Shen Yuan turned to face her, his expression softening as he saw her exhausted appearance. “Fang Lian, once again you did exceptionally well. Not only did you notify me on time, but you also helped the Silver Fox Sect.”
Fang Lian happily smiled and stood up straight. “I just did as Young Master had ordered me to do.”
Bing Rong, who had been standing to one side, looked at Fang Lian carefully. “So you’re the mercenary who’s been working for Shen Yuan all these months? You certainly did your job effectively.”
Fang Lian nodded her head politely. “I may be a hired sword, but I keep my word. I’m just relieved everything is over… even if the destruction was massive.”
Shen Yuan thought for a second. “You’ll be rewarded for your loyalty. Once the sect relocates, I’ll see to it personally.”
Fang Lian tried to mask her relief, but the faint curve of her lips showed gratitude. “Thank you, Young Master. I won’t disappoint you.”
Ling Yue stepped forward, her tail giving an idle flick. “We can talk about rewards later,” she said, thinking about the pressing issue. “For now, we need you to coordinate with those who remain. Help them pack and secure any leftover resources. We don’t have much time left before the hungry dogs will come here smelling the trouble.”
Fang Lian nodded at once. “Yes, Senior.” Without further delay, she hurried off to join a trio of disciples who were gathering rare herbs from a damaged alchemy lab.
…
Shen Yuan observed the disciples running all over the place, gathering the resources that were left before quickly running again. The Crimson Wolf Clan had managed to nearly drive them to the depths of despair.
Yet this also made the bond between the remaining disciples much stronger than before. Not only were they not doing work in a chaotic mess, but they were working in an orderly manner, helping each other.
“It looks like everyone’s nearly ready,” Bing Rong said, scanning the courtyard where disciples rushed about. “Impressive how quickly they can mobilize for a complete evacuation.”
Feng Lian exhaled a soft sigh, her gaze drifting to a thousand-year-old statue, half-cracked from the recent battle. “Thousands of years of history… being left behind. But we have no choice.”
Shen Yuan placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. “History travels with the people, not the walls. Your sect’s legacy will continue to live on so long as its members live.”
Ling Yue offered a reassuring nod, though her expression held a tinge of sorrow. “No need to dwell on the past. We don’t need to make a new sect anyway. We shall be the sword of Young Master, who not only saved us but improved all of our talents.”
Bing Rong turned to Shen Yuan. “Are you going to take everyone inside your pagoda?”
He nodded firmly. “Let’s get it done. Ling Yue, Feng Lian, gather your people in the courtyard. I’ll place my pagoda in the central square where everyone can head inside.”
Ling Yue and the others nodded before they also scattered to gather everyone where Shen Yuan wanted them.
…
Soon, the entire central square was filled with Silver Fox disciples, exhausted yet filled with excitement at having survived that nightmare.
Many of them cast glances at the tall buildings as well as the massive gates of the sect in the distance. This was the only place they had called home, but none of them argued against leaving the sect.
Even if some of them wanted to stay, their words didn’t carry enough weight to change the decision of their sect leader.
And after everything they had endured—losing their city, facing a siege—there was no reason to stay and wait for their death.
Shen Yuan stepped to the center of the courtyard, Bing Rong at his side. Without saying a single word, he summoned the pagoda from his dantian.
And for the first time since he got his hands on the pagoda, he enlarged it to its normal size. Soon, a nine-level pagoda stood majestically inside the central square of the Silver Fox Sect.
Disciples’ eyes widened in shock as they saw a small pagoda quickly growing to the size of some of the biggest buildings in their sect. But what was different was the ancient and primal aura the pagoda exuded.
“Everyone,” Shen Yuan softly said, his voice reaching everyone in the square as they perked up their ears to listen to him. “I know this is a hard decision to make. But well, you guys don’t have much choice. But I will still give you one chance—you can turn around and leave. No one will stop you. Or you can step inside the pagoda and swear an oath of allegiance to me upon your Dao Heart.”
Everyone’s eyes widened in shock. It was not the first time they had seen Shen Yuan demand an oath upon their Dao Hearts. But the last time, it was only for the core members. This time, he was looking for everyone.
Disciples looked at each other, apprehension and hesitation evident in their gazes.
Ling Yue couldn’t bear to see her precious disciples throw away such an opportunity. She took a step forward, her tail swishing in slight agitation, and raised her voice so everyone could hear.
“Listen well,” she called, letting her sharp gaze sweep across the crowd. “Some of you may be fearful, but ask yourselves: after all we’ve endured—our city destroyed, our sect besieged—do you really believe we can survive on our own?”
She gestured to the massive pagoda towering behind Shen Yuan. “This is the path our Young Master offers us. He pulled us back from the brink, saved countless disciples, elevated our cultivation, and even avenged those we lost. Now, he offers sanctuary and a future. All he asks in return is loyalty. It’s no more than we owe him already.”
A ripple of murmurs spread through the gathered disciples. Many exchanged uncertain looks, while others nodded, faces set with determination. They had seen firsthand what Shen Yuan and his elite force could do—how he had swept aside the Crimson Wolf threat in a matter of minutes.
Feng Lian stepped up beside Ling Yue, addressing the hesitant crowd. “We’ve all lost friends, siblings, mentors inside the Silver Fox City. But that’s all the more reason to press forward, to stay together. The choice is yours, but our road with Young Master leads to a new life. A far grander life. Don’t let fear keep you in a ruin that can’t protect you anymore.”
Lu Mei, still somewhat overwhelmed by the vast pagoda and the crowd’s tension, cleared her throat. “Our sect’s legacy will continue, as Young Master Shen Yuan said. But it can only continue if we make the leap.”
An older disciple, still bearing the bandages from a recent wound, looked up at Shen Yuan. “If we swear on our Dao Hearts,” she asked warily, “what exactly does that entail?”
Shen Yuan swept his gaze across them, his expression calm. “It means you won’t betray me or act against my interests. The oath won’t restrict you from personal growth or freedom in normal matters. But if you decide, at any point, to harm me or actively sabotage my goals, the backlash of that oath will destroy your cultivation—and likely your life.”