Longevity by Grinding Skills

Chapter 527: Chapter 527: Inside the Peak

"How are things on the peak?"

Xu Yunfan asked, his voice calm and steady.

With a sweep of his Divine Sense, he could naturally grasp the full details of True Martial Peak. However, questioning the peak’s disciples at times was a good way to gauge their state of mind.

The Primordial Sect was largely run in the style of the Demon Sects, and the number of disciples now seemed a bit sparse.

’Have they deserted?’

Wu Yan answered immediately, "Reporting to the Peak Master, everything on the peak is as usual. The disciples are still training diligently, and the prestige of True Martial Peak has not fallen. It’s just..."

He hesitated for a moment, his voice lowering. "Ever since we lost contact with you, Peak Master, the monthly resource allocation for the peak has been drastically reduced. Our supply of Elixirs and Spirit Stones is less than seventy percent of what it used to be.

All the disciples are worried, and some... have left the peak."

Xu Yunfan’s brow twitched slightly. He asked nonchalantly, "Did those disciples who left go through the official withdrawal procedures?"

A chill went through Wu Yan’s heart. He replied, "Peak Master, they did not."

"Then they’ve deserted,"

Xu Yunfan muttered.

Upon hearing this, Wu Yan immediately declared, "I will obey the Peak Master’s command! I will send disciples to capture and kill them at once. We will flay their skin and pull their tendons, perform Soul Attraction and Soul Refinement, and show them no mercy!"

Listening to the reports from Wu Yan and Chen Tiezhu, Xu Yunfan’s expression remained impassive, but he now understood the full extent of True Martial Peak’s predicament.

The *True Martial Demon Suppressing Scripture*, the very Cultivation Technique upon which he had relied to establish his peak and gain a foothold in the Primordial Sect, had now become a heavy shackle, locking away the future of every disciple on the peak.

After all, it had been forcibly co-opted by the Puchen Pure Land. If a disciple cultivated it to a profound level, the moment they stepped out of the Primordial Sect, some bald monk would likely run over and claim they had an affinity with the Buddha.

And if they refused, the conflict could escalate to the point where that shameless Daoist Lord might personally convert one of them into a monk just to stir up trouble.

Changing the Cultivation Technique was the best solution.

"You have all worked hard."

Xu Yunfan’s voice was steady, carrying a reassuring strength.

"Diligent cultivation is fundamental. It is excellent that the disciples on the peak have not slacked off. As for the path forward..."

He paused, his gaze sweeping over the three men with their varying expressions. "I am aware of the hidden dangers of the *True Martial Demon Suppressing Scripture*. This is not your fault, nor is it a flaw in the Scripture itself. It is merely the result of the political games between the Puchen Pure Land and our Sect, and you have all been caught in the crossfire."

Whether the Primordial Sect had lost out in this affair was debatable, but at the very least, they had thoroughly disgusted the Puchen Pure Land. After all, the roots of the *True Martial Demon Suppressing Scripture* lay in the Divine Martial Realm, a world held firmly in the Primordial Sect’s grasp.

That was why the Puchen Pure Land had settled for second best, using Sanzang and his three disciples to perform the Walking King Buddha Ritual.

He did not elaborate on the schemes involving True Monarchs and Bodhisattvas. Such matters were too distant and would be of no benefit to the disciples before him.

"Relay my orders."

Xu Yunfan commanded, "For now, Bi Yuan will preside over all affairs on the peak. As for resources, they will be allocated as long as you have enough Contribution Points. The amount will be greater than before, not less.

Tell all the disciples to remain calm. I, their Peak Master, have my own arrangements. Wu Yan, Tiezhu, you two may go and handle the peak’s affairs."

’What a joke. In the Primordial Sect, Contribution Points decide everything. I even give them a monthly stipend of Spirit Stones for expenses. On any other peak, they’d have to pay for their own food, clothing, and lodging.’

’If you didn’t squeeze them dry, you’d be a disgrace to the name of the Primordial Demon Sect.’

’I, Master Xu, am so kindhearted.’

’Compared to the other Foundation Establishment Daoist Masters of the Primordial Sect, I’m as pure and benevolent as a white lotus.’

"Yes, Peak Master!"

Wu Yan and Chen Tiezhu’s spirits lifted. The Peak Master’s return had given them a backbone, and the guarantee of resources lifted a great weight from their shoulders. They accepted their orders and respectfully withdrew.

