Clan Rise: Starting as a Grandfather

Chapter 1470 - 923: A Difficult Decision (Part 2)

Therefore, if the Yang family takes over the Wuxiang Sect, it’s akin to losing the strategic advantage of the Ten Thousand Treasures Store, requiring them to confront various sect forces head-on in the battle for the Spirit Source Land’s interests.

The legacy left by the Wuxiang Sect is tempting, but the consequences of replacing it are also severe.

Yang Zhenshan was caught in a dilemma.

Should he play it safe, wait and see, or take a risky move to carve out a new path in the Sea of Spirit?

If he plays it safe, the Spirit Source Land can indeed hold its ground for now.

If he takes the risk, the Spirit Source Land also has the strength to make a valid attempt.

He possesses the Golden Crow Eight Trigrams Furnace, which gives him the strength to contend with Divine Soul Realm Martial Artists.

"Elder Yang!"

Yue Qing couldn’t help but call out when she saw Yang Zhenshan remaining silent for a long time.

"Hmm!" Yang Zhenshan snapped back to reality from his thoughts.

"What is Elder Yang’s opinion?" Yue Qing asked.

Yang Zhenshan took a deep breath and smiled wryly, "The Sect Master has indeed given me quite the conundrum!"

"Doesn’t this matter intrigue Elder Yang?" Yue Qing asked, with a faint smile on her face.

"It is tempting, but it has both advantages and disadvantages, making it difficult for me to decide!" Yang Zhenshan replied.

Yue Qing softly asked, "Then what is Elder Yang’s decision?"

She was well aware of the pros and cons, and in truth, she also felt pained about giving up the benefits of the Wuxiang Sect.

If possible, she too wanted to have a share from the Wuxiang Sect.

Unfortunately, pursuing self-preservation was a priority over considering immediate benefits.

Thus, the Illusion Moon Sect had to give up some of the benefits in front of them, and the Xuanqing Sect saw this reality too, which is why they didn’t touch the base left by the Wuxiang Sect.

After a bit of contemplation, Yang Zhenshan said, "If you can also get Hidden Sword Mountain to join, then my Yang family is willing to replace the Wuxiang Sect!"

This was the optimal solution he came up with after weighing the pros and cons.

The Yang family can take a chance, but they can’t be in the spotlight, as that would likely make them a target for criticism.

Therefore, the Yang family needs someone to share the pressure from outside the Sea of Spirit.

No force is more suitable than Hidden Sword Mountain.

As long as Hidden Sword Mountain is willing to intervene, even if the Yang family replaces the Wuxiang Sect, the focus might shift more onto Hidden Sword Mountain.

After all, the Yang family is just an emerging family, while Hidden Sword Mountain is an enigmatic sect force.

Which is stronger and more important is clear at a glance.

Simply put, Yang Zhenshan wanted a taller figure to hold up the shield for him, so he could confidently lead the Spirit Source Land in taking a risk.

"Hidden Sword Mountain!"

Yue Qing fell silent; she also wanted to pull Hidden Sword Mountain into the fray, but she knew it wasn’t easy.

"We don’t have enough benefits to tempt Hidden Sword Mountain!" she said softly.

Yang Zhenshan shook his head in disagreement, "No, you still do!"

"What?"

"The entire Sea of Spirit!"

"What do you mean?" Yue Qing was confused.

Yang Zhenshan stroked his beard and smiled, "Submit to Hidden Sword Mountain and let it take charge of the entire Sea of Spirit!"

Yue Qing, upon hearing this, once again sank into contemplation.

Submit to Hidden Sword Mountain?

She was somewhat indifferent about it.

But letting Hidden Sword Mountain govern the Sea of Spirit gave her pause.

This meant the complete loss of the Sea of Spirit’s leadership by the Three Sects, becoming reliant on Hidden Sword Mountain.

"Xuanqing Sect may not be willing to do so!"

She hesitantly said.

"Then force them to accept the reality!" Yang Zhenshan replied.

Yue Qing sought an explanation with her eyes.

In a calm tone, Yang Zhenshan said, "The Illusion Moon Sect should voluntarily surrender to Hidden Sword Mountain, and my Yang family is also willing to follow the Illusion Moon Sect in becoming a vassal of Hidden Sword Mountain!"

This essentially amounted to a betrayal of the Xuanqing Sect.

Once the Illusion Moon Sect surrendered to Hidden Sword Mountain, regardless of whether the Xuanqing Sect was willing, it would inevitably fall under the shadow of Hidden Sword Mountain.

As for the Yang family becoming a vassal of Hidden Sword Mountain, Yang Zhenshan had no qualms about it.

What does the Yang family being a vassal of Hidden Sword Mountain have to do with the Spirit Source Land?

