Chapter 37: We Shall Live and Die with the Sect! Divine Herb!

The reason Liang Chuan chose this moment to announce the news was that many had grown complacent since reaching the Foundation Establishment stage. For them, this stage had long been considered their ceiling, and with a lifespan extended to a hundred and fifty years, they naturally sought comfort and leisure. Announcing this news would not only goad them into continuing their cultivation but, more importantly, it would flush out any potential traitors who might abandon the sect at this critical juncture. Human hearts are fickle; while the sect's disciples had previously stood firmly with the White Sword Sect, willing to die to protect it, growth often breeds hidden agendas. As the saying goes, "The first sword drawn upon reaching the shore is used to slay the lover."

"It's over! The ancestor of the Yangsheng Sect will surely strike now! That is a Nascent Soul expert!"

"A Nascent Soul expert? I've never even seen one. They say such beings can easily wipe out an entire sect!"

"With such immense power, even our previous Sect Master would have had to kneel in submission before them!"

The disciples were thrown into a panic, their eyes filled with terror. They had never imagined they would have to face a Nascent Soul expert from the Yangsheng Sect so soon. Although they had already antagonized the sect, they had assumed the chances of provoking such a high-level master were slim. But Liang Chuan had gone as far as to kill the Golden Core disciples whom the Yangsheng Sect treated as treasures; there would be no peaceful resolution this time.

Zhao Wu, standing at the front of the crowd, felt his heart race, his eyes darting back and forth. He had expected that after Liang Chuan led the disciples down the mountain, they would at least suffer heavy casualties, if not total annihilation. Now, however, the original plan had been completely disrupted, and more importantly, he found himself dragged into the fray.

"Sect Master, perhaps we should negotiate with the Yangsheng Sect. If we hand over the magical artifacts, they might just agree to a truce!" Zhao Wu knew the value of those artifacts; if surrendered, the Yangsheng Sect might truly spare them.

"Fifth Junior Brother! What nonsense are you spouting!" Before Liang Chuan could speak, Liu Ruyan glared at him with fury. "Handing over the artifacts would be the very thing that costs us our lives!" The sect’s current rise was entirely due to the artifacts Liang Chuan had provided; without them, the sect would have ceased to exist long ago. Anyone could see how vital these items were. Moreover, once such technology was revealed, even if the Yangsheng Sect didn't strike now, they would scheme to seize more. If that happened, the White Sword Sect would never rise again.

Zhao Wu bit his lip and lowered his head, knowing full well what this implied. Yet, he believed in looking out for himself above all others. He had not remained loyal out of any deep love for the White Sword Sect, but rather because he was merely a pawn. He was certainly not willing to die alongside it. Despite the weapon Liang Chuan had produced—the so-called "gun"—he was certain it posed no threat to a Nascent Soul expert, and might even struggle against a Golden Core master. The more he realized this, the clearer the sect's dire situation became.

Liang Chuan did not focus on Zhao Wu. After a fleeting, indifferent glance, he clasped his hands behind his back and said, "What are your thoughts? Speak freely."

Liu Ruyan took a deep breath, her expression grave. "We certainly cannot surrender. Perhaps we should take our belongings and establish the sect elsewhere." Given the White Sword Sect’s current resources, relocating was a viable and prudent option. Once they left, it would take the enemy a long time to track them down, and with time to develop, the sect would surely grow stronger. She knew that Liang Chuan had developed a method for mass-producing Foundation Establishment pills. With enough pills, the sect would eventually cultivate a Nascent Soul expert of its own, neutralizing the threat.

The disciples gathered below nodded in silent agreement. "Fourth Senior Sister is right. If we leave, they'll never find us!" "A Nascent Soul expert is beyond our reach, but they cannot stay away from their own sect forever. They won't be able to pursue us indefinitely!" "We could hide for a while and return quietly once the storm passes!"

For the White Sword Sect, avoiding the锋芒 (the sharp edge of the enemy) seemed the best path. Since they possessed such a brilliant alchemist, relocation was no obstacle. While Lingyun Peak had a spiritual vein, it was only of the lowest quality; with enough spirit stones, they could simply buy another. Their greatest asset was the alchemist himself; as long as he remained, they could have anything they desired.

"A bunch of cowards." Liang Chuan looked at his disciples with cold, disdainful eyes. "At the first sign of trouble, you want to abandon the sect and hide, lacking even the courage to fight to the death." A single sentence left everyone present flushed with shame. They wanted to argue, but they knew he spoke the truth—they were simply unwilling to bear such a risk.

"Then what? Are we to remain and guard the sect?" Zhao Wu gritted his teeth and asked, filled with defiance.

Liang Chuan walked down the steps until he stood before Zhao Wu. "Yes," he said calmly. "I intend to fight the Yangsheng Sect to the end."

Silence fell over the crowd. They were actually going to engage the Yangsheng Sect in a direct confrontation? They were no match for them. This was madness! This was absolute insanity!

"If anyone wishes to leave, you may do so now!" Liang Chuan shifted his gaze to the rest of the disciples. "Leaving now is not considered treason, but should you flee once the battle begins, I will hunt you down and kill you myself!"

The crowd grew restless. They looked at one another, their survival hanging in the balance. But if they left, they would never find a better sect. Only the White Sword Sect provided Foundation Establishment pills unconditionally.

"I will live and die with the sect!" Peng Shan was the first to step forward, his booming voice echoing through the ranks. Spurred by his act, something stirred within the others.

"I will live and die with the sect!" As the cries grew louder, the disciples shouted in unison throughout the sect grounds. A faint smile finally appeared on Liang Chuan’s cold face. He wasn't choosing not to flee because he wanted to die. It was because... Liang Xin had just transmitted the files for the automated production of Pulse-Protecting Pills! This was a miraculous medicine capable of propelling one to the Golden Core stage—a revolutionary achievement that had won a Nobel Prize in Alchemy!