Four Mountains Gather

Wow, Qin Jiu is incredibly resilient!

On someone else's mountain, right in front of their patriarch, he fought his way to the top, becoming invincible throughout Mount Song, and was even accepted as a disciple. Isn't that absurd?

Those two elders from Mount Song would have to see just how powerful you are, kid. These two old guys are genuine Feather Transformation Immortal, the three elders of Mount Emei, the Sect Leader of sects, and giants of the Nine Great Xuan Sects. They can't even predict Qin Jiu's future achievements. Good heavens, it's terrifying to think about!

However, the people on Mount Song were probably also taken aback. Qingyue of Ink Bamboo Mountain had already become so ruthless, and his true disciple Qin Jiu was also so heartless? Ink Bamboo Mountain was really going to prosper! They had no choice but to curry favor with him as soon as possible and establish good relations.

What?! Seventy-four Outer Sect Disciple are bedridden and can't get up? Hey, that's no big deal. It's just kids playing around, nothing serious. Oops, your disciple has a scraped hand. That's not good, we can't be careless. Come here, I have miraculous medicines, divine skills, secret techniques, magical treasures, and mythical Divine Beast. Take them and play with them...

Having said all that, Songshan's meaning was quite clear: your disciple has a promising future, and since our fate has brought us together, let's place our bet early and reap a good result. Ultimately, this is all due to Qin Jiu's destiny with the immortals. Moreover, this Yuntai Peak Grand Competition is also a great opportunity to witness the talents of the world, which is precisely the fundamental purpose for Li Fan to bring Qin Jiu here for training.

Songshan even went out of his way to discuss it with his master first, which can be considered as giving face to Ink Bamboo Mountain's ally.

So he stopped refusing and nodded, saying, "It's lucky for this kid to see the world. I also want to see how capable he is now."

Cui Yuan offered him a toast, "Now that the Divine Lord has agreed, things will be much easier. You don't need to be anxious. Right now, the two patriarchs are truly instructing your disciple on the art of sword fighting. Today is the Peach Banquet, and tomorrow, when disciples from all sects gather, it will be the Outer Sect's Golden Core Realm disciple competition. At that time, they will personally bring your disciple to Yuntai Peak."

To be honest, every time a new generation of disciples from each sect of our Xuanmen Foundation Establishment, we organize a fierce competition to give fellow disciples an opportunity to get to know each other. A competition like the one at Yuntai Peak is truly a rare opportunity. For each victory or defeat, the masters of Xuanmen will offer rewards and prizes, encouraging elites from each sect to have a chance to showcase their skills. For the younger generation of disciples, it's a fantastic opportunity to become famous throughout the world. Those with good fortune can gather everything at once – magic, wealth, companions, and land."

"I see, how enviable! By the way, is there a grand competition for those in the Divine Transformation realm?"

Li Fan was also very interested in this kind of sect competition, but unfortunately, he leveled up too quickly back then. He barely participated in any group activities during his Golden Core stage and just swiftly advanced. It seems that these things really do depend a lot on luck. Damn it, he missed so many opportunities because he advanced too quickly!

Cui Yuan chuckled, "What's the point of competing when you've already reached the Divine Transformation stage? A fight would be a matter of life and death. Let's discuss the Dao in the Five Arts instead."

In reality, there's not much to see in a Nascent Soul Realm competition. After all, the Xuanmen sect only has so many people, and everyone knows the true strength of the Inner Sect disciples of each sect. Besides, it's just a grand event to win prizes, not a real fight to save face. Each sect also cherishes its secret manuals, so they hold back a move and hide half of their techniques. The fights are all very polite, so there's not much to see.

On the contrary, the grand competition for disciples outside the Golden Core Outer Sect Disciple was reminiscent of the ancient Xuanmen and Sword Sect's sword duels. After all, once a Golden Core is swallowed, one's fate is in one's own hands, not in the heavens. At this level, cultivators have transcended the mortal realm, and can already master some basic Daoist techniques and martial arts, glimpsing the true skills of various sects.

Li Fan nodded in agreement. The unspoken implication was that Outer Sect Disciple and Inner Sect disciples were different after all. It wouldn't hurt if they died. The sword-fighting competition could also help select some worthy individuals for focused training, preventing a waste of the sect's resources. The Xuanmen sect had always been known for its ruthless methods.

Then he couldn't help but ask, "Since this battle presents such a great opportunity, isn't it a loss to your sect by injuring so many of your disciples, thus creating karma?"

Cui Yuan sighed, smiled wryly, and drank a cup of wine. "Fellow Daoist, you don't need to worry about it. Actually, I'm relieved."

