Are You Telling Me How to Do Things?

Wuji Sacred Sect, Great Void Hall.

Seventy-two black iron dragon pillars stood silently, supporting the cloud-shrouded dome.

The dim yellow light of the eternal lamp flowed across the dark stone of the hall, casting long, silent shadows of the three figures standing in the hall.

Qi Yun sat upright on the cloud throne atop the nine black jade steps, his dark blue Daoist robe covered by a black cloak with gold trim, the sect leader's emblem gleaming coldly in the light.

He lightly placed his hands on the armrests, his gaze calmly sweeping over the three people in the prince's entourage.

The tea had gone cold, and the serving disciples had long since withdrawn.

Only the smoke from the incense burner rose straight up into the hall, slowly dissipating only when it reached a height of about ten feet, like a silent timekeeping.

The gray mist surrounding Nether Bone True Person suddenly churned slightly.

That hoarse, owl-like voice slowly seeped out from the mist, each word sharp and deliberate, striking the stagnant air of the Great Void Hall: "Does the Holy Sect intend to launch a counterattack against the Central Land?"

As soon as the words were spoken, it seemed as if even the rising smoke in the hall slowed down by a fraction.

A barely audible hum came from the scabbard on Lingxuzi's back.

In Zhu Yun's crimson eyes, flame patterns flickered and lit up for a fleeting moment.

Qi Yun gently tapped the black iron armrest with his index finger, which was resting on it.

"Despair."

A soft sound, exceptionally clear in the deathly silence.

He slowly raised his eyes, his gaze lingering for a moment on the swirling gray mist surrounding the Nether Bone True Person, before turning to Lingxuzi and Zhu Yun. His voice was gentle and calm, yet carried a penetrating power that seemed to see through everything. "Is this also the reason you two have come today?"

Lingxuzi took half a step forward, his green robe fluttering even without wind. "The Azure Sect does indeed have this intention."

Zhu Yun followed closely behind, her voice booming. "The same applies to the Phoenix Helm."

The three positions are now clear.

Qi Yun suddenly chuckled softly.

The laughter was soft, yet it made the already tense atmosphere in the hall even more so.

He leaned back slightly, his body nestled deep within the cloud-shaped seat, his dark cloak draping and folding along the edge.

His posture appeared relaxed, but his eyes, fixed on the three, were even sharper than before. "Since the three sects have reached an agreement—"

He paused, his voice still gentle, yet each word was like polished jade, warm yet with a hint of cold hardness. "So, what brings you here today, to discuss matters with the Holy Sect?"

"Or should I notify them?"

As the last four words were uttered, the temperature in the hall plummeted.

The gray mist surrounding the Nether Bone True Person suddenly stopped, and two points of eerie green light within the mist flickered uncertainly.

The sword cries behind Lingxuzi completely fell silent.

The flame patterns in Zhu Yun's crimson eyes burned even more intensely.

All three of them sensed the sharpness in those words; it wasn't a question, but an interrogation.

Are you teaching my Holy Sect how to do things?

The silence lasted for three breaths.

Zhu Yun suddenly took a step forward.

This Phoenix Helm Blazing Radiance Hall was robust and voluptuous, with fiery red hair and an intense aura emanating from her. Yet, when she spoke, her voice was surprisingly calm, quite unlike her appearance. "True Person Qi, please don't misunderstand."

She bowed respectfully, her posture humble yet not subservient. "Our three sects have absolutely no intention of isolating the Holy Sect. The reason we only came to discuss matters with the Holy Sect last is entirely because—"

The Holy Sect first changed the Sect-Presiding True Lord, and then changed the acting sect leader.

She raised her head, her crimson eyes meeting the cloud throne directly, her words perfectly measured. "The succession of sects is a matter of paramount importance. The three sects dare not disturb us rashly, therefore we will first discuss this matter, and only after the situation has stabilized will we dare to come and discuss important plans with the Holy Sect."

