Cultivation Begins From The Desert Chapter 550 - 535: Ambition and Courage [2-in-1]

Yellow Sand Sect.

When the news of Zhouyang’s successful formation of the Golden Core reached the Yellow Sand Sect, Yang Wenxiong, the current sect leader, staggered and almost fell to the ground.

He looked at the ssenger cultivator with a face full of shock, his mouth moved, wanting to ask if the news was true.

But before he could ask, he stopped himself.

He knew clearly in his heart that the ssenger cultivator couldn’t possibly say sothing false about such a big matter.

"I understand, you may leave now!"

He took a deep breath to force himself to calm down, then waved his hand to dismiss the ssenger cultivator.

As a sect leader, he must maintain the dignity and authority of his position, especially now, he had to keep calm and not let his panic show to other disciples.

Since Zhouyang’s return with the Golden Core formation was a done deal, unchangeable.

What this Yellow Sand Sect leader had to do next was to clarify Zhouyang’s attitude.

In fact, regarding this issue, when he took over the sect leader position from his predecessor Zhang Yunpeng, he had already made arrangents.

At this ti, he forced himself to clear his mind, and after careful consideration, he instructed the waiting ssenger disciple outside: "Soone, send a ssage to the Zhou Family, saying that Yang wants to invite Elder Zhouyang to visit the Yellow Sand Sect for an important matter."

According to usual practice, Zhouyang, upon his successful Golden Core formation, should be visited by the lower-ranked Yang Wenxiong showing sincerity.

But now, he was asking Zhouyang to co to Yellow Sand Sect to et him, which seed sowhat inappropriate.

However, these were just appearances.

The true purpose of Yang Wenxiong issuing this order was to use it as a probe to test Zhouyang’s thoughts.

Everyone knew that with Zhouyang’s return with the Golden Core formation, the Yellow Sand Sect’s status as the master of the Boundless Sea of Sand Cultivation Realm would be thoroughly shifted.

So at this mont, those in power at the Yellow Sand Sect must be the most terrified and helpless.

And people in fear can inevitably make so unwise decisions.

Should Yang Wenxiong and other high-level mbers of the Yellow Sand Sect, in a mont of panic, attempt to deceive Zhouyang into the sect grounds while his foundation was still unstable, and then using the sect’s Mountain Protection Array’s power, exhaust the entire sect’s resources to kill him.

Such a situation is not impossible.

Yang Wenxiong’s abnormal behavior of inviting Zhouyang to the Yellow Sand Sect undoubtedly makes it easier for people to entertain such thoughts.

And this, was Yang Wenxiong’s probe towards Zhouyang.

"Zhouyang, ah Zhouyang, I hope you don’t let down!"

"Otherwise, Yang, even if I have to give up the sect’s legacy, I will definitely not let your Zhou Family have a good ti!"

A shadow flashed in Yang Wenxiong’s eyes, but inside, he had already prepared for the worst.

On the other side, Zhouyang, after returning to the clan for nearly a month, Zhou Guangxiang finally arrived at Lingxi Peak with his Dao companion Liu Xuanxuan and his eldest son Zhou Tongxuan.

Over sixty years have passed, and Zhou Guangxiang’s cultivation has reached the Fifth Layer of the Purple Mansion stage, at the age of only two hundred and sixty. According to the lifespan calculation of a Purple Mansion Stage Cultivator as four hundred and eighty years, life was just halfway, having this level of cultivation at this age was already quite good.

And his Dao companion Liu Xuanxuan also reached the Ninth Layer Foundation Establishnt stage, and with her Foundation Establishnt stage cultivation beca a Tier Four Lower-grade Artifact Refiner.

Even his eldest son, Zhou Tongxuan, already possessed a Third-Layer Foundation Establishnt cultivation.

Back when Xiao Ying and Zhou Guangxiang returned from the Land of the Far West, they had long since inford Zhou Guangxiang of the experiences in the Land of the Far West, so when eting Zhou Guangxiang, Zhouyang did not repeat those experiences over the years.

After catching up with his nephew, apprentice, and grandnephew, he called Zhou Guangxiang alone into the quiet room for a conversation.

"There’s sothing you need to know, Ninth Uncle’s return ho this ti is rely to stabilize the clan’s morale. In six or seven years at most, Ninth Uncle will go to the Liuyun Continent Cultivation Realm to do sothing very dangerous!"

