Cultivation Begins From The Desert

"Finally back!"

Outside the Yuquan Lake Oasis, Zhouyang looked at the land where he was born and raised, and with a face full of emotion, let out a long sigh.

By now, it had been seventeen long months since he set out from the Rhino Horn Continent!

Without any map for reference and not knowing the exact route, his journey home was fraught with challenges and indescribable hardships.

During this period, he had lost his way countless times, and the pointless detours he took added up to at least a million miles!

If it weren't for the large amount of Spirit Stones and Grain Avoidance Pills he carried, even as a proper Foundation Establishment Cultivator, he might have starved or died of thirst in the vast Desert Sea.

But now, all of that was in the past.

He ultimately succeeded in overcoming all difficulties and returned to the clan.

"I wonder what the situation is like now, has Elder Cao returned to the Yellow Sand Sect!"

These thoughts filled Zhouyang's mind, and his excitement quickly settled down.

The reason he returned directly to the clan instead of going to the Yellow Sand Sect was because he feared that acting rashly with unclear circumstances might cause trouble.

"Xiao Jiu, you've finally come back!"

"You've been out of contact for so long. If we hadn't seen that your Soul Token in the clan was intact, I and your father would have gone to the Yellow Sand Sect to ask Elder Cao to help find you!"

On Jade Spring Peak, Zhou Minghan, who was stationed there, saw Zhouyang return safely, and his previously gloomy mood dispersed like clouds giving way to sunlight, leaving him indescribably cheerful.

Zhouyang didn't have it easy during the past year, and those who cared about him didn't have it easy either!

The news coming from the Yellow Sand Sect, and from some returning cultivators from the Rhino Horn Continent, was enough to make those waiting for their loved ones to come back extremely worried and anxious.

Just as Zhou Minghan said, if it weren't for Zhouyang's Soul Token remaining healthy in the clan, and considering how the situation in the Boundless Sea of Sand Cultivation Realm is not optimistic, they might have sent someone out to look for him.

"Grandson is unfilial, making great-grandfather and father worried."

Zhouyang, bearing an apologetic expression, bowed to the elder, feeling warm and very touched in his heart.

Zhou Minghan had always maintained a steadfast and authoritative image, yet now he showed genuine emotion in front of him, revealing such an expression, which showed the elder's care for him.

"Let's not talk about these things, it's just good that you've come back, just come back!"

Zhou Minghan smiled, shaking his head, not wanting to dwell on these emotional matters.

Then he straightened his face, looking at Zhouyang with a serious expression and said, "Originally, since you've just returned, you should go spend some time with your father, with your Dao Companion, but now there have been great changes in the Cultivation Realm, and there are some matters that urgently need you to know and make decisions on, so I have to take up some of your time first."

Upon hearing this, Zhouyang immediately nodded and said, "The important matters take precedence, great-grandfather, please go ahead."

Subsequently, Zhou Minghan relayed to Zhouyang the major events that happened while he was away.

As it turned out, while Zhouyang was still searching for his way home amidst the vast Desert Sea, some cultivators were fortunate enough to return to their clans and sects before him.

These people, upon learning that Cao Wenjin was seriously injured and in seclusion to recover, and that he had passed his position to Zhang Yunpeng and his wife, began to spread the news of what happened on the Rhino Horn Continent without further hesitation.

The outcome, predictably, caused a great uproar.

Each clan originally resented the Yellow Sand Sect for forcibly recruiting their Foundation Establishment cultivators to venture to the Rhino Horn Continent, and now, with their Foundation Establishment and Purple Mansion cultivators—who supported the foundation of their clans—perishing outside, and the Yellow Sand Sect giving no compensation, their anger was understandably intense.

If Cao Wenjin hadn't been seriously injured and was in perfect condition, even if the clan leaders were filled with rage, they wouldn't dare act recklessly and could only remember this grudge for a future reckoning.

But now, with rumors that Cao Wenjin was too gravely injured to leave his abode and possibly already deceased,

No matter whether this news was true or false, it gave those brimming with anger the courage to no longer suppress their rage in grievance.

However, the true reason these people resolved to resist the "tyranny" of the Yellow Sand Sect stemmed from the internal turmoil of the sect.

Cao Wenjin's initial worries weren't unfounded. After Luo Yunqing and Guo Shuyun, two Purple Mansion cultivators, returned to the sect, they were indeed greatly displeased with him for directly handing over the Tier Five Demon Pill to Jiang Yuyan for refinement and passing the position to Zhang Yunpeng.

They had risked their lives to obtain the Tier Five Demon Pill, and it was one thing not to have the right to use it themselves, but what merit did Zhang Yunpeng have to skip over them and assume the position of Sect Leader?

Regarding seniority, standing, and contributions to the Yellow Sand Sect, whether it's Luo Yunqing, who has long been stationed outside for the sect's protection, or Guo Shuyun, who has tirelessly served as Vice Hall Master, both consider themselves more suitable for the position of Sect Leader than Zhang Yunpeng, who is solely focused on cultivation.

Therefore, when their request to meet Cao Wenjin for justice was rejected by Zhang Yunpeng and his wife, the two left the gates of the Yellow Sand Sect with some disciples and bloodline descendants, taking over a Tier Four Spirit Mountain previously belonging to the sect, and proclaimed themselves as local sovereigns, no longer obeying the sect's orders or paying homage taxes.