His words not only explained why he was late, but also showed him great humility, and subtly pointed out the reality that "the Holy Sect Emperor is no longer what he used to be."

The Sect-Presiding True Lord was changed from Desolate Halberd to Wudao, and the position of Acting Sect Leader was changed from Black Mountain to Qi Yun.

The intricacies and complexities involved are well-known throughout the Northwest.

On the cloud throne, Qi Yun listened quietly.

After Zhu Yun finished speaking, the indifferent expression on his face slowly melted away, and a gentle smile appeared at the corner of his mouth, "I see."

He nodded slightly, as if convinced. "True Person Zhu, I understand."

The three considerations were thorough and well-thought-out, truly a prudent move.

But then the tone shifted: "However—"

Qi Yun placed his hands back on the armrests, leaned forward slightly, and looked into a deep pool reflecting the moon, clear yet unfathomable. "A counterattack on the Central Land is a matter of great importance."

If the three sects are merely acting on a whim, or if they feel the time is ripe simply because of the defeat at Spirit Mountain —then my Holy Sect is unwilling to wade into these muddy waters.

These words were polite, but the meaning was clear: the Holy Sect would not easily intervene unless he was absolutely certain of victory.

Upon hearing this, Lingxuzi finally spoke again, "Rest assured, True Person Qi."

His voice was clear and resonant, like a sword drawn three inches from its sheath. "If I weren't confident of victory, I wouldn't have brought this up so easily."

"Oh?"

Qi Yun raised an eyebrow, revealing just the right amount of curiosity. "Then how do we win?"

The light in the hall seemed to dim for a moment.

The gray mist surrounding the Nether Bone True Person suddenly began to rotate slowly and eerily.

A hoarse laugh echoed from the mist, carrying a chilling certainty. "Because—besides my Four Northwestern Sects..."

He paused, and two eerie green lights suddenly shone from the gray mist, shooting straight at the cloud-like figure. "We've also invited another force to join us."

Qi Yun's gaze sharpened slightly. "Who?"

The voice of the Nether Bone True Person was deliberate and clear, each word like the clash of cold iron from the Nine Nethers: "The Overseas Dragon Clan."

"Dragon Clan?"

The repeated use of the two characters "Qi Yun" seemed to freeze the air in the hall.

"As far as I know," Qi Yun said slowly, his voice still steady, "the Dragon Clan has always been aloof; why is there an exception this time?"

Lingxuzi said in a deep voice, "Although the Dragon Clan is transcendent, they are not without desires."

In the battle at Spirit Mountain, the North Sea Dragon Lord was injured by the [World-Honored One's Handwritten Scripture], damaging his Dao Foundation and requiring urgent healing. This is one aspect.

He looked up, his gaze meeting Qi Yun's. "Secondly, the Dragon Clan and the Buddhist Order have an High Antiquity feud."

Qi Yun remained silent.

He knew it, of course.

In High Antiquity times, the Dragon Clan controlled the elements of heaven, earth, and water, controlling clouds and rain, and were the most revered of all creatures with scales and armor.

Later, when Buddhism Buddhist Order, it established the concept of the "Eight Classes of Devas and Nagas." On the surface, the dragon Dragon Clan was revered as protectors of the Dharma, but in reality, the Dharma was used to convert them, and their power and fortune were restrained by their vows.

This grudge has lasted for millennia and is deeply ingrained in our very being.

"The Dragon Clan intends to use this counterattack to avenge their past humiliation and revitalize their destiny."

Zhu Yun spoke up, her voice loud and clear.

"And my Four Northwestern Sects can pave the way for them, and together we will conquer the Central Land."

Nether Bone True Person gave a hoarse laugh, "It's just a matter of each getting what they need."

Silence fell upon the hall once more.

Qi Yun leaned back on his cloud-shaped seat, his eyes slightly closed, as if weighing his options.