Right at the beginning of the conversation, Zhouyang disclosed his intentions.

And when Zhou Guangxiang heard these words, he abruptly changed expression, mouth wide open, ready to speak.

But before he could speak, Zhouyang raised his hand to stop him.

"Don’t rush to speak, listen to what Ninth Uncle has to say!"

Zhouyang stopped Zhou Guangxiang from speaking and said calmly, "Although I can only stay for a few years, the matter of our Zhou Family becoming the master of the Boundless Sea of Sand Cultivation Realm will not change, and the trump card Ninth Uncle left you is entirely sufficient to support our Zhou Family in facing various changes!"

"You have been in charge of the clan for over a hundred years, your understanding of the clan’s situation is clearer than mine, Ninth Uncle will not question it in detail."

"Next, while I’m still in the clan, gather the clan’s higher-ups and make a plan, listing all that needs to be done once the clan becos the dominant power in the Boundless Desert Sea cultivation realm. Include so ideas you’ve wanted to implent within the clan but couldn’t before, and then let review it."

"Before I leave, I will help you clear all obstacles!"

After Zhouyang finished speaking, he nodded slightly and said, "Alright, if you have anything to say, you can say it now."

"Nephew wishes to know, what is the dangerous thing you are going to do in the Liuyun Continent cultivation realm, Ninth Uncle? Does the family need to provide assistance?"

Zhou Guangxiang looked at Zhouyang with a face full of worry and asked the question he wanted to say earlier.

"I don’t know. I don’t know what it is yet, just that it’s sothing very dangerous, involving Nascent Soul stage seniors, sothing beyond your ability to intervene!"

Zhouyang shook his head, and his words made Zhou Guangxiang’s face even more filled with worry.

Matters involving Nascent Soul stage cultivators are indeed not sothing he or the Zhou family can intervene in. In front of such beings, the tiny Zhou family could be destroyed with a flick of a finger.

"I understand, Ninth Uncle. I will fulfill your instructions as soon as possible."

He nodded his head with a gloomy expression, no longer ntioning anything about helping. He replied with a low tone to Zhouyang’s previous instructions, and the joy he felt because of Zhouyang’s return after forming a Golden Core had long dissipated.

Seeing this, Zhouyang didn’t say anything, but he was very gratified in his heart.

He appreciated one thing about Zhou Guangxiang: he knows when to advance and when to retreat, understands the bigger picture, and doesn’t act recklessly. This is a quality a clan leader must possess.

And beyond these qualities, he also knows gratitude, which is even more satisfying and comforting.

"There’s another thing. Let’s hold my Golden Core celebration three years from now. The venue can be set at the closer Red Tiger Mountain, and during that ti, I will personally ascend the stage and speak on the mysteries of cultivation for ten days and nights for all attending cultivators!"

Holding a Golden Core celebration is a significant event.

In a small place like the Boundless Desert Sea cultivation realm, a Golden Core stage cultivator is an apex existence, and the significance of a Golden Core celebration is even greater than a Nascent Soul celebration in places like the Liuyun Continent cultivation realm.

After the Golden Core celebration, the Zhou family can officially replace the Yellow Sand Sect as the new hegemon of the Boundless Desert Sea cultivation realm.

"I understand, Ninth Uncle. Rest assured, I will make sure every cultivator in the Boundless Desert Sea cultivation realm knows about this and that every clan leader of the cultivation families will attend this grand event!"

Zhou Guangxiang’s spirit was invigorated, and he replied loudly with a voice full of strength.

"I trust you to handle things."

Zhouyang nodded, thus ending the conversation.

A few days later, he went alone to the location of the Yellow Sand Sect’s mountain gate.

Zhouyang was unaware of Yang Wenxiong’s thoughts.

But he had absolute confidence and wasn’t afraid of any tricks Yang Wenxiong might pull.

If Yang Wenxiong were really foolish enough to use the Mountain Gate Array against him, then he would laugh himself awake from such a dream.

Originally, his agreent with Cao Wenjin was that as long as the Yellow Sand Sect didn’t target him or the Zhou family, he wouldn’t take action against the Yellow Sand Sect.

If Yang Wenxiong dared to break this agreent, it would be tantamount to freeing him from his restraints, and how could he not be pleased?

However, such a thing is of course impossible.

When Zhouyang arrived at the Yellow Sand Sect’s mountain gate, Yang Wenxiong, having received prior notice, was already waiting at the gate with all the high-ranking mbers and disciples of the Yellow Sand Sect to welco him.

