Chapter 314: Upper-Echelon Deliberations, the Grand Competition is Imminent (66k, seeking subscriptions)

Falling Feather Central Capital.

Main Pivot Hall.

Located at the absolute center of the capital, this hall is cast entirely from black steel; it is icy, silent, and devoid of windows or gaps, almost hermetically sealed. Only facing the east is a white iron door erected, a hundred zhang high, which is kept locked during ordinary times and is not easily opened.

The interior of the hall is pitch black, save for a single beam of light that descends mysteriously, illuminating a ten-foot radius in the center. At its heart sits a jade throne, quietly vacant. Surrounding it, the five members of the Falling Feather Immortal Sect's main decision-making body and their advisory council have appeared and gathered in silence.

They stand within the light, beginning this round of deliberations.

True Lord Chengru stands directly behind the jade throne; though the light shines down vertically, his features remain chaotic and difficult to discern. He is the first to speak, throwing out the topic for discussion.

Not to mention that True Lord Zhuding might not even oppose it!

The other three True Lords remain silent for the moment, gazing at True Lord Chengru, their senior fellow apprentice.

It is True Lord Buyi who is inflexible.

He looks toward True Lord Zhuding.

True Lord Buyi is devoid of emotion.

Likewise, this is also the reason why Meng Changqing was able to summon the other Nascent Soul stage cultivators ahead of time.

Do not be fooled by its ordinary appearance; in reality, it is natural and seamlessly integrated with the Dao, making it a genuine holy land for cultivation, even better than various grotto-heavens and blessed lands.

At this moment, True Lord Buyi suddenly proposes in a flat, expressionless tone: "According to our alliance agreement, the matter of the primary culprit is of the utmost importance. Even if it were merely a casual move, it must be clarified and understood immediately. Therefore, I propose that we raise the overall circulation price of goods."

This is his philosophy; he is one who pursues hegemony and seeks to contend for supremacy, and he seeks nothing but hegemony, nothing else. Thus, he has always believed that the current state of Falling Feather is too bloated.

Meng Changqing calls out to stop him with a subtle expression.

True Lord Huiqing gazes toward Meng Changqing's side, then glances at True Lord Chengru—who appears to be observing everyone but is actually focused primarily on this side—preparing to say something more to up the ante.

"I object!"

That new prison represents a retreat for the upper echelons of the Southern Pivot City, yet it is so circuitous and leaves such room for maneuver that it is clear they still wish to find a way to retain their power.

Meng Changqing is on the verge of blurting it out subconsciously, but stops when the words reach his lips.

Moreover, due to the overall price increase, it has now reached the point where one needs a Grade B-Superior merit!

True Lord Huiqing and True Lord Zhuding are immediately helpless, while True Lord Chengru sits firmly on his fishing platform.

And so, the three True Lords of the upper echelon fall into their routine round of bickering.

"However, the resolution does not seem to have been fully executed; instead, they have started playing small tricks."

The other three immediately cup their hands in thanks, appearing somewhat agitated.

Meng Changqing's expression is somewhat gloomy.

It is simply not something a Nascent Soul stage genius could accumulate in a short period of time!

Consequently, in this shift, her faction really just acted as they were, without even any private underhanded maneuvers.

Especially True Lord Huiqing.

Regarding this senior fellow apprentice who has been at the perfection of the Integration stage for many years, Meng Changqing only frowns, showing little courtesy.

"I have no objection either."

Because there are too few people available on this side, even a small surplus can be fully encompassed.

The other True Lords have many men, and their roots are deep; even if they gained some profit, it would be a mere drop in the bucket and would not become a problem.

Especially since this newcomer has also recruited a talent who faintly shows the makings of a heaven-gifted prodigy; if something is not done in advance, I fear that in the future, it will not just be a case of the newcomer catching up, but perhaps an extra opponent being added.

Everyone is at the Nascent Soul stage; Du En cannot be the only one striving!

Hmm?

True Lord Huiqing knits his brows, unable to help but shift his gaze over.

True Lord Chengru surveys the entire scene, seems to smile slightly, and nods gently, "Then, I shall agree as well; in any case, there is no one in the Central Region that I govern."

A moment later.

He is muttering and considering, and then, he spots Du En, who has finished speaking and turned to go cultivate.

From Meng Changqing's previous behavior, it is not hard to see that he already knows.

And now, with that incident, blending in among the others while still appearing to be the type who is slow to react is quite seamless, allowing for practical preparations to be made.

