The Poison Sect’s Site Selection

A week later, in the northern reaches of Xiang Country, nestled close to Jiang Country, lay a deep, secluded mountain range, perpetually shrouded in swirling mists.

Five figures descended from the heavens, gracefully alighting in a valley enclosed on three sides by towering, sheer cliffs.

“This location is quite suitable,” Yan Yun remarked, her gaze sweeping over the surroundings.
“What are your thoughts?”

She believed this particular valley was exceptionally well-suited for establishing the Poison Sect.

Crucially, it lay precisely at the border between Jiang Country and Xiang Country, devoid of any other cultivation sects, and retained its untamed, pristine wilderness.

“If the Pavilion Master deems it good, then it is so,” Mu Wenjie and the others chorused, a ready smile gracing their lips.
“We shall follow your lead.”

Yan Yun promptly shot him an exasperated look.

“That’s hardly the way to speak,” Yan Yun chided gently.
“We are to be the founders of the Poison Sect.”
“In the future, you may very well be shouldering immense responsibilities for our sect, so you must cultivate your own independent judgment.”
“Speak your honest thoughts, and refrain from flattery.”

At Yan Yun’s words, the jovial atmosphere instantly dissipated, replaced by a newfound seriousness as they began meticulously surveying the valley’s topography.

“From the perspective of establishing a sect, this location is undoubtedly easy to defend and difficult to assault, offering ample space,” Mu Wenjie explained.
“However, should formidable enemies attack, and we lack the strength to repel them, this valley could easily become a trap, ensnaring us all.”
“It presents both advantages and inherent risks.”

Wen Meng and the others nodded in agreement, recognizing the truth in his assessment.

The valley indeed evoked such a dual sense of security and vulnerability.

“Regarding defenses, there’s no need for immediate concern on that front.”
“What are your general thoughts on the location itself, then?” Yan Yun inquired once more.

All four simultaneously shook their heads, confirming that the location was indeed viable.

While situated at the border between the two countries, nominally within Xiang Country’s territory, their reconnaissance had revealed a hundred-li radius utterly devoid of human presence.

Although it appeared picturesque and blessed by nature, the spiritual energy was, in reality, not particularly abundant.

Such a scarcity of spiritual energy typically indicated the absence of a major spirit vein beneath the surface.

Spirit veins, essentially spirit stone lodes, served as the very wellspring of spiritual energy.

Consequently, nearly all sects would choose to establish their roots in an area blessed with such a vital resource.

Spirit stone lodes were categorized into small, medium, large, Earth Veins, and Heaven Veins.

For instance, the Yunhua Sect was established atop a formidable large spirit vein.

The density of spiritual energy directly dictated a sect’s collective cultivation speed, making it an indispensable consideration when founding any new establishment.

However, for those with sufficient power and resources, one could acquire an Earth Vein Spirit Mother or a Heaven Vein Spirit Mother and embed it deep beneath the chosen site.

In doing so, the area would swiftly cultivate its own Earth or Heaven Vein.

Naturally, if this area boasted a medium-sized or larger spirit vein, it would likely not have remained unclaimed for Yan Yun and her companions, as other sects would have long since established a foothold.

“Very well, let us begin,” Yan Yun declared.
“We’ll first construct a temporary encampment, and then meticulously plan the sect’s layout.”

With her command, the group sprang into action.

The valley floor was a dense tangle of thorns and vegetation, making it utterly uninhabitable without extensive clearing.

Rapidly, they set about the task.

As cultivators, they wielded their spiritual energy to clear the land, swiftly carving out an open expanse several hundred meters wide.

The mountain they had chosen, despite its lack of spiritual veins, possessed other distinct advantages.

Its vast expanse was perpetually shrouded in mist and clouds, effectively deterring any ordinary mortals from venturing within.

Moreover, cultivators, finding no spirit veins here, had even less reason to explore it, rendering it a truly desolate and overlooked locale.

Once the area was suitably cleared, Yan Yun, with a flick of her wrist, conjured five exquisitely crafted pavilions from her storage.

These pavilions were unique magical artifacts, possessing no other function than their ability to be instantly deployed for immediate occupancy, complete with a built-in divine sense isolation field.

