Wanfa Daojun, starting from the Little Cloud and Rain Technique

Chapter 363: Courtesy first, then attack
Luo Qingshan is located more than 20 miles southwest of Xiaozhushan. It is a miniature first-grade medium-grade spiritual vein that was originally occupied by a small family.

After the demon disaster broke out, this small family was very lucky not to suffer serious harm, but unfortunately they were slaughtered when the evil cultivators were rampant.

The entire family was wiped out and became ownerless, and was later occupied by a group of wandering cultivators.

Among the wandering cultivators, there were two foundation-building cultivators who were not satisfied with this mid-grade spiritual vein and set their sights on Xiaozhu Mountain and Dazhu Mountain.

The Wei and Lin families suffered heavy losses in the demon and devil disasters, and both families were left with only an elderly patriarch and several Qi Refining disciples.

The top of the mountain is covered with jagged rocks and a few crooked pine trees, their bark etched with the frost and mottled marks of time.

Wang Hao stood with his hands behind his back, looking in the direction of Xiaozhu Mountain. He had two long beards and an elegant face, but a hideous scar across his forehead ruined his temperament.

Zhang Hongjiang, a man with a square face, thick eyebrows and big eyes, landed with his magical instrument and whispered:

"Brother, the Wei disciples from Xiaozhu Mountain will be back tomorrow. They're planning a big banquet there. What do you think?"

They had long intended to annex Xiaozhu Mountain. This place was nominally under the jurisdiction of the Jinling Sect, but the sect did not care who paid tribute, as long as the spiritual objects were handed over in full.

Out of caution, they investigated Xiaozhu Mountain's background and found out that there were actually disciples in the Foundation Establishment Stage in the Jinling Sect.

Although the sect strictly prohibits disciples from interfering in external affairs, it is impossible for this disciple to ignore the fact that the sect disciple's family is expelled from the clan.

Later, when they realized that this Wei disciple might return to the family, they chose to remain inactive.

Half a month ago, Xiao Zhushan sent out invitations to the outside world, inviting fellow believers to witness the new patriarch of the Wei family taking over.

"Xiaozhushan's move is nothing more than conveying a message to the outside world to prove that their heritage still exists and that they are still capable of protecting their foundation.

Since we also received the post, let’s go and take a look.

Hehe, it is said that this disciple's cultivation is average. If he is an ordinary cultivator, we will take action when that old fellow's lifespan is exhausted."

A sinister smile appeared on Wang Hao's lips. The old patriarch of the Wei family had been injured, and it would be good if he could hold on for another three to five years.

He rolled his eyes several times and said:

"Go prepare a gift, don't be too shabby, and come with me to the banquet tomorrow."

"Why bother preparing gifts?! We all know this disciple is only at the foundation building stage! He's not even good at fighting, so how could he have the nerve to accept our gifts?"

"My dear brother, this is called courtesy before force. We can just take back the gift we gave away later.

If we still show up with an arrogant attitude, the old man might be able to hurt us if he fights desperately before dying."

Wang Hao patiently explained that his move was to show some goodwill to stabilize the Wei family, and it was not worth risking his life with an old man who was nearing the end of his life.

"Big brother is really thoughtful. I understand."

Zhang Hongjiang said sincerely that the reason he regarded the other party as his elder brother was because the other party's brain worked better than his.

Wang Hao warned:
"Go prepare a gift. You can't give things like elixirs. It's best to give an ordinary high-grade magic weapon."

If he gave the pills as a gift, others would most likely take them, so how could he take them back?

"Okay, I'll listen to you, big brother," Zhang Hongjiang admired him even more.

On the deck of the flying boat, Wei Songnian looked out at the distant mountains and sighed:

"Finally home!"

After the demon disaster, he encountered a series of devil disasters. It has been more than 20 years since he returned to his clan.

Yin Qiuyun's eyes were deep, and memories floated in her mind.

She has lived in Xiaozhu Mountain since her childhood and is familiar with every tree and blade of grass in most areas there.

After recalling the past, she whispered:
"Husband, Lin'er is already able to take the Meridian-Opening Pill. If he has good talent, do you really want to send him to the Golden Spirit Sect?"

Wei Bolin would be twelve years old in half a year, and he had already mastered the art of opening meridians.

"Ma'am, haven't we already discussed this issue?"

Wei Songnian smiled. They had discussed this issue many times and had reached an agreement.

If a child is talented enough, staying in the family will only delay his growth.

If the children were average, he would give up the idea and let his two sons get married early and have more grandchildren.

“I know this is good for the child, but I still feel reluctant.

If the child has good talent, can we not rush into joining the sect and let him stay with us for a few more years?"

Having lived under the care of others since childhood, Yin Qiuyun couldn't bear to see her child leave her so early.

Wei Songnian sighed and explained:

"In a sect, if you break through the foundation-building stage a year earlier, the treatment you receive may be different.

If Lin'er has good talent, he can join the sect in the second half of next year. If he stays with us longer, he will have to wait for three years.

I can ask for help from Fellow Daoist Ji, or I can let Lin'er join the sect at another time, but it's not worth using favors for such a small matter."

After a long while, Yin Qiuyun whispered:
"It's all up to you."

She knew that her husband was right. People's fate was very strange. Sometimes, it seemed that there was only a delay of a year or two, but the things they encountered and the path they took were completely different.

Of course, she also hopes that her child will be able to go further in the future. Although the sect disciples will ask to sever ties with the family, bloodline cannot be severed.

