Chapter 123: Internal Strife in the Unified Heart Sect [Wind and Cool Alliance Leader's Bonus Chapte
Chapter 123: Internal Strife in the Unified Heart Sect [Wind and Cool Alliance Leader's Bonus Chapter]
"Alright."
Elder Shen nodded.
No longer interfering.
Because only those in the upper echelons knew the importance of choosing the right Essence Condensation Technique.
The Sun and Moon Trends were cultivated rapidly, as both had reference objects to follow.
But after rapid advancement, there was no further path.
The Starline Cultivation, however, was infinite.
The problem was that only a few people had the aptitude to support the cultivation of the Starline.
So, when making a choice, no matter how ambitious one might be, they had to bow to reality—with countless stars in the universe, who could sweep them all away with a single spear? Fang Che, in this life, embraced the idea of success or martyrdom and never considered his future prospects. Instead, he followed the path of infinity.)
Without hesitation, he chose the Starline.
Sword, spear, and halberd—all were of the Starline.
Star Soul Sword Art, Star Soul Spear Art, and Star Soul Halberd Art.
Elder Shen could only sigh helplessly.
"They are all incomplete manuscripts."
"So, you're asking me to help you choose, but in reality, you're just having me witness your selection of these incomplete manuscripts."
Elder Shen spoke with dejection, "Throughout history, while the Starline Cultivation Manual has existed, no one has ever truly cultivated it to its peak. No one knows what the later stages are like."
"Not even the early stages are fully understood. Are you still going to persist?"
"I will persist!"
Fang Che was resolute.
Because he knew that if he could master the Starline Cultivation, his future would be infinitely vast! At the very least, he knew of two people in this world who must have cultivated the Starline.
There were at least two of them!
One was the Emotion-Severing Sword, Xue Fu Xiao, and the other was the Dream-Shattering Spear, Duan Xiyang!
He had heard of them unintentionally in his previous life.
So, he resolutely chose the Starline.
And within the Starline, he selected the Star Soul Trend.
"Alright!"
Elder Shen said, "I hope you can truly walk this stellar path."
Then, he and Fang Che left, and Elder Shen spoke softly, "I didn't stop you forcefully because I know you've thought this through. I've lost my martial path, but this insight has grown; I feel in my heart that the Starline can take you far."
"But at a certain point, you can only rely on yourself. There are no footprints of predecessors for you to follow."
"That's the most critical part."
"I understand."
"So, whether your choice is right or wrong, only your future life will tell. No one else can know."
"Yes."
"Elder Shen, may I ask, in all these years at the White Cloud Martial Academy, with countless geniuses choosing Essence Condensation Techniques, how many chose the Starline? What were the outcomes for these individuals? What level did they reach?"
"Those who choose the Starline are few, usually making up only one or two percent of those selecting Essence Condensation Techniques. Many of them, finding no other path, eventually turn to logistics, administration, or the command center. Many have perished, many have gone missing, and many have returned to develop their own families."
"Not a single one has stood out. So, in the last two or three decades, out of a thousand people choosing Essence Condensation Techniques, only one or two would select the Starline."
"And even then, they do so with a mindset of experimentation."
Elder Shen sighed, "Do you understand now?"
"I do."
Fang Che's heart remained unmoved.
"You can't take this Jade Slip out, so absorb it here on the first floor."
Elder Shen said, "The upper floors have precious manuscripts, but the first floor is fine."
"Yes."
Fang Che sat down cross-legged, focusing his spirit and freezing his spiritual platform. He simultaneously activated the Boundless Truth Sutra, emptying his mind and guarding his Dantian.
Placing a Jade Slip on his forehead, he instantly felt the cultivation method swirling around him, suddenly connecting and flooding his mind with vast knowledge. For a moment, he was dazzled, as if a starry river had abruptly appeared before him, stretching endlessly into the distant horizon...
...
As Fang Che made his choice of the Essence Condensation Technique, intense arguments erupted within the Unified Heart Sect.
Ren Zhongyuan never imagined that the White Cloud Continent Branch would be eliminated.
And it was eliminated after executing the Seal God Palace's order.
This was clearly the doing of the Seal God Palace.
Although the White Cloud Continent didn't have many experts stationed there, it was a crucial piece in Ren Zhongyuan's power structure, and every member had a public identity, so there shouldn't have been any issues.
Over the years, a fixed circle had formed, so Ren Zhongyuan left the structure unchanged.
Whether it was for plundering wealth, various resources, or Heaven's Fruits, the White Cloud Continent Branch, due to its high secrecy, consistently ranked among the top branches of the Unified Heart Sect in terms of contributions.
Now, it had suddenly been eliminated.
This was equivalent to losing a significant economic source, and not just one but various economies.
Ren Zhongyuan immediately panicked.
After consulting with his think tank and communicating with the upper echelons, Ren Zhongyuan sought an audience with the Seal God Palace.
"Grandmaster! Our White Cloud Continent Branch has been eliminated by the Guardian."
Ren Zhongyuan pointed directly at the heart of the matter.
Seated on the throne, the Seal God Palace nonchalantly trimmed his fingernails, not even lifting his eyelids, and taught, "Deputy Grandmaster, the target needs clarification. This is the work of the Guardian, not the Protector."
Ren Zhongyuan gritted his teeth, "Yes, it was the Guardian who eliminated them. May I ask, Grandmaster, were you aware of this?"
