Jing Kingdom, Yang Province.
The location of the Empty Sword Sect's mountain gate.
Inside the dimly lit hall.
Master He, the only Golden Core Empty Sword Sect Middle Golden Core Stage Old True Person He, sat in the main seat.
Chen Shuangbai recognized seven or eight Foundation Establishment cultivators, including Le You and Le Shangxiu, who sat in rows. Each of them wore an expression of worry, confusion, or sigh...
A variety of expressions and feelings of anxiety permeated the entire hall.
A Foundation Establishment cultivator bowed to Old True Person He and said, "Ancestor, isn't it a bit too hasty to align ourselves with the Jade Spring Sect so rashly?"
"Yes, Master!"
Immediately, someone chimed in, " The Jade Spring Sect is trying to solidify its position as the ruler of the Jing Kingdom. At that point... how will our Empty Sword Sect conduct itself?"
Several voices echoed inside the hall.
Although the Empty Sword Sect has relied on the Jade Spring Sect for many years, the Jade Spring Sect is now aiming to take the position of ruler of the Jing Kingdom.
The overall strength of the Empty Sword Sect was weaker than that of the Jade Spring Sect.
If this is confirmed... how can I allow others to sleep soundly in my own bed?
The old True Person sat in the main seat, listening to the arguments and discussions of the younger generation below, but did not rush to answer.
Instead, he waited until they had argued and vented their frustrations before slowly opening his cloudy old eyes and speaking in a hoarse voice:
Are you done talking?
His words immediately silenced the hall.
The Foundation Establishment who had spoken earlier stepped down, cupped his hands in a respectful bow, and asked, "Ancestor... what exactly are you thinking?"
The old True Person looked quietly at the younger generation and slowly said, "I understand your concerns about choosing sides too early, being swallowed up by the Jade Spring Sect, and losing your foothold."
He paused, then slowly stood up.
This pillar of the Empty Sword Sect, Late Golden Core Stage True Person, a respected elder of the Jing Kingdom's swordsmanship, is truly the number one swordsman.
At this moment, however, it appeared so old, like an old dog in the Setting Sun.
Although he still tries his best to maintain his former imposing and majestic demeanor, old age is old age!
No matter how much one tries to disguise it, the air of misfortune cannot be hidden.
"But have you considered another question?" Old True Person He's gaze swept over the crowd, "If we don't side with the Jade Spring Sect, whose side can we side with?"
"How much longer can these old bones of mine protect you?"
The Foundation Establishment cultivators, who had initially harbored doubts, all lowered their heads.
The hall became so quiet you could hear a pin drop again.
Old True Person He sighed softly, "If only you had been a little more ambitious and produced two... no, even just one Golden Core, this legacy could have been passed down even after I'm gone."
"But you all just don't live up to expectations... you all just don't live up to expectations..."
Old True Person He's voice grew softer and softer, fading into the distance.
Unbeknownst to them, Old True Person He had already left the main hall.
But those Foundation Establishment cultivators remained kneeling on the ground for a long time, not daring to get up, only feeling a persistent ringing in their ears.
Ling Province, Spirit-Seeking Sect.
The Spirit-Seeking Sect reveres gold, and its mountain gate is adorned with a golden hue, appearing magnificent to ordinary people.
At this moment, everyone in the Spirit-Seeking Sect was quite anxious and uneasy.
Inside the council chamber.
The four leaders of the Spirit-Seeking Sect gathered together.
Spirit-Seeking Sect governs its clans by clan system, and is divided into three clans: Jin Household, Pang Household, and Wang Household.
Each of the three clans must have at least one person in charge; this is a rule that was established when the clan was founded.
But now...
Four people in charge.
There are three Jin Household, one Wang Household... As for the remaining member of the Pang Household, they were removed from the Jin Household many years ago and have gradually been excluded from the center of power within the sect.
The Jin Household has two Golden Core True Person and one Pseudo-Nascent Soul.
