Xiuxian: Start with the medicine boy

Chapter 1854: Information Exchange - One Month Term!

This time!

Inside the main hall, one of the female cultivators, seated on a throne, exuded a cold, aloof aura, like a pale moon. She sighed softly and said:

"Which of those top-tier Nascent Soul cultivators doesn't have a few powerful secret techniques hidden in their hands?"

When competing against each other of equal caliber, our chances of winning are already slim.

Not to mention, even if they were to succeed by chance, if the old monsters within their sect used treasures or secret techniques like soul lamps to guide souls, they would relentlessly pursue the killer across vast distances, until death.

How many people can bear such consequences?

The hope of passing on traditions from them is extremely slim, almost a dead end.

"Who says it's not?"

The gaunt, green-robed old man, Qingxuzi, also sighed at this moment.

"I was already disheartened and only thought about returning to the mountain gate, teaching the younger generation, and peacefully passing the remaining years of my life."

Unexpectedly, Heaven has taken pity on us, and we have finally witnessed the birth of our esteemed predecessor!

At this time.

Sitting in the corner was an elderly Nascent Soul cultivator who had been silent and whose aura seemed somewhat weak, but a deep worry flashed in his eyes.

He spoke slowly, his voice hoarse:

"What my fellow Daoists say is indeed reasonable. With such an opportunity before us, we should certainly give it our all."

However... I still have a concern in my heart.

Could that senior be like... like the Nascent Soul Venerable when the three major alliances were still in existence, who, although he also recruited people from all directions, still firmly held the core secret techniques of inheritance in the hands of a very small number of direct descendants, and would not easily bestow them upon outsiders like us?

In the end, it was all for nothing.

Even... to be reduced to mere pawns for nothing?

After these words were spoken, the hall fell silent once more.

This is indeed the deepest worry in the hearts of many people.

After a while!

A Nascent Soul cultivator, dressed in a snow-white robe and possessing a handsome, youthful face, shook his head slightly and spoke:

"Fellow Daoist Ku Rong's concerns are not without merit."

However, in my humble opinion, this situation is quite different from the past.

His eyes were clear as he analyzed:

"First of all, once the senior appeared in the world, he did not quietly disappear or only summon a few top leaders, but directly issued a decree, gathering Nascent Soul cultivators from all directions here, creating such a grand spectacle..."

What does it mean?

If there's no intention to recruit talented individuals and establish a new order, then why bother with all this?

"Secondly, people have selfish desires, and there will inevitably be close and distant relationships and factions within a power.

Even if the predecessor's supernatural powers were invincible and enough to suppress everything, if he wanted to unify a force, or even... unify the human cultivation world, he would have to seek the art of checks and balances.

There is absolutely no way we can sit idly by and watch the power of a certain faction expand without limit.

Supporting and winning over individuals like myself—who possess decent abilities but are dependent on our seniors and easily controlled, yet whose lineage is flawed…

This is precisely the best strategy to balance the interests of all parties and consolidate power.

"Fellow Daoist Baiyu's analysis is insightful!"

A Nascent Soul cultivator with red hair, red eyebrows, and a rugged appearance nodded emphatically, his voice booming like a bell.

I second that!

Based on the scattered information I've gathered over the past few days, I speculate that this suddenly appearing Nascent Soul senior's background is very likely not from any of the current top sects.

Rather... reclusive, powerful cultivators from ancient times, or even earlier!

His eyes gleamed with excitement:

"If that's not the case, why didn't you go to 'Immortal Alliance Island,' the foundation of the Immortal Alliance, after your birth?"

They also didn't go to 'Heavenly Demon Island', where the demonic giants were entrenched.

They chose the Zhenhai Alliance, which originated from a group of independent cultivators.

Although the Zhenhai Alliance has been infiltrated by various immortal clans, it still retains many powerful rogue cultivators at its core.

The senior leader chose the 'Zhenhai Alliance' as his foothold; the profound meaning behind this is something you should all ponder!

"Fellow Daoist Chi Yan's words are truly insightful!"

Another Nascent Soul cultivator couldn't help but clap his hands in praise.

"I also tend to agree with this judgment."

The senior's style of doing things and choice of where to settle down are different from those of the top sects' Nascent Soul ancestors in this world. The possibility of him being a rogue cultivator is indeed higher.

If that's true, it would be fantastic news for us!

Those senior practitioners who came from humble backgrounds might better understand the hardships we face in our pursuit of the Dao, and their sectarian biases might be less pronounced.

The atmosphere inside the hall subtly heated up because of this speculation, and hope ignited in the eyes of many.

"Fellow Daoists, please be quiet for a moment."

At this moment, the stern-faced Xuanming Zhenren, who had been the first to issue a warning, spoke again.

He gestured with his hand, his voice steady, suppressing the slightly rising tension.

