Zhang Yang once again arrived at the Azurecloud Sect's main square. Another seven-day period had passed, and it was time for him to distribute food to the Foundation Establishment disciples.

In the entire Azurecloud Sect, he was practically the only one handling affairs.

Since Situ Mingyue arrived, she hadn't been involved in any matters. Fortunately, she brought along her maid, Chunxiao, who could help with some tasks.

Chunxiao knew she wasn't an official disciple of the Azurecloud Sect, so she was very proactive in her duties.

She was also at the Foundation Establishment stage, but her talent was far behind those of the geniuses.

After all, her role wasn't as a bodyguard but to manage Situ Mingyue's daily affairs.

"Young Master Zhang, you can leave these tasks to me in the future," Chunxiao said with a smile. "You can use this time to focus on your cultivation."

Zhang Yang shook his head. "It's fine, I'm not in a hurry to cultivate."

His cultivation required resources, and distributing food to the Foundation Establishment disciples also involved "ideological instruction."

That was something only he could handle.

Today was another session of ideological instruction.

Zhang Yang glanced at the crowd in the square. It had been half a month since the Flying Dragon Guard attacked the Azurecloud Sect. The excited group had calmed down, while those who were downcast had also stabilized their emotions.

Today, it was time to give this group another round of ideological instruction.

"Half a month ago, the Azurecloud Sect faced a perilous situation," Zhang Yang addressed the crowd. "We had a conflict with the Cloudmount Empire due to some misunderstandings.

Although the conflict was resolved through negotiations, what should we do if we encounter such danger again?"

When Zhang Yang mentioned the conflict with the Cloudmount Empire, those who had infiltrated the sect felt a twinge of anxiety.

Meanwhile, those who had pledged allegiance to the Azurecloud Sect were filled with excitement.

Zhang Yang deliberately paused before continuing slowly, "The Azurecloud Sect has stood for five thousand years, having faced many conflicts like the last one, and even more dangerous situations.

Yet, the Azurecloud Sect still stands today because of the relentless efforts of generations. Now, the task of revitalizing Azurecloud falls on our shoulders.

Similarly, the dangers that may befall the Azurecloud Sect also rest on our shoulders.

This time, our elders helped us through the danger.

Can we always rely on our elders in the future?

When faced with challenges, will we step up and take responsibility? Or will we avoid danger, choose to be bystanders, or even surrender? Worse yet, will some choose to secretly side with the enemy and betray the Azurecloud Sect?"

Many remained silent.

Those who were secretly infiltrating the sect lowered their heads, not daring to meet Zhang Yang's gaze.

"Senior Brother, if we encounter enemies again, let's fight them!" Wang Baole shouted.

"Yes, let's fight them!"

Zhang Yang shook his head. "If you rely solely on brute courage without a proper method, what's the use? For example, Wang Baole, you're at the Foundation Establishment stage. If you encounter someone at the Nascent Soul stage, no matter how hard you fight, would it be effective? So, we need to think of ways and use our brains!

This time, I'm giving you all a task: If the Azurecloud Sect encounters enemies like the last time, what can we do for the sect? What methods can we use to resist such enemies?

Please think carefully and complete this task by our next gathering.

Each task will earn you task points. While task points may seem useless now, they will be valuable in the future.

In six months, the Azurecloud Sect will open a secret realm, allowing a group to enter. If you all succeed in reaching the Sea-parting Stage by then, those with higher points will be chosen to enter. So, make sure to complete each task diligently."

The crowd reacted differently. Some had no idea what a secret realm was or its purpose, feeling utterly confused. However, they understood that if everyone had to complete the task, so did they.

Others were overjoyed.

Zhang Yang noticed the expressions of this group.

After the meeting, everyone took their food and returned to their courtyards, eager to complete the task.

"Brat, what's your purpose in constantly pushing them?" Hualingzi appeared beside Zhang Yang, smiling as he asked.

Zhang Yang was taken aback and quickly asked, "Fifth Uncle-Master, have you reached the Divine Soul Stage?"

Several uncle-masters were in seclusion, and they wouldn't come out unless they had broken through to the Divine Soul Stage.

Hualingzi chuckled and retorted, "I've been at the Nascent Soul stage for decades. Shouldn't I break through to the Divine Soul Stage? Didn't you bring back some spiritual herbs? Third Senior Brother refined some pills for us, and with the aid of spirit stones, I naturally broke through."

There was another reason he didn't mention. Recently, the people of Azurecloud Sect had been living comfortably, resolving some issues weighing on their hearts. Seeing the future of Azurecloud Sect in Zhang Yang, coupled with the aid of alchemical pills, breaking through was only natural.

"Great, great!" Zhang Yang was overjoyed.

With more experts in the Azurecloud Sect, they would have even less to fear from others in the future.

"Fifth Uncle-Master, come, come, come, let's go to my place," Zhang Yang warmly invited Hualingzi. "Before you went into seclusion, you hadn't finished drawing some rune patterns for me. Now that you're at the Divine Soul Stage, the rune patterns you draw will surely be more powerful and effective."

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Hualingzi laughed and scolded, "I just broke through, and you, brat, don't even give me a congratulatory gift, yet you want me to draw runes for you!"

Though he said this, he didn't refuse and indeed went to draw runes for Zhang Yang.

"We'll handle the defense of the Azurecloud Sect. Ordinary people wouldn't dare offend us," Hualingzi said while drawing runes. "So, having those youngsters think of ways to defend the sect is pointless."

Zhang Yang smiled, "Fifth Uncle-Master, having them think of ways to defend the sect is partly to instill a sense of belonging to Azurecloud Sect and partly to gauge their intentions.

They're just teenagers. Do you think I don't know that their defensive strategies are impractical?

But when they're coming up with ideas, their thoughts will surface."

Zhang Yang paused and continued calmly, "Through their ideas, we can roughly discern their purposes for coming to Azurecloud Sect, or at least get a sense of their direction."

"Oh?" Hualingzi gave Zhang Yang a surprised look. "Where did you learn all these tricks?"

He was a scholar and often communicated with Zhang Yang. Though they were uncle-master and nephew-disciple in name, their relationship was as close as brothers.

That's why he sought out Zhang Yang immediately after coming out of seclusion.

However, he hadn't expected Zhang Yang to think so deeply.

Zhang Yang sighed, "Since none of you are handling affairs, I have to think more! Until we completely turn them around, we must be cautious. We can't let situations like the past two senior brothers happen again. If someone takes away the people I've painstakingly nurtured, I'll be upset."

Hualingzi sighed, "Do you think we aren't upset? But some things aren't that simple. Anyway, since the Senior Brother intends for you to be the next sect master, keep worrying about it! Once these rune patterns are done, what type of rune patterns do you want next?"

Zhang Yang tilted his head and suddenly asked, "Uncle-Master, do you know how to draw rune patterns that can preserve images? Like those that can record events... similar to the usual illusions but continuously recorded, and even replay the scenes later?"

Hualingzi was stunned. After a moment, he jumped up, "Are you kidding me? How could that be possible? If I could draw such rune patterns, I might as well ascend to immortality!"

He could imagine that if he could draw such rune patterns, it would be like creating a "world."

Not to mention whether it was achievable, just imagining such a rune pattern was beyond comprehension.

"If it's to assist other magical treasures, could it be possible?" Zhang Yang asked eagerly.

"Go ask Sixth Uncle-Master about that!"

Zhang Yang frowned, "When Sixth Uncle-Master comes out of seclusion, we'll discuss it and see if we can create it."

He was planning to develop an immortal cultivation version of household appliances!