True Person Xuanguang, Early Golden Core Stage.
True Person Lingguang, Middle Golden Core Stage.
And there was that Supreme Elder, the ancestor of the Jin Household, False Nascent Soul cultivator.
Wang Household was a middle-aged True Person with a square face. Despite the pressure from Jin Household, she managed to maintain her dignity, but she still had to bow down and address Wang Household as Jin Household ancestor.
True Person Lingguang considered his defeat by True Person Bo a great humiliation and had long wished for revenge.
Now that the Jade Spring Sect has taken the initiative to declare war, this True Person of the Jin Household is most restless. He hurriedly cups his hands towards the Jin Household Ancestor sitting in the main seat and excitedly says, "Ancestor, the Jade Spring Sect is full of wolfish ambitions and is courting death. We should quickly send troops to annihilate them in one fell swoop!"
The patriarch of the Jin Household slowly opened his eyes.
He looked to be only about sixty years old, with a long white beard on his chin, wearing a golden robe and a hood, with long white hair cascading down his head. He didn't look old, but rather quite handsome.
His real name is Jin Yuanxi, the pillar of the Spirit-Seeking Sect, and the reason why the Jin Household clan can hold absolute power in the Spirit-Seeking Sect.
However, people in the community were wary of his strength and often respectfully referred to him as High Person Jinke!
Originally, the Nascent Soul of Nascent Soul cultivator could be considered a respectful title for True Lord, but Jin Yuanxi was not a true Nascent Soul Realm cultivator. He was suppressed by the Jade Spring Sect Master and forced to return to the Spirit-Seeking Sect, where he dared not leave the sect for a hundred years. Therefore, no one respectfully called him True Lord.
What's the rush?
Jin Yuanxi spoke calmly, his voice not loud, but carrying an undeniable authority, " The Jade Spring Sect merely purged a few traitors and issued a proclamation, and you can't sit still?"
True Person Lingguang was choked by his ancestor's words, his face turning slightly red. He quickly lowered his head and said, "Ancestor is right. But... the Jade Spring Sect is going too far!"
Jin Yuanxi calmly said, "The saying goes, 'When soldiers come, generals will block them; when water comes, earth will dam it...' The Jade Spring Sect is courting its own destruction!"
"I 'Spirit-Seeking Sect for a good opportunity to avenge the grudges of the past!"
At this point, Jin Yuanxi paused and looked at the three younger people below.
He first instructed his two Jin Household True Person: "After you go down, mobilize your troops and guard all the key locations within the clan!"
"If even one of them breaks, I'll hold both of you accountable!"
"Especially you, Dazzling Light!"
When Jin Yuanxi looked at Dazzling Light, this junior, her tone softened slightly, and she said, "Your brother has indeed wronged you in some ways, but we are all members of the Jin Household clan, how can we hold grudges overnight?"
"With a formidable enemy at our doorstep, let us not think of anything else... Whether our Jin Household and our Spirit-Seeking Sect can reach new heights depends on this battle!"
True Person Xuanguang did not answer directly, but instead asked, "Ancestor, the current state of the Jade Spring Sect's Sect Master is still unknown!"
This has come to a critical juncture.
Speaking of the Jade Spring Sect Master, even though Jin Yuanxi had cultivated his composure for many years, he could hardly suppress the anger in his heart, and he could only feel his eyebrows and eyelids twitching.
That incident was a lifelong disgrace for him.
So many years have passed.
But whenever she recalls that scene... no matter how well Jin Yuanxi cultivates her composure, she still finds it hard to calm her emotions.
That battle back then.
It not only shattered his pride, but also severed his path to the Nascent Soul.
From that moment on, his inner demons took root. No matter how hard he cultivated or how heavenly materials and earthly treasures he collected, he could never cross that final threshold.
But that's precisely why.
He then made up his mind that he must witness the destruction of the Jade Spring Sect with his own eyes.