``` "At last, we are setting sail." Upon hearing this voice, Lu Changsheng exhaled deeply as he watched the spiritual vessel head back toward Jiuxiao Immortal City. He had thought there would be a delay of a month or two. But at this pace, it was only a delay of ten days to half a month. He considered that manageable. Straightaway, he took out his brush and paper and continued his work on crafting talismans. ... Half a month later. A spirit boat entered Qingyun Sect. Upon Caiyun Peak, Yun Wanshang saw the spirit boat and immediately transformed into a rainbow streak, shooting out toward it. She had been in seclusion when she learned of her disciple’s situation and had come out to wait for Chu Qingyi’s return. "I pay my respects to Caiyun True Immortal." "I pay my respects to Caiyun True Immortal." The two individuals on the spirit boat quickly bowed their hands in salute upon seeing Yun Wanshang. "You have both worked hard." Yun Wanshang nodded. Since the Qingyun Sect was too far from where the giant spiritual vessel was located, she had sent the two to go in her stead. She then turned with concern to Chu Qingyi who looked pale and disordered, "Qingyi, how are you faring?" "Master, I am unharmed," Chu Qingyi said, bowing her hands to her master. As she spoke, she reported, "Master, I have fulfilled my duty without disgrace. Based on my investigation of the Xiahou Family’s ancestral land, the Xiahou Family is likely an undercover agent for the Tian Corpse Sect of Jin Kingdom." "There is also a hidden Yin vein below Blackwater Pool, through which the Xiahou Family has been nurturing and refining corpses." "Furthermore, based on my speculation, there are likely more than one False Core Immortal in the Xiahou Family," Chu Qingyi said, sharing the information she had gathered. "Undercover agents of the Heavenly Corpse Sect." "As I had expected. But I never imagined that the Xiahou Family had concealed themselves so deeply," Yun Wanshang said, her beautiful eyes flashing coldly. "To think there was a Yin vein beneath Blackwater Pool. No wonder Blackwater Pool, even though originally a low-grade Second Rank spirit vein with harsh conditions, was valued by the Xiahou Family who chose to establish roots there and invested heavily in nurturing it." A False Core Immortal nearby commented upon hearing this. "Qingyi, let’s go. We will report this matter to the Sect Leader," Yun Wanshang said, her presence overwhelming as she and Chu Qingyi headed toward Qingyun Grand Hall. She had Chu Qingyi report the affairs of the Xiahou Family truthfully to the Qingyun Sect Leader. "The Xiahou Family, Heavenly Corpse Sect," the Sect Leader mused aloud. "It seems the Xiahou Family is indeed one of Heavenly Corpse Sect’s moles." "With the Sect Hierarch of the Heavenly Corpse Sect and the Five Poisons Cult Leader challenging Xuanjian True Monarch, seeking to invade our Jiang Country, various moles from the Heavenly Corpse Sect, Five Poisons Cult, and Yiming Ghost Sect have begun to make their moves, surfacing from the shadows," said the Qingyun Sect Leader with an authoritative voice and calm dignity. "Since the Xiahou Family is within our Qingyun Sect’s territory and has now been exposed, it must be dealt with promptly." "Caiyun sister, why don’t you lead the team to handle this matter?" the Qingyun Sect Leader suggested, looking at Yun Wanshang. "It is possible," Yun Wanshang nodded and replied. She then added, "However, Qingyi has made great contributions in investigating the Xiahou Family this time. After this battle, it should be certain that she will receive her Coagulation Crystal Elixir." "Agreed," the Sect Leader murmured thoughtfully, nodding in agreement. ... Outside Qingzhu Mountain. On that day, a Qingyun Sect disciple descended on a spirit boat. "I pay my respects to my senior." The Lu Family guards immediately replied with a respectful greeting upon seeing the Qingyun Sect disciple. "Summon the one in charge of Lu Family of Qingzhu Mountain." The Qingyun Sect disciple commanded, his voice authoritative. "Please wait a moment, senior," said the Lu Family guard without delay. He promptly sent a message, notifying the Family Head Lu Miaochang and the old ancestor Lu Yuanzhong. Soon, Lu Miaochang and Lu Yuanzhong rushed over in haste. "The Supreme Sect has a decree, the Xiahou Family of Blackwater Pool has colluded with the Demon Path and injured our Qingyun disciples, and now we call upon all families to join in the attack!" the Qingyun Sect disciple declared, presenting a token and speaking loudly as soon as he saw Lu Yuanzhong. "The Xiahou Family of Blackwater Pool has colluded with the Demon Path?" Lu Yuanzhong and Lu Miaochang were utterly shocked upon hearing this news. After all, the Xiahou Family was a prominent cultivation clan. A family overseen by False Core Immortals. An entity that they, the Lu Family, usually looked up to. But now, with Qingyun Sect declaring that the Xiahou Family had colluded with the Demon Path and summoning all families to attack, it became clear they intended to eradicate the Xiahou Family entirely. "Lu Family of Qingzhu Mountain obeys the command!" Lu Yuanzhong responded without hesitation, with respect in his voice. These families under the jurisdiction of Qingyun Sect typically only had to provide tributes on schedule, and Qingyun Sect would not interfere with their affairs. But once there was a command from Qingyun Sect, they had to comply unconditionally, without opposition. Not just Qingzhu Mountain. The Yu Family of Bi Lake Mountain, the Wugong Ridge Zheng Family, the Hundred Birds Lake Bai Family, the Ning Family of the Stream Mountain, the Zhao Family of White Tiger Mountain... and other family powers under Qingyun Sect’s jurisdiction, all received the order. After all, to destroy the Xiahou Family was not a matter of sending a single Nascent Soul Immortal to deal with it and annihilate the entire Xiahou Clan. Even a Nascent Soul Immortal could leave something unchecked. Furthermore, to eradicate the Xiahou Clan included also dealing with subordinate families, markets under their control, and external disciples, among other things. If all these tasks were to be handled by Qingyun Sect alone, it would require a significant temporary reshuffling of forces and disciples which might lead to losses. That’s why these family powers within the region had their uses at such times. ```