To the initiates’ ears, Xinzi’s words didn’t make sense. As Dong Ling’s mother, shouldn’t Zi Yao at least consider the benefits that her child would receive by cultivating the sect’s top techniques? One has to know that the Yin-Yang Sword Array was both a heaven-grade battle formation and cultivation method. As if that wasn’t enough, the Nine Paths of Yin and Yang that it stemmed from could, in the right hands, unlock life-changing opportunities.
Most didn’t have access to the secrets of the Nine Paths. But even without that knowledge, common sense dictated that Zi Yao would prioritize her daughter’s development over her disciple’s—what parent wouldn’t? And when we add to that the Nine Paths’ secret benefits, it only made more sense. However, as they peered into Xinzi’s eyes, the initiates had the conviction that the monk wasn’t pulling one of his usual pranks on them—they couldn’t doubt his words.
“Never mind that. From now on, all of you will cultivate the Nine Paths of Yin and Yang. Use it to perfect your cultivation bases and lay down the foundation for a perfect breakthrough into the next stage. If you can develop secret skills of your own, all the better. But if not, no need to fear the method’s lack of offensive abilities. I will have other skills ready for you,” Xinzi said and waved his right hand, making mnemonics of the Nine Paths appear before the 18 initiates. Again, they bowed in thanks, and taking the mnemonics as their cue to leave, vacated their abbot’s study.
Left alone, Xinzi shut his eyes, wondering how soon the White Immortal sect would come up to a decision. The mnemonics of the Nine Paths of Yin and Yang resurfaced, drawing his attention away from sectoral squabbles.
In the meantime, the sect’s elder council gathered in the eponymous hall to discuss the contest’s results.
“I do not agree with this. As gifted as he might be, that Xinzi child doesn’t have the White Immortal sect’s interests at heart. His actions during and after the contest show that he puts none of us in his eyes, doesn’t care for our goals, our growth, and only sees value in his personal accomplishments. In that, he’s worse than Xia Hu ever was, because with Qingxin at his back, no one can control him.”
“You’re not making sense. The Soaring Crane mountain has already been looted clean by him. How likely do you think it is that he has not started studying the Nine Paths of Yin and Yang already? Even if he has not, he can use it to train his own force. Does depriving him of the opportunity to study the Yin-Yang Sword Array make sense at this point?”
“Xinzi is merely 18 and wasn’t born from one of our lineages. That he doesn’t feel attached to the three words ‘White Immortal sect’ is the most logical thing that I’ve heard today. It is up to us to make sure that he builds that attachment and rises into the leader that spearheads our ascension. For as we all know, our alternative cannot be trusted.”
“Bold! Does your Dong clan think that merely because Lord Hanxing is making a breakthrough into Divine Transformation, you can afford to disrespect the Zi? Don’t forget that it is because of us and us alone that you can stand here and enjoy all you have today.”
Unlike what Xinzi foresaw, it was the Yang contest results that triggered a wild debate. Nascent Soul elders from the Dong and Zi clashed incessantly to determine whether or not they should crown Xinzi as the victor. The reason was simple: control. In the history of the White Immortal sect, there had never been records of a Qi Refinement brat playing the Nascent Souls like raggedy dogs. If he’d already gone this unruly in Qi Refinement, what could they expect of him when he broke through to Nascent Soul? Would he even stay in the sect?
The White Immortal sect didn’t want to train experts for pennies. They needed their talent to rise into a new, grander generation of elders with enough might to sweep through the land and wisdom to pursue the proper goals. They needed them to grow fast, but still wave the banners of the sect. Alas, as of yet—to say nothing of having him wave their banner, Xinzi’s monastic robes didn’t even have the sect emblem embroidered. How then could they pass down their secret skills to him with a cheery heart?
The White Immortal sect’s leadership didn’t care for Xinzi’s Lianist practices…so long as in his heart, he remained a White Immortal sect disciple. That he dared to loot the Soaring Crane mountain and keep the rewards from Burning Spear supercity for himself showed that, clearly, that wasn’t the case. Still, it was one thing to have doubts—another to reject unsurpassed talent. Other elders advocated that more resources be invested in cultivating Xinzi’s sense of belonging, making the tension in the room rise to threatening levels.
“‘This is not about Dong or Zi, and who is owed what. Zuixian is an outstanding failure. The most outstanding failure in the history of our sect. I often marvel at how one so gifted can spend his days wallowing in mediocrity. Xinzi is ambitious, wildly ambitious. I can see it in his eyes. All the world might not be able to satisfy the appetite that this child conceals. In the future, he will bring us more benefit than harm.’ These are Lord Hanxing’s words, not mine. If you doubt him as well, feel free to go challenge him.” A Dong elder said, forcing the room to fall into stillness. Though the Zi elders wished to challenge the statement, they had to admit that it made too much sense to refute.
“The cultivation road is a test of time. Our sect might not have seen one of Xinzi’s caliber, but in the history of the Great Desolation world, I’m convinced that more than one Xinzi has appeared. Have they all risen to Immortality? Doubtful. Instead of getting blinded by his gifts, we should secure a more reliable future.” At last, Zi Yao broke the silence, and all eyes fell on her.
“Of Zuixian, I only ask one thing: to be the strongest. So long as Zuixian’s sword can cleave through all enemies, are we not still here to settle on the sect’s course? Zuixian will be the face, the brawn that secures our victories. We will remain the brain. As for Xinzi, cajole him. Indulge all his needs. So long as we keep feeding him and feed him well, the opportunity to milk him of all his worth will arise.” The calm with which Zi Yao spoke these words made some of the elders shiver in their seats.
“What about Chun Xu? Can we afford to waste her primal yin?”
“I understand your concerns, but you’re not thinking straight. Chun Xu must be raised into the perfect bridal prospect to lure in a scion of the Eastern Imperial clan. Only then can we endeavor to lift up the monster ban in this generation. What do you think is more valuable to the Eastern Imperial clan? An intact primal yin? Or a peerless foundation backed by a formidable constitution and cultivation base?” Zi Yao rhetorically asked, making the concerned elder shut up instantly.
“Let Xinzi have Chun Xu. Let them cultivate the array together. With their combined talents, they might even go farther than any of us ever could. This will provide Chun Xu with the foundation she needs to become a match for the imperial court’s scions.
The Zi clan’s problem must be resolved in this generation so we expand wildly with no fear of an enemy probe sending us straight into the pits of hell. I will use anyone, any means to get rid of this issue, and whoever stands in my way will be dealt with like Lady Ziyun.” Here, Zi Yao paused, and a chill crept up on the elders’ chests. All of them had been subjugated by Hanxing or Zi Yao long ago, and for a while now, saw Lady Ziyun’s destruction coming. But for Zi Yao to so candidly speak of her last direct elder’s fall, still didn’t fail to fill their hearts with dread. No wonder that even Guang Fanghu, who loved her more than his life, couldn’t tolerate her anymore.
“Also, I am displeased by your incessant arguments. Perhaps some of your rights should be reduced, so you remember that at the helm of this sect, you still have a matriarch to answer to.” Zi Yao’s words echoed like the hissing sounds of a grand reptilian predator. Her cultivation base erupted, unleashing crushing pressure that stifled the Nascent Soul elders and wrapped them all in crackling lightning.
“Our sincere apologies.” They broke into a cold sweat and said in synch, at last remembering that, in the absence of Lord Hanxing and the vacancy of Guang Fanghu, Zi Yao alone called the shots and though the matriarch welcomed their input, this…wasn’t a democracy.