Unite Vertically and Horizontally, Divide and Dissolve

Before Biyou Palace, Master Tongtian's sword intent had long since dissipated, yet those words—"Resolve it yourselves"—rang like an alarm bell through Xuan Chuan's Dao heart.

Though Winged Immortal had been forced back by a single word from his master, he had not been punished. The resentment in his heart had only grown, and sooner or later, he would return with renewed force.

Golden Light Immortal, Lingya Immortal, Qiu Shou Immortal, and the others lurked in the shadows, fanning the flames. They were even more unstable factors.

Though he had attained the Grand Unity Dao Fruit, wielded the Fate-Cutting Sword, and had both the Chaos Pearl Fragment and The One That Escaped at his side,

he still appeared isolated and weak before the absolute crushing power of a Zenith Heaven Golden Immortal, as well as the possibility of collusion from within and without.

His master's intent had already been clear—Jiejiao's chief disciple could not merely rely on saintly might. He also needed the means and breadth of spirit to command the sect and resolve crises.

"I cannot wait passively. I must take the initiative and break this deadlock." Within his cave abode, Xuan Chuan had finished tending to his injuries, and clarity returned to his gaze. "Winged Immortal's threat stems from his own strength and stubborn obsession.

"The danger posed by Golden Light Immortal and the others lies in their huddling together for warmth and stirring up discontent. They must be divided. I must borrow strength. I must forge alliances."

The first people he thought of were the core disciples within the sect who held lofty status and formidable strength, yet were not entirely of one mind with the Seven Attendant Immortals.

The next day, Xuan Chuan was the first to arrive at Gleaming Gold Cave in the eastern part of Golden Turtle Island, where he paid a visit to Golden Spirit Holy Mother.

Golden Spirit Holy Mother was the foremost among the female immortals. Her status was exalted and her cultivation profound. Her disciple, Wen Zhong, would one day become the Grand Preceptor of the Shang Dynasty, and she wielded tremendous influence within the sect.

She was stern and dignified by nature, impartial in her dealings, and placed greater importance on Jiejiao's overall interests.

Upon hearing that Xuan Chuan had come to call, Golden Spirit Holy Mother did not slight him and received him in the main hall of her cave abode.

"Nephew Xuan Chuan, are your injuries somewhat better?" Golden Spirit Holy Mother sat upright upon her cloud couch, her tone calm.

"Thank you for your concern, Martial Aunt. There is no longer any serious problem." Xuan Chuan bowed with great respect. "I have come uninvited today because I have matters upon which I seek your guidance, and also because I wish to present my case to you."

He clearly laid out his reasons for implementing the new regulations, the basis for purging the sect, Winged Immortal's sudden attack, and the covert actions of Golden Light Immortal and the others. He added no embellishment, merely stating the facts and his concerns.

"Martial Aunt, please judge clearly. Everything Xuan Chuan has done has been to cleanse away Karmic Force, stabilize the sect's providence, and secure more chances of survival for our fellow disciples in the coming great tribulation.

"The matter of Long-Eared Immortal was supported by irrefutable evidence. The registration measure was likewise proven by Merit.

"Yet though the tree wishes to stand still, the wind will not cease. Martial Uncle Winged Immortal, swayed by old ties and prejudice, has been provoked by others. Martial Uncles such as Golden Light Immortal may resent the new rules because they touch upon their private interests.

"Internal troubles and external threats have become intertwined. I fear this brings no blessing to the sect.

"Xuan Chuan's seniority is shallow, and having suddenly ascended to a high position, I was already walking on thin ice. Now I feel even more unequal to the task. That is why I have come to ask Martial Aunt how I should handle this."

Golden Spirit Holy Mother listened quietly. After pondering for a moment, she slowly said, "The original intent behind your actions is good. Though your methods may have seemed hasty, you hold both reason and sect rules on your side.

"Winged Immortal is arrogant by nature and cannot tolerate even a grain of sand in his eyes. Having suffered this setback, he certainly will not let matters rest. As for Golden Light Immortal and the others..." She shook her head slightly.

"They are merely driven by selfish desires. Within the sect now, there are those who support you, those who wait and see, and those who harbor dissatisfaction."

She looked at Xuan Chuan, her gaze clear and profound. "Since you are the chief disciple personally chosen by Master, you must bear the responsibility of one. Reconciling conflicts and settling disputes are also part of cultivation.

"I oversee the lineage of female immortals. We have always refrained from such struggles, seeking only peaceful cultivation and preserving the sect's general stability.

