Secrets

These secrets of the Central Continent are being investigated by various Old Method sects.

However, it's not as clear as how New Method sect like Azure Cloud Sect explains it themselves.

Xue Yong, nearing the end of his life, had come to the market to enjoy his remaining years. He no longer cared about the New Method Old Method, casually replying, "The root of all worldly strife lies in fame and fortune. Could it be that a few major sects are vying for the title of the number one sect in the world?!"

"Fellow Daoist Xue's words are insightful and to the point. Although they are not entirely accurate, they are not far off." Lin Muyang first offered some compliments and praise, and then looked at Hua Chunning.

Hua Chunning lowered her head and pondered for a moment, then seemed to understand something, and slowly said, "The New Method of cultivation has a low threshold, and Spirit Root and Dao seeds are widely distributed throughout the world."

"The top sects in the Central Continent will probably search the heavens and earth to find geniuses."

"If there are no restrictions, I'm afraid 99% of the small and medium-sized sects in the Central Continent will decline and disappear."

"Although the Central Continent is vast and boundless, at most only three to five major sects remain to compete."

Lin Muyang glanced sideways and exclaimed in amazement, "Fellow Daoist Hua is truly quick-witted and far-sighted. From just a few words, you have seen through the root of the disputes surrounding the New Method laws!"

Hua Chunning simply smiled upon hearing this.

The Old Method had high barriers to entry and many restrictions.

When a sect accepts disciples, it not only considers their Manifestation and Fate, but also their lineage, moral character, and whether they have any karmic entanglements.

For example, the Xue Household of Rosy Clouds Resting Mountain has a long history of cultivating [Wu Earth].

Even if they encounter a peerless genius whose Manifestation and Fate are in the [Gathered Wood] or [Kan Water] categories, they will never accept them, lest it clash with the imagery of their own lineage.

Even when encountering a truly exceptionally talented Child of Fate, one must worry whether they are possessed by the Purple Mansion or a reincarnation of a True Lord. To avoid entanglement in karma, one must keep a respectful distance.

The New Method has no restrictions whatsoever; it only considers the quality of Spirit Root.

Take Azure Cloud Sect for example. Although it is famous for its wood magic, it actually has disciples who cultivate all five elements and five virtues.

"However, Fellow Daoist Hua is still a cultivator of Ancient Method, and his morals are rather high." Lin Muyang sighed and shook his head, saying, "In fact, some people saw through it when the New Method first emerged."

"Unfortunately, those clever people not only didn't think of how to resolve this, but instead profited from it, adding fuel to the fire for the sake of some Spirit Stone and wealth."

"They steal infants with Spirit Root and sell them to sects large and small according to the quality of their Spirit Root, making huge profits."

"At that time, cultivators all over the world were vying to become infant thieves Bandit Cultivator."

"Selling a baby with Heaven Spirit Root to a major sect yields enough Spirit Stone to support a small Lineage's cultivation for generations."

"As Fellow Daoist Hua said, the major sects benefited the most and thus tacitly approved of it. The smaller sects suffered greatly, wanting to stop it but powerless to do so."

"Many sects, seeing that they were powerless to stop it, simply started selling spirit infants themselves, which was far more efficient than the lone Bandit Cultivator."

"A dedicated futures market has even emerged in the East Sea, updating daily prices for various Spirit Root infants."

"Cultivators don't need to actually steal infants; they can profit simply by betting on price fluctuations."

"That was truly a crazy era; countless people became rich overnight, while countless families were ruined and destroyed."

"It is said that outside the market at that time, a large number of cultivators committed suicide every day. Most of them were at the Qi Refining and Foundation Establishment, and occasionally even the Golden Core stage, which became a great spectacle in the East Sea."

"Looking at it now, the self-destruction of the Golden Core cultivator... is simply inconceivable and unimaginable."

"In the end, even if some adults tried to stop it, they were ultimately powerless against the cultivators of the world and could only watch helplessly as a catastrophic disaster was wrought, triggering the earth-shattering war that nearly destroyed the Central Continent."

Xue Yong's expression turned solemn upon hearing this.

Hua Chunning was also deeply shaken.

The human heart is complex and dark, and difficult to fathom.

Are the New Method cultivators of the Central Continent truly unaware that stealing and selling infant spirits would cause chaos throughout the world?!

Of course I know.

No one wanted to stop them; they were only eager to steal and sell as many spirit infants as possible before the world descended into chaos, and to earn more Spirit Stone stones, wealth, and cultivation resources.

"The starting point of this great war was that among the sold-off infant spirits, a naturally born Dao seed emerged, capable of Qi Refining three days and Foundation Establishment in a hundred days, sparking a conflict between two major sects." Lin Muyang recounted this history with lingering fear. "Later, all the cultivators in the entire Central Continent were drawn into it."

