The Sims: I Open the Immortal Path for All Beings - Chapter 2033: 1978–1979: Not Worth Mentioning, Alliance Hierarch Emerges (Part 2)

Chapter 2033: Chapter 1978–1979: Not Worth Mentioning, Alliance Hierarch Emerges (Part 2)

Upon hearing this voice, the expressions of everyone present changed, for they were all too familiar with this voice; it was the voice of Zhao Baiyang, the Alliance Leader of the Heterodox Path.

“Alliance Leader!”

“The Alliance Leader has emerged from seclusion?”

“Has the Alliance Leader’s injury been healed?”

…

People began to inquire one after another.

A divine light flashed, and Zhao Baiyang’s figure appeared at the head of the main hall, standing with his hands behind his back, his gaze sweeping across the heroes gathered in the hall.

“During this period, you have all worked hard!” Zhao Baiyang smiled and expressed his gratitude to everyone.

These words came from his heart. During the time he was in seclusion, the Heterodox Alliance went through so much turmoil. Without these people holding down the situation, he probably would not have had the opportunity to recover peacefully and would have been forced to intervene despite his injuries.

“Alliance Leader, you are too kind. It was merely our duty.”

Tie Qianshan and others repeatedly declined with a shake of their heads.

They, too, were sincere in their words. Although it had been a difficult time, Zhao Baiyang, who had attained the state of Taoist Monarch, was their mainstay. Knowing that with Zhao Baiyang, their Taoist Monarch, the Heterodox Alliance would not collapse gave them the strength to persevere until now.

Moreover, even though Zhao Baiyang had been in seclusion and had not taken action, his influence could not be denied.

Why were various immortal sects willing to trade with them through the channels of Bai Xiaosheng and the Sky Mechanism Pavilion? Besides wanting to oppose Buddhism School and bleed them dry, was it not also due to the presence of Zhao Baiyang?

Only a Taoist Monarch can counter a Taoist Monarch, and similarly, only a top immortal sect can counter a top immortal sect.

The Heterodox Alliance, with Zhao Baiyang holding the fort, truly had the qualification to confront Buddhism School. Without the presence of such a Taoist Monarch as Zhao Baiyang, the other immortal sects would certainly not favor the Heterodox Alliance, nor would they invest much support.

“How is your injury?” Xue Wuheng asked.

It was unclear whether others noticed, but at this moment, Xue Wuheng had already realized that the figure appearing here was not Zhao Baiyang’s true body, but merely one of his Dharma Bodies.

This discovery made Xue Wuheng harbor ominous speculations, wondering if Zhao Baiyang’s injury had not yet fully healed. Perhaps he had only emerged hastily from seclusion because he was aware that they were here, unable to reach a consensus, and feared they might make a wrong decision.

Thinking of this, Xue Wuheng felt a bit of regret, believing he should have immediately shown support for Tie Qianshan earlier to solidify matters.

After all, delaying Zhao Baiyang’s recovery because of this would certainly not be a good outcome.

“It’s no problem; the major issues have been resolved. I just need some more time to recover fully.” Zhao Baiyang shook his head and smiled.

He then brought up the previous matter, saying, “Vice Alliance Leader Tie’s suggestion receives my support. The current actions of the Xuantian Sect are deliberate and serve as a probe. Beyond wanting to see our hand, they also aim to edge us out of this alliance.”

Perhaps having been in seclusion and not dealing with the Xuantian Sect, Zhao Baiyang, like an observant outsider, saw through their scheme as soon as the incident occurred.

The Xuantian Sect’s actions, besides underestimating and ignoring the Heterodox Alliance, were intended to provoke us to start a conflict and then exclude us from the alliance.

Currently, the Taoist School’s several Taoist Monarchs, the Human Race Five Emperors, and the Heterodox Alliance have formed an initial alliance. For the Xuantian Sect, they are one step behind.

