Chapter 409 - 380: The Past of the Star-Picking Sect and the Bone-eating Fish

Chapter 409: Chapter 380: The Past of the Star-Picking Sect and the Bone-eating Fish

After his father-in-law’s explanation, Chen Che finally understood the plight of the "Interim Sect Leader," Yu Yunko. However, it was a long story, one that traced all the way back to the period of the Star-Picking Sect’s internal strife:

In the beginning, the Star-Picking Sect was not a Sect.

It was a power bloc formed by the Yu Family, a Golden Core Race, at its core, with dozens of Foundation Establishment Families banded together.

After all, families had significant limitations. If they wanted to expand outwards, they could never escape the problem of insufficient manpower. Therefore, the sphere of influence for any given clan was often limited to a single state.

Thus, breaking the clan structure to ascend to a Sect was the optimal path.

With the Yu Family at its head, the Star-Picking Sect went through hundreds of years of conquest, constantly annexing and absorbing others until it occupied dozens of states. The first Sect Leader, in particular, was unrivaled for a time after he ascended to become a Nascent Soul True Monarch.

Back then, the Primordial Sect had not even been established.

To solidify the Yu Clan’s position, the first Sect Leader ventured to the Black Tortoise Calm Sea in search of resources, hoping to help a second member of the clan become a Nascent Soul True Monarch. It was supposed to be a matter that would fall into place naturally, but who would have expected that after only a few years away, his Soul Lamp would be extinguished.

With a Nascent Soul True Monarch presiding over it, the entire Star-Picking Sect was naturally a unified whole, a sharp sword that could conquer all in its path.

But after his fall, that same sword immediately turned on itself.

None of the major factions within the sect would submit to another. Citing disputes over the distribution of benefits, competition for the Sect Leader’s position, or old and new grudges, they all joined forces to besiege the Yu Family first. Seventy percent of the Yu Race’s elite were killed or wounded.

The two Golden Core Great Perfection Cultivators from the Yu Race who had the highest chance of ascending to the Nascent Soul Realm were killed in the chaotic battle.

However, as the core family, the Yu Family still had a deep foundation even after their top combatants had fallen. This internal war lasted for a full hundred years. It finally ended when the Zhong Family, one of their subordinate powers, produced a Golden Core Great Perfection Cultivator.

On the day the internal strife was quelled, the Yu Clan, realizing they no longer had the ability to lead the Star-Picking Sect, abdicated the position of Sect Leader to the Zhong Family after three formal offers. In return, the Zhong Family promised that the patriarch of the Yu Clan in every generation would be the "Interim Sect Leader." This was the origin of Yu Yunko’s title.

What followed was the consolidation of power, the hunting down of rebellious factions, and the stabilization of the Star-Picking Sect’s foundation. The Primordial Sect also rose to prominence during this period... but of course, that’s another story.

"So you’re saying the Zhong Family usurped the throne and seized the Yu Clan’s foundation?"

Looking at his father-in-law, Chen Che mulled over this piece of history.

’Abdication?’

’He would never believe that they would just hand over the supreme authority of a sect. The only explanation is that they did it to survive.’

"It’s been several hundred years. The generation that knew the truth is long gone. Whether the Zhong Family usurped power or the Yu Clan’s influence simply waned is no longer important. What’s important is that the Star-Picking Sect doesn’t seem very stable at the moment."

Meng Changtu gestured with his chin.

"The Yu Clan patriarchs of the last few generations were still part of the Star-Picking Sect’s upper echelon, but now they’ve been pushed to the periphery. Not to mention the Star-Picking Sect also has a Young Sect Leader, so her ’Interim Sect Leader’ title doesn’t fool anyone."

’They really are on the periphery.’

’A prime assignment like exploring the Undersea Palace doesn’t include them, but their name is on the list for clearing out the Aquatic Race. She even ran into me.’

’It’s either an attempt to kill with a borrowed knife, or the Star-Picking Sect wants to deplete the clan’s elite forces.’

’These tactics are no different from the Duobao Sect’s.’

"Now that you mention it, her situation really is the same as mine."

Chen Che raised his eyes, saying thoughtfully,

"Her seeking to cooperate with me now is, in fact, a plea for outside support to ensure her clan’s survival. The Yu Clan is, after all, the legitimate lineage of the Star-Picking Sect. To the Zhong Family, they’re like a thorn in the throat. It’s just that the current situation prevents them from bringing these matters out into the open."

"Because the Yu Clan has existed for so many years, it still has its own foundation, roots, and connections. If the Zhong Family were to make a move, the Yu Clan could raise the banner of rebellion and plunge the Star-Picking Sect into internal strife once more. The Primordial Sect might even get involved and add fuel to the fire for the Yu Clan!"

"Correct."

Meng Changtu nodded, then added,

"However, once the Star-Picking Sect’s Sect Leader achieves Nascent Soul Formation, the Yu Clan will never have another chance to turn things around. Because between a Foundation Establishment Race and a Nascent Soul Sect, no one would choose the former."

’If it were anyone else, Yu Yunko might have already made a direct move. But with me, there’s clearly no need. Our situations are similar—both are being ostracized by our sects, and the enemy of my enemy is my friend.’

’Even if I refused, it’s not like I could turn around and tell the Duobao Sect. They wouldn’t necessarily believe me anyway.’

Therefore, even though they belonged to different factions, Yu Yunko was bold enough to seek his cooperation.

However, Chen Che’s current situation was slightly better than the Yu Family’s...

"Besides that, is there any other news about the Yu Clan?"

"The Yu Clan has kept a very low profile for the past two hundred years. It was only with her appearance that they re-entered the public eye. Most of what I know is just hearsay. Currently, the Yu Clan resides on Chongxuan Mountain in the Celestial State, and outsiders are forbidden from entering."