When they saw him appear, they all bowed in unison and respectfully shouted together, "The entire sect of the Yellow Sand Sect welcos Elder Zhou’s presence!"

Seeing their respectful attitude, anyone unaware of the situation might think Zhouyang was the Golden Core Ancestor of the Yellow Sand Sect!

And when Zhouyang saw the respectful appearance of the Yellow Sand Sect mbers below from atop the golden clouds, he couldn’t help but recall his first visit to the Yellow Sand Sect.

Back then, he had just successfully established his Foundation as a result of receiving rit point rewards promised by the forr Yellow Sand Sect Leader Zhang Yunpeng for his participation in the Demon Extermination War. At the plea of his clan elder Zhou Xuanbin, he agreed to transfer his rit points for his son Zhou Yuanchen to exchange for a Foundation Establishnt Pill.

This is how he ca to the Yellow Sand Sect.

At that ti, he never thought he would one day lead the Zhou family to step on the Yellow Sand Sect, making them heed his commands within the Boundless Desert Sea cultivation realm, where the Yellow Sand Sect had been prominent for over two thousand years.

After a mont of daze, Zhouyang ca back to his senses and descended from the clouds, smiling and waving as he said, "Fellow daoists, you are too courteous. There’s no need for such formalities between old friends like myself and Sect Leader Yang."

Upon hearing him refer to himself as "old friends," Yang Wenxiong couldn’t help but breathe a sigh of relief.

At least for now, Zhouyang’s attitude seed amiable, not overbearing, and in this way, things might not turn out as badly as he feared.

He imdiately forced a smile on his face and said, "It is truly a fortunate event for soone like to have t Elder Zhou before his rise. However, rules are rules, and since Elder Zhou has now ford a Golden Core, he is a senior on the path of cultivation, and how could I break the rules?"

Hearing this, Zhouyang rely smiled, implicitly agreeing.

In the cultivation realm, the strong are respected, and when two cultivators who are not related by blood or teacher-student relations et, it’s only natural for the one with a lower level of cultivation to address the higher-level cultivator as "Elder," which is what Yang Wenxiong calls "the rules."

Zhouyang was long accustod to these "rules" and felt no discomfort.

Following so pleasantries, Zhouyang was invited alone into the Sect Leader’s Hall by Yang Wenxiong for a private conversation.

No third person knew what the two discussed within the hall.

Others only saw that after half a day of private discussion in the Sect Leader’s Hall, Zhouyang was personally escorted out of the mountain gate by Yang Wenxiong, who had a smile on his face.

"This Yang Wenxiong has beco quite sensible; it seems that he has learned from Zhang Yunpeng’s previous lesson and has recognized the situation, saving a lot of trouble."

"Though looking at him, he seems to have been prepared for this day for quite so ti?"

"Makes sense. Throughout the years, my Zhou Family has been thriving, while his Yellow Sand Sect is declining. As the leader of the Yellow Sand Sect, if he doesn’t think ahead, he’d be rather incompetent!"

On the golden auspicious clouds, Zhouyang left the Yellow Sand Sect, recalling the gains from this trip, and couldn’t help but smile with satisfaction.

In the Sect Leader’s Hall, he and Yang Wenxiong discussed in detail the future situation of the Boundless Sea of Sand Cultivation Realm.

He promised to continue taking care of the Yellow Sand Sect and not violate the "Nether Blood Contract" signed initially.

anwhile, Yang Wenxiong would publicly express at his Golden Core ceremony that the Yellow Sand Sect is willing to jointly lead the Boundless Sea of Sand Cultivation Realm with the Zhou Family.

Though they speak of jointly leading the realm, astute people know that it’s actually the Yellow Sand Sect, the forr dominant force, relinquishing its position, and this talk is just to save face for the sect that dominated the Boundless Sea of Sand Cultivation Realm for over two thousand years.

If these matters were rely nominal titles, then the formula for "Hidden Spirit Incense" and so finished "Hidden Spirit Incense" handed over by Yang Wenxiong are substantive benefits.

With the "Hidden Spirit Incense" formula, the Zhou Family essentially holds the key to traveling to the Liuyun Continent Cultivation Realm. In the future, high-tier cultivators of the Zhou Family can use this spiritual object to trek the Liuyun Continent Cultivation Realm.

This holds extraordinary significance for the Zhou Family.

