"To the south of here, there's an archipelago called the Starfall Archipelago."
"Fairy Xu came from one of those many islands, but the Family she belonged to was taken over by a branch Family that became evil Cultivators. She escaped from there."
"Later, Fairy Xu had a good Opportunity and was accidentally taken in as a Disciple by an Outer Sect Elder of the Qingzhu Sword Sect."
"Now, Fairy Xu is fully grown and plans to return to her Family to eliminate the evil Cultivators, but she is weak and wants to find some helpers."
"After the deed is done, each of you will receive a second-order Spiritual Vein!"
"Fellow Daoists, what do you think?"
After Yang the Old Daoist finished explaining Xu Changge's background and intentions, he looked at Su Bai and the other two.
He waited for their reactions.
Lu Ning and Shen Fang exchanged glances.
They were Loose Cultivators; if they truly obtained a second-order Spiritual Vein, then they could establish a Family.
Their descendants would then have a Foundation for generations to come.
This was a huge temptation for Loose Cultivators.
They just needed to risk their lives once, become allies with Xu Changge, and support each other.
This was practically like getting it for free.
"We agree."
Lu Ning and Shen Fang did not want to miss this Opportunity.
Moreover, even if they didn't establish a Family later, having a Spiritual Vein meant they would no longer be rootless wanderers.
After Lu Ning and Shen Fang agreed, everyone looked at Su Bai.
Su Bai was still hesitating.
If she agreed to this matter, her relationship with Xu Changge would likely become even more tightly bound.
She also thought of several questions and asked them directly.
"What is the Cultivation level of that evil Cultivator?"
"Since Fellow Daoist Xu comes from the Qingzhu Sword Sect, her connections should be wider. There's no need to seek out a small Loose Cultivator like me, right?"
Su Bai was very frank.
Unless things were made clear, she would not get on Xu Changge's ship.
"Daoist Yang, let me answer Fellow Daoist Su's question."
Just as Yang the Old Daoist was about to explain, Xu Changge took over the conversation.
She needed allies for her return trip.
Her Xu Family was occupied by evil Cultivators.
She had gone out to Cultivate personally, and now she had a backer and Cultivation.
But one person could not hold onto the Family property.
She needed companions.
Over the years in the Purple Bamboo Immortal Market, Xu Changge had met many Fellow Daoists.
Finally, she chose Yang the Old Daoist, Su Bai, and the couple Lu Ning and Shen Fang.
Among them, Yang the Old Daoist, Lu Ning, and Shen Fang were all at Refining Qi (8th Layer), while Su Bai was at Refining Qi (6th Layer).
Xu Changge trusted her judgment regarding their character.
As for their strength, Su Bai was about to reach the Qi Refining Stage - Late Phase.
The combination of these Qi Refining Stage - Late Phase Cultivators also possessed the deterrent power of a Foundation Establishment Old Ancestor.
Therefore, by uniting, they could hold an island.
Zhang Country was remote, and the only Core Formation True Person pressing down on the Cultivators was found in the Six Upper Sects and the Loose Cultivator Holy Land, Tianyun City.
Foundation Establishment was already a formidable fighting force.
Qi Refining Stage - Late Phase was already sufficient to become the pillar of a Family.
In fact, if Su Bai's Cultivation had been a bit weaker, Xu Changge might not have considered her.
But Su Bai was at the Qi Refining Stage - Late Phase, and the last time Xu Changge discovered her, she was also concurrently doing Body Refining, so her strength was certainly not ordinary.
Therefore, this invitation also included Su Bai.
"The evil Cultivator's strength is at Foundation Establishment, but we don't need to worry about him."
"Since I come from the Qingzhu Sword Sect, I naturally informed the Upper Sect about this matter. They will handle the evil Cultivator."
"As for why I don't use people from the Qingzhu Sword Sect to help defend the Family after taking it back?"
"The Upper Sect has a rule that Sect members cannot interfere with Families."