The Outer Sect Disciple of various sects in the Xuanmen sect are either personally raised by their masters or are independent cultivators who have risen to prominence. They often don't know how to restrain themselves when they fight. In order to stand out and earn an opportunity, they all risk their lives and fight until rivers of blood flow and limbs are severed.

As for the disciples of the Heavenly Palace, I know their own worth. They are all from powerful families, pampered and spoiled. Although they scored high in the Five Arts exams, they lack the ruthlessness to face death. Where would they find such skills?

If we really let them represent Songshan in battle and they get killed, it would be difficult to explain to their families. If they were to lose face for Benshan in public, that would be a serious offense.

This is even more outrageous. A set of our sect's Dustless Easy Qi Sword couldn't be broken by seventy-four people. What face do we have left to compete with others? Shame on us. When it comes to the ability to teach disciples, I am far inferior to you, fellow Daoist."

"You're too kind, sir."

Li Fan was sweating bullets. He hadn't really thought Qin Jiu was that outstanding. All he taught him was Blood Refining Technique to improve his aptitude and the foundations of the Profound Heaven and Blood Talisman Sword Technique. Could this kid really be destined for the Songshan Great Yi Dao, grasping things instantly and achieving enlightenment?

"By the way, Fellow Daoist Qingyue, I wonder if your disciple is married?"

Cui Yuan's sudden question caught Li Fan completely off guard.

"Oh... I don't know. It shouldn't be there yet, right?"

Cui Yuan was overjoyed, "That would be perfect! My Bolin Cui Clan a prestigious clan, a family of scholars, a renowned clan in the land, with generations of high-ranking officials. I have nine daughters, sixty-four granddaughters, and over two hundred great-granddaughters. Surely one of them will suit your taste, young friend Qin. I wonder if Ink Bamboo Mountain would be willing to form a marriage alliance with my family? I dare not speak of a fief of two thousand shi, but I can certainly use my influence to request such a title as Zhonglang Guan Nei Hou or Guannei Marquis for my beloved son-in-law."

Good heavens, he's already a son-in-law?

Li Fan stared, chin in hand, momentarily speechless. "Ah... I'll have to ask him..."

Cui Yuan said kindly, "Very well, very well. Fellow Daoist, don't put pressure on him. Young people all have their own ideas. Pushing him too hard will only make things worse. Young friend Qin has a bright future ahead of him and is no ordinary person. Even if he is unwilling to marry my Cui family's eldest daughter as his principal wife, it doesn't matter. Fate has not yet arrived, and it cannot be forced."

Fortunately, my Cui Family has many children born out of wedlock. I can choose one to be a concubine, Dao Companion, or even a disciple. By the way, I recently took in a concubine who is as beautiful as the moon and flowers, and as skilled in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting. How about I adopt her as my goddaughter and send her to serve my young friend Qin? In short, there are many ways. Let's establish a good relationship between our two families."

Li Fan was truly amazed. He never expected that bringing Qin Jiu out for training would result in the kid having all the necessary resources—talent, companionship, and land. And, Lord Cui, how old are you? You can even take concubines...

Li Fan was also sweating profusely. "Uh... I understand Lord Cui's good intentions. Anyway, I'll ask this kid about his feelings for you."

Sigh, this wicked old society! Why has no one ever offered Li Fan an adopted daughter? Isn't he handsome? Isn't he cool? Is he so powerful that no one dares to approach him? Whether he agrees or not is one thing, whether he offers one or not is another matter entirely... Damn it...

However, there was no time to discuss the marriage alliance. At this moment, the gods Real Persons from various mountains and sects had already flown to Yuntai Peak to attend the Peach Banquet. As the number of people gradually increased, Cui Yuan drank another cup with Li Fan before leaving the table to entertain other guests. After all, it was more important to campaign for Songshan Mountain than to arrange a marriage alliance.

Li Fan took advantage of the Peach Banquet to make connections with the leaders and palace masters of various sects within the Xuanmen (Daoist) sect. Social skills can't be forced by showing off or bragging; you basically have to reach a certain level yourself to be able to enter certain circles.

For example, Li Fan, a country bumpkin from Lizhou, was virtually unknown in the Central Plains ten years ago. But he spent his time practicing and taking exams at Yuntai Peak, and giving lectures at Sanyuan and Yuntai Peak. Now that he has read the Heavenly Book, the auspicious clouds above his head are as conspicuous as a hurricane. Naturally, no Central Plains can ignore his existence.

When Li Fan went to register and pay his respects, people would generally exchange a few polite words with him and address each other as fellow Daoists. After going around for a while, just as Cui Yuan had said before, the situation of Taiyi and Shangqing vying for supremacy had emerged. Since Li Fan now represented the Ink Bamboo Mountain faction and was clearly standing on the side of Songshan, the attitudes of the Xuanmen cultivators towards him were subtly different.

