The Heavenly Dao Sect was embroiled in a series of overt and covert struggles because Alkaid, the Junior Sect Leader, ascended to the Refining Void realm.
However, in the Taiyi Immortal Sect, all was calm and tranquil.
At most, there was a slight surprise among the mbers of the sect at the ergence of such a young Refining Void powerhouse from within the ranks of the Heavenly Dao Sect.
But once they understood the inside story, realizing that Alkaid was very likely a pawn of the Penglai Dao Lord, so of the high-ranking mbers even took a perverse pleasure in the turmoil, seemingly waiting to enjoy the show at the Heavenly Dao Sect.
Only Jade Emperor Supre, who was a Supre Elder, summoned Mo Shan imdiately.
"How is Sixteen's current situation? Has he made all the necessary preparations for his assault on the Hollow Void realm?"
He had taken on sixteen disciples in total.
Jiang Heavenly Venerable was the youngest, so he was often referred to as Sixteen.
"Reporting to the Sovereign, the Junior Sect Leader had already adjusted his mindset and was ready for the final push, but not long ago, he acquired a secret technique that will greatly assist him in opening his Cave Heaven at that ti, potentially increasing his chances of success by about ten percent. Thus, he plans to spend a decade or two to master this secret technique."
Mo Shan responded honestly.
However, Jade Emperor Supre was clearly not satisfied with this: "A decade or two? Just for an increase of that re ten percent chance of success?"
Mo Shan was slightly taken aback, unsure where his sovereign's dissatisfaction stemd from.
But having followed Jiang Heavenly Venerable for several decades, he still intended to say a few words in his defense: "The Junior Sect Leader has been cultivating for just over a hundred years, and spending a decade or two to exchange for a ten percent higher chance of success is a very worthwhile deal. With your protection, Sovereign, his chances of advancing successfully are as high as fifty to sixty percent, approaching almost a sure win. In the future, there's a very good chance he can reach the Refining Void stage within a millennium and beco the Vice Sect Leader of the Taiyi Immortal Sect."
"Delaying for a decade or two for a re fifty to sixty percent chance of success, nearly half a chance of failure..."
After hearing this, Jade Emperor Supre let out a scoff: "Such a waste!"
Mo Shan knew that Jiang Heavenly Venerable's talent was absolutely considered top-notch, and the comnt about being a waste was obviously not fitting. It was most likely that sothing had happened to displease his sovereign.
And that sothing was related to Jiang Heavenly Venerable...
"Is it the Cangwu lineage? Or did that Alkaid cause so new disturbance?"
"A disturbance?"
Jade Emperor Supre let out another scoff: "It's not just a disturbance, sothing like this happening in our Taiyi Immortal Sect would cause a huge uproar!"
He glanced at Mo Shan: "Do you know that Alkaid has already had his Dao seed rge with his Cave Heaven and broken through to the Refining Void realm?"
"The Dao seed rged with Cave Heaven!? Refining Void?"
Mo Shan was montarily startled, then his pupils shrank sharply: "Refining Void!?"
"Indeed."
This Shattered Void Realm Supre Elder nodded: "Although he has taken the most common path of the Void, with plenty of experience to draw from and the fact that the cultivation resources related to Refining Void are sowhat more expensive than others, Refining Void is Refining Void! And it's Refining Void achieved at the age of one hundred, at that. In any major sect, he would qualify to be the Vice Sect Leader! Hmph! Sixteen doesn't know what's good for him, making an enemy of such a genius... It looks like I have been indulging him too much these past years!"
"This... this..."
Mo Shan was at a loss for words, unable to recover from the shock of the news.
After a long while, he couldn't help but say: "Wasn't it just ten years ago that Alkaid just broke through to the Hollow Void stage? How... how has he reached Refining Void already!?"
"Rumor has it that it's related to the Penglai Dao Lord..."
