Translator: Cinder Translations
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After Song Wen's explanation, the loft grew quiet.
Everyone remained silent, seemingly weighing the pros and cons of what Song Wen had proposed.
"May I ask, Senior Ji Yin, with the Ji Yin Sect offering such freedom, what do we need to give, and what will we gain in return by joining?"
"Good question," Song Wen responded with a hearty laugh. "The benefits of joining the Ji Yin Sect are plentiful."
"First, you will gain my protection. Once you join the Ji Yin Sect, you'll be one of us. If anyone dares to harm you, they'll have to think twice."
"Second, completing sect missions will earn you generous rewards."
"Third, you'll have access to trade within the sect without worrying about being cheated."
"Additionally, the sect offers various cultivation techniques, spiritual herbs, pills, magical treasures, and spiritual artifacts. You can acquire all of these through the sect."
"As for the cost..." Song Wen's tone shifted as he continued. "Nothing in this world comes for free. To gain, one must also give. Each Golden Core cultivator will need to contribute 50,000 spirit stones annually to become a member of my Ji Yin Sect."
Fifty thousand spirit stones!
The group was momentarily stunned.
It was the first time they had heard of a sect requiring spirit stones for membership.
So, this was essentially protection money?
"Rest assured," Song Wen added, sounding like a shopkeeper trying to sell his wares, "the benefits you'll receive each year as a member of the Ji Yin Sect will far exceed 50,000 spirit stones."
The group remained silent, clearly unimpressed with the so-called Ji Yin Sect, which didn't even have a headquarters.
However, Song Wen's status as a Nascent Soul cultivator made them hesitant to outright reject him.
Just as the silence stretched on, Zhou Siyi suddenly spoke.
"Senior Ji Yin, I'm willing to join the Ji Yin Sect. However, I have a nemesis—Luo Liangong, the head of the Law Enforcement Hall of the Beast Master Sect. If he comes looking for trouble, will you succumb to the pressure of the Beast Master Sect and cast me out?"
"Heh heh heh..." Song Wen burst into laughter. "You underestimate me and the Ji Yin Sect. If a mere Golden Core cultivator comes knocking, and I cast you out, wouldn't that be a joke? Even if the Nascent Soul Grand Elder of the Beast Master Sect personally comes, I'll still trade blows with him. We demonic cultivators are not ones to flee from a fight."
Zhou Siyi waved her hand, and 50,000 low-grade spirit stones appeared in the air, floating toward Song Wen.
"Senior, I am willing to join the Ji Yin Sect. I hope the Lord Sect Master will look after me in the future."
"Good!" Song Wen exclaimed with a smile. "From today on, you are the first disciple of the Ji Yin Sect. As long as the Ji Yin Sect stands, I guarantee your safety."
"Thank you, Sect Master," Zhou Siyi said with a bow.
With Zhou Siyi taking the lead, the other six Golden Core cultivators, including the cautious Xiao Chen, expressed their willingness to join.
After all, spending 50,000 spirit stones for peace of mind seemed worth it—it was like paying to avoid calamity.
Though Song Wen spoke of voluntary membership, who could be sure he wouldn't resort to violence if someone refused?
Collecting 300,000 spirit stones in one go put Song Wen in a great mood. He declared loudly:
"Since all of you have joined the Ji Yin Sect, you are now the Golden Core Elders of the sect. Let us pool our wisdom and discuss where the sect's headquarters should be established. Feel free to speak your minds."
After a brief silence, Yu Wen spoke up.
"Sect Master, in the entire Yishi Ridge, the best location for establishing a sect is undoubtedly Tian Cang Mountain. However, the mountain is currently occupied by the Si family, a cultivation clan with close ties to the Mixed Yuan Temple."
In Yishi Ridge, there were a few cultivation clans, though most were small and insignificant in the eyes of Golden Core loose cultivators like Xiao Chen.
However, the Si family of Tian Cang Mountain was an exception.
