Li Su, along with Qiu and Huo, slowly descended into the courtyard. With a flick of his two sleeves, he placed his hands behind his back, his eyes and brows curved in a smile, his heart filled with extreme delight. Although he had some disagreements with Qiu Jianying, it was merely an internal conflict.
Her achievement of third place in the Soaring Skies Tournament had added to the prestige of the True Spirit Sect, which, for Li Su, was indeed a joyous occasion. Furthermore, his own disciple, Huo Zixun, had achieved the one hundred and fifty-seventh rank with an Early Core Formation cultivation base, surpassing many of the same rank.
How could this not make him happy? The disciples stepped forward and bowed, saying, “Congratulations, Elder!” Li Su waved his large hand, and a gentle breeze lifted everyone's hands, excusing them from the courtesy.
Just as he was about to lead the disciples into the house to talk, he suddenly noticed that their expressions were all grave, more worried than joyful. Suspicion rose in his heart, and he asked, “What has happened to make you all wear such worried faces? Speak up quickly.”
The expressions of Qiu and Huo also changed, and they both looked toward Du Fanzhi, who had taken a step forward. Du Fanzhi concisely recounted the matter of the Yang Water Sect's attack, his words sincere as he said, “Senior Sister Liu's whereabouts are currently unknown. We fear she may have been harmed by villains.
We were originally about to go out and search for her, but we didn't expect the Elders to return first.”
“Improper!”
Huo Zixun, however, shook his head.
“The intentions of that Yang Water Sect are so sinister. For you all to go out is truly like a sheep entering a tiger's den, falling into their trap. It's better that I go find Junior Sister!”
With that said, he turned and was about to leap into the air, but was stopped by Qiu Jianying.
“The territory of the Perceptive Moon Sect is vast. Rather than searching aimlessly, it's better to strike at the vital point and head for the Yang Water Sect!”
Her right hand rested on her sword, and the sword qi around her body seemed ready to soar to the heavens, brimming with fighting spirit.
“Elder Li must stay here to hold the fort. Elder Huo, you go to the Perceptive Moon Sect's council hall. The Three Great Sects and the Alchemical Terrace Sect should be there now, discussing the division for the Sect War. You only need to inform them about Liu Xuan's matter. As the leader of the Southern Region, the Perceptive Moon Sect will not ignore it. I will head directly to the Yang Water Sect and keep a close watch on their disciples coming and going, to prevent any further unforeseen incidents!”
Qiu Jianying's arrangements were methodical and orderly. Li Su nodded in agreement, led the disciples back into the house, closed the door, and activated a magical artifact, causing it to rise into the air and lower an illusory screen for defense.
Although Huo Zixun wanted to go directly to the Yang Water Sect to demand the person, he also knew that with his Early Core Formation cultivation base, it would be difficult to have a deterrent effect. So, he heeded Qiu Jianying's words and hurried toward the council hall.
At this moment, within the council hall of the Perceptive Moon Sect, a debate was also underway.
“This is improper! The grudge between True Spirit and Yang Water has accumulated for over a thousand years; it is a hatred born from sect annihilation and is inherently difficult to reconcile. If they are grouped together in this Sect War, it will truly intensify the conflict. I fear a war might break out!”
The Profound Division Elder from Windsea Tower sighed while stroking his beard, his long eyebrows knitted and his face full of worry. The Profound Division cultivator from Glorious Clarity Mountain, however, was a young Daoist, full of vigor and ambition.
Hearing these words, he immediately retorted, “Fellow Daoist Zeng also said that the grievances between the two sects cannot be resolved. Since they cannot be resolved, there is no need for reservations! Sects crushing one another is a common occurrence in the Drifting Clouds World.
It's just like how mortals bid farewell to the old and welcome the new at year's end. It is time to get rid of these old things!” In ancient times, the spiritual vitality of the Drifting Clouds World had not yet dissipated, and all sorts of cultivation arts contended, with Dao cultivation being but one among them.
At that time, within the sects, there were all types of cultivators, so they revered the Dao lineage and emphasized the inheritance of a single line. However, after encountering a great catastrophe, the spiritual vitality scattered, and Dao cultivators rose from the midst to take the lead.
The other cultivation methods gradually declined, to the point of losing their lines of inheritance. Cultivators of the Dao value wealth, companions, techniques, and land, and they emphasize opportune encounters, thus disputes are common. The more the spiritual vitality dissipated, the more intense the disputes became.
