https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-112-The-Beast-Tide-and-Yunyang-Sect-s-Dilemma/12988921/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-114-The-Truth-Beyond-the-Wilderness/12988923/
Chapter 113: Seeking Help
Chapter 113: Seeking Help
The Great Zhou's leading sect, the Yunyang Sect.
Perhaps it had been nearly a decade since they last sought assistance from other sects.
Within the courtyard, the elders had undoubtedly considered these options.
Their gazes shifted to the side, toward Taiwu Zhenren.
They were actually afraid that Taiwu Zhenren might get angry.
As the foremost sect of the Great Zhou, they held a certain pride.
Now, bringing up the idea of seeking external aid would undoubtedly diminish that pride.
Upon hearing this, Taiwu Zhenren remained silent for a long while.
After some time, he seemed to snap out of his thoughts and nodded.
"Go ahead and make the arrangements. See which sects can provide reinforcements and prepare to receive them.
As for the potential beast tide, don't spread the news externally for now.
Use a different reason to request assistance."
As Taiwu Zhenren spoke, his face seemed to age by several years.
"Grandmaster, are we really going to ask other sects for help?
Shouldn't we reconsider this?"
The Fourth Elder, standing nearby, was taken aback and somewhat unwilling to accept this decision.
It was common knowledge that just last year,
Tiangang City had sought help from the Yunyang Sect. How much time had passed since then?
As the saying goes, 'Thirty years east of the river, thirty years west of the river.'
But now, after just half a year, the fates of the two sects seemed to have reversed.
"If we don't seek help from other sects, can we hold the frontline defense?
Are we just going to watch as the beast tide forms?"
Taiwu Zhenren responded with a question, and the Fourth Elder didn't know how to reply.
The esteemed first sect of the Great Zhou was now reduced to asking for help.
As elders of the sect, they couldn't help but feel a sense of melancholy.
Noticing the Fourth Elder's dejected expression, Taiwu Zhenren felt he hadn't said enough.
"The Yunyang Sect is no longer what it used to be. With the frontline breached, demons have infiltrated the rear cities and towns.
The days of a demon-free Yunyang are long gone.
Go and see what the common folk think of us now.
Put aside your pride.
If a beast tide truly occurs, the Yunyang Sect will face a situation several times worse than the current one.
If you don't want to endure this humiliation, why didn't you seek help earlier? If we had addressed the issues with our reconnaissance earlier, would we have ended up in this situation today?"
Taiwu Zhenren's tone was not harsh, but his words made the elders' hearts tremble.
After finishing his speech, Taiwu Zhenren asked the other elders to leave first.
He had more to say and wanted to discuss matters with Hall Master Zhao Li.
Not only that, he intended to go to the frontline defense to assess the situation personally.
The potential beast tide was not just a matter of raids or ambushes.
Without preparation, it could swallow the entire frontline defense.
Many beast tides also involved the infiltration of earthly and heavenly demons.
If they crossed the Yunyang Sect and entered the rear,
tens of thousands, or even hundreds of thousands of lives, could be lost.
Given the severity of the consequences, Taiwu Zhenren naturally couldn't afford to relax.
In the courtyard, Zhao Li reported every detail she had discovered to her Grandmaster.
As these details were compiled, they seemed to further support the formation of a beast tide.
After the conversation, Taiwu Zhenren made minimal preparations before departing for the frontline with Zhao Li.
The frontline defense had already begun preparations for evacuation.
Suddenly informing them that they couldn't evacuate and had to hold their ground, one could only guess how troop morale would be affected.
Taiwu Zhenren also considered this, and perhaps his presence at the frontline was necessary to stabilize troop morale.
At that moment, all five elders felt a lump in their chests.
Asking them to seek help from other sects was indeed embarrassing.
In the past, they were the ones others sought out.
These elders, so high above.
Now, the roles have reversed.
The group arrived at the Great Elder's courtyard and sat down to continue their discussion.
The attendant nearby, keen-eyed, stepped forward to serve tea.
The elders remained silent, and after a long while, the Fourth Elder finally broke the silence.
"It's only been a few months, yet it feels like a lifetime ago.
I still remember when the Wanli Sect came to us for assistance.
But who would have thought that now, we'd be the ones seeking help from others."
The Great Elder, seated in the center, wore a grim expression.
They all shared this sentiment.
"Building a tall tower may take years, but its collapse can happen in an instant.
In the eyes of the Great Zhou populace, our Yunyang Sect is likely as fragile as that tower."
The Second Elder, usually more reserved, couldn't hold back any longer.
"How did our Yunyang Sect end up like this?
Could it be that our Yunyang Sect's pillar, the one who upheld our reputation, has left us?"
The surrounding elders remained silent, understanding that the Second Elder was expressing his frustration.
In their eyes, Yunyang Sect's current predicament was not solely due to any one person.
However, in reality, Yunyang Sect's decline was largely influenced by Su Chen.
But many of these factors were indirect.
Su Chen's formidable reconnaissance skills and strong sense of responsibility masked many issues on the frontline.
Nepotism led to many positions being filled based on connections rather than merit.
This resulted in numerous incompetent individuals occupying critical roles within Yunyang Sect.
Without Su Chen, these individuals would have likely exposed their incompetence within those two years.
They would have been discovered and dismissed.
In a way, Su Chen's sense of responsibility was also to blame.
If Su Chen had only focused on his own affairs, these individuals wouldn't have lasted as long.
However, if Su Chen had ignored these issues, many lives would have been lost due to the incompetence of these individuals.
Su Chen had noticed these problems within Yunyang Sect.
He had even offered suggestions to the higher-ups.
Later, he became a target of resentment, perhaps because of these suggestions.
These incompetent individuals lacked demon-hunting skills.
But they still had some tricks up their sleeves when dealing with others.
"There's no point in complaining; it won't solve anything.
Let's each think clearly, divide up the sects we have connections with, and then approach them for discussions.
If the beast tide is already forming, we can't afford to waste time.
If it does occur, all the resources accumulated by the sect over the years could go up in flames.
Compared to saving face, what's more important? You are the elders of the sect, holding high positions; you should understand this."
Upon hearing this, the elders could only nod in agreement.
Facing the beast tide, they had no choice but to humble themselves.
To defend the frontline solely with Yunyang Sect's strength was becoming increasingly difficult.
Furthermore, this was an opportunity for Yunyang Sect to learn from the experiences of other sects.
In the past, they were the ones teaching others, but now, it was time for Yunyang Sect to seek guidance from others.
Sun Xuerong hesitated on the side but eventually spoke up, "Let's not bother with Tiangang City.
There are so many sects in Great Zhou; one less won't make much of a difference."
The other elders listened but didn't respond, nor did they reject the idea.
(End of Chapter)
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