"The background of our predecessors is ultimately just speculation."

"While it's highly likely that they summoned us here to consolidate human power and establish a new order,... there are other possibilities as well."

He glanced at the crowd and said slowly:

"It should be noted that when the Nascent Soul Venerables of the three major alliances were still alive, they also issued a similar decree to summon cultivators from all over the world in order to deal with the great calamity of the 'Purgatory Clan'."

But the Forbidden Sea remains a forbidden area, and the Purgatory Clan still exists. Who can say that the senior did not have similar considerations this time?

Before receiving explicit instructions from a senior colleague, any decision should be made prematurely; caution is advised.

"Fellow Daoist Xuanming, you are mistaken!"

The pale-faced, beardless cultivator known as "White Feather" shook his head again, retorting,

"Back then, the three major alliances' Nascent Soul cultivators issued a direct 'war order,' with a clear objective."

That was a life-or-death battle against the Purgatory Clan, with a tense and urgent atmosphere. How could it be compared to the scene before?

The senior has summoned us for nearly a month, yet he has not mentioned the war, but instead has allowed us to trade and discuss matters here.

There was even a subtle intention to make this place a grand occasion.

These acts of appeasement and consolidation are more like...building a framework, a platform.

Their ambitions likely extend beyond a single battle.

“Fellow Daoist Bai Yu is right. This atmosphere is indeed quite different from when the battle orders were issued in the past…”

"However, Fellow Daoist Xuanming's caution is not without reason."

"The thoughts of a Nascent Soul cultivator are indeed beyond our comprehension..."

The opinions of the people in the hall subtly divided into two factions, and they began to argue in hushed tones.

Amidst this subtle debate...

A Nascent Soul cultivator who had been sitting quietly by the window, wearing a dark blue robe embroidered with the celestial constellations, slowly stood up.

His movements were slow, yet they naturally drew everyone's attention.

This person, whose Taoist name is "Xingyan," is known in certain small circles for his divination skills and his access to information.

"Fellow Daoists, let's pause our debate."

The Star Lord's voice was calm, yet it carried a convincing power.

"I may already know some of the true intentions behind your summons."

With this remark,

The hall fell completely silent instantly, all eyes fixed on him with burning fervor and eagerness.

"Fellow Daoist Xingyan, speak quickly!"

Did that senior truly intend to unify the human cultivation world and end this chaotic situation?

"Or is it... that we really are going to organize a large army of cultivators to deal with some unknown calamity?"

Could it be that the Purgatory Clan from the Forbidden Sea is about to launch an attack?

"Fellow Daoist Xingyan, stop keeping me in suspense!"

Faced with the crowd's repeated urging, True Monarch Xingyan no longer hesitated, his expression solemn, and went straight to the point:

"The directions that Fellow Daoists Bai Yu and Chi Yan just guessed are roughly correct."

I learned from a close friend within the Zhenhai Alliance that the Nascent Soul senior does indeed have this intention: to unify the power of the human race, quell the current chaos in the cultivation world, and establish a new, more orderly set of rules.

then.

He then recounted what Cheng Buzheng had said when he arrived at the Zhenhai Alliance and summoned its high-ranking members—

He reiterated to everyone present his core message of not wanting to see internal strife deplete the human race's vitality, his desire to lay a more solid foundation for the human race before ascension, and his intention to integrate the human race's cultivators, combining his own understanding.

He spoke earnestly, emphasizing that the elder was "not acting for personal gain, but with a noble sense of righteousness and a broad mind to protect humanity and continue the tradition."

A profound silence fell over the hall.

The expressions on everyone's faces varied: some were shocked, some were enlightened, and some were excited.

There is also deep reflection.

After a long silence, the gaunt old man in the green robe, Qingxuzi, sighed deeply, his tone complex:

"I never expected... that this senior would have such a broad mind and sense of responsibility."

For the sake of the future of the community, they are willing to postpone or even give up their own chance to ascend, in order to carry out this work of integration and sorting out, and to lay the foundation for future generations.

Such profound righteousness is something I, an old man, am far from capable of achieving.

"This is indeed beyond my expectations."

Even the stern face of the Xuanming True Man showed a hint of emotion.

"I originally thought... that the senior might have some ulterior motive, or wanted to establish an unparalleled achievement, but I never expected that it would be such a grand scheme."

The cost and resolve required for such choices are unimaginable.

"is not that right?"

Old Monster Crimson Flame scratched his fiery red hair and sighed.

"I originally thought that this senior was either trying to emulate the ancient holy emperor and unify the world to gather supreme fortune to bless himself."

Or perhaps they've discovered some incredible secret realm that requires the entire clan to explore...

In retrospect, it was all just petty thinking.

"The senior's noble character is truly admirable!"

"If that's the case, then our service under your command will not have been in vain..."

The crowd murmured amongst themselves, their tone now tinged with genuine respect and agreement.

