530: Chapter 531 Dilemma!

Seeing Great Elder Lu Chenyuan leave, Ancestor Yun Chen's legs immediately went weak, and he collapsed onto the ground.

At this moment, his back was already soaked, and his heart was still pounding wildly.

Looking up at the sky that had returned to calm, Ancestor Yun Chen stared blankly for a good while before slowly standing up.

He looked around; whether it was the Elders or the Disciples in the pavilion, they were all still kneeling. Ancestor Yun Chen's face twitched, and he sighed inwardly.

"Sigh, I've really lost face this time!"

Presumably, his servile appearance just now had been seen by everyone in the pavilion.

Now it was done; not only had the reputation of a Late Golden Core Stage Great True Person been completely lost, but the dignity he had maintained for years as an Old Ancestor had also been shattered, and he probably wouldn't be able to pick it back up in the future.

But what could he do? He was helpless too.

Facing such an unfathomable person, if he didn't kneel quickly, wouldn't he just be asking for trouble?

Besides, he was only enduring humiliation to preserve the Cloud Thunder Pavilion. When it came down to it, it was all for this family!

After sternly adjusting his mindset, Ancestor Yun Chen quickly convinced himself.

Thus, although his legs were still a bit weak, the panic on his face had vanished, and his eyes became profound once again.

After a long while, he spoke indifferently.

"Come here."

At this moment, Pavilion Master Xu Qing, who was still shivering on the side, finally came to his senses. He hurriedly stepped forward and bowed respectfully, but he dared not look up at Ancestor Yun Chen.

There was no help for it; having seen what he shouldn't have, he could only play dumb now.

However, Ancestor Yun Chen didn't care about that; now was not the time to fuss over such things.

"Pass down the order: the plan is postponed. All operations targeting the Tianxing Immortal Sect are to cease immediately."

Ancestor Yun Chen's tone was unquestionable, and he immediately added.

"Also, investigate the identity of that Senior from just now, especially find out the background of Zhou Yang and those people. I want to know everything, down to the smallest detail."

"Yes..." Pavilion Master Xu Qing was just about to agree when he heard Ancestor Yun Chen add another sentence.

"Keep the investigation discreet. Do not let anyone notice. If it proves impossible, then just let it go!"

"As expected!" Pavilion Master Xu Qing muttered to himself.

The Old Ancestor had been so aggressive just now that he thought he was going to investigate and retaliate, but in the end, he was still cowardly.

But that was fine too; he hadn't really wanted to get involved in this kind of Karma anyway.

Just now, facing that Aura as vast as the might of heaven, he, a Foundation Establishment Cultivator, had almost wet himself.

Now that the Old Ancestor had provided a way out, he would just do the bare minimum to handle it. He assumed the Old Ancestor wouldn't mind!

Pavilion Master Xu Qing thought this, but on the surface, he maintained an expression of respectful obedience.

It wasn't until Ancestor Yun Chen waved his hand that Pavilion Master Xu Qing felt like he had been granted an amnesty; he bowed and retreated.

The scene returned to silence.

Ancestor Yun Chen looked towards the northeast, the horizon where the Tianxing Immortal Sect was located, lost in thought.

He suddenly felt a bit fortunate—fortunate that he hadn't had time to take action against Zhou Yang and those people.

Otherwise, if that Senior had descended today, it probably wouldn't have been as simple as just asking a few questions.

He touched his waist and back, which were still aching faintly, and felt a wave of lingering fear.

Exactly what Realm was that Senior in?

...

Tianxing Immortal Sect.

Once upon a time, this place wasn't called by this name; it was the Qingxuan Sect, which had stood in the Southern Wilderness Region for a hundred years.

But times had changed. After decades of continuous expansion, what met the eye was now a completely different scene.

The traces of the former Qingxuan Sect could no longer be seen at all.

The mountain gate was towering, over a hundred zhang high, with the four characters "Tianxing Immortal Sect" inscribed on the lintel with iron-drawing and silver-hook calligraphy.

Behind it was a white jade stairway leading to the heavens, engraved with complex formation patterns.

At the end of the steps were continuous pavilions and halls, arranged in an orderly and dense fashion.

The Scripture Pavilion, Medicinal Pill Hall, Magical Artifact Pavilion, Martial Arts Arena, Spirit Beast Garden... everything was complete.

Yet, in the midst of this prosperous immortal atmosphere, there was a secluded courtyard.

The courtyard was not large, with blue bricks and grey tiles, appearing completely out of place with the surrounding towering halls.

At this moment, several people were sitting by the stone table in the courtyard, all looking absent-minded and troubled.

One of them, with a thin build, handsome features, and a scholarly air between his brows, was called Zhou Yang, and he was a Late Stage Foundation Establishment Cultivator.

He was originally a servant doing odd jobs in a small marketplace in a remote area of the Southern Wilderness Region.

It was only by a stroke of luck that he was taken in as a subordinate by that Senior Han, responsible for running errands and doing odd jobs for him.

