Factions

The Netherworld Sect is divided into three factions: the Native Faction, the Family Faction, and the Outsider Faction.

The Native Faction consists of those born and raised within the sect, whose elders are Netherworld Sect cultivators, and whose ancestors were even founding members. This faction holds the highest status and possesses the greatest strength within the sect. Liu Jinhui and Elder Zhou of Qingli Market both belong to this faction.

All Golden Core cultivators within the Netherworld Sect are also part of the Native Faction. The other two factions combined are no match for the Native Faction, which is the fundamental reason why the Netherworld Sect can maintain stability.

For the Native Faction cultivators, their family members live within the Netherworld Sect, and their mortal followers also reside near the sect's mountain gate, without establishing separate households far from the sect.

Consequently, the Native Faction has few conflicts with its affiliated families and adopts a more lenient attitude towards them.

The Family Faction and the Outsider Faction are not indigenous forces of the Netherworld Sect. The predecessor of the Outsider Faction was composed of smaller sects that were either annexed by or voluntarily joined the Netherworld Sect, as well as some rogue cultivators who pledged allegiance to it.

Before joining the Netherworld Sect, the cultivators in this faction had deep connections with each other. After entering the Netherworld Sect, they banded together, forming the second-largest faction.

This faction cannot compete with the Native Faction within the Netherworld Sect and is unwilling to be suppressed. Therefore, they establish families outside the Netherworld Sect and actively develop their influence.

For the Outsider Faction to grow stronger, they inevitably must seize the interests of the older families, leading to deep conflicts between the two. The Outsider Faction also maintains an exceptionally stern attitude towards the "Remnants of the Zhao Clan," advocating for their complete annihilation.

The Liang Family Ancestor and the Black Robe Elder are both from the Outsider Faction, and the Jin Family Ancestor is the leader of the Outsider Faction. Elder Jin's cultivation has long reached Violet Mansion Peak, and after years of refinement, he could form a Golden Core at any moment. He holds an extremely high position within the Netherworld Sect, arguably the foremost individual below the Golden Core stage. Furthermore, Elder Jin is known for his vindictiveness and ruthlessness, making him someone few dare to offend.

The Family Faction comprises rogue cultivators or disciples from established families who joined the Netherworld Sect and achieved high status. However, they still maintain their families outside the Netherworld Sect. Due to their origins, they are very close to the older families within the Netherworld Sect's territory.

There are no special relationships among the elders of the Family Faction, and they find it difficult to unite. Consequently, they are the weakest among the three major factions.

Most of their high-ranking members are elders in nominal positions, and they lack strong representative figures. Yang Yong is considered one of the highest-ranking individuals within this faction.

Due to their weakness, their only means of strengthening themselves is by allying with the older families.

Once the older families are fully integrated into the Netherworld Sect, their only option will be to align with the Family Faction. At that point, the Family Faction can completely overwhelm the Outsider Faction and contend with the Native Faction.

The attitude towards the older families has become the focal point of the three major factions' power struggles within the Netherworld Sect.

Destroying the older families would lead to the rapid development of the Outsider Faction's strength; integrating the older families would significantly boost the Family Faction's power.

Neither of these scenarios is what the Native Faction desires. The main strength of the other two factions lies outside the Netherworld Sect, so the sect's prosperity or decline has little impact on them.

However, the entire strength of the Native Faction is within the Netherworld Sect. Only when the Netherworld Sect is powerful can the Native Faction gain more benefits.

Therefore, the Native Faction's attitude is to divide the older families. Destroy some, integrate some, balance the two major forces, and maintain the basic stability of the Netherworld Sect. Gradually dismantling the other two factions and integrating their strength into the Native Faction would be the most beneficial outcome for the Netherworld Sect.

In addition to conflicts of interest, the three factions also have differences in their cultivation legacies. As the sect's name suggests, the Netherworld Sect's inheritance primarily focuses on the Ghost Path, with Corpse Refining as a secondary path, making it a distinctly Evil Sect.

The cultivators of the Outsider Faction are also from Evil Sects, with a mixture of Ghost, Corpse, and Demonic inheritances, but they are ultimately of the same category as the sect's own traditions.

