The Dust Settles

The talisman treasure’s power was gradually consumed until it was torn apart by two large, pitch-black hands, at which point it finally dissipated.

After the talisman’s power faded, a wretchedly disheveled, skinny young man was revealed.

“Well, I never thought you’d look like this, old ghost Ghost Soul.”

“It really doesn’t match your reputation,” the Cui family’s Old Ancestor mocked.

The Ghost Soul Old Ancestor was panting heavily.

His gaze swept over Yan Yun and the others before finally locking onto her.

“Who in the world are you?”

“Even if my Ghost Soul Valley disciples offended you, it shouldn’t warrant such animosity against this venerable one, should it?”

“What good does this do you?”

The Ghost Soul Old Ancestor knew that his current predicament was all orchestrated by Yan Yun.

Yan Yun shook her head.

“There’s no particular reason.”

“It’s just that I, this young lady, dislike the way your Ghost Soul Valley conducts itself.”

“Plus, I happen to be building my own cultivation faction in Yunzhou, and your Ghost Soul Valley is the biggest stumbling block.”

Upon hearing this, the Ghost Soul Old Ancestor immediately made his position clear.

“Young lady, spare my life, and this old man can lead Ghost Soul Valley in loyal service to you.”

“I am a cultivator on the verge of breaking through to the major accomplishment Divine Venerable Realm.”

“My value is far greater than these few.”

This Ghost Soul Old Ancestor reacted quite quickly, ready to submit on the spot.

However, if Yan Yun had any interest in him, she would have approached him long ago.

Firstly, it wasn’t that she was uninterested because the Ghost Soul Old Ancestor’s methods were too vicious.

Rather, judging from his style, the man was treacherous and definitely not the type to genuinely submit to her.

She had a feeling that if she gave the Ghost Soul Old Ancestor a chance, he would absolutely turn on her.

“Hehe, Senior Ghost Soul, do you dare to swear an oath to the Heavenly Dao to be loyal to me for life, never to betray me?” Yan Yun asked.

This question immediately silenced the Ghost Soul Old Ancestor.

After a moment of silence, the Ghost Soul Old Ancestor’s face suddenly twisted into a ferocious grin.

“In that case, even if this old man has to sacrifice his life, I will take you down with me!”

The moment his words fell, the Ghost Soul Old Ancestor’s body erupted with a sky-full of black mist.

This black mist surged in all directions, hiding a large number of cultivator souls, including quite a few at the Divine Soul Realm.

These souls had all been refined into malevolent ghosts by the Ghost Soul Old Ancestor.

They shrieked and roared as they swarmed toward the Cui family’s Old Ancestor and the others.

Among them were many familiar faces to the Cui family’s Old Ancestor.

“Sect Master, be careful!”

The Cui family’s Old Ancestor and the others immediately detected the Ghost Soul Old Ancestor’s movement.

Using the black mist and the malevolent ghosts as cover and obstruction, the Ghost Soul Old Ancestor’s true body had already shot toward Yan Yun.

His goal was clear: as long as he could capture Yan Yun, he would have a chance to turn the tables.

Otherwise, he would die here today with no burial place.

Yan Yun, however, was exceptionally calm and composed.

Watching the Ghost Soul Old Ancestor emerge from the black mist, she showed no fear at all.

Just as the Ghost Soul Old Ancestor thought he was about to succeed, Yan Lingyun appeared out of thin air in front of her.

“Freeze!”

Yan Lingyun abruptly raised her hand toward the Ghost Soul Old Ancestor and uttered a single word.

Immediately, a massive wave of frigid air erupted, striking the oncoming Ghost Soul Old Ancestor head-on.

“What?”

The Ghost Soul Old Ancestor’s expression changed drastically as he hurriedly raised his hands to defend himself.

He had never expected that another Divine Venerable cultivator was hiding in the shadows.

Under the impact of the cold air, the Ghost Soul Old Ancestor was quickly frozen into an ice crystal.

No matter how he struggled, he could not break free.

