Chapter 175

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Chapter 175: Unswerving Determination

Five Elements Sect – the main entrance of the sect

Lin Jiang found out about Zhang Shuhua’s trouble a day later. As Zhang Wanjing’s close confidant, he had too many things to handle at the moment and was overwhelmed.

"Senior brother, how are you?"

Lin Jiang received a message and immediately rushed to Zhang Shuhua’s side.

"It’s okay, I won’t die."

"Senior brother, this is my fault."

Lin Jiang said if he hadn’t given the Spirit Integrating Pill to Zhang Shuhua, then he would be the one in trouble.

"What kind of talk is this? When the enemy plans to attack, does it matter who it is?"

"Ah, I was careless."

Lin Jiang said, indeed he was careless. Zhang Shuhua shouldn’t have been in the old mansion of Zhang Wanjing, but should have gone to the new mansion where the defense is stricter and the formation is advanced. They wouldn’t have been able to succeed with such methods there.

"Yes, I was careless. I never thought they would target me."

"Do you dare to find the master?"

"Junior brother, you should be careful too."

"I have been on guard the whole time."

Lin Jiang said, ever since he returned to the gate of the mountain, he has been wearing his complete set of high-quality equipment, and he also took out the Life Talisman from his storage bag.

Throughout history, those who initiate reforms have always faced bloodshed and sacrifice. He didn’t want the bloodshed and sacrifice to start with him.

"Just stay on guard, they definitely won’t give up easily."

"Don’t worry, they won’t dare to attack again directly. Ancestor Shi Yuntang is furious and has personally ordered an investigation. They will seek revenge for you."

"If we can’t find out, forget it, let’s not investigate anymore. Don’t let this matter affect my father’s plan."

"You’re really generous."

"The least powerful one who attacked me was Golden Core. Do you think Golden Core has the courage?"

"Nascent Soul should die too."

"Do you really want my father to fight them?"

"Senior brother, you have to remember, blocking someone’s wealth is like killing their parents. Ever since our master took action, there is no turning back. Either we completely crush them or they crush us."

Lin Jiang said seriously, even if it’s Nascent Soul, as long as we have solid evidence, we must keep fighting. Now Shi Yuntang is in the sect, everything is under control. But Shi Yuntang won’t be there forever, and Zhang Wanjing is not a match for many Nascent Soul cultivators.

·······

The entrance of the Five Elements Sect. Zhang Wanjing and Lin Jiang, along with their group, bid farewell to Jin Yu and the others. Jin Yu and the rest were the first to be captured, they would be stationed in the Wilderness to fight and redeem themselves through service.

The Wilderness is now several times more dangerous than before, because the Five Elements Sect has decided to encircle and kill the fourth-level demonic beasts, and occupy a large territory. They have to fight the beasts all the time.

Jin Yu and the others felt dejected. With this defeat, it is very difficult for them to turn things around, unless they can obtain the Infant stage treasures in the Wilderness and successfully break through to Nascent Soul. Otherwise, by the time they return, their lifespan would be short, and they wouldn’t have the money to buy treasures. Moreover, they are getting old, so they have no chance to obtain the Infant stage treasures from the Five Elements Sect.

"Master"

"Have you seen your senior brother?"

"Yes, my senior brother has a good mindset."

"I know, Shuhua has undergone a lot of training since childhood, and I am very relieved."

"Master, be careful, the enemy won’t give up so easily."

"They don’t have the courage to attack me yet, but you should be careful."

"I’m not afraid. I won’t leave the sect in these years unless Nascent Soul attacks me. Otherwise, it’s hard to kill me with just one move. Master should also take care of your family."

Lin Jiang said that he has Lin Batian’s Life Talisman on him. Even if it’s Nascent Soul, they can’t kill him with just one move. In the sect, if they miss their first attack, they can basically survive.

Lin Jiang is worried about Zhang Wanjing’s family. He is not alone. He has a wife and a son.

"I have made arrangements."

Zhang Wanjing nodded, his wife and her family have made arrangements, there are enough people to protect.

"The disciple can rest assured then."

"Now let’s get down to business, this is just the beginning."

"Master, the most important thing next should be revising the rules of the sect. During the investigation process of the Black Clothes Hall, I found many loopholes in the rules. The simplest point is that many positions are not supervised and rely solely on the disciples’ self-awareness. However, human nature is not reliable and needs to be regulated by institutional rules."

"Write a detailed plan for me."

"As a disciple with low cultivation and status, I cannot write it. I cannot grasp the full picture of the sect, and whatever I write would be wrong. This matter should be led by the master, just like reclaiming the authority of the Nascent Soul Elders. Without constraints, the Nascent Soul Elders can do as they please. There must be rules to regulate them."

"I understand, let’s go."

