Chapter 977: Elder Zhuang Debates the Elders (Part 2)

In the main hall of the Ten Thousand Flames Sect, more than a dozen elders were seated.

Dong Congyang looked at Elder Zhuang, who was debating with the many elders, feeling somewhat helpless.

“I did not speak wrongly, the Holy Fire Realm has encountered a change, and so many disciples have not been able to come out. Are you just going to watch as these disciples remain in the Holy Fire Realm forever?”

“Junior Brother Zhuang, you are being somewhat alarmist. Although a change indeed occurred within the Holy Fire Realm, it doesn’t mean all disciples are unable to come out. Perhaps they are just temporarily trapped.”

An elder retorted, “All of us have experienced what the Holy Fire Realm is like. The greatest possibility is that a windstorm appeared inside, sealing the way out. As long as we wait for the storm to end, the many disciples will naturally be able to leave.”

“Senior Brother Zhuang, I know you have always valued Lin Chen highly, but no matter how highly you regard Lin Chen, he is still a disciple of the Canglan Sect. Why use our sect’s resources to cultivate a disciple from another sect?”

“It’s not our sect’s resources, but the resources inside the Holy Fire Realm.”

Zhuang Lie corrected the retort, stating that the martial resources within the Holy Fire Realm are available to those with the capability to obtain them. If the entrant’s strength and talent are insufficient, they can only leave empty-handed.

“Junior Brother Zhuang, what difference does it make? Why nitpick on words here.”

“Of course, there is a difference.” Zhuang Lie sneered slightly, “Although the Holy Fire Realm was created by our sect’s ancestors, everything within it, including the Innate Fire, is born of heaven and earth. Our Ten Thousand Flames Sect plays more of a guardian role. The resources within do not diminish due to the presence of one more person. Initially, the ancestors did not stipulate that external sect martial artists were prohibited from entering.”

“Did allowing external sect martial artists to enter the Holy Fire Realm at that time ever impact our sect’s development?”

Zhuang Lie’s gaze swept over everyone present, “During that era, our sect instead saw the emergence of many talents. But since the Holy Fire Realm was closed off to external sect martial artists and exclusively occupied by our sect, did our sect’s power increase?”

This statement caused the expressions of many elders present to darken, as they knew what Zhuang Lie said was true.

Whether the Holy Fire Realm was open to the outside or not had little impact on our sect, and there was little change among the sect disciples.

“Junior Brother Zhuang, the reason the Holy Fire Realm was initially closed off was to ensure that all martial artists within the Flame Dynasty with the talent for refining fire would join our sect. If the Holy Fire Realm allowed external sect martial artists to enter, many with a gift for refining fire might not necessarily join our sect.”

An elder sitting in the upper left slowly spoke. Hearing this, Zhuang Lie sighed, “Junior Brother, I have recently reviewed all cases of disciples joining the sect over the past three thousand years, including some talents with a gift for refining fire who did not join our sect. I also reviewed the three thousand years during which the Holy Fire Realm was open, and the results left me astonished.”

“Junior Brother Zhuang, feel free to speak directly.” The elder to the left frowned.

“During the three thousand years when the Holy Fire Realm was open, the overall strength of our sect’s disciples was far superior to that during the three thousand years when the Holy Fire Realm was closed. One reason is the mutual exchange and encouragement between those with a talent for refining fire who didn’t join our sect and our young disciples after they came to the Holy Fire Sect.”

“The journey along the Martial Path is long, but how many young disciples can truly devote themselves wholeheartedly?” Zhuang Lie once again looked at everyone, “With no external sect martial artists allowed in the Holy Fire Realm, very few external talents come to our sect, leaving our disciples only with internal competition. But continual internal strife within the sect results in resigning to fate after losing once or twice.”

“However, if external sect disciples arrive, the significance changes. I specifically observed the cultivation progress of our sect’s disciples over the past two years. Especially this batch of disciples who have just entered the Innate Realm, their strength has generally increased much faster than the previous batch. The reason being the arrival of Lin Chen two years ago.”

“Lin Chen’s visit to our sect and the talent he displayed ignited the fighting spirit among these disciples. Like my disciple Haoyang, although he greatly admires Lin Chen, I know he hasn’t ceased his cultivation for even a moment, all to keep up with Lin Chen.”

“I informed the Sect Leader of this situation half a year ago, as well.”

Upon hearing what Zhuang Lie said, all elders present turned their gaze toward Sect Leader Dong Congyang.

Dong Congyang nodded, “Elder Zhuang is right. After Elder Zhuang informed me of this matter, I also arranged for someone to investigate. The result was the same as Elder Zhuang’s. After Lin Chen’s arrival, this batch of disciples has been cultivating twenty percent faster than the previous batch, and the amount of time devoted to cultivating is also generally twenty percent more than the previous batch of disciples.”

At this, silence enveloped the entire hall.

The reason everyone opposed Lin Chen entering the Holy Fire Realm wasn’t to target Elder Zhuang, nor Lin Chen, but due to sect rules. They didn’t want to make an exception just for Lin Chen.

“I don’t oppose reopening the Holy Fire Realm, but the current situation inside the Holy Fire Realm is unclear… Moreover, the main issue is that Lin Chen is a disciple of the Canglan Sect. The Canglan Sect is currently at war with the Eight Desolates Sect. If Lin Chen is allowed to enter, will the Eight Desolates Sect misunderstand and think that our sect has allied with the Canglan Sect?”

Among the major Super Sects of the Flame Dynasty, the two neighboring sects are age-old enemies. Due to its unique cultivation methods, the Ten Thousand Flames Sect holds no grudge against the Canglan Sect, but the Ten Thousand Flames Sect does not wish to become embroiled in the war between the Canglan Sect and the Eight Desolates Sect either.

“This is not something to worry about. As long as we do not disclose it externally, no one will know.”

Zhuang Lie had already thought of a response, continuing, “Even if the news does leak, it is inconsequential. An unforeseen event has occurred in the Holy Fire Realm, and the life or death of many of our sect’s disciples inside is unknown. We need to send someone in to understand the situation, and the Eight Desolates Sect can’t pick a fault with that.”