"Sect Master, is it really worth it to protect Xiao Yuanqing at such a great cost..."
An Inner Sect Elder spoke solemnly, his expression serious. He had reached the peak of the Soul Condensing Realm and was just half a step away from the Divine Infant Realm. Additionally, being relatively young amongst the elders, he held significant influence.
"Look at Zhao Tingxian, a clear example right before your eyes,"
Gu Chunyang's expression remained unchanged, and the unrest in Great Zhou only solidified his resolution to protect the High-Quality Immortal Seedling at all costs.
If the Phantom Spirit Sect could produce a Tongxuan, or even someone stronger, another Holy Land would rise amongst the Eight Desolates and Four Seas, which would be a great blessing for the sect for generations to come.
"Not all with High-Quality Immortal Bones become Zhao Tingxian. Over the years, how many Saint Heirs at the Tai Xu Holy Land have surpassed him?"
"In my view, Sect Master, we should still carefully consider this,"
"Indeed... Looking thousands of years back, not a few with High-Quality Immortal Bones have stopped at the Nine Transformations of the Divine Infant, and few have attained the Tongxuan."
The Elders began to speak up sporadically, some uncertain. They had heard of the Immortal Seedlings with High-Quality Immortal Bones and even seen them firsthand. Although their cultivation speed was miraculous, they also had bottlenecks and could die prematurely from various causes.
"I agree with the Sect Master's decision."
"Our Sect has been weakening for a long time, and Night Light Pavilion clearly does not take us seriously; other sects are also watching from the sidelines, waiting for the right moment. If we do not fight now, we will inevitably perish sooner or later."
"That's right, showing weakness will only attract a pack of wolves. We might as well give it our all; we can last another hundred years, our Phantom Spirit Sect's foundation can sustain that!"
Most of the Elders agreed with Gu Chunyang's approach, and their voices grew louder.
Gu Chunyang sat back in the Sect Leader's seat, scanning the Elders who had raised objections and said softly:
"I will now send a message to Ling Qi, telling him that we have kept the truth hidden, and that there is still a High-Quality Immortal Seedling within the sect for him to collect. What do you think?"
The hall fell silent, with no one responding.
"Enough, let's not argue any longer." Sёarᴄh the NôᴠeFire.ηet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.
A figure approached from outside the hall, walking straight through the light barrier and into the center of the Grand Hall.
A young man in a gray robe, appearing to be only about fifteen or sixteen years old, was somewhat slender in build, with rosy skin and bright red lips and white teeth, his eyes shining with intelligence.
"The old Sect Master?!"
"Ancestor Master!"
"Ancestor Uncle!"
As they recognized the newcomer, nearly half of the Elders were excited, their eyes filled with disbelief.
The remaining Elders looked puzzled, their expressions mixed with surprise.
Phantom Spirit Sect's old Sect Master, Feng Qiyuan, had been in seclusion for a thousand years, showing no signs of activity, and rumors of his death had long spread throughout the surrounding sects.
"Master, you... have reached the second transformation?"
Gu Chunyang got up to greet him, his face slightly tensed, his eyes inadvertently brimming with happiness.
"Fortuitously, I gained a thousand more years of life,"
Feng Qiyuan nodded slightly: "If it weren't for being placed in a do-or-die situation, I wouldn't have been able to make this step."
As his voice fell, he scanned the many Elders in the hall and spoke gently:
"It all boils down to the fear of death. If that's the case, what are you cultivating immortality for? If it's just for longevity, you might as well seize a tortoise, retreat under the water, and live through a hundred thousand years of spring and autumn. Who could outlive you all?"
All the Elders looked ashamed.
"Night Light Pavilion, a mere lower-tier sect a thousand years ago, could hardly find a single Divine Infant, and now it has become a major threat. Yet, you still refuse to strive for progress,"
Feng Qiyuan's voice remained calm, clearly reaching everyone in the hall:
"The sixty-three nations' territories left by our Ancestor Master have now dwindled to a quarter of their original size. We, the unworthy descendants, are indeed failing to honor the remnants of our ancestors. If we do not fight now, should we wait for others to take action?"
