"Try it, there’s a place in your cultivation technique that could be modified."
Zheng Fa had rembered the Yun Clan’s cultivation technique the last ti he visited, and before reaching Mahayana, he had studied it several tis, gaining deep insights.
At that mont, it seed to everyone that he was just casually making a remark.
The young Divinity Transformation cultivator from the Yun Clan looked unsure, but instinctively tried what Zheng Fa suggested, and his face imdiately lit up with joy.
Now, everyone understood that this offhand remark was actually effective!
The young man from the Yun Clan regained his senses, his lips trembling, and he suddenly knelt to the ground, bowing repeatedly without stopping.
This reaction even surprised Zheng Fa a bit. He asked, "It’s just a word, why go to such lengths?"
The young disciple rose, his eyes shimring with a hint of tears as he said, "Stone Ancestor, it may have been just a word for you, but for , it’s a thousand years of missed opportunities."
"I thought I had no hope of achieving Corpse Dissolution in this life."
At this mont, mbers of both the Yun and Luo clans felt the sa emotion, understanding that this person wasn’t acting—when it cos to one’s path, who wouldn’t be moved?
"Stone Ancestor above, I, Yun Fan, shall repay this kindness even at the cost of my life."
Everyone looked at Yun Fan’s face, seeing how soone who was once so rebellious was now so loyal.
They exchanged glances and finally followed suit, bowing down, saying, "We ask the Stone Ancestor to lead us!"
Looking at the cave filled with Divinity Transformation cultivators, Zheng Fa sighed inwardly—how did I, the Jiushan Sect Leader, end up as the decision-maker of Haori Mountain?
Now that things were settled, people spoke more frankly.
"Stone Ancestor, what are your thoughts on Haori Mountain’s current situation?"
Luo Yun spoke directly.
Everyone’s expression turned solemn. The Yun and Luo clans didn’t lack conflict nor did they truly want an Ancestor to manage them, but Haori Mountain’s situation required unity.
Externally there was the Jiushan Sect’s army, internally the Demon Ancestor, and the Lu Clan was dehumanizing them. Haori Mountain was nearly empty.
"The Demon Ancestor, Lu Clan, Jiushan Sect," Zheng Fa slowly tapped the table, then said, "Each is a great threat to our sect, capable of causing Haori Mountain’s downfall."
Zheng Fa didn’t expect Haori Mountain’s situation to devolve like this.
The expressions on the Yun and Luo clans’ Divinity Transformation cultivators beca indescribable, as if they couldn’t understand how Haori Mountain ended up like this.
"I ask you, do you have the confidence to save Haori Mountain? Are you prepared for its fall?"
"Stone Ancestor!"
The cave filled with shocked faces, yet Zheng Fa remained composed and continued, "Now that the Yun Ancestor is not here, I alone cannot support the cause against any of them."
"Even if the Yun Ancestor returned, could he hold off the Demon Ancestor, or the Jiushan Sect?"
His words brought a quiet realization to the cave.
Everyone wore expressions of slight despair.
Zheng Fa’s words bluntly revealed the truth they had been avoiding—it was a fact that Haori Mountain was nearing its end!
"How did it co to this... How did it co to this..."
An elder from the Luo Clan couldn’t help but weep, whether for Haori Mountain or himself, he didn’t know.
The cave was filled with sorrow and lant.
Yet Luo Yun suddenly turned to Zheng Fa with hope and asked, "Stone Ancestor, by saying this, you must already have a plan in mind?"
"? I do not." Zheng Fa shook his head slightly, convincingly, and said, "I just say this: among these three paths, lies our way to survival."
"Surrender... Surrender..."
Luo Yun’s face paled, but she understood.
On reflection, it’s true; with Haori Mountain’s current condition, to preserve their lives, they truly needed to find a guardian.
"It should be the Lu Clan..."
Soone said in a low voice.
"Lu Clan, what Lu Clan?" soone imdiately cursed, "Do you not fear dying fast enough? The ones we should least choose are those surnad Lu!"
It was clear that the Lu Clan had their sches, with the Gu God behind them.
In Haori Mountain’s past, with the bonds of the three clans and Lu Clan’s prestige, they would have unhesitatingly followed the Lu Clan.
But with the Lu Clan’s betrayal, sacrificing people from both clans to the insects, the relationship had soured to a life-and-death struggle.
