"Building Federation... and securing a place for ourselves..."
Ning Yuanshan murmured these words repeatedly, his expression changing rapidly like a stormy sea, while his heart was filled with turbulent emotions.
He had to admit that, based on Kong Xuan's previous detailed description, the Federation system did indeed demonstrate far more advantages than the current situation where four great empires stood side by side, distrusting and guarding against each other.
It can better avoid war, better integrate resources, and give non-royal forces like the Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Sect unprecedented political influence.
The temptation is immense!
That's a position where you can participate in setting the rules for the continent, not just follow them!
However, the shackles of reality are equally heavy.
Their Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Sect remains the legitimate guardian sect of the Dou Ling Empire!
An eternal alliance and a bond of protection cannot be severed so easily.
Although joining this envisioned Federation is not, in legal terms, a direct alignment with the Sun Moon Empire, it is ultimately an act that deviates from tradition and the existing political order.
This decision involved too many people and had too many implications; Ning Yuanshan couldn't make up his mind for a while.
Seeing the unmistakable struggle and conflict on Ning Yuanshan's face, a knowing glint flashed in Kong Deming's eyes.
He knew the principle that haste makes waste, especially when faced with such a historic choice that concerned the fate of the sect.
So, he changed his tone and slowly said, " Sect Master Ning, this matter concerns the future of our sect's ten-thousand-year foundation; caution is the only right thing to do."
"Building Federation is not something that can be accomplished overnight; it is a massive project that requires long-term planning and patient guidance."
"What I've said today is merely an invitation. Sect Master Ning has plenty of time to consider it; there's no need to rush into a decision."
Upon hearing Kong Deming's words, Ning Yuanshan's tense nerves instantly relaxed, as if a heavy burden had been lifted, and he couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief.
For the first time in his life, this sect leader, who was known for his decisiveness, truly realized that the "delaying" tactic could be such a wonderful and necessary strategy at times!
The solemnity and struggle on Ning Yuanshan's face slowly faded, replaced by a relieved seriousness.
He slowly spoke, "Your Majesty the Silver Moon understands my difficulties; I am deeply grateful!"
"This matter is of great importance and requires careful consideration. I will certainly keep your words in mind and ponder them thoroughly."
He didn't make any promises, but the fact that he didn't refuse meant he was interested.
Just as Ning Yuanshan's emotions were still in turmoil, his mind filled with thoughts of the " Federation," Kong Xuan suddenly stood up.
As a hint of confusion flashed in Ning Yuanshan's eyes, Kong Xuan's right hand, with a faint glow of Soul Power, held up a jade box about a foot long and half a foot wide.
With a smile, Kong Xuan walked up to Ning Yuanshan, his tone respectful yet dignified. " Sect Master Ning, this is my first formal audience with you. I have prepared a small gift as a token of my respect, and I hope Sect Master Ning will like it."
Ning Yuanshan didn't take it too seriously when he heard this.
In his view, the Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Sect now needs the Sun Moon Worship Hall's help, and they rely on the other party for both Soul Tool and future cooperation.
Therefore, the other party naturally did not need to send him lavish gifts to "curry favor".
He subconsciously thought that what was inside the jade box might just be a symbolic trinket.
However, when Kong Xuan gently opened the lid of the jade box, Ning Yuanshan's nonchalant gaze instantly froze!
Inside the jade box was not the Soul Tool he had imagined; instead, it was a plant!
This plant has a unique and extraordinary shape. Its roots and leaves resemble countless finely combed vine curtains, layer upon layer, lush and verdant, as if containing boundless Life.
And amidst the clusters of wisteria branches and leaves, a single, blooming flower stands gracefully.
The flower resembles a tulip, but its petals display a pure, dazzling golden color, as if forged from the purest gold and Yangguang.
The moment the box was opened, an indescribable, rich, and exotic fragrance instantly filled the entire living room.
This fragrance was no ordinary floral scent; when inhaled, it subtly activated Soul Power, invigorating the spirit.
The mere scent of this flower has such miraculous effects; it is no ordinary flower!
This was the first time Ning Yuanshan had seen this flower in person.
But he had seen the appearance of the flower, the shape of the golden tulip, the vine-like branches and leaves... countless times in the sect's most core and oldest secret manual!
His pupils suddenly contracted to the size of pinpoints, his breath caught in his throat for a moment, and his body leaned forward uncontrollably as he stared intently at the Immortal Herb in the jade box. His face was filled with extreme shock, disbelief, and an almost pilgrimage-like fervor!
Seeing Ning Yuanshan's discomfiture, Kong Xuan knew that he had recognized the item.
He stopped being coy, closed the jade box, and said clearly, " Sect Master Ning, this is a celestial medicinal herb called the Aromatic Silk Beauty."
"As for its effects... I think Sect Master Ning should be quite clear about them."
" The Aromatic Silk Beauty! The Aromatic Silk Beauty! It really is it! The divine object recorded in ancient texts that can help my sect's Martial Soul break through its shackles!"
Ning Yuanshan's voice trembled uncontrollably. He suddenly raised his head, his gaze fixed intently on Kong Xuan, then on Kong Deming, who stood silently with a smile on his face. The shock in his heart was beyond measure!
Kong Xuan smiled and said, "That's right, this is the legendary treasure of heaven and earth that can help the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda break through seven layers of shackles and evolve into the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda — the Aromatic Silk Beauty!"
"With this Aromatic Silk Beauty, the Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Sect will truly live up to its name and have no regrets!"
"It lives up to its name, and there are no regrets!"
Ning Yuanshan repeated these words, his eyes slightly warming, a surge of bittersweet emotion and excitement that spanned millennia welling up in his heart!
Ten thousand years ago, Ning Rongrong consumed the Aromatic Silk Beauty, and the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda evolved into the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda, greatly increasing its power and becoming the true number one auxiliary Tool Martial Soul on the continent.
Ultimately, he even inherited a godhood and ascended to the Divine Realm with this Martial Soul.
However, Ning Rongrong and her Oscar did not have any direct descendants remaining on this continent.
This led to an incredibly awkward situation: after Ning Rongrong, although the sect was renamed the glorious " Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Sect," Ning Rongrong was the only one in the world with the true Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda Martial Soul!
What later generations of disciples inherited was still the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda with its seven-layered limit!
The name "Jiubao" is more like a commemoration, a goal, and a dream that is desirable but unattainable.
For millennia, successive sect leaders and countless illustrious predecessors of the Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Sect have traversed mountains, rivers, lakes, and seas across the continent, venturing into countless perilous lands, expending immeasurable effort and resources in their arduous search for the " Aromatic Silk Beauty," recorded in ancient texts, capable of recreating miracles.
However, they never found anything, as if the Immortal Herb had disappeared from the world along with Ning Rongrong's ascension to godhood.
This regret, this obsession, has long been deeply ingrained in the very marrow of every successor of the Nine Treasures Glazed Tile Sect!
Today, just as Ning Yuanshan had almost accepted reality and believed that the sect would forever bear the name of "Nine Treasures" while practicing the methods of "Seven Treasures".
This Immortal Herb, which only exists in legends and illustrations, was so easily presented to him by a young man from the Sun Moon Empire!
How could he not be excited?!
How can I avoid losing my composure?!