Chapter 642: Great Sinful Sect

Cultivation knows no age.

However, the situation in the Outer Gate remains complicated; after the Outer Gate Grand Competition, the struggle between Yao Wen and Feng Yue grew even more intense, first with Feng Yue striking over the Treasure Vault theft, and Yao Wen ending it by cutting down his own relatives to recover the stolen funds.

Later, Yao Wen complained that his excess allocation of Internal Affairs Hall contribution points caused a sharp consumption of Spiritual Materials from the Treasure Vault, and Feng Yue escalated directly to the Inner Gate, asking an Inner Gate Elder to arbitrate.

In short, Feng Yue and Yao Wen's conflict is getting fiercer, which is a good thing for Yan Buji.

Because no matter how they fight, he won't be much affected; at most the Treasure Vault's Spiritual Material supply will be insufficient and the conversion of contribution points will be a bit troublesome.

"Hall Master Yan." Yang Yunshu entered, looking at Yan Buji.

At that moment Yan Buji was handling the Alchemical Hall's ledgers, unhesitant, and continued writing, "What is it?"

"Elder Feng asks you to go over there for a moment."

"I'm busy here as well," Yan Buji said, meaning plainly.

You two are fighting fiercely now; if I go over at this time, it won't cause more trouble, will it?

Yang Yunshu frowned, "Hall Master Yan can't spare any time?"

"What do you mean? Must I report every task to you?" Yan Buji said coolly.

Now Yan Buji has to deliver medicine to the Inner Gate every month, and with Ye Lin also entering the Inner Gate, his connections are not just broad but fairly solid.

Although Yang Yunshu gets along well with Ye Lin, he lacks an Inner Gate Elder's backing; on what right does he dare speak to me like this?

Even though Yan Buji doesn't wish to be pretentious, Yang Yunshu's insistence on sending him over doesn't seem like a good thing.

Yang Yunshu laughed, "Hall Master Yan, your aura is growing stronger, but I wonder if you still remember how you first entered the Alchemical Hall?"

"I haven't forgotten Elder Feng's kindness; otherwise I wouldn't let the Internal Affairs Hall meddle in Alchemical Hall affairs. But I've indeed been very busy lately; if you, Steward Yang, have nothing else, please return."

"Hmph!" Yang Yunshu's expression hardened, brushed off their sleeves and departed.

Yan Buji pondered, "Has Yang Yunshu become accustomed to being Feng Yue's lackey? There's nothing I can do; he's on Feng Yue's side. Yet I don't want to take sides now, though it's a bit troublesome. I can still safeguard myself, so there's no need to meddle in Feng Yue and Yao Wen's fight."

In recent years the two have openly and covertly battled, periodically causing a stir; both sides constantly employ tactics. Yan Buji worries about being entangled, since he must wait for Ye Lin to enter the Inner Gate, and he also has to periodically deliver cultivation resources to Ye Lin to maintain the relationship.

Overall, Yan Buji doesn't value the Outer Gate's interests; now he maintains his network mainly to prepare for eventually entering the Inner Gate.

Nevertheless, both intend to pull him onto their warship—not for Yan Buji's strength, but for the Alchemical Hall and the connections behind him.

Now the Alchemical Hall has over a dozen alchemists; the elixirs they produce satisfy all Outer Gate disciples' needs, and the pills crafted under Yan Buji are of high quality. As long as they're not Celestial Pills, Yan Buji will take on their refinement.

Because of that, Yan Buji's reputation in the Outer Gate remains decent; he's spoken with several Hall Masters. Though not close friends, after subtly expressing his yearning for the Inner Gate, those people stopped targeting him.

In the end, Yan Buji was fortunate to have Elder Ximen's backing before; otherwise, both the Internal Affairs Hall and the Refining Instruments Hall or Law Enforcement Hall would have been too much trouble for him.

Moreover, seeing him stay idle, these two even resorted to despicable tactics that harmed disciples, shifting blame onto the Alchemical Hall's elixirs, forcing Yan Buji to spend half a year exhausting all means to quell the matter.

Thus Yan Buji has little desire to involve himself in their feud; the Outer Gate's situation is so tangled, and his goal is the Inner Gate. Even though the Outer Gate's benefits are considerable, for Yan Buji the Inner Gate of the Paolong Sacred Land is the true holy ground!

"Even if I act, I can't side with anyone. Only by growing strong on my own can I draw others' attention; what achievement comes from clinging to others?" Yan Buji squinted.

Yan Buji is also waiting for an opportunity, to let their battle near a conclusion before seeking ways to gain some say.

A while later.

"Hall Master Yan?"

"Is that you?" Yan Buji looked at the smiling He Caifei, "Did Yao Wen send you?"

"I saw Yang Yunshu walk away with a scowl, so I took this as you having refused," He Caifei said with a laugh.

Yan Buji raised an eyebrow, "Anything else?"

"Indeed."

He Caifei looked at Yan Buji, composed his expression, and said seriously, "The ancestor is about to break through the seal."

"Hm?!"

Yan Buji's face changed, "What does that mean?"

He Caifei meant, "You either leave or stay, but then we can speak openly about these things in the future," he hinted.

Yan Buji frowned, pondering for a long time, "What connection do you have with the Sacred Land?"

"The current Sect Master of the Paolong Sacred Land is an incarnation of a senior from my sect!" He Caifei said lightly.

"This..."

"Do you think it's impossible? Otherwise, what do you think we're doing here? Or… why do you think the Paolong Sacred Land has the right to seal my sect's ancestor?"

Yan Buji's expression darkened; after pondering for a while he suddenly thought of something, "Then why are you telling me all this?"

"I've witnessed your tactics and know you handle matters adeptly. In truth, few cultivators in the cultivation world grasp worldly affairs; most are either engrossed in cultivation or travel for pleasure. Someone like you, naturally fit to wield authority, is seldom seen," He Caifei said with a smile.

"So, may I take that as you recruiting me?"

"Correct. After this period, the Paolong Sacred Land will gain another identity," He Caifei said lightly.

Yan Buji asked, "What can I gain? How does it differ from my current situation?"

"I can't say exactly, but for a time the Paolong Sacred Land will see a mass exodus, and then…"

"Understood," Yan Buji nodded.

"Then what do you propose?"

Yan Buji shrugged, "Since there's no better place, I'll stay for now."

"A fine bird selects a tree to roost; that's not a bad approach," He Caifei said with a smile.

"So what's the name of your sect?"

"Ah, right, I haven't told you yet. Our sect was formerly called Great Sinful Sect."

Great Sinful Sect?

Yan Buji truly hadn't heard of this sect.

He Caifei added, "You know the Blood Escape Technique, right?"

"I know."

"Our sect's ancestor is the founder of the Blood Path!"