"Seal God Palace finished trimming his nails and placed his fingers in front of his eyes, examining them with a faint smile. He asked, 'Do you think I'm unaware of what's happening in this world, huh? Hehe, Ren Deputy Sect Leader, do you think anything can be hidden from me, the Grandmaster?'
Ren Zhongyuan spoke up directly, 'Grandmaster, I have something to say, it's like a bone stuck in my throat, and I won't feel relieved until I speak it.'
Seal God Palace's smile faded, and he said, 'Deputy Sect Leader, just say what's on your mind. When did you become so shy?'
Ren Zhongyuan's face showed a hint of sorrow and anger as he spoke, 'Grandmaster, during this time, there have been too many abnormalities within our sect. I thought it was just a temporary fluctuation and didn't pay much attention. But recently, I feel like you seem to be... seem to be...'
'Seem to be what?'
Seal God Palace tilted his face, slightly raising his head, and his eyes shot at Ren Zhongyuan like two sharp arrows.
'Seem to be... different from before.'
Ren Zhongyuan clenched his teeth and finally spoke, 'I don't understand why. I don't know what I've done wrong. I beg the Grandmaster to show me, and if I truly have erred, I'll take my own life here!'
He stood tall, his face filled with sorrow and anger, having reached the height of injustice.
Below, the upper echelon of Unified Heart Sect stood solemnly.
They watched as the Grandmaster and the Deputy Sect Leader clashed.
Seal God Palace casually said, 'Deputy Sect Leader, you're overthinking. From the beginning, the Deputy Sect Leader has worked hard and contributed greatly, and you are my most trusted assistant.'
He slightly raised his head and said, 'Deputy Sect Leader, you've always been a diligent and meritorious assistant.'
Ren Zhongyuan replied, 'But this time, the Grandmaster's actions have left me puzzled.'
'Hmm?'
Seal God Palace asked, 'What don't you understand?'
Ren Zhongyuan was now in a difficult situation.
Originally, they had discussed as a group, but now that Seal God Palace had taken action, he wouldn't hide anything. It was better to be open and have a direct confrontation.
Everyone should be honest and have a good talk.
Then, he could demonstrate weakness to the enemy, resolve misunderstandings, and take a step back to advance, dispelling Seal God Palace's suspicions.
But he hadn't expected Seal God Palace to completely disregard his concerns.
This made the situation a bit awkward.
He could only continue, 'Grandmaster, I believe it's inappropriate to hand over the White Cloud Continent Branch like this.'
Seal God Palace smiled sinisterly.
His voice became increasingly calm, 'Deputy Sect Leader, where does this talk come from?'
Ren Zhongyuan respectfully said, 'The White Cloud Continent has been under my command for a hundred years. It can be said to be a loyal follower. But now, following the Grandmaster's secret order, it's being handed over at the White Cloud Lake Shore...'
Seal God Palace leaned back in his throne, his eyes filled with contempt as he looked down from his high position, 'I understand. You mean that I, the Grandmaster, have become a traitor... and sold out the White Cloud Continent Branch, is that it?'
'I have no such intention!'
Ren Zhongyuan broke out in a cold sweat, startled by his own words.
Although he hadn't made a mistake, he had spoken too hastily.
Seal God Palace sternly said, 'Deputy Sect Leader! I've always considered you a trusted aide. Now, you dare to suspect me? You dare to suspect the leader of our sect of colluding with the Guardian and selling out your own people? Hmm?'
He stood up abruptly, his eyes cold, 'Then let me ask you, if I directly hand all of you over to the Guardian, wouldn't that be a greater achievement than just the White Cloud Continent Branch? Why haven't I sold you out?'
Ren Zhongyuan nervously said, 'I dare not.'
'You dare not? I see you've gathered so many people to come and question me.'
Seal God Palace's cold gaze swept over the crowd, and he said calmly, 'You've contacted so many people to come and accuse the Grandmaster?'
'I dare not!'
Ren Zhongyuan's face was covered in sweat, like large soybeans.
Ren Zhongyuan had made a mistake right from the start.
Or perhaps he had misjudged Seal God Palace's reaction.
Everyone believed that Seal God Palace had already taken action, and based on this mindset, they were prepared for a desperate fight, determined to turn the situation around.
But they hadn't expected that Seal God Palace would appear so nonchalant.
He calmly seized the initiative, exposing Ren Zhongyuan's weakness and directly cornering him.
Mu Lin Yuan stood in the shadows, wearing the Offering Robe and a mask.
He couldn't help but sigh inwardly.
Although Ren Zhongyuan was the Deputy Sect Leader, his scheming and tactics were far inferior to Seal God Palace.
Seal God Palace had led Unified Heart Sect for many years, and his Machiavellian tactics had long reached a divine level.
He truly didn't understand what these people were hoping to gain by following Ren Zhongyuan's rebellion. But what puzzled him even more was why Seal God Palace, after forcing them out, didn't directly start purging them.
In Mu Lin Yuan's eyes, with this lineup and posture, it was already a complex situation.
However, Seal God Palace had his own considerations.
As the leader of the sect, his thoughts were far more intricate than Mu Lin Yuan's.
Ren Zhongyuan's visit was expected, but his reaction to the loss of just one White Cloud Continent Branch puzzled Seal God Palace.
(End of Chapter)
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