The Huangji Sect is the largest cultivation sect in Wu Zhou, founded even earlier than the establishment of Wu Zhou itself. It can be said that the reason Wu Zhou was able to conquer vast territories and endure for eight hundred years without falling owes much to the Huangji Sect.

There is a saying among the people: As long as Huangji stands, Wu Zhou will not perish!

Brian Clark scoffed at this saying, even feeling a bit amused. Having experienced version 3.0, he was well aware of the dangers the Huangji Sect posed to Wu Zhou.

If Huangji does not fall, Wu Zhou is doomed; at best, they’ll perish together.

In the early days of the dynasty, the Huangji Sect wasn’t even called the Huangji Sect. It was a proper cultivation sect. It wasn’t until the Huangji Sect helped the Zhu family seize the world that a large number of Zhu clan members entered the sect, gradually taking over and turning it into a mouthpiece for the Zhu family. From then on, this immortal sect became thoroughly official.

Wu Zhou relied on the immortal sects to win the world, so it was highly vigilant toward all cultivation sects within its borders. As the official representative, the Huangji Sect had nominal jurisdiction. All disciples of cultivation sects within the territory had to register, and any change of sect leader required official approval; otherwise, it would be deemed invalid.

It sounds unbelievable. Cultivators are used to being free and unrestrained—hardly the type to accept restrictions. Yet, this was the reality. Not just in Wu Zhou, but in every country, big or small.

The first step to cultivation: get certified.

Back to the point, at the time, the Huangji Sect helping the Zhu family stabilize Wu Zhou’s rule was a good thing for both the country and the people.

But as time went on, problems arose. There were too many people surnamed Zhu, and since they all cultivated, there were thousands upon thousands of princes. The Huangji Sect inevitably started to shift its stance and began interfering in Wu Zhou’s internal affairs.

Interestingly, out of Wu Zhou’s twelve provinces and eighty-four counties, more than half of the governors and county magistrates were Zhu clan members or their relatives by marriage. Local officials were appointed by the central government, so when the Huangji Sect interfered in internal affairs, it directly affected these people’s interests.

The Huangji Sect, which had once assisted the central imperial power of Wu Zhou, now openly and covertly vied with it for control. No one at the founding of the dynasty could have foreseen this.

But looking on the bright side, no matter who won or lost, the world was still firmly in the hands of the Zhu family.

Laughable!

“Hehehe...”

“Junior Brother Clark, what are you laughing at?”

“Oh, nothing, just rambling again. I do this a lot, Senior Sister White, please don’t mind me.”

Brian Clark waved his hand, grabbed a steamed bun, and said as he ate, “Don’t I need to accompany you for the approval of the new head of the Yuhua Sect?”

“No need, I’ll be faster on my own.”

James White explained that the Yuhua Sect was a minor sect within Wu Zhou, and for easier management, it had been placed under the jurisdiction of the Jiuzhu Mountain branch, so it needed to register at Ningzhou Prefecture. She had acquaintances at the Huangji Sect’s Ningzhou outpost, ‘Dasheng Pass’, so the process would be quick and convenient. Whether or not Brian Clark was present didn’t really matter.

Out of trust for his senior sister—mainly out of trust in the ambiguous relationship between his cheap master and the sect leader’s wife—Brian Clark nodded and said no more, stuffing another bun into his mouth.

Compared to cultivation, eating was more important.

“Junior Brother Clark, since Uncle Grant entrusted you to me, I’ll be arranging all your cultivation matters from now on.”

“As it should be. Thank you, Senior Sister White.”

“Good.”

James White nodded, had Brian Clark sit cross-legged on the ground, and produced a small porcelain bottle with a flip of her hand. “The spiritual energy on this peak is too thin. Here are some Qi-Activating Pills. Take two every hour until I return. While I’m away at Dasheng Pass, I’ll leave a formation diagram to protect you. I hope you’ll focus on building your foundation and not slack off.”

Impressive—turns out you don’t need to be three hundred years old; a woman in her thirties can already give out immortal pills.

“Thank you, Senior Sister.”

Brian Clark quickly swallowed the last bite of his bun, took two Qi-Activating Pills, and waited for the medicinal power to be absorbed, letting the spiritual energy naturally spread through his organs.

Seeing this, James White said no more, tossed out a formation diagram that covered a two-meter radius around Brian Clark, left a bundle, and turned to head for Dasheng Pass.

Chapter Four: Who Told Me to Be So Kind-Hearted

That night, the mountain forest was silent, dotted with stars.

Brian Clark got up to stretch his stiff body. Seeing that James White had not yet returned, he rummaged through his pack for a fire striker, gathered some dry grass and wood in the front yard, and lit a small bonfire for light and warmth.

With steamed buns and cooked food in his belly, Brian Clark thought of the lonely little box next door. He quickly placed three buns on the offering table, lest Henry Grant appear in the middle of the night to nag him about respecting his elders.

After eating his fill, Brian Clark added more firewood, took two more Qi-Activating Pills, and sat down to meditate again.

A moment later, a rustling sound came from the offering table. Brian Clark frowned slightly, a bead of cold sweat sliding down his forehead.

Though his eyes were closed, he could imagine—if his guess was right, there were people all around him.

“In the dead of night, the scariest thing is spooking yourself. Don’t overthink it. With Senior Sister’s formation here, it shouldn’t be a problem.” Brian Clark took a deep breath and slowly opened his eyes, using the firelight to see what was happening on the offering table.

The buns were gone.

“No problem, the little box is still there.”

Brian Clark said expressionlessly, grabbing two more buns to calm his nerves. The more he tried not to think about it, the more he couldn’t help himself, so he was sure there was someone behind him.

Yeah, hopefully it’s a person.

Just then, two green lights appeared in the corner of the wall, flickering eerily, a chill stabbing into the back of Brian Clark’s neck.

Crackle!