“Ah, this body is truly wonderful to use.”

“Little one, give this fellow to me.”

“I’ll take him to devour and restore my soul.”

After restraining the Ghost Soul Old Ancestor, Yan Lingyun turned to Yan Yun.

Yan Yun quickly replied.

“No problem, but his belongings must be left for me.”

Yan Lingyun immediately rolled her eyes.

“Am I the type to snatch things from a junior?”

“Do you even need to remind me of that?”

With that said, Yan Lingyun grabbed the Ghost Soul Old Ancestor and vanished once more.

Meanwhile, the Cui family’s Old Ancestor and the others had dealt with all the malevolent ghosts and returned to Yan Yun’s side.

“This… Sect Master, it’s settled just like that?”

“We thought there might be a huge battle,” the Cui family’s Old Ancestor said, surprised.

“Four Divine Venerables against one minor accomplishment Divine Venerable who was already half-crippled.”

“Of course it was simple.”

“It would be strange if he could still turn the tables.”

“Alright, time for the next step.”

“Do it,” Yan Lingyun suddenly prompted.

Without the slightest hesitation, the Cui family’s Old Ancestor and Xuanhui Holy Mother acted in unison.

One on the left and one on the right, they unleashed their power, restraining the Old Ancestor of True Dragon Gate.

The Old Ancestor of True Dragon Gate’s expression changed dramatically.

“You… you all…”

“Sect Master, what… what are you doing?”

Yan Yun smiled at the Old Ancestor of True Dragon Gate.

“Nothing much, just taking precautions.”

“After all, senior, you have betrayed our alliance again and again.”

“I must naturally be on my guard.”

“Rest assured, we will not kill you.”

“But we must ensure that from this day forward, you will never dare to betray the alliance again.”

The Old Ancestor of True Dragon Gate immediately hung his head in dejection.

Just like that, he was escorted back by the Cui family’s Old Ancestor and Xuanhui Holy Mother.

With the Old Ancestor of True Dragon Gate and the matter of Black Wind Mountain both resolved, Yan Yun’s business in Yunzhou was officially concluded.

As for the Old Ancestor of Black Wind Mountain and the Old Ancestor of True Dragon Gate, they were allowed to live, but Yan Lingyun placed an incredibly ruthless restriction within their bodies.

If they disobeyed Yan Yun’s command, their souls would be scattered in an instant.

They still had control over their own factions, but they certainly wouldn’t be as comfortable as the Cui family and the Xuanhui Sect.

That evening, in the main hall of the Poison Sect, Yan Yun gathered all the disciples and the Divine Venerable elders, with Wen Meng and the other three at the forefront.

Bai Zhihua and Xiao Leng flanked Yan Yun’s sides.

Yan Yun thoroughly enjoyed this feeling.

How long had it been, and she was already tasting the flavor of power?

“Hahaha, everyone, you may rise.”

“Our Poison Sect has not yet officially begun operations.”

“Once all my people have arrived, we will announce the establishment of the Poison Sect to the outside world.”

“Gathering you all here today is merely a symbolic gesture.”

The Old Ancestor of True Dragon Gate and the Old Ancestor of Black Wind Mountain exchanged a look, their faces full of bitter smiles.

Their choices seemed free, but in reality, they would be controlled by Yan Yun for the rest of their lives.

“Everyone, this is my first time founding a sect, so there are many things I don’t quite understand, such as sect rules and regulations, and so on.”

“I will have to trouble you all with these matters!” Yan Yun added.

The people below once again responded in a loud voice.

“We will do our utmost to assist the Sect Master and bring prosperity to the sect!”

Yan Yun nodded in satisfaction.

She was tired enough as it was; she naturally didn’t want to handle minor matters personally anymore.

Delegating them was sufficient.

After giving her instructions, Yan Yun kept only Wen Meng and the others, sending everyone else back.

“Wonderful, Sect Master!”

“Our Poison Sect is finally going to be officially established!”

