Alkaid listened to the narration of Chi Yun the Supreme Elder, and finally understood the top-level relations within the Heavenly Dao Sect.
It was no wonder that Zong Wenxian had been able to sit securely on the throne of the Sect Leader of the Heavenly Dao Sect for thousands of years, becoming the first person within the sect.
Jing Yuntian and Gu Li shared common interests with him.
Even more so, Bu Zhou True Monarch had his life saved by him twice.
That constituted the support of three Supreme Elders.
The key was...
Bu Zhou True Monarch was also the junior brother of Jing Hong True Monarch, possessing the influence to sway this top powerhouse under the Heavenly Dao Sect's Dao Lord.
And this powerhouse, who was a candidate on the Dao Lord rank list, could influence other Supreme Elders, including the two who were dissatisfied with Zong Wenxian, but had to remain neutral—Yuanxing and Dong Xi Supreme Elders. Your next chapter is on Freewebnovel
Like this time, when Zong Wenxian angered the Divine Race outside the Star Domain and sought assistance internally, it was led by Bu Zhou True Monarch, together with Yuanxing, Dong Xi, and the somewhat reluctant Liao Chen True Monarch, to provide support.
"Jing Yuntian and Gu Li, these two Supreme Elders, are bound to Zong Wenxian by mutual interests. As soon as Zong Wenxian can no longer bring them enough benefits, they will abandon him. Therefore, they still have the potential to be won over. The real trouble is with Bu Zhou True Monarch,"
Chi Yun the Supreme Elder said gravely, "This True Monarch is the biggest supporter of Zong Wenxian's position as Sect Leader..."
"As a direct disciple of a Dao Lord, one naturally enjoys quite a few privileges,"
said Alkaid.
"That's not it,"
Chi Yun the Supreme Elder said with a smile: "Jun Tian Dao Lord has only three disciples who are still alive, and the ones he places the most hope in are Jing Hong True Monarch, and the latterly taken in Ni Chang True Monarch. When he went on a journey through the starry sky, he actually planned to bring Jing Hong True Monarch along, but Jing Hong True Monarch was reluctant to entrust monitoring the Gate of the Immortal Realm—a task related to the Dao Lord's future—to others, so he requested to stay underground. In the end, Jun Tian Dao Lord left with only Ni Chang True Monarch... As for Bu Zhou True Monarch... he has given up on him."
He said disdainfully, "After all, this True Monarch has practiced for over eight thousand years and has not yet perfected his Lifebound Daoist Art. I fear he has no hope in this lifetime."
"Over eight thousand years, and his Lifebound Daoist Art hasn't reached Perfection?"
Alkaid was somewhat surprised.
What had he been doing all his life?
"Bu Zhou True Monarch was able to become a disciple of Jun Tian Dao Lord because his biological father was a disciple of Jun Tian Dao Lord. After perishing from a Dao Transformation, he asked Jun Tian Dao Lord to take care of him on his deathbed, which led to him being taken in by the Dao Lord,"
explained Chi Yun the Supreme Elder. He continued with some annoyance, "It is said that Bu Zhou True Monarch was relatively humble and low-profile two to three thousand years ago, but as he grew older, his temperament gradually changed, and... he seems to see Zong Wenxian as his successor... particularly liking to be overbearing with age in events related to him..."
He stated bluntly, "Yuanxing and Dong Xi, the two Supreme Elders, are dissatisfied with Bu Zhou True Monarch's unreasonable support for Zong Wenxian, which is why they have drawn a clear line with Zong Wenxian. However, due to their wariness of Jing Hong True Monarch, they have not openly opposed Zong Wenxian. Once Bu Zhou True Monarch dies, in another thousand or two years, it is uncertain whether his position as Sect Leader will remain secure."
Listening to this, Alkaid also thought of something, "Is this why Zong Wenxian has been excessively oppressive towards the Vice Sect Leaders in the last two thousand years?"
