Chapter 364: Disagreement

Heavenly Plume Sect.

As Cloudstream City grew increasingly prosperous, the Heavenly Plume Sect also expanded significantly.

Many local Qi Refining and Foundation Establishment cultivators from Azure Dragon Prefecture had joined its ranks.

A considerable number of them were blacksmiths drawn in by the artifact refining legacy of the Heavenly Foundry Sect.

However, the growth of the Xu family had completely surpassed the sect's wildest imaginations.

In just over a decade, the family had transformed from needing their protection to governing an entire prefecture.

The relationship between the two sides was constantly undergoing subtle shifts.

Lately, the whispers of low-level disciples could be heard echoing along the mountain corridors, across the plazas, and even inside and outside the dining halls.

This was primarily due to the establishment of the Azure Dragon Alliance, whose reputation was growing day by day.

"True Lord Withered Glory serves as the First Elder of the alliance and has incorporated every Golden Core force in the prefecture, yet he left us out. Could it be because we are a branch of the Heavenly Foundry Sect?"

"Do you even need to ask? That has to be it. After all, our roots lie as a branch of the Heavenly Foundry Sect; we belong to the southern forces of Heavenly South.

"Many disciples in our sect are cultivators from the southern part of Heavenly South who followed the elders here.

"I think we will definitely leave Azure Dragon Prefecture in the future."

"If that is the case, then it is no wonder True Lord Withered Glory acted this way. If we joined the alliance only to withdraw later, it would be extremely troublesome."

"Not necessarily. The Xu family might just view our Heavenly Plume Sect as their own property. After all, our Sect Master is a core elder of the Xu family."

"Although the Xu family relies on a shapeshifting great demon to stand as a Nascent Soul Noble Family, how can their heritage compare to the Heavenly Foundry Sect? If it were up to me, I would definitely choose to return to the Heavenly Foundry Sect."

"I think staying in the Heavenly Plume Sect is quite nice."

"Heh, as your senior brother, I advise some of you not to forget your roots!"

The various discussions among the disciples—filled with confusion, complaints, pride, or disdain—intertwined to form a subtle undercurrent.

Behind the Sect Master's main hall, inside the side hall where Rong Tianyang meditated in seclusion.

Lately, his brows had been constantly furrowed.

He naturally heard the rumors spreading among the disciples and felt deeply frustrated.

Back then, under the orders of the sect, he had traveled to the northern region's Heavenly Azure Prefecture with his Honored Master, True Lord Fierce Sun, and his Martial Uncle, Yan Zhen, to establish the Heavenly Plume Sect branch.

Their primary mission was to act as Dao Protectors, ensuring Xu Deling's smooth growth.

A secondary goal was to lend the Xu family a helping hand.

However, the Xu family's development far exceeded his expectations.

In just over ten years, they had evolved from a newly minted Golden Core Aristocratic Family into a Nascent Soul power that dominated an entire prefecture.

Even if he returned to the Heavenly Foundry Sect and told the Golden Core elders about this, no one would probably believe him.

Xu Deling was exceptionally talented and brilliant. She had not let down the expectations of the Heavenly Foundry Sect; her cultivation progressed at a divine pace, and she was already at the mid-stage Golden Core realm.

Furthermore, her divine abilities had reached great accomplishment. Combined with her Fire Phoenix bloodline, her combat prowess was no inferior to his Honored Master, True Lord Fierce Sun.

In a sense, their duty to protect her was already fulfilled.

"The Xu family has completely risen to power, and Martial Aunt Phoenix Plume Fairy no longer needs our protection. In Azure Dragon Prefecture, absolutely no one dares to oppose the Xu family.

"Perhaps... it is time to consider going back."

Rong Tianyang murmured to himself, gazing at the sky outside the hall.

Cloudstream City was comfortable, but they were native southern cultivators.

Many disciples also had families in the south.

This place was ultimately not meant for them to stay long-term.

Now that rumors were swirling throughout the sect, it was time to make a decision.

After pondering for several days.

Rong Tianyang finally decided to visit his Honored Master True Lord Fierce Sun's grotto-residence to discuss the matter.

Inside the grotto-residence.

True Lord Fierce Sun, wearing a crimson robe, sat cross-legged on a meditation cushion.

He looked at Rong Tianyang and asked, "What brings you to see your master?"

"Honored Master, rumors are currently running rampant in the sect, and morale is divided. The disciples who followed us here occasionally have heated arguments with the locally recruited cultivators, leading to frequent conflicts.

