Chapter 877: Parting Ways
Chapter 877: Parting Ways
In the Serenity Academy Province, the Dao Path Sect.
Within a grand hall, resplendent like a palace of jade and marble.
Elder Shen, a man of the Shen family, who had attained the Feathers Ascension Realm and held significant power, was holding a meeting with a group of elders and instructors.
Soon after, Elder Zheng, dressed in the Dao Path Sect’s robes, his hair and beard half-gray, and his features stern, burst into the hall with a look of anger.
The hall fell silent for a moment.
Elder Shen glanced around and waved his hand, "You may all leave for now. We will discuss this matter later."
"Yes."
The elders and instructors filed out of the hall.
The doors closed, leaving only Elder Shen and Elder Zheng inside.
Elder Zheng spoke directly, "What do you plan to do about the Crimson Lip Boat?"
Elder Shen frowned, "What do you mean? What does the Crimson Lip Boat have to do with our Dao Path Sect?"
Elder Zheng sneered, "Let's not beat around the bush. Don't tell me you know nothing about it."
"Was that boat really just operated by the Water Element Sect?"
"Those disciples gathered together for fame, power, and profit. In the Serenity Academy Province, who holds the greatest power, fame, and influence? Which noble families are the most prominent?"
"Your Shen family and the Dao Path Sect—how could you not be involved in this?"
Elder Shen remained silent.
Elder Zheng continued, "Even if you don’t say anything, I’ve already investigated. There are traces of your Shen family behind that boat. Many of our Dao Path Sect’s disciples have been on that boat..."
Elder Shen's face darkened, and he spoke coldly, "Don’t make unfounded accusations. Don’t spout such irresponsible words."
Elder Zheng sneered, "Whether it’s an accusation or not, you know the truth. I used to think you were just chasing fame and fortune, a selfish and greedy man. But now, I see that your Dao heart has withered, and you hide filth and corruption, doing things worse than pigs and dogs..."
Elder Shen slammed his hand on the table, his voice sharp, "Enough!"
Elder Zheng's expression remained firm.
Elder Shen took a deep breath, suppressing his anger, and pointed at Elder Zheng, saying:
"Zheng, I’ve been lenient with you out of respect for your family. Don’t push your luck!"
"What is pushing my luck?" Elder Zheng retorted, "If you can’t distinguish right from wrong, and act as a lackey for your Shen family, then you’re not pushing your luck, and why it’s your duty as an elder of the Dao Path Sect?"
Elder Shen said coldly, "Elder Zheng, please be careful with your words."
"Does it matter if I’m careful or not? I’ll ask you one more time, what do you plan to do about the Crimson Lip Boat?" Elder Zheng said with a cold face.
Elder Shen, who didn’t want to discuss this matter, but seeing Elder Zheng's determined stance and fearing the situation might escalate, said impatiently:
"The Ancestor has already made a plan."
"What plan?" Elder Zheng asked.
Elder Shen's expression changed, and he sighed, "The Crimson Lip Boat was a lapse in judgment by my Shen family. We only intended to provide some convenience to the Water Element Sect, but we didn’t expect them to act so recklessly..."
"A little convenience?" Elder Zheng's gaze was sharp, "Your Shen family must have gained a lot from it, right? Is it because you’ve benefited so much that you turned a blind eye?"
Elder Shen didn’t answer but countered, "Which family doesn’t seek profit? Does your Zheng family not seek profit?"
"At least my Zheng family doesn’t seek such profit."
"Fine, fine, your Zheng family is noble. What then?" Elder Shen sneered, "What do you want? To accuse my Shen family?"
Elder Zheng said, "I can’t accuse your Shen family, but as the law enforcement elder of the Dao Path Sect, I must deal with the disciples who have broken the rules by boarding the Crimson Lip Boat."
Elder Shen, suppressing his anger, asked, "What do you plan to do?"
Elder Zheng replied, "Strip them of their cultivation and expel them from the sect!"
Elder Shen slammed the table, enraged, "Ridiculous!"