Chi Yun the Supreme Elder nodded at this, "As long as no capable Vice Sect Leaders emerge within a thousand or two years, even if Bu Zhou True Monarch passes away, his position as Sect Leader will still be secure. Meanwhile, he is actively nurturing young Hollow Voids like Langya, who in a thousand or two years, will likely have achieved something and could smoothly take over his position as Sect Leader."
"Heh, Sect Leader Zong sure has a good plan,"
Alkaid said with a laugh.
"Hence there are naturally quite a few who do not see eye to eye with him,"
Chi Yun the Supreme Elder responded.
While speaking, he glanced at Alkaid, "Compared to Sect Leader Song from eight hundred years ago, Sect Leader Alkaid, you have a better chance to challenge Zong Wenxian for the position of Sect Leader and change the somewhat stagnant atmosphere of the Heavenly Dao Sect."
While Alkaid himself did have some ideas about becoming the Sect Leader of the Heavenly Dao Sect, he was more concerned about the wellbeing of the cultivators from the Nine Cauldrons Sect.
With the insights brought about by "High-Dimensional Cognition," becoming a Dao Lord was not a mere aspiration for him.
And upon succeeding in Integrating Dao, he was bound to enter the Gate of the Immortal Realm in the future, to prove the Immortal Path and achieve eternal life. In this scenario, he also wanted to leave a way out for the people of the Nine Cauldrons Sect.
This point...
He and Penglai Dao Lord were somewhat similar in this regard.
"It is not my wish to confront Sect Leader Zong head-on, but he and his followers have forced me into a corner, and I have no choice but to counter,"
Alkaid sincerely spoke.
However, Chi Yun the Supreme Elder clearly did not believe what Alkaid said.
To become the Sect Leader of the Heavenly Dao Sect, commanding such vast numbers of Shattered Void, Refining Void, and Hollow Void cultivators with a single order, who would refuse such power? Alkaid's words were just modesty for appearance's sake.
"Hehe, Sect Leader Alkaid is right. If Sect Leader Zong truly selflessly wanted to steer the Heavenly Dao Sect in a better direction, we would spare no effort to assist him, to enhance and strengthen the sect. Unfortunately... heaven does not fulfill people's wishes; the desires in people's hearts will never be satisfied,"
Chi Yun the Supreme Elder also said with emotion.
Alkaid looked at him, speechless.
But there was nothing he could explain.
Let them think what they wanted; he would follow his own steps.
"Sect Leader Alkaid, Sect Leader Shen and Sect Leader Jiang have also arrived. They are here to discuss closer cooperation among the three regions with you. Some special products unique to the Southern Region, when transported for sale in the Eastern and Northern Regions, can yield greater profits; similarly, it is the same for the Northern and Eastern Regions. Mutual trade can significantly benefit the development of all three regions,"
Chi Yun the Supreme Elder facilitated.
Alkaid nodded without refusal.
Such exchanges would also allow the Nine Cauldrons Sect to better integrate into the domain of a top-tier Immortal Sect like Northern Sea Star, and even the broader context of the Heavenly Dao Sect.
Previously, they had stayed in the small area of the Cloud River mountains, where their horizons and knowledge were limited. They must step out and truly engage with the upper echelons of the Northern Sea Star to better adapt to the future change in status.
The subsequent time turned into an exchange between Shen Junyan, Jiang Guike, and Alkaid.
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Nevertheless, even though both were Vice Sect Leaders, when facing Alkaid, their aura evidently fell short by a notch, and they conversed with him lacking in confidence as well.
The two parties discussed and settled numerous trade terms, which predominantly favored the Southern Region.
In a display of sincerity, Shen Junyan directly placed an order for thirty Jiuzhou Warships.
Speaking of warships, Alkaid suddenly thought of something and asked with a smile, "I hear there's a demon calamity going on in the Eastern Region? Need any help?"
"This..."
