"Alkaid, with such great talent, why didn’t he tell us earlier? If he had spoken sooner..."
Li An felt a bit resentful.
"Didn’t he tell you?"
His words were abruptly interrupted by an elder from the Hollow Void Realm, who spoke sharply, "I think cultivating has messed up your brain. Initially, Li Hanqiu clearly informed Wan Liugui. He told him that Alkaid had extremely high potential and Wan Liugui also more than once suggested that we should provide a certain level of cultivation to Alkaid as well, to foster good karma. And what did you guys say? What did you do? You ended up sending Wan Liugui to the battlefield."
This highly senior Hollow Void elder snorted coldly, "Fortunately, Alkaid was smart enough not to come to you right after arriving at Northern Sea Star. Otherwise, he might have already turned into a dry skeleton used to gain Jiang Heavenly Venerable’s trust, right?"
This merciless statement suddenly made those who firmly stood by Jiang Heavenly Venerable’s side lose face.
Fortunately, they knew that now wasn’t the time to worry about their dignity.
Xie Xiong said, "We missed a perfect opportunity, and now we can only try to remedy the situation quickly!"
He shifted his gaze to the old man, "Jue Kong Elder, you have always had a good relationship with Elder Wan. Please, make a trip and invite Elder Wan and his people back. Only with Elder Wan stepping forward, through Elder Li Hanqiu, can we hope to resolve our differences and unite, as we all are from the Cangwu lineage. It really isn’t necessary to escalate things to an uncontrollable level, which isn’t good for either party."
"Indeed, Jue Kong Elder, we came to Northern Sea Star all the way from Cangwu Great World. If we can’t unite, we will sooner or later be completely eliminated in the fiercely competitive environment of Northern Sea Star."
"Jue Kong Elder, whether our Cangwu lineage can see a turning point depends on you now."
Other Hollow Void War Immortals began to speak as well.
"Turning point? What turning point? What exactly do you want now?"
Jue Kong Elder scanned the crowd with a frosty gaze, "Not long ago, you ordered others to help Jiang Heavenly Venerable capture and kill Alkaid in Biyou Fairy City. Under these circumstances, you surely can’t expect Alkaid to help our Cangwu lineage, right? Why should he!?"
Gelin’s face flushed red.
The order to send Hollow Void War Immortals to assist Jiang Heavenly Venerable in capturing Alkaid had been given by him...
He opened his mouth, trying to say something. After a while, it seemed he changed his tone slightly, "At least... at least for the sake of belonging to the same Cangwu lineage, let Alkaid and Jiang Heavenly Venerable avoid killing each other."
"When Jiang Heavenly Venerable had the advantage, I didn’t see you come forward to say we belong to the same Cangwu lineage and must not fight each other. Now that Alkaid has cultivated into the Hollow Void, becoming the Junior Sect Leader of the Heavenly Dao Sect and displaying infinite potential, now you realize we are from the same lineage?"
Jue Kong violently waved his hand, "With such an attitude, you still think about resolving our conflicts? Go love whoever you want, but don’t look for me."
"Okay, okay, Jue Kong Elder, we are also trying to find a way to prevent our Cangwu lineage from splitting. Let’s not be impulsive."
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Xie Xiong promptly said.
"Your efforts are probably useless, it has to be Jiang Heavenly Venerable who speaks out."
At this moment, another Hollow Void War Immortal spoke, "After all, you had firmly decided to side with Jiang Heavenly Venerable before. Now, even if you want to resolve the conflicts, and even if under Elder Wan Liugui’s persuasion, Alkaid agrees, what if Jiang Heavenly Venerable doesn’t? If he insists on making us Cangwu lineage exert all our efforts to eliminate Alkaid, forcing us to choose between fighting or not, what will you do then?"
Xie Xiong, Gelin, Li An, and others felt a heavy weight in their hearts.
This statement seemed somewhat incredulous, but...
