Free Web NovelChapter 42: Chapter 41: A Change in the Rules
The Purple Rainbow Sect ranked third among the three major sects, but it was still several times stronger than the Wanxiang Sect. Although its Sect Leader wasn’t the strongest Cultivator in their sect, he was still a renowned Sword Cultivator at the Late-stage Golden Core Realm.
How could he have died in Qingzhou Province?
The Golden Core Elders were horrified and utterly confused. One of them spoke up and asked,
"Peak Master Li, what in the world happened?"
With a heavy gaze, Li Jiran said, "The Sect Leader and I went to the encampment of the three major sects to discuss this year’s spoils. While there, we unexpectedly received a message from our deep-cover disciple in Qingzhou Province. The message said that the Emperor of Cang Country, Cang Hongxuan, was in seclusion and about to break through to the Divinity Transformation Stage, and that the spy had confirmed his location."
"As you know, the number of Divinity Transformation Venerables in both our Wuzhou and Qingzhou Province can be counted on one hand. If we allowed Cang Hongxuan to break through, it would undoubtedly shatter the current balance of power. He might even launch a massive war that could last for centuries to annex us."
"One more Divinity Transformation Venerable would have too great an impact on the strategic situation. So, after a brief discussion, we decided to launch a preemptive strike, fighting our way into the capital of Cang Country."
"Everything went smoothly at first, led by the Divinity Transformation Venerable from the Seven Stars Sect. We breached the Capital Protection Array. However, Cang Country was well-prepared and managed to stall until their own Divinity Transformation Venerable arrived to provide support. In the end, it turned into a bloody battle."
"It was during this bloody battle that the Seven Stars Sect’s Divinity Transformation Venerable was injured, and the Sect Leader of the Purple Rainbow Sect fell..."
Li Jiran sighed and continued, "But we also had a huge gain. We interrupted Emperor Cang Hongxuan of Cang Country at the critical moment of his breakthrough. Now, Cang Country will likely be in chaos for a while, and they won’t have the time to harass Wuzhou in the short term."
"However, this is just a temporary reprieve. When Cang Hongxuan prepares to attempt his breakthrough a second time, I fear we won’t be able to stop him. A great change between our two provinces is imminent. That’s why I hurried back to the sect to discuss a matter with all of you."
The elders struggled to process this flood of information. They stood there, mouths agape, and began to murmur amongst themselves.
"The three major sects have three Venerables. For even one of them to be injured is a major event."
"By interrupting Cang Hongxuan’s breakthrough, we’ve also incited the fury of Cang Country’s Cultivators. The centuries of peace are likely coming to an end."
"What will become of us, the Wanxiang Sect?"
Only the four Peak Masters frowned, already forming their own judgments about the coming situation.
Xiang Fu of Jade Cauldron Peak, looking old and wise, sat in the main seat. He stroked his beard and said, "Fellow Daoist Li, you must have a plan already, don’t you?"
As he finished speaking, everyone fell silent and turned their gazes to Li Jiran.
Li Jiran swept his gaze across the room and said, "I wouldn’t call it a plan. I just feel that the sect needs to change."
"A millennium ago, our Wanxiang Sect also had a Divinity Transformation Venerable presiding over it. We have been in decline for centuries now, and not a single successor has been able to break through. Besides the limitations of talent, there is another reason: resources!"
"I intend to change the sect’s rules. I want to use a method of Raising Gu to screen for the most outstanding Cultivators and strengthen the sect’s mid-level power over the next hundred years. Beyond that, it’s time to shake up the Cultivation Clans in our territory. They will gather resources for us and hand over Spirit Stones annually. Any who disobey will be exterminated, rather than being allowed to remain as parasites growing on the Wanxiang Sect!"
"This is my plan. All of you, take a look." fгeewёbnoѵel.cσm
Li Jiran flicked out a piece of paper. Everyone scanned it with their Divine Sense and finished reading in an instant. Their expressions changed dramatically. Mo Pengcheng, the Peak Master of Beast Taming Peak, shot to his feet and shouted, "Absolutely not!"
"Such cruelty, such methods! What difference would there be between the Wanxiang Sect and a Demon Sect?!"
Li Jiran snorted coldly. Of all the Peak Masters present, the one from Beast Taming Peak was the one he could stand the least. ’Always the nice guy, but doesn’t know what’s good for him.’