His father-in-law smacked his lips, not knowing much more himself. He could only suggest, "If you want to know more, your only option is to go to the Celestial Secret Tower in Faqian City and buy information on their clan."

’I’ll have to ask Xiao Chan, then,’ Chen Che thought to himself.

As he was pondering, another commotion erupted from the deep sea. This disturbance was even more swift and terrifying than the one when Yu Yunko had appeared. Looking from a distance, it was as if a vast, dark cloud had materialized in the water.

Countless lights glittered within the dark cloud—they were eyes!

And at the forefront of the black cloud, a figure was fleeing in panic.

Moreover, upon seeing the two of them, the person didn’t stop but instead charged straight toward them.

"He actually dares to run toward us! Let’s join forces and kill this bastard!"

Meng Changtu gritted his teeth.

"It’s the Old Master," Chen Che quickly stopped him, recognizing the newcomer.

"Quick, run..."

Spotting the two of them, Meng Qianxun looked as if he had seen his saviors. His True Essence erupted to its absolute limit as he sped before them. "It’s Bone-eating Fish..."

Meng Changtu was stunned. He took a closer look.

Sure enough, ahead in the sea, it wasn’t a black cloud at all, but clearly a school of strange, seven-foot-long fish. Their bodies were spindle-shaped, and though their mouths were small, they were filled with interlocking, sharp teeth like two rows of daggers. Their open throats were bottomless pits.

They swam through the water with extreme speed, fast enough to keep up with a Golden Core.

His father-in-law raised his saber and slashed, splitting the swarm in two as if cutting water and creating a vacuum. But immediately, the rest of the fish swarmed in, filling the gap in the blink of an eye.

It even seemed his slash had provoked the swarm.

SHWOOSH—

Like a rolling wave, the Bone-eating Fish at the rear suddenly surged forward, like a swelling tide, rushing at them with even greater ferocity.

CRACK!

A noise came from behind them. The Dragon Turtle, which had been lying lazily on the seabed, seemed to have been startled. Its four limbs flailed, and though it looked clumsy, it was frantically fleeing into the distance in a panic.

The undersea forest ahead also seemed to have been disturbed. Countless members of the Aquatic Race fled from it, only to be immediately engulfed by the swarm of fish. In an instant, not even bones remained.

"Let’s go, now!"

Even Chen Che felt a tremor of fear.

The nickname for Bone-eating Fish is "underwater locusts." From birth, they roam the waters, spending their entire lives in a state of starvation, forcing them to feed constantly. They are a "viciously ravenous" species; the old, young, weak, and disabled individuals who cannot keep up are immediately devoured by their own kind.

The ones that survive have basically all reached the Foundation Establishment Realm. Although their individual Realms aren’t high and they pose no threat alone, once they gather in large numbers, even a Golden Core True Master would have to give them a wide berth.

Looking at the black, teeming swarm before them, he feared that every Bone-eating Fish in the entire Black Tortoise Calm Sea had gathered here.

SWISH! SWISH! SWISH!

A moment later, three figures burst out of the waves and hovered in mid-air. A single Bone-eating Fish still dangled from the slowest of them, Meng Qianxun, clamped onto the hem of his robe without letting go. His clothes, woven from Tier Two Cyan Silkworm Silk, were now in tatters like a beggar’s rags.

Meng Qianxun glanced at it and knocked it off.

After the Bone-eating Fish fell, it flicked its large tail, apparently wanting to lunge again. But before it could even leave the water, it was engulfed by the pursuing swarm. The school of fish did a somersault in mid-air, plunged back into the sea, and dove deep.

The three of them looked down and saw only the dense swarm of fish swimming rapidly downward. The vast, dark mass almost formed a deep black river, like a Flood Dragon weaving through the deep sea, and it vanished from sight in just a few breaths.

"Father, how did you provoke a Bone-eating Fish Swarm?"

Meng Changtu asked.

They were an Aquatic Race from the deep sea; logically, they shouldn’t appear in this region of water.

"I don’t know. After I entered the Chaotic Sea Region, I came across a trench. Before I could go any deeper, this swarm of Bone-eating Fish shot out. It was like they appeared out of nowhere. I wonder if they’re protecting the Deep Sea Palace..."

the Old Master speculated.

"Where is the trench located?"

Meng Changtu quickly took out a Jade Scroll. Seeing the Old Master’s confused expression, he explained its origin, "This was a gift from that group of Cultivators from the coast..."

Meng Qianxun nodded. With a flick of his Divine Sense, the map on the scroll trembled slightly, and a trench gradually appeared, extending deep into the fog.

The father and son exchanged a look, staring thoughtfully at the map.

Just then, Chen Che put away his Communication Wrist Wheel. "I’ve already notified Xiao Chan. He’ll gather information on the Yu Race for us as soon as possible."

"The Yu Clan?"

The Old Master paused, taken aback.

Meng Changtu quickly explained their encounter with Yu Yunko. Meng Qianxun frowned, looked at Chen Che, and said,

"The Yu Clan seeking you out... it’s hard to say if it’s a good or bad thing. But let’s just treat it as a strategic piece on the board. It will surely be useful someday. For now, though, the most important thing is to be wary of those Golden Cores sent by the Duobao Sect..."

Chen Che and Meng Changtu couldn’t help but nod.

The biggest gain from this trip wasn’t befriending Yu Yunko, but learning of the Duobao Sect’s plans.

The three of them didn’t linger and quickly returned to their Spiritual Boat.

...

「Meanwhile.」

The coastal Cultivators also set out to fish. Among them, a small, thirty-foot-long Spiritual Boat inconspicuously followed the crowd, moving forward slowly.