He was so angry that his hands trembled, "Who are they? They are the most outstanding talents from the noble families, each with exceptional spiritual roots, the finest ‘pearls’ among cultivators. How can you just strip them of their cultivation? Who gave you the nerve?"
"Besides, what time is it now?"
"The Sword Discussion Congress is approaching. If you strip them of their cultivation, who will represent our Dao Path Sect to compete, to win fame and profit, to secure a share of the Spirit Dragon Mine?"
Elder Shen frowned and scolded, "You are shortsighted. How can you not consider the bigger picture?"
"So?" Elder Zheng sneered, "You want to shield them like this?"
"This isn’t shielding..." Elder Shen sighed, "They are young. Who doesn’t make mistakes in their youth? They should be given a chance to correct their ways."
"Moreover, the importance of this Sword Discussion Congress is clear to you. Compared to the sect’s interests, these minor issues are nothing."
Elder Zheng's gaze was sharp, "Minor issues?"
"I said, compared to the sect’s interests..."
"Talking about the sect’s interests, and nothing but interests, where do you place the ‘righteousness’ of cultivators?"
"Let’s set aside ‘righteousness’ for now..."
"Why set it aside?
Elder Zheng questioned, his voice icy, "Once you let go of principles, can you ever pick them up again?"
Elder Shen waved his hand impatiently, "I can't reason with someone like you."
Elder Zheng had a look of futility, "So, this matter is settled?"
Elder Shen replied, "Great deeds require no small details. For the greater good, these issues will not be pursued. Besides..."
Elder Shen didn't want to say it, but he had to lower his voice and warn Elder Zheng, "The Ancestor has already approved this. Don't cause unnecessary trouble."
The Ancestor...
Elder Zheng's eyes were filled with deep disappointment, "You are... losing the bigger picture for the sake of small gains..."
Elder Shen, impatient, said, "I've already said it's for the greater good. How can it be losing the bigger picture for small gains?"
Elder Zheng shook his head and said slowly, "Chasing profit and forgetting principles, if this continues, noble families and sects will all become profit-driven and principle-forgetful..."
"Feasting on profit and exploiting others, the great families and sects will eventually monopolize all benefits and legacies, becoming colossal entities, leading to a divided cultivation world and a suffering populace."
"This is a sign of the Heavenly Dao's decay. It may seem prosperous, but the collapse of the grand structure is only a matter of time."
"Here we go again, what collapse, what dire warnings..." Elder Shen was irritated. He spread his arms and said proudly, "Look at the Qianxue Province, look at our Qian Dao Sect. Jade towers and misty clouds, isn't it a scene of immortality? How can it be decaying?"
Elder Zheng said indifferently, "The jade towers are mere facades, the mist floats in mid-air. External prosperity cannot hide the corruption of the heart."
"You are still so..." Elder Shen spat out four words, "Unreasonable!"
He waved his hand, "I don't have the time to argue with you. The Dao Conference has important matters to discuss. If Elder Zheng has the time, help out. If not, don't cause trouble here, or else..."
Elder Shen sneered, "Your position as an elder won't last long..."
"No need." Elder Zheng threw a jade slip at Elder Shen, "I quit!"
Elder Shen was stunned, "What did you say?"
Elder Zheng said firmly, "I said, I'm done with this lousy elder position in your Qian Dao Sect!"
Elder Shen's face turned ashen. He picked up the jade slip Elder Zheng had thrown at him and saw the two large characters, "Resignation," on it. His expression changed, and he said angrily, almost disbelievingly:
"How can this be? Do you know how many cultivators are vying to join our Qian Dao Sect, just for a position? And you, you..."
Elder Zheng sneered, "Your Qian Dao Sect is too grand, and I am too small a Buddha to fit in."
With that, he turned and left.
"Stop!"
Elder Shen immediately called out, then calmed himself and looked at Elder Zheng, saying slowly, "Don't forget, our Qian Dao Sect has an agreement with your family's Ancestor. You can leave, but your family's array formations must be passed down."
Elder Zheng's face was solemn, "The Ancestor only agreed to consider it. The final decision is mine."