"After all, which cultivator hasn't sold spirit infants, and which sect hasn't bought spirit infants?"

"But everyone has a reason to defend themselves, and everyone feels that they are not at fault."

"It wasn't until the mountains and rivers crumbled and the Nascent Soul perished that the cultivators of the world gradually calmed down."

"Later, a reclusive [Spirit Transformation] intervened and mediated, and the various factions ceased fighting. Following the old system of the [Human Emperor], they established a Celestial Dynasty and set forth many rules."

"From this day forward, all acts of infant theft are strictly prohibited in the Central Continent. If such acts are discovered, both the buyer and seller shall be executed."

Xue Yong, a member of the Xue Household of Rosy Clouds Resting Mountain, understood that rules could not bind those who made them, and sneered, "I'm afraid the crime will not reach the level of the main branch."

"That's natural." Lin Muyang smiled wryly upon hearing this.

The various major sects in the Central Continent have produced generations of geniuses; no one would believe there was no corruption behind them.

"Actually, it's not just the major sects; various families in the Central Continent are also secretly doing it." Lin Muyang said somewhat awkwardly in a low voice, "Our Azure Cloud Sect's Golden Core Ancestor also happened to encounter a Dao Seed with a Heaven Spirit Root during his travels, and that's when he got the idea."

"I never expected to be caught red-handed by a rival sect and killed on the spot."

"Even the elders of the upper sect dared not get involved in such matters, and only advised the entire sect to relocate to the Southern Edge Continent to avoid disaster."

Xue Yong suddenly understood.

No wonder the Azure Cloud Sect moved its entire sect to the Southern Edge Continent; there was such a hidden reason behind it.

Hua Chunning, however, became wary.

Lin Muyang not only talked about the secrets of the Central Continent, but even went so far as to expose his own sect's scandals, all in an effort to build a closer relationship.

The attitude of needing someone's help is far too obvious.

As expected.

Lin Muyang changed the subject, smiling as he said, "Therefore, I have a favor to ask of you two fellow Daoists."

"Oh?" Xue Yong, being a shrewd and experienced man, immediately suppressed his smile and adopted a solemn expression upon hearing this, "Market Master Lin, please speak frankly. I, Xue, have some influence on Rosy Clouds Resting Mountain."

"What a slippery old fox!" Lin Muyang cursed inwardly, but maintained his smile on the surface, "Our Azure Cloud Sect has moved to the Southern Edge Continent, so naturally we must take root here."

Therefore, I'm thinking of holding the Ascension Ceremony as soon as possible to gather Spirit Root.

"Of course, if we find suitable seedlings for cultivating Ancient Method, we will also send them to your sects."

"What do you two think?!"

Xue Yong and Hua Chunning exchanged a glance and remained silent.

This matter is both a big deal and a small matter.

Since the Azure Cloud Sect has managed to survive peacefully to this day without being driven out by the Southern Verge Immortal Alliance, it is only natural that it should open its gates wider to accept disciples.

However, the start of a New Method sect accepting disciples and spreading its teachings is a huge blow to the Old Method sects Southern Verge Immortal Alliance, even involving their life and death.

Neither Xue Yong nor Hua Chunning was qualified or dared to rashly agree to this matter.

Xue Yong glanced at the silent Hua Chunning, feeling a headache coming on.

I should have known better than to be a senior colleague.

This disciple of Supreme Mystery Mountain is clearly following the lead of his senior.

Xue Yong avoided answering Lin Muyang's question, instead asking, "Didn't they say that the people of the Southern Edge Continent don't have Spirit Root?!"

"Could it be that the Azure Cloud Sect is also going to start practicing Ancient Method?!"

"Fellow Daoist Xue is joking. My Azure Cloud Sect has been cultivating this New Method for hundreds of years. How could we dare to betray our ancestral legacy?!" Lin Muyang shook his head upon hearing this. "In the past, the people of the Southern Edge Continent indeed did not have Spirit Root."

"However, newborn babies in the Southern Edge Continent may possess Spirit Root and have the opportunity to cultivate New Method."

"Oh?" Xue Yong was somewhat surprised and asked, "Is that so? May I ask, Market Master Lin, what is the reason for this?"

Lin Muyang glanced at Xue Yong and Hua Chunning, chuckled, and said, "Why ask a question you already know the answer to?!"

The three of us know the truth.

"In the past, the people of the Southern Edge Continent did not possess Spirit Root because someone forbade it."

"Now that person is gone, the people of the Southern Edge Continent can naturally possess Spirit Root."