Thus, among the three, the least viable was the once closest ally, the Lu Clan.
"Then the only options are the Demon Ancestor and Jiushan Sect..."
Luo Yun murmured.
"Could we choose the Demon Ancestor?"
Soone imdiately countered, "What if another Gu God appears?"
These words silenced everyone, as the Gu God’s behavior was intolerable for the people of Haori Mountain—frankly speaking, the Demon Ancestor needed food, not followers.
What sheep would ever turn to wolves for protection?
"Yet the Haori Ancestor had ties with them, couldn’t we seek out the Creation and White Bone Demon Ancestors?"
"Of course, the Demon Ancestor is the strongest." An elder from the Luo Clan sighed, "But their temperant is unpredictable, and it’s unknown what they think of us..."
"The Demon Sect..." Yun Fan, who had been agitated earlier, now appeared disdainful, "How could the Demon Sect and Haori Mountain co-exist?"
"Naive! In today’s world, power reigns supre; who’s talking about the difference between righteousness and evil?"
Opinions clashed fiercely in the cave.
So believed that Haori Mountain’s historical ties with the Demon Ancestor might secure a survival path if they aligned with the Creation and White Bone Ancestors.
Others feared the Gu God too much, doubting the reliability of the Demon Ancestor.
As debates escalated, everyone realized that Zheng Fa had been silent for so ti, and they couldn’t help but turn to him, asking, "Please, Stone Ancestor, advise us."
"You all make good points." Zheng Fa softly smiled and said, "But there’s one thing you may not know."
"What is it?"
"In the Nine Luminaries Heaven, there is an ancient treasure left by the Lu Ancestor. According to the Lu Clan people, only those of Lu Ancestor’s bloodline have the chance to acquire this treasure."
"..."
The Divinity Transformation cultivators in the cave exchanged looks of concern, seemingly realizing sothing.
Zheng Fa continued, "Both the Creation Demon Ancestor and the White Bone Demon Ancestor are determined to obtain this treasure and have yet to leave the Nine Luminaries Heaven..."
These words cast a shadow over the faces of those considering allegiance to the Demon Ancestor.
Everyone understood that this path was already dead.
Both the Creation and White Bone Demon Ancestors, perhaps less gluttonous than the Gu God, only cared about the treasure.
To acquire the treasure, cooperation with the Lu Clan was necessary.
Thus, with what could they persuade the Demon Ancestors?
In the eyes of the two Demon Ancestors, Lu Clan mbers could be used for treasure hunting, yet what were the Yun and Luo clans worth?
Even if they did manage to pledge allegiance, the Lu Clan could request the Demon Ancestors to feed them to the insects!
These Divinity Transformation cultivators dared not take such a gamble.
"So, does that an the only option is... the Jiushan Sect?"
The very ntion of the Jiushan Sect made the atmosphere in the cave peculiar.
Most were not inclined to submit to the Jiushan Sect.
Firstly, there were existing conflicts between Jiushan Sect and Haori Mountain.
Secondly, the Jiushan Sect’s foundation was considered shallow, leading to so degree of contempt.
"At this juncture, we have no other choice." Soone sighed, expressing resignation.
Another opposed vehently, "The Demon Ancestor may harm us, but would the Jiushan Sect not mistreat us? We were enemies before!"
Before Zheng Fa could respond, Luo Yun spoke softly, "They won’t."
"How do you know..."
Luo Yun retrieved a Comprehensive Records from her sleeve, pointing to it, saying, "I know several Loose Cultivators who opposed the Jiushan Sect and have since joined them. They say that as long as rules are followed, there is no trouble."
"Is this true..."
"This even includes narratives written by forr Haori Mountain cultivators..."
Surprisingly, seven or eight people also took out their Comprehensive Records to support Luo Yun’s claim.
Even Zheng Fa was stunned—does the Jiushan Sect have such advocates?
"Really?"
Luo Yun smiled wryly, "I can’t guarantee it, but... do we have a choice?"
The Divinity Transformation cultivators lapsed into silence before soone reluctantly said, "In that case, we’ll choose Jiushan..."
"Wait!"
Zheng Fa suddenly spoke up.
"Stone Ancestor?"
With a curious smile, Zheng Fa looked at them, as though amused by their sudden confidence.
"You have no choice, but the Jiushan Sect does."
"..."
"You look down on the Jiushan Sect, but why should the Jiushan Sect accept you?"
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