Spells Grinding: From Basic Sparks to Divine Arts

Chapter 280: Opening a Mountain and Establishing a Sect

“We’re here! We’re finally back!”

Cao Mo’s excited voice rang out from the deck of the spirit boat.

Hearing this, Feng Xi and Wu Zhengtian immediately sprang to their feet, rushing out of the cabin to get a better look.

Sitting inside, Qin Lu couldn’t help but smile. After weeks of travel and danger, returning to the familiar skyline of White Jade Market felt remarkably grounding.

“Is this where Big Brother Gu lives?” Fang Yao leaned against the railing, gazing down at the sprawling market below with wide, curious eyes.

Gu Can stood beside her, his expression warm. “That’s right. It’s not as prosperous as the Ten Thousand Treasures Market, but it has its own charm. I’ll help you find a place to settle down once we land.”

“Mhmm! Thank you, Brother Gu!” Fang Yao nodded eagerly, her eyes sparkling with admiration.

Watching them from the side, Qin Lu felt a wave of bemused emotion.

These two… they really moved fast.

Anyone with eyes could see the thick atmosphere of romance between Gu Can and Fang Yao. They looked less like new acquaintances and more like a couple in the throes of first love.

“Hehe…” Beside them, Fang Chang’en stroked his beard, his face crinkling with a satisfied smile.

Qin Lu didn’t dwell on Gu Can’s love life. He maneuvered the spirit boat into a smooth descent, landing prominently at the main entrance of the market.

“That’s… Sect Leader Qin!”

“The Lord of the Qin Sect! He’s returned!”

“He looks even more dashing than before…”

As soon as Qin Lu stepped off the boat, a ripple of hushed whispers spread through the crowd of cultivators.

His reputation in White Jade Market was now second only to the Market Lord, Jiang Ge. Among the Loose Cultivators, the name “Qin Sect” was spoken with reverence, and many considered joining it the highest honor available to them.

Qin Lu was used to the attention. Wearing a faint, polite smile, he led his group through the gates.

Although his strength was now sufficient to crush anyone in the market, he adhered to his low-key nature. He had no intention of breaking the rules or throwing his weight around unnecessarily.

Once inside, Gu Can turned to Qin Lu. “Brother Qin, I’ll take them to find a residence first.”

“Go ahead.”

Qin Lu waved a hand, then paused. “Actually, come to the manor tonight. Bring your sister. I have an announcement to make.”

“Sure thing!” Gu Can agreed readily.

At that moment, Fang Chang’en stepped forward and bowed deeply. “Senior Qin, thank you for your protection and care along the journey. We will never forget it.”

Seeing her grandfather’s solemnity, Fang Yao hurriedly stepped forward to bow as well.

Their gratitude was genuine. After witnessing the battle in the wilderness, their respect for this unfathomably strong Sect Leader had evolved into awe.

Qin Lu gestured for them to rise with a gentle wave of spiritual energy. “No need for such formality. From now on, just focus on living and cultivating well here.”

“Yes!” The pair bowed once more.

The group split up, with Gu Can leading the Fangs toward the residential district.

Qin Lu turned to his disciples. “You two head back to your quarters as well.”

“Understood!” Cao Mo and Wu Zhengtian nodded and departed.

Qin Lu then led Feng Xi back toward the Qin Manor.

On the walk home, Feng Xi chirped incessantly, recounting her favorite moments of the trip. The journey had clearly expanded her worldview. From the grandeur of the Raging Waves Sect’s Opening Ceremony to the opulence of the Ten Thousand Treasures Market auction, she was filled with a new yearning for the wider world.

More importantly, she seemed to have found a clearer direction for her cultivation.

“By the way,” Qin Lu interrupted gently. “Limit your intake of Qi Gathering Pills from now on. Raising your cultivation too quickly can destabilize your foundation. In the long run, a solid base is far more important than speed.”

“Mhmm! I’ll listen to Master!” Feng Xi nodded vigorously.

“Good.”

That night.

The main hall of the Qin Manor was brightly lit.

The core members of the Qin Sect sat in two rows, with Qin Lu and Gu Yue seated at the head.

Among the familiar faces, there was a new, powerful presence.

Lu Anchen.

He had lived up to everyone’s expectations. After more than half a year of secluded cultivation, he had successfully broken through.

He was now a Foundation Establishment cultivator.

This meant the Qin Sect now boasted four Foundation Establishment experts—Qin Lu, Gu Yue, Gu Can, and Lu Anchen. Their collective strength was unprecedented.

The person most overjoyed by this development was Lu Xian. His grin hadn’t faltered since he entered the hall.

After congratulating Lu Anchen, Qin Lu cleared his throat. The room fell silent as everyone turned their attention to the Sect Leader.

“Everyone,” Qin Lu began, his voice steady. “I have called you here to announce our next step. I intend to venture out and search for a Spirit Land. The time has come for the Qin Sect to leave the market and establish its own independent mountain.”

The declaration hung in the air.

The members exchanged glances, but there was no shock on their faces. Instead, they smiled, as if they had been waiting for this day.

Lu Xian was the first to break the silence, clapping his hands. “I agree completely! Our strength has outgrown the market. We should have established our own mountain long ago! It is time to recruit disciples on a large scale!”

“Indeed,” Nie Feng added, nodding. “Living in the market comes with too many distractions and mundane affairs. It affects one’s cultivation mindset.”

“I concur,” Lu Anchen said slowly, his new aura calm and steady. “We can hire external stewards to manage the daily operations, allowing us to focus on cultivation while ensuring a steady stream of resources.”

Seeing the unanimous support, Qin Lu felt a surge of satisfaction. He turned to Gu Yue.

“Little Yue, what do you think?”

“I naturally agree,” Gu Yue replied with a serene smile. “My nature has never been suited for the noise of the market. A quiet mountain would be… excellent.”

Qin Lu nodded and looked at Gu Can.

“Hehe! If everyone agrees, count me in!” Gu Can grinned. “Ideally, the mountain might be a bit boring, but I can always come down to play, right?”

“Good! Then it is decided. I will put this on the agenda immediately!”

With the full backing of his inner circle, Qin Lu felt a weight lift from his shoulders. His demeanor became more expansive and heroic.

“So,” Gu Yue asked, cutting to the practical heart of the matter. “Where do you plan to find this Spirit Land?”

“Ah… well…”

Qin Lu’s heroic posture deflated slightly. He rubbed his nose, looking a bit sheepish.

“That… still requires some careful investigation.”