The tall, thin Cultivator with a soft, sinister aura also made to leave, but Xu Yunfan said coolly, "Yang Ying, stay."

The Cultivator named Yang Ying froze for a second. An imperceptible trace of nervousness flashed deep in his downcast eyes before he lowered his hands and stood respectfully.

"Disciple is here."

Xu Yunfan did not speak immediately. The cave residence fell silent, the only sound the soft TAP, TAP, TAP of his fingertips against the back of his chair.

The invisible pressure caused beads of cold sweat to form on Yang Ying’s forehead.

After a moment, having let the tension build sufficiently, Xu Yunfan finally spoke slowly. "You excel at stealth and tracking, and you have a sharp mind. You must be the clearest on the shifting sentiments among the disciples these days.

Tell me, what’s on their minds? Has anyone... been looking toward other peaks?"

Yang Ying’s heart tightened. He knew the Peak Master was testing his abilities, as well as giving him a warning.

He did not dare to be negligent. Forcing himself to remain calm, he said, "Reporting to the Peak Master, I have indeed made some observations. Most disciples on the peak are fearful and lost because the path of the Scripture has been cut off. The majority, like Senior Brother Wu and Junior Brother Chen, remain diligent in their cultivation and loyal to you, Peak Master.

However, there are some, especially the newer disciples whose minds are not yet settled, who complain in private. Some have even entertained the idea of finding an opportunity to switch allegiances and seek a better master.

But with Ancestral Master Bi watching over things and the Peak Master’s prestige still intact, most of them don’t dare to act. As for the other peaks..."

His voice dropped even lower, tinged with certainty.

"Hundred Desires Peak has indeed sent some disciples to loiter around the outskirts of True Martial Peak recently. They’ve been trying to tempt disciples whose Dao Hearts are unsteady, telling them they can go to Hundred Desires Peak to enjoy the ultimate pleasure between men and women, cultivate the Supreme Yin Yang Righteous Technique, and escape the shackles of our Scripture...

A few have made contact in private. But I have been keeping a close watch, and so far, no major trouble has occurred."

A cold glint flashed through Xu Yunfan’s eyes and was gone in an instant.

’Those bastards from Hundred Desires Peak!’

’Their methods are as swift as they are filthy. The *True Martial Demon Suppressing Scripture* cultivates an abundance of Yang Qi, making its practitioners ideal Human Cauldrons. To think they’d come right to my doorstep to poach my disciples.’

’In this world, from the Daoist Lords and Bodhisattvas above to the Golden Core and Foundation Establishment cultivators below, there isn’t a single trustworthy or benevolent soul.’

’To think they’d pull such a low-down trick while I was away.’

"Well done. Keep an eye on them. If there are any more such attempts at seduction, inform Bi Yuan at once and find a way to capture them. As for those disciples with wavering minds..."

Xu Yunfan pondered for a moment. "Let’s wait and see what they do before we act."

"As you command, disciple obeys!"

Yang Ying’s heart relaxed. He understood that he had passed this test and might even earn the Peak Master’s greater trust because of it.

He was well aware that the methods of this seemingly young Peak Master were ruthless and his mind meticulous, far beyond that of any ordinary Foundation Establishment Daoist Master.

"You may go."

Xu Yunfan waved his hand. As if granted a pardon, Yang Ying’s figure silently melted into the shadows in the corner of the cave residence, disappearing as if he had never been there.

The cave residence fell silent once more.

Xu Yunfan closed his eyes, his Divine Thought sinking into the Storage Bracelet given to him by Chu Chengnan.

Within the vast space, mountains of Spirit Stones glittered with multicolored Spiritual Light. The fragrant aromas of Treasure Medicines intertwined, and precious Ore and Jade Materials flowed with a lustrous gleam. There were also numerous Ancient Artifacts of unknown function, all emanating obscure yet powerful auras...

A mere cursory scan revealed that its value was more than enough to support his expenses for the next several hundred years.

A moment later, the restrictive seals on the cave residence were triggered again, and several figures filed in one after another.

The one in the lead was none other than Bi Yuan. He wore a simple Daoist robe, and his aura was harmonious and complete. His Realm had clearly improved significantly since his time in the Divine Martial Realm. Although his foundational limits still kept him stuck at the Peak of Qi Cultivation, his calm and experienced demeanor was even more pronounced than before.

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