Chapter 567: Schism and Breakthrough

The two stood side by side on the mountain peak, looking at the busy crowd below, complex emotions welling up in their hearts.

The night grew deep, and the assessment work was temporarily halted. Most people went to rest, but Xiao Yuan came alone to the bamboo forest behind the mountain to sit in meditation.

The moonlight was like water, spilling onto her white long dress, making her whole person appear ethereal and beautiful. Since breaking through to the Golden Core Stage and comprehending the "Harmony Dao," she had a brand-new understanding of cultivation.

"Still worried about the events of the day?" Lin Xuan's voice came from behind.

Xiao Yuan did not turn her head, only saying softly, "Some worry, but more is reflection. What we face now is not just external pressure; internal unity is equally important."

Lin Xuan walked to her side and sat down, and the two just watched the night scenery of the distant mountains like dark eyebrows in silence.

"Xiao Yuan, I have a question I've wanted to ask you for a long time," Lin Xuan hesitated for a moment before speaking, "Why are you so persistent about the Reform Alliance? Even to the point of risking your life?"

Xiao Yuan was silent for a moment, then slowly said, "Because I have seen too many unfair things. Although my family is considered to have some status, I have seen since childhood the discrimination and oppression suffered by those cultivators of humble origins."

"Moreover," she turned to look at Lin Xuan, a firm light flickering in her eyes, "I believe everyone has the right to pursue a better life, regardless of their background or aptitude."

Lin Xuan was deeply attracted by the light in her eyes, and a warm current surged in his heart. In this Cultivation World where the strong prey on the weak, having such pure and kind thoughts and fighting for them was truly rare and commendable.

"And you?" Xiao Yuan asked in return, "Why do you support the reform?"

Lin Xuan thought for a moment and said honestly, "At first it was because of my master's arrangements, later it was because I saw the injustice, but now..." He paused, looking into Xiao Yuan's eyes, "Now it is because I want to create a better world with you."

The gazes of the two met under the moonlight, and it seemed as if something was flowing in the air. The ideals and experiences they had shared for many days brought their hearts closer and closer.

"Brother Xuan," Xiao Yuan's voice trembled slightly, "No matter how difficult the road ahead is, will you stay with me?"

"Of course," Lin Xuan reached out and gently held her hand, "No matter what difficulties we encounter, we will face them together."

Just at this warm moment, rapid footsteps came from afar. A disciple of the Star Moon Sect ran over in a hurry, breaking the tranquility.

"Senior Sister Xiao Yuan, Senior Brother Lin Xuan, something terrible has happened!" the disciple said, panting, "We just received news that the Heavenly Sword Sect, Taixuan Sect, Wanjian Valley, and five other major powers are secretly gathering troops; it looks like they are going to launch an all-out attack on us!"

Hearing this news, Lin Xuan and Xiao Yuan stood up immediately, the warmth from just a moment ago instantly replaced by tension.

"What is the specific situation?" Xiao Yuan asked urgently.

"According to reports from scouts, all the major powers are mobilizing their men, and they are expected to be at our gates within three days," the disciple said nervously, "And they are truly set on killing this time, vowing to completely eradicate the Reform Alliance!"

Xiao Yuan and Lin Xuan looked at each other, both seeing determination in the other's eyes. The storm was about to arrive, but they were already prepared to meet the challenge.

"Pass down the order," Xiao Yuan said calmly, "Gather all alliance members, including the rogue cultivators who just arrived. Since the traditional powers want to fight, then we will accompany them to the end!"

Lin Xuan clenched his fists, the Taiji True Art within his body beginning to circulate; the breakthrough to the Golden Core Stage seemed to be right before his eyes.

Inside the council hall of the Taixuan Sect, the atmosphere was as tense as an arrow on a bowstring. Eight Nascent Soul Stage Ancestors sat around a round table, but this time, their differences had reached an irreconcilable point.

"Fellow Daoists, we cannot hesitate any longer!" Yunxiaozi slammed the table and stood up, shaking the entire hall, "The power of the Reform Alliance is growing every day; if we don't act now, by the time they are fully fledged, it will truly be too late for us!"

"Fellow Daoist Yunxiao, please be calm," Huiming Fangzhang pressed his palms together, his voice remaining peaceful, "The Buddha Sect says: take a step back and the sky and sea will be vast. Why can't we try to talk to them? Perhaps through negotiation, we can find a solution that satisfies both sides."

"Negotiation?" Yunxiaozi sneered, "Abbot Huiming, are you truly muddled or just pretending to be? Those traitors have already openly challenged our authority; what is there left to talk about?"

Jianchi Laozu of Wanjian Valley said in a deep voice, "Fellow Daoist Yunxiao makes sense. News came again yesterday that even within our own ranks, there are people secretly contacting the Reform Alliance. If we don't take action now, I fear even our own people will rebel."

"Exactly so!" Guisha Laozu of the Soul Refining Sect echoed, "I just received news that the Sect Leaders of seven medium-sized sects have secretly left their respective sects; it is very likely they have gone to defect to the Reform Alliance."

Hearing this news, the faces of everyone present became even uglier. Seven medium-sized sects—this was no small number.

Taixuan Laozu tapped the table, attempting to maintain order, "Fellow Daoists, we need to unify our opinions. The question now is, do we launch an attack immediately, or try to negotiate first?"

"I insist that we should negotiate," Huiming Fangzhang said firmly, "The Cultivation World is already chaotic enough; if a large-scale war breaks out again, it is the ordinary cultivators who will suffer. Amitabha, as elders, we should not let innocent people suffer for our own selfish interests."

"Selfish interests?" Yunxiaozi was furious, "Abbot Huiming, your words are too much! We are maintaining the order of the Cultivation World for thousands of years; how can you call that selfish interests?"

"Then what kind of order do you want?" Huiming Fangzhang asked in return, "To let rogue cultivators never be able to hold their heads high? To let second and third-rate sects be oppressed forever? Is such an order truly worth maintaining?"

"You... you actually..." Yunxiaozi was so angry he could not speak.

Seeing this, Taixuan Laozu hurriedly stepped in to smooth things over, "Fellow Daoists, it is meaningless for us to argue about this now. The key is to come up with a practical plan of action."

"My plan is very simple," Yunxiaozi said coldly, "Immediately gather all our forces and, while the Reform Alliance has not yet established a firm footing, wipe them out in one fell swoop!"

"I object!" Huiming Fangzhang did not back down, "I suggest sending envoys to Qinglong Peak to conduct a dialogue with the Reform Alliance. As long as they are willing to stop their expansion, we can give them a reasonable status."

The argument between the two became increasingly intense, and the other Ancestors also expressed their positions. Supporting the hardliners were Jianchi Laozu, Guisha Laozu, and others, while those supporting negotiation included Frost Fairy of the Mysterious Maiden Palace, Suantianzi of the Tianji Pavilion, and others.