Jiang Heavenly Venerable might indeed do it.
"It’s only our fault for having invested too much in Jiang Heavenly Venerable over the years. The sunk cost is too great, so great that we cannot afford to lose now,"
Jue Kong Elder slowly said, "Especially since we didn’t leave ourselves any room to maneuver, effectively cutting off our own arms, voluntarily exiling any power that could threaten Jiang Heavenly Venerable. Now, we are completely at his mercy."
The elders fell into silence.
Sunk costs, indeed.
This was the real reason everyone understood but didn’t want to mention.
Knowing full well that Jiang Heavenly Venerable’s demands were becoming increasingly excessive, they could still only comply, because the Cangwu lineage could not afford to lose.
Once they failed...
The Cangwu lineage would have nothing left.
"It’s pointless to talk more now,"
Jue Kong Elder shook his head, "Let’s just do as Elder Wan originally suggested, not to put all our eggs in one basket."
He looked at Xie Xiong, Gelin, Li An, and others, "We’ll divide our forces into two parts, one part will continue to support Jiang Heavenly Venerable, the other part will go to serve Elder Wan, and then from Elder Wan’s side, we’ll connect with Elder Li Hanqiu and get in touch with Alkaid, the Junior Sect Leader. In this way, if one side encounters problems one day, the lineage of Cangwu will not be utterly extinct."
"Our Cangwu lineage is already the weakest among the Nine Veins; if we split into two groups... how can we stand in Taiyi Immortal Sect?"
Li An was worried.
His words made many people nod silently.
This was indeed what everyone in the Cangwu lineage was worried about.
Lack of security.
Ultimately, they weren’t true Hollow Void cultivators, just a group of Hollow Void War Immortals.
This lack of confidence was exactly why they were so desperate to develop Jiang Heavenly Venerable, who had been taken as a direct disciple by the Jade Emperor Supreme, into a Hollow Void.
So much so that...
Even when they knew they were doing something wrong, they still had to persist with the mistake to the end.
"Actually..."
At this moment, Jian Hanzhou suddenly motioned to speak, "I think if we really divide into two parts, where one part supports Alkaid, as long as we can truly be accepted by Alkaid, our lineage might not face any problems."
"Hmm?"
Xie Xiong, Li An, Gelin, and the others immediately turned their attention to him.
"What do you mean?"
"In fact, when the Taiyi Immortal Sect incorporated our Cangwu forces and allowed us to establish our own lineage, they harbored thoughts of buying a steed for its potential, just like how the Jade Emperor Supreme accepted Jiang Heavenly Venerable also with consideration for public opinion. Under such circumstances, as long as our lineage did not make any serious mistakes, the Taiyi Immortal Sect wouldn’t really act against us due to our weak strength."
Jian Hanzhou said thoughtfully.
His words stirred the hearts of many.
"Moreover, even if our Cangwu lineage’s strength within the Taiyi Immortal Sect were to wane, as long as Jiang Heavenly Venerable manages to reach the Hollow Void, relying on his relationship with the Jade Emperor Supreme, along with the talent he has displayed, he could still preserve our lineage."
Jian Hanzhou’s line of thinking was clear, "Even if Jiang Heavenly Venerable cannot reach the Hollow Void soon, as long as Alkaid, the Junior Sect Leader, accepts us, we can bask in his radiance. If Alkaid can further advance to Refining Void within the next few hundred years, in consideration of Alkaid’s position, the Taiyi Immortal Sect wouldn’t exterminate us..."
He paused, looking at the other Hollow Void War Immortals, "We might actually gain an extra layer of protection."
The others understood Jian Hanzhou’s reasoning.
Following this train of thought, everyone else also began to ponder.
Jiang Heavenly Venerable and Alkaid had their conflicts.
But between major sects, there were only interests.
If Alkaid truly could advance to Refining Void in the next few hundred years and become the Vice Sect Leader of the Heavenly Dao Sect, the Cangwu lineage could completely act as a bridge between the Taiyi Immortal Sect and the Vice Sect Leader of the Heavenly Dao Sect.