"Moreover, our family's Bagua Thunder Array is the epitome of strength and integrity. Your Qian Dao Sect's disciples lack the character to learn it!"
"Ridiculous!" Elder Shen pointed at Elder Zheng, "Your family shouldn't be so arrogant. Our Qian Dao Sect is a pillar of Qianxue, a gathering of the finest talents from all over the Nine Provinces. Our disciples are not worthy? Who is?"
Elder Zheng mocked, "Talents? Narrow-minded, profit-driven, indulging in personal desires. Even with celestial-grade spiritual roots, what good are they? They are merely high-level tumors."
"One day, they will poison the world, causing the Heavenly Dao to lose balance and bring about a great calamity. Your Qian Dao Sect will be the breeding ground for these pests! Such a sect, I respectfully decline!"
"Fine, fine," Elder Shen said angrily, "Our Qian Dao Sect is one of the four great sects of Qianxue, with immense power. Losing you is like losing a single hair from a bull. It's you who will regret this decision!"
Elder Zheng looked at Elder Shen with disdain and left without a backward glance.
Left alone in the hall, Elder Shen overturned tables and slammed his fists, raging impotently.
Since becoming a true transmission elder of the Qian Dao Sect, no one had ever dared to disrespect him so, and no one had ever thrown away the revered position of elder so casually.
Elder Shen was furious.
After a while, he suppressed his anger, calmed his expression, and called for the other elders and instructors to be brought back in for the meeting.
The elders and instructors, seeing the mess in the hall and Elder Shen's still angry face, dared not speak.
The meeting proceeded as usual.
After the meeting, Elder Shen summarized all the matters in a jade slip, hid it in his sleeve, and went alone to the highest tower of the Qian Dao Sect.
This tower, built of white jade bricks and glazed with crystal tiles, was even more magnificent and noble than the jade palaces outside.
In the center of the tower, an old man sat.
The old man had white hair and a white beard, dressed in a golden-embroidered robe, exuding a divine and ethereal aura.
Elder Chen respectfully approached, handing over a jade slip and whispered, "Ancestor, everything has been discussed and arranged. This time, the Dao Discussion Conference should proceed as we wish, barring any unforeseen circumstances."
The old man closed his eyes, maintaining his composure without a word.
Silence filled the grand jade pavilion.
Elder Chen lowered his head, remaining silent for a moment before whispering again, "The one surnamed Zheng, he is ungrateful and has decided to resign and leave..."
The old man in the ornate robe suddenly opened his eyes, his gaze sharp and focused on Elder Chen.
Feeling the weight of his ancestor's stern and disapproving gaze, Elder Chen bowed his head lower, explaining, "This man is arrogant and refuses to be managed. I occasionally used words to intimidate and suppress him, but I didn't expect..."
He didn't expect that Zheng would actually quit, abandoning the prestigious position of Elder in one of the four major sects.
The old man in the ornate robe frowned slightly, then said indifferently after a moment, "Forget it. Those who wish to stay will stay, and those who wish to leave cannot be retained."
"Ancestor," Elder Chen whispered, "Whether the one surnamed Zheng stays or leaves is irrelevant, but the array formations he possesses..."
The old man in the ornate robe silently regarded Elder Chen.
Elder Chen continued, "The Zheng family’s Eight Trigrams Thunder Array is rare in the cultivation world. Even our Qian Dao Sect, with its long history and deep array formation heritage, does not have a legacy of thunder array formations."
"If we could acquire this thunder array and add it to our Array Storage Pavilion, it would significantly enhance our array formation collection."
"Ancestor, what do you think? Should we try to... keep the one surnamed Zheng?"
Elder Chen lowered his eyes and waited for his ancestor’s decision.
The old man in the ornate robe pondered in silence for a moment before shaking his head, "Forget it. The Eight Trigrams Thunder Array is not easily passed down and cannot be learned lightly. If he does not wish to teach, we cannot force him."
EE
Elder Chen was puzzled, frowning as he asked, "Ancestor, does this array formation truly require the utmost purity and righteousness in one’s nature?"
