SFS Chapter 1782 Benevolence or Ambition?
Chapter 1782 Benevolence or Ambition?
On that day, the news, like a boulder thrown into a calm lake, stirred up a thousand waves in all directions of the Spirit Realm.
Qingfeng Yumen, Council Hall.
Sect Master Ye held the communication jade talisman, shook his head and sighed, "That kid Mingchuan... he certainly dared to take on this hot potato. Qingyuan Sect... heh, a good name. But to truly live up to the name Qingyuan, how easy is that?"
Ye Chuhan, sitting below, scratched his head: "Father, should we send a few people over to keep an eye on things? After all, it used to be one of the major sects in our Spirit Realm, but now it's become an annex of the Wanchuan Sect. It feels a bit strange."
"No need." Sect Master Ye waved his hand. "Since Mingchuan dared to accept, he must have his reasons. Let's just wait and see. As for the selection by the Holy Domain... Hmph, their wolfish ambitions are obvious."
"Give the order: none of our sect's core disciples are permitted to participate. Any outer disciples who are interested... must swear a solemn oath against the sect, declaring that they have nothing to do with the sect, and will bear the consequences themselves!"
The other three sects reacted much like Sect Leader Ye upon hearing this. They had all witnessed Ming Chuan's abilities and were completely convinced of his superiority.
Throughout the spiritual realm, there are markets, teahouses, and other establishments.
The news spread, sparking much discussion.
"Have you heard? The Qingcheng Imperial Law Sect has changed its name to the Qingyuan Sect and become an annex of the Wanchuan Sect!"
"Hey, Sect Master Mingchuan is truly magnanimous! If you ask me, we should just disband the sect. Keeping those sinful disciples around is just a menace, isn't it?"
"That's not how it works. The sins Su Hongzhen committed can't all be blamed on ordinary disciples. Sect Master Mingchuan gave them a way to repent and start anew; that's benevolent!"
"Benevolence and righteousness? I think it's ambition! The Wan Chuan Sect has only been rising for a short time, and it's already starting to swallow up other sects? Who knows who will be next?"
"Exactly! Maybe they're just using supervision as a pretext to take over! Once Qingyuan Sect is properly reorganized, won't they just take over the Wanchuan name?"
"What do you know! The Holy Domain is about to intervene, and you're still fighting amongst yourselves? Sect Master Mingchuan is consolidating his power! Didn't you see that the four major sects haven't said anything?"
"Anyway... the Qingyuan Sect's days are numbered. Wearing the hat of a sinful sect, they'll be treated as inferior wherever they go."
"They brought it on themselves! What good can come of following a devil like Su Hongzhen?"
……
Qingyuan Sect, beneath the mountain gate plaque.
The old plaque of Qingcheng Yufazong has been removed, and the new plaque with the three simple characters of Qingyuanzong has just been hung up, the ink still fresh.
Su Hao and Luo Yang led all their disciples, standing solemnly in front of the gate.
There were no celebrations, no guests, only the howling mountain wind.
Su Hao gazed at the new plaque, his voice low yet resounding throughout the hall: "The plaque has changed, but our hearts must change even more. From this day forward, we are no longer disciples of the Qingcheng Imperial Law Sect, but disciples of the Qingyuan Sect. The name Qingyuan is not just something hanging on the door, but something etched into our bones and walked on our feet!"
"The suffering and humiliation of today are the price we must pay for the past. But the glory and honor of tomorrow must be earned by our own hands!"
"In cultivation, one should be more diligent than others! In conduct, one should be more upright than others! When faced with criticism, one should not argue or debate, but prove one's heart through actions! When faced with difficulties, one should not retreat or shrink back, but overcome obstacles with perseverance!"
He turned to face hundreds of eyes: "This road is difficult. Are you all still willing to travel with me?"
His response was a chorus of clasped hands and bows, accompanied by a suppressed yet resolute low growl:
"I am willing to follow the sect leader to cleanse the impurities and restore the foundation!"
The sound echoed in front of the mountain gate, startling the birds in the distant forest.
Among the crowd, some young disciples quietly wiped away the tears from the corners of their eyes, while some elders clenched their fists, their eyes resolute.
Humiliation and hope intertwine at this moment, forming a silent yet powerful force.