Jade Emperor Supre said, frowning slightly: "However, being noticed by a Dao Lord in itself is a reflection of ability and talent, no matter the reason. The fact that he has achieved Refining Void and gained substantial benefits is undeniable!"
What are so rumors compared to that?
People at their level of cultivation see many things very clearly.
Risk and reward always coexist.
As long as one can hold tangible benefits in their hands, that's all that matters.
Just like him, if the Penglai Dao Lord promised to take him by his side and give guidance, he would betray Taiyi Immortal Sect imdiately.
But if it was just about joining the Penglai Immortal Sect as a Shattered Void being, waiting for the day when he would perform rits and then receive a few pointers from the Penglai Dao Lord, he would forget it.
In the end, they only care if the benefits are substantial enough, if the gains are significant enough.
"Enough."
Watching Mo Shan, who didn't know how to respond, the Shattered Void Supre Elder waved his hand: "If he wants to practice the secret technique, I'll give him the ti to do so, but we can't keep dragging this on indefinitely. I'll give him twenty years. When the ti is up, he must assault the Hollow Void Realm."
He let out a snort: "The two geniuses from the Cangwu Great World vying with each other, there was quite a commotion back then. But now, one has already reached Refining Void while the other is still wasting ti in the Golden Core stage... I can't lose face like this!"
"Yes, I will relay the ssage to the Junior Sect Leader at once,"
Mo Shan hurriedly responded.
...
The news of Alkaid's ascension to Refining Void was causing a huge buzz in the Heavenly Dao Sect, and naturally, the Cangwu lineage within the Taiyi Immortal Sect also received this ssage.
At this mont, the gathered Cangwu War Immortals looked at each other and then simultaneously smiled bitterly.
"Short-sighted indeed! How utterly short-sighted! An unprecedented genius is right before their eyes, yet they remain unaware, foolishly focusing all their energy on soone with a divided heart... Ridiculous, truly ridiculous."
Xie Xiong spoke of ridiculousness, but there was not a trace of amusent on his face.
"It's a good thing Wan Liugui didn't make a move against Alkaid back then, even leaving behind so good will. Otherwise... our Cangwu lineage would have beco the biggest joke under the heavens."
Gelin also expressed his relief at that mont.
Li An glanced at him.
Is there any other choice?
By now, the Cangwu lineage is probably a laughingstock in many people's eyes; it's just that no one has stepped forward to say it out loud.
It's not just him who thinks so; the other Hollow Void War Immortals feel the sa.
After a good while, Xie Xiong finally took a long breath and said, "Let it be, let it be, our lineage in the Cangwu has ultimately split from Wan Liugui's. From now on, whether we fare well or not, let each follow their fate."
Gelin and Li An had no more to say.
It could only be so.
What else?
...
Elsewhere.
After ten days of preparation, the Immortal Vein responsible for handling all sorts of affairs at the Heavenly Dao Sect had finally made proper arrangents for the vice sect leader's celebration banquet.
The birth of a Refining Void realm vice sect leader must be grandly celebrated, and the event should even warrant invitations to fellow Daoists from the other factions within the Ten Great Immortal Paths.
However, on one hand, Alkaid himself did not wish for a grand celebration, and on the other, Zong Wenxian had other thoughts.
The most critical point was that this vice sect leader's relationship with the Penglai Immortal Sect was ambiguous. If the sect went to great lengths to hold an ascension banquet for him now, what if, in a decade or so, the vice sect leader defected directly to the Penglai Immortal Sect? Where would the Heavenly Dao Sect's face be then?
In these circumstances, while the celebration seed extrely grand on the surface, brimming with cheers and jubilation throughout the Heavenly Dao Sect, in reality...
Compared to other Hollow Void advancents to Refining Void, there was a distinct sense of desolation.
...
Sect main hall.
One after another, Peak Masters and Elders with so free ti began to arrive.
Each of the three vice sect leaders sent representative figures to attend the banquet.
Even four of the Supre Elders made an appearance.
