Chapter 551: Shocking the Cultivation World, a Reshuffling of Power

The news of the battle at the Clear Water Sect swept through the entire Cultivation World like a hurricane, spreading with unprecedented speed.

When the Heavenly Sword Sect's spirit bird carrying the message of the defeated army flew back to the sect, the entire Heavenly Sword Sect fell into a deathly silence. After Yunxiaozi received the news, the teacup in his hand shattered with a sound, and his face turned so gloomy it seemed as if water were about to drip from it.

"Impossible! Absolutely impossible!" Yunxiaozi's voice echoed in the main hall, "Three Golden Core Elders, fifty elite disciples—how could they possibly lose to that bunch of greenhorns?"

Jian Wuhen reported cautiously: "Sect Leader, according to the disciples who escaped back, the Reform Alliance was not only prepared in advance, but their combat power far exceeded our estimates. Especially that Lin Xuan; his Taiji Divine Art has reached a state of perfection, and he could easily neutralize even Elder Qinghong's full-force strike."

"And that Muerxiu," another Elder added, "his Void Path is simply unheard of; he can manipulate space at will and redirect our attacks. We were completely led by the nose by him throughout the entire battle."

The more Yunxiaozi heard, the more alarmed he became. He had originally thought the Reform Alliance was nothing more than a rabble of idealists; he had not expected them to have such deep foundations.

At the same time, the news also reached the other seven great sects.

Within the Feiyun Sect, Feiyunzi was discussing countermeasures with the various Elders: "Everyone, it seems we have all underestimated the strength of the Reform Alliance. The humiliation of the Heavenly Sword Sect's defeat is a warning; we must absolutely not repeat their mistakes."

"The Sect Leader is right," the Great Elder said with deep concern, "the entire Cultivation World is now talking about the power of the Reform Alliance, and many small sects have already begun to waver."

In the Leiyin Temple, Abbot Huikong was chanting scriptures, but his heart could not find peace. As the person best at assessing the situation among the Eight Great Sects, he had already begun to consider whether to re-evaluate his stance.

"Amitabha," Huikong chanted softly, "it seems this disturbance is more complex than imagined. This poor monk needs to rethink the future path of the Leiyin Temple."

The reaction of the Taiji Sect was the most complex. After Taixuzi saw the report regarding Lin Xuan's Taiji Divine Art, his heart was filled with mixed emotions: "To think that the Taiji Dao has actually been carried forward in the hands of this young man. Perhaps we really should re-examine the relationship between tradition and reform."

The intelligence networks of all the major sects were fully activated, and countless spies and Secret Stakes began collecting detailed information on the Reform Alliance. However, the more intelligence they gathered, the more shocked they felt.

The Reform Alliance not only exceeded expectations in combat power but also demonstrated astonishing capabilities in organizational structure and the dissemination of their philosophy. They did not have the rigid hierarchical system of traditional sects, but instead adopted a more open and inclusive management model.

More importantly, the philosophy of the Reform Alliance was causing a huge stir in the world of rogue cultivators.

In a gathering place for rogue cultivators in Green Leaf City, hundreds of rogue practitioners were huddled together, fiercely discussing the battle of the Clear Water Sect.

"Have you heard? The Reform Alliance really defeated the elite troops of the Heavenly Sword Sect!" a young rogue cultivator said excitedly.

"Not only defeated them, but it was a total victory!" another rogue cultivator added, "I heard that even three Golden Core Elders were captured; this is simply an unprecedented miracle."

An elderly rogue cultivator sighed with emotion: "I have cultivated for thirty years and have never seen any force dare to challenge the traditional major sects head-on like this. The emergence of the Reform Alliance might truly change the fate of us rogue cultivators."

"I've decided," a Foundation Establishment Stage rogue cultivator stood up, "I'm going to the Xingyue Sect to join the Reform Alliance! Rather than taking abuse from those major sects here, it's better to go and fight for an ideal."

"I'm going too!"

"Count me in!"

Similar scenes were playing out all over the Cultivation World. Countless rogue practitioners saw the hope of changing their fate and set off one after another on the road to the various strongholds of the Reform Alliance.

What made the traditional forces even more panicked was that some sects that had originally firmly supported the Righteous Alliance also began to show signs of loosening.

Within the Infinite Sect, Wujizi was presiding over an emergency meeting of Elders: "Everyone, the result of the battle of the Clear Water Sect has already proven that the Reform Alliance is by no means a group to be trifled with. Should we continue to support the Righteous Alliance?"

The Great Elder frowned and said: "Sect Leader, we have already publicly stated our support for the Righteous Alliance; if we change our stance now, wouldn't that be going back on our word?"

"However," the Second Elder countered, "if we continue to support the Righteous Alliance and they happen to lose, wouldn't our Wuji Sect be buried along with them? Besides, the philosophy of the Reform Alliance is not entirely without merit."

The Third Elder was even more blunt: "I think we should reconsider our position. The crushing defeat of the Heavenly Sword Sect has already shown that the advantages of traditional forces are disappearing. Rather than clinging to old rules, it is better to go with the tide of the times."

Wujizi was silent for a long time before finally saying: "Pass down the order: maintain neutrality for the time being and watch how things develop. At the same time, send envoys to the Xingyue Sect to probe the true attitude of the Reform Alliance."

Similar decisions were made in multiple sects. The once monolithic camp of the Righteous Alliance began to show cracks.

Inside the main hall of the Xingyue Sect, the core members of the Reform Alliance were discussing countermeasures late into the night. Although this victory was encouraging, they all knew that the real test was yet to come.

"Fellow Daoists," Lin Xuan looked around at everyone present, "although we achieved victory in the battle of the Clear Water Sect, we must absolutely not become arrogant and complacent because of it. The Righteous Alliance will never let this go; their counterattack will inevitably be even more fierce."

Muerxiu nodded in agreement: "Senior Brother Lin is right. The reason we were able to win this time was mainly because we caught them by surprise. Next time, once the opponent is prepared, the battle will not be so easy."

Xiao Yuan was focused on another issue: "Senior Brother, there are now many rogue cultivators and small sects wanting to join us, but our capacity to accept them is limited. How to screen and cultivate these new members is a problem that needs to be carefully considered."

Shuiyun Xianzi spoke through the sound-transmission array: "Xiao Yuan is right. The Clear Water Sect has already received dozens of batches of practitioners coming to defect over these past few days; they are a mixed bag, and we must establish a strict screening mechanism."

Qingfengzi also expressed similar concerns: "The situation at the Qingfeng Sect is the same. I am worried that some people with ulterior motives will take the opportunity to infiltrate and cause damage to the Alliance."

Xingchenzi, as the Sect Leader of the Xingyue Sect, offered a constructive suggestion: "I believe we should establish a unified assessment standard; we must not only evaluate cultivation talent but also examine character and the degree of identification with our philosophy."

Just as everyone was discussing heatedly, the voice of Yunyou Zhenren came through the sound-transmission array: "Little friends, this old Daoist has a suggestion."

Everyone immediately quieted down, respectfully waiting for the guidance of this senior.