Just like how Yang Zhenshan was a Guest Elder of the Illusion Moon Sect, while the Spirit Source Land and the Yang family remained independent of it.

Similarly, Yang Zhenshan was also a Guest Elder of the Ten Thousand Treasures Store, yet the Spirit Source Land and the Yang family were not part of it.

Now it was Yue Qing’s turn to be conflicted.

She lowered her head, deeply pondering.

Yang Zhenshan, however, was no longer troubled. Leisurely sipping his tea.

Whether or not to take a risk shouldn’t be decided by himself; one should go with the flow.

If the situation permits, then the Spirit Source Land could take a risk.

If it doesn’t, then it might be better for the Spirit Source Land to hold back for now.

Therefore, the decisions of the Illusion Moon Sect and the Xuanqing Sect and the stance of Hidden Sword Mountain mattered greatly.

Realizing this, Yang Zhenshan no longer felt conflicted and could comfortably enjoy his tea.

He finished his pot of tea, yet Yue Qing was still deeply immersed in her thoughts.

Glancing at the sky outside, Yang Zhenshan had to interrupt, "Sect Master, this matter is significant; perhaps you should discuss it. It’s getting late; I should be heading back now!"

Yue Qing snapped back to reality, but her thoughts were still somewhat scattered.

"Very well! Elder Yang, please return first; our sect will consider it further!"

Yang Zhenshan nodded slightly and stood up to leave.

After he left, Yue Qing pondered for a long time before looking at Liu Yue, who had been sitting beside her all along.

"What are your thoughts?"

Liu Yue hadn’t spoken a word since Yang Zhenshan entered the room; she had sat silently throughout.

"Sect Master, I am an Immortal Cultivator!"

Her sentence revealed her thoughts and stance.

As an Immortal Cultivator, she was more inclined to join an Immortal Cultivator Sect rather than a Martial Arts Sect.

If the Illusion Moon Sect could align with Hidden Sword Mountain, it would equate her with being part of Hidden Sword Mountain, which would be beneficial to her.

"Indeed, you are an Immortal Cultivator! Yun Xiao is also an Immortal Cultivator! Yang Zhenshan too is an Immortal Cultivator, which explains why you all wouldn’t oppose Hidden Sword Mountain!"

Yue Qing sighed quietly.

Thinking of Yun Xiao, she pondered the current situation within the Xuanqing Sect.

After Lin Daoyuan’s disappearance, Yun Xiao became the strongest in Xuanqing Sect.

But Yun Xiao is an Immortal Cultivator; he can’t wield complete control over the Xuanqing Sect, and this has caused some cracks internally.

Previously, Yun Xiao was an amiable person, overlooking such matters, but now, his character has changed dramatically, becoming assertive.

If Yun Xiao becomes dissatisfied with the current leaders of the Xuanqing Sect, internal conflict seems inevitable.

"Perhaps pressuring the Xuanqing Sect would be better!"

Yue Qing murmured to herself softly.

...

Spirit Source Land, Spiritual Spring Mountain Plateau.

Yang Zhenshan stood within the bamboo grove, gazing at the tall Golden Thunder Bamboo before him.

The Golden Thunder Bamboo had been growing for over thirty years but was still far from a hundred.

However, its growth far exceeded its age, with it being thick and sturdy, the golden arcs of electricity wrapped among the bamboo leaves occasionally emitting crackling sounds.

Yang Zhenshan extended his index finger and shot out a strand of Wood Divine Thunder, immediately agitating the golden electric arcs on the Golden Thunder Bamboo.

Sizzling sounds continued, reminiscent of firecrackers.

"Not bad, it’s strengthened significantly!" Yang Zhenshan nodded with satisfaction as he observed the lively electric arcs.

Standing behind him, Yang Jizhen laughed, "Ancestor, at the current growth rate of the Golden Thunder Bamboo, it should mature in about thirty more years!"

The rapid growth of the Golden Thunder Bamboo is not without reason.

Firstly, the dense Spiritual Energy of the Spirit Source Land accelerated its growth.

Secondly, under the care of Yang Jizhen, who cultivated the Wood Thunder Control Scripture, he consistently nurtured the Golden Thunder Bamboo with his own thunder, and occasionally Yang Zhenshan would infuse a bit of Wood Divine Thunder, thus pushing its growth beyond its years.

Both Yang Zhenshan and Yang Jizhen were anticipating the maturation of the Golden Thunder Bamboo.

Yang Zhenshan intended to refine the Golden Thunder Bamboo into his Lifebound Magical Treasure, the Green Wood Purple Lightning Sword, while Yang Jizhen also wanted to use it to refine his Lifebound Magical Treasure, the Wood Thunder Sword.

"Gather more Thunder Attribute Spiritual Objects to nourish it, maybe it will grow even faster!" Yang Zhenshan suggested.

"Yes!" Yang Jizhen responded.