Chapter 566: Harmony Council, Deep Affection and Heavy Responsibility

On Qinglong Peak, the deliberation hall of the Harmony Academy was buzzing with noise. Representatives from dozens of sects gathered to engage in a fierce discussion regarding the future development direction of the Reform Alliance. At the suggestion of Xiao Yuan, the traditional hierarchical system was broken, and every sect was granted an equal right to speak.

"I believe it is a good thing for rogue cultivators to join the alliance," an Elder of the Star Moon Sect spoke first. "The Cultivation World should not have distinctions based on background; as long as our ideals are the same, everyone should be welcomed."

"Easier said than done!" the Sect Leader of the Feixia Sect stood up to refute. "Although rogue cultivators are numerous, they are a mixed bag, and among them are many with corrupt character. If we accept them without screening, wouldn't that ruin the reputation of the alliance?"

The deliberation hall immediately split into two factions, with supporters and opponents holding their own ground and arguing endlessly.

Xiao Yuan sat at the head of the table, not rushing to express her stance, but quietly listening to everyone's opinions. She had just broken through to the Golden Core Stage, and the pressure naturally radiating from her made everyone present afraid to underestimate her.

"Fellow Daoists, please listen to me," Xiao Yuan slowly stood up. Although her voice was not loud, it clearly reached everyone's ears. "What was our original intention in establishing the Reform Alliance? Isn't it precisely to break the shackles of tradition and allow everyone who aspires to cultivate to have a fair opportunity?"

"If we treat people differently based on their background now, how are we any different from those traditional forces?" Xiao Yuan's gaze swept across the room. "True 'Accepting Imperfection' means being inclusive of every person who has flaws but strives to improve."

Her words caused the opposition to fall into deep thought. Indeed, if they did not even accept rogue cultivators, then the ideals of the Reform Alliance would lose their meaning.

"However," Xiao Yuan changed the subject, "we cannot accept them blindly. I propose establishing a 'Three-Part Review System'; any individual or organization wishing to join the alliance must pass assessments in three aspects: character, strength, and ideals."

This proposal made both sides of the argument nod in agreement. It ensured the purity of the alliance while embodying the ideal of inclusivity.

Just then, Lin Xuan walked in quickly from outside. After the life-and-death test of the battle at Youming Gu, his cultivation had undergone a qualitative leap, and his Taiji True Art flowed like moving clouds and flowing water, only one step away from the Golden Core Stage.

"Senior Brother, is there an emergency?" Xiao Yuan asked with concern.

Lin Xuan walked to the front of the stage and said with a grave expression, "I just received news that the Free Cultivator Alliance led by Zhang Wuji has arrived at the foot of Qinglong Peak. There are over three thousand of them, and they are requesting to officially join the Reform Alliance."

"Three thousand people?" Everyone present gasped. This number already exceeded half of the Reform Alliance's existing members.

"Furthermore," Lin Xuan continued, "there are also representatives from over a dozen second and third-rate sects in the group, and they have expressed their willingness to defect to the Reform Alliance as a whole."

This news was like a giant rock thrown into a calm lake, causing a huge uproar in the deliberation hall. Some were excited, some worried, and some suspicious.

"This is a great thing!" Xingchenzi said excitedly. "With these new forces, our strength will be greatly enhanced!"

"Master is right," Shuiyun Xianzi also nodded in agreement. "Moreover, rogue cultivators understand the needs of grassroots cultivators best; their joining will be very helpful for promoting our ideals."

But the Feixia Sect Sect Leader was full of worry: "Three thousand rogue cultivators! If so many people pour in at once, do we have the ability to manage them? What if there are spies from traditional forces among them?"

The deliberation hall fell into argument once again. Xiao Yuan looked at the situation before her, her mind also rapidly contemplating countermeasures.

"Fellow Daoists," she stood up again, "why don't we go meet these friends who have come here by reputation, understand their true thoughts, and then make a decision?"

This suggestion was unanimously agreed upon. The crowd left the deliberation hall and arrived at the flat ground below Qinglong Peak.

One could see the figures of cultivators all over the mountains and plains. Most of them were dressed simply, and their cultivation was not high, but a firm light flickered in everyone's eyes. Zhang Wuji, who was at the lead, saw the representatives of the Reform Alliance appear and immediately took the lead in bowing.

"I am Zhang Wuji, representing all free cultivators, and I earnestly request to join the Reform Alliance!" His voice carried sincerity and anticipation.

Xiao Yuan walked forward, carefully observing this Foundation Establishment Stage rogue cultivator. Although his cultivation was not high, there was a special temperament about him—the resilience of someone who persists despite having experienced hardships.

"Fellow Daoist Zhang, can you tell us why you want to defect to the Reform Alliance?" Xiao Yuan asked gently.

Zhang Wuji looked at her deeply, then said loudly, "Because we see hope in the Reform Alliance! We see a future where heroes are not judged by their background and status is not determined by lineage!"

His words resonated with the three thousand rogue cultivators behind him, and the mountain-shaking response echoed through the clouds.

"Although we are rogue cultivators, we also have dignity! We also have dreams!" Zhang Wuji continued. "Traditional forces treat us like grass, but the Reform Alliance is willing to accept us and give us a chance to prove our own value!"

"Well said!" Enthusiastic applause erupted from the crowd.

Xiao Yuan was moved by this sincere emotion, but she remained rational: "Fellow Daoist Zhang, our Reform Alliance does indeed welcome all people with lofty ideals, but we also have our own principles and discipline. If you join, you must abide by the rules of the alliance and obey unified deployment."

"We are willing!" Zhang Wuji answered without hesitation. "As long as we can contribute to building a fairer Cultivation World, we are willing to do anything!"

After some exchange, Xiao Yuan basically confirmed the sincerity of these rogue cultivators. She immediately announced the activation of the "Three-Part Review System" to conduct a systematic assessment of all applicants.

Just as everyone was busy arranging the assessment matters, Lin Xuan walked quietly to Xiao Yuan's side: "Do you think it's appropriate to do this? Isn't it too risky to accept so many people at once?"

Xiao Yuan turned to look at him, a trace of tenderness flashing in her eyes: "Brother Xuan, what are you worried about?"

"I am worried that our ideals will be shattered by reality," Lin Xuan said sincerely. "The ideal is beautiful, but it is fraught with difficulties to realize. With so many people joining, internal management, resource allocation, unifying opinions... every single problem could become a fatal hidden danger."

Xiao Yuan nodded silently; she knew Lin Xuan's worries were not without reason. But as her newly comprehended "Harmony Dao" stated, true perfection is not the absence of problems, but the ability to accommodate and solve them.

"Brother Xuan, do you remember what the senior Yunyou Zhenren said?" Xiao Yuan said softly. "The road to reform has never been smooth, but it is precisely because of the difficulties that we need to persist even more."