"I believe it might be time to consider returning."

"Returning to the Heavenly Foundry Sect?"

True Lord Fierce Sun's pupils contracted slightly upon hearing this.

"Yes."

True Lord Fierce Sun remained silent for a long time.

Then, he slowly spoke, "Since we are discussing this, we should involve your Martial Uncle Yan Zhen. Send him a message and ask him to come over."

"Understood." Rong Tianyang immediately sent the message.

Shortly after, True Lord Yanzhen arrived.

"What do you need me for?" True Lord Yanzhen asked upon entering.

Rong Tianyang briefly explained his thoughts again.

He too fell silent.

The atmosphere in the grotto-residence grew somewhat heavy.

A moment later.

True Lord Yanzhen stroked his beard and said, "There is truth to what Tianyang says."

"We only came here because Junior Sister Phoenix Plume Fairy wanted to help the Xu family develop, and Martial Uncle Zhen Yangzi was worried about her safety. That is why the three of us were sent over.

"Now that the Xu family has firmly established its power and Martial Niece Phoenix Plume Fairy's path is smooth and clear, her strength no longer requires our careful guardianship like before.

"Furthermore, looking at the current situation, the Heavenly Plume Sect is in an awkward position because it is viewed as a southern Heavenly South force.

"I have also heard from time to time that many original Heavenly Foundry Sect disciples are feeling lost.

"If we stay here long-term, it might actually lead to an unpleasant outcome.

"It would be better to return to our southern mountain gates and hand the Heavenly Plume Sect entirely over to Junior Sister Phoenix Plume Fairy, or rather, the Xu family.

"Senior Brother Fierce Sun, what do you think?"

"It seems you and Tianyang share the same opinion."

The silent True Lord Fierce Sun suddenly spoke. His gaze swept over the two of them, and he said calmly, "If you two have made up your minds to leave, I will not stop you.

"You may take anyone in the sect who wishes to leave and return to the Heavenly Foundry Sect together.

"But I still need to stay."

"Why?" Both Rong Tianyang and True Lord Yanzhen were taken aback.

"I promised Martial Uncle Zhen Yangzi," True Lord Fierce Sun stated solemnly, "that I would act as Junior Sister Phoenix Plume Fairy's Dao Protector. Even if I am to leave, I must at least wait until she achieves Nascent Soul formation.

"Only when her great Dao foundation is secure can I say I have fulfilled my duty.

"Until then, I will not depart."

Upon hearing this, a surge of injustice on his Honored Master's behalf abruptly swelled in Rong Tianyang's chest. He blurted out, "Honored Master! The Grand Elder's arrangement is... it's a bit too biased!

"You also have the hope of forming a Nascent Soul! With your future on the Great Dao, how can you waste time here just to protect her path?

"This is unfair to you!

"Moreover, whether Martial Aunt Phoenix Plume Fairy's heart truly lies with the sect is still up for debate."

"Tianyang, stop your nonsense!" True Lord Fierce Sun scolded. "You know the Xu family's style. They spare no effort in nurturing their own descendants.

"If it were you, would you abandon such a family?"

"I..." Rong Tianyang was left speechless.

A master's grace versus familial bonds—it was indeed a difficult dilemma!

True Lord Fierce Sun looked at his straightforward disciple. There was no anger in his eyes; instead, he wore an almost self-deprecating smile. "Tianyang, you believe I possess the aptitude to form a Nascent Soul.

"I used to believe the same myself.

"But watching the rapid growth of the Xu family and Junior Sister Phoenix Plume Fairy over the years...

"I've increasingly come to feel that staying in the Xu family might allow Junior Sister Phoenix Plume Fairy to break through to the Nascent Soul stage faster than if she were in our Heavenly Foundry Sect.

"Do not forget that last time, the Xu family actually auctioned off a Nascent Soul formation opportunity."

"Can the Xu family's resources really compare to our Heavenly Foundry Sect?" Rong Tianyang asked in astonishment.

"Perhaps not right now. But the core members of the Xu family are just newly advanced Golden Cores, still far from the Nascent Soul stage. In a hundred years, can you even predict how far the Xu family will have come?"

Rong Tianyang fell silent once more.

True Lord Yanzhen mused, "That really is hard to say. The Xu family is developing too rapidly. However, if they restrict themselves to just Azure Dragon Prefecture...

"In a few years at most, they will hit a bottleneck due to limited resources.

"Compared to other regions in Heavenly South, the resources in the Northwest Region are noticeably inferior.

