Chapter 239: Chapter 228: Seeking Gold and a Clash of Paths
"He’s willing to step down from the position of Acting Sect Leader.
But without the protection of the fortune that comes with the position, if he tries to face the Seeking Gold tribulation with his path of slaughter, his chances of success... would be cut by more than half.
Knowing his caution, he would never take such a risk."
This meticulous analysis laid bare the full extent of the predicament Nan Dou Master faced.
As Black Slaughter Master listened, his eyes grew brighter, and he couldn’t help but press,
"Then, Brother, you mean...?"
Black Mountain Master, gripping a short blade, made a light slash through the air as if severing a possible future from Nan Dou Master’s path. His tone was grim as he said,
"Tie him down."
"As long as we keep him firmly shackled to this great ship, the Holy Sect, he will have neither the power nor the time in this life to go south for his Seeking Gold... Then, when his lifespan runs out and he’s forced to give up his body and reincarnate..."
An unprecedented ambition flared in Black Mountain Master’s eyes. A vast Evil Qi erupted from him uncontrollably, causing the black mist within the hall to churn violently.
"’Before he awakens the memories of his past life and returns to his peak... I’ll have a seventy percent chance to beat him to it, to achieve my Seeking Gold and ascend to True Monarch!’"
"At that time—"
His voice was like ancient ice, imbued with the absolute resolve to crush all in his path.
"’Whether it’s Nan Dou himself or those irksome sycophants in the Sect who cling to him, they will all... be crushed beyond any hope of recovery!’"
As his words faded, a biting, bone-chilling killing intent filled the hall.
In his hand, the pitch-black short blade no longer seemed like a Magical Artifact. It had become the very embodiment of the authority and ambition to sever the cultivation paths of others and pave his own road to becoming a True Monarch!
Black Slaughter Master drew in a sharp breath. A hint of excitement then spread across his face as he bowed. "Your foresight is profound, Brother. I understand!"
...
「In the southeast of the Taixu Mirror Heaven, there was a region known as the Glazed Realm.」
It was a place of shimmering waters and abundant Spirit Plants, with a tranquil and secluded atmosphere.
Qi Yun and Qian Xin Master arrived in tandem. Instead of barging in, they followed protocol and submitted a formal request to visit.
Before long, a refined male voice drifted out from within the realm:
"Senior Brother Qian Xin, Nephew Qi, please come in and speak."
At the heart of the Glazed Realm, Qing Li Master was already waiting in a pavilion constructed from fine, glazed jade. His aura was cool and aloof, and his Cultivation was at the Foundation Establishment Middle Stage.
Upon seeing the two, he merely gave a slight nod, forgoing pleasantries. His gaze lingered on Qi Yun for a moment, his expression complex and unreadable.
"’Junior Brother Qing Li, it’s been a while. You look as distinguished as ever.’ Qian Xin Master still wore his usual cheerful smile, as if this were just a casual visit."
"’You flatter me, Senior Brother Qian Xin,’ Qing Li Master replied tonelessly, getting straight to the point."
"The two of you have come together today, and I doubt it’s to admire the scenery of my Glazed Realm.
If you have something important to discuss, please speak plainly."
He had obviously guessed a part of their intentions, and his attitude was anything but warm.
Qian Xin Master glanced at Qi Yun, signaling for him to take the lead.
Qi Yun stepped forward and offered Qing Li Master a bow between peers. His expression was calm as he came straight to the point.
"’Uncle-Master Qing Li, I apologize for this presumptuous visit. I have come regarding the matter of the Vice Sect Leader election.’"
Qing Li Master’s brow furrowed almost imperceptibly, his tone growing even colder.
"I have already made my decision on this matter. You needn’t trouble yourself, Nephew."
Qi Yun was neither surprised nor anxious. He simply said slowly,
"’Please hear this junior out, Uncle-Master.
This junior did not come here today to make empty requests for you to support or oppose someone.
Instead, I wish to discuss another trade with you, Uncle-Master.’"
"’A trade?’ Qing Li Master’s gaze shifted, and he looked at Qi Yun with a scrutinizing eye."
"’Precisely.’ Qi Yun’s gaze was clear, as if it could pierce through a person’s heart. ’I recall that many years ago, when I was just a Qi Refining Junior Cultivator, I happened to acquire a Longevity Peach.’"
"’At the time, I traded that Spiritual Peach for a Foundation Establishment Spiritual Object from your personal collection, Uncle-Master.’"
At the mention of this past event, Qing Li Master’s expression softened slightly, but he remained wary.
"’That is true. That Spiritual Peach was of great use to me; it helped stabilize my daughter’s innately weak foundation.’
’For that, I owe you a debt of gratitude.’
’But business is business. That has nothing to do with today’s matter.’"
"’It is related,’ Qi Yun said with conviction, looking directly at Qing Li Master. ’Back then, that Spiritual Peach saved your daughter’s cultivation path.’
’Today, what I wish to trade for is your daughter’s... future!’"
"’Her future?’ Qing Li Master shuddered slightly, and a flicker of hesitation finally appeared in his eyes."
Thanks to the Longevity Peach, his daughter’s foundation had been stabilized and her aptitude had improved.
But her talent was far from top-tier, and how far she could walk her cultivation path was his greatest worry.