So, all in all, Du En is not wrong.

Although this proposal will clearly cause the lower and middle echelons to suffer and be burdened, relatively speaking, it is also a move to draw the firewood from under the cauldron, directly encompassing the entire field and indirectly reducing the impact on the fledgling faction he represents after True Lord Huiqing's proposal passes.

This proposed resolution might not necessarily pass in the sect's upper-echelon deliberations, but it does not need to pass, because it is merely a medium—a struggle and a period of friction between Meng Changqing, the future master of the South, and the existing ruling group.

Facing this abrupt question, Du En pauses his steps, then replies only this.

While secret arts are good, they are ultimately just the icing on the cake, whereas cultivation methods are the fundamental backbone!

Meng Changqing's meaning in saying he would compensate him is already very clear by this point.

"Turning back to vote, four to one, it passed after all."

"So, the key lies in the Dragon Palace?"

Meng Changqing grasps the key point at once.

His side has few men, and having one among them who can prepare in time is actually already quite decent.

Therefore, this is not just striking at and containing the future of the faction, but also striking at and containing the faction's present!

However, meeting the gaze of his senior fellow apprentice, True Lord Chengru, Meng Changqing cannot help but be secretly startled; he deliberates calmly and ultimately does not voice his opposition first, choosing instead to remain an observer.

The Falling Feather Immortal Sect's Thousand-Day Grand Competition is a contest aimed at the Nascent Soul stage; as the name suggests, it will last for at least a thousand days.

True Lord Buyi responds immediately.

He only chuckles as he speaks: "Taking advantage of this opportunity to remind the great cultivators who have lost their sense of crisis, and to make the overall situation more vibrant—I believe such measures are effective."

His voice is elusive and difficult to fathom, appearing mysterious and unpredictable.

They exchange a glance and become resolute.

Du En feels it is necessary to ask for clarification.

One should directly shave off nine-tenths, leaving only one-tenth, and then go to face the same pressure!

This is what he considers most suitable and appropriate.

"Seconded."

And this, in fact, is only one of the main reasons!

Therefore, when even True Monarch Chengru, who is closest to the Supreme, can only do this, others often find it hard to find a better way, and thus in the end, they will all only choose to agree and second it.

Consequently, also standing in the light, possessing both beauty and majesty, coordinated yet distinct, True Monarch Huiqing proposed at this moment: "Since this is the case, why not go with the flow and add fuel to the fire, restricting the acquisition of extra resources for the corresponding groups to urge the situation to clarify rapidly, which can also reduce many unnecessary links and efforts!"

Under pressure, form a temporary alliance, first sweep away those two in the middle, then...

Four to one!

"Yes, if the trip to the Dragon Palace can uncover the reasons behind it, or if you perform some meritorious deeds during the process, I can try to fight for a top-grade cultivation art for you."

But although he sighed helplessly, he had to admit that if that incident hadn't happened, even if he could have indirectly passed the information to Xu Fengjiao, she would still have had to worry about the situation and couldn't have done much; at most, she would just have had some mental preparation.

"That is indeed something I hadn't expected at all."

Because logically speaking, only by connecting the three weaker ones could they barely offset the first-mover advantage and contend with the top two on relatively equal footing, so even if their philosophies differed too greatly, they could still grit their teeth and endure it before.

In the end, they determined a number that both sides could accept.

As the Thousand-Day Grand Competition approaches, the Nascent Soul stage cultivators everywhere—whether geniuses or potential geniuses—are bound to be officially summoned, and the news will only gradually spread.

"In other words, I actually shouldn't have revealed the relevant situation to others?"

Du En asked plainly again, making Meng Changqing sigh involuntarily.

He had just begun to have new movements in the south, and his peripheral subordinates were appearing and starting to make a fuss; now she proposed this, clearly intending to drag him in and impose restrictions in advance!

Du En asked about this crucial matter.

For example, since True Monarch Huiqing was in favor of several related resolutions, she herself would need to fully implement them; she could not overturn her own stance and violate the rules that the True Monarchs had jointly set and agreed to observe.

—He could no longer have her provide merit on his behalf to easily get him extra resource allocations like top-grade cultivation arts.

True Monarch Zhuding was the first to agree.

Just by stepping inside, Du En felt his spirit lighten and had a slight realization, knowing that by cultivating here, the number of times he could circulate his Qi each day should be able to increase by another fifty!

Others have better innate aptitude than him, and their current talent is at a point approaching the threshold of genius, so the increase will be even greater; here, they might even be able to experience the feeling of being a genius.

