Chapter 14: The Gathering of the Seven Clans (Part One)

  Xing Tian's expression changed slightly, and he glanced at Hailong before saying, "The matters of our sect will be handled by me personally. Are even the disciples of the Lianyun Sect so lacking in discipline?"

  Hailong was furious, just about to retort, but was pressed down on the shoulder by Zhi Shui Dao Zun, and a voice sounded in his ear, "There's no need to be polite with this kind of person, just treat him like a barking dog."

  Hai Long was shocked, turned his head to look at Zhi Shui Dao Zun, he had never thought that such a coarse and rude word would come out of her mouth, it was clear that she looked down on Xing Tian extremely.

  Piao Yu Dao Zun still had a smile on his face, "Sorry, Xing Tian Dao brother, I'll make sure to discipline my disciple well when we get back."

  Wu Yun Zong looked at Xing Tian and then at Piao Yu Dao Zun, shaking his head secretly in his heart. He walked to the last woman's side and said: "This is Lian Hua Zong's Lian Shu Zong main."

  The three of them looked at Lian Shu Zong Zhu, and when they saw her, Hai Long couldn't help but feel a shock throughout his body. Previously, Lian Shu Zong Zhu had been keeping her head down, and although she emitted an extraordinary aura, Hai Long hadn't paid much attention to it. Now that he was closer, he could see her appearance clearly. She didn't wear Buddhist robes like Wugong Zong Zhu's Wu Yun, nor did she have a shaved head. She wore a white long gown, with a head of dark green hair flowing behind her back, and her pale skin radiated a bright luster. Her face showed a calm and peaceful expression, and the aura she emitted gave people an untouchable sense of sacredness, as if she were a holy maiden descended from heaven.

  Lotus stepped back slightly, her face filled with respect, and bowed: "Greetings to the two True Ones." The Floating Void Daoist was taken aback, hurriedly grasping her shoulder, saying: "How can we bear such great courtesy from the Sect Master? It's really embarrassing for me."

  The rest of the people were also stunned for a moment. Lian Shu was the first to arrive at the Fan Xin Sect, and when other sect representatives came, she only slightly nodded her head. But now, she respectfully greeted the two Taoist masters, Piao Miao and Zhi Shui, giving people a strange feeling. Wu Zhao Xian's Mu Song couldn't help but let out a cold hum, apparently dissatisfied with Lian Shu.

  Lotus Pure's face hung a smile, saying: "Ephemeral True Man, I don't know if you still remember me. One thousand seven hundred years ago, at the foot of Ba Yu Mountain, you saved a drowning girl and gave her food and money to survive. Later, this girl joined the Lotus Sect and became today's Lotus Pure. The great kindness of Ephemeral True Man has never been forgotten by Lotus Pure, although she diligently cultivates Buddhist law. The kind smile on your face at that time is still deeply imprinted in my heart. One thousand seven hundred years have passed, but time has not left any marks on your face, and your appearance remains the same as before. Just now, when I saw you smiling, I already recognized your identity. Unexpectedly, after one thousand seven hundred years, I finally met you again. This meeting is too light compared to the debt of gratitude for saving my life back then. If Ephemeral True Man needs Lotus Pure's help in the future, just send a message, and she will rush over with the fastest speed."

  As soon as Lotus Comfort finished speaking, the hall fell silent. Except for Tong He and Zi He who had already guessed some of it, and Wu Yun Sect Master who knew the truth, no one from the other four sects could see that Piaomiao Daozun had over 1,700 years of cultivation. They couldn't help but reevaluate Piaomiao and Zhi Shui in their minds. Mu Song of Wuzhao Xian and Xing Tian of Wentian Liu's faces turned extremely gloomy, they furrowed their brows and focused their gaze on Piaomiao Daozun.

  A hint of joy flashed in Dao Zun's eyes as he carefully sized up Lian Shu, smiling and saying: "Little sister, it's really you! After parting ways back then, I didn't expect that the day we'd meet again, you'd already become a sect leader. I truly didn't recognize you at first! You've grown up, even more beautiful than before. Don't dwell on past matters too much, saving the world is our generation's mission, it was just an unintentional act."

  The sect master of the Wuyun Sect smiled and said, "Sister, congratulations to you. The True Person of Piaoyou, I really didn't expect that you would be the benefactor that our sister Nian has been thinking about all along. Do you know, it was precisely because of your kindness back then that the Lianhua Sect obtained an excellent sect master? Sister Lianshu and I have a very good affinity, in just 1,700 years, she successfully entered a realm equivalent to your Da Yuan Man's great perfection, which is a rare talent in the Lianhua Sect. Later, the old sect master valued her highly and passed on the position of sect master before he went into seclusion. Under Sister Lianshu's management, the Lianhua Sect has become completely different from what it was like in the past. This is all due to the cause that True Person sowed back then!"