Seeing that his ancestor did not respond, he continued, "In my humble opinion, the talk of nature and character is purely imaginary. With good spiritual roots and a strong constitution, what can’t be learned? Why speak of nature and character?"
"This thunder array of the Zheng family, I believe, is just a pretense. They are overly protective of their legacy and use the concept of ‘nature and Dao heart’ to avoid passing it down."
The old man in the ornate robe glanced at Elder Chen, shook his head, and chose not to elaborate, only instructing, "Let this matter rest. If the Zheng family wishes to stay, allow them to do so, and consider the past as if it never happened."
"If they wish to leave, do not make it difficult for them."
"The Zheng family, though located in Zhenzhou, is one of the few families that have managed to preserve the legacy of thunder array formations. They must not be underestimated."
"Moreover..."
The old man in the ornate robe paused, "The Dao Discussion Conference is the main event. Do not create unnecessary complications."
"Yes, Ancestor," Elder Chen replied.
The old man in the ornate robe then took the jade slip Elder Chen had presented, glanced over it, and nodded slightly.
"Very well done. Pass these instructions down..."
"Remember, when you do something, either do it thoroughly or not at all. Do not linger and create more problems."
Elder Chen immediately bowed deeply, "I will follow your instructions, Ancestor."
...
Several days later, in the grand hall of Qianxue Pavilion in Qianxue Prefecture.
The hall, majestic and grand, was filled with the heads and influential elders of the four major sects, eight major schools, twelve streams, and various sects of the Qianxue Hundred Doors, gathered to discuss the reform of the sects and the specific rules of the Dao Discussion Conference.
Most of the matters had already been discussed.
This meeting at Qianxue Pavilion was to finalize the decisions.
Before the meeting, the Qian Dao Sect, one of the four major sects, had proposed a motion.
Upon seeing the jade slip, an elder from Taiyi Gate immediately stood up and slammed the table, "Absolutely not!"
An elder from Duanjin Gate responded with a sarcastic tone, "Why not?"
The elder from Taiyi Gate scanned the jade slip and said, "This change is too significant."
"It’s just a few adjustments to the schedule and some minor changes to the rules. It’s not a big deal..."
"Nonsense!"
Several sects echoed in agreement.
"This has been in place for hundreds of years, and they want to change it."
"They are not showing any respect for the ancestral rules."
However, those who disagreed were in the minority.
Most of the sects remained silent, while some clearly supported the motion.
"The ancestral rules have always been adapted to the times and have been modified over the years."
"I think the Qian Dao Sect’s proposal is excellent."
...
For a moment, the hall of Qianxue Pavilion was abuzz with discussion.
Elder Chen, seated in a high position, coughed to regain attention. Once the hall was quieter, he spoke, "Everyone has seen the jade slip. Today’s meeting will focus on a few key points. I hope everyone is aware:"
"First, the Sword Discussion Conference will be held before the Dao Discussion Conference, with the sword discussion preceding the Dao discussion."
"As everyone knows, the Sword Discussion Conference is a grand event in our Qianxue Prefecture, attracting not only sect disciples and noble families but also cultivators from various prefectures and regions, as has been the tradition."
"However, following the usual order of Dao discussion before sword discussion has become too tedious."
"The Dao Discussion Conference, with its competitions in talismans, arrays, elixirs, and artifacts, is already a complex process. Any delay will inevitably postpone the Sword Discussion Conference, leading to a lack of clarity in priorities."
“
Therefore, to ensure that the Sword Discussion Conference can be held on time and to avoid delaying the schedules of cultivators from all realms, the date of the conference must be moved up!
All human and material resources will be concentrated on the Sword discussion, ensuring that each subsequent conference is held as scheduled, and striving to promote this conference as the largest and most prestigious event in Thousand Autumn Prefecture and even the Nine Realms.
This is the first point. The second point is that the number of participants in the sword discussion will be increased.
The true purpose of the sword discussion is not to allow a few disciples to monopolize the top positions but to encourage more disciples from various sects to actively strive for excellence.
