Chapter 949: Chapter 949: The Weakness of the Celestial Dao Alliance
Liu Zixuan has been trying to find a solution for Zhao Yi’s severed arm.
Finding a cure for an illness or detox is relatively simple, but reattaching a severed arm is no easy task.
The Holy Medical Scripture has documented many methods for reattaching limbs, ranging from the exaggerated, like the lotus root body used by Nezha in mythology, to the more realistic method of finding an arm with identical meridians.
Matching the blood type is easy, but finding an arm with identical meridians is as difficult as finding matching internal organs. How could something so perfect just be found casually?
As for prosthetics, Liu Zixuan immediately dismissed them. No matter how realistic a prosthetic is, it’s still fake and won’t benefit a martial artist. In fact, it would be a hindrance in a fight.
Zhao Yi noticed Liu Zixuan’s concern and smiled, "Zixuan, you don’t need to worry about my arm. I’ve actually gotten used to it by now. Besides, I’ve found a sword technique suited to my one arm. Suddenly having an arm might actually feel uncomfortable for me!"
"Master Zixuan! I’m really sorry, I didn’t know you came personally!"
Just then, a car stopped not far away, and the figure of the Shi Family Patriarch and his entourage got out and hurried over.
Before the martial arts tournament, the Shi Family Patriarch was on equal footing with Liu Zixuan, being of the same generation. But times have changed; Liu Zixuan’s visit to the Profound Sword Sect elevated his realm and greatly increased his power.
His personal strength is now comparable to those old ancestors of the Celestial Dao Alliance!
As for his standing in the Martial Arts Discussion Realm, the Shi Family Patriarch is even less than Liu Zixuan.
Although they’re not in the same faction, Liu Zixuan is undoubtedly the strongest presence outside the Celestial Dao Alliance. With such status, let alone a squad leader of a sub-branch, even if the Willow Association’s ancestor arrived, they wouldn’t dare claim seniority.
When they reached him, the Shi Family Patriarch, sweating profusely, said with a smile, "You must have come for the Jade Maiden Sect’s matter?"
"If you’re not clueless, you should know," Liu Zixuan replied with a smile, spreading his hands.
The Shi Family Patriarch wiped his sweat, "This isn’t the place to talk. I’ve arranged a banquet in the nearby town; shall we go discuss it there?"
Liu Zixuan laughed, "It wouldn’t be that you’ve used the time just now to contact the Celestial Dao Alliance, faking a banquet, when it’s actually a Hongmen Banquet, would it?"
"Even if you gave me ten guts, I wouldn’t dare lead you to a Hongmen Banquet," the Shi Family Patriarch said with a sweaty, bitter smile. "My sincerity should be clear to you by now; we don’t need to test each other further, do we?"
"I’ll give you this honor."’
Liu Zixuan waved his hand and then went with Zhao Yi and the Shi Family Patriarch to the town.
In truth, Liu Zixuan wasn’t afraid whether or not it was a Hongmen Banquet. As long as all those old ancestors aren’t coming over personally, he fears nothing now!
Moreover, his faction has been growing stronger. The Shi Family Patriarch, being a smart man, would definitely not pull any shadowy tricks on Liu Zixuan at this time.
Before long, they arrived at a relatively upscale restaurant and sat down together.
"Master Zixuan, this is my third brother, Shi Ke," the Shi Family Patriarch introduced.
Liu Zixuan glanced at Shi Ke, a rather unremarkable middle-aged man, nodded, and asked, "I heard earlier from your people that the Jade Maiden Sect now belongs to your Shi Family?"
The Shi Family Patriarch chuckled awkwardly, "That’s the stance of the Celestial Dao Alliance Headquarters. Officially, it’s announced that the Jade Maiden Sect has become a sub-branch of the Shi Family. This move is also to deter other martial artists, letting them know that the Martial Realm is now under the control of the Celestial Dao Alliance and discouraging any other ideas."
"Everyone knows it’s a bluff, just an act of defiance against you. Honestly, that’s pretty much all they can do now."
"What do you mean that’s all? Has something happened at the Celestial Dao Alliance Headquarters?" Liu Zixuan asked curiously.
The Shi Family Patriarch and Shi Ke exchanged a look, and then solemnly said, "Master Zixuan, I can tell you, but please don’t spread it. This is currently the biggest secret of the Celestial Dao Alliance."
"Then you have the option not to tell me. After all, my relationship with the Celestial Dao Alliance is adversarial. As long as I grasp their weaknesses, I wouldn’t be foolish enough not to exploit them," Liu Zixuan shrugged.
"Brother, since Master Zixuan is here, he surely trusts us, so let’s talk," Shi Ke suggested.
"Alright."
The Shi Family Patriarch nodded, "Previously, I mentioned to you that the Willow Association’s ancestor holds a Relic Pearl."
"That’s right. That pearl was snatched back from the Witch Country by me and my brothers!" Liu Zixuan nodded, "And I also know that they currently can’t access all the relics’ contents, only a very small portion!"
"Yes, but just because of that little bit, it has caused quite a commotion."
The Shi Family Patriarch sighed, "The ancestors from several families want to procure some elixirs and cultivation techniques for their families’ members to enhance their sub-branches’ strength. But there’s so little to go around, and since there’s some discord between these ancestors, everyone wants to take more when distributing the goods."
"So, because of an uneven distribution of loot, there’s been internal conflict?" Liu Zixuan laughed.
The Shi Family Patriarch shook his head, "Not a full-blown conflict yet, but I imagine it will happen soon. Currently, they’re just bickering because they all realize that the Willow Association’s ancestor intends to keep the position of Alliance Leader in his control by presenting the Relic Pearl. They’re worried that fighting amongst themselves will only benefit the Willow Association’s ancestor!"
As he spoke, the Shi Family Patriarch laughed at himself, "When the Celestial Dao Alliance was formed, they talked about promoting righteousness on behalf of the heavens, contributing to the Star Sea martial artists, but now, it seems it’s all still for their own sake."
"Self-interest is a timeless truth," Liu Zixuan spread his hands.
This information was undoubtedly the best for him. Strong enemies aren’t feared; enemies without weaknesses are the most terrifying.
For Liu Zixuan’s side, the Celestial Dao Alliance indeed holds a significant advantage.
But they also have fatal weaknesses.
The Martial Realm has just been unified, but there is no stable cohesion yet, and already there’s internal strife.
While Liu Zixuan’s side, although smaller in number, is very united. Plus, with the protection of Lingxiu Village’s grand array, in this aspect alone, the Celestial Dao Alliance falls short of Liu Zixuan’s side!
"This is the current situation of the Celestial Dao Alliance. As for the Jade Maiden Sect, I haven’t really managed them. If you want, they can be handed back to the Jade Maiden Sect’s Sect Leader at any time. As long as they don’t initiate an attack on us, we definitely won’t strike them," the Shi Family Patriarch said earnestly.
Liu Zixuan shook his head, "No, no, no, now is not the time to return the Jade Maiden Sect, not as long as the Celestial Dao Alliance is still around!"
"Then what do you plan to do next?" The Shi Family Patriarch asked, then quickly corrected himself, seeing Liu Zixuan’s expression change, "I didn’t mean anything by it, just asking casually."
"I don’t mind telling you!"
Liu Zixuan laughed, "The first step is simple: within three days, I want all the Martial Realm north of Qian Shui to submit to me!"