The hall was dead silent. After a long pause, Feng Qiyuan's somewhat youthful voice rang out again:
"Prepare for war."
......
......
Three days later.
Phantom Spirit Sect's territory, thirty thousand miles away.
A towering peak, split across the middle, shone like a mirror at the cut surface. Overnight, a Green Stone Grand Hall had been erected.
Inside the grand hall.
Two rows of people sat facing each other. Only three people from the Phantom Spirit Sect had come: Gu Chunyang and two Supreme Elders of the Divine Infant Realm.
From the Night Light Pavilion, six had come, all Divine Infant Great Abilities, with the pavilion master Fang Lie in attendance.
"Our sect's High Quality Immortal Seedling was damaged, an Inner Sect Elder was severely injured and near death. If we don't go to war, we demand four nations' worth of land from Night Light Pavilion as compensation."
Gu Chunyang spoke outright, making his intentions clear.
Fang Lie did not respond immediately, instead glancing at Ling Qi, who sat in the middle seat.
After Ling Qi gestured with a hand, Fang Lie then said gravely,
"It's true your Phantom Spirit Sect lost a disciple, but Qin Feng alone killed seven of our Soul Condensing Elders in Night Light Pavilion, plus Jiang Ruibing, who died at Song Residence. This time, Night Light Pavilion altogether lost eight Inner Sect Elders. What talk of compensation can there be from your Phantom Spirit Sect?"
Gu Chunyang did not hesitate for a moment: "Then let's fight."
"If it must be war, then war it shall be!" Fang Lie's expression was frigid, his eyes filled with a tide of murderous intent.
As he said, this confrontation did not lean in favor of Night Light Pavilion much, for though Song Lingqing possessed a High Quality Immortal Bone, she ultimately had not grown strong.
The loss for Night Light Pavilion was of true pillars of strength, likely future Divine Infants among Soul Condensing Elders. Even for Night Light Pavilion, this was an unbearable weight.
Gu Chunyang did not respond to Fang Lie, but turned to look at Ling Qi.
Ling Qi's mouth curved slightly, as he took out a jade scroll, unfolded it slowly, and spoke leisurely, "Since both parties agree, let's sign the Battle Pact."
"This battle will follow the rules of the Great Tournament of Ten Thousand Sects, those above Divine Infant may not participate, all others may fight freely until one side concedes."
"The losing side will cede ten nations, and I will witness this."
"Dare I ask, Envoy, what is the meaning of this stance from Tai Xu Holy Land?"
Upon hearing this, Gu Chunyang's eyes narrowed slightly:
"The rules of the Great Tournament of Ten Thousand Sects is one thing, they are an agreement among many Holy Lands, passing through hundreds of sects and thousands of nations, forbidding Divine Infants from acting carelessly to avoid accidents, this is understandable. But to decide life and death between two sects…"
"Did I allow you to die?" Ling Qi's face suddenly turned cold: "I am not here to prevent war, nor do I wish to see the Ancient Sect disappear into obscurity. We may fight, but life and death are not up to your two sects to decide."
If those above Divine Infant could not participate, then the battle would hinge on the depth of the sects' resources, focusing on the younger generation, making the implications entirely different.
This battle would result in a break that could last thousands of years, completely severing a sect's backbone.
Now, with only fourteen nations left in the Phantom Spirit Sect, if they were to lose ten more, they would be left with just four nations to stand on, barely better than a second-rate sect.
If those above Divine Infant were not allowed to act, then Phantom Spirit Sect would lose a major card, putting them at a disadvantage once again.
Ling Qi said indifferently, "If the Ancient Sect Master has objections, you may also choose not to go to war. Discuss it further."
"War."
Without a moment's hesitation, Gu Chunyang stood up, sliced open his palm, stained the seal with blood, and firmly pressed it onto the Battle Pact with the Sect Master's seal.
His gaze locked intently on Fang Lie, his eyes icy cold: "This battle will continue until my Inner Sect is extinct, the true transmissions all lost."