“These are our immortal dwellings,” Yan Yun announced.
“One for each of us five.”

A mischievous grin spread across Yan Yun’s face.

“Oh, wow!” exclaimed Zhou Zimo, her eyes wide with admiration as she gazed at Yan Yun.
“Pavilion Master Sister, you even prepared these?”
“We thought we’d have to construct our own dwellings!”

Zhou Zimo, the very same descendant sent by Deacon Zhou years ago, was a remarkably well-behaved and perceptive young woman.

Within the pavilion, she had essentially become Yan Yun’s personal attendant.

It was for this reason that Yan Yun had brought her along.

“Of course, permanent structures will eventually be built, but that requires time,” Yan Yun explained patiently.
“There are only five of us; we can’t possibly construct everything ourselves.”
“We first need to draw up the blueprints, and then we’ll have to venture out to find skilled artisans.”

“Yan Yun, my dear sister,” Wen Meng began, a hint of curiosity in her voice, “I must ask: are we truly committing to this, or is this merely a temporary haven for us poison cultivators?”

Her question immediately drew the collective gaze of the other three towards Yan Yun.

Indeed, they were all uncertain of the true scope Yan Yun envisioned for the Poison Sect.

“What’s wrong?”
“Surely you don’t believe I’m merely toying with the idea?” Yan Yun retorted instantly, a glint in her eyes.

Her response took the others aback.

“But…”

“Enough with the ‘buts’ and ‘what ifs’,” Yan Yun interjected, cutting off their burgeoning questions.
“We shall proceed one step at a time.”
“We have the funds, and we will certainly gather our forces.”
“All that we lack now is time.”

The others refrained from pressing further, understanding that Yan Yun was the principal architect of this endeavor.

Their role was simply to offer counsel and contribute their insights.

Leading the four into her personal immortal dwelling, Yan Yun produced a roll of parchment, upon which she began to meticulously sketch the sect’s architectural layout.

With a detailed structural blueprint in hand, the subsequent challenges would revolve around procuring materials and securing skilled labor.

Gathered around the table, all five enthusiastically offered their suggestions, debating everything from the overall aesthetic to specific architectural styles.

Yan Yun, however, had no intention of emulating the grand and overtly righteous aesthetics favored by the sects of the Righteous Dao Alliance.

As the “Poison Sect,” it was only natural that their architecture should embody a distinctive, fitting style.

Yet, the style Yan Yun envisioned was remarkably unique.

Her architectural concepts weren’t drawn from this current world, but rather from the designs of buildings she remembered from her previous life.

The dominant color palette she chose was a striking, vibrant purple.

To be frank, this architectural style left the others somewhat bewildered, like monks struggling to grasp a profound sutra.

Other intricate details, of course, would require further time and careful consideration in their design.

The poisons utilized by Yan Yun and her group were all derived from various medicinal herbs, not from venomous insects, though she acknowledged that insect venoms also possessed their own unique properties.

Soon, dusk began to descend, yet Yan Yun and her companions remained engrossed in their work.

For three consecutive days, they meticulously drafted the sect’s blueprints, seemingly impervious to fatigue or the need for rest.

Given their advanced cultivation, remaining awake for three days—or even a month—posed no significant challenge.

Finally, after three days of relentless effort, their blueprints were complete, forming a substantial stack of detailed designs.

“Ah, finally, it’s finished!” Yan Yun sighed with satisfaction.
“Now, our next steps involve sourcing materials and recruiting laborers.”
“The four of you will take these lists of materials I’ve prepared and make a trip to the mundane world.”
“As for the workers, you can leave that to me.”

She handed several sheets of paper, covered in meticulous lists, to her companions.

“Understood, we’ll depart immediately,” they affirmed.

Dividing into two pairs, the four cultivators ascended from the valley and soared towards the cities of Xiang Country and Jiang Country.

The distance was considerable, and a round trip would likely consume three full days.

The materials themselves were all common commodities in the mundane world: lime, glazed tiles, paints, and other such essentials.

Once they had departed, Yan Yun set off alone, soaring towards Xiang Country.

Xiang Country was markedly different from Jiang Country; its King Xiang held only nominal authority.

Apart from the royal capital, virtually all other towns and cities within its borders were under the direct control of local sects.