The Heterodox Alliance might not mind more forces joining this alliance as long as it strengthens them enough to combat the Jade Emperor, even at the cost of a slight division of interests.

However, from the Xuantian Sect’s perspective, with the Taoist School joining, uniting with the Human Race Five Emperors and their Xuantian Sect, they believe they would have enough power to suppress and defeat the Jade Emperor’s side. This implies they have the full capacity to seize victory and split the final spoils.

Since victory is assured, the next consideration is dividing the spoils. But no matter how it is divided, three forces splitting the benefits is far more favorable than dividing among four or more forces.

Thus, if they can seize this opportunity to provoke the Heterodox Alliance’s anger and then eject them, they would indeed claim more of the division, which is their calculation.

For the Xuantian Sect, a little pride is a trivial matter, simply done with a wave of the hand. Moreover, should the Heterodox Alliance bear this insult, they could use it against us in the future to suppress us.

It’s a plan that kills two birds with one stone, playing both ends against the middle.

The rest, upon hearing this, had their expressions slightly transformed, never expecting the Xuantian Sect to be so ruthless, planning for the future from the onset.

This is indeed the vision and strategy of a top immortal sect, thinking so far ahead.

“This is why I believe Vice Alliance Leader Tie’s choice is not wrong. A battle of egos would do us no good and instead bring endless troubles. After all, even from the perspectives of the other two sides, they would not consider the Xuantian Sect’s actions deliberate; rather, they would see us as narrow-minded, unwilling to accept the Xuantian Sect.” Zhao Baiyang spoke again, touching upon the stances of the other two sides.

This time, the Xuantian Sect gave full respect to the other two parties, only slighting the Xuantian Sect.

But whether it is the Taoist School’s Taoist Monarchs or the Human Race Five Emperors, their strength surpasses that of the Heterodox Alliance. Therefore, they would not see the Xuantian Sect’s action as wrong. If placed in their shoes, they might have had the same attitude.

Although the three parties currently collaborate, forming a tripartite equilibrium, in the eyes of any one party, ours is the shortest stilt of the barrel.

Conversely, if we pursue a grudge against the Xuantian Sect over this, it would cause them to think we are in the wrong, deliberately starting trouble and arousing dissatisfaction from the other two sides.

“In the end, it’s because our strength is lacking!” lamented the Vajra Sect Leader with a sigh.

He no longer insisted on his opinion, apparently convinced by what Zhao Baiyang said.

One must admit the deep prestige of Zhao Baiyang, this Alliance Leader. When Tie Qianshan presented such reasoning, some people were still reluctant. Yet, once Zhao Baiyang spoke, despite any reluctance from various sides, no one voiced opposition.

Such prestige was not gained merely after his attainment as a Taoist Monarch but was accumulated year after year since the establishment of the Heterodox Alliance.

Since its establishment, following the strategy set by Zhao Baiyang, the Heterodox Alliance had grown to its current state without a single error along the way.

This is what is known as the dependency on a successful path. As long as Zhao Baiyang does not make significant mistakes, his judgments will naturally earn everyone’s trust and support.

Even before his judgment is made, others may have different thoughts. Still, when those contradict Zhao Baiyang’s decision, they would convince themselves, pondering if anything was overlooked, leading to a wrong judgment.

Furthermore, Zhao Baiyang’s words were accurate. Even in the alliance of the three parties, during interactions with the Taoist School and the Human Race Five Emperors, one cannot deny that our power is the weakest link.

Ultimately, it is due to insufficient strength, and when strength is lacking, a bit of tolerance and concession is unavoidable.

However, Zhao Baiyang also understood that this issue is not something that can be resolved by endless concessions. Not to mention whether the Xuantian Sect would stop at this and cease further actions.

Given that the Heterodox Alliance has reached this point, embodying high spirits and rising momentum, there is no reason to retreat without justification, which would undoubtedly harm morale. He then added, “After a while, when I emerge from seclusion, I will personally meet with the Taoist Monarch Xuantian!”