Glorious Clarity Mountain promoted a new method, abolishing the master-disciple system. All disciples within the sect received no aid from masters and elders, relying entirely on their own strength to compete. The True Spirit Sect, on the other hand, tended to be conservative, prioritizing the inheritance of the Dao lineage.
In their eyes, it was naturally an old relic. Fang Dunian was about to speak, but the white-robed old man in the seat of honor spoke first: “Old things and new things are distinguished by the time of their birth. It is truly difficult to say which is superior, so naturally, there is no reason one must be eradicated.
Fellow Daoist Wenyi's words also have merit. True Spirit and Yang Water are unlike minor sects; both have Profound Division cultivators holding the fort. Once a war begins, it will surely stir heaven and earth and accelerate the dissipation of this world's spiritual vitality.
This would become the responsibility of all the sects in our Southern Region. We cannot ignore it. It is better to separate the two sects.”
This person was the Grand Elder of the Perceptive Moon Sect. In terms of cultivation base, he had already reached Profound Division Perfection decades ago, and now no one could see through his realm. In terms of seniority, he was even higher than the Perceptive Moon Sect's Sect Master.
Everyone was also wondering why he would attend this council meeting. Zeng Wenyi, the Profound Division cultivator from Windsea Tower who had spoken earlier, saw that the old man agreed with his words. His heart settled slightly, and he bowed his head, saying, “Senior speaks with utmost truth.
It should indeed be so.” The lips of the Profound Division cultivator from Glorious Clarity Mountain opened and closed several times, but he did not utter a word, ultimately accepting this result.
“Then let's choose one sect for each of them from among the sects with comparable strength…”
Fang Dunian had just separated the two small flags representing True Spirit and Yang Water on the small formation in front of him when a disciple hurried in and bowed, “Reporting to the Elders, Huo Zixun of the True Spirit Sect requests an audience outside!”
“True Spirit? What is it now? Doesn't he know the four sects are in a council?” the Profound Division cultivator from Glorious Clarity Mountain said coldly, his pressure almost causing the disciple to prostrate himself completely on the ground.
Fang Dunian first looked to the old man in the seat of honor for his intention. Seeing him nod, he then used the air to lift the disciple up and said, “Since he has come to request an audience, it must be an urgent matter that requires our presence. Go and lead him in.”
The disciple quickly took his leave and went outside. After only a few breaths of time, he led Huo Zixun in. Huo Zixun focused his spirit and held his breath, not daring to look around.
He walked straight forward and bowed, “Huo Zixun of the True Spirit Sect greets all Seniors.” In the hall were the five Profound Division cultivators who decided the fate of sects, plus the one in the seat of honor, for a total of six cultivators who had reached the pinnacle in the Drifting Clouds World.
Even though Huo Zixun forced himself to be calm, his breathing still became slightly disordered. Fang Dunian waved his hand, using a spell to shield him, so that he would not be disturbed by the aura of the Profound Division cultivators. He then spoke, “What urgent matter do you have?
State it quickly.” He first spoke of the matter of his fellow sect disciple, Jiang Yun, being attacked. He then said this matter was likely related to the Yang Water Sect.
Finally, he bowed and said, “My junior sister from the same sect, Liu Xuan, who achieved twelfth place in the Fate Seizing Battle this time, went to the market district five days ago and has not yet returned.
The elders in the sect are extremely worried, which is why I have come to plead for the Seniors to lend a hand!” He was clever. He first spoke of Jiang Yun being injured by the Yang Water Sect, and only then mentioned Liu Xuan's disappearance.
While not explicitly connecting the two, he implied to his listeners that the latter incident was undoubtedly related to the former. He also clarified Liu Xuan's status—both a fellow disciple with whom he shared a sect bond and a top-tier genius of their sect. With these two factors combined, the matter was thus urgent.
Upon hearing the name Liu Xuan, a strange expression appeared on Fang Dunian's face. He, along with the old man in the seat of honor, looked toward the elder from the Alchemical Terrace Sect.
Although this elder was at the Core Formation stage, he was a Yellow Grade Tier-1 Alchemist, second only to the Sect Master of the Alchemical Terrace Sect. He was highly respected and thus represented his sect at this council meeting.
He paused for a moment, then his gaze shifted, and he immediately replied, “Fellow Daoist Huo, there is no need to be anxious. Little Friend Liu's talent is extraordinary. We people of the Dao of alchemy were delighted by the sight of such talent and specially invited her to give some pointers to our sect's disciples.
We didn't expect to forget to inform your esteemed sect. It is our fault. After a few more days, I will personally escort Little Friend Liu back.
What do you think?”
(End of this chapter)