The Dao Alliance adhered to the philosophy of the natural Dao, believing that existence was inherently rational, as was destruction.

To survive within their territories, one simply needed to exert every ounce of effort to remain alive.

If an individual could endure, it was seen as the Dao’s affirmation of their right to live—a remarkably straightforward principle.

They drew no distinctions between good and evil, or righteousness and villainy; only capability mattered.

The Dao Alliance commanded a vast sphere of influence, one that eclipsed the combined territories of both the Righteous and Demonic Alliances.

While their territory was expansive, their overall strength remained the weakest among the four major factions.

This weakness was directly attributable to their core philosophy: allowing internal factions to contend freely, where might made right and governance was non-existent.

In a single word, their lands were chaotic.

Furthermore, their domain lay in the untamed oceanic regions at the very edge of the Tianchen Continent, making it a comparatively impoverished land.

This wasn’t unique to the Dao Alliance; the Luangtian Alliance also controlled vast yet barren territories.

Their expansive territories were, in truth, a consequence of the Righteous and Demonic paths disdaining such lands.

These two dominant forces had claimed the most prosperous and spiritually abundant core regions of the Tianchen Continent, which was why they perpetually clashed over territory.

Yan Yun flew without pause, swiftly departing the valley and arriving in Xiang Country.

Her destination was the territory of the Qinghe Cui family, within Xiang Country.

The various factions under the Dao Alliance were not exclusively structured as “sects” or “schools.”

Many also took the form of religious orders, showcasing a wide array of organizational types.

Moreover, the populace residing within each faction’s domain invariably exhibited distinct cultural characteristics reflecting their rulers.

The Qinghe Cui family’s jurisdiction spanned approximately three hundred li, encompassing over a dozen towns of varying sizes.

Their core territory was Qinghe City, which served as the Cui family’s main stronghold.

The common folk here, regardless of gender, predominantly wore robes of a uniform green hue, with only a handful of individuals sporting different styles.

This distinctive green attire served as a visible identifier for those living under the Cui family’s authority.

Conversely, clothing of other styles and colors indicated either travelers passing through or individuals from outside their domain.

Yan Yun’s destination was Qinghe City, for the artisans she sought were no ordinary individuals.

To entrust the construction of a sect’s grand halls to common laborers would be an undertaking that stretched into eternity.

The vast majority of cultivators residing within the Cui family’s sphere of influence were concentrated within Qinghe City itself.

Qinghe City was further protected by a formidable array formation, restricting entry and exit solely to its main gates.

The city walls themselves were manned exclusively by cultivators loyal to the Cui family.

Within the Cui family’s domain, any cultivator wishing to join their ranks was required to adopt the Cui surname.

The Cui family itself was roughly equivalent to a third-rate sect in Jiang Country, boasting a Divine Venerable Realm ancestor as its guardian.

This ensured that any structures built today would not be obliterated tomorrow.

Yan Yun’s striking purple robes made her exceptionally conspicuous among the individuals entering and exiting the city.

Consequently, upon reaching the gate, a Cui family cultivator promptly stepped forward to question her.

“Esteemed Immortal, please halt.”

This sudden interception took Yan Yun by surprise.

“Is there a problem?”
Yan Yun immediately released the aura of her Spirit Transformation Realm cultivation.

As her powerful aura emanated, the Cui family disciple guarding the gate instantly adopted a far more deferential demeanor.

“My apologies, Immortal.”
“You appear to be an outsider.”
“According to our Cui family’s regulations, all outsiders entering the city must register.”
“Would you be so kind as to state your name and purpose?”

Yan Yun’s brow furrowed slightly.

She had not anticipated such a rule from the Cui family.

However, having arrived on another’s territory, she understood the necessity of adhering to their customs.

“Very well.”
“I am a rogue cultivator named Ziyun.”
“I am not affiliated with the Cui family’s domain.”
“I have come to Qinghe City to procure some items and to seek out cultivators who can assist me in constructing pavilions at my residence.”

The Cui family cultivator promptly produced a special artifact and began recording Yan Yun’s words, simultaneously capturing a full-body image of her.

“Excellent, the registration is complete.”
“Immortal, please proceed into the city.”

Only after completing these procedures did they motion for Yan Yun to enter.