A single vote had taken so many twists and turns that everyone could only marvel. But now it had entered its final stages, and no further changes were possible.
This came down to the three True Persons of Southern Anhe's close cooperation with the Wu Sect over more than a century. They could not turn against each other without cause. In other words, the Zixiao lineage's seven votes were already settled. The only remaining uncertainty was whether Taixuan would receive six votes or eight. The two True Persons, Xiao and An, had become the leading figures. This was Daoist Zhixuan's gift to them, giving these two men, who had maintained their independence for a century, a perfect finale and curtain call.
They had no other options either. Just as Southern Anhe would certainly choose the Yuqing camp, Northern Anhe would certainly reject it. They had held out for a century; why let all their efforts fall short at the final hurdle now?
That left only Taixuan and Shangqing. Choosing Shangqing was meaningless. Daoist Tianfeng had only two votes at present. Even with Xiao and An's votes added, he would have only four, still placing last among the three.
For cultivators, seeking the greatest benefit under the circumstances was a principle every one of them had to follow. Choosing Shangqing was meaningless and would also offend both Taiqing and Yuqing.
Daoist Zhixuan brimmed with a sense of accomplishment. Through his own intelligence, he had successfully forced the two True Persons, Xiao and An, onto his side. This was the pressure of the prevailing tide: circumstances were stronger than men, leaving them no choice.
The current six to four to two would finally become eight to seven to two, just one vote ahead of the Yuqing camp. He gave Juemingzi a slight