Chapter 145: Chapter 7: Establishing a Sect in Shiping Mountain
The Heavenly Demon Cult’s base in the Taihang Mountains was located on an artificial island at the center of Tongtian Lake, and their palace was called ‘Biyun Palace’.

Legend had it that an ancient Intercepting Cult powerhouse once stayed here for some time, and his hermitage was called a similar name.

Immortals, although they may live as long as the heavens, cannot stay in the mortal world forever.

Today, aside from a few junior immortals, those ancient powerhouses have all left this realm, so when the Heavenly Demon Path named this place, it also implied a tribute to the ancients.

Inside Biyun Palace, Jiang Liyan was chatting with her eldest senior sister about Wei Dongliu’s matters.

“Golden Core True Person?” her eldest senior sister, Ai Zhenzhi, laughed scornfully, “You really dare to dream!”

“Would a loose cultivator who manages to reach the Core Condensation Realm not be aware of our Heavenly Demon Path’s formidable aspect? And still be foolishly lured to Tongtian Gorge by you?”

“If senior sister doesn’t believe me, you could accompany junior sister later to investigate Wei Dongliu’s background?” Jiang Liyan suggested with a smiling face.

“What’s there to investigate?” Ai Zhenzhi waved her hand impatiently, “Such foolish loose cultivators are a dime a dozen in the Taihang Mountains. If you lure one in, should I deal with each one of them? Should I take your place as the eldest senior sister and handle these trifling characters?”

“Why would senior sister say such things?” Jiang Liyan immediately burst into tears, wiping her eyes as she said, “junior sister truly didn’t mean it that way. I will handle this matter right away and dare not trouble senior sister…”

As she stood up and weepingly walked out, Ai Zhenzhi just watched her back with cold eyes, not saying a word to retain her.

Once Jiang Liyan left Biyun Palace, she wiped away the remaining tears on her face, revealing an almost cold expression.

It was within her expectations that her eldest senior sister, Ai Zhenzhi, would refuse to take action.

The reason was simple: now that their master was in the East Sea and there were no Golden Core Realm cultivators in Biyun Palace, if Wei Dongliu was indeed a Golden Core True Person, Ai Zhenzhi would have no chance against him.

By requesting Ai senior sister to probe into his background, it would naturally make Ai Zhenzhi suspicious of deceit, leading her to be cautious of Wei Dongliu.

This way, a foundation for pitting the two against each other would be established.

Honestly, Jiang Liyan hoped more that Wei Dongliu could kill Ai Zhenzhi rather than Ai Zhenzhi successfully getting rid of Wei Dongliu.

After all, if it was the latter, most of Wei Dongliu’s heritage would be taken by Ai Zhenzhi, and Jiang Liyan would get nothing out of it—though she would definitely clear herself entirely of the situation, ensuring she suffered no losses.

But if it was the former and Ai Zhenzhi died, who would take the position of the eldest senior sister?

Clearly, it would lead to a fierce struggle among all the senior and junior sisters, even to a bloody turmoil!

Being the youngest and weakest disciple of the master, Jiang Liyan had virtually no chance of climbing to the position of the eldest senior sister through normal means.

Only in chaos lay her sole ladder to promotion.

Having considered her plan again, Jiang Liyan once more rose on her flying sword and headed towards Shiping Mountain on the opposite side of Long Qu Water.

At the very top of Shiping Mountain, Wei Dongliu was surveying the surrounding terrain.

The spiritual energy here was quite abundant, only the bare mountain top without flowers or trees was too ugly to look at.

However, Qiu Changtian was accustomed to living in the desolate snow peaks of Kunlun, so Wei Dongliu rode the sword light, flying around Shiping Mountain, looking for a suitable spot to excavate a cave dwelling.

The flying sword he was currently using was a Ninth Rank Wood System Flying Sword from the Kunlun Sword Pavilion, called ‘Green Bamboo’.

