Translator: AnubisTL
Dozens of figures landed in front of the Outer Sect of the Sunset Glow Sect.
"Hahaha, fellow Daoists, your presence here brings great honor to the Outer Sect of the Sunset Glow Sect!"
Liu Wuxiang, who had been informed in advance, led a group of Elders to welcome them.
"Elder Liu, we've come to disturb you again."
"Please, no need for such formalities!" Liu Wuxiang beamed with radiance, his chest puffed out as if he had suddenly become ten years younger.
Since the Alchemy Conference at the end of last year, the Outer Sect of the Sunset Glow Sect had been shrouded in the shadow of potential dissolution. The original 100,000 Outer Sect disciples had dwindled to just 60,000 or 70,000.
As the Chief Elder of the Outer Sect, Liu Wuxiang bore a mountain of pressure, tirelessly working every day to reverse the decline.
The lack of Cultivation Methods and Martial Skills was the primary issue. The disciples lacked confidence, the Elders were disheartened, the outside world looked down on them, and the Inner Sect mocked them. The overwhelming pressure left everyone gasping for breath.
Now, Gu Feng had returned with a triumphant aura after establishing himself in the Northern Region, breaking through to the Innate Realm, and annihilating the Qiu family.
His return had reignited the enthusiasm for cultivation throughout the Outer Sect of the Sunset Glow Sect.
As Elder Liu led the group, the disciples cast looks of awe in their direction—not for him, but for Gu Feng, who was surrounded by the big shots.
Gu Feng chatted and laughed with the various big shots, occasionally introducing the areas of the Outer Sect of the Sunset Glow Sect. Liu Wuxiang stood by, smiling silently, his eyes filled with admiration.
These old fellows, who in previous years had always maintained a poker face during his hospitality, were now all smiles.
"Elder Liu,
Although he said so, Gu Feng felt somewhat frustrated in his heart. During the previous battle, while controlling the thunder, he also seized most of the remaining assets of the Qiu family, which ended up in his hands.
The treasures captured by the Unwavering Sect were barely enough to compensate for the losses of the eight Elders.
However, when it comes to major endeavors, one should not be bogged down by minor details. Hitching a ride on Gu Feng's favorable momentum made everything worthwhile.
"Sect Leader Lin, since your sect was the one to conquer the Qiu family, their estate shall be yours!"
After Gu Feng's thorough sweep, the Qiu family had become an empty shell, holding onto it was useless. It was better to offer it as a goodwill gesture to the Unwavering Sect.
"Qiu Potian has already left the Sunset Glow Sect, and there's no trace of him in the Qiu family. He probably left with the resources long ago."
"No matter, he's now a stray dog, not worth fearing. Next time we meet, we'll kill him!"
Although Gu Feng was not yet a match for Qiu Potian, after breaking through to the Innate Realm, he no longer regarded him as a threat.
Now, holding 51% of the shares in the Swamp Zone, Gu Feng could immediately sell 10% of his shares to exchange for 10 billion Low-grade Spirit Stones, rapidly advancing to the peak of the Innate Realm. Killing Qiu Potian would then be a piece of cake.
"Gu Feng, I have something to tell you!"
"Please speak, Elder Liu." Gu Feng still held great respect for Elder Liu. Even if his cultivation surpassed Elder Liu's in the future, he would still treat him as a senior.
"Now that you're back, you mainly want to bring a group of disciples into the Swamp Zone. However, too many want to go. I was thinking, should we hold a selection to let them compete fairly?"
Hearing this, everyone pursed their lips. Elder Liu's move, ostensibly a selection, was mainly to establish Gu Feng's authority, letting the disciples know that Gu Feng would be the future of the Sunset Glow Sect. This was pushing him to the forefront.
"Everything is up to Elder Liu. However, I have a list here from Senior Sister Chu, listing the people she needs..." As he spoke, Gu Feng took out a list and handed it to Elder Liu.
"Of course, as the leader of the Swamp Zone, you can directly appoint anyone you want."
The banquet was extremely grand. Yan Hanyun and Su Qiu also came upon hearing the news, and they brought Yan Yexue along.
Watching Gu Feng clinking glasses with the elders, Yan Yexue's expression was complex.
