Chu Xuan flew around and found that his three senior brothers, Li Xuanming, Liu Zhenxiong, and Wu Teng, were still in seclusion. Indeed, in the mountains, there are no calendars; in cultivation, there are no years. This was to be expected.

After all, once one reached the Foundation Establishment stage, a lifespan of at least two hundred years was guaranteed. Even for those who practiced the demonic path and employed dark methods, reducing their lifespan, they still lived for at least a hundred and seventy to eighty years. Thus, spending three or four years in seclusion was normal.

As for their master, Wan Wuying, he would typically seclude himself for at least ten years at a time. However, Chu Xuan noticed that Xu Ming, Chen Ge, Wei Hua, and Bai Feng, four Qi Refining stage disciples, were busy every day.

As he soared through the sky on his Heavenly Star Flying Sword, he saw Chen Ge and Wei Hua escorting a group of mortal artisans. They seemed to be moving them to a plain within the territory of the Extreme Yin Cave.

"This is a good opportunity to ask them about recent changes."

With a flicker, Chu Xuan appeared above Chen Ge and the others. Sensing a powerful presence, Chen Ge and Wei Hua immediately tensed and prepared for confrontation. Upon realizing it was Chu Xuan, they relaxed.

Chen Ge exclaimed with joy, "It's Uncle Master Chu!"

"Uncle Master Chu, you've only been in seclusion for a few months, how come you're already out?"

Chen Ge and Wei Hua were friends with Chu Xuan before. Now that Chu Xuan had advanced to the Foundation Establishment stage, they respectfully addressed him as Uncle Master. Deep down, they still took pride in having been friends with him.

Wei Hua, addressing the mortals, announced loudly, "This is our Extreme Yin Cave's Foundation Establishment stage Taoist Master, Chu Xuan, Uncle Master Chu!"

When Chu Xuan approached with his flying sword, the mortals had already looked up to him with admiration. Now, hearing Wei Hua's introduction, their respect deepened.

Foundation Establishment stage Immortal Master!

To these mortals, who could not cultivate, he was like a deity!

"I happen to be free; I'll escort you to your destination," Chu Xuan said casually.

Chen Ge and Wei Hua were touched, "Thank you, Uncle Master!"

The mortals were also grateful. Wu Province was rife with rampant snakes, vermin, and other pests. At night, malevolent spirits and ghosts appeared. Even with Qi Refining stage Taoist Masters like Chen Ge and Wei Hua escorting them, casualties were inevitable. The mortality rate of the last group of mortals had even reached thirty percent.

But now, with a Foundation Establishment Immortal Master appearing, their safety was much more assured.

"Chen Ge, come here," Chu Xuan called, beckoning him over.

Chen Ge approached Chu Xuan with his head bowed, fearing that he was about to be reprimanded for some shortcomings in his duties. Chu Xuan chuckled upon seeing his apprehension, "Relax, I'm not here to punish you. I just have some questions to ask."

Chen Ge breathed a sigh of relief, "Please ask, Uncle Master."

Chu Xuan gathered information about the recent months. As he suspected, there were no significant changes among the five orthodox sects. The escape of Wan Wuying from the Misty Manor and the death of the talented monk Huikong from the Golden Dragon Temple had dissipated into obscurity. Neither the Divine Star Sect nor the Golden Dragon Temple wanted to publicize these incidents. Such matters were not flattering.

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If it became widely known that Divine Star Sect, a leader among the five orthodox sects, had imprisoned Wan Wuying and used his blood to feed ghosts to refine sword qi, it would cause an uproar within the bounds of Yu Country. The reputation of the Divine Star Sect as the leader of the orthodox sects would be greatly compromised.

All cultivators across the land would realize that both Divine Star Sect and Golden Dragon Temple, although they appeared righteous and eliminated demons and evils, were in fact hypocritical and deceitful.

"...Oh, Uncle Master Chu, there has been one significant issue recently," Chen Ge spoke in a low voice, "Heavenly Seal Sect is preparing to wage a major conflict against the native sects of Wu Province. It's said that a Golden Core elder from Heavenly Seal Sect was ambushed and severely injured by one of Wu Province's native sects, which has prompted them to accelerate their actions."

Chu Xuan couldn't help but laugh. He had long thought Heavenly Seal Sect's actions were inefficient. They should have gathered their full strength and marched east to sweep through the native sects of Wu Province with their superior power.

Instead, they had sent only a small contingent of cultivators, established the Flying Mountain Hall, and moved civilians, effectively nibbling away at their objectives rather than pushing through decisively.

Now, with a Golden Core cultivator seriously injured and in pain, they were finally thinking of deploying major forces. What were they doing earlier?

However, the reason wasn't hard to guess. There must be a power struggle within the Heavenly Seal Sect. The native sects of Wu Province were neither particularly strong nor weak.

If Heavenly Seal Sect deployed its full strength, it could undoubtedly sweep the native sects completely. However, in their desperation to preserve themselves, the native sects would likely fight back fiercely. Heavenly Seal Sect would inevitably suffer some casualties, even deaths among their ranks.

Thus, deciding which faction within the Heavenly Seal Sect should expend its forces against the native sects of Wu Province became a manipulable issue. No matter who it was, they would want to preserve the strength of their own faction as much as possible and strive to reap the most benefits from the victory.

Wherever there are people, there is strife. Even among cultivators who enjoy extended lifespans, this is no exception. As one of the five orthodox sects, with its vast territory and numerous personnel, the Heavenly Seal Sect naturally experiences its share of internal conflicts.

Chen Ge spoke in a conspiratorial tone, "Now, quite a number of cultivators have rushed over from Heavenly Seal Sect's main hall to the Flying Mountain Hall. Just among the Foundation Establishment stage alone, there are five, and Qi Refining stage disciples even more, around seventy to eighty. And that's just the first batch. They all look disheartened as if they are the disgruntled elements within the sect, dispatched here as a form of relegation."

Chu Xuan nodded slightly. No one wants to be involved in such life-threatening tasks. Those first thrown into the battlefield often face a higher mortality rate. This first group sent to the Flying Mountain Hall were either unaffiliated or sacrificial pawns in the ongoing power struggles.

Chen Ge chuckled, "Uncle Master Chu, these fellows are busy trying to boost their powers, employing every means possible. They don't shy away from using demonic methods either."

Chu Xuan smiled faintly, "Judging by your expression, it seems you've made a tidy profit from them."

Chen Ge grinned like a sly fox, "Hehehe, just a small profit from the Qi Refining stage disciples. If Uncle Master Chu joins in, we're sure to make a killing!"

Chu Xuan was intrigued. This was indeed a good idea. Those first batch of cultivators involved in the war would definitely do everything possible to enhance their survival chances. With his collection of blood beads, large blood beads, Yin Evil Qi, corpse puppets, and the techniques, spells, and magical tools obtained from slaying orthodox cultivators, these items would certainly be in high demand.

"Very well." Chu Xuan nodded slightly, giving Chen Ge a few thoughtful glances.

Chen Ge quickly caught on and hurriedly said, "I know the location of the black market. Once we've delivered this batch of mortals, I'll take Uncle Master Chu there!"

Chu Xuan smiled slightly. This young man was proving quite resourceful.

With Chu Xuan, a Foundation Establishment stage cultivator, personally emanating Foundation Establishment stage aura and leading the escort, the journey was mostly free of incidents. Native cultivators intent on slaughtering the mortals withdrew as soon as they sensed Chu Xuan's presence.

Damn it. Why would a Foundation Establishment stage cultivator escort civilians? Retreat.