"Moreover, although I am an Outer Sect Elder's Disciple, I am not a Disciple of the Qingzhu Sword Sect. I didn't grow up in the Sect from a young age, so my sense of belonging to the Sect is not high, and they naturally won't keep me."
"They only agreed to help watch over the Starfall Archipelago after I reclaim my Family, just so the Upper Sect's influence can extend there."
After listening to Xu Changge's explanation, Su Bai nodded.
She acknowledged the answer.
Sects and Families were similar.
Families were connected by Bloodline, while Sects were cultivated from a young age.
After all, if they spent resources to help you improve your Cultivation, and then you ran off after growing up, who could bear that?
Of course, Su Bai also heard another meaning in Xu Changge's words.
The Upper Sect seemed to be interested in the coastal islands to the south as well.
It was just that the area was too remote before, and the Upper Sect's reach couldn't extend there.
This time, Xu Changge wanted to reclaim her Family, and the Upper Sect also wanted to take this Opportunity to gain influence over that sea area.
The two sides reached this cooperation.
Xu Changge became an Outer Sect Elder's Master, and the Qingzhu Sword Sect provided some resources and a promise to help eliminate the evil Cultivators in the future.
In return, Xu Changge had to make the Xu Family an affiliated Family of the Qingzhu Sword Sect.
The Xu Family being supported naturally meant that the Starfall Archipelago would be influenced by the Qingzhu Sword Sect's power.
They would then slowly play their game.
That place would eventually completely belong to the Qingzhu Sword Sect's power.
After considering the pros and cons of this matter for herself, it seemed to have no impact on her.
Xu Changge also explained that she was not a Disciple of the Qingzhu Sword Sect.
Within the entire Zhang Country, there were countless Families and forces attached to the Six Upper Sects.
Many people did what Xu Changge was doing.
Xu Changge's advantage was having an Outer Sect Elder as her Master and backer.
Her relationship with the Qingzhu Sword Sect was much closer than that of other Families.
"Is the reward a second-order Spiritual Vein?"
Su Bai asked again.
If it was true, it would be of great help to her Cultivation.
Previously, Su Bai had planned to complete Foundation Establishment before she was a hundred years old.
With the help of a second-order Spiritual Vein, the speed of Foundation Establishment would be much faster.
Wealth, companions, Dao, and land—all would be gathered.
And a second-order Spiritual Vein was completely enough for her to Cultivate to the Core Formation realm!
She could try.
Xu Changge watched Su Bai's changing expression and did not rush her.
Instead, she waited quietly.
In fact, the reward Xu Changge offered was very tempting.
Few Loose Cultivators would refuse.
Moreover, they didn't have to face the biggest threat themselves.
"The reward is a second-order Spiritual Vein. In return, you must form an unbreakable alliance with me."
Xu Changge nodded seriously.
She did not propose any more conditions.
Although the Cultivation world was cruel, it did not lack sincerity.
"Alright, Fellow Daoist Xu, since you are so sincere, if I continue to hesitate and decline, it would seem greedy."
A typical alliance would naturally not be this simple.
But the few of them were sincerely interacting at this moment.
To help Xu Changge reclaim her Family, they were willing to put in their utmost effort.
Since the matter was settled, they agreed to depart in ten days for the Starfall Archipelago in the south.
This reserved time was for Su Bai and the others to pack their belongings.
They might not return after this.
At the same time, Xu Changge also needed to contact the people from the Qingzhu Sword Sect.
However, after everyone else left, Su Bai stayed behind alone.
Xu Changge saw Su Bai and revealed a faint smile.
"Is there anything Fellow Daoist Su still doesn't understand?"
"No, not really. I just want to ask Fellow Daoist Xu for a favor."
"You can tell me. If I can help, I naturally will."
"It's like this: since Fellow Daoist Xu has connections with the Qingzhu Sword Sect, I wanted to ask if their Qingyun Thunder Bamboo is sold externally. I don't need much, just a small section will do, as I can't afford more."
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