Chapter 47: Sect Power Struggles

Other than the Red Lotus Karma Flame Sutra, there were quite a few other items in the storage pouch. After taking them out, Lu Yan began sorting through them one by one.

Inside the pouch were a total of 2,300 spirit stones, two mid-grade magic artifacts, five bottles of unknown pills, two tomes, and over ten Grade-One High-Rank talismans.

Beyond these, the pouch was completely empty.

“So poor?”

A look of surprise flashed in Lu Yan’s eyes. For a Foundation Establishment cultivator from a prestigious sect, this meager wealth was completely out of character.

Just then, the ghosts he had sent to search the surrounding area began returning. Two of them placed magic artifacts in front of Lu Yan.

White Bone Bell and Blood Hook Flying Sword.

Both were magic weapons Cheng Yu had used during battle—top-grade demonic artifacts. The White Bone Bell, whose bone-white body was riddled with cracks, had clearly been damaged during the fight.

The Blood Hook Flying Sword had also been eroded by the numerous ghost spirits, and most of its spiritual essence had already been lost.

Looking at these two spoils of war, Lu Yan recalled the earlier battle.

Bloodbeard’s ambush at the start had instantly destroyed Cheng Yu’s parasol-shaped magic artifact. During the battle, Cheng Yu had also used more than ten Grade-Two talismans, a defensive robe, and a flying artifact—the Blood Lotus Platform.

Including the White Bone Bell he used first and the Blood Hook Flying Sword during his sneak attack, Cheng Yu’s wealth could actually be considered rather substantial.

He had used up more than half of the usable items in his storage pouch during the fight, so the leftovers did make sense.

“Such a shame most of the artifacts were destroyed. Even the Blood Lotus Platform was shattered by the Giant Spirit in one strike. Would’ve been nice to keep it for travel.”

Lu Yan sighed softly in regret. Just then, another ghost returned with a storage pouch—this one belonged to He Luyuan.

As a mere mid-stage Qi Refining cultivator, He Luyuan’s wealth was modest: just over fifty spirit stones. However, the low-grade flying boat artifact inside the pouch delighted Lu Yan.

After surveying the battlefield, it seemed everything had been cleaned up. Lu Yan prepared to recall the ghosts and leave.

Just then, one of the ghosts suddenly poked its head out from underground, struggling to drag something up from beneath the earth.

Lu Yan looked more closely and noticed the ghost was pulling out an array plate buried deep underground.

It appeared to be earth-elemental, able to merge with the land to serve as a base for formations.

Lu Yan’s eyes lit up in surprise. He immediately moved to help, pulling the plate free himself.

The top of the array plate bore the characters “Spirit Gathering.” Upon closer inspection, it turned out to be a Second-Grade Formation, which instantly reminded Lu Yan of the dense spiritual energy he had felt upon entering the courtyard.

“So that heavy spiritual energy earlier was because of this formation?”

But now wasn’t the time to study it further.

After putting the array plate away, Lu Yan’s gaze fell on the three corpses of the scavenger team tied to the wooden rack.

He had only met them once, and in a sense, had even saved their lives.

All three were Awakened—people who, in the Apocalypse Version, could likely survive as long as they didn’t venture deep into ruined cities.

But who would’ve thought that right after escaping one crisis, they’d be dragged into an even bigger one?

The version updated again, and they ended up tortured to death by a disciple of the Red Lotus Demon Sect.

Lu Yan sighed softly, then released a wisp of Xuanhuang Merit Fire, burning away the corpses of the scavengers.

The firelight rose into the forest night sky, quickly engulfing the small courtyard in flames and erasing all traces of Lu Yan’s presence.

Then, riding the newly obtained flying boat, Lu Yan turned and sped toward Green Valley Market.

—

At dawn, Lu Yan flew out of the Wushan region.

Looking back at the vast mountain range stretching endlessly behind him, he finally let out a long sigh of relief.

He had originally intended to return to Green Valley Market the night before—but he’d underestimated the greatest threat within Wushan: the ever-present spirit beasts.