  Lian Shu said: "Elder brother's praise is undeserved, but I will definitely take you up on your offer. After the grand gathering, when I have some free time, I will come to visit our Lotus Sect and Lian Shu will personally welcome you with open arms."

  Mù Sōng said in a deep voice: "Wù Yún Sect Master, today doesn't seem to be the time for reminiscing. Since everyone is here, I think you can start now."

  Lotus seemed not to have heard Mu Song's words, and led Feng Yu, Zhi Shui, and Hai Long to sit in her original position, while she retreated to the lower head, her eyes fluctuating with unstable emotions due to excitement.

  Wu Yun sat at the top and said, "First of all, I would like to thank all the fellow Taoists for coming, which makes our Mantra Sect shine. This gathering of various sects is actually a reluctant move. The Divine State has been peaceful for a long time since the battle between good and evil a thousand years ago. However, in the past hundred years, the evil sects, demon sects, and monster sects that we suppressed and hidden in the dark have reappeared, and their behavior is extremely rampant. There have been many cases of monsters and demons wreaking havoc on the Divine State. We absolutely cannot ignore this kind of provocative behavior, nor can we let them continue to make the living creatures on the continent suffer. I have decided that from now on, all disciples of our Mantra Sect who have entered the sect for more than a hundred years will go down the mountain to subdue monsters and demons. I hope all fellow Taoists can support us. Only by combining our righteous powers can we give those monsters and demons a severe blow."

  Qian Hui Gu Tong He Zhen Ren said: "The sect master's words are extremely correct, Qian Hui Gu will fully support. I suggest that our demon-sweeping power should not be too dispersed, and we can unite the various sects to form several teams to search for the Demon Sect on the Divine State land. Once discovered, immediately and mercilessly eliminate them."

  Piaoyu Daozun asked: "Tonghe Daoyou, I don't know if there is a disciple named Baiyan in your sect?"

  Tong He's eyes widened, "Yes, Bai Yan is my master's nephew, a disciple of the great White Crane Daoist from the secluded valley. Could it be that you've met him? He should still be traveling in the Divine State."

  The True Person of the Void let out a soft sigh and recounted the events of their battle with the demon that had transformed into a white boulder on their way up the mountain, "...it was only due to the arrival of the Master of the Wuyun Sect that we were able to scare off that demon."

  Tong He's eyebrows were tightly locked, and he said: "Bai Yan is one of the most outstanding disciples among my sect's younger generation. Could something have happened to him? Master Wu Yun, I'm really sorry, but I think it would be best if Zi He Shixiong went down the mountain to find out what happened to Bai Yan, lest he fall prey to evil demons."

  Wu Yun nodded and said: "Please be careful, Brother Zi He, that demon must have a genuine magical artifact on him to hide his aura, don't fall for it."

  Zi He True Person said: " Sect Master, please be at ease. Our Qian Hui Valley has its own way of identifying our sect's disciples. Everyone, I'll take my leave first." After finishing speaking, he quickly walked out the main gate, urging a purple flying sword to rise into the air and head outward along the mountain path.

  Wu Yun let out a soft sigh and said, "The evil path of the three sects is full of twists and turns, we must be more vigilant. I hope it's not a case of 'the way disappears and magic grows'! Let's continue our previous conversation, Tong He Dao brother's words are in line with mine. If all the sects unite, they can complement each other and achieve extraordinary results. What do you think of my suggestion, fellow sects?"

  Mù Sōng said: "Wù Yún Zōng's suggestion is acceptable, I think we can divide the people of each sect into five teams, respectively led by my five Shèng Xiān. We can eliminate the evil demons and eradicate the evil." As soon as he spoke, it immediately triggered dissatisfaction from Qiū Tiān Liú and Yuè Yuè Liú. Xíng Tiān said: "Mù Sōng Zǒngzhǔ, I think we should discuss this carefully before making a decision. We should choose someone with virtue to lead, if all five teams are led by the Wǔ Zhào Xiān sect, it might not be suitable." Mù Sōng's eyes flashed coldly, saying: "What's unsuitable? My Wǔ Zhào Xiān sect is the leader of the six orthodox sects, taking charge of the overall situation is also appropriate."

  Wu Yun Zong said, "The two of you don't need to argue, this commander thing can be discussed later. First, we should set a date for the demon-sweeping campaign. Also, Mu Song Zong, our orthodox sect is not six sects, but seven sects. You made a mistake just now."