Among them, Luo Yunqing returned the relics collected from various clan cultivators back to their original clans untouched, blatantly purchasing loyalty.

Seeing this, those clans responded in kind, publicly stating they would no longer recognize Zhang Yunpeng and his wife's legitimate status, acknowledging Luo Yunqing as the new Sect Leader of the Yellow Sand Sect, and offering tribute solely to him.

These clans' actions, in the eyes of Zhang Yunpeng and his wife, were nothing short of betrayal.

If it weren't for Cao Wenjin's specific instructions before he entered seclusion, combined with Jiang Yuyan being occupied with the refinement of the "Outer Dao Golden Core," the couple certainly would have descended upon a certain clan, using the lives of all their cultivators to show the consequences of betrayal.

But the reality was, apart from issuing stern statements to warn the rebels, they could do nothing.

And this display of weakness only emboldened some observers, prompting more clans to sever ties with the Yellow Sand Sect and no longer act as its vassals.

Of course, these clans did not include the Zhou Family, whose higher-ups were aware of the close relationship between Zhouyang and Cao Wenjin. Moreover, when only Huang Yi's life remained uncertain, Zhouyang and Zhou Yuanchen had returned safely from the expedition to Rhino Horn Continent, making them unlikely to rashly choose sides.

However, their reluctance to choose sides or issue any statement of separation from the Yellow Sand Sect was perceived by Luo Yunqing and others as implicit support for Zhang Yunpeng and his wife.

Because of this, all Zhou Family cultivators outside were recalled by Zhou Minghan, and even the shops in Baisha River Marketplace were temporarily closed to avoid being harmed by cultivators affiliated with Luo Yunqing.

After listening to Zhou Minghan's account, Zhouyang pondered for a moment before asking Zhou Minghan, "What about the Chen Family? What is the current situation with the Chen and Yang families?"

"The Chen Family's reaction is quite strange. Although the Chen Family Ancestor perished on Rhino Horn Continent due to the Yellow Sand Sect, and despite having Chen Ping'an, a Purple Mansion Cultivator, stationed there, they have shown no willingness to resist the sect nor recalled their clan members within the sect."

"As for the Yang Family, their patriarch Yang Xingyan failed in opening the Purple Mansion and damaged his Divine Soul, so currently, he does not dare to make any rash moves and remains in observation."

Zhou Minghan slowly explained the situations of the Chen and Yang families, then looked directly at Zhouyang and asked, "That's the general situation now. In your opinion, Xiao Jiu, what path should our Zhou Family take?"

What path should the Zhou Family take?

In Zhouyang's view, this was not an issue.

He flashed a sharp look in his eye and quietly transmitted his thoughts to Zhou Minghan:

"Let me inform Great-Grandfather, during this expedition to Rhino Horn Continent, Elder Cao once told me that if I could survive the battle on Rhino Horn Continent and return safely to the family, he would present a big gift to me and the Zhou Family."

"Now that I have returned safely, it is naturally time to visit him and receive this gift."

"The path our Zhou Family should take will be clear once I've visited Elder Cao at the Yellow Sand Sect!"

"Is there such a thing!"

Zhou Minghan looked at Zhouyang with a face full of surprise, shocked by the news he revealed.

Although he knew Zhouyang had an unusual relationship with Cao Wenjin, he never expected Cao Wenjin to value Zhouyang this highly.

He immediately stated, "Since Elder Cao values you so much, Xiao Jiu, then our Zhou Family indeed cannot commit any betrayal against the Yellow Sand Sect. I will leave the decision to you, and whatever decision you make, I will support you unconditionally!"

"Thank you for trusting me, Great-Grandfather. I will not disappoint you."

Zhouyang gratefully nodded, deeply moved by Zhou Minghan's trust.

While Zhouyang certainly contributed to the Zhou Family's current state, without Zhou Minghan's absolute trust and support, the Zhou Family wouldn't be as strong as it is today.

If not for Zhou Minghan's trust, making significant reforms to the family system would not have been so easy for Zhouyang.

Seeing this, Zhou Minghan couldn't help but smile gently, "Alright, then let's settle this matter. Regarding your return, I will have the clan members keep it secret for now. You rest in the family for a month, spend more time with your father and Dao Companion, and only then go to meet Elder Cao at the Yellow Sand Sect when you're ready!"

Zhouyang was certainly moved by Zhou Minghan's understanding, but he shook his head, "That's not necessary for so long. After meeting with my father and Ying'Er, I will rest a few days before heading to Yellow Sand Sect to see Elder Cao. The sooner this matter is resolved, the sooner we'll have peace of mind!"

Zhou Minghan didn't understand Cao Wenjin's personality, hence he remained optimistic.

However, since Zhouyang had dealt with Cao Wenjin quite a bit, he knew that even if Elder Cao hadn't passed away as rumors suggested, he must be nearing the end of his life.

Otherwise, given Elder Cao's temperament, he wouldn't let people like Luo Yunqing run amok.

Therefore, Zhouyang must see Cao Wenjin before he passes away, to secure a substantial investment for himself and the Zhou Family!