Zhang Wanjing nodded, this actually gave him an inspiration. This statement is correct, there should be a detailed set of rules to regulate the disciples, just like how the Nascent Soul Elders are regulated.

As time went on, the changes that Zhang Wanjing made in the sect became more apparent. The corrupt officials were removed, and the efficiency of the Five Elements Sect greatly improved. This was especially noticeable at the lower levels.

Towards the end of the year, many disciples were concerned about the application for the Building Foundation Pill. Zhang Wanjing personally oversaw the distribution of the pills this year.

Everything was done according to the rules of the sect. This gave many disciples without any connections a chance. In the past, they wouldn’t have had any opportunities, but now, opportunities had arrived.

Zhang Wanjing was very fair in his actions. He didn’t specifically suppress the children of influential families. This was different from the changes made by ordinary people, which aimed to completely change the distribution of benefits. The sect only wanted to select true genius disciples.

Therefore, regardless of background, as long as someone was excellent and talented, Zhang Wanjing would support them.

Of course, this was something only Zhang Wanjing could do. If Lin Jiang were in charge, those people wouldn’t stand a chance. Lin Jiang didn’t agree with this "saintly" approach.

The person behind the attack on Zhang Shuhua could not be found. They were extremely secretive, and there were no clues to be found.

·······

"Martial Uncle, these three Purple Origin Taoist Fruits couldn’t be saved. They have been eaten by poisonous insects. However, I managed to save these four."

Zhang Wanjing’s underground dwelling, a wise farmer told Zhang Wanjing sadly that seven Purple Origin Taoist Fruits had been destroyed, which was such a pity.

"How is he?"

"He couldn’t be saved. He severed his meridians and even his soul scattered. Otherwise, we could have used magic to bring him back."

"That’s really impressive."

Zhang Wanjing said coldly as the enemy launched another attack. Previously, they had ambushed Zhang Shuhua, but this time, they aimed at the Purple Origin Taoist Fruit in Zhang Wanjing’s hands.

The higher-ups of the sect were fully aware of the matter regarding the Purple Origin Taoist Fruit. Several Nascent Soul cultivators had advised Zhang Wanjing to hand over this precious treasure to the sect. However, Zhang Wanjing refused, as the Purple Origin Taoist Fruit was his weapon.

As long as Zhang Wanjing possessed the Purple Origin Taoist Fruit, he had no fear of lacking followers. Acquiring treasures for Golden Core cultivators to form their Nascent Souls was incredibly difficult, but here it was right in front of him. It was easy to envision what those Golden Core cultivators would do.

The enemy, seeing this, bribed the Spiritual Farmer responsible for taking care of the Purple Origin Taoist Fruit for Zhang Wanjing. They manipulated the fruit behind the scenes, causing it to wither. Zhang Wanjing only discovered this when it was too late.

The Golden Core cultivator who took action had already committed suicide before the incident. It had been several days, and even their soul had scattered. It’s needless to say that all other evidence had been thoroughly cleaned up.

"Uncle in Martial Arts, then I’ll leave first."

When that person heard Zhang Wanjing’s words, he immediately wanted to leave. The struggle among the leaders of the sect was not something he, a small cultivator at the golden core stage, could afford to get involved in.

"Wait a moment, Martial Uncle."

Lin Jiang stepped forward at this moment.

"Junior Brother Xiao, is there something else?"

"Lately, I’ve become quite interested in Spiritual Farming. How about I learn some skills from you?"

"Um…"

"We are all disciples of the sect, there’s no need to be so petty."

"Alright, if you have any questions about Spiritual Farming in the future, you can come find me at the Spiritual Herb Garden."

"Thank you very much, Martial Uncle."

Lin Jiang bowed and thanked him, realizing that he needed to learn some more skills in order to protect the remaining Purple Origin Taoist Fruit, which had a special meaning to him.

"Master, are you alright?"

"I’m fine, it’s just a few medicinal plants. We can plant more if we run out."

"Then I can relax."

"Be careful lately. Take this Life Talisman, it’s for you."

"I already have one."

"Having an extra one is not a bad thing. For the next few years, don’t leave the sect and don’t go to Medicine City. Focus on learning your skills."

Zhang Wanjing handed the Life Talisman to Lin Jiang, worried that even his disciple might get harmed by the enemy’s actions.

"Thank you, Master."

"Go ahead, I need to take a rest."

"Yes, Master."

After Lin Jiang bowed and left, Zhang Wanjing found a chair and sat down, looking sad.

He couldn’t understand why those people still hated him so much. He had already shown enough mercy, and he hadn’t touched the interests of the Nascent Soul. Wasn’t everything he did for the sect?

The initial effects of the changes had already appeared, and the efficiency of the various departments had soared. Isn’t this a good thing?

Or is it that as long as the benefits are not in their hands, they are not benefits, even if it’s for the sect?