"Even with two hundred years of accumulation, they might not catch up to our Heavenly Foundry Sect.

"As for reaching their hands into the territories of other Nascent Soul powers...

"That won't be so easy either.

"Otherwise, why would the Xi family or the former Heavenly Azure Sect have been trapped in Heavenly Azure Prefecture for thousands of years, gradually declining step by step?"

"Junior Brother speaks the truth," True Lord Fierce Sun nodded slightly. "However, how the Xu family chooses to develop is a matter for Daoist Friend Withered Glory and his family to consider.

"As for the chance of forming a Nascent Soul we discussed earlier...

"I have recently become increasingly aware of the gap between myself and Junior Sister Phoenix Plume Fairy."

True Lord Fierce Sun paused, his tone laced with emotion. "It hasn't been long since she broke through to the mid-stage Golden Core realm, yet her divine abilities have already reached great accomplishment.

"Her combat prowess is even more transcendent.

"Even if she returned to the south, she would not fall short of the Golden Core geniuses from other Nascent Soul powers.

"In fact, within the same cultivation realm, you'd be hard-pressed to find even a few who could be mentioned in the same breath as her.

"Given time, once she reaches Golden Core perfection, with her innate aptitude, she might... just like her grandfather True Lord Withered Glory, possess the strength to fight against Nascent Soul grand cultivators.

"I do indeed have a slim chance of aspiring to the Nascent Soul realm.

"But Junior Sister Phoenix Plume Fairy has a significant possibility in the future of ascending to the late-stage Nascent Soul realm, becoming one of the absolute elite cultivators in all of Heavenly South.

"Protecting her Dao path is also protecting the future path of our Heavenly Foundry Sect."

The grotto-residence fell utterly silent.

Rong Tianyang and True Lord Yanzhen exchanged glances. Although they still felt it was somewhat unworthy of True Lord Fierce Sun's sacrifice, they had to admit that his words rang true.

Xu Deling's talent and potential were truly rare in this world.

"Honored Master, if Martial Aunt Phoenix Plume Fairy truly becomes a grand cultivator one day, will she really support our Heavenly Foundry Sect?"

"She will!"

True Lord Fierce Sun declared with unwavering certainty.

"Her character is unquestionable. Otherwise, why would Martial Uncle Zhen Yangzi and Martial Uncle Yan Longzi assign me to be her Dao Protector?

"They even extended their favor by having us look after the Xu family."

"If Honored Master is willing to believe in her, then your disciple is willing as well."

True Lord Fierce Sun smiled faintly. "Let us return to the previous topic. Since you both wish to leave, then you may head back.

"However, we need to clarify this with her first.

"I believe that as long as we speak openly, Junior Sister Phoenix Plume Fairy will not refuse."

"Understood, Honored Master. I will go find Martial Aunt Phoenix Plume Fairy now."

Rong Tianyang promptly took his leave.

However, True Lord Yanzhen temporarily stayed behind.

"Senior Brother Fierce Sun, after we part this time, it might be a long while before we meet again. I'll leave the task of guiding Junior Sister Phoenix Plume Fairy in refining high-grade magic treasures entirely in your hands."

"Naturally," True Lord Fierce Sun nodded with a smile. "Though, with her comprehension of the Dao of Artifacts, I don't need to worry too much. She only requires a few pointers."

True Lord Yanzhen paused.

Thinking of how even he occasionally sought her advice regarding artificing, he couldn't help but chuckle.

"She indeed requires very little worrying from us."

After chatting for another fifteen minutes, True Lord Yanzhen also stood up and bid farewell.

Inside the Sect Master's main hall.

Rong Tianyang arrived to inform her of his plan to leave alongside True Lord Yanzhen and the disciples of the Heavenly Foundry Sect.

Hearing this, Xu Deling pondered for a moment before asking, "Elder Tianyang, if this Sect Master asks you and Senior Brother Yanzhen to stay, would you be willing?"

"Sect Master, you should be well aware of the current situation within the Heavenly Plume Sect."

A bitter smile surfaced on Rong Tianyang's lips. "There are many verbal conflicts among the disciples. It might look like a small matter, but at its root, the core group of the Heavenly Plume Sect all came from the Heavenly Foundry Sect.

"With the Xu family's current power in Azure Dragon Prefecture, you could completely forge a brand-new Heavenly Plume Sect.

"A Heavenly Plume Sect that fully belongs to Azure Dragon Prefecture.

"If we do not leave, I fear it will plant the seeds of disaster for the future."