Du En confirmed one point at this time; on Meng Changqing's mountain peak, he could indeed ask directly.

Meng Changqing would naturally oppose it.

Logically speaking, getting benefits for free without having to work hard should be a good thing.

... Used to it.

Therefore, this time, success is certain!

Seeing his performance, Meng Changqing did not say much, only stating: "The Grand Competition starts in half a year. You all stay here to cultivate for this period. If you encounter any doubts, bring them to me, and I will answer them for you."

Du En did not care that he had misjudged and directly stated all the relevant matters, including Xu Fengjiao taking the opportunity to make contact.

Du En had basically sorted out this set of rules for the upper echelons.

However.

He has strong principles, but he is not inflexible.

You are truly crazy.

Although Meng Changqing was unhappy with the mindset of True Person Zhenhong, his alliance had collapsed and his situation in the upper echelons was poor, so he decided to concede a little, pass through the current stage smoothly, and then slowly plot and settle scores later.

"What about the extra restrictions? What is the opinion on the resolution?"

"I agree."

"Only with pressure can there be change. Previously, our sect was too bloated; only through extreme simplification and then refining stones under high pressure can one obtain the ladder sufficient for stepping, and only then can one ascend to the seat of sole hegemony."

For the decision-making upper echelons of the Falling Feather Immortal Sect, there is always one matter that is the most critical and the one they can most easily agree upon.

"What else? You've already forgotten what True Person Zhenhong asked you to convey!"

"What's wrong?"

Even if there are losses in the early stages, because the basic landscape of the middle and upper echelons has not changed, as long as they can nurture a heaven-gifted cornerstone in the later stages, it will be enough to recover the capital with interest!

Such a precious opportunity could naturally not be wasted, and everyone did not waste it on getting to know each other; anyway, they would get familiar after spending time together, so they quickly dispersed, went to the small huts they had already moved into, and began their cultivation in full swing.

Meng Changqing did not mind stating their rules: "Whoever agrees must execute; this is another one of our rules, and based on that major premise, no one will violate it now."

Du En asked calmly.

Meng Changqing was truly troubled, "Also, how did you make contact? I haven't received a report on this yet. As my subordinate, can you have a little self-awareness?"

The words of True Monarch Chengru made the others fall silent.

She explicitly refuted the words of True Monarch Buyi.

Is this what you wanted to see?

Meng Changqing was slightly silent, and actually expressed his approval.

He did not care about the specific situation; he still defaulted to accepting the various alliances and rules he participated in, and as long as someone agreed with his stance, he would naturally agree as well.

"... Is that so? Only now thinking of finding a way out? What were you doing before? And being so two-faced, that old thing Zhenhong still wants to argue with me!"

However, after the incident at the Nancang Ruins, this alliance could be considered effectively disbanded.

"You actually don't need to be too proactive. If you can concede in the Grand Competition, then concede; definitely do not try to be brave."

The Thousand-Day Grand Competition is cruel, then let it be even more cruel!

In this way, it will be easier and faster to lock onto the Sect Master's true intentions!

At first glance, it sounded like that, fitting the established tone, but Meng Changqing only felt that he was being targeted.

Meng Changqing clicked his tongue secretly.

Even though Meng Changqing tried hard to find loopholes for him to exploit.

"I agree."

"No, I am just thinking, this way, how am I supposed to obtain that top-grade cultivation method, the reward for the Grand Competition?"

I must seize this opportunity of the next half-year to raise my strength to the next level!

The four-grade merit system of A, B, C, and D generally corresponds to Void Refinement, Spirit Transformation, Nascent Soul, and Golden Core; therefore, a B-grade merit corresponds to the Spirit Transformation stage, and it must be a merit involving the perfection of the late Spirit Transformation stage to be obtained!

Meng Changqing emphasized this again, fearing that these three would act on their own initiative just like Du En.

Meng Changqing only shook his head: "The Grand Competition does have a small reward; entering the top twenty allows one to choose a secret technique, and winning the championship allows one to choose a Yellow-grade Daoist technique, and that is all. It is purely symbolic, just a gesture."

Of course, one still has to oppose what should be opposed.

His Green-Yellow Canon will soon reach completion, expected to be fully cultivated by the Nascent Soul stage, and further planning naturally involves being able to switch to a top-grade cultivation method before or after Spirit Transformation.

