to act over such meager offerings? You truly underestimate Uncle Shen. Please leave!"
Chen Xiao frowned and said.
Shen Long was now on par with great cultivators, and they thought to engage Shen Long with just a few trinkets? That severely underestimated him. If this precedent were set, in the future, anyone could engage Shen Long’s services with just trivial offerings.
Jinqian Reverend and Lu Han exchanged a glance and then nodded to each other.
"Senior Shen, our two sects are willing to merge into the Spirit Control Sect, and there are still many treasures left in our treasuries that we would like to offer to the Spirit Control Sect."
The voice of Jinqian Reverend was heavy, his face full of reluctance.
Badao Villa and Zixiao Sect had no Nascent Soul Cultivators, and the news had not yet spread. Once it did, it would surely cause panic. Even without Mysterious Spirit Sect as an enemy, other forces would take action. The territories of Badao Villa and Zixiao Sect were not small, and the innocent would be blamed for possessing a treasure.
Now, the morale within the two sects was scattered, and some even wanted to divide the treasures in the vaults and go their separate ways.
By merging into the Spirit Control Sect, they could preserve their doctrines, and most importantly, secure their future paths with this trade.
Over the years, the Spirit Control Sect had been thriving, and Shen Long had single-handedly slain the Profound Yin Ghost Mother in the Late Stage of Nascent Soul. The majority of cultivators hailed the Spirit Control Sect as the sixth great force in the Donghua Cultivation Realm, and it was clear to anyone with eyes that the ascent of the Spirit Control Sect was unstoppable.
Joining the Spirit Control Sect would secure a promising prospect for them, and their disciples would have better opportunities rather than each going their own way.
"To merge into the Spirit Control Sect?"
Shen Long was stunned, this prospect had not crossed his mind at all.
"That’s right. Our two sects combined have over twenty thousand disciples, with over a hundred at the Core Formation stage. We are willing to obey the orders of the Spirit Control Sect, abide by the sect’s rules, and earnestly hope that Senior Shen will fulfill this wish."
If they did not join the Spirit Control Sect, the best outcome would be for the leadership to split the treasures in the vault and each go their separate way, with the disciples becoming Loose Cultivators.
"Master Nephew Chen, what do you think?"
Shen Long communicated telepathically to Chen Xiao.
"This matter is of great importance. As a disciple, I have no authority to decide and can only leave the decision to Uncle Shen. Master Uncle Yuan is in closed-door cultivation, and before he entered, he instructed that all important sect affairs are to be decided by you."
Chen Xiao relayed his thoughts telepathically.
"I want to hear your opinion; I know nothing about management."
Shen Long communicated back telepathically.
"If we accept them, there will certainly be some trouble in the short term. However, the benefits are clear: it will strengthen our Spirit Control Sect’s power. But we should not announce the merger of the two sects publicly; instead, we should say that the Nascent Soul Cultivators of the two sects have left a dying wish to join the Spirit Control Sect."
Chen Xiao shared his views.
Announcing publicly that Badao Villa and Zixiao Sect had merged into the Spirit Control Sect could lead to speculation, and their disciples might feel resistance, considering that their doctrinal lineage was different from the Spirit Control Sect’s. Being incorporated into the Spirit Control Sect so suddenly, they would certainly resist. If it was framed as the dying wishes of the Nascent Soul Cultivators from the two sects, it could lessen their resistance.
"I agree to your merging into the Spirit Control Sect. Once you cultivate to Great Perfection, I can provide you with some Core Formation Spiritual Objects. As for the other Core Formation Cultivators, that will depend on their contributions. For the specifics, Master Nephew Chen will be in charge of coordinating with you. Discuss it with him!"
Jinqian Reverend and Lu Han consented, their expressions respectful.
"This is your voluntary choice, not something I have forced upon you. Let me be clear: if you don’t wish to join the Spirit Control Sect, you may leave, and we will not stop you. If you do join and then cause trouble in secret, I will not show leniency."
Shen Long spoke in a severe tone.