The smoke from the incense burner rose straight up, spreading and reforming before him, as if unfolding some invisible cause-and-effect relationship.

After a long while, he slowly opened his eyes.

"I must inform Patriarch Wudao of this matter before making a decision."

Upon hearing this, the three nodded slightly – such an important matter was certainly not something the deputy sect leader could decide alone.

"However—" Qi Yun changed the subject, his gaze sweeping over the three of them before finally settling on the gray mist surrounding Nether Bone True Person, his voice calm and unwavering. "Before that, I have one more matter to ask the three of you for confirmation."

"Please speak, Master."

Qi Yun leaned forward slightly, enunciating each word clearly. "The Dragon Clan desires to avenge their past humiliation, and our Four Northwestern Sects aspire to conquer the Central Land —these are the stated reasons. However, I wish to know..."

A glint of insight flashed in his eyes. "What exactly are the True Lord behind the Three Sects plotting?"

The air inside the hall seemed to freeze completely.

The sword sheath behind Lingxuzi was now completely silent.

Zhu Yun's intense aura was concealed like a dark fire in the deep sea.

The gray mist surrounding the Nether Bone True Person churned at a speed so slow it was almost completely still.

On the cloud throne, Qi Yun's expression remained gentle, but his eyes seemed to penetrate all appearances and reach the essence.

The three True Person simultaneously felt a strange palpitation in their hearts.

This young sect leader actually instilled in them a sense of fear, as if they were facing True Lord.

What kind of monster is this?!

Overseas, on an unnamed, isolated island.

Blood Sea surged forth, enveloping the entire isolated island in a dark red cocoon.

Youquan stood barefoot on the crimson lotus of karmic fire in the center of the Blood Sea, his blood-red robes fluttering in the wind.

He had just refined the last "Merfolk Clan" on the island, and nine thousand eight hundred Blood God Son surrounded his body, each radiating the savage power of the Foundation Establishment Early Stage.

The Blood God Scripture truly deserves its reputation as a top-tier demonic Cultivation Method.

With the power of the [Blood Sea], one can devour and refine the essence of all living beings in the world.

Overseas cultivation resources are scarce, but these foreign bloodlines have become his best resources.

"Unless the True Lord intervenes—I am invincible in this overseas land!"

Youquan raised his eyes to the north, his blood-red pupils swirling with gold and red. Just as he was about to unleash the Blood Sea to find his next target, ripples suddenly appeared in the void before him.

A point of pure white light bloomed, transforming into a twelve-petaled white lotus phantom.

As the clear light of the lotus heart flowed, the divine consciousness of Qi Yun manifested itself, quietly appearing.

"The One?" Youquan's blood-red eyes narrowed slightly.

Qi Yun Yunxian stood atop the white lotus, his gaze sweeping over the vast Blood Sea below, a flicker of emotion passing through his eyes.

His cultivation has progressed quite rapidly.

Youquan grinned, his expression Evil Qi: "Thanks to my good fortune."

Qi Yun said no more, and snapped his fingers.

A wisp of warm, divine light flew out and landed in Youquan's palm, transforming into a lotus seed the size of a pigeon's egg, pure white, and shimmering with a lustrous sheen.

Qi Yun said slowly, "Take this to the North Sea Dragon Palace and meet the Dragon Lord."

Youquan raised an eyebrow. "What do you want with him?"

"Pass on a message," Qi Yun, his gaze deep. "Say that someone can help him heal his internal injuries, but he needs to answer one question."

Youquan toyed with the lotus seed, sensing its pure vitality—a stark contrast to the Daoist intent of the Blood Sea —and asked with great interest, "What's the problem?"

Qi Yun Yunxian slowly turned around and looked towards the boundless ocean to the north.

The sea breeze howled, carrying with it the stench of the Blood Sea.

After a long silence, his voice was deep and clear, each word imprinted on Youquan's mind like a brand. "I ask the Ancestral Dragon —has he already awakened?"