"They are just some Qi Refining and Foundation Establishment disciples. Even if they cause trouble, how big of a disaster could it be?"

Xu Deling paused, sighing softly. "However, since you elders have made up your minds to leave...

"I will not force you to stay.

"Although Senior Brother Fierce Sun is willing to remain, I am not completely at ease with you all traveling alone. I will ask him to escort you back to the Heavenly Foundry Sect.

"Once you return, convey my greetings to my two Honored Masters and tell them there is no need to worry.

"When the time is right, I will naturally return to the Heavenly Foundry Sect myself."

"Understood, Sect Master. I will take my leave now."

Rong Tianyang departed.

Xu Deling sighed softly.

She had previously asked Xu Chuan why he didn't pull the Heavenly Plume Sect into the Azure Dragon Alliance.

He had simply said that she would understand in the future.

'So Grandfather had seen it long ago. The disciples of the Heavenly Foundry Sect wouldn't stay for long, especially now that the Xu family has grown to a level where even the Heavenly Plume Sect has to look up to us slightly.

'This shift in status would naturally be difficult for some of the original Heavenly Foundry Sect disciples to adapt to.

'Conflicts were inevitable.

'Never mind. Right now, Azure Dragon Prefecture needs absolute unity. It's for the best that they return.

'However, with so many leaving at once, finding replacements will be quite an issue.

'Having only myself as a third-tier blacksmith managing the Heavenly Plume Sect is not enough.

'I need to invite another one.

'Perhaps Ancestor of the Yan Family, Yan Wujin, would be a good choice, though I wonder if he'd be willing.

'Master Huoyun is a mid-grade three-tier blacksmith; he would do as well.'

As Xu Deling pondered, her eyes rippled with thought. She decided to go ask Xu Chuan for his opinion first.

Perhaps he had some special arrangement in mind.

After all, he had already anticipated that the Heavenly Foundry Sect disciples would clash and ultimately want to leave.

Shortly after.

Xu Deling summoned a streak of crimson rainbow and soared into the sky, heading straight for the Inner City's Xu Residence.

In less than five minutes.

She arrived at Xu Chuan's courtyard.

Sitting cross-legged under the Withered Glory Tree, Xu Chuan opened his eyes and looked over, the corners of his lips curling up slightly. "Deling, what brings you here? Is something the matter?"

"Elder Tianyang and Senior Brother Yanzhen plan to take the rest of the Heavenly Foundry Sect disciples and withdraw from the Heavenly Plume Sect. Your granddaughter came to ask if you had any arrangements in mind, Grandfather?"

"So they are handing the Heavenly Plume Sect over to our Xu family completely," Xu Chuan chuckled lightly.

"Didn't you anticipate this long ago, Grandfather?"

"So you came because of the manpower shortage?"

"Grandfather is wise."

"Since the people are leaving, simply reduce the scale of the Heavenly Plume Sect. The framework is already well-established anyway; it just needs to develop step by step.

"If you need someone to hold the fort, Elder Huoyun can serve as a guest elder of the Heavenly Plume Sect.

"For managing the sect, you can recruit a disciple at the mid to late stage of Foundation Establishment to act as Vice Sect Master and handle the mundane sect affairs for you.

"Alternatively, you can try inviting the Ancestor of the Yan Family. There is a high probability he would agree to become an elder of the Heavenly Plume Sect."

"Why are you so certain, Grandfather?" Xu Deling asked curiously.

Xu Chuan smiled. "With True Lord Yanzhen and the others leaving, the Heavenly Plume Sect will become a subordinate sect of our Xu family, with you, the Phoenix Plume Fairy, serving as Sect Master.

"Barring any accidents, the Heavenly Plume Sect will eventually become a Nascent Soul power in the future.

"Although 'subordinate sect' doesn't sound very pleasant...

"The Yan Family still has to make a living in Cloudstream City. By becoming an elder of the Heavenly Plume Sect, wouldn't they indirectly be tying themselves to our Xu family?"

Xu Deling pondered for a few breaths. "That... does make sense."

"If Yan Wujin agrees, then out of the four major Golden Core Aristocratic Families in Cloudstream City, only the Yan Family won't have any connections left?"

Pausing, she looked at Xu Chuan. "Grandfather, you must have an arrangement for them too, right?"

"As for the Deputy City Lord of Cloudstream City, Grandfather reserved a spot for the Yan Family."

"Yan Nantian?"

"No, Yan Kuangtu!"