Shen Junyan hesitated for a moment before admitting candidly, "Primarily because Sect Leader Zong has repeatedly increased the taxes in the Eastern Region. We had no choice but to resort to such underhanded tactics."
"Is that so."
Alkaid was somewhat disappointed.
"Alkaid, you also need to be careful. This time, by defeating the Yin Moon Sect's two Shattered Void and five Refining Void, many forces must have placed orders for warships and Flying Swords, right? These businesses are booming. Zong Wenxian will surely use this as an excuse to impose heavier taxes on the Southern Region to restrict its development," Jiang Guike reminded.
"Such taxation will benefit the entire Heavenly Dao Sect and will receive everyone's support..."
He paused, "Even Supreme Elder Zhen Xuanyuan and others are no exception."
Alkaid heard this and was not surprised.
There are no eternal enemies, only eternal interests.
People like Supreme Elder Zhen Xuanyuan, True Monarch Liao Chen, and True Monarch Chi Yun opposed Zong Wenxian's faction, but when it all boiled down to it, it was merely a matter of "distribution of interests".
If Zong Wenxian was willing to give up a significant portion of benefits in his hands, individuals like Supreme Elder Zhen Xuanyuan, True Monarch Liao Chen, and True Monarch Chi Yun would definitely change their stance immediately and fervently support Zong Wenxian's rule.
"I will find a way to deal with it."
Alkaid said.
Jiang Guike nodded his head.
Compared to them and previous Vice Sect Leaders, Alkaid's current situation was already much improved; it was assumed he had his own considerations.
After a warm and friendly exchange, Supreme Elder Chi Yun and others left.
With the departure of this group from the Heavenly Dao Sect, the Territory Lord's Mansion finally quieted down somewhat.
"Haggling over every bit of interest, fighting tooth and nail—it's chaotic. Under such circumstances, who has the time, energy, or mind to invest in cultivation, striving for the realm of Dao Lord?" Alkaid mused solemnly within the mansion.
But then he chuckled to himself.
This was a case of not feeling the pain while speaking from a standing position.
For the vast majority of cultivators, Shattered Void was already the pinnacle they could reach.
Many, after struggling to reach Shattered Void, saw the colossal gap between themselves and the Integrate Dao, akin to a chasm, and could easily fall into despair.
In this state of mind, they naturally acted out of character, shifting from diligent cultivation to laziness and indulging in pleasures.
Those with even a bit of self-discipline started to gather resources in the hope of placing their bets on their descendants.
As if just because they couldn't reach Shattered Void, their descendants would surely be able to.
Under these circumstances, numerous Shattered Void cultivators naturally became nitpicky and, for the benefits of various locations in the Northern Sea Star, did everything they could to fight bitter battles, perhaps later even fooling themselves into thinking they were nobly selfless.
"However, the potential taxation by Zong Wenxian in the name of Heavenly Dao Sect is indeed a problem," Alkaid pondered.
Many people simply can't stand to see the new industries I've developed flourish.
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Once there's profit and a market, they'll come in as the rule-makers to take their share.
This kind of thing must be guarded against.
Yet, Alkaid's method of precaution wasn't like Shen Junyan's, with excuses of extraterrestrial demon cultivators invading, and so on.
His solution...
"Killing a Supreme Elder as a warning, let you guys fight over the spoils for now," Alkaid murmured to himself.
The Shadow Retaining Stone on him...
Would be enough to nail both Jing Yuntian and his Jing Family.
Of course, now was not the time.
To truly kick off this banquet of division over the Jing Family, he needed to be even stronger.
At the very least...
He needed the strength to completely suppress Jing Yuntian.
"The timing isn't quite right now, but once I've fully refined the Heavenly Demon Origin of the Eight Desolates and dark demon cultivators, it should suffice," Alkaid assessed his own cultivation's condition.
If all goes well...
Reaching Shattered Void shouldn't take much longer.
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