In that case...
Their lineage would truly possess value, and their treatment might even improve.
Upon realizing this, many present felt their hearts stir.
It had only been twenty years since Alkaid came from the Cangwu Great World to the Northern Sea Star.
Twenty years!
In those twenty years, he had advanced from a cultivator at the Heavenly Fire Realm to the Hollow Void Realm; such high talent...
Even though they were optimistic about Jiang Heavenly Venerable, they had to admit one thing: Jiang Heavenly Venerable’s talent was no match for Alkaid’s.
Alkaid...
Was not just slightly stronger than Jiang Heavenly Venerable; his superiority was significant enough to alter their decisions.
Additionally, with Alkaid’s suspected special constitution related to the Void Category, his comprehension of the Void Force could progress by leaps and bounds compared to others at the Hollow Void, making it highly likely for him to achieve Refining Void.
The probability of him becoming the Vice Sect Leader of the Heavenly Dao Sect within the next few hundred years...
Was very high.
Such a person was indeed worthy of the Taiyi Immortal Sect showing indirect respect.
"Elder Jue Kong, Jian Hanzhou’s suggestion is feasible!"
"When impoverished, think of change; we truly can’t continue like this anymore."
"We placed all our bets on Jiang Heavenly Venerable... yet he seems to take these benefits for granted... Let’s not wait to desperately regret when we truly lose everything; it’s time to try other alternatives."
Understanding the causality, these Hollow Void War Immortals voiced their agreement.
"Now, there remains but one issue,"
Elder Jue Kong stated indifferently, "How do we get Alkaid to accept us?"
This question also cooled many heads.
Alkaid might accept Wan Liugui and others, but them...
"Perhaps... play the card of the Cangwu Great World? Return everything that belongs to the Nine Cauldrons Sect of the Cangwu Realm back to him?"
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Gelin suggested tentatively.
"Return? If Alkaid now needs the territory of the Nine Cauldrons Sect from the Cangwu Great World, do you think we would need to give it back? Even if he monopolizes the Cangwu Great World, do you think the Taiyi Immortal Sect would offend Alkaid over such a trivial matter? And us... can we afford to fight Alkaid to the death over this?"
Elder Jue Kong scoffed disdainfully.
"Then what should we do?"
Gelin frowned deeply.
The others were also deep in thought, yet could not come to any conclusion.
It took about ten minutes before Xie Xiong finally exhaled deeply, "Everyone must face the consequences of their actions, and we are no exception. It’s only right for Alkaid not to accept us. Moreover, considering our Cangwu lineage’s recent actions in Biyou Fairy City, even if he decides to annihilate our lineage, it would be our own fault."
This statement made many of the Hollow Void War Immortals look dejected.
"The only thing we can do now is let Elder Wan and others take some people with potential to see if they can gain Alkaid’s acceptance, preserving some seeds of hope to ensure that even if we face a drastic change, the traces of the Cangwu lineage in the Northern Sea won’t be completely erased."
As Xie Xiong spoke, he glanced at Li An and Gelin, "Regardless of anything, having a prodigious figure like Alkaid emerge in our Cangwu lineage is a fortunate event. Perhaps, the future of the Cangwu lineage no longer lies in us but in Alkaid... We old ones who have embarked on the path of the War Immortal should just be buried in the wrong past with the passage of time, bearing the consequences of all our actions."
Li An and Gelin, among others, fell silent after hearing this.
After a long while...
Li An finally spoke, "Yes, if you make a mistake, you have to accept the punishment. Trying to apologize and make amends, thinking everything can be settled and everyone can just get along—how could it be so simple?"
"Alas,"
Gelin also sighed.
At a crucial moment, they had made the wrong choice.
One mistake led to another.
Now that things had come to this, there was nothing they could do but lament their fate.