This sword was neither sharp nor heavy, but it was capable of creating many duplicates. There was no limit to the number, yet it consumed the Sword Master’s True Yuan.

As long as the Sword Master had True Yuan, he could create an endless number of flying swords, each with the capability to harm, making it a rather peculiar Wood System Flying Sword.

Finding a stream, he saw Jiang Liyan flying over from the opposite side, with a mischievous smile she said:

“Have you found a location, Wei Fellow Cultivator?”

“Not yet,” Wei Dongliu said indifferently, “To set up a Spirit Gathering Array, the spiritual energy here isn’t sufficient. It would be best to find a place close to an earth vein.”

Jiang Liyan’s eyes widened, growing increasingly astonished.

A Spirit Gathering Array is used to collect all the surrounding spiritual energy into the cultivator’s retreat, enhancing the efficiency of their breathing exercises.

For the Three Pure Ones of the Orthodox Sect and the Six Paths of the Demon Cult, a Spirit Gathering Array is naturally basic, but for a Loose Cultivator, it’s a luxury that’s out of reach.

Not to mention anything else, even if you have enough Spirit Stones, do you have the connections to find an Array Master to set up and maintain a Spirit Gathering Array for you?

Those who can set up a Spirit Gathering Array, even if not from a great sect, are absolutely core figures within small and medium-sized sects!

Just who is this Wei Dongliu?

As Wei Dongliu spoke, he suddenly heard [Mysterious Character Setup, Synchronization Value +1] and was puzzled.

“If you’re looking for a place rich in spiritual energy, I do know of one,” said Jiang Liyan with a smile.

She maneuvered the Sword Light, taking Wei Dongliu down into the mountain’s foothills, through the forest, and then, after several twist and turns, they slipped into a rocky peak.

After navigating through the narrow rocky peak for a while, the view suddenly opened up dramatically.

It turned out that inside Shiping Mountain, there was a huge space. A mountain stream cascaded down, pooling into a lake at the valley floor before pouring into the underground water system.

Daylight also fell through the narrow gaps at the top, lighting up the valley, and a clear breeze seeped out from cracks in the rocky peak, making the valley well-ventilated.

With light, water, and air, the moist soil by the lake sprouted a vast array of wildflowers and grasses.

Even in the center of the daylight, at a damp spot by the lake shore, a wild peach tree grew, its branches rough and knotty but robust and thriving.

Wei Dongliu was delighted at the sight, very satisfied with this “hidden path to a secluded spot” and “another world within,” while Jiang Liyan was somewhat reluctant to part with it.

After all, she had discovered this secret inner territory by happenstance, and although it had no relics, the scenery was uniquely appealing, making her linger and forget to return.

But now, in order to prevent Wei Dongliu’s existence from being exposed too soon, she had no choice but to contribute it, to serve as the site for Tong Xuan Gate’s Sect Residence… However, it didn’t matter, as she could still come to play often.

As long as Wei Dongliu established his sect here, took in disciples, and later had a conflict with Sister Ai, he wouldn’t be able to just walk away without a care.

In any case, the first step was to keep this “supposedly eminent person” tied down here!

Wei Dongliu, unaware of her thoughts, only knew that this Demon Head Ah Jing looked sweet and attractive, contributed to his Synchronization Value, and found him a suitable Sect Residence… How could she be any female demon head?

She was simply a bosom friend to Wei Dongliu!

“You’re really foolish,” the Kunlun Mirror said earnestly, “How could she possibly help you wholeheartedly? She must have ulterior motives!”

“Then aren’t you helping me wholeheartedly, too, Ah Jing?” Wei Dongliu laughed, “You better not have any ulterior motives.”

The Kunlun Mirror almost spat blood in response: This is a transaction of interests, alright!

And even though we are allies of interest, it doesn’t stop me from brewing the right moment to backstab you, let alone this female demon head!

You don’t even know what she wants from you; how can you trust her so easily?!