No matter how far Lin'er goes in the future, he will always be her flesh and blood.

After a brief silence, Wei Songnian pointed to the approaching mountains and said:
"We'll be arriving at Xiaozhu Mountain soon. I'll go tell Fellow Daoist Ji, and you go notify the others."

On the deck, Ji An stood with his hands behind his back. He could already see the green bamboos all over the mountain and the palace on the top of the mountain covered with red silk.

"I never asked what the situation is like at Xiaozhu Mountain now, and how many cultivators are there?"

Wei Songnian's eyes flashed with desolation, and a sense of sadness welled up in his heart, like seeing the endless falling leaves in late autumn. "Less than a hundred people. The most outstanding group of family disciples died in the battle at Mingfeng Mountain."

Ji An frowned slightly and sighed:

"It's a devastating sight. What compensation will the sect offer?"

Wei Songnian said sadly:
"Two of the Wei clan's foundation-building cultivators and nearly a hundred Qi-refining cultivators died in battle. The sect promised to give the Wei clan five foundation-building pills and reduce tribute for twenty years.

However, the Foundation Establishment Pills will only start to be redeemed after ten years. You can get two in the first ten years, and one every ten years thereafter."

Although his fourteenth uncle managed to retreat from Mingfeng Mountain alive, he passed away a few years later.

If the demon disaster had not broken out, Fourteenth Uncle would have lived for another thirty years. It was the fierce battle that damaged his foundation.

But because he did not die directly in battle, he was not counted in the quota.

"Since the sect has made a promise, you don't need to worry about the Foundation Establishment Pill. If there are any problems, let me know."

Ji An said that if the sect did not promise anything, he would not ask any more questions.

Because he was not involved in the decision-making and did not want to be involved in the decision-making of such matters.

After the sect made the promise, if anyone wanted to embezzle the foundation-building pills from his old friend's family, he would not agree.

Wei Songnian said with a smile: "Thank you first, fellow Taoist."

Xiaozhu Mountain, Wei Family Hall.

Zhang Hongjiang sat with his arms and legs spread wide open, muttering:

“Head of the Wei clan, you posted that the succession ceremony for the new clan leader will be held today, and all the neighbors should give you some face.

It's almost noon, where is your new clan leader?"

The old and frail Wei Qinglong stroked his beard calmly and raised his voice:
"My fellow Taoists, please be patient. Songnian might have been delayed on the way. Normally, if he had set out from Shangzong early in the morning, he would have returned by now."

He was also anxious in his heart, but his expression was as calm as an old dog.

Zhang Hongjiang said with a malicious smile:

"Hey, maybe we met on the road."

"Second brother, shut up!"

Wang Hao's tone was stern, but the corners of his mouth curled up slightly, "Today is a big day for the Wei family, why not say something auspicious!"

"I have many auspicious words to say, but I really can't say them while leaving all the guests here in the cold!"

At this moment, a Wei disciple in the middle stage of Qi Refining ran into the hall happily:
"Clan leader, Uncle Seven's flying boat will arrive soon."

Wei Qinglong felt relieved, his gray beard trembling:

"Haha, Songnian is back. Everyone, please sit here and I will go and welcome the new clan leader."

Wang Hao stood up and laughed:

"Let's go together. I have long wanted to see the elegance of Daoist Fellow Wei Songnian."

Zhang Hongjiang also stood up and shouted:

"Let's go together!"

Everyone walked out of the hall together and looked up at the descending flying boat.

Suddenly, a group of red auspicious clouds, as brilliant as the rosy clouds, appeared from the flying boat. Flames were bursting around the auspicious clouds, brightening people's eyes.

Ji An and Wei Songnian landed on the open ground and made hand gestures to gather the clouds.

The old patriarch's cloudy eyes flashed with surprise, and then his face flushed red:

"I am Wei Qinglong, and I pay my respects to the Master."

Seeing his descendants landing together with the Chaoyuan-stage cultivators from the Jinling Sect wearing uniforms, how could he not imagine what this meant.

"Greetings, Master."

Everyone shouted in unison that the Chaoyuan period cultivators were the ones they looked up to.

Ji An said gently:
"No need for formalities. I've known Fellow Daoist Wei since childhood. Today he returns to inherit the position of patriarch, so I'll just ask for a glass of wine."

His voice was not loud, but it spread to every corner nearby.

Wang Hao's face turned dark. He had never expected that Wei Songnian would be involved with the Chaoyuan-stage cultivator of the Jinling Sect.

How the hell is this going to work?! From now on, not only can we not be enemies with the Wei family, we have to deliberately make friends with them.

He is only at the fifth level of foundation building now, and a Chaoyuan period cultivator can kill him with just one finger.

He also knew in his heart that the sect forbade disciples from participating in external conflicts, but this cultivator came this time to clearly tell everyone his position.

Being able to do this shows that the friendship between the monk and Wei Songnian is extremely deep.

If you go against the Wei family again, it will be like slapping a Chaoyuan period cultivator in the face.

"Fortunately, I was smart and asked my second brother to send me a top-grade magic weapon. Although it is a bit ordinary, it still shows sincerity."

Zhang Hongjiang grinned, and admired his elder brother even more in his heart.

If it weren't for the other party's strategy of using courtesy first and then force, he would probably have sent him a pile of cow dung!

If that happens, I won’t be able to save face today.

(End of this chapter)