Chapter 628 - 254: Chongzhen Temple’s Nascent Soul Ceremony (3)

Chapter 628: Chapter 254: Chongzhen Temple’s Nascent Soul Ceremony (3)

That meant the other party had come prepared, and they couldn’t afford to be careless.

"Haha, He Ming, you certainly have confidence in your own disciples."

True Monarch Qianshu of Thousand Mechanism Valley praised him before asking, "But there are only seven of our sects here. If we’re to set up an Eight-direction Arena, won’t the division be uneven?"

"That extra share of the Spiritual Object... it wouldn’t be appropriate for any single party to provide it."

"In my opinion, we should find another way."

The rewards for this type of arena couldn’t be paltry, so his suggestion did have some merit.

"Qianshu’s concerns are indeed reasonable."

He Ming True Monarch nodded in agreement. "However, it is a tradition from time immemorial for a new sect to open its gates, set up an arena, and welcome guests from all directions."

"As for the missing share of the Spiritual Object, we shall provide it."

He answered so quickly it was clear he had already prepared for this.

"He Ming is truly magnanimous!"

True Monarch Yun Feng of the Mojie Sect began to reason with him, "However, doing so seems somewhat inappropriate."

"After all, this is the first time your esteemed temple has had a formal exchange with our sects since its establishment."

"If your temple is the one to provide the extra Spiritual Object, wouldn’t it make it seem as though we’re ostracizing a new ally?"

"Of course, I believe He Ming means well. I’m just worried that if word of this gets out, those Loose Cultivators out there won’t understand and it will lead to some sort of misunderstanding."

"Therefore, I believe it would be better to do as Qianshu suggested and find another way."

They still couldn’t figure out Chongzhen Temple’s motives.

But that was fine. If they couldn’t figure it out, they would just change the plan. As long as they didn’t follow the script their opponents had prepared, they would be fine.

Hearing this, He Ming True Monarch couldn’t help but curse inwardly: ’Such pretty words. We don’t need any Loose Cultivators to get the wrong idea—you never welcomed us in the first place.’ 𝘧𝓇ℯℴ𝓂

’But I have to admit, True Monarch Yun Feng’s words are so high-and-mighty they’re actually difficult to refute.’

"Daoist Yun Feng, I’m afraid that’s where you’re wrong!"

However, True Monarch Ziyang, seated in the place of honor, simply smiled, flicked his sleeve, and rose to his feet.

He first swept his gaze around the room.

Then, he extended his hands and made a ritual bow toward the heavens, his voice booming like a great bell. "Ever since the Daoist Ancestor reshaped the universe, the Eight Directions Arena has been passed down through the ages."

"In the east, it suppresses the Dragon Qi of the boundless sea; in the west, it draws upon the Earth Veins of Kunlun; in the south, it connects to the Li Huo Essence; in the north, it receives the Profound Nether True Intent. The four cardinal and four ordinal directions subtly align with the Circulation of All Heavens, serving as the very foundation for establishing a Daoist Sect."

"Though our Chongzhen Temple is newly established, our Dharma Lineage follows the ancient traditions in all matters."

"If we were to change the rules, would it not be said, when word spreads, that we are ignorant of the ancient rites? Might it not even cause the world to question whether Chongzhen Temple’s lineage is truly orthodox?"

At this, True Monarch Ziyang once again swept his gaze over everyone present.

His voice returned to a calm register. "Of course, times change, and I am well aware that these ancient rites are no longer in vogue in the outside world."

"But this is, after all, a rite passed down through the generations of Chongzhen Temple. As its descendants, we cannot simply fail to honor it."

"I trust that Daoist Yun Feng, and all of you, can appreciate our position and will not insist on changing the rules, deliberately making things difficult for us... will you?"

’Well said!’

He Ming True Monarch cheered inwardly.

Outwardly, however, he feigned a rebuttal. "Ah, Junior Brother Ziyang, you make it sound far too serious."

"Daoist Yun Feng made it very clear just now. As we are all of the Daoist Sects, we will naturally stand united and look out for one another."

"But then again..."

"Daoist Yun Feng also mentioned that those Loose Cultivators are prone to wild speculation."

"If we were to do things differently, I’m afraid they might get the wrong idea and start spreading baseless rumors about the Major Sects ganging up to suppress a rising power."

"It’s impossible to stop idle gossip, after all."

"Wouldn’t you agree, Daoist Yun Feng?"

Hearing this question, True Monarch Yun Feng was utterly dumbfounded.

’Wait, was that what I meant when I said that?’

But he had said it only moments before; he couldn’t just deny his own words on the spot. "Ahem. He Ming is absolutely right."

With that concession, the tacit agreement the Five Great Sects had reached in private became difficult to maintain.

Besides, True Monarch Ziyang had just played the ’ancient rites’ card and seized the moral high ground.

If they continued to oppose the establishment of the arena, it would truly look like they were trying to ostracize them.

Everyone present was a person of status who cared deeply about their reputation. No one wanted to be saddled with such an unsavory name.

But the question remained: they couldn’t just let Chongzhen Temple have everything their own way, could they?

True Monarch Gang Yuan glanced to his left. True Monarch Tie Shan was intently studying the pattern on his teacup.

He glanced to his right. True Monarch Qianshu was busy admiring the carved dragons and phoenixes on a nearby pillar.

Those two had already spoken their piece. To speak again would seem overly aggressive, so for now, they were content to just watch the show.

True Monarch Yun Feng had already conceded and thus couldn’t voice his opposition again.

True Monarch Lv Shuang of the Cloud Sea Sword Pavilion was in seclusion; Di Lang True Monarch had come in his stead.

He had only recently broken through to the Nascent Soul realm, shared little rapport with the others, and lacked experience in these matters.

Looking around, True Monarch Gang Yuan realized that it had somehow fallen to him, a mere Body Refining Martial Artist, to come up with a plan.

’This is asking too much.’

He was used to solving problems with his fists; he almost never had to do this kind of brain work.

The speaking order from the very beginning was proof enough of that.

WHOOSH!

A cool breeze blew through the hall. No one spoke, and an awkward atmosphere began to settle in.

"Um, well, I think... this whole business with the arena... it’s not entirely out of the question."

True Monarch Gang Yuan spoke in fits and starts, buying himself time to think.

’At this point, changing the plan is probably impossible, so it’s fine to concede on establishing the arena.’

’But I can’t just give in completely. I have to find a way to stir things up.’