Of course, Zhouyang didn’t take Yang Wenxiong’s benefits without reciprocating.

After acquiring the "Hidden Spirit Incense" formula, he offered a spiritual object that assists in Core Formation, the "Condensing Pill Grass," as compensation.

Originally, he ant to save this for his Dao Companion Xiao Ying’s future Core Formation, but he decided to request a small favor from Lu Xuanji when he heads to the Profound Sun Immortal Sect, requesting them to help make a "Jade Liquid Golden Pill" for his Dao Companion Xiao Ying’s Core Formation.

With Lu Xuanji’s and Master Cyan Yang’s integrity, they shouldn’t refuse this small request.

Upon returning to Lingxi Peak from the Yellow Sand Sect, Zhouyang gave a copy of the "Hidden Spirit Incense" formula to his Dao Companion Xiao Ying and stored another copy in the clan’s secret library.

Then he went into seclusion.

During this seclusion, Zhouyang planned to use the "Enlightennt Profound Truth Fruit" to assist in cultivating the second layer of the "Void Refining God Technique."

This was a decision arrived at after much contemplation.

He had less than ten years for cultivation, and even with the help of the "Enlightennt Profound Truth Fruit," he couldn’t possibly master any of the divine techniques he held in such a short ti.

Although he now had the complete "Great Derivation Sword Technique," he lacked a matching Tier Five Flying Sword, thus couldn’t greatly enhance his strength even if he swiftly mastered the third layer of the sword technique with the fruit’s aid.

Moreover, although he didn’t know what task Lu Xuanji and Master Cyan Yang required of him, he knew it wasn’t so magical combat or battle.

In this way, practicing divine techniques or sword techniques wouldn’t be much help.

Conversely, the "Void Refining God Technique" was different; this secret technique enhanced a cultivator’s Divine Sense, absolutely a correct choice.

Two years flew by.

With the "Enlightennt Profound Truth Fruit’s" assistance, Zhouyang successfully mastered the second layer of the "Void Refining God Technique" in a little over two years, enhancing his Divine Sense strength by another ten percent.

At this ti, his Divine Sense was stronger than that of ordinary ninth-layer Golden Core cultivators, only slightly weaker than those ninth-layer cultivators who practiced techniques to enhance Divine Sense.

"In the future, I must find an opportunity to seek a profound Divine Sense Attack Divine Technique to cultivate, otherwise this powerful Divine Sense would be wasted!"

Inside the seclusion chamber, Zhouyang withdrew his extended Divine Sense, his eyes gleaming briefly.

Although cultivators have great resistance to Divine Sense attacks after opening their Purple Mansion, this doesn’t an Divine Sense attacks are useless against cultivators above the Purple Mansion Stage.

So profound Divine Sense Attack Divine Techniques can affect even Golden Core Stage and Nascent Soul Stage cultivators.

However, these profound techniques rarely spread, and the cultivators who possess them keep them secret. Whether one can obtain them also depends greatly on one’s luck.

And during the two years Zhouyang was in seclusion, he had already assigned Zhou Guangxiang certain tasks, which Zhou Guangxiang had accomplished.

Upon his ergence from seclusion, he received the Zhou Family developnt plan, concocted by Zhou Guangxiang over a year or two.

"Unified attire, unified clan emblem, helps in enhancing the collective honor of the clan cultivators, and makes it easier for outsiders to recognize the identity of Zhou Clan mbers, instilling awe."

"Revise the welfare and offerings distribution system, conducting cultivation assessnts for all clan cultivators. This will help enhance the motivation for progress among clan cultivators and also save so unnecessary expenses for the clan."

"Establish vassal clans directly affiliated to the clan, which will help expand the clan’s influence and bring in more outstanding elite disciples."

"Form a patrol team to combat sand bandits and thieves. This not only hones the practical combat abilities of the clan mbers but also earns a good reputation for the clan."

"Optimize the clan’s organizational structure by dividing it into internal grades, enhancing operational efficiency and encouraging clan mbers to improve themselves."

In the residence, at Zhouyang’s request, Zhou Guangxiang explained the plans he had devised one by one.

Having managed the Zhou Clan for many years, no one had better insights into the internal state of the clan than him. These plans were formulated according to practical circumstances.

If not for Zhouyang’s instructions on that day, he might have slowly implented these plans over ti.