"What are you standing there for? You're the only junior here, pour wine for everyone!"
Su Qiu smiled and shoved the wine pot into Yan Yexue's hands, pushing her to stand up.
Originally, she thought her younger daughter Yan Xixi and Gu Feng were a good match, but now it seemed it was a misunderstanding; they were just ordinary fellow disciples.
But it didn't matter, she still had an elder daughter, with a cool temperament and top-notch looks. Such a woman should be more popular.
Su Qiu's little schemes were seen by everyone, and such blatant behavior was somewhat despised.
What kind of person is this? The way she's acting is too unseemly.
Yan Yexue's eyebrows twitched, and she grumbled in her heart. She's the only junior here? Then what is Gu Feng!
"Hehe, Senior Sister Yan, I'll do it myself!"
When Yan Yexue walked to Gu Feng's side, he immediately stood up, smiling as he took the wine pot.
"You're the senior, I'm the only junior here!" Yan Yexue said expressionlessly.
"Then I'll trouble you, niece Yan." Gu Feng chuckled and sat down openly, signaling her to pour the wine.
Yan Yexue's face turned dark.
The Martial Arts Arena!
This selection process was entirely different from the previous annual competition. Gu Feng had become the host, seated on the high platform with big shots accompanying him on either side, which gave him an unreal feeling.
The disciples below were also in a daze. Three months ago, they had competed with Gu Feng on the same stage. Now, just three months later, the situation had turned upside down. Not only was Gu Feng seated on the high platform, but he was also in the main seat.
How unpredictable life is!
There can be a gap between people, but this gap was simply too large. It felt as though the Outer Sect Gu Feng had entered was not the same Outer Sect they had joined.
The process was uneventful. In three months, the disciples' cultivation progress had been limited, and the outcomes of their matches were largely similar to the previous Outer Sect competition. The only difference was that the top-ranked disciples this time were all recent additions from the Inner Sect.
Elder Liu had initially thought Gu Feng might be displeased, but Gu Feng expressed indifference. Regardless of when they joined the Outer Sect or their origins, they were all Outer Sect disciples. Treating everyone equally was only fair.
After resting at the Sunset Glow Sect for over ten days, Gu Feng led more than five hundred Outer Sect disciples to the Swamp Zone.
As they passed by the various shareholder factions, they also picked up the disciples arranged by them.
"Niece, grill some meat for me!"
Since most of the team consisted of Postnatal Realm disciples who could only travel on foot, Yan Yexue became Gu Feng's source of amusement along the way.
"Who's your niece? Grill it yourself!"
"Didn't we agree on that at the drinking table?"
Gu Feng chuckled. He felt a bit perverse, always enjoying provoking women who appeared aloof and cold.
Watching Yan Yexue flustered and helpless brought him immense satisfaction.
"Young man, don't always think about women. Focus on cultivation first!" Zhu Qingyan's voice echoed in his mind, and Gu Feng pursed his lips.
After absorbing a wave of thunder, Zhu Qingyan had miraculously bloomed. In the center of her three leaves, a small white flower had blossomed. Though the flower seemed ordinary, faint arcs of lightning flickered around it, giving off a vaguely unsettling feeling.
Gu Feng marveled at the sight. The Thunder Spirit Grass had mutated.
...
After a month and a half, Gu Feng returned to the Swamp Zone!
Now, the twenty foundation pillars were complete. The cylindrical pillars, each thirty meters in diameter, stood tall.
According to Gu Feng's vision, this phase of the project required a bridge three hundred meters wide and ten kilometers long to span across these twenty pillars.
The pillars and the bridge deck would be connected by an array formation. On the bridge, buildings would be constructed for cultivation, living, pill refining, and artifact forging. Due to the presence of only one Spirit Fire, the pill refining and artifact forging areas were arranged adjacent to each other.
"Leader Gu, you're back?"
At the edge of the swamp, twenty Spirit Boats were docked, each costing two hundred million Low-grade Spirit Stones, primarily used to transport merchants.
As they boarded the Spirit Boats, the crowd curiously gazed at the Swamp Zone, while the boat operators explained the situation of the area.
Yan Yexue listened intently, her usually calm eyes occasionally flickering with astonishment.
