Chapter 537: Fly up the phoenix tree, become a phoenix in a day

Chen Xun and Black Bull had returned to the Immaculate Immortal Ridge, where overseers patrolled daily to protect the interests of the major cultivating families.

The island's various clans had long heard that two of the three sacred lands for cultivating immortality had fallen into the hands of others.

They couldn't help but be secretly shocked, wondering which senior had purchased them.

However, they knew that these vast estates belonged to the garbage recycling plant, and the shortest, most unassuming pavilion in the immortal cities was undoubtedly the Garbage Recycling Pavilion.

Yun Jin now controlled the entire garbage recycling industry on Li Chen Island. Wherever he went, Void Refinement experts cleared the path for him, and he made friends with fellow Daoists from all directions, thriving in every way.

On Li Chen Island, you might not have heard of Chen Xun, nor know who the master of the Immortal Hall is.

But the name Yun Jin was well-known, rising like a comet from obscurity, attracting strong cultivators from all sides.

The garbage industry spread far and wide, even beginning formal collaborations with immortal pavilions like the Lingbao Immortal Pavilion and Wangyue Immortal Pavilion.

Especially since he had a woman behind him named Luoshuang, who had extensive connections with various sects, her network vast and influential.

However, the older generation of cultivators knew there was someone even more significant behind them, named Nangong Heling, who was now cultivating at Dongxuan Dao Academy. Only by befriending her could one truly have a long-lasting path.

Yet, even older and more powerful figures had already seen the endless potential behind the garbage recycling plant.

Most of these forces were neither here nor there; the benefits of cooperation weren't substantial enough. Only by controlling it could they elevate their own immortal path forces.

Looking at the history of those colossal entities' rise, there were always some unsavory pasts.

If you look at it on a larger scale, the era of great slaughter among the myriad clans, the rise of the human race was still filled with bloodshed and endless schemes.

Even now, with the iron rules of the grand world pressing down on the Three Thousand Great Worlds, such things are unavoidable.

After all, those in high positions now have predecessors who succeeded on this path, so they naturally don't need to do the same, focusing instead on long-term cooperative benefits in the immortal path.

Today, the Mengmu Sea Region was calm, with little conflict.

Countless cultivators were either in seclusion in their cave abodes or busy purchasing treasures in the markets and immortal cities.

On one island, there was a picturesque spot called Mingfeng Terrace.

It was said that a cultivator once saw an immortal phoenix spreading its wings and flying here, its ethereal cry echoing across the eight directions, riding the glow of the heavens.

The place was named after this, though no one had seen such a celestial scene since. However, at sunset, the glow resembling a fire phoenix could only be seen from this angle, which was quite peculiar.

At this moment, the area was sealed off by disciples from the five major sects, with six people sitting cross-legged on Mingfeng Terrace, deep in thought.

Among them was a woman named Luoshuang, while the other five were sect leaders of the five major sects.

"Fellow sect leaders, what do you think of my proposal?" Luoshuang smiled faintly, remaining composed even in the presence of five Unity True Lords, despite being only in the early Void Refinement stage.

"Pavilion Master Luo, the Azure Dragon Sect is not to be trifled with. This matter requires further consideration."

"This sect practices the path of soul suppression, with legacies older than our five sects. In a duel, we might be at a slight disadvantage."

"Moreover, their relationship with the Flood Dragon clan of the Eight Veins is significant. It's said that the founder of their sect was a close friend of the Flood Dragon clan."

"Though we have grievances, if the five sects take action, it will be a death feud, and our sect's grand elders will not allow it."

"Pavilion Master Luo, this matter needs careful planning; it happened too suddenly."

The five spoke one after another, each voice more somber than the last. A rash decision to fight was impossible.

But their presence here showed they were curious about what enormous benefits this recently risen master of Wangyue Pavilion could promise them.

Luoshuang listened calmly, unsurprised, as if she had anticipated their words. The reason she hadn't called Yun Jin was that he wasn't qualified yet.

Though he seemed to have a vast garbage recycling plant, he had no foundation, essentially a nouveau riche.

If not for her status as the pavilion master, these sect leaders wouldn't bother with her, sending an elder to dismiss her instead.

Sometimes, one had to admit that the status of an immortal pavilion master was quite useful, as these elders recognized such a position, with its foundation and background, providing a fallback.

She looked at the five, speaking slowly, "Since you five seniors are willing to come, you must have some idea in mind. I won't beat around the bush."

"Please, go ahead." The five nodded calmly, showing no other expressions.

"The movements of the Azure Dragon Sect surely can't escape your notice. Their target is the garbage recycling plant, not cooperation with us."

"Heh, naturally, long-time rivals. But our open meeting today won't escape their notice."

A middle-aged man smiled slightly, looking at Luoshuang meaningfully, "Whether this negotiation succeeds or not, the Azure Dragon Sect will be wary, and Pavilion Master Luo's goal is halfway achieved."

"The five of you being willing to come shows you're not afraid of the Azure Dragon Sect."

Luoshuang finished speaking with neither arrogance nor humility, appearing accustomed to grand occasions, "What you seniors are more concerned about is the Flood Dragon clan behind them and the benefits behind this matter, right?"

"Indeed, speaking with someone like Pavilion Master Luo requires no pretense."

A charming woman also smiled slightly, though her eyes sparkled with intelligence, quite shrewd.

"They have people behind them, and naturally, we do too. Let's leave these matters to those seniors."

Luoshuang waved her sleeve gently, speaking unhurriedly, "But the small fry below also need strength to resist, so you can rest assured and act once confirmed."

She finished, taking out two jade tokens, inscribed with the Flood Dragon clan of the Eight Veins and the Azure Dragon Sect, placing them on both sides.

"Agreed." The five's eyes focused, nodding slightly, waiting for her next words.

Luoshuang took out more jade tokens, inscribed with Mengmu Sea Region, cultivating families, Xu, Feng, Zhang... Southern Yu Continent... Chi! Even the Immortal Hall was mentioned...!

But, still, there was no mention of the Mu family.

The five's pupils contracted, almost unable to sit still. What was this? Were they going to start a war in the Mengmu Sea Region?!

They exchanged glances slowly, feeling a chill down their spines. They had seen these things, and leaving now would be hard to explain!

They were already on a pirate ship, with no chance of betraying their sects or fellow Daoists. They weren't mere cultivators, but their hearts grew increasingly alarmed.

They thought they were the main force, but with these jade tokens, goodness, there was a great battle on the ground and in the sky...

They were just a part of it, not the main force at all.

The impact of Lu Chuan's attack on Trash Island had not yet dissipated.

The interconnected forces were numerous, and the seeds of disaster were long planted, ready for clearing.

The five sect leaders' gazes grew heavier, for if the Immortal Hall was involved, it would concern a major hurdle that cultivators in the grand world could never avoid: the rules!

Their research on the rules was limited, but they knew that sect feuds and power struggles, as long as there was a suitable reason and the impact was within a controllable range, the rules wouldn't interfere.

If it harmed a large number of innocent cultivators or spiritual soil or immortal cities, standing still would be their only option, as even their ancestors couldn't save them.

At this moment, the importance of the grievances and feuds was paramount, as major power struggles among cultivators required a justified cause, preventing unchecked actions.

Especially when matters escalated, many would step in to mediate, and ultimately, they would have no choice but to reluctantly cease.