"Demon Sect? Ten thousand years ago, after the great war, was there any real distinction left between the righteous path and the Demon Dao? Which one of you here didn’t claw your way up over a path of bones? Is anyone here truly clean, having killed only those who deserved it?"
"Mo Pengcheng, if we don’t do this, what will become of the Wanxiang Sect? How will we survive the coming war? If we don’t take these resources, should we just hand them over to someone else?"
"Or are you saying you’d rather we be annihilated along with all those minor clans?!"
Mo Pengcheng’s face went pale, and he was unable to offer a rebuttal.
His Cultivation Realm was weaker than Li Jiran’s, and the sharp, unconcealed pressure emanating from the other man stabbed at him like a sword, leaving him unable to speak.
Beside them, Xiang Fu of Jade Cauldron Peak tapped the table and interjected, "That’s enough. A great enemy is at our gates. We cannot afford to have chaos within our own ranks."
"Did the Sect Leader and the others agree to this?"
Xiang Fu turned to Li Jiran, his gaze profound as he asked in a steady voice.
Li Jiran was completely unafraid. He replied, "Not only did the Sect Leader agree, but my own ancestor has also given his approval. And I trust Overlord Blade Peak won’t object, will they?"
The ancestor he spoke of was, naturally, the Purple Mansion True Monarch of Sword Control Peak. The Wanxiang Sect had three Purple Mansion True Monarchs, and he was the strongest among them in terms of his Cultivation Realm. He was already at Purple Mansion Peak, with a Sword Intent so powerful that even a Divinity Transformation Venerable would be wary of it.
The only complication was that this Purple Mansion ancestor was extremely old. A Purple Mansion Cultivator has a lifespan of three thousand years, and he had watched powerlessly as the Wanxiang Sect declined from its former glory. Now, his own life was nearing its end, and he remained in a state of secluded hibernation to preserve what little time he had left.
As for the other two Purple Mansion ancestors, the one from Overlord Blade Peak was younger, but his Realm was lower than the one from Jade Cauldron Peak. At only the second level of the Purple Mansion Realm, his strength was considered shallow and couldn’t compare to the veteran True Monarchs of other sects.
The Golden Core Peak Master from Overlord Blade Peak closed his eyes and said, "Since the ancestor of Sword Control Peak has already agreed, our own ancestor will naturally agree as well. What about the rest of you? State your positions."
"If two Purple Mansion True Monarchs have agreed, how could we Elders possibly object? Besides, this is beneficial to the Wanxiang Sect!"
"Exactly! If those mortals and Cultivation Clans die, they die. It’s not like they’ll ever run out. How could we possibly die along with them!"
"What does Elder Xiang say?"
Mu Chengping followed everyone’s gaze to Xiang Fu, who was still seated in the main seat. After a moment of thought, Xiang Fu said, "It is acceptable."
Everyone’s expression brightened, but then he spoke again.
"However, I feel we shouldn’t take too large a step at once, or we risk things blowing up in our face. Let Magic Peak and Beast Taming Peak be responsible for the Cultivation Clans. Their approach should be primarily a gentle one."
"As for internal matters, we can start by changing the selection process. I recall that this year’s servant selection is about to begin, isn’t it? Why don’t we start there." fгeewebnovёl.com
Li Jiran frowned.
’He had wanted to cut the Gordian knot and get it all done in one fell swoop.’
But considering the Purple Mansion True Monarch from Jade Cauldron Peak, as well as the attitudes of the other Peak Masters, he ultimately compromised.
"Then let’s do it that way. Servant disciples aren’t really considered true disciples of the Wanxiang Sect anyway. We can start the Raising Gu process with them. It won’t hurt if they die."
"If we can produce someone ruthless and decisive, they would be worth cultivating even if their Spirit Root talent is a bit lacking."
For an ordinary person, the Spirit Root was of paramount importance, as it determined whether or not they could even step onto the path of Cultivation.
But for Golden Core and Purple Mansion Cultivators, what they valued more was the Dao Heart.
No matter how strong or excellent one’s Spirit Root was, if their Dao Heart was lacking, their future would be just as limited.
"Excellent."
"Then let us begin with the selection of servant disciples."
The Golden Core Elders burst into laughter.
