Cultivation Begins From The Desert

"The Yellow Sand Sect wants our Zhou family to send two Foundation Establishment cultivators to their mountain gate for deployment?"

On Jade Spring Peak, Zhouyang, who rushed back urgently after receiving the message, looked grim immediately after reading the summoning order bearing Cao Wenjin's magical power imprint.

This summoning order, marked with Cao Wenjin's magical power imprint, wasn't even issued when the Boundless Desert Sea Cultivation Realm was invaded by remnants of the Blood Slaughter Demon Sect.

While there were special circumstances back then warranting special treatment, on the other hand, it also shows the importance of this matter.

According to the agreement between the Yellow Sand Sect and its various subordinate forces, any subordinate force receiving a summoning order bearing the magical power imprint of a Golden Core cultivator from Yellow Sand Sect must unconditionally comply immediately with the instructions; otherwise, it would be considered a betrayal!

Additionally, for a Golden Core cultivator to issue such a widespread summoning order with their magical power imprint, it is tantamount to endorsing it with their and their sect's reputation.

Essentially, if it isn't a matter concerning the life and death survival of the sect, a Golden Core cultivator would absolutely not resort to this method to requisition personnel from subordinate forces outside the sect.

"Now that the Yellow Sand Sect hasn't encountered foreign invasion nor is at war with other equal forces, why has Elder Cao issued such a high-level summoning order, what exactly is the intention?"

Zhouyang murmured to himself as he looked at the summoning order in his hand, which only contained a few short sentences, with unprecedented gravity in his expression.

This kind of official notice from the higher ups always follows a rule, which is the fewer words, the bigger the issue!

Generally speaking, when a summoning order is issued, it should at least specify the reason for its issuance, not only to give those receiving it a psychological preparation and make relevant preparations in advance, but also to calm people's minds and prevent them from overthinking.

However, the summoning order endorsed by Cao Wenjin happens to be this kind of "forcible recruitment order" that doesn't explain any reasons.

"Guessing the intentions of the Yellow Sand Sect is of no use to us now, even if we guess it right. What we should now discuss is which two Foundation Establishment cultivators will go to the Yellow Sand Sect for deployment?"

The old clan leader, Zhou Minghan, looked heavily at Zhouyang and spoke slowly, "My opinion is that anyone else can go, but you, the patriarch, definitely cannot!"

The hope of the whole clan is precisely Zhouyang now.

Zhou Minghan, including all the cultivators of the Zhou family, look forward to him quickly reaching the Ninth Layer of the Foundation Establishment stage and successfully opening the Purple Mansion as soon as possible.

Faced with such an affair, Zhou Minghan naturally is the first to not want Zhouyang involved, to prevent any mishap from happening to him.

"Great-grandfather, I understand your goodwill, but as the patriarch, if I shrink back at this moment, how can I command respect? How can I make the clan members believe I will step up to protect them in times of danger instead of turning away and running?"

Zhouyang shook his head solemnly, outright rejecting the old clan leader Zhou Minghan's suggestion.

In terms of combat power, he is currently indisputably the top in the Zhou family.

In terms of cultivation, his level is second only to the old clan leader Zhou Minghan.

Regarding status, he is now the patriarch of the Zhou family.

Encountering such affairs, if as the patriarch, he doesn't lead from the front but instead stays behind shouting "Charge," how would those clan members view it?

More importantly, Zhouyang also knows that if he doesn't go, to minimize this matter's impact on his reputation as patriarch, it's highly likely that the two Foundation Establishment cultivators sent for enlistment would be the old clan leader Zhou Minghan and his father Zhou Xuanhao!

Only these two could go through knife mountains and boiling seas for his safety and reputation, and remain unrepentant even unto death!

And he, as a son, how could he let such a thing happen?

"Now is not the time for bravado and competitiveness!"

"The value of you alone to the Zhou family surpasses all our Foundation Establishment cultivators combined. As the patriarch, can you not calculate this account?"

"It's rare that the Yellow Sand Sect did not specifically name you, yet you insist on rushing to your death! Do you want to anger me and your father to death?"

Zhou Minghan looked at Zhouyang with a livid face, his tone both angry and exasperated, with evident disappointment in his eyes.

Yet Zhouyang was unmoved, only unwaveringly looking at him and said:

"Great-grandfather, please stop saying more; not everything in this world can be measured with the word 'interest'!"

"Your overwhelming care, I understand it, but I am not only the patriarch of the Zhou family; I am also a son of a father and your clan grandson!"

"I, Zhouyang, am not the kind of coward who would hide at home waiting for news while seeing elder relatives march through fire and water upfront!"

If he were really the type to put family interests above all else, he wouldn't have gotten to where he is today.

He has always admired and respected the old clan leader, Zhou Minghan, but to become a person like Zhou Minghan, he just can't do it!

Zhou Minghan felt both touched and angry at Zhouyang's words, and couldn't help but sternly ask him, "So what do you plan to do? Tell me, how are you going to handle this matter?"

"Of course, Huang Yi and I will respond to the call to go to the Yellow Sand Sect!" Zhouyang declared his decision without hesitation.