"’That’s right.’ Qi Yun’s demeanor changed abruptly. His humility vanished, replaced by the confidence and sharp edge befitting a possessor of the Venerable Dao Foundation."
"’Uncle-Master, you must know that if Uncle-Master Black Mountain takes the position of Vice Sect Leader, given his nature, the Sect’s resources will inevitably be funneled to his supporters.’
’For someone like you, Uncle-Master—who is not part of his inner circle and has even been coerced by him in the past—how many resources do you think will be left for your disciples? Especially for a junior like your daughter, who requires substantial support?’"
Qing Li Master was silent.
Qi Yun had spoken to his deepest worry.
He had supported Black Mountain largely out of coercion, fearing that refusal would invite retaliation and bring disaster upon his own disciples.
Especially his only daughter.
"’As for myself,’ Qi Yun’s tone shifted, his voice ringing clear, ’though I may be untalented, I bear the Venerable Dao Foundation. My time cultivating has been short, but I have managed to earn the favor of a True Monarch.’
’Furthermore, I was fortunate enough to survive my trip to the Zombie Alliance and made some small gains.’"
He turned his palm over, and a bead of Undying True Blood—dark green, flecked with gold, and radiating immense vitality and an immortal Dao Rhyme—appeared in his palm.
The rich, vital aura made every Spirit Plant in the Glazed Realm seem to stir with joy.
"’This is called Undying True Blood. It comes from the True Ancestor Altar of the Zombie Alliance.’ Qi Yun held the Blood Bead in his palm, his burning gaze fixed on Qing Li Master."
"’If you, Uncle-Master, are willing to remain neutral during the Vice Sect Leader election and not cast a vote in support of him...’
’...then this item is my gift to your daughter, a token of sincerity to help her advance further on her cultivation path.’"
Qing Li Master stared intently at the Undying True Blood.
He could clearly sense the immense power contained within it.
To his daughter, its value far exceeded that of the life-extending Spiritual Peach from all those years ago.
If she were to obtain it, her cultivation path would become that much more stable.
"’A treasure like this, simply for remaining neutral once?’"
"’No.’ Qi Yun shook his head and put away the Blood Bead, his tone growing more profound. ’This is to settle the karmic debt from the Foundation Establishment Spiritual Object you gave me back then.’"
He took a step forward. Although his Cultivation was inferior to Qing Li’s...
...the subtle pressure of his Status, which originated from his Venerable Dao Foundation, combined with his calm confidence, sent a shiver through Qing Li Master’s Heart and Spirit.
"’What I want is not just your neutrality this time, Uncle-Master.’
’I want you to see that within the Holy Sect, besides the path offered by Uncle-Master Black Mountain—a path that seems strong but is in fact fraught with oppression and uncertainty—there is another option.’
’A path forged by myself, Qi Yun, along with Uncle-Master Qian Xin and others. A future path with greater potential, one that values loyalty and champions fairness.’"
"’Investing in me means investing in a future free from Black Mountain’s control, a future where resources are distributed more justly.’
’It means fighting for a brighter future for your daughter, and for all the disciples under your tutelage!’"
Every word was powerful, every sentence striking directly at Qing Li Master’s deepest vulnerabilities and desires.
Qian Xin Master chimed in at the perfect moment, his tone filled with emotion, "’Junior Brother Qing Li, you and I both know exactly what kind of person Black Mountain is.’
’Relying on him might bring temporary security, but it is by no means a long-term solution, much less a way to secure true well-being for your disciples.’
’Nephew Qi possesses a Venerable talent rarely seen in millennia.’
’Helping him now when he needs it is far more valuable than offering support when he’s already successful!’"
Qing Li Master’s expression flickered, his inner turmoil palpable.
On one hand was the long-standing pressure from Black Mountain’s might; on the other was the astonishing potential Qi Yun had displayed, along with his tangible promises.
After a long moment, he abruptly raised his head. A flash of resolve crossed his eyes as he looked at Qi Yun and said in a heavy voice,
"’Fine! Nephew Qi, I will remember your words today.’
’When the time comes for the Vice Sect Leader election, I, Qing Li... will abstain!’"
He paused, and added:
"’But all I can promise is not to cast a vote in support of Black Mountain.’"
"’That’s enough!’ Qi Yun and Qian Xin Master exchanged a look, both seeing the delight in the other’s eyes."
’The first step is a success!’
Qi Yun once again took out the Undying True Blood and solemnly handed it over.
As Qing Li Master accepted the warm, life-filled Blood Bead and felt the immense power within, a genuine, relieved smile finally broke through the tension on his face.
’He knew his choice today might have been a huge gamble.’
’But for his daughter...’
’...it was a gamble worth taking!’
After they left the Glazed Realm, Qian Xin Master couldn’t help but clap his hands and laugh.
"’Good lad! A perfect mix of hard and soft tactics, dangling karmic debts and future benefits, striking right where it hurts!’
’Your methods remind me of my own style back in the day!’"
Qi Yun gave a faint smile, his gaze drifting toward the sea of clouds in the distance.
’Persuading Qing Li was just the beginning.’
’Now that he had officially entered this game of power...’
’...in the struggle against Black Mountain, he would make sure to properly repay his old debts!’
...
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