Factions

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

The Native Faction had been born and raised within the sect. Their elders were Netherworld Sect cultivators, and some even traced their ancestors back to the founders of the sect. This faction held the highest status within the sect and possessed the greatest strength. Liu Jinhui and Elder Zhou of Qingli Market both belonged to this faction.

All of the Netherworld Sect's Golden Core Cultivators belonged to the Native Faction. Even if the other two factions joined forces, they would be no match for it. This was also the most fundamental reason the Netherworld Sect could remain stable.

The families of Native Faction cultivators all lived within the Netherworld Sect. Even the mortals lived near the sect's mountain gate, rather than establishing separate homes far from the sect.

Thus, there was little conflict between the Native Faction and its affiliated Lineages, and it treated those Lineages relatively mildly.

Neither the Family Faction nor the Outsider Faction had originated within the Netherworld Sect. The Outsider Faction had formerly consisted of small sects absorbed by the Netherworld Sect or those that had voluntarily joined it, as well as Evil Cultivators who had sought its protection.

Before joining the Netherworld Sect, the members of this faction had already shared deep connections with one another. After entering the sect, they continued to huddle together, forming the second-largest faction.

Unable to compete with the Native Faction within the Netherworld Sect and unwilling to remain suppressed, they established Lineages outside the sect and actively developed their power.

For the Outsider Faction to grow stronger, it inevitably had to seize the interests of the old Lineages, creating deep conflict between the two. The Outsider Faction was also exceptionally hard-line toward the "Remnants of the Zhao Clan," advocating that they be exterminated root and branch.

The Liang Family Ancestor and the Black Robe Elder were both members of the Outsider Faction, while the Jin Family Ancestor was its leader. Elder Jin's cultivation had long reached the peak of the Purple Mansion realm, and after years of refinement, he could form a Golden Core at any moment. He held an extremely high position within the Netherworld Sect and could be called the foremost person beneath the Golden Core realm. Moreover, Elder Jin always avenged the slightest grievance and was ruthless and vicious, so few were willing to offend him.

The Family Faction consisted of Rogue Cultivators or descendants of Lineages who had joined the Netherworld Sect and attained relatively high positions, while still maintaining Lineages outside the sect. Because of their origins, they were very close to the old Lineages within the Netherworld Sect's territory.

The elders of the Family Faction had no special ties among themselves and found it difficult to twist into a single rope. Thus, it was the weakest of the three major factions.

Most of its upper ranks were idle elders, and it had no particularly powerful representative. Yang Yong was already considered one of the highest-ranking figures in this faction.

Because it was weak, the only way for it to strengthen itself was to ally with the old Lineages.

Once the old Lineages completely integrated into the Netherworld Sect, their only choice would be to unite with the Family Faction. At that time, the Family Faction could utterly crush the Outsider Faction and stand in equal division against the Native Faction.

Their attitudes toward the old Lineages had become the focal point of the struggle among the Netherworld Sect's three major factions.

If the old Lineages were destroyed, the Outsider Faction's strength would rapidly grow. If the old Lineages were absorbed, the Family Faction's strength would increase greatly.

Neither outcome was something the Native Faction wished to see. The main strength of the other two factions lay outside the Netherworld Sect, so whether the sect prospered or declined had little effect on them.

But all of the Native Faction's strength lay within the Netherworld Sect. Only if the sect remained powerful could the Native Faction gain more benefits.

Therefore, the Native Faction's stance was to divide the old Lineages. It would strike down some and absorb others, balance the two major powers, and maintain the Netherworld Sect's basic stability. Then, gradually dismantling the two factions and merging their strength into the Native Faction would be the outcome most beneficial to the Netherworld Sect.

Beyond disputes over interests, the three major factions also differed in terms of inheritances. One could tell from the sect's name that the Netherworld Sect's inheritance centered on the Ghost Path, with corpse refinement as a secondary path. It was unmistakably an Evil Sect force.

The Outsider Faction's cultivators also belonged to Evil Sects, their inheritances a hodgepodge of ghosts, corpses, demons, and the like, but they were ultimately of the same kind as the sect's own inheritance.