After he finished speaking, without waiting for Zhou Minghan to refute, he continued, "As the clan leader, it is my duty to lead from the front. With me leading, what reason does Huang Yi, as a Foundation Establishment Cultivator of the Zhou Family, have to oppose going? So great-grandfather, don't talk about replacing me with yourself. This time, you really can't take my place!"

"You..." Zhou Minghan's lips moved, but he was left speechless by Zhouyang's words.

"You're the clan leader, so do whatever you think is best!"

He finally took a deep breath, reluctantly agreeing to Zhouyang's decision with a face full of helplessness.

Zhouyang had been under his watchful eye since childhood, and he understood Zhouyang's character even better than Zhouyang's father, Zhou Xuanhao.

Therefore, at this point, he clearly realized that nothing he said could change Zhouyang's decision.

As for threatening to die, it's not like a couple's quarrel; how could such a ridiculous method achieve this goal?

So, the matter was settled just like that.

Fortunately, although the summons order of the Yellow Sand Sect was of a high level, it wasn't particularly urgent in terms of time. As long as they arrived at the Yellow Sand Sect's mountain gate within three months, it wouldn't be considered late.

Therefore, after accepting Zhouyang's decision, Zhou Minghan immediately took the "Gold-devouring Beast" materials that Zhou Family received last time to the Yang Family in Golden Spring Valley, preparing to refine some powerful artifacts for Zhouyang for self-defense before he set out.

Years ago, the Yang Family had invited the Chen Family Ancestor to help open an Earth Fire Chamber for alchemy and artifact refining. Now that the Zhou Family had fallen out with the Chen Family, Zhou Minghan seldom went to the Earth Fire Chamber at the Baisha River Oasis to refine artifacts.

The materials from the "Gold-devouring Beast" were as high as Tier Four, more than enough to refine Tier Four artifacts. Zhou Minghan knew that refining now was truly a waste of resources.

However, when it came to matters concerning Zhouyang's life and safety, Zhou Minghan couldn't care less about such things.

After nearly two months of refining, he finally used the two tusks from the "Gold-devouring Beast" as the main material to refine a Tier Three High-grade Flying Sword. Then, using Tier Four Spiritual Gold obtained from refining the "Gold-devouring Beast" carcass, he refined a Tier Three High-grade Defense Spiritual Artifact Shield.

These two artifacts, along with a Tier Four Spirit Talisman Zhouyang previously helped him obtain from Jiang Yuyan, were handed over to Zhouyang.

Even Huang Yi, who was traveling with Zhouyang, received a Tier Three Middle-Grade Defense Spiritual Artifact.

Zhouyang and Huang Yi spent about a month refining and familiarizing themselves with the newly acquired artifacts before bidding farewell to the Zhou Family Cultivators and setting off for the Yellow Sand Sect on the Eagle Lion Beast.

The journey was fraught with danger, and Zhouyang brought the Eagle Lion Beast along as a precaution, in case he needed to use the "Blood Escape Technique" to flee when seriously injured, allowing the Eagle Lion Beast to carry him to safety.

After several days of traveling, Zhouyang and Huang Yi reached the Ministry Hall of the Yellow Sand Sect.

"So many Foundation Establishment Cultivators!"

Outside the Ministry Hall of the Yellow Sand Sect, Zhouyang and Huang Yi were shocked by what they saw upon arrival.

At this moment, there were over a hundred Foundation Establishment Cultivators dressed in various attires gathered outside the Ministry Hall, none of whom were wearing the Yellow Sand Sect's uniform, clearly indicating that they were all clan cultivators summoned just like Zhouyang and Huang Yi.

"Oh, is that a fellow Daoist from the Yuquan Zhou Family? It's been over twenty years, and Fellow Daoist Zhou's cultivation has progressed significantly!"

As Zhouyang and Huang Yi marveled at the number of people present, a voice reached their ears.

Looking in the direction of the voice, they saw Guo Shuyun, the Vice Hall Master of the Yellow Sand Sect, striding out from the hall.

Seeing this, Zhouyang quickly led Huang Yi forward to pay respects, then replied with a smile, "Elder Guo overpraises me. In front of you, Elder, what little cultivation I have is insignificant."

He had interacted with Guo Shuyun many times before, and due to Cao Wenjin's favorable impression, Guo Shuyun always treated him well.

However, this time Guo Shuyun didn't have much time for pleasantries. After exchanging a few words, he pointed to the cultivators outside the hall and said, "Do you see these people? After leaving a magical power imprint on this register of mine, go wait over there. When the time is right, Elder Cao will personally explain the reason for your summons."

Upon hearing this, Zhouyang frowned slightly and couldn't help but ask in a low voice, "I would like to pay my respects to Elder Cao first. Is it convenient?"

"No need. The ancestor has already said they won't see any guests during this period, no exceptions!"

Guo Shuyun gave him a glance and directly refused his request with a shake of the head.

Seeing this, Zhouyang could only nod helplessly and said, "I understand, thank you for informing me, Elder."

With that, he and Huang Yi found an open spot outside the hall to sit down, while sending a communication flying sword to his cousin Zhou Yuanchen who was in the Yellow Sand Sect to inquire about the situation, and exchanging information with some Foundation Establishment cultivators he knew from the Baisha River Cultivation Realm.

In addition, among these people, Zhouyang didn't see any Foundation Establishment cultivators from the Chen Family, nor any Purple Mansion Stage Cultivators.