Although it seemed no different from what he had done before, this was the Opportunity that rewrote his life.

From the plight of drifting about, living hand-to-mouth, and even being at risk of being killed by a Cultivator at any moment.

To now, while not everything was going smoothly, he had enough to settle down and make a living, which was a rare occurrence on the path of immortality where thousands of people ended up as dry bones.

All of this relied entirely on Senior Han!

And before leaving the Southern Wilderness Region, Senior Han had entrusted him to True Person Tianxing.

True Person Tianxing, remembering old ties, took good care of him, not only giving him an independent courtyard but also allocating him a significant amount of Cultivation resources every month.

But now that True Person Tianxing was dead, those so-called "favors" had become a hot potato.

The young man sitting opposite him was named Dong Pingan, whose cultivation was currently at Mid-stage Foundation Establishment.

He was originally a Loose Cultivator whom Senior Han had casually designated as a guide when he first entered the Heavenly Star Immortal City.

Later, he caught the Senior's Dharma Eye and was taken under his command to be a lackey, responsible for small tasks like purchasing resources and gathering intelligence.

His Aptitude was even worse than Zhou Yang's; the only reason he could reach Mid-stage Foundation Establishment was by using the Medicinal Pill left behind by Senior Han to forcefully pile up his cultivation.

After Senior Han left, he was also entrusted to True Person Tianxing.

However, he didn't like socializing, so in these years at the Tianxing Immortal Sect, he only had some dealings with Zhou Yang.

This was because both of them had followed Senior Han for a period of time, so they had a common topic of conversation.

And present, besides the two of them, there were other familiar faces nearby.

There were the Zhou family members from the former Ink Talisman Pavilion, the monster hunter Zhang Li and his wife, and even the former Black Armor Guard commander Yuan Hong was here.

Some of these people were direct subordinates of True Person Tianxing, but all of them had more or less some connection with Senior Han Feiyu.

But precisely because of this, their situation after True Person Tianxing passed away was not very good.

"It's been deducted again."

Zhou Yang put down the Jade Slip in his hand and sighed, his voice somewhat hoarse.

"The Offering Hall says that this month's resources will be reduced by 30%, the reason being that the Sect's finances are tight and they need to increase revenue and reduce expenditure."

"30%?"

Zhang Li slapped the table and shouted angrily.

"Last month they deducted 20%, saying they would make it up this month.

Now, it's even worse; not only did they not make it up, but they want to deduct another 30%?

What about next month? The month after that?

Are they just going to cut off all our resources entirely?"

His voice was loud, echoing in the spacious courtyard.

But upon hearing this, everyone frowned, and no one spoke.

This was already the third time in these past few months.

Last month they said there was a statistical error and they would make it up.

The month before last they said the distribution was uneven and they were adjusting it.

This month they said directly that finances were tight and they needed to reduce it.

Making up excuses and playing tricks, it all boiled down to one meaning.

They didn't want to, nor were they willing to, let them have so many resources, as they didn't deserve it.

Don't ask; if you ask, it's "by what right?"

By what right do you people who do nothing get to take the same resources as the Core Disciple?

And when it comes down to it, you are nothing but outsiders!

That's right, outsiders!

This was actually a historical legacy issue.

Back when True Person Tianxing killed the Qingxuan Sect Old Ancestor Cheng Qingxuan, he did not purge the Sect Disciples; he only killed a batch of those who were stubborn and unyielding.

Later, he brought over his team from the Heavenly Star Immortal City, and the two were merged together to become the current Tianxing Immortal Sect.

But everyone who knew, knew what the Heavenly Star Immortal City was like before.

To put it nicely, it was a Holy Land for Loose Cultivators; to put it bluntly, it was a gathering place for a mob.

The only things that essentially belonged to True Person Tianxing were the Black Armor Guard and his few Disciples.

This led to the fact that when facing the massive Sect system of the Qingxuan Sect, even if True Person Tianxing wanted to install his own people in every position, he was short-handed.

Helplessly, he could only select some people who looked honest and loyal to fill the spots.

But people's hearts are unfathomable; no one could know what these Disciples, who watched their Old Ancestor be killed and their Sect taken over by outsiders, were thinking.

At least while True Person Tianxing was alive, this group of people was extremely obedient, showing no dissatisfaction at all, and instead actively cooperated with the Qingxuan Sect to integrate into the new Sect.

For a time, even True Person Tianxing was deceived by this scene, and subsequently began to gradually delegate power to this group.

Who would have thought that as soon as True Person Tianxing passed away due to his exhausted Lifespan, this group would reveal their true faces.

Not only did they start to secretly promote the banner of the Qingxuan Sect's orthodoxy, but they also began to suppress and ostracize the original direct subordinates of True Person Tianxing openly.

Coupled with unknown forces sowing discord in the shadows, for a time, the Tianxing Immortal Sect was quite lively.

