Chapter 166: A Talk from Li Qingyuan

Chapter 166: Chapter 166: A Talk from Li Qingyuan

Li Qingyuan’s words pulled everyone into their memories.

He continued, "Back then, the disciples of the Six Sects and Eight Gates lived purely. They all possessed hearts that sought the Dao and were diligent in their Cultivation. The ambitious ones strove to reach the peak of their Cultivation in life, while others had simpler goals, merely wanting to show off at the Tengxing Grand Assembly. But regardless, every Cultivator’s heart was simple. A single lamp, a meditation cushion, and a humble meal were all they needed."

"But today, the Six Sects and Eight Gates are a corrupt mess. Never mind your other Sects; just look at our own Purple Gold Sect. Many disciples have learned to compete over status and are deeply influenced by extravagance. They practice Cultivation to make a name for themselves, to gain power and authority. For a Cultivator, once the principles you hold dear are corrupted by all that nonsense, what bloody point is there in cultivating the Dao?"

"For some reason, starting more than two years ago, the Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi began to grow more abundant. It was as if everyone’s spiritual perception had been touched by the hand of a god and instantly awakened. Consequently, in just two or three short years, many have advanced their Cultivation more than they would have in twenty or thirty years of bitter training. This has not only caused people to become overly ambitious, but it has also left their Cultivation foundations unstable. All of this is a result of impatience."

"But that isn’t even the most terrifying part. Has any of you considered that as the Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi grows ever more abundant, the number of Cultivators in the world will explode? Humans are inherently selfish. Once many people acquire a certain degree of power, they don’t think of upholding justice. Instead, they learn to lord it over others. There will always be good people in the world, but evil can never be eradicated. The Red Blood Mansion is a perfect example. We’ve all agreed we can unite to destroy the Red Blood Mansion this time. But who can guarantee that there won’t be more Red Blood Mansions or Blue Blood Mansions in the future? Who can guarantee that an incredibly powerful and incomparably evil Sect won’t emerge?"

"At that point, will we even be able to gather together like this? What if, by the time we finally react, a new ’Red Blood Mansion’ has already annihilated one of the Sects present here today?"

"And perhaps there’s something else you haven’t considered. The Spiritual Qi is abundant here, but what about the Central Domain? Is it not the same there? In the past, the Central Domain viewed our Eastern Domain as a Barbarian Land. But as the Spiritual Qi has grown more plentiful, the number of Cultivation Sects in our Eastern Domain has increased. In the Central Domain, a place with countless legacies where the Martial Dao flourishes, wouldn’t there be even more?"

"Previously, they may have looked down on our backwater region, but as the number of Cultivation Sects in the Central Domain and other domains increases, a time will come when they won’t have enough resources to go around. What happens when resources are insufficient? They expand their territory. And where will they expand? To the most chaotic and least unified places, of course."

"I want to ask all of you, when that time comes, when our Eastern Domain is besieged by threats both internal and external, will it still be feasible for us to cling to the idea of only sweeping the snow from our own doorsteps?"

Li Qingyuan’s words struck everyone like a clap of thunder.

Even Jing’an and Lan Bing, who knew of Chu Fan’s goal to unify the Eastern Domain, had never considered it in such depth.

Human nature is selfish. Most people want to take more than their share, wishing everyone else in the world were beneath them so they could do as they pleased.

In recent years, those Sects had certainly grown accustomed to living comfortably in the mortal world.

They say it is easy to go from a simple life to a lavish one, but difficult to return.

Was the situation here any different?

"Alright, this old man won’t sway your decisions. To be honest, I am also undecided on this matter. Let us conclude here for today. Everyone should go back, carefully consider what I have just said, and discuss it thoroughly with the people of your Sects. We will gather here again early tomorrow morning. I hope everyone will be able to calmly and openly share their thoughts."