The Family Faction's members, however, had exceedingly mixed inheritances, mainly from Righteous Sects. This made them utterly incompatible with the other two factions, and it was also an important reason for the Family Faction's low status.

After receiving the Black Robe Elder's voice transmission, Liu Jinhui pondered for a long while before finally speaking. "Jin Yugui, your words were insolent, and you should be severely punished. But with a great enemy before us, this is precisely the time to employ capable people. You will be permitted to atone for your crimes through merit.

"If you fail to give your all in the coming battle, you will certainly be punished without mercy afterward. Furthermore, you insulted the Wang and Li Families, so you should offer compensation and apologize."

At this moment, the Black Robe Elder spoke again. "This concerns Elder Jin's honor. There is no need to apologize, is there?"

Liu Jinhui had no choice either. Tearing their faces apart would benefit no one. He merely offered a few placating words to the Wang and Li Families before turning and leaving. The Black Robe Elder swept his gaze over everyone present, then left after Liu Jinhui.

The various Lineages continued registering to enter the city, with the Jin Family at the front of the line.

However, no one cared about the order of entry anymore. The leaders of every old Lineage's party were considering whether it was still necessary to integrate into the Netherworld Sect.

Wang Daoyuan pondered inwardly: From this disturbance, it was clear that the Netherworld Sect was deeply divided in its attitude toward the old Lineages.

Yang Yong strongly advocated accepting the old Lineages. The Black Robe Elder and Elder Jin advocated destroying them, while Liu Jinhui had shown no clear stance and had merely tried to smooth things over. Clearly, those cultivators who advocated accepting the old Lineages were at a disadvantage.

It seemed that afterward, it would be necessary to mention this matter to the clan leader. The Wang Clan's strategy of wholeheartedly integrating into the Netherworld Sect ought to be changed.

After the disturbance, the cultivators registering identities at the city gate feared another incident and sped up their work.

In less than half an hour, the Wang Clan entered the city.

Golden Goose City was not large, and its layout was extremely simple. One north-south avenue and one east-west avenue connected the four gates and met at the city center, dividing the entire city into four sections. At the center stood a crossroads.

The city's official institutions were all located around the crossroads. The eastern part of the city was the market district, where all kinds of shops stood. The southwest was a residential area, while the northwest contained the garrison and armory of the cultivators guarding the city.

The Wang Clan group found an inn in the eastern district and settled in. The inn was called the Immortal Guest Tower and was a Yang Family property.

After checking into the inn, the Wang Clan's six elders returned to their rooms to rest. Everyone else gathered in the clan leader's room to discuss matters. Before long, someone came to their door. The newcomer wore a green robe bearing the Yang Family's poplar-tree emblem. His features resembled Yang Yong's by four or five parts, so he was likely Yang Yong's direct descendant.

Upon seeing him, Wang Zhian promptly rose and cupped his hands. "Brother Zhiyuan, what brings you here?"

The newcomer was Yang Zhiyuan, Yang Yong's eldest legitimate grandson and the current Yang Family head.

Wang Daoyuan quickly brought over a chair. "Senior, please sit."

Yang Zhiyuan did not stand on ceremony. Sitting down, he said, "Brother Zhian, I already know about what happened outside the city gate today. Elder Jin and Liang Liang are birds of a feather and have always advocated completely wiping out the old Lineages. Most people within the Netherworld Sect disagree with this approach. Those people have therefore settled for the next best thing: suppressing the old Lineages and seizing their resources.

"Elder Jin holds great authority within the Netherworld Sect. Even Grandfather would not dare provoke him. From now on, the Wang Clan should try to avoid the Jin Family, lest its people come looking for trouble."

Though Wang Zhian was deeply displeased, he also knew that the Wang Clan could not afford to provoke the Jin Family. No matter how close the Wang and Yang Families were, the Yang Family could not possibly risk its life for them.

When one lacked strength, one could only bow one's head and play the grandson.

Wang Zhian sighed. "Brother Zhiyuan, rest assured. I know what matters. My Wang Clan descendants will avoid the Jin Family."

Yang Zhiyuan nodded. "Then I am relieved. When the time comes to act, the Wang Clan will act together with my Yang Family. No matter how overbearing the Jin Family is, it will not dare make trouble before the Yang Family."