  Mu Song snorted coldly and said, "I didn't make a mistake. Some small sects are indeed weak and can be completely ignored. The Five Elements Immortal Sect agrees with this action."

  Just as Wu Yun was about to say something, Lian Shu, the sect master of the Lotus Sect, spoke up first. She said calmly, "Does Five Lights Immortal's strength necessarily have to be very strong? Does Mu Song Sect Master think that he can surpass Wu Yun Sect Master in terms of cultivation? Among our seven orthodox sects, there are no small schools or factions. If Five Lights Immortal has no intention of cooperating like this, I think it would be better not to participate."

  Mu Song was furious and said, "Lian Shu, what do you mean? When I mentioned small sects, I wasn't referring to your Lotus Sect. For such a major event of subduing demons and evil spirits, how can the Five Elements Immortal Sect, as the leader of all sects, not participate? The master of Wu Yun Sect indeed has profound cultivation, but in terms of overall strength, our Five Elements Immortal Sect is still stronger. What I said are facts, so why would I be insincere? Please watch your words."

  Wu Yun let out a soft sigh and said, "Two sect leaders, please calm down. Now that the demons are rampant, we absolutely cannot afford to be disorganized. Who takes command is not important. Our seven sects really don't have any small factions or cliques. Xuan Yue Zhen Ren, what's your opinion?"

  Piao Yu Dao Zun smiled slightly and said, "Everything will be decided by the master of the Wuyun Sect. We, the Muyong Sect, have no opinion on this matter. However, as Master Muyong has said, we are indeed a small sect, so it's better for us not to participate in such major events to avoid any potential mistakes that might lead to blame from other major sects. We came here just to see how rampant the evil path has become. Master Wuyun, can you introduce us?"

  Wu Yun looked at Piao Yu Dao Zun with a deep gaze and said, "There's no need for courtesy among fellow cultivators. The Lian Yun Sect is one of the pillars of our righteous path, so it's only natural that you participate in our campaign against evil. As for the forces of darkness, I'll give you a brief overview. Based on the information brought by each sect leader and what we've gathered ourselves, those evil demons are now more rampant than ever. The three evil sects are the Demon Sect, the Yao Sect, and the Xie Sect. Each has its own unique cultivation methods. What's most frightening is that they all possess a dark art that can stimulate human potential, allowing them to rapidly increase their cultivation in a short period. This dark art is what allows them to recover quickly. Our campaign against evil this time must adhere to the principle of eradicating evil completely; we cannot give them another chance to rise from the ashes like last time. Among the three evil sects, the Demon Sect has always been the leader, with the Yao and Xie Sects secondary. The Demon Sect's leader, Rui Tian, has spent a thousand years in secluded cultivation and must have reached an even higher realm by now. Not long ago, my disciple captured a Demon Sect cultivator who revealed that Rui Tian's demonic powers had already reached an unprecedented level in the history of the Demon Sect, making him the greatest threat to our righteous path. The Demon Sect has many disciples, including numerous high-ranking experts. Although they were once human, they have long since lost their humanity and fallen into the demonic path. There are over twenty demon lords who have reached the Da Long realm or higher, plus a large number of other Demon Sect cultivators, making them extremely difficult to deal with. The Xie Sect's leader, Dong Lei, is also an extremely dangerous individual. During the great war between good and evil a thousand years ago, three of my fellow disciples were killed by his hand. His dark arts are unparalleled, and he is extremely cunning, making him very hard to handle. His four great demon kings are also formidable experts, although their overall strength may not be on par with the Demon Sect's. The Yao Sect, while not the strongest, is perhaps the most terrifying. They are composed entirely of malevolent spirits and demons. Although the previous Yao king was killed by our righteous path, it's said that their newly elected Yao king is a demon who has cultivated for over ten thousand years. I'm not sure what kind of cultivation method he used, but to be able to cultivate for so long, he must be nearing the end of his demonic tribulation. His powers will certainly not be inferior to Rui Tian's. In terms of overall strength, our righteous path naturally holds the advantage, but these demons and monsters are hiding in the shadows, waiting to launch a surprise attack. That would indeed give us a headache. That's all I know for now; do any of you have anything else to add?"

  Mù Sōng said in a deep voice, "The leader of the Wú Yún sect has already analyzed the three evil sects as thoroughly as possible. Although their overall strength is not as good as ours, if they were to concentrate all their forces on attacking one of our sects, it would still cause great losses. I suggest that we form an alliance among the righteous sects and elect a leader to coordinate everything, so that when we confront the evil sects, things will go more smoothly."