Chapter 565: Even Rogue Cultivators Have Dignity

"Amitabha," Huiming Fangzhang shook his head and sighed, "Fellow Daoist Yunxiao, you are too extreme. The foundation of the Cultivation World is the human heart; if we blindly use force, we will only cause more people to turn against us."

Ancestor Jianchi of Wanjian Valley said coldly: "Both of you have valid points, but the key is that time waits for no one. I just received news that the Reform Alliance has made new moves; their 'Imperfect Cultivation Method' is spreading rapidly."

"What?" Ancestor Taixuan's expression changed, "What is the specific situation?"

Ancestor Jianchi's face was gloomy: "According to reports from the spies we planted, the cultivation method founded by that girl named Xiao Yuan truly has some merit. Many cultivators who were originally of mediocre aptitude have seen significant improvements in their strength within just a few days. Even more terrifying is that this method is infiltrating the interior of the major sects."

"This is impossible!" Ancestor Guisha of the Soul Refining Sect said sharply, "Our major sects all have strict management systems; how could we allow an external cultivation method to spread?"

Ancestor Jianchi gave a bitter laugh: "Fellow Daoist Guisha, I fear you are not yet aware of the latest situation. Just yesterday, a mass defection occurred at the Feiyun Sect."

"What?" Everyone looked at him in shock.

"Nearly a hundred disciples of the Feiyun Sect have collectively defected to the Reform Alliance, including over a dozen core disciples and even two personal disciples," Ancestor Jianchi said heavily, "Feiyunzi is currently furious and has already ordered the entire sect to be locked down, forbidding any disciples from leaving."

Hearing this news, the Ancestors present all gasped. Nearly a hundred disciples defecting en masse is an extremely rare event in the history of the Cultivation World.

"Those traitors!" Yunxiaozi was burning with rage, "It seems we were too merciful before! We should immediately purge all suspicious elements!"

"Fellow Daoist Yunxiao, you are going too far," Huiming Fangzhang frowned, "If we truly do this, we will only force more people to defect to the Reform Alliance."

"Then what do you suggest we do?" Yunxiaozi asked coldly, "Should we just watch as our disciples defect one by one?"

The argument between the two became increasingly intense, and the other Ancestors also held their own opinions. Some supported Yunxiaozi's hardline approach, while others agreed with Huiming Fangzhang's policy of conciliation; the entire council hall fell into a state of quarreling.

Ancestor Taixuan looked at the chaotic scene before him, a deep sense of worry welling up in his heart. On the surface, the Righteous Alliance possessed eight Nascent Soul Stage Ancestors, with strength far exceeding that of the Reform Alliance. But internal divisions and contradictions made it impossible for them to form a unified plan of action.

Just then, a disciple of the Taixuan Sect ran hurriedly into the hall, knelt on the ground, and reported with a trembling voice: "Reporting to all Ancestors, news has come from Wanjian Valley, the Soul Refining Sect, and Tianji Pavilion that disciple defections have also occurred within their sects!"

"What?" Ancestor Jianchi stood up abruptly, "People have defected from my Wanjian Valley too? How many?"

"Replying to Ancestor Jianchi, over thirty people have defected from Wanjian Valley, over twenty from the Soul Refining Sect, and over a dozen from Tianji Pavilion," the disciple said tremblingly, "And... and most of those who defected are young disciples; they left behind words saying... saying they want to pursue true cultivation freedom."

This news shocked everyone like a bolt from the blue. Within just a few days, disciple defections had occurred in all the major sects; this was no longer an isolated incident, but a trend.

"Pursuing cultivation freedom?" Ancestor Guisha gritted his teeth, "These traitors have been brainwashed by the Reform Alliance! I will immediately return to my sect to investigate thoroughly; anyone with a tendency to defect will be killed without mercy!"

"I am also going back to rectify my sect's discipline!" Yunxiaozi said murderously, "Since soft tactics don't work, then we will use hard ones!"

Watching the Ancestors leave one by one in anger, Huiming Fangzhang shook his head and sighed: "Amitabha, if things continue like this, it will only make the situation worse."

Meanwhile, in another corner of the Cultivation World, a secret gathering was taking place.

This was a hidden cave where the attendees were Sect Leaders and Elders of some second and third-rate sects. These forces usually had little say in the Cultivation World and often had to survive in the cracks between the major sects.

"Fellow Daoists, I believe everyone has seen the recent changes in the Cultivation World," said a middle-aged cultivator who appeared to be the leader, "Although the Reform Alliance is not yet strong enough, their philosophy truly represents the trend of the future."

"Sect Leader Fenglei is right," an old man echoed, "That 'Accepting Imperfection' philosophy is indeed very reasonable. The reason why we small sects cannot develop is precisely because of the monopoly and discrimination of those major sects, isn't it?"

"And the Reform Alliance's 'Imperfect Cultivation Method' is also very attractive," another person said, "If our disciples can all rapidly improve their strength, why worry about the sect not flourishing?"

Sect Leader Fenglei nodded: "Therefore, I suggest that we should secretly contact the Reform Alliance to explore the possibility of cooperation. Of course, this matter must be kept confidential; we cannot let those major sects know."

"Then what exactly should we do?" someone asked.

"Send representatives in batches to Qinglong Peak under the guise of academic exchange," Sect Leader Fenglei said, "On the surface, it is to observe and learn, but in reality, it is to test their attitude. If the Reform Alliance is truly as open-minded as the rumors say, we can consider deeper levels of cooperation."

This proposal received the support of the majority. Having lived under the oppression of the major sects for too long, they had long been dissatisfied with the existing order. If there was an opportunity to change the status quo, they were certainly willing to try.

And at the bottom of the Cultivation World, a greater transformation was quietly underway.

In a remote small town, hundreds of rogue cultivators gathered together, their faces filled with excitement and anticipation.

"Fellow Daoists, we rogue cultivators have always had a low status in the Cultivation World, viewed as mere grass by those major sects," standing on the platform was a Foundation Establishment Stage rogue cultivator named Zhang Wuji, "But the emergence of the Reform Alliance has given us hope!"

Enthusiastic applause and shouts erupted from the crowd below.

"The 'Accepting Imperfection' philosophy they proposed is meant for people like us!" Zhang Wuji said excitedly, "Although we do not have illustrious backgrounds or powerful backers, we have hearts that yearn for strength!"

"That's right!" someone in the crowd shouted in response, "We rogue cultivators also have dignity!"

"Therefore, I propose," Zhang Wuji raised both hands high, "that we establish the 'Free Cultivator Alliance' to unite all rogue cultivators, support the philosophy of the Reform Alliance, and strive to build a more equitable Cultivation World!"

"Good! We support it!"

"Establish the Free Cultivator Alliance!"

"Pursue cultivation freedom!"

The shouts rose like a tidal wave, and the eyes of the hundreds of rogue cultivators burned with the flames of hope. Although their individual strength was not great, the power of their unity could not be underestimated.