Senior sister, stop working and go home for dinner.

Chapter 427 Testing the Heart with the Ordinary

After all, when fighting against a behemoth, going it alone is absolutely not an option.

"From whom will you choose?" Qi Lan asked. "The three hundred-plus people left behind in Qingyang Valley? From the Hehuan Sect? Or the Zidian Sect?"

"We have them all," Chen Anran said, "but not all of them."

He paused, his gaze sweeping across the faces of everyone present.

Those who wish to stay must first pass a test.

"What barrier?" Jiang Yan pressed.

Chen Anran did not answer directly, but looked at Huiming instead.

Huiming understood and put his hands together, saying, "Master Chen means that we need to observe their actions and examine their hearts. Those who are willing to stay will first live in the settlement at the foot of the mountain for a period of time to help settle refugees, repair houses, and cultivate spiritual fields. After a period of time, everyone will examine them again, and only those with upright character can enter the sect to cultivate."

Feng Wenzheng pondered, "Is this... using mortal matters to test the hearts of cultivators?"

"That's right," Chen Anran said. "Cultivation comes first, and self-cultivation is fundamental. If someone is unwilling to help even ordinary people, or even to do hard labor, then such a person would be a scourge if they joined us."

The others fell silent upon hearing this. After a while, Jiang Yan sighed and said, "Cultivators in this era never treat mortals as human beings."

Jiang Yan's words truly expressed the sentiments of everyone.

They have been here for more than three years, and they are no longer completely clueless about the situation here as they were before.

People like Feng Changyuan, Feng Lie, and Shen Zui originally thought that as cultivators, they were already quite arrogant in society. Little did they know that after three thousand years, they would find that they were actually quite approachable.

Chen Anran gave a cold laugh, "Since you've come to my territory, you'll have to do things my way!"

Qi Lan became even more radiant upon hearing this.

She could sense the change in Chen Anran. He was now very proactive, unlike before he transmigrated, when he was too gentle and casual in his actions and behavior, despite having considerable talent.

To put it simply, they are too passive, like a salted fish drifting with the current.

It's fine as it is now.

Regardless of the reason for his change, this is the way Qi Lan likes him now.

Chen Anran was unaware of Qi Lan's thoughts and had no interest in knowing them. He simply looked at the crowd below, changed the subject, and said, "Not only should you take over their supplies, but after a year or two, you should also take over all their territory."

Upon hearing Chen Anran's words, everyone couldn't help but show a troubled expression.

Yes, they have been here for more than two years, and their strength has increased to some extent, but there is still a considerable gap compared with the local cultivators.

Do you think it's appropriate for a Foundation Establishment cultivator to start a sect? This isn't the Dharma-ending Age three thousand years from now.

Chen Anran had obviously guessed their concerns, so he added, "Don't worry, I will send people to guard the area."

Send someone? There are only a handful of people in the Cloud Hidden Sect.

But they quickly realized what was happening.

Master Tianbao was the first to speak, asking, "Those demons you summoned... no, those countless immortals and Buddhas, can they linger in this world for an extended period?"

Chen Anran did not deny it and nodded.

He realized this the moment he summoned the demon soldiers and generals.

Their existence depends entirely on the supply of their own spiritual energy. As long as they are infused with spiritual energy once every six months, they can remain in this world forever.

Upon hearing this, everyone was instantly relieved.

Master Tianbao slapped his thigh, almost jumping out of his chair. "I've had my eye on Qingyang Valley for a long time! Three spiritual veins converge there, and there's even a spirit stone mine inside. With a little modification, it'll be an excellent blessed land! My Maoshan Sect will be established there from now on, perfect!"

He spoke with great enthusiasm, as if the mountain peak was already his for the taking.

Feng Wenzheng, however, was much more composed. He pondered for a moment and said, "Qingyang Valley is indeed a good place, but shouldn't we discuss some rules? We can't all rush up there in a rush, with everyone grabbing a mountain and another peak. Otherwise, things will get chaotic."

After a slight pause, Feng Wenzheng raised another question, "But we still face a problem: even with Master Chen's army guarding the area, we have far too few people to support the establishment of a family or sect."

After Feng Wenzheng finished speaking, the hall fell into a brief silence.

Master Tianbao stopped stroking his beard, and the excitement on his face cooled down as if doused with cold water. He opened his mouth as if to say something, but only sighed.

"What Benefactor Feng says is true." Huiming clasped his hands together, his voice calm. "The lack of manpower is indeed the biggest difficulty at present. Qingyang Valley, Hehuan Sect, Zidian Sect, plus those scattered cultivators' nests, covering more than a dozen territories within a thousand miles, if we were to take them all over, it would be beyond our capabilities with just a few of us."

Jiang Yan's small eyes darted around, and his chubby face, unusually devoid of a smile, said, "Even if we add Master Chen and those... those heavenly soldiers and generals guarding the area, we can't expect them to manage disciples, teach techniques, and run medicine gardens and mines, can we? Those things still need to be done by living people."

Qi Lan leaned against the window, saying nothing. She just looked at Chen Anran, feeling that he must have a solution.

Without a second thought, Chen Anran said, "We'll have enough manpower soon."

Master Tianbao was taken aback: "Soon? Where did these people come from?"

Chen Anran said, "Wouldn't it be perfect to infiltrate various factions with these cultivators who have surrendered to us?"

Master Tianbao was taken aback when he heard this. Then, the hand that was stroking his beard suddenly stopped, and he almost plucked out a few hairs.

"Young Chen, you...you mean, those cultivators who just surrendered will be directly incorporated into our respective families?"

He stared wide-eyed, his face filled with disbelief. Not only him, but Feng Wenzheng, Jiang Yan, Huiming, and the others were also stunned, exchanging bewildered glances.

Chen Anran didn't speak, but simply nodded slightly.

"This..." Feng Wenzheng frowned, carefully choosing his words, "Master Chen, forgive my bluntness, but those cultivators have been in Qingyang Valley, Hehuan Sect, and Zidian Sect for decades, even hundreds or thousands of years. We have no idea what they're thinking. If we just take them in like this, what if..."

He didn't finish speaking, but his meaning was already quite clear.

What if there's a spy? What if someone harbors resentment and is waiting for a chance to retaliate? What if someone outwardly submits but secretly sabotages us?

"Yes," Jiang Yan said, his usual smile gone, a rare seriousness in his small eyes. "Brother Feng is right. These people aren't refugees. Refugees are just trying to survive; they'd be grateful for a meal. But these cultivators were all once high-ranking officials. Now that they've fallen on hard times, how can they not feel resentment?"

Master Tianbao nodded repeatedly: "Yes, yes, that's what I think too. Take Lei Xiaozi for example, he came here to cause trouble before. Although he was scared off by you, Chen, did he really submit to you? Now that we're making him work for us, do you think he'll be happy to do it?"

The hall fell silent.

All eyes were on Chen Anran.

Chen Anran remained seated in the main seat, her expression unchanged.