The faces of Jinqian Reverend and Lu Han tightened, and they promised in unison.
Chen Xiao took out a Law Disk that glimmered with Spiritual Light, inscribed a spell into it, and said, "Uncle Shen, Senior Chu from Sun Moon Palace has come to visit. What do you think?"
"Please invite Fairy Chu to my residence. I will receive her personally."
Shen Long instructed.
Chen Xiao replied, gesturing over the Law Disk.
"This is up to you now, Master Nephew Chen,"
Shen Long said, and upon finishing his words, he stood up and left.
He was only responsible for overseeing the grand direction, leaving the specific tasks to the younger generation to handle.
Back at his residence, Shen Long gave Lin Sen an instruction and then sat down in a stone pavilion to brew tea while waiting for Chu Buyu to arrive.
It wasn’t long before Lin Sen brought Chu Buyu over.
"It’s been a long time, Fairy Chu."
Shen Long greeted Chu Buyu, invited her to sit down, and poured her a cup of spiritual tea. Lin Sen tactfully excused himself.
"Taoist Friend Shen, here is the treasure you asked for, the Taiji Beads."
Chu Buyu took out an exquisitely crafted golden jade box and handed it to Shen Long.
Shen Long opened the jade box, inside were two beads shimmering with spiritual light.
"One Absorbing Thunder Pearl and one Leading Thunder Pearl, a matching set of treasures, even more powerful than that set of Taiji Thunder Beads,"
"Thank you, Fairy Chu."
Shen Long expressed his thanks and accepted the Taiji Beads.
"Simply fulfilling a promise. Oh yes, the Wanjian Sect is preparing for the Wanjian Conference, inviting Nascent Soul Cultivators to attend. Are you interested?"
Chu Buyu brought up the matter at hand.
"The Wanjian Conference! How come I am unaware of this?"
Shen Long expressed his bewilderment.
Logically speaking, Shen Long, being in the Donghua Cultivation Realm, if the Wanjian Sect were to hold a Wanjian Conference, Shen Long should have known about it sooner.
"The Deputy Sect Master of the Wanjian Sect visited our Sun Moon Palace and informed us in advance, that’s how I knew about it. I expect your Spirit Control Sect will receive an invitation too. You are now quite the celebrity, on par with great cultivators,"
"I am no celebrity; I only rely on the power of treasures,"
Shen Long said modestly, then shifted the conversation, "By the way, Fairy Chu, I heard that your Sun Moon Palace had a major clash with the Heavenly Ghost Sect, resulting in the death and injury of several Nascent Soul Cultivators."
"Someone was fanning the flames behind the scenes, leading the conflict to escalate. We are still investigating it. Thank you for the reminder, Taoist Friend Shen. My master and Senior Brother Zhao are being cautious of Lin Feng."
Shen Long informed Chu Buyu about the news that Lin Feng had subdued a mutant Strong Golden-Backed Ape, advising her to be extra cautious.
"It was nothing, just lending a hand. You didn’t say it was me who told you, right?"
"No, I only mentioned that I had reliable information. Don’t worry, I know the importance of discretion; I won’t betray you,"
Chu Buyu said earnestly.
Leaking the information wasn’t in their interest; Shen Long had told Chu Buyu out of goodwill.
Relieved by her words, Shen Long breathed easier; he could rest assured if it was so.
After chit-chatting for half an hour, Chu Buyu took her leave.
No sooner did she leave than someone from the Wanjian Sect arrived, bringing with them an invitation to the Wanjian Conference which the Wanjian Sect was holding, inviting Shen Long to participate.
The Wanjian Sect had held the Wanjian Conference several times, at irregular intervals; this was the second time they had sent an invitation to the Spirit Control Sect, the first being before the Yuling True Monarch had ascended.
Only those with considerable strength, whether individuals or factions, would receive an invitation from the Wanjian Sect.
Naturally, Shen Long agreed to the invitation. He too wished to meet more Nascent Soul Cultivators and to exchange cultivation resources.