"So long as you do not violate the sect's teachings or commit unjust acts, my lineage will not make things difficult for you.

"But if you wish for us to openly take a side and involve ourselves in these disputes... Nephew, you must provide more convincing reasons, or resolve a more urgent crisis facing the sect."

She had made her position known. Neutral, but favorably inclined—yet she would not directly step in to support him.

This was within Xuan Chuan's expectations. As long as Golden Spirit Holy Mother remained neutral and did not lean toward either Winged Immortal or Golden Light Immortal's side, it was already beneficial to him.

"Thank you for your guidance, Martial Aunt. Xuan Chuan understands." Xuan Chuan offered his sincere thanks, then took his leave.

Immediately afterward, Xuan Chuan paid visits to Wudang Holy Mother and Tortoise Spirit Holy Mother.

Wudang Holy Mother was indifferent by nature and disliked worldly affairs. She spent all year in seclusion comprehending the Shangqing Mystical Method. She received Xuan Chuan for even less time, merely saying blandly, "The pure remain pure, and the muddy remain muddy.

"The great Dao lies before you. Why must you entangle yourself in petty matters and disputes? If you walk the righteous path, Master will naturally protect you, and the Heavenly Dao will uphold you."

Her attitude was even more detached than Golden Spirit Holy Mother's. She scarcely involved herself in worldly affairs, but that also meant the opposing forces would not easily draw her over.

Tortoise Spirit Holy Mother was more straightforward. Though she held no prejudice toward Xuan Chuan's origins as a "black panther," she frankly stated, "Winged Immortal is immensely powerful, and Golden Light Immortal and the others are no easy opponents either.

"If you wish to firmly secure your position, reason and sect rules alone will not suffice. You need strength and achievements sufficient to deter petty villains.

"I do not have many disciples, but if anyone dares collude with foreign enemies and harm Jiejiao's foundation, I will absolutely not stand idly by."

It counted as limited support, on the condition that Xuan Chuan could prove both his capability and his value to the sect.

The attitudes of the three Holy Mothers gave Xuan Chuan a clearer understanding.

They represented an enormous force of "neutrality" or "steadiness" within Jiejiao. So long as he did not make grave mistakes or act in extremes,

they would at least not become obstacles. Tortoise Spirit Holy Mother might even become an ally under certain conditions.

Next, he needed to seek allies who were clearer and more resolute in their support.

Xuan Chuan turned his gaze toward Three Immortals Island.

Zhao Gongming was forthright and loyal, while the Three Xiao Sisters were deeply devoted to one another. They had all tasted the benefits of Merit and were relatively accepting of his ideals. They had even explicitly voiced their support before.

They had no close ties with Winged Immortal, Golden Light Immortal, and the others. There might even be estrangement between them due to differing beliefs.

Several days later, Xuan Chuan prepared several scraps of Innate Thunder-Pattern Iron taken from the secret realm of Flowing Wave Mountain, precious materials for refining artifacts in their own right, and personally traveled to Three Immortals Island to pay a visit.

Zhao Gongming, Yunxiao, Qiongxiao, and Bixiao received him in the main hall of their cave abode. The atmosphere was far more lively than it had been with the previous Holy Mothers.

"Senior Brother Xuan Chuan, that bastard Winged Immortal was outrageously arrogant the other day! If Master had not intervened, I would have brought out the Sea-Calming Divine Pearls and reasoned things out with him!"

Zhao Gongming was as blunt as ever, deeply displeased by Winged Immortal's tyranny.

"Brother, mind your words." Yunxiao gently stopped him, yet she also nodded in greeting to Xuan Chuan.

"Senior Brother Xuan Chuan is blessed by fate, and his Dao arts are even more profound. To emerge completely unharmed beneath the pressure of a Daluo Realm expert already shows how extraordinary you are."

Xuan Chuan smiled wryly. "Junior Sister Yunxiao overpraises me. It was merely Master's pity that allowed me to survive by luck. I have come this time because I truly have a favor to ask."

He frankly explained his current predicament, especially the threat posed by Winged Immortal and the hidden dangers of the internal opposition. At last, he said,

"Junior Brother Gongming, three Junior Sisters, Xuan Chuan knows that this may drag you into trouble, but reforming the sect's atmosphere concerns the future providence of every fellow disciple.

"If Winged Immortal returns, or if Golden Light Immortal and the others strike in secret, Xuan Chuan alone will be hard-pressed to hold things up. I fear the reforms will be abandoned halfway, perhaps even causing grief to those close to us and delight to our enemies.