Over the course of the night, Lu Yan mistakenly trespassed into the territory of three Foundation Establishment-grade spirit beasts, and was chased relentlessly by beast hordes.

Had it not been for the protection of the Hundred Souls Banner, Lu Yan would’ve been reduced to a pile of bones by now.

This harrowing experience snapped him out of his swelling confidence.

Though Foundation Establishment strength might seem impressive among the loose cultivators, in the grand scheme of the cultivation world, it was barely above the bottom rung.

There were countless powerful beings in the Cultivation Version that could threaten his life.

And the Cultivation Version was just one of many world updates—in fact, it was arguably one of the safer ones.

“There will be even more dangerous updates in the future. I can’t afford to get cocky just because I’ve reached Foundation Establishment.”

With this silent reminder, Lu Yan approached the gates of Green Valley Market.

As soon as he arrived, he was startled to see a long line at the entrance. Over a dozen Qi Refining cultivators in blue uniforms were arrogantly ordering the loose cultivators to queue up.

Lu Yan’s expression changed. He immediately stopped in his tracks and chose to observe from a distance rather than approach.

At the head of the line, he saw several loose cultivators arguing with the uniformed men, clearly unhappy with something being said. Some even turned to leave in protest.

Suddenly, a streak of light flew in from the distance. A young cultivator in a robe landed above the market gate, releasing an unabashed Foundation Establishment aura.

The hearts of everyone present tightened. Even the disgruntled cultivators halted.

The young cultivator spoke loudly:

“I am Xie Yun, inner disciple of Green Wu Sect. By order of the sect’s Law Enforcement Hall, we are here to investigate demonic cultivators.”

“All of you must open your storage pouches for inspection. Once cleared, you may enter Green Valley Market.”

Uproar immediately broke out among the loose cultivators.

Storage pouches were deeply personal to cultivators, especially for the mostly independent loose cultivators here. Everyone had secrets of their own.

They were only here to trade. If Green Valley Market wasn’t safe, they could just go somewhere else. Handing over their secrets was unacceptable.

“We’re not going into Green Valley Market!”

“Who cares about a single market? I’ll just go to another!”

Even Lu Yan quietly took a step back.

While other cultivators feared having their secrets discovered, Lu Yan’s situation was far worse.

If the Hundred Souls Banner or demonic cultivation techniques inside his pouch were exposed, he’d instantly be labeled a demonic cultivator—and the chaos that followed would be endless.

“SILENCE!”

A sharp sword hum rang out.

A flying sword hovered beside Xie Yun, his fierce gaze sweeping over the crowd.

“This is not a request. It is an order from Green Wu Sect’s Law Enforcement Hall!”

“Once your pouches are cleared and you are proven not to be demonic scum, you may leave freely. But if you disobey the sect’s law—you will be executed!”

No one dared utter another word. Even the boldest loose cultivators lowered their heads before the intimidating presence of a Foundation Establishment expert.

Lu Yan also lowered his head, but there was no fear in his eyes—only suspicion.

“Green Valley Market is run by Green Wu Sect. For them to forcibly inspect storage pouches is clearly self-sabotaging.”

“If their reputation is ruined, loose cultivators won’t come anymore, and the market will wither.”

“Besides, there are countless ways to hunt demonic cultivators. This is the least efficient and most damaging method of all.”

“To pay such a high price for little gain… it doesn’t look like they’re really trying to root out demons.”

“They’re trying to damage Green Valley Market’s reputation on purpose!”

Lu Yan’s thoughts immediately turned to the one who had lost control of Bamboo Forest Market and was now left with only Green Valley Market—Jade-Crafting Fairy, Ji Xingyao.

“They’re not targeting demonic cultivators—they’re targeting Ji Xingyao!”

“A dignified Green Wu Sect true disciple, left with only one market to manage, has already become the laughingstock of the sect.”

“If Green Valley Market also declines, she’ll be held fully responsible. Even her true disciple status will be in jeopardy!”

(End of Chapter)