Chapter 230: 230. Chapter 227: Sect Assembly

230. Chapter 227: Sect Assembly

Returning to Zi Xi Peak, Ding Huan implanted another spirit vein before beginning his cultivation.

He did not know when Zi Xia Valley would be attacked, but he felt it would not be long.

After Zi Xia Valley and Jiuyinmen clashed, both sects were nearly annihilated.

This news would eventually spread; once any ambitious sect learned of it, raiding Zi Xia Valley was inevitable.

It was simply that Zi Xia Valley's feng shui and location were too excellent.

So Ding Huan hoped to break through the Yun Xing Realm as quickly as possible and condense a star.

The Great Cosmos Art activated—this was Ding Huan's first stable cultivation session since entering the Yun Xing Realm.

All ninety-nine meridian circuits spun in Zhou Tian simultaneously; the surrounding spirit energy was sucked in by Ding Huan like a whirlwind sweeping away debris, and he finally relaxed completely.

Since beginning cultivation in the Third Layer Universe, he had never felt this at ease before.

Just as the ninety-nine meridians completed their first Zhou Tian, Ding Huan joyfully discovered his hundredth meridian circuit had been found.

Merely adding one meridian circuit doubled his cultivation speed, more than that.

Ding Huan's cultivation caused everyone on Zi Xi Peak to sense it.

Not only did the spirit energy concentration surge abruptly, their understanding of the Small Cosmos Art also climbed rapidly.

In just two months, Liu Yinzhu's cultivation reached Yun Xing Mid-Stage.

At this moment, Ding Huan's dantian had already formed the third star mountain.

Four months later, Ding Huan's dantian formed the fourth star mountain.

Eight months later, Ding Huan's dantian condensed the fifth star mountain.

This was due to the abundant heavenly and earthly qi on Zi Xi Peak, which allowed Ding Huan's cultivation to proceed without a single pause.

His cultivation speed was not slow, but Ding Huan knew clearly: to condense twelve star mountains, he would likely need two more years.

That meant he would not reach the Star Realm for at least two years.

Still too slow, Ding Huan thought helplessly.

Even at Yun Xing Mid-Stage, he absorbed ten times—or more—spirit energy than Liu Yinzhu.

This was the difference between the Great Cosmos Art and the Small Cosmos Art.

…

Zhen Yun Dao City.

For these days, the city was packed; merchants from all sides had gathered.

Because today was a major event: the Xiujie Sect Alliance would hold its Sect Assembly here.

That was the clash between Zi Xia Valley and Jiuyinmen, which left both sects sealing their mountains.

Logically, this assembly should have been held two years ago, right after the two sects clashed.

Unfortunately, the incident occurred during the Flightsphere's opening to the Xiujie Sect, when a group of Xiujie Sect prodigies joined the major sects of the Flightsphere.

The Alliance's leader and elders, along with some sect masters, had all accompanied these prodigies into the Flightsphere.

With the Xiujie Sect Alliance's leadership absent, naturally, they could not handle the clash between the two sects.

Now, the Alliance's leader Hu Wu Xin and the Zhushi Alliance's head Xin Can had both returned.

All the Geda Sect masters had returned as well; thus, the clash between Zi Xia Valley and Jiuyinmen could not be left unresolved.

If such a major matter were ignored, the Xiujie Sect Alliance would have no reason to exist.

When Jiuyinmen invaded Zi Xia Valley, they naturally anticipated the Xiujie Sect Alliance. But as long as they destroyed Zi Xia Valley, everything would be fine.

In any place, truth is written by the victor.

Jiuyinmen never expected that while going to destroy Zi Xia Valley, they destroyed themselves.

The Xiujie Sect Alliance's Council Hall stood atop the Zhen Yun Dao City Mission Tower.

The Zhen Yun Dao City Mission Tower was arguably the busiest and most vibrant mission tower in the entire Xiujie Sect.

Here, you could post all kinds of missions and accept any mission.

Though the Xiujie Sect Alliance's Council Hall was atop the Mission Tower, it had its own separate access.

Its prestige was slightly lacking, but otherwise, it did not matter.

At this moment, the atmosphere in the Council Hall was grave; at least a thousand people sat inside, each with a solemn expression.

Each person here represented a sect.

The Xiujie Sect certainly had more than a thousand sects, but nearly all those recognized by the Xiujie Sect Alliance were present.

For such a Xiujie Sect-hosted assembly, it was best to attend—even better if the sect master came personally, to show respect for the Xiujie Sect Alliance.

When your own sect faced trouble later, you could naturally seek aid from the Xiujie Sect Alliance.

It was like when some Xiujie Sects had gone to the Mortal World to recruit disciples and encountered trouble in the Dahu Gorge.

The Xiujie Sect Alliance had convened an assembly then; Zi Xia Valley had attended, with its sect master and first elder present.

Though everyone here looked solemn and all were sect masters, in truth, they treated this as merely a task.

After the meeting, they would return to whatever they were doing.

Only one sect master came to the meeting, but each sect sent far more than one person—there were elders, even merchant guilds.