Those from the Supreme Purity faction were just polite acquaintances, exchanging a few pleasantries and nodding acquaintances. But those who supported the Great Yi Dao, especially the three sects of Taiyi Mountain, Luofu Mountain, and Tianfu Mountain, shared similar positions with Ink Bamboo Mountain in terms of their own strength and diplomatic policies towards Songshan. The Divine Lords from these three sects who came to the banquet also knew that they would be standing on the same side to compete with the Supreme Purity Dao for some time to come. Having more friends meant having more options, so they regarded Li Fan as one of their own and got along quite well with him.

Among these three mountains, the one from Taiyi Mountain's Taiyuan Zongzhenzong was Elder Zhongnanzi. This man was a standard old sage of the Xuanmen sect, having been struck by lightning six times. He had just survived his sixth lightning tribulation and was an old salted fish over three thousand years old. If he went any further, he would have to squat in the sect's cave to avoid being struck by lightning. While he could still shine and contribute, he came out to do diplomacy on behalf of the sect.

As an elder, Zhongnanzi was also a shrewd and experienced man. It was through his efforts that he invited Li Fan and the envoys from the other two mountains to gather in a small circle. They sat at a separate table to get to know each other and probe each other's backgrounds.

Having a highly respected host makes things much easier, and Zhongnanzi took the lead in introducing their plans for Taiyi Mountain.

Originally, Mount Taiyi Mountain was located in Duizhou, in the southwest of Guanzhong, and served as a barrier and gateway for entering Guanzhong from the west. Every time the Divine Sect launched its campaign against the Three Enclosures, whether it entered through Duizhou or Kun, it would definitely attack Taiyi Mountain to enter Guanzhong. The two sides were deeply antagonistic. Moreover, Zhongnanzi had also received some immortal opportunities from the Great Yi Dao. Therefore, the Taiyuan Zongzhenzong Taiyi Mountain did not hesitate and firmly stood with the Songshan Three Enclosures Alliance.

Especially this time, with the Three Great Sects and two major assemblies in Duizhou just around the corner, Taiyi Mountain is the first to bear the brunt of this calamity. Zhongnanzi is clearly here with a mission from his sect to recruit allies.

After Zhongnanzi took the lead, according to seniority, the second oldest person present, Abbot Xishi Daoren of Chongxu Temple on Luofu Mountain, spoke first.

Located in the south-central part of Xunzhou, overlooking the South China Sea, Luofu Mountain is a Grotto-Heaven Blessed Land at the top of the mountain. It is a famous ancient sect. Although the cultivators of Luofu Mountain now unanimously recommend Yaozhenzong leader, there are actually many famous lineages similar to Chongxu Temple and Huanglong Temple. Of course, the branch sects of Supreme Purity also have a large number of members.

Therefore, similar to Ink Bamboo Mountain, Luofu Mountain faces immense geographical pressure from Hengshan. Internally, it is embroiled in conflicts with other sects, such as Yaozhenzong, vying for the position of sect leader with Supreme Purity. In fact, if Hengshan hadn't expended so much time and energy on Luofeng Mountain, Luofu Mountain would likely have fallen into the hands of Taiqing Dao. Consequently, the cultivators on Luofu Mountain who oppose merging with Shangqing Supreme Purity naturally seek external support by aligning themselves with Great Yi Dao.

Chongxu Temple and Yaozhenzong Xishi Daoren on the mountainside and had been on good terms for generations. Daoist Xishi, as the abbot of Chongxu Temple, was Divine Transformation cultivator who had undergone four tribulations and was heading towards the fifth. He also had his own ancient Daoist lineage and disdained to submit to Supreme Purity. Therefore, he also strongly supported Yaozhenzong and came to Songshan as a representative of Luofu Mountain to seek support from Songshan.

Yunxin Shenjun, the acting leader of the Sanyuan Jizhenzong, is the first disciple of the leader of Tianfu Mountain, and has just experienced his fourth tribulation.

Compared to the other two sects, Tianfu Mountain is in a slightly better situation, at least it doesn't face the imminent disaster of being wiped out. This is mainly because Tianfu Mountain is located at the border of Zhen and Xun states, and it also faces the choice between Shangqing and Taiyi. After Penglai closed its gates, a huge power vacuum was formed in Zhen and Xun states. Tianfu Mountain's Sanyuan Jizhenzong, which is planning its own development, naturally covets the territory of Zhen.

However, Hengshan, with its ambition to conquer the world, was unwilling to let go of the resources ceded by Penglai. On the other hand, Songshan, lacking manpower, needed to seek allies to help suppress the situation in Zhen. Therefore, the two sides hit it off and reached a strategic cooperation. But in a sense, the conflict between Tianfu Mountain and Supreme Purity was the most direct among the four mountains.