One was Zhen Xuanyuan, the chief Supre Elder, the most influential person in the Supre Elder Council, who also had the privilege of direct communication with Jun Tian Dao Lord.
Another was True Monarch Chi Yun, a renowned Shattered Void powerhouse for many years.
It was this Supre Elder who stood behind Shen Junyan, one of the three great vice sect leaders of the Heavenly Dao Sect.
These two Supre Elders were also influential figures within the sect, with each commanding at least one Peak Master-level spokesperson.
As for the True Disciples and Inner Sect Disciples...
They too flocked to the banquet in the plaza outside the main hall, lacking the qualifications to enter the main hall itself.
During the early and middle stages of the banquet, the atmosphere was naturally extrely lively.
No matter what the Hollow Void Elders and Refining Void Peak Masters really thought, facing Alkaid, a Refining Void powerhouse, and possibly one supported by a Dao Lord at that, they certainly wouldn't offend him openly; they had to maintain face.
And throughout this process, Alkaid gradually realized the deep reserves of a sect like the Heavenly Dao Sect.
Take the Penglai Immortal Sect, for instance; the whole sect had only three Shattered Void individuals.
One of whom, Shi Lin, was promoted prematurely in a forceful manner by the Penglai Dao Lord.
But the Heavenly Dao Sect...
Had four turn up to a single banquet.
And that wasn't even the entire number of Supre Elders in the Heavenly Dao Sect.
From this alone, if we were to go to war, putting aside the power of the Dao Lords, the Heavenly Dao Sect could easily crush the Penglai Immortal Sect with just half of its power.
After the cordial celebrations, Alkaid likewise received many congratulatory gifts, varying in value.
As the banquet approached its end, Zong Wenxian, the sect leader of the Heavenly Dao Sect, stood up.
"With Alkaid, a peerless talent like him at our side, our Heavenly Dao Sect will surely create a new era of glory. And as a vice sect leader of the Heavenly Dao Sect, while enjoying all the privileges accorded by the sect, he must also take on the duty of defending it," he said.
As he rose to speak, the crowd seed to catch his drift, and the buzz of conversation naturally died down.
So even looked at him with a hint of amusent.
"The domains of our Heavenly Dao Sect are roughly divided into five major regions: east, south, west, north, and center. Apart from the Sect Leader who directly governs the central region, it has long been customary for vice sect leaders to take charge of the other four regions, guarding the core. Alkaid will now have to shoulder this responsibility as well."
Zong Wenxian said with a smile.
"The sect has nurtured to what I am today, and if the sect has a need, I shall answer the call without hesitation!"
Alkaid too stood up, cupped his hands together, and began to make his obligatory round of thanks.
"Good, Vice Sect Leader Alkaid, your heartfelt sincerity is truly touching. Now, I can be at ease assigning you the task of overseeing a region," Zong Wenxian continued, changing the subject, "For decades, Vice Sect Leader Shen has repeatedly bemoaned to the troubles of the Eastern Region, where Demonic Path forces descending from outside have wreaked havoc, causing imnse destruction. Although our Main Sect has dispatched quite a few reinforcents, the situation in the Eastern Region remains grim. Even the last tribute's contribution, converted to Pure Yang Great Pills, fell to 860 million."
The Eastern Region?
Hearing Zong Wenxian suddenly switch the topic in this direction, the Supre Elder Chi Yun's face changed.
But by that ti, Zong Wenxian continued swiftly, "All signs suggest that Vice Sect Leader Shen has sowhat lost control of the situation in the Eastern Region, which is regrettable. Given that Alkaid achieved Hollow Void and was able to journey to the Deep Blue Sea to eliminate demon hordes, slaying countless Hollow Void Demon Kings, his martial prowess is evident. Therefore..."
He said with a smile, "Let Vice Sect Leader Alkaid take charge of the Eastern Region to sweep away the demons and eradicate evil, restoring peace to the Eastern Region! This will also ensure that the region's tribute returns to normal!"
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