As a dignified Quasi-True Monarch with supreme talent, answering cultivation difficulties encountered at the Nascent Soul stage is absolutely no problem at all, and it does not even require expending any energy.

That is, to figure out and attempt to obstruct and resist all the intentions and schemes of that master, that sect leader, that supreme being above one's head!

"In other words, there is actually a bit of leeway for those who oppose?"

Then, they will also adapt to the situation, guide things according to the trend, and mix in some of their own demands under the established keynote.

It is almost as if they knew the situation inside the Dragon Palace long ago and were meticulously selecting high-quality supplies to send over there!

The four of them were suddenly filled with shock and suspicion.

It seems you really have completely locked horns with me!

After that, it is a long process of bickering mixed in with the official business surrounding the new prison, until a final decision is reached.

"I know, I understand, but this is Master's decision."

"I thought you knew everything."

At that time, Meng Changqing's one vote becoming two would allow him to turn around and suppress the other two in the alliance; thus, if they maintain this alliance now, it will only become a hotbed for nurturing opponents.

Because among the four True Monarchs present, the one Meng Changqing needs to guard against the most is actually this Senior Martial Brother!

Both being of supreme talent, theoretically they are the ones with the most core conflicts, and there is a certain gap between them and the other three heaven-gifted True Monarchs; if he expresses opposition too clearly right now, he estimates it would cause the Senior Martial Brother to take action.

As True Monarch Cheng Ru said this, he sighed somewhat: "Perhaps he is short of corpses again, or perhaps he feels there are too many people now. In short, all the geniuses of this sect, as well as those at the Nascent Soul stage who might become geniuses, must participate this time to compete for the top twenty spots so they can participate in subsequent actions."

He would not be naive enough to think that once restrictions are truly implemented, they can be easily lifted again.

Of course, it is basically impossible for the other True Monarchs to agree with his radical views.

If the resolutions of the upper echelons are all this powerless, many things will easily fall into chaos.

By the time they finished speaking, they had already arrived at Meng Changqing's place of cultivation.

The person here only nodded slightly.

However, the opportunity must not be lost at this moment...

Meng Changqing gets a stomachache whenever he mentions this: "It just so happens that you continue to act on your own over there, and your methods are not only unorthodox but also full of obvious errors, yet in the end, you achieved that kind of result."

She wants to oppose True Monarch Zhui Ding and True Monarch Cheng Ru, but she is even more afraid of being overtaken by those who come after.

That he can always get good results despite using unscrupulous means is the point he finds most helpless, making him feel like he has no ground to stand on even when he wants to reason.

"Since that is the case, then let it be held."

Thinking quite beautifully!

His acting on his own can still have good results, while the acting on their own by these few will likely only end up with the same fate as Fu Yong.

In this situation, if Ying Dongqing, who had already defected earlier, were called over in advance, it would clearly demonstrate Meng Changqing's attitude and provide an answer to True Person Zhen Hong and the others.

Harmonizing with the light, surrounded by it, the transcendent True Monarch Zhui Ding could not help but frown slightly and ask: "What is Senior Brother's opinion?"

But for those benevolent people who have gathered under Meng Changqing's banner, determined to change the current situation and clarify the universe, it feels quite stifling and very difficult to accept.

True Monarch Bu Yi responded in agreement.

Being so unswerving of oneself, to the point where both enemies and allies would get a headache!

"Yes, a resolution passed by a unanimous vote naturally has absolute force; four to one is secondary, and one can abstain. Following this logic, three to two has the least force. Although opponents cannot oppose it on the surface, they can act circuitously and indirectly in private, which is why I was able to open permissions for you again and secretly provide special treatment."

"I have no opinion, or rather, because it is too sudden, I cannot figure out Master's intention for the time being, so I thought, it is better to go along with him first and see what exactly is going on."

"You are saying it like that on purpose; are you trying to claim credit?"

Because whether they can break through the Spirit Transformation stage might depend on this opportunity for cultivation within the sect.

Also, once this proposal is passed, all the various things previously promised to Du En, whether explicitly or implicitly, will be impossible to fulfill; this is a direct and clear constraint.

"Yes, originally, at most I would have used the behavior you would inevitably take once you knew about it to provide a very slight, side-handed hint; it wouldn't have counted for anything. After all, I didn't even know you two had contact, and I certainly didn't expect you to start your own reckless operations before that."

Conversely, because Meng Changqing has opposing opinions on the intermediate items, he can act circuitously in this regard, and the other True Monarchs will not stop him, allowing Du En to obtain the secret technique of Phoenix Red True Flame in advance.