But since Zhouyang intended to leverage his unparalleled influence within the clan to sweep away all internal obstacles for him, he no longer needed to deliberate much and could proceed boldly.

"Very well, proceed according to this plan. After Ninth Uncle’s Golden Core celebration is held, gather all clan mbers for a clan eting to implent these plans!"

Zhouyang nodded in satisfaction, set down the plan booklet prepared by Zhou Guangxiang, and made a decisive decision on the spot.

Hearing his agreent, Zhou Guangxiang felt relieved and extrely exhilarated at the sa ti.

These reforms could not have been pushed through without the backing of Zhouyang, the Golden Core stage ancestral elder of the clan. Even he, as the Purple Mansion stage clan leader, couldn’t withstand the enormous pressure from within the clan to forcefully implent them.

One must know that if these reforms were truly enacted as outlined in the plan, every cultivator in the clan, from top to bottom, would have their interests affected. Countless clan cultivators would suffer losses due to these reforms.

Engaging in an action that angers the entire clan of cultivators, only soone like Zhouyang, with unparalleled prestige in the clan and without any descendants to date, would dare and have the audacity to undertake.

"This is the Ninth Uncle I revere and respect!"

Zhou Guangxiang gazed at Zhouyang with admiration, his heart stirring.

He had looked up to Zhouyang as a role model ever since he was a child. Even now, as a Purple Mansion stage cultivator and the clan leader of the Zhou Clan, his reverence for this elder had never wavered.

Imdiately, filled with joy and enthusiasm, he left the residence to prepare for Zhouyang’s Golden Core celebration.

Watching his departing figure, Zhouyang again looked at the plan booklet, falling into contemplation.

From this plan booklet, it was evident that Zhou Guangxiang had great ambitions.

If the reforms were implented as outlined in the plan, sooner or later, the Zhou Clan would remain unchallenged as the overlord of the Boundless Sea of Sand cultivation realm, even without him, the Golden Core stage ancestral elder, to oversee.

However, as Zhou Guangxiang worried, the implentation of these reform plans was sure to face unprecedented resistance within the clan.

Not to ntion other aspects, just the revision of welfare offerings and cultivator assessnts would incite opposition from eighty to ninety percent of the clan cultivators.

Currently, the Zhou Clan’s welfare offerings system allows clan mbers to receive corresponding welfare offerings from age twenty to sixty, as long as their cultivation reaches the Qi Cultivation Stage.

However, according to Zhou Guangxiang’s revised welfare offerings standards, clan mbers must pass the clan’s assessnt criteria to receive their annual welfare offerings.

For example, if a clan cultivator reaches the third-layer Qi Cultivation this year, they can receive forty clan contribution points annually, but if their cultivation doesn’t progress after five years, their contribution points will be halved. If there’s no progress for ten years, their clan contribution points will be suspended.

Conversely, if they manage to advance to the fourth-layer Qi Cultivation within five years, the clan will reward them with an additional one hundred clan contribution points.

This single reform will drastically reduce the inco of many who slack in their cultivation.

Especially those with lower spirit root talents, who find it difficult to pass such assessnts after reaching mid-stage Qi Cultivation without diligent practice.

Failing assessnts would essentially cut off their steady inco source, forcing them to either undertake clan tasks or venture out like loose cultivators to earn cultivation resources.

This is why Zhou Guangxiang’s reform would affect all clan cultivators’ interests.

To provide a viable path for cultivators who fail the assessnts, Zhou Guangxiang proposed another reform plan.

Establishing vassal clans directly affiliated with the main clan!

What are vassal clans?

Every few years, clan cultivators with poor talents who don’t strive for progress are given a significant severance package and encouraged to leave the clan to develop their small clans.

These small clans nominally align themselves with the Zhou Clan, considered branches, but the Zhou Clan gives them no real material support. Their descendants are also not included in the Zhou Clan genealogy, rely provided with a protective umbrella.

If they wish to gain tangible benefits from the Zhou Clan, there’s only one path — channeling descendants with promising spirit root talents to the main family, receiving a given surna, and getting included in the genealogy to enjoy the main family’s cultivator benefits.

If a small clan channels one cultivator with top-grade spiritual root talent or accumulates five cultivators with middle-grade spiritual root talent to the main family, they receive a foundational pill as a reward.

Moreover, if a small clan produces a Foundation Establishnt cultivator, they officially beco a branch of the main family, and future generations are re-included in the Zhou Clan genealogy.