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Kunlun.
Surrounded by mountains lies a clear Great Lake. The Lake Surface is calm and serene, resembling a piece of jade. The water is extremely clear, allowing one to see many irregularly shaped large pieces of exquisite white jade at the bottom from above the Lake Surface. The shimmering light dances on the beautiful jade, while golden koi leisurely swim among the white jade and green aquatic plants, their whiskers vibrating like golden threads.
The Twelve Jade Towers rise majestically above the water, almost touching the blue sky and white clouds, set against the backdrop of vast azure lakes and blooming flower fields, creating an incredibly spectacular sight.
As the foremost sect of the Immortal Sect, it exudes wealth and grandeur, radiating endless celestial aura.
At the center of the Twelve Jade Towers stands the most magnificent and tallest Qionghua Palace.
Inside the spacious hall, elevated above the Azure Clear lake, people fill the seats, yet it is eerily silent. Various colored garments drape over the smooth, translucent white jade floor tiles, making everyone appear as if they are sitting on clouds. The intricately carved ceiling reflects a solemn and dignified atmosphere. A heavy sense of oppression permeates the hall. This oppressive feeling radiates outward, even affecting Emperor Jiang, who is known for his elegant singing; his ethereal voice comes to a halt.
Kunlun grows increasingly silent.
Xuan Xuzi sits in a high position, feeling a profound sense of powerlessness for the first time.
Having been the Sect Master for over a hundred years, his prestige has grown immensely. To the scattered cultivators and Cultivation Families affiliated with the Immortal Sect, he is like a deity. The Celestial Sect Order dares not defy him. Since the recent resurgence of conflict between the Immortal Sect and the Demon Sect, although there have been no significant victories, at least none of the eleven major sects—including Middle-Earth, Nine Great Caves, Nine Major Sects, Five Elements Sect, and Heavenly Grain—have been overtaken by the Demon Sect Monster. His contributions as Sect Master cannot be overlooked.
Unexpectedly, before any major movements from the Demon Sect Monster, internal strife erupts. For reasons unknown, since the war began, Heavenly Grain has been making many retreating moves. They have delayed payments for various sects' Elixirs, and during the last new talent competition, an insider openly appeared and killed a newcomer from the Immortal Sect. Now they have outright declared their separation from the Immortal Sect, establishing some sort of Pharmaceutical Sect, clearly aiming to stand against the ten major sects of the Immortal Sect.
Why are they doing this? Where do they find such courage?
Anger gradually rises within Xuan Xuzi. Even with his composure, this is intolerable.
He stands up and speaks in a very calm tone: "This matter cannot be resolved lightly. I believe that the leaders of Xuanwei, New Luo, Azure Sky Palace, and Penglai are already on their way here. Once they arrive, we will immediately head to Heavenly Grain to demand an explanation."
The hall remains silent until suddenly a loud voice breaks through the stillness: "What if Heavenly Grain does not provide an explanation?"
"That is disrespectful!" Seeing that it was actually Li Hong, Ling Xuzi quickly reprimands him.
Xuan Xuzi's gaze crosses over everyone's heads to meet with Li Hong. Despite being so far apart, he clearly sees concern in Li Hong's eyes. His heart stirs, but he still speaks calmly: "At this point, there is no turning back. This course of action is better than allowing an alliance between the Demon Sect and this so-called Pharmaceutical Sect."
Everyone's eyes spark with realization; indeed, it is difficult to guarantee that this significant matter does not have shadows of the Demon Sect Monster behind it.
"The Sect Master may be deep in thought, but everything now is merely a legend. If we mobilize forces, it might put immense pressure on Heavenly Grain. What if we force them to truly ally with the Demon Sect? Sect Master, are you not afraid of becoming a historical sinner for the Immortal Sect?" Li Hong's clear and calm voice echoed throughout Qionghua Palace.
"How dare you!"
"You insolent brat!"
Outcries of indignation rang out like stones thrown into a lake, but some actually resonated with the sentiment, casting inquiring glances at Xuan Xuzi to see how he would respond.
Xuan Xuzi's gaze flickered, a tremendous pressure bearing down on Li Hong.
Li Hong stood undaunted, quietly meeting Xuan Xuzi's eyes. To Xuan Xuzi's surprise, a strange feeling arose within him; it had been a millennium since anyone had ascended, but if someone were to ascend in the future, it would surely be this new elder!
He revealed a hint of an appreciative smile. "Chu Hongzi makes a valid point; thus, we must plan carefully before taking action. Now, let us discuss how to preserve our current situation. Chu Hongzi, please share your thoughts."
Li Hong was taken aback that Xuan Xuzi not only did not get angry but instead was receptive, pondering for a moment before speaking eloquently.
After hearing Li Hong's words, there was silence in the hall. Even Yiyang, who was extremely dissatisfied with Li Hong, fell silent and had to admit that this was indeed a prudent approach.
Xuan Xuzi secretly praised the suggestion; it was exactly what he had hoped someone would propose.
They began making arrangements.
Once matters were settled, everyone took their leave, but Xuan Xuzi kept Yiyang behind.
In the vast empty hall, Xuan Xuzi slowly said, "You have seen it as well; public opinion is crucial. Therefore, we cannot rely solely on force to resolve this. That young man spoke very wisely."
Yiyang nodded and clasped his hands before turning to fly out of Qionghua Palace.
Watching Yiyang's defiant figure leave, Xuan Xuzi's eyes seemed to spark for a moment but quickly returned to calmness.
Next, Xuan Xuzi summoned Ling Xuzi for a private discussion.
Xuan Xuzi spoke directly, "The young elder from the Nine Li Sect is quite talented. I think he should not go on this trip to Heavenly Grain."