According to rumors, the Si family is a secular family of a deceased Nascent Soul cultivator from the Mixed Yuan Temple. The Si family was once prosperous but slowly declined, eventually becoming a small family with only Foundation Establishment cultivators.
After the great battle between the righteous and evil factions over a hundred years ago, perhaps to counterbalance the power of the Nine Palaces Sect and the Corpse Demon Sect in Yishi Ridge, the Mixed Yuan Temple secretly began supporting the Si family.
There are rumors that the Si family has produced a Golden Core cultivator.
This is why Tian Cang Mountain is rich in spiritual energy, yet cultivators like Xiao Chen and others do not dare to covet it.
"Tian Cang Mountain? The Si family?"
Song Wen furrowed his brows and pondered for a moment, a cold light flashing in his eyes.
"In that case, when the Ji Yin Sect is established, we shall raise the flag with the Si family."
"That is absolutely out of the question." The old ghost Xiao Chen quickly interjected.
Song Wen coldly glared at him. "Elder Xiao Chen, do you have any objections?"
Xiao Chen, under Song Wen's gaze, felt his spine freeze, and cold sweat broke out on his back.
"Reporting to the Sect Master... The Si family has a deep connection with the Mixed Yuan Temple. If we destroy the Si family, we will certainly incur the wrath of the Mixed Yuan Temple. Our Ji Yin Sect has just been established, and it's not wise to provoke such a powerful sect."
"Elder Xiao Chen has a point," Song Wen replied. "Then, in your opinion, where should we establish the sect?" Song Wen's smile held an edge.
"Well..." Xiao Chen hesitated for a moment before continuing. "Perhaps we can set up the sect at Gui Meng Mountain. It's unoccupied and abundant in spiritual energy, making it ideal for building a sect."
Ding Yan, clearly dismissive, spoke up. "Gui Meng Mountain is only a few hundred miles away from the massive spiritual mine occupied by the Nine Palaces Sect. Are you suggesting that we place the sect right under their nose?"
He then cupped his hands and addressed Song Wen. "Sect Master, I believe Elder Xiao Chen harbors ill intentions. He is deliberately trying to provoke a conflict between our Ji Yin Sect and the Nine Palaces Sect, allowing the Mixed Yuan Temple to take advantage of the situation."
Xiao Chen retorted angrily. "Ding Yan, don't slander me. You and I have some old grievances, and you're holding a grudge. Now, you're using the Sect Master to slander me. Just a moment ago, Elder Yu Wen proposed establishing the sect at Tian Cang Mountain, yet you didn't say she was trying to provoke a conflict with the Mixed Yuan Temple."
"Enough!" Song Wen intervened, ending the argument.
"As I see it, we should still establish the sect at Tian Cang Mountain. Gui Meng Mountain is too close to the spiritual mine, making it an unwise choice for building a sect."
"Also, under my leadership, I plan to set up the position of 'Chief Administrator' to manage the sect's various affairs. If anyone has someone in mind to recommend or nominate, please feel free to speak."
As soon as Song Wen finished speaking, Zhou Siyi suddenly spoke up.
"Sect Master, I recommend Elder Yu Wen for the position of Chief Administrator."
Song Wen turned to look at Zhou Siyi, puzzled.
He didn't understand why Zhou Siyi would propose Yu Wen.
However, since Zhou Siyi had spoken, there must be some reasoning behind it. Song Wen didn't want to embarrass him, so he agreed.
"Then, as Elder Zhou Siyi suggests."
Song Wen turned to Yu Wen and called out loudly, "Yu Wen!"
Yu Wen hurriedly saluted. "Disciple is here."
"From today onwards, you are the Chief Administrator of the Ji Yin Sect, responsible for managing all affairs of the sect. If you encounter any problems that cannot be resolved, you may report them to me, and I will personally handle them."
Yu Wen hesitated for a moment before replying. "I accept the command."
"Congratulations, Chief Administrator Yu." The others congratulated her one after another.
(End of the Chapter)
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