"As for Wu Guanghai’s death, while it can be said he deserved to die, how should I put this... the Dark Night Envoy certainly had no authority to carry out the sentence, nor did they show any respect for us Sect Leaders. So, Sect Leader Jing, go back and have a good talk with that... Lord of yours. If he truly possesses heaven-defying abilities, have him attend the meeting himself. This old man will welcome him with the utmost respect. As for this Dark Night Envoy, they are not to come tomorrow. Otherwise, I will be the first to withdraw from this discussion."

Jing’an bowed deeply and respectfully. "Sect Leader Li, I will report your words to my Lord immediately."

"As for the matter of you killing the Sect Leader of the Fiery Fire Sect, we will not interfere. But if anything like this happens again, this old man will surely rally All Sects under heaven and, staking everything, hold you accountable first."

After speaking, a sharp glint flashed in Li Qingyuan’s eyes. He then pushed open the doors to the hall and walked out.

Experience, after all, is the best teacher. Li Qingyuan had first used the grave situation facing the Eastern Domain to make everyone reflect deeply. Then, using a carrot-and-stick approach, he had treated both sides of the issue with an even hand.

And just like that, Wu Guanghai’s death was glossed over. No one had any grounds to object to how his fate was handled.

After Li Qingyuan left, the other Sect Leaders departed in small groups with those they were close to, discussing the events of the meeting among themselves.

Nan Chuting returned alone to the courtyard assigned to the Mixed Element Sect. She sat by the edge of a pond, her gaze fixed motionlessly on the koi swimming within.

"COUGH, COUGH!"

The voice of an old man sounded from behind her.

"How did our disciples fare in the competition today?" Nan Chuting asked without turning her head.

"Lin Shumin was eliminated in the second round. Only two disciples made it into the top fifty and will be able to participate in tomorrow’s final tournament. Sect Leader, may I ask why you are sitting here in a daze?"

This old man was the Second Elder of the Mixed Element Sect. He had initially been among those who opposed Nan Chuting’s appointment as Sect Leader, but her methods over the past few years had won him over.

"In accordance with our discussion last night, I supported Cheng Shimo’s proposal today. Furthermore, I have a feeling that Cheng Shimo, Lü Hongshao, Shi Yindi, and Wang Zhiheng may have long ago reached an agreement with that mysterious Lord mentioned by Jing’an."

"Sect Leader, please tell this old one what happened in the side hall today."

After Nan Chuting finished her account, the Second Elder sank into thought for a long while.

"Sect Leader Li is truly worthy of his title as a Sect Leader of the older generation; he always sees right to the heart of a matter. We Cultivators have no choice but to seriously consider the issues he raised. But, Sect Leader, if Great Xia truly does unify the Eastern Domain, won’t your chances for revenge become even slimmer?"

Nan Chuting’s gaze turned serious. "Chen Kangbo went to great lengths to make this Tengxing Grand Assembly happen. In a sense, he represents our Mixed Element Sect. Therefore, whether for the sake of our reputation or for the future of the Eastern Domain Cultivation Realm, the Mixed Element Sect should not be the one to dissent. Destroying the Red Blood Mansion is the absolute first priority."

"Jing’an said that destroying the Red Blood Mansion wouldn’t require a single soldier from the Six Sects and Eight Gates, and that they would be annihilated within half a month. If they truly possess such power, then our Mixed Element Sect is no match for the Lord behind Mr. Hong’s Auction House and the Dark Night Envoy. If they don’t have that power, and they and the Red Blood Mansion end up crippling each other in the fight, we will have an even better chance at revenge."

The Second Elder stroked his beard and nodded silently.

"There’s one more thing. I was able to set aside personal feelings and, with a clear distinction between public and private interests, support Cheng Shimo’s proposal. If that person backing them truly has a righteous heart, then after this matter is settled, they must support the development of our Mixed Element Sect. If, however, they plot and scheme against us, then every sect in the Eastern Domain Cultivation Realm will live in fear for their own safety. This is what I can secure for the Mixed Element Sect. As for avenging my father, I will accomplish that myself one day. It won’t just be Zhou Yi and Mr. Hong’s Auction House—I’ll deal with the Wuji Sect, too."