As for Zhou Yang and the others, they were actually somewhat caught in the crossfire.

Over these years, the Tianxing Immortal Sect had not stopped recruiting Disciples.

And these newly joined Disciples did not know the past of the Sect.

So in this upheaval, they were not too involved.

But the identities of Zhou Yang and the others were too special; they were directly branded as being from the lineage of True Person Tianxing, so naturally, they would be made difficult for and ostracized.

However, "if you eat salted fish, you must endure the thirst."

Since they had enjoyed the benefits, they had to bear the corresponding consequences.

Therefore, although Zhou Yang and the others were depressed, they did not blame True Person Tianxing or his direct subordinates for this.

Instead, both sides began to consciously huddle together for warmth, dealing with the surging external pressure together.

Actually, they also knew that their side was weak now, and it was not unacceptable to appropriately give up some interests.

They could only hope that the other side would be lenient when they could, and not take things too far.

But what they got in return was not moderation, but intensified bullying.

From being forced to move out of the Immortal Cave with abundant Spiritual Qi at the beginning, later, their resources began to be deducted under various pretexts.

Now it had seriously affected their Cultivation!

This concerned their own Dao path, and they could not afford not to take it seriously, which was why there was this gathering today.

"If you ask me, let's just flip the table on them. Otherwise, they'll think we're really easy to bully."

Zhang Li was a monster hunter by origin, with an inherently fiery personality. Now that he was this frustrated, he really couldn't stand it.

"Sigh, Fellow Daoist Zhang, calm down. Things are not that simple." Zhou Yang sighed and continued.

"If we had been tough from the beginning, perhaps there would be a turning point, but now, it's just not possible!"

"Huh? Brother Zhou, what do you mean by that? Have you heard some news?"

Zhang Li was not a complete brute; hearing Zhou Yang's words, he realized there must be some hidden situation that he didn't know about.

Upon hearing this, Zhou Yang nodded.

"Fellow Daoist, you guessed correctly. I have indeed received a piece of news."

After a pause, Zhou Yang picked up his teacup and took a sip.

The tea had already gone cold, bitter and hard to swallow.

"As far as I know, that Yi Qing has already started to attempt the Golden Core Realm, and this time it is a sure thing. I fear that when he comes out of seclusion, he will be a genuine Golden Core True Person."

"What!"

This time, not only Zhang Li, but everyone in the small courtyard had their expressions change drastically at this moment.

Attempting the Golden Core!

If what Zhou Yang said was true, then things were in big trouble.

They knew better than anyone who Yi Qing was.

On the surface, he was the son of a Qingxuan Sect deacon, but in reality, he was the illegitimate son of the Qingxuan Sect Vice Sect Master. It was just that at the time, due to his status, this matter was kept hidden.

As a result, Yi Qing became the one who slipped through the net when True Person Tianxing purged the high-level officials of the Qingxuan Sect!

And it even made him watch helplessly as his Vice Sect Master father was killed; naturally, he hated True Person Tianxing to the bone.

It was just that this person was particularly good at hiding; not only did he contribute a lot during the subsequent merger of the Heavenly Star Immortal City and the Qingxuan Sect, but he also behaved very obediently in front of True Person Tianxing.

So much so that everyone was deceived, including True Person Tianxing, which also laid the groundwork for the future loss of power in the Tianxing Immortal Sect.

And after True Person Tianxing passed away, this person finally revealed his true fangs.

He not only revealed the mystery of his own background but also, under the banner of reviving the Qingxuan Sect, gathered the former Disciples of the Qingxuan Sect and quickly built up his own team.

Then, before everyone could react, he took over most of the affairs of the Tianxing Immortal Sect in the name of the Acting Sect Master.

At this point, even if those with insight reacted, it was too late; Yi Qing's momentum was already established!

And it was from this time that the days for those originally belonging to the lineage of True Person Tianxing began to become difficult.

But as the saying goes, it's better to live poorly than to die well. Although life was difficult, everyone had climbed up from the bottom, so their acceptance capacity was still very strong.

However, the premise was that although the other side didn't like them, they couldn't ultimately do anything to them, only play tricks with resources.

But if this person once broke through to the Golden Core Realm, then the result waiting for them could be imagined!

"No, we cannot let him have a Breakthrough!"

Zhang Li slammed the table and shouted sternly.

"And what if we can't? You don't need to think to know that the place of seclusion must have heavy protection; it is impossible for us to approach him."

Yuan Hong immediately poured cold water on Zhang Li.

"Then what do you say we do!"

Zhang Li said with some indignation.

At this, everyone fell silent again.

What else could they do? Unless they sacrificed the pawns to save the general now, abandoned everything, and left the Southern Wilderness Region.

But was this possible?

Not to mention that it was hard to part with everything they had obtained over half their lives, even if they really wanted to run, where could they go?

In all these years, who had truly walked out of the Southern Wilderness Region?

Hmm, wait!

It seems there really is one!