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Mi Xiaojing stood not far behind Yong Ji, observing the situation with a detached coolness, yet he had already prepared the Qingmu Formation. This contraption was especially effective in group fights; once activated, Xiaojing felt confident he could take down this entire group.
Despite only being at the Great Perfection stage of Foundation Establishment, Xiaojing was not afraid of Cultivators in the Foundation Establishment phase. With sufficient preparation, he was sure he could eliminate any Cultivator at that level.
Yong Ji was also on guard, fully aware that his opponents had a higher Cultivation level than him. However, he wasn't particularly concerned. Ever since Xiaojing had struck down Zheng Cong at the Tianyuan Market, leaving him worse than dead with a single blow, Yong Ji had gained an inexplicable confidence, especially towards Cultivators at the Great Perfection stage of Foundation Establishment—he no longer feared them.
Yong Ji knew that if Xiaojing were to face a master at the Great Perfection stage of Foundation Establishment head-on and couldn't release the Poison Lotus in time, things would likely turn dire. But with his own interference, the situation was entirely different. He was confident he could toy with anyone daring to lay a hand on him.
The man nodded slightly and said, "Spirit Horse Sect's Ma Chengbang! A pleasure to meet you. May I have your esteemed name?"
Yong Ji responded indifferently, "Heart Sect, Yong Ji. What do you want?"
Ma Chengbang was tall and burly, with thick arms and legs. His attire was simple, not silk robes but a rough, fur-lined coat, the species of the animal it came from indiscernible. The grey-black fur was matted, and the cuffs were greasy and shiny—a different kind of filth.
With a bald head, a square face, and a beard around his jaw, his eagle-like eyes and faint eyebrows were almost imperceptible. His fierce appearance and barrel-chested voice were intimidating.
Despite his menacing look, he sported an extremely bright smile, creating a terrifying contrast. Anyone looking at his face would never believe he was smiling; his snow-white teeth seemed ready to bite. Yong Ji couldn't help but take a step back, wary as he asked, "What is it?"
"Hehe, sorry for the abrupt visit."
Polite words, but paired with his expression, they seemed less sincere.
"This, isn't your Heart Sect… you know, gone?" Ma Chengbang hinted.
Gone? A spark of anger flared in Yong Ji's heart. "Are you happy that the Heart Sect is gone?" His spirit sword began to materialize.
Although Xiaojing had no particular attachment to the Heart Sect, hearing an outsider speak like this also irked him. "So what?"
Ma Chengbang said, "So, you have nowhere to go. Our Spirit Horse Sect invites you to join us."
Yong Ji and Xiaojing were speechless. Were they being poached just like that? It hadn't been long since their sect was destroyed, yet the news had already spread to the distant Green Source Grasslands, with even the Spirit Horse Sect's members arriving in Hidden Huo City—such speed was impressive.
Yong Ji sighed inwardly. He didn't oppose the idea of the sect's lower and middle-ranking disciples joining other sects. Even if they went to the Tianyuan Market, their prospects wouldn't be great. Joining a Cultivation sect would at least ensure their safety, sparing them from fighting outside. With some luck, they might even advance to the Foundation Establishment stage. If left to fend for themselves, most would likely be killed.
"You can recruit, but it must be voluntary. No coercion, or I won't agree," Yong Ji stated.
Xiaojing was taken aback, not expecting Yong Ji to say this, but he was quick-witted and immediately guessed Yong Ji's thoughts.
Wang Weijun was also amazed. Having been a Rogue Cultivator for a long time, he knew the harsh realities low-level Cultivators faced outside—carelessness could lead to death, and sometimes death was a mercy compared to falling into the hands of demonic Cultivators.
Yong Ji's suggestion to join the Spirit Horse Sect was genuinely for the disciples' benefit.
Ma Chengbang was overjoyed upon hearing this. The Spirit Horse Sect was in dire need of low-level disciples, lacking fresh blood. Low-level disciples were the foundation of a sect, and without a solid foundation, the sect would be unstable.
Dispatching a large team to recruit was a precautionary measure. With the Heart Sect's destruction, many disciples would be scattered, presenting an opportunity to strengthen the Spirit Horse Sect. Upon receiving the news, they immediately sent a Flying Boat towards the Heart Sect.
"Of course, of course! We won't force anyone; it's all voluntary," Ma Chengbang assured.
Sect disciples were relatively naive compared to Rogue Cultivators, who were hard to trust after being roughed up outside for so long. Such Cultivators were the hardest to manage, and most sects were reluctant to accept them. In contrast, sect disciples were accustomed to the discipline of a sect and were much easier to manage.
The Spirit Horse Sect presented their terms, offering a certain number of Spirit Stones per month and other benefits like Cultivation techniques. They made extravagant promises. Xiaojing remained silent, while Xiao Mi, puzzled, asked, "Brother Xiaojing, are we going too?"
Xiaojing shook his head. "We're not going." He had no intention of joining the Spirit Horse Sect.
Ma Chengbang turned to Yong Ji with a smile. "Young brother, why don't you join us too? A position as an elder of the sect, with generous offerings—how about it?"
Yong Ji shook his head. Without Xiaojing, he might have considered joining, as he was skilled in combat but lacked resources. But now, with Xiaojing by his side and no need to worry about Spirit Pills, why submit to the constraints of a sect?
People asked Yong Ji if the Heart Sect was truly gone.
Yong Ji could only offer a wry smile. He had already received the news that the Heart Sect would not attempt to rebuild and had let the disciples go their separate ways. He had kept this to himself, not even telling Xiaojing, unwilling to face the reality.
Yong Ji sincerely told the disciples that joining the Spirit Horse Sect was an option. He wouldn't interfere as long as it was voluntary.
The mood among the Heart Sect's disciples was somber. No one had anticipated the sect's downfall, that it would be destroyed alongside the Vast Gold Sect due to an unfortunate series of events.
What chilled the Heart Sect disciples to the bone was that the fatal blow to their sect came not from an outsider but from their own Ancestor Guban. When Ancestor Guban began killing his own people, the entire Heart Sect fell into despair, especially the senior elders.
Disheartened, Yu Hong no longer wished to manage the sect but decided to live and Cultivate for himself.
The sect's accumulated resources were divided among several Elemental Infant stage masters. With these resources, they could live well without relying on the sect.
Yong Ji's words gave the lower-level disciples an excuse. With nowhere else to go, joining the Spirit Horse Sect seemed like a good choice.
Those sect Cultivators who had families suffered greatly due to the volcanic eruption. Almost none of their family members who stayed at the sect's location survived; they were all gone. The Cultivators, now alone, found it easier to make a choice.