At this time.

The Starry Sky True Monarch's expression grew increasingly solemn. He swept his gaze over every cultivator present and solemnly reminded them:

"Fellow Daoists, what I say here today, especially the speculation about the senior's intentions and the information I have obtained, is because you are all my friends of many years and I trust your character, so I am speaking frankly to you."

However, the intentions of our predecessors are ultimately beyond our ability to presume to understand or propagate.

Before the senior has officially announced it to the world, this matter... must not be leaked in the slightest!

His tone turned stern:

"Remember, when a god is enraged, it can shake the heavens and the earth."

This is no empty statement.

If this matter were to leak out from our mouths, it would not only implicate my friend who works in the Zhenhai Alliance, putting him in a dangerous situation, but also...

This will implicate every fellow Daoist present, incur the wrath of the seniors, and have unimaginable consequences!

At that time, let alone any opportunity, there is a risk of death and the destruction of one's sect!

Upon hearing this, everyone felt a chill run down their spines and their expressions turned solemn.

next moment.

The seasoned veterans present all spoke up, solemnly guaranteeing:

"Fellow Daoist Xingyan, rest assured!"

We are well aware of the gravity of this matter.

The words spoken in the palace today, which came from your mouth and entered my ears, will not be uttered by a single word!

"good!

Anyway, the time when our seniors will officially summon us is not far off, only a few days away.

We can wait and endure this period of time.

You must keep your mouth shut.

"I, Xuan, swear by my Daoist heart that I will never reveal what I have heard today!"

"Seconded!"

"As it should be!"

Seeing that everyone had made their promises, True Lord Xingyan's expression softened slightly, and he sat down again.

The protective barrier inside the hall flickered slightly, further sealing off the interior from the outside world, and the discussions shifted to more discreet exchanges of divine thoughts.

…………

As time went by, the Zhenhai Alliance headquarters became increasingly "lively".

Various rumors, some true and some false, quietly circulated and fermented among the Nascent Soul cultivators.

At the same time, a few cultivators who had extremely close ties with the high-ranking members of the Zhenhai Alliance did learn, through their own channels, more or less, some of the true intentions behind the Nascent Soul senior's summons.

Shock, speculation, weighing options, anticipation...

A mix of emotions was surging beneath the surface.

But regardless, on the surface, under the invisible aura of the Nascent Soul Venerable...

No one dared to openly reveal or discuss the intentions of the Nascent Soul senior.

All those in the know tacitly remained silent, but their private coordination, transactions, and preparations became increasingly frequent and covert.

that's it!

In this seemingly relaxed yet tense atmosphere, time flew by, and the "one-month deadline" set in the decree drew ever closer.

Everyone was waiting for the moment when the Nascent Soul senior would finally unveil the secret.

this day

As dawn broke, a faint purple aura enveloped the sky above Zhenhai City.

This majestic city, which has stood for millennia, is now shrouded in an indescribable oppressive aura.

The headquarters of Zhenhai Alliance covers an area of ​​thousands of acres, with pavilions and towers scattered throughout, and springs and waterfalls dotting the landscape.

This area is protected by a powerful formation and is usually shrouded in mist, making it difficult for ordinary cultivators to see its appearance.

hum-

The world suddenly trembled.

An ancient yet incredibly clear voice spread out like ripples, penetrating every palace, every cave, and every corner.

"Young friends, please come to the main hall for a chat."

The voice was neither hurried nor slow, yet it carried an irresistible air of authority.

Wherever the sound waves reach...

The grass and trees trembled slightly, the spiritual spring rippled, and even the spiritual energy of heaven and earth floating in the air seemed to freeze for a moment.

The moment the words left his mouth—

"crunch-"

In the center of the Zhenhai Alliance headquarters, the main hall gate, which was a hundred feet tall and made entirely of deep-sea mystic crystal, opened slowly inwards without any wind.

The ancient runes on the door lit up one by one, emitting a soft blue light.

It was as if they were preparing for some important ceremony.

Three hundred miles southeast of the main hall, there is a side hall called "Tingtao Pavilion".

In the square in front of the palace, dozens of stalls were arranged in an orderly manner.

At the easternmost stall, an elderly man dressed in a moon-white Taoist robe with a long beard hanging down to his chest was sitting cross-legged.

Before him lay a brocade woven from celestial silkworm silk, upon which were displayed seven or eight treasures:

A bead with a faint dragon shadow moving about it, three pieces of minerals of different colors, a piece of wood with purple-gold patterns, and several other rare treasures whose names I don't know.

This old man, whose Taoist name was "Yunhe Zhenjun," was an ancestor of a celestial clan under the Zhenhai Alliance.

He was also a renowned mid-stage Nascent Soul expert.

He is known for his expertise in appraising antiques and his extensive collection.

...(End of this chapter)