Five times.

"You handle it as you see fit."

After Du En knew which grass hut was his, he naturally acted the same way and turned to walk away directly.

But who among those present is not stubborn in their principles?

Seeing that the matter could not be done, Meng Changqing immediately made a decision, took the initiative, and said: "Since that is the case, then I propose we raise the overall price by one hundred times!"

"It seems you have no opinion; that's fine, I will call her over as well."

One could only see True Monarch Bu Yi appearing out of place, not blending or merging with the light, bringing out a shadow from thin air, like an ancient stone from time immemorial.

In this way, it is naturally best to disperse as soon as possible!

"Three votes in favor, then."

"The Dragon Palace matter is indeed important, but it doesn't warrant holding that so-called Thousand-Day Grand Competition!"

Then, it is a matter of sorting out the overall discussion process, summarizing the resolutions, starting to supplement details meticulously, reviewing the consensus, and entering the stage of preparing for implementation, etc.

Such is the discussion process of the upper echelons of the Falling Feather Immortal Sect.

At the beginning, he did not understand this woman's thoughts either.

You have accepted benefits from others several times, can you not be so inattentive?

"Didn't you already know?"

Therefore, only this exploration of the Dragon Palace, because the situation is unknown and limited to Nascent Soul cultivators, might offer an opportunity.

The others were not surprised, only watching over one after another.

She looked toward Meng Changqing; since he had opposed it, her own opinion would only be one.

"Unanimous vote?"

"Understood."

"Yes..."

The reason is actually very simple.

True Monarch Zhuding!

Meng Changqing asked directly: "Do you think we should call Ying Dongqing over as well?"

"... No objection."

Because on this resolution, although this side was reluctant, they were also in favor.

Du En asked in return.

Because no matter what grand plans or philosophies the various True Monarchs and quasi-True Monarchs have, to truly turn them into reality, they all need to move this great mountain above their heads first!

Just as once True Monarch 【Huiqing】 affirms it, it becomes two against one; as for the other two, if the stubborn-minded Buyi doesn't have a problem with the philosophy, he will only follow Huiqing, and at that point, it would be three against one; even if Zhuding also opposed it, it would still pass, with the only difference being the intensity.

"The matter of the Dragon Palace has been decided; next is to hold the Thousand-Day Grand Competition to determine the specific participants."

Meng Changqing appeared helpless: "Right, whoever proposes it, advocates it; after I took the lead in proposing the resolution, letting those three guys who want to dominate alone and are actually at odds with each other start bickering and entangling, my opinion is to maintain a supporting stance on this major issue."

"Eh, wait!"

Du En nodded calmly, knowing what he should do.

Except for the fact that no one will die on the spot, there are no other bottom lines; the atmosphere is oppressive, extremely harsh and cruel, so every time it is held, many people suffer damage to their foundations, or even have their Dao hearts collapse.

Since it is already known, why bring it up?

"Hiss! The specifics, the specifics; the secret line contact on her side can only briefly grasp the main points, and True Person Zhenhong and the others haven't taken an overt path."

"Good, Junior Brother Changmeng, these words truly resonate with me; I agree."

After breaking away from the alliance, not only must he bear the pressure from those who acted first, but his former partners are also targeting him with particular sharpness; it can be said that his current situation in the upper echelons is precarious.

True Monarch Huiqing continued to speak.

And by now, Meng Changqing has also figured out why this is.

An ordinary mountain courtyard, the house has a thatched roof, wooden walls, and a rammed earth foundation; it is the most common and ordinary appearance, just kept neat and clean overall.

If one must categorize, she is of the orthodox streamlining faction, or perhaps the rectification faction, while True Monarch Buyi is of the extreme streamlining faction, also known as the risk-taking faction.

Meng Changqing looked at the speaker.

True Monarch Huiqing's original intention had been achieved!

"I understand; looking at it this way, I must first win the Grand Competition."

This is currently the most likely path for Du En to obtain a top-grade cultivation technique; other than this, the only remaining path is the normal one of cultivating high-grade techniques to completion and then accumulating enough merit to exchange for one himself.

"Our sect is indeed bloated, with various complex and useless institutions divided across different regions; it is in dire need of rectification, in dire need of being cut back and streamlined, but not by crippling our own martial arts and seeking risky paths!"

There was a slight silence in the hall.

And so, this matter was settled, and the trend of the times also moved forward a step.

(End of this volume)

(End of this chapter)