……
Wanchuan Sect, Suspended Hall.
Mingchuan has returned to the sect and is discussing matters with Jinman, Axiong, Lengxi, and others.
Jizhou was left in Qingyuan Sect to assist with the most chaotic transition in the early stages of the reform.
"The initial framework for Qingyuan Sect has been established," Jin Man reported. "Su Hao and Luo Yang are quite capable, and the disciples' emotions are basically stable. However, there is a lot of criticism from the outside world, especially from some small sects and independent cultivators, whose words are not very pleasant to hear."
Ah Xiong snorted, "Who cares what nonsense they're spouting! It's none of their business to criticize what Brother Ming does! If they're so capable, let them go and fight in the Demon Abyss!"
Mingchuan waved his hand: "It's only human nature. Qingyuan Sect has to go through this before it can be established. Tell Jizhou to keep a close eye on things and report back immediately if any external forces deliberately provoke trouble."
His gaze shifted to the gold-embossed invitation on the desk: the Dragon Roar Temple of the Sacred Domain, a talent selection and exchange meeting, to be held at the Cloud Ascension Platform, located at the border of the Spirit Domain and the Sacred Domain, in a month.
“The real trouble lies with the Holy Domain.” Mingchuan tapped the invitation with his fingertip. “The four major sects have made it clear that they will not send their core disciples to participate. However, the Spirit Domain is vast, and small and medium-sized sects, independent cultivators, and even some aristocratic families may not be able to resist the temptation of the Holy Domain’s opportunities. If the Holy Domain really recruits a group of people and plants their soul imprints on them, the future consequences will be endless.”
Leng Xi frowned: "Could we unite the four major sects to directly boycott this conference?"
Jin Man shook her head: "Difficult. The Holy Domain uses the guise of promoting exchange, without explicitly forcing anyone. If the Spirit Domain collectively resists, it would be an open break with the Holy Domain, and right now... we don't have that kind of confidence. Moreover, the Holy Domain can completely bypass the sects and directly tempt individuals. It's impossible to guard against."
Silence fell over the hall for a moment.
Mingchuan picked up the invitation and his gaze fell on the last line of small print: "Special invitation to the rising leader of the Spirit Realm, Mingchuan Sect Master of Wanchuan Sect, to attend the ceremony and discuss the grand plan for cultivating talents from both realms."
“Special invitation…” Mingchuan sneered, “This is a direct invitation for me. If I don’t go, it would be a sign of weakness and give the Holy Domain an excuse to act in secret. If I go… it would be walking into their trap.”
He put down the invitation, stood up, walked to the window, and looked down at the surging sea of clouds.
"Axiong."
"Yes, Ming-ge!"
"From this day forward, the Battle Hall will intensify its training, especially in the art of combined attack formations. One month from now, you will select fifty elite soldiers to accompany me to the Cloud Ascension Platform."
"Yes!"
"Kingman".
"Sect Master, please give your orders."
"In the name of Wanchuan Sect, issue a statement to the public: Our sect supports legitimate exchanges between the talents of the Spirit Realm and the outside world, but resolutely opposes any form of coercion, control, and soul imprinting. Anyone who voluntarily participates in the selection of the Holy Realm must swear an oath declaring that they have nothing to do with the sects of the Spirit Realm, and will bear the consequences themselves. At the same time... we will secretly collect information on the true whereabouts and current status of the talents who have been selected in the past in the Holy Realm, and dig as much as we can."
Jinman's eyes lit up: "You mean... to cut off their supply lines?"
"Not really," Mingchuan said calmly. "It's just to let those who are interested see what's hidden beneath this so-called opportunity. Also, I've contacted Sect Leader Ye, Sect Leader Lin, Sect Leader Mu, and Sect Leader Chu. In ten days, I'd like to host a banquet at the Wanchuan Sect to discuss the exchange meeting."
"understand!"
Mingchuan turned around and looked at everyone in the hall, his gaze calm:
“If the Holy Land wants to make a move, we'll play a game with them. But how to play the game, the rules… can't all be decided by them.”
"A month later, ascend to the Cloud Terrace."
A cold, stern smile curved his lips.
"I'd like to see what kind of show this Fairy Yueyao has prepared!"