Ling Xuzi was taken aback, "Sect Master, are you suggesting..."
"I initially thought he had a connection with the Ancient Celestial Field and should be taken along. If he could uncover the truth behind the claim that the Heavenly Grain Immortal Field is off-limits, it would be a remarkable achievement. However, upon reflection, it's better to assign Chu Hongzi to other tasks." Xuan Xuzi flipped his hand, revealing a folded document that flew towards Ling Xuzi. "Take a look at this."
Ling Xuzi extended his palm, and the document landed perfectly in his hand. After opening it and glancing through just a portion, he was astonished. "Where did you get this, Sect Master?"
Xuan Xuzi smiled, "I have my ways. Although I am currently assisting your sect, I am also aiding our entire Immortal Sect. You should take this and give it to Chu Hongzi. Tell him to lead the team back to your sect to investigate the survival status and yield of these main herbs. If possible, remember not to uproot them completely; harvest them in large quantities for drying, in preparation for mass alchemy. Be extremely cautious; we must not let the Demon Sect Monster discover this."
"Understood!" Ling Xuzi held the document with great excitement.
Soon after, Li Hong received the document and was increasingly surprised as he read it. It contained recipes for many commonly used Elixirs, such as Foundation Pill, Supplementary Spirit Pill, Antidote Pill, Spirit Origin Pill, and others—large quantities of Elixirs needed by the Immortal Sect. Unlike the recipes held by the Nine Li Sect, these recipes had altered key ingredients; they did not feature precious celestial herbs from the Ancient Celestial Field but rather earthly herbs from the Central South Wilderness. While these herbs were rare in the mortal realm, they were still much easier to obtain compared to those from the strange and perilous Ancient Celestial Field.
Xuan Xuzi presenting such information at this moment proved that the Immortal Sect—especially its past leaders—had long been wary of Heavenly Grain.
Ling Xuzi communicated telepathically: "The Sect Master mentioned that certain individuals within the Immortal Sect anticipated issues arising from Heavenly Grain's Ancient Celestial Field long ago. They dedicated their lives to continuously improving these recipes and traveled throughout Middle-Earth until they finally discovered these main herbs' growing locations in the Southern Wilderness. Those areas are protected by Restrictions; only past sect masters know this secret. Now that the Sect Master has entrusted you with this task, you must execute it well!"
Li Hong solemnly secured the document. Ling Xuzi dispatched two elder guards to accompany Li Hong as the three immediately departed from Kunlun.
The next day, a large group led by Xuan Xuzi set out for Heavenly Grain.
Kunlun was not far from Heavenly Grain; Cloud Path took only two hours. Soon enough, they stopped between two towering mountains resembling rolling dragons.
Below lay Heavenly Grain. It was mid-spring; remnants of snow still covered the ground, and the air remained cold with lingering traces of ice and snow. Yet here and there, tender green grass shoots timidly peeked out.
It appeared to be an utterly ordinary place.
Xuan Xuzi's gaze flickered as his massive two-winged white tiger reared its head and roared loudly, shaking the surroundings. Xuan Xuzi slowly declared, "Sect Master Xuanxu of Emei, Kongtong, Zhao Zhen, Jiu Li, Xuanwei, New Luo, and Bixiao requests an audience with the Master of the Grain regarding important matters; please open the formation..."
His voice was neither loud nor resonant but strangely echoed in everyone's ears with extreme clarity as it pierced through the Misty Herbal Concealment Formation straight into Heavenly Grain below.
In the conference hall, Qing Yizi suddenly stood up, his face alternating between red and white. "They're here! Except for Penglai and the Five Elements Sect, all the Eight Major Sect Leaders have come!" He looked at Qingqinzi and whispered, "Junior Sister, we should meet them. Since they all came together, we should at least give them some face."
The beautiful lips on Qingqinzi's fair face curled slightly in a mocking smile as she glanced sideways at Qing Yizi. "Are you afraid, Senior Brother?"
Qing Yizi nodded. "We have indeed gone too far. Junior Sister, why not just call it a day? Since the Sect Leader brought them here with sincerity, there is still room for negotiation. Why should we make ourselves the enemies of the entire Immortal Sect?"
"The Demon Sect is the enemy of the Immortal Sect! Not us from the Pharmaceutical Sect!" Qingqinzi scoffed. "Now that things have come to this point, Senior Brother, you're starting to shrink back again. Once the water is spilled, can it be retrieved? Since we've done it, we shouldn't be afraid! I'm sure they are too preoccupied with their own issues to have time to fight us. We should take this opportunity to break away from the Immortal Sect and strengthen our own power. In the future, humph! It will be a three-way standoff!"
Qing Yizi wiped the cold sweat from his forehead and muttered to himself, "A three-way standoff? I'm afraid that when the clam and the snipe fight, it's the fisherman who benefits."
"Enough talk! I've made up my mind. If you want to meet them, Senior Brother, you can open the Misty Veil of the Hundred Herbs Formation yourself! Don't say I didn't warn you; Penglai Sect Leader Yin Zezi has an old relationship with me, so they didn't even call him. What does that mean? I'm afraid that once you open the formation, they'll rush in and start fighting! You should see for yourself how many capable hands they brought along under the guise of a visit!"
Qingqinzi turned and left.
Qing Yizi was left alone in distress, truly unsure of what to do. After a while, he decided to be a turtle and give Xuan Xuzi's people a big shutout, pretending he hadn't heard anything.
In the skies above Heavenly Grain, Xuan Xuzi repeatedly requested an audience but received no response.
An hour later, even the dullest person understood what Heavenly Grain was after. Yiyang's face turned blue with anger as he harshly transmitted a message to Xuan Xuzi: "Sect Leader, don't hesitate any longer; order an attack on Heavenly Grain now!"
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