These people were all ancient monsters over two thousand years old, so Li Fan, a twenty-year-old, felt a bit of pressure. However, when his main body and Qiongqi broke through, he was also struck by lightning twice. He managed to escape the tribulation of Guiche at the headquarters of the Divine Sect, and he also survived the real tribulation of death. Therefore, he claimed to have experienced the Three Calamities and One Tribulation. Seeing his grand entourage and the wind and clouds on his forehead, the others did not disbelieve him.

As for the situation at Ink Bamboo Mountain, there's no need to elaborate further. It faces threats from the Hengshan Divine Sect externally, and internally from the royal family, the Demon Race, and the Nangong clan. It also needs external forces to alleviate the strategic pressure.

In short, considering the strategies of each Daoist Tradition, Supreme Purity Sect is the most powerful, with a large and numerous following. Songshan Sect occupies the central position and also has the strength to fight. The smaller sects caught between the two sides have to choose sides. Those with connections and relationships will side with Shangqing, while those with some strength and the ability to negotiate will cooperate with Songshan. Therefore, everyone is rushing to form alliances to prepare for the storm that may come at any time.

The four mountains like Li Fan's are all capable of carving out their own territory, but they're not strong enough to be chosen as the main force. They lack the confidence to compete, but they're unwilling to give up.

Now that the Great Yi Dao is a large group under its umbrella, with Songshan as its leader, and facing a common enemy like the Hengshan Divine Sect, the conditions for forming an alliance are naturally present.

Thus, the four divine lords, having met and formed an alliance, acknowledged each other's strength. As representatives of their respective sects, they first exchanged talismans and Daoist inscriptions. In the future, when disciples from each sect visit each other, they should take care of each other. Any specific alliance agreements can be discussed and negotiated in detail by each sect.

Of course, while the alliance was being formed, the positions of the Nine Great Xuan Sects still needed to be fought for. Apart from Li Fan was just loafing around and not really participating, the other three sects were all putting in their best efforts to compete.

So Zhongnanzi, Xishi Daoren, and Yunxin Shenjun had Li Fan as their witness and agreed that in this grand competition for Outer Sect Disciple of Yuntai Peak, the disciples selected from each mountain would face off against their opponents from Supreme Purity Dao. If they lost, that would be fine; but if they eventually met, everyone would rely on their own abilities, with the Winner taking the top spot and the loser being left to rot.

Upon hearing this, Li Fan was greatly alarmed. "Hmm... wait, wait a minute, isn't it a bit inappropriate to decide the positions of the Nine Great Xuan Sects by the outcome of battles between Outer Sect Disciple?"

Zhongnanzi laughed and said, "It's not about deciding with victory or defeat, it's about deciding with their lives."

Xishi Daoren nodded, "A calamity is rare, especially one that concerns the sect's fortune for a hundred years. We must fight for it with our lives on the line."

Yunxin Shenjun sighed, "We've raised an army for a thousand days, only to use it for one. The time has come to repay our sect."

Seeing the three men's awareness, Li Fan realized they were clearly prepared and knew something was wrong. He quickly asked...

"What if we encounter disciples from the Nine Great Xuan Sects? Could it be that the duels for this competition were arranged in advance?"

Xishi Daoren shook his head, "There's no need for any arrangements. Everyone goes up and down on their own. If you can't hold on, you can heal your injuries first. Winning three matches in total will pass the test. Of course, if you want to compete for first place in this competition, you have to stay on the platform and defeat all the challengers. This is a rule set by the Sword Ancestor."

Yunxin Shenjun explained, "At that time, the disciples of the Nine Great Xuan Sects naturally be present, and Supreme Purity disciples take the stage, the Great Yi Dao disciples will also go to greet them."

However, since we are determined to secure a place on Yuntai Peak, we must win three consecutive matches to demonstrate our sect's strength. Victory is the only option; defeat is not permitted."

Zhongnanzi stroked his beard and said, "This kind of struggle for the Great Dao and the clash of destinies is inevitable; there's no escaping it. We'll fight it out now."

Goodness, this guy's serious! He's risking his life! Can Qin Jiu handle this...?

Li Fan was also sweating bullets, even more nervous than when he was fighting in the arena. Just as he was hesitating, his Divine Sense suddenly stirred and he sensed the spiritual senses of many familiar people.

At the same time, the Peach Banquet suddenly became noisy and chaotic. The gods Real Persons who were originally seated and enjoying the feast all stood up, and some of those with shallow cultivation couldn't help but exclaim in surprise.

"Emei is here!"