"May I ask whether the four of you would be willing, when necessary, to lend Xuan Chuan a hand, deter petty villains, and preserve the righteous atmosphere within the sect?"

Zhao Gongming immediately slapped the table. "Senior Brother, why be so formal with us? You act openly and honorably, and everything you do is for everyone's good!

"That Winged Immortal thinks he can use his cultivation to bully others. I, Zhao Gongming, am the first to refuse to accept it! If he comes again, count me in!"

Qiongxiao and Bixiao also nodded one after another, expressing their support.

Only Yunxiao furrowed her delicate brows slightly, pondering in silence.

"Elder Sister?" Bixiao looked toward her in confusion.

Yunxiao lifted her eyes and looked at Xuan Chuan, her gaze clear and wise. "Senior Brother Xuan Chuan, it is not that Yunxiao is unwilling to help. Whether for public or private reasons, the four of us siblings ought to support Senior Brother with all our strength.

"However, Winged Immortal is a Zenith Heaven Golden Immortal with vast divine abilities. His speed is unmatched in the Primordial World, and behind him may stand the Demon Master Palace of the Northern Netherworld, with roots and branches tangled deep.

"Though Golden Light Immortal and the others are less cultivated, they have attended Master for many years and possess many hidden connections and contacts within the sect.

"If we are to fully aid you and contend against such forces, we must have just cause—and, more importantly... no worries behind us."

She paused, looking at Zhao Gongming beside her, whose heroic spirit soared to the clouds. A trace of concern flashed through her eyes.

"To be frank with Senior Brother, my brother... in his early travels through the Primordial World, formed a karmic entanglement with two Rogue Cultivators, Xiao Sheng and Cao Bao, on Wuyi Mountain.

"Though the two are not highly cultivated, they possess a strange treasure called the Treasure-Dropping Coin, which specifically restrains all treasures beneath heaven and faintly counters my brother's Sea-Calming Pearls.

"So long as this karmic entanglement remains unresolved, it hangs above our heads like a sword, leaving us siblings uneasy.

"If someone exploits this karmic entanglement at a critical moment during conflict with Winged Immortal and the others, I fear an unforeseen calamity may arise."

At this, an awkward expression flickered across Zhao Gongming's face. He muttered, "Elder Sister, why bring up old matters from so many years ago? Xiao Sheng and Cao Bao are not worth my notice..."

"Brother!" Yunxiao's tone turned stern. "The Treasure-Dropping Coin is extraordinarily mysterious. We cannot fail to guard against it! Once the Investiture of the Gods Tribulation begins, heavenly secrets will grow obscure, and even the slightest karmic entanglement may brew a great disaster!"

She turned back to Xuan Chuan, her gaze resolute. "Senior Brother Xuan Chuan, if you can help my brother settle this karmic entanglement at Wuyi Mountain and remove this concern behind us,

then the lineage of Three Immortals Island will stand with Senior Brother through advance and retreat from this day onward!

"Whether it is Winged Immortal or any other demons and monsters within the sect, we four siblings will certainly give our full support, without another word!"

Qiongxiao and Bixiao exchanged a glance, then nodded together. "What Elder Sister says is also our intent!"

Zhao Gongming opened his mouth, looked at the resolute expressions of his three sisters, and finally sighed. He clasped his hands toward Xuan Chuan. "Ah, Senior Brother, forgive the embarrassment.

"If Senior Brother can help rid me of this burden on my heart, then this life of mine, Zhao Gongming will sell to Senior Brother from now on!"

Xuan Chuan's heart stirred. Xiao Sheng, Cao Bao, and the Treasure-Dropping Coin of Wuyi Mountain!

In the original course of events, Zhao Gongming had been stripped of his Sea-Calming Pearls and Dragon-Binding Rope by those two using the Treasure-Dropping Coin. His combat power had plummeted, and in the end, he had died miserably beneath Lu Ya's Book of Seven Nail-Headed Arrows!

This truly was one of Zhao Gongming's great destined tribulations, and one of the Three Xiao Sisters' greatest concerns.

If he could help Zhao Gongming resolve this tribulation in advance, he would not only gain their unwavering support, but also save Zhao Gongming's life and alter a great tragedy!

"Wuyi Mountain, Xiao Sheng, Cao Bao, Treasure-Dropping Coin..." Xuan Chuan slowly nodded, a wise gleam flashing through his eyes.

"I already know of this matter. Junior Sister Yunxiao, rest assured. As for this karmic entanglement of Junior Brother Gongming's, Xuan Chuan is willing to give it his utmost effort and help resolve it!"