By increasing the number of participants, we can encourage more disciples to compete and improve together, which is a good thing.
The third and most important point...
”
Elder Shen paused, his expression solemn. “Starting from this session, the rankings of the major sects, the Eight Great Gates, and the Twelve Branches will be determined based on their performance in the conference!”
As soon as these words were spoken, there was a stir in the room.
Elder Shen paused for a moment before continuing:
“Over the next three sessions, the rankings will change each time.”
“But after the third session, the rankings will be finalized and remain unchanged for a hundred years.”
“The reform of the sects will take place over three sessions, spanning ten years, to determine the rankings for the next hundred years. After that, the reform will be repeated every hundred years, with the capable ones taking their rightful positions…”
Elder Shen spoke earnestly:
“The positions of the Four Major Sects and the Eight Great Gates are at the forefront of the thousands of sects in Thousand Snow Continent, and they carry significant meaning.”
“The mission of the sects is to spread the Dao and educate disciples. Only those who can teach outstanding disciples and excel in the conference have the right to occupy these positions.”
“Otherwise, it would be a waste of a position, a mere formality, and a laughingstock to others.”
“To prevent some sects from relying on the achievements of their ancestors and becoming complacent, we, the Four Major Sects, will lead by example and take the initiative in this reform.”
“This will also serve as a Whip of Encouragement for us, the Four Major Sects.”
“Whoever has the ability, whoever can rise to the challenge, can take the position of the Four Major Sects.”
“If the disciples we educate are not up to par, we will step down without a word of complaint.”
“Qian Dao Sect, including the current Four Major Sects, will have no regrets!”
“What do you all think…?”
Inside the Qianxue Pavilion, hearts were stirred.
The position of the Four Major Sects!
In Thousand Snow Continent, no sect would not want to rank among the top and occupy one of the Four Major Sect positions, thereby securing the largest share of the Qianlong Mountain Range and reaping the benefits.
Even the elders of the Taiyi Sect and Chongxu Sect were moved by Elder Shen's words.
If it weren't for the Yanzhi Zhou Incident, they would have fought tooth and nail to secure this position.
But now, they were in a difficult position, unable to voice their concerns...
The Taiyi Sect and a few others tried to oppose this decision.
However, the Qian Dao Sect, including the Four Major Sects, had already arranged everything behind the scenes.
The outcome was already predetermined.
In the end, the various sects voted almost unanimously in favor of the Qian Dao Sect's proposal.
The "sect reform," a process of power struggle and strategic maneuvering, officially began to be implemented...
...
Chongxu Sect.
In the center of the elder's residence, Mo Hua was still learning array formations from Mr. Xun.
To be precise, Mo Hua was taking an "exam."
Mr. Xun had set out a complex array formation test, containing dozens of formations ranging from two-star nineteen-pattern to peak nineteen-pattern formations, and asked Mo Hua to complete them all within a limited time frame in one continuous session.
There were breaks allowed, but the time given was very limited.
Mo Hua started drawing in the morning and continued until evening.
When he handed the "test paper" to Mr. Xun, the incense stick in front of him still had a third of its length remaining.
"Finished?"
"Yep," Mo Hua nodded.
Mr. Xun took Mo Hua's array formation test and began to examine each formation in detail.
Despite the limited time, the vast number of patterns, and the high difficulty of the formations, the array patterns on the test paper were meticulously and neatly drawn, as if they had been printed. There was not a single mistake!
Even the brushwork was flawless, reaching a level of perfection.
Completing such a top-tier array formation test at this level was almost impossible for a second-ranking array master.
Even an ordinary third-ranking array master would find it difficult to achieve such a standard.
A solid foundation, broad knowledge, deep experience, and profound mastery.
His divine consciousness was unfathomable, and his brushwork was refined to perfection.
Even an old monster who had taken over a body would struggle to draw second-ranking array formations with such skill...
Mr. Xun took a deep breath, then gave Mo Hua a long, deep look, and the heart that had been hanging in suspense finally began to settle...
There was hope for Chongxu Sect!
(End of Chapter)
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