After the assembly ended, they would attend various auctions and sell their sect's goods.

It was less a meeting to resolve the sect clash and more a sect marketplace.

A refined-looking man entered; before he even reached the main seat, all the sect masters rose to show respect.

The man was Hu Wu Xin, leader of the Xiujie Sect Alliance; rumors said his power was nearly at the level of the True God Realm of Liàn Xū Hé Dào.

True God Realm cultivators, whether in the Xiujie Sect or the Flightsphere, were powerful.

Without entering the True God Realm, Hu Wu Xin still stood at the peak of the Xiujie Sect.

Upon arriving at the hall, Hu Wuxin smiled and gestured for everyone to sit.

Once all had seated, Hu Wuxin spoke with a grave expression:

"The prosperity and splendor of the Dao cultivation world today were achieved through the joint efforts of all our sects."

"Some conflicts between sects are understandable; normally, we sit down and reason together. Even if we cannot reach agreement, we may report to the Dao Cultivation World Sect Alliance for resolution."

"But today, something heartbreaking has occurred in our Dao cultivation world…"

In the assembly hall, though all sect leaders wore grave expressions, inwardly, many were smirking.

Sect conflicts have always been settled by fists—the winner has reason, the loser has none.

The Dao Cultivation World Sect Alliance?

It's not that it's useless, but for most sects, its role is merely to not hinder your sect's development.

The Alliance can hardly assist in matters between sects.

But if they wish to trouble a sect, it's remarkably easy.

For example, limiting entry quotas to secret realms, or to the Ascension Realm, and so on.

Here, Hu Wuxin paused, as if struggling to calm his inner unrest.

After more than a dozen breaths, he continued:

"As we were preparing to enter the Ascension Realm, Zixia Valley and Jiuyin Gate, over trivial matters, engaged in open warfare."

"Now both Zixia Valley and Jiuyin Gate have sealed their mountain gates and locked their protective arrays—we cannot invite them to attend this meeting…"

"Lord Alliance Head, I have something to say." A young woman rose.

Seeing the woman, Hu Wuxin nodded and said:

"Ah, it is Tan Zongzhu of Shuanghun Sect. Please sit and speak."

All eyes turned to the woman—everyone recognized her: Tan Yanxiao, leader of Shuanghun Sect.

Tan Yanxiao was one of the few great beauties of the Dao cultivation world, with phoenix eyes and willow-browed grace, her exquisite face as if meticulously carved.

The only thing slightly incongruous was that her eyes never matched her appearance.

Tan Yanxiao's face was beautiful, yet her voice was slightly hoarse:

"Lord Alliance Head, esteemed sect leaders, I speak of Zixia Valley. Zixia Valley has indeed sealed its gates, but it is a false closure. During the closure, they have been sneaking in and out, trampling our Dao cultivation world's rules underfoot."

"According to my knowledge, Zixia Valley has already been destroyed; only a few disciples remain in control. They have sealed the mountain gate and stayed inside, monopolizing its resources…"

If earlier Tan Yanxiao's words had been ignored, this final sentence caused nearly every sect to lean in attentively.

If Tan Yanxiao spoke truthfully—that Zixia Valley had truly been destroyed—then this prime sect territory could be theirs?

Even Xin Can, the head of the Zhushi Alliance within the Dao Cultivation World Sect Alliance, felt a subtle stir. The Dao Cultivation World Sect Alliance was sizable.

But alas, it was all reputation—lacking substance, such as territory.

To this day, the Dao Cultivation World Sect Alliance held only True Yun Dao City.

Even its assembly hall was merely atop the Task Building of True Yun Dao City.

Zixia Valley was a fine place. If it had truly been destroyed, establishing it as the headquarters of the Dao Cultivation World Sect Alliance would be the ideal choice.

"How do you know?" Hu Wuxin asked gently.

Tan Yanxiao replied with sorrow and indignation:

"My sect's Elder Qu Yue Shan was betrayed and slain by a mortal named Ding Huan in Dahu Canyon."

"We searched for Ding Huan but found nothing—until we learned that Liu Yinzhu, elder of Zixia Valley, knew Ding Huan had killed Qu Yue Shan, yet secretly brought him into Zixia Valley to hide."

"When we reached Zixia Valley, its gates were already sealed."

"I had planned to wait until the gates reopened, then ask the Dao Cultivation World Sect Alliance to uphold justice for Shuanghun Sect."

"But we encountered Dong Lishang, Zixia Valley's Enforcement Elder, who said he had urgent news to report to the Alliance Head."

"Oh, is Dong Lishang here?" Hu Wuxin asked immediately.

"He waits outside. If the Alliance Head wishes to question him, he may enter at once," Tan Yanxiao replied respectfully.

"Very well. Bring Elder Dong in," Hu Wuxin said.

Some onlookers sneered coldly—how could a mortal betray Qu Yue Shan, a True Pill realm expert? Shuanghun Sect wanted Zixia Valley's territory—just say so outright. This excuse was contemptible.