Chapter 548: The Establishment of the Righteous Alliance, the Issuance of the Ultimatum

The speeches of the three won thunderous applause from the entire venue. Subsequently, the alliance officially released its basic charter.

The content of the charter included resource sharing—sects and individuals within the alliance could support each other with cultivation resources; mutual aid and benefit—supporting one another when facing external threats; democratic decision-making—major affairs must be discussed and decided by the alliance assembly; and fair competition—all members enjoy equal status within the alliance.

But the most shocking news was yet to come.

Lin Xuan walked to the front of the stage again and announced a decision that shook the entire Cultivation World: "The Reform Alliance has decided to establish its own cultivation academy—Harmony Academy!"

This announcement caused an uproar throughout the venue. Establishing a cultivation academy meant that the Reform Alliance intended to challenge the monopoly held by traditional sects in the field of cultivation education.

"Harmony Academy will be open to everyone, regardless of origin or background; as long as one has the talent and determination for cultivation, they can enter the academy to study," Lin Xuan's voice echoed through the valley, "We will provide the most advanced cultivation concepts, the fairest teaching environment, and the most comprehensive resource support."

"The academy's teachers will come from various sects within the alliance, and everyone will share their own cultivation insights and unique secret techniques. We believe that through this open teaching model, we can cultivate more outstanding cultivators."

After this news spread, the entire Cultivation World was shaken. Traditional cultivation education had always been the patent of the major sects; they maintained their status by controlling the inheritance of knowledge. The Reform Alliance's plan to establish an open academy was undoubtedly a direct challenge to the traditional order.

The oath-taking assembly proceeded in a fervent atmosphere for an entire day. As night fell, representatives of the various sects took solemn oaths under that massive alliance flag.

"We swear in the name of cultivators," the voices of thousands converged into a torrent, "willing to strive for the Harmonious Symbiosis of the Cultivation World, willing to work for fair opportunities for all cultivators; regardless of life or death, regardless of gain or loss, we swear never to waver!"

The sound of the oaths echoed in the valley for a long time, as if even the heavens and earth were moved by it.

After the news spread, the entire Cultivation World fell into a state of massive shock.

Inside the main hall of the Heaven Sword Sect, a secret meeting concerning the future landscape of the Cultivation World was underway. Eight Sect Leaders sat upright before an ancient conference table, the faces of each one filled with gravity and anger.

As the convener, Yunxiaozi spoke first: "Fellow Daoists, the establishment of the Reform Alliance is no longer a simple difference in philosophy, but a direct challenge to our traditional order. If we allow them to continue developing, the landscape of the Cultivation World that has existed for a thousand years will be completely changed."

Feiyunzi, Sect Leader of the Flying Cloud Sect, slammed the table heavily: "Sect Leader Yun is right! That so-called Harmony Academy is clearly intended to dig up our foundations. How can we tolerate these green youths trampling upon the sect education system that has been passed down for a thousand years?"

Although Huikong, Abbot of Leiyin Temple, had previously shown a wavering attitude, he now looked solemn: "Amitabha, this poor monk originally wanted to give them a chance, but looking at their actions, there is indeed a suspicion of subverting tradition."

"Not only that," Taixuzi, Sect Leader of the Taiji Gate, said coldly, "they have also roped in seniors like Yunyou Zhenren, which is a huge blow to our prestige. If we do not take decisive measures, I fear more neutral forces will lean toward them."

Wanxiang Zhenren, Sect Leader of the Wanxiang Sect, nodded in agreement: "Indeed. I have already received news that even some sects that originally supported us are beginning to waver. We cannot wait any longer."

Although Zi Xiao Xian Zi, Palace Master of the Purple Heaven Palace, was the only female Sect Leader, her words were equally merciless: "The so-called philosophy of the Reform Alliance seems high-sounding, but in reality, it is inciting those frustrated cultivators to rebel. This dangerous ideology must never be allowed to spread."

Xuantian Daoren, Daoist Master of the Xuantian View, stroked his beard and said: "This old Daoist believes we should form an alliance and sanction the Reform Alliance in the name of the orthodox sects."

Finally, Cang Shan Lao Ren, Sect Leader of the Cang Shan Sect, concluded: "The Eight Great Sects joining forces is enough to shock the entire Cultivation World. It is time to let those who attempt to challenge tradition understand what true strength is."

Yunxiaozi looked around at the Sect Leaders present and nodded with satisfaction: "Since everyone is in agreement, we shall officially establish the 'Righteous Alliance', taking the maintenance of the thousand-year tradition of the Cultivation World as our duty, and resolutely strike down all heretical doctrines."

"Agreed!" the seven Sect Leaders responded in unison.

The meeting lasted the entire night, and the Eight Great Sects discussed in detail the organizational structure, action guidelines, and specific measures of the alliance. Ultimately, they decided to issue an ultimatum to the Reform Alliance, demanding its immediate dissolution.

Three days later, a specially crafted spirit bird for transmitting messages flew to the Star Moon Sect, bringing the declaration of war from the Righteous Alliance.

Inside the main hall of the Star Moon Sect, Lin Xuan took the letter sealed with the seals of the eight sects, and his expression gradually became grave.

"Lin Xuan of the Reform Alliance and others, listen," Lin Xuan read aloud, "You use reform as a name to carry out subversion, destroying the stable order of the Cultivation World for the past thousand years, bewitching hearts, and spreading heretical doctrines. This alliance is formed by the union of the eight major sects of the Righteous Path, acting in accordance with the Heavenly Dao to maintain orthodoxy."

"We now give you this ultimatum: within seven days of receiving this letter, the Reform Alliance must immediately dissolve, all members must return to their respective sects, and no further activities that destroy the traditional order may be conducted. If you do not comply, this alliance will use thunderous means to carry out righteous sanctions against you; you will bear the consequences yourselves."

"Additionally, we inform all sects and factions of the Cultivation World: whoever continues to support the Reform Alliance will be regarded as an enemy of the Righteous Path; whoever remains neutral will be regarded as secretly aiding rebels. We hope all parties will make a wise choice; do not say you were not warned."

"Jointly signed by Yunxiaozi, Leader of the Righteous Alliance, and the Sect Leaders of the Eight Great Sects."

After reading the declaration of war, everyone present felt unprecedented pressure. The union of the eight traditional sects was a powerful lineup that had not appeared in the Cultivation World for hundreds of years.

"Senior Brother, these old stubborn fools finally couldn't hold back," Xiao Yuan's voice carried anger, "What Righteous Alliance, it is clearly just an alliance of those with vested interests."

Muerxiu frowned: "With the Eight Great Sects joining forces, their strength is truly not to be underestimated. Moreover, they are not even letting the neutral factions off; this is forcing the entire Cultivation World to pick a side."

As Sect Leader of the Star Moon Sect, Xingchenzi also appeared worried at this time: "Xuan'er, the threat of the Righteous Alliance is not a bluff. Yunxiaozi's cultivation has already reached the Nascent Soul Late Stage, and with the other seven Sect Leaders, such a lineup is enough to sweep across most of the Cultivation World."

Lin Xuan was silent for a moment, then said firmly: "Sect Leader Master, we must never bow to threats. If we retreat under this kind of pressure, then all previous efforts will have been in vain."