Peace talks between the four sects

The Green Mountain Daoist Temple was quiet and deserted, with only the faint sound of the wind blowing through the withered branches.

Qi Yun was standing in front of the stone table, picking up his brush, dipping it in ink, and slowly writing down his recent insights and experiences regarding the [Ink Flood Dragon] technique and the creation of the [Great Luo Heaven] on a Jade Slip scroll.

As the brushstrokes flow, the essence of Daoism is subtly revealed, manifesting subtle and wondrous phenomena.

This was a habit he developed after achieving the True Person Realm; whenever he had an insight, he would write it down, and when he read it again later, he would gain even more understanding.

"Junior Nephew Qi, how have you been lately?"

Just then, a clear and cheerful laugh suddenly came from the horizon, growing louder as it approached.

Before he finished speaking, a beam of light descended, revealing the figure of True Person Qianxin.

His complexion was rosy, his eyes were bright, and his aura was full and harmonious, giving him a refreshed and triumphant appearance.

He was a completely different person from the disheveled and panicked figure he had been in the ruins of the Zombie Alliance a year ago.

Upon seeing this, Qi Yun put down the jade pen in his hand, stood up to greet him, and a smile appeared on his face, "Uncle-Master, I am sorry for not welcoming you sooner."

Judging from my uncle's appearance, he must have had a very good year, and his cultivation seems to have improved again.

With his keen eyesight, he noticed that True Person Qianxin's aura was becoming increasingly deep and profound, clearly indicating a significant advancement in his cultivation.

"Haha, nothing can fool my discerning eye, my junior disciple. A small gain, just a small gain."

True Person Qianxin and, without any ceremony, sat down familiarly on a stone bench nearby.

He poured himself a cup of spiritual tea, drank it all in one gulp, and seemed to be in a very good mood.

He put down his teacup, looked at Qi Yun, and said with a mix of emotion and pride in his eyes, "The path I cultivate is the [Thousand Illusions Mortal World Dao], which emphasizes experiencing Qianxin, embodying a thousand forms, and transcending a thousand tribulations."

He roamed the bustling world, and Comprehend Laws amidst the myriad forms of humanity.

The trip to the Zombie Alliance was fraught with peril, and they almost lost their lives.

But that extreme experience of facing the wrath of the True Lord and struggling to survive amidst the obliteration of cause and effect resonated with the essence of my Daoist teachings—the "calamity"—and instead transformed my State of Mind, greatly enhancing my cultivation.

He paused, his tone carrying a rare hint of ambition and anticipation. "After this experience, I feel that my Dao Foundation is more solid and the path ahead is clearer."

In this lifetime, perhaps—I, Qianxin, will also have a chance to glimpse the position of the Great True Person!

Great True Person!

Foundation Establishment Late Stage!

Those were truly figures at the top of the cultivation world, possessing great Divine Ability powers, enough to establish their own sects.

In a giant sect like the Wuji Sacred Sect, the sect is almost always led by Great True Person Master.

Compared to ordinary Foundation Establishment True Person, their status and strength are worlds apart.

"Then congratulations, Martial Uncle! The path to the Great Dao is within reach." Qi Yun sincerely congratulated him upon hearing this.

He was close to True Person Qianxin and had helped him many times. He was naturally happy that the other party had made a breakthrough.

"Congratulations to you too!" True Person Qianxin waved his hand, his smile fading slightly, and a serious expression appeared on his face.

"The reason I came to see you this time is because there is something important that I need to inform you in advance."

"Since you are not the True Person in charge and usually spend most of your time in seclusion at the temple, you may not be as well-informed about some of the sect's happenings."

"Oh? Please speak, Uncle-Master." Qi Yun's expression also became serious.

True Person Qianxin leaned forward slightly, lowered his voice, and said solemnly, "According to reliable sources, in seven months, our Wuji Sacred Sect, together with the Azure Sect, Yellow Springs Netherworld, Phoenix Helm, the four major powers of the Northwest, will hold a peace talks at Ten Thousand Caves Mountain."

"Four-way peace talks?" Qi Yun's gaze sharpened.

The Four Northwestern Sects have complex relationships with each other, and their open and covert struggles have never stopped. Especially after the Zombie Alliance, each sect has seized a lot of benefits, and their spheres of influence inevitably overlap and cause friction.

Holding peace talks at this time carries far more implications than they may seem.

"That's right." True Person Qianxin nodded, his expression somewhat meaningful. "This peace talk is ostensibly to clarify the borders, avoid conflict, and discuss how to jointly deal with the unrest that may spread from the south."

However, the specifics of the talks and the exchange of interests involved remain top-level secrets.

However, it is foreseeable that these peace talks will be fraught with undercurrents and will certainly not be peaceful.

He looked at Qi Yun and reminded him, "Nephew, although you are not directly involved in the peace talks, as True Person of the Holy Sect, especially with your current status and potential, you will inevitably be drawn into some turmoil."

Knowing in advance allows for better preparation.

Qi Yun nodded silently, already understanding.

The peace talks among the four sects are undoubtedly the biggest event in the Northwest cultivation community recently.