"What's that noisy sound on both sides?"
"Over a hundred thousand cultivators are quarrying mountains. The stones we're using now are all extracted from the mountain range!" the Spirit Boat operator excitedly explained.
"Leader Gu is very generous. The soldiers of the Sharp Edge Army work tirelessly, from morning till night, full of energy!"
"We're almost there. Those pillars ahead might not look like much, but each one costs two billion Low-grade Spirit Stones and extends thirty thousand meters into the Swamp Zone. It's an incredible project!"
"Leader Gu said that once we start making money, we'll add two more rows of pillars and build a trading center on top..."
The words of the Spirit Boat pilot sounded like a fairy tale to the newcomers to the Swamp Zone, leaving them utterly astonished.
"Sister, you're here? Let me take you to the Alchemy Room!" Yan Xixi, who had learned of Yan Yexue's arrival, had been waiting there for some time.
"The rest of you, follow me! I'm the 'First Deputy Marshal' of the Swamp Army, and your arrangements are entirely up to me!" Sima Juncong strode forward, shouting at the new recruits. Here, he had found his place, full of energy and roaring with enthusiasm every day.
Gu Feng went straight to Chu Youhuan to inquire about the recent progress.
"The business is already underway, and the profits are good. The number of passing merchants is gradually increasing!"
Everyone here was a cultivator, possessing immense strength. After the bridge was completed, they spontaneously began building their future residences.
The Alchemists were responsible for constructing the Alchemy Rooms, while the Artifact Refiners took charge of building the Artifact Refining Rooms...
In the center of the bridge stood a six-story pavilion, which served as the residence for Gu Feng and other high-ranking officials, as well as the place for holding important meetings.
The checkpoint at the entrance and exit of the Swamp Zone was thriving. When the first phase of the project was completed, Gu Feng took the opportunity to convene a shareholders' meeting.
His original intention was to show off and boost the shareholders' confidence, but unexpectedly, the topic quickly shifted to himself.
After a vote by all the shareholders, a resolution was passed: Gu Feng's primary task this year was to focus on diligent cultivation to prepare for the decisive battle at the end of the year!
To this end, they even formed a team of cultivators led by Chu Youhuan, specifically tasked with assisting and supervising Gu Feng's cultivation.
Gu Feng knew his situation best—cultivation was entirely unnecessary.
Thus, he began playing hide-and-seek with Chu Youhuan.
"Juncong, let's go fishing for Black Crocodiles!"
"Let's go!"
The bottom of the swamp was teeming with poisonous creatures, the strongest of which was a species called the 'Black Crocodile.'
The Black Crocodile had a terrifying appearance but was an exquisite delicacy. After accidentally trying it, Gu Feng became completely enamored with its taste.
To this end, he even asked Yan Xixi to develop a special pill that had a strong attraction for Black Crocodiles.
He also crafted a Superior-grade Spiritual Weapon fishing rod and a specially designed fishing line capable of bearing the weight of a Black Crocodile. With the pill as bait, he went fishing for Black Crocodiles.
Feeling lonely, Gu Feng found Sima Juncong, who also enjoyed such activities, and the two hit it off immediately. Every day, they drove the 'Hundred Birds Glazed Carriage' and hid in the remote corners of the swamp, fishing for Black Crocodiles.
"Leader Gu, we're both fishing for Black Crocodiles, but why does it feel like you're getting stronger and stronger?"
"An illusion! That's definitely an illusion. And what about you? Didn't you quietly break through to the Innate Realm too?" Gu Feng grinned, of course not telling Sima Juncong that he had sold two percent of his shares to the Unwavering Sect for three billion Low-grade Spirit Stones, all of which he converted into Divine Fluid. His current cultivation level was equivalent to the third level of the Innate Realm.
As for his actual combat strength, it hadn't been tested, but he believed defeating someone at the sixth level of the Innate Realm would still be a piece of cake.
"I sacrificed my sleep time, resting no more than two hours a day. Unlike you, who just goes back to drink, eat meat, and sleep!" Sima Juncong smiled bitterly, feeling somewhat frustrated.
"Let's go, Chu Youhuan is coming!"
(End of the Chapter)
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