“Does that mean we can summon the people from Jiang Country over now?” Mu Wenjie and the other three asked excitedly.

“Naturally.”

“You four can go and handle this matter,” Yan Yun said with a smile.

The four of them immediately agreed and turned to leave.

After they left, Yan Yun looked at Xiao Leng and Bai Zhihua.

“Ah, I’m going to be an empress for a while.”

“Yan Yun, you seem quite pleased with yourself.”

“Wait until your Poison Sect can make it to the Upper Realm before you boast.”

“Sigh! Since everything is settled, Third Sister, I must be going as well,” Bai Zhihua said.

As she spoke, Bai Zhihua prepared to leave, but Yan Yun grabbed her and pulled her back.

“Don’t go!”

“I already said, wait until after the Poison Sect’s founding ceremony is over.”

Bai Zhihua heaved a long sigh.

“It’s better not to.”

“The longer I stay with you all, the sadder I’ll be.”

“First Brother, Third Sister, I wish you both good luck in the future.”

“I look forward to reuniting with you in the Upper Realm.”

“The Upper Realm is our final destination; we’re still in the novice village right now.”

Hearing this, Yan Yun did not try to keep Bai Zhihua any longer.

Xiao Leng didn’t stop her either.

The two of them watched as Bai Zhihua walked out of the Poison Sect’s main hall, then vanished into thin air at the gate.

“Sigh! She’s gone just like that?”

“She really is decisive,” Yan Yun murmured.

“She’s definitely sadder than the two of us,” Xiao Leng said.

At that moment, Bai Zhihua was enveloped in a golden light, flying toward the Righteous Dao Alliance.

The girl was continuously wiping her tears, clearly crying.

The reason she left so hastily was simply so that no one would see her like this.

Over the next few days, they were busy planning the celebration, which involved many tedious tasks.

For instance, just creating the Sect Master’s robes and designing her image was a very troublesome affair.

For this matter, they could only ask for Yan Yun’s opinion.

The task was handed over to the Xuanhui Sect.

After all, since they were designing women’s clothing, letting a group of women handle it was surely the most appropriate choice.

But their opinions clashed sharply with Yan Yun’s.

“Aiya, Senior Xuanhui, this is too exaggerated!”

“Are these even clothes for a person to wear?”

“Can’t they be simpler?” Yan Yun felt a massive headache looking at the designs they brought over.

“This is ceremonial attire.”

“You won’t need to wear it often, only when receiving guests from outside.”

“We have designed several sets of outfits.”

“You are the Sect Master, so your attire certainly cannot be too simple.”

“The more magnificent, the better.”

“On this matter, you must listen to this teacher’s advice,” Xuanhui Holy Mother stated sternly.

Yan Yun had no experience in this area, so after some hesitation, she acquiesced to Xuanhui Holy Mother’s wishes.

She only had certain requirements for the style and silhouette, leaving the rest to Xuanhui Holy Mother’s discretion.

The main color theme for the Poison Sect had long been decided: purple.

The sect was then divided into four halls.

These four halls were to be managed by Wen Meng and the other three.

Wen Meng and the others naturally returned to the Yunhua Sect first.

Fairy Yunshuang immediately granted them an audience.

“Greetings, Sect Master.”

The four of them still performed the disciple’s ritual bow to Fairy Yunshuang.

After all, they had come from the Yunhua Sect and had not yet officially left.

“That girl Yan Yun must have sent you back.”

“Her side of things must be settled, right?”

As soon as Fairy Yunshuang learned of their return, she had already guessed their purpose.

“Yes, the Poison Sect has been built.”

“Sect Master Ziyun ordered us to return and inform you,” Wen Meng replied.

Fairy Yunshuang smiled faintly.

“I understand.”

“Rest assured, you may take the disciples of the Purple Abyss Pavilion with you.”

“This was my agreement with her.”

And so, the batch of poison cultivators from the Yunhua Sect, personally trained by Yan Yun, all left the Yunhua Sect and headed for the Poison Sect.