The outcome will directly impact the landscape for hundreds or even thousands of years to come.

He picked up his teacup, took a small sip, and gazed across the courtyard towards the distant horizon where the sea of clouds churned.

A storm is brewing; the wind fills the tower.

True Person Qianxin finished the spiritual tea in his cup, put down the cup, and unconsciously tapped his knuckles lightly on the stone table. "Then, there is one more thing."

Because peace talks between the four sects are imminent, the leadership transition within the sect, originally scheduled for six years later, has begun ahead of schedule.

He raised his eyes, his gaze sharp as he looked at Qi Yun: "Black Mountain has successfully ascended to the position of Great True Person."

"So this time," True Person Qianxin said in a heavy tone.

He will definitely do everything in his power to secure the position of vice-headmaster.

If he succeeds, given his vindictive and opportunistic nature, our past conflicts with him and his cronies will likely make things difficult from now on.

The position of deputy sect leader wields immense power, second only to the acting sect leader. It is enough to influence the allocation of sect resources, the appointment and removal of important officials, and even the life and death of disciples.

If Black Mountain were to take this position, Qi Yun and True Person Qianxin would be constrained at every turn and find it difficult to move forward.

"What does Martial Uncle mean?" Qi Yun's expression shifted slightly, already understanding the core purpose of True Person Qianxin's visit.

True Person Qianxin took a deep breath and lowered his voice, saying, "Currently, within the Holy Sect, excluding those who are traveling and have not returned, or those who are in seclusion and unable to appear, there are a total of seventeen Foundation Establishment True Person who are qualified to participate in this election."

According to the sect's ancestral rules, Black Mountain needs the joint support of at least thirteen True Person to become the vice sect leader.

He paused, then gave a number that surprised even Qi Yun: "According to my inquiries, there are currently—fourteen people who have clearly stated their intentions."

"So many?" Qi Yun was indeed somewhat surprised.

He knew that Black Mountain was powerful, but he did not expect that its supporters within the sect were already close to overwhelming him.

This almost certainly means that the position of vice-head coach is already his for the taking.

"Hmph, they're mostly just afraid of his ferocity." True Person Qianxin sneered, a look of disdain on his face.

"The people of Black Mountain are domineering and forceful, and they are used to ruthless methods."

Many of the True Person within the sect were unwilling, but dared not openly antagonize him for fear of retaliation. In reality, his true core followers numbered only about eight.

The remaining six people were all forced to do it because they were oppressed by his tyranny.

"So—" Qi Yun's eyes flashed, and he had already understood the key point.

"That's right!" A glint flashed in True Person Qianxin's eyes. "If we can persuade two of them to stop supporting him, Black Mountain's votes will be less than thirteen."

His position as vice-coach is now in jeopardy!

He looked at Qi Yun, his tone carrying an unprecedented solemnity and entrustment. "And this is precisely one of the main reasons I came to find you."

"Me?" Qi Yun frowned upon hearing this, his face showing confusion.

In the two years since he became Foundation Establishment True Person, apart from being on good terms with True Person Qianxin, he has only nodding acquaintances with most of the other Foundation Establishment True Person in the sect, and has not even exchanged more than a few words with them.

He knew he was a nobody, and his words carried little weight. How could he possibly persuade two True Person who had already expressed their support for Black Mountain to switch sides?

True Person Qianxin seemed to see through his doubts, and a meaningful smile appeared on his face, "Junior nephew, don't underestimate yourself. Although you have only been True Person Realm for a short time, your reputation within the sect is in no way inferior to some veteran True Person."

"The one who wielded the [Supreme Dao Foundation] overpowered Song Kun and escaped unscathed despite the karmic obliteration attempt by the True Lord of the Zombie Alliance —which True Person within the sect is unaware of this? Which True Person doesn't know this?"

The way they look at you is no longer how they see an ordinary, newly promoted True Person.

"More importantly," True Person Qianxin leaned forward, lowering his voice, "You represent not only yourself, but also potential, a possibility for the future."

Black Mountain is powerful, but it represents the present, the established order and oppression.

And you, Qi Yun, you represent breaking conventions, you possess boundless potential that even True Lord take notice of!

"Some True Person may not dare to openly rebel against Black Mountain, but they may well want to leave themselves a way out, for the sake of their sect and for their own sake."

"And you are that backup plan, one of the most worthwhile options to invest in!"

True Person Qianxin's words struck Qi Yun's heart like a heavy hammer.

He instantly realized that this was no longer a simple favor, but a game concerning the future structure of the sect, alignment, and investment.

And he, without realizing it, had been pushed to the forefront of this storm.

"What we need to do," True Person Qianxin said with a burning gaze, "Is to find the most swayed among those True Person who were forced to support Black Mountain."

Then, tell them.

Black Mountain is not beyond control.

This Holy Sect also has another pillar supporting it!

In the courtyard, even the sound of the wind seemed to have stopped.

Qi Yun remained silent for a moment, the last trace of doubt in his eyes dissipating, replaced by a calmness and sharpness.

He slowly raised his head and looked at True Person Qianxin: "Who is the target?"