In contrast, the members of the Family Faction have very diverse inheritances, predominantly from Righteous Sects. This clashes with the other two factions, which is also a significant reason for the Family Faction's low status.

After receiving the transmission from the Black Robe Elder, Liu Jinhui pondered for a long time before finally speaking, "Jin Yugui, your disrespectful words warrant severe punishment. However, with great enemies at our doorstep, we are in need of capable individuals. I will permit you to atone for your crimes through meritorious service. If you do not exert yourself fully in the upcoming battle, you will face severe punishment afterward. Furthermore, you insulted the Wang and Li Families and should offer an apology."

At this point, the Black Robe Elder spoke again, "Since it concerns Elder Jin's reputation, perhaps an apology is not necessary?"

Liu Jinhui had no choice; a complete breakdown in relations would benefit no one. He merely appeased the Wang and Li Families with a few words before turning to leave. The Black Robe Elder swept his gaze across everyone present and then left with Liu Jinhui.

The various families continued to register for entry into the city, with the Jin Family at the forefront.

However, no one was paying attention to the order of entry anymore. The leaders of each old family's contingent were contemplating whether it was still necessary to integrate into the Netherworld Sect.

Wang Daoyuan mused, "This incident reveals significant divisions within the Netherworld Sect regarding their attitude towards the old families. Yang Yong strongly advocates for accepting the old families, while the Black Robe Elder and Elder Jin advocate for their annihilation. Liu Jinhui has no clear stance and is constantly trying to mediate. It is evident that those who advocate for accepting the old families do not hold the advantage. It seems I will need to discuss this matter with the clan leader afterward. The Wang Family's strategy of wholeheartedly integrating into the Netherworld Sect should be revised."

After the commotion, the cultivators registering their identities at the city gate, fearing further incidents, also sped up their pace. In less than fifteen minutes, the members of the Wang Family had entered the city.

Golden Goose City was not large, and its layout was very simple. Two main roads, one vertical and one horizontal, connected the four gates and intersected at the city center, dividing the entire city into four sections. The city center was a crossroads. The official institutions were located around the crossroads. The eastern part of the city was the market, where various shops were situated. The southwest part of the city was the residential area, and the northwest part housed the city guard's barracks and armory.

The Wang Family group found an inn in the eastern part of the city and checked in. This inn was called Immortal Guest Tower, an establishment owned by the Yang Family. After settling into the inn, the six elders of the Wang Family returned to their respective rooms to rest. The others gathered in the clan leader's room for a discussion. Before long, someone came to find them. The visitor was wearing a blue robe marked with the Yang Family's poplar tree emblem. His appearance bore a resemblance to Yang Yong, suggesting he was a direct descendant.

Upon seeing the visitor, Wang Zhian quickly stood up and cupped his fists, asking, "Brother Zhiyuan, what brings you here?"

The visitor's name was Yang Zhiyuan, the eldest grandson of Yang Yong and the current clan leader of the Yang Family.

Wang Daoyuan quickly brought a chair and said, "Senior, please have a seat."

Yang Zhiyuan accepted the invitation and sat down, saying, "Brother Zhian, I am aware of what happened outside the city gates today. Elder Jin and Liang Liang are of the same ilk and have always advocated for the complete eradication of the old families. Most people within the Netherworld Sect do not agree with this approach. These individuals then settle for a compromise, suppressing the old families and seizing their resources. Elder Jin holds a high position and considerable authority within the Netherworld Sect; even my grandfather dares not provoke him. In the future, the Wang Family should try to avoid the Jin Family to prevent them from causing trouble."

Although Wang Zhian was displeased, he knew that the Wang Family could not afford to offend the Jin Family. No matter how good the relationship between the Wang and Yang Families was, the Yang Family would not risk their lives for them. With insufficient strength, they could only act subserviently.

Wang Zhian sighed and said, "Brother Zhiyuan, rest assured. I know what is important. My Wang Family disciples will avoid the Jin Family."

Yang Zhiyuan nodded, "Then I am relieved. When the time comes for action, the Wang Family will act together with my Yang Family. No matter how overbearing the Jin Family is, they will not dare to cause trouble in front of the Yang Family."