All eyes turned to the old True Person, and the previously jubilant atmosphere gradually subsided.
Gongye Chun changed his posture, and his previously kind gaze now turned gloomy as he looked at Zhang Jing, this junior. There was no warmth in his eyes, only indifference.
Today is a good day.
Therefore... I also want to do something.
Zhang Jing Jing's unease intensified. He stepped forward, about to speak, but Gongye Chun wouldn't give him the chance. He spoke again, saying:
"I'm old and my views are outdated. The younger generation in the mountains think I've lived long enough and are quite annoyed with me... I thought that, considering my past relationship with their elders, they would at least show some consideration, but unfortunately..."
"The other day, a younger person even came to my door and called me an old codger!"
Gongye Chun's voice suddenly turned cold, like Cold Wind in the twelfth lunar month, sweeping across the entire Danxia Hall.
All eyes were fixed on Gongye Chun and Zhang Jing, shifting back and forth with suspicion and uncertainty.
Zhang Jing's expression shifted, alarm bells ringing in his mind. He never expected that Gongye Chun would publicly launch an attack today.
He wanted to subdue this senior master and bring the entire Spring-Returning Mountain under his control, but things didn't develop this way... If he were allowed to continue like this, Spring-Returning Mountain would probably lose all face in the Wu Country.
Having considered this, Zhang Jing composed himself, stepped forward, bowed deeply, and said with a hint of shame, "Today is my master's birthday, please calm down. This is the work of someone with malicious intent. I have already ordered people to investigate, and they will surely..."
"No need!"
Gongye Chun roared angrily, his voice like thunder, startling many of the spirit birds outside the palace into taking flight.
"Master Uncle!"
"Since you think this old codger is taking up space and getting in your way, then I'll just make room for you and let you decide how to proceed from here on out at Spring-Returning Mountain!"
A hint of surprise flashed across Zhang Jing's face, followed by an overwhelming surge of joy, almost making him think he had misheard.
This old man... he's finally giving up and has to hand over power?
But Gongye Chun's next words caused Zhang Jing's expression to change drastically, as if a bucket of ice water had been poured over him from head to toe, instantly extinguishing his newly risen elation.
"Since we both dislike each other, why don't we separate now?"
Separation!
These two words struck like a bolt from the blue, hitting everyone in the hall, regardless of age or gender, whether they were disciples of Spring-Returning Mountain or guests who came to offer birthday wishes.
You can't hide fire with paper.
The unusual activities at Spring-Returning Mountain in recent years have become somewhat known to the outside world.
But what no one expected was that it had gotten so serious that Gongye Chun, as the Supreme Elder, publicly proposed to divide the family on his 500th birthday!
This... this is beyond just a complete falling out!
This means a complete break, splitting Spring-Returning Mountain in two!
True Person Qian of the Setting Sun Sect was also somewhat surprised and tentatively asked, "Old True Person, this is no small matter..."
The implication is that this shouldn't be said carelessly.
Gongye Chun closed his eyes in anguish, and when he opened them again, there was no warmth, only ruthlessness. Looking at Zhang Jing, who stood there somewhat dazed, he said, word by word:
"I'm not joking with you. Today is an auspicious day, let's lay everything bare. What's mine, I'll take. What's not mine... I won't take a single penny more!"
The color drained from Zhang Jing's face instantly. He opened his mouth wide, his eyes wide, staring intently at Gongye Chun as if he were seeing this senior martial brother for the first time.
What he wanted was to seize power from Gongye Chun, not to divide the family property!
What does it mean to separate from the family?
In the vast Spring-Returning Mountain, there are only two Golden Core.
Once the power splits, no matter who leaves, there will only be one Golden Core cultivator left. At that point... wouldn't they become easy prey for the other two major powers, like fish on a chopping board?
This is not good for anyone.
Zhang Jing flew into a rage, abruptly standing up, his voice sharp and shrill with shock, anger, and fear. "You... do you know what you're saying?! Dividing the family property?!"
"You are going to destroy the centuries-old foundation of Spring-Returning Mountain in one fell swoop!"
He shouted himself hoarse, trying to use righteousness to pressure Gongye Chun.
Gongye Chun's only response was a cold laugh.
"Then it's ruined!"
"What... what did you say?"
Gongye Chun's gaze swept over the Spring-Returning Mountain disciples and elders, whose expressions varied, and his voice boomed, shaking the hall. "The predecessor of Spring-Returning Mountain was a loose alliance that I and four friends founded to facilitate the exchange of Dao of Alchemy. From a loose alliance to the Spring-Returning Mountain we know today, I must boast that even if I have no merit, I have certainly worked hard."
A hint of reminiscence appeared on Gongye Chun's face, but it was quickly replaced by coldness.
"If that's the case, then we might as well part ways now, to avoid growing to hate each other and having people gossip about me behind my back!"
The entire Danxia Hall was completely silent.
This means they're determined to split up.
Zhang Jing's teeth were chattering; he hadn't expected Gongye Chun to be so resolute. But a fierce look quickly appeared on his face as he roared, "Divide the family? If anyone's going to divide, it'll be you!"
"When it was founded by five people, the descendants of the other three, including myself, all agreed that you were power-hungry... If anything should be divided, it should be you who divides it! My Spring-Returning Mountain doesn't need a useless elder like you!"
"That's exactly what I was waiting to hear!"
Gongye Chun laughed heartily, then addressed the guests, saying, "I apologize for the spectacle, but I would like to ask you all to bear witness today!"
" Fellow Daoist Qian, Fellow Daoist Zhao..."
True Person Qian and True Person Zhao exchanged a glance, then both looked at Gongye Chun.
The old True Person cupped his hands and surveyed the hall, his tone becoming solemn, "Today, I, Gongye Chun, along with my entire lineage of disciples, withdraw from Spring-Returning Mountain and establish our own sect!"
"I ask you all to bear witness."
These words meant that the division of the family property was now completely settled, with no room for negotiation.
The two True Person from other sects first shook their heads, then cupped their hands and raised them towards Gongye Chun, indicating their willingness to witness.
Seeing that there was no way to turn the situation around, Zhang Jing simply stopped pretending altogether.
He strode forward, standing before Gongye Chun. His usual respectful demeanor vanished, replaced by a sinister grin. "You can leave, but leave your things behind!"
Gongye Chun stared coldly at him, his Golden Core aura erupting completely, suppressing Zhang Jing.
Both are at the Early Golden Core Stage.
Gongye Chun's strength far surpassed Zhang Jing's.
Zhang Jing glared at his senior martial brother, who was on good terms with his father, gritted his teeth, and growled in a low voice:
"Those are things from Spring-Returning Mountain. Once you leave Spring-Returning Mountain, you can't take them with you!"
"I never intended to take it away!"
"What?"