The Quest for Immortality

He was tall and muscular, with slightly dark skin, square eyebrows and eyes, spoke directly, and didn’t have a very good temper.

The Tai’a Sect Leader got angrier the more he thought about it, then said furiously:

”If it weren’t for the upcoming Dao Conference, I would have listened to your advice, considered the sect’s interests, and abolished the cultivation of these bastards one by one and expelled them from the Tai’a Sect. Why would I still need to maneuver all around and suffer the wrath of the Four Great Sects and the Court Officials?”

The other elders didn’t dare to intervene.

However, an elderly, experienced elder sighed softly:

”Worldly desires are colorful and tempting. They are young, their Taoist Hearts are unstable, and their Blood Qi is fervent. How could they withstand temptation?”

”Moreover, some disciples were evidently framed. They were threatened or coerced, and it was their first time going on that ship.”

”We elders were negligent and inattentive, failing to prevent it, and in the end, we aren’t without blame...”

The Tai’a Sect Leader did not refute.

Not just the elders, but as the Sect Leader, he indeed also held responsibility.

He always thought about using this sect reform opportunity to further advance, but he didn’t realize while constantly looking upwards he failed to notice the trap laid below him, resulting in a bloody downfall.

An elder looked serious:

”This time, things were too coincidental. If you say there is no calculation from the Four Great Sects, I absolutely would not believe it.”

”Even the Court Officials, or even the Central Dao Court, surely must be secretly aiding and abetting...”

”At this point, what use is there in saying these things?”

”Who doesn’t know they are scheming against us?”

”The important position of the Four Great Sects, how could it be handed over to others...”

”But this method is just too despicable...”

”If we win, this will be called strategy; if we lose, it will be called despicable.”

”We might not necessarily lose...”

”Don’t say such naive words; at this point, how can we win? Don’t even mention more progress, just keeping our current position is already incredibly fortunate...”

”You, rascal, how can you boost others’ spirit and diminish your own power?”

”What else can we do? Isn’t this the reality...”

The crowd argued among themselves, their debates getting fiercer.

An elder coughed, and only then did the crowd gradually calm down.

The Tai’a Sect Leader’s face was dark as water, then sighed helplessly:

”Let’s switch disciples; in the meantime, let them focus on cultivation, hone their Taoist Skills, that’s all we can do for this Dao Conference...”

The elders nodded one after another, but their faces couldn’t help but show gloomy worry.

Even in the heart of the Tai’a Sect Leader, optimism wasn’t abundant.

Doing one’s utmost, leaving the rest to fate.

He silently thought in his heart: ”Hope the Ancestors bless us, let the Tai’a Sect overcome this hurdle...”

...

Rushing Void Sect.

In the rear mountain cave residence.

The Chongxu Ancestor also spoke with the Chongxu Sect Leader:

”Being what it is, meticulously scheming, under the fog of heavenly mystery, falling into the thoughtfully laid plan of others, we can only accept defeat.”

”We’ve done what can be done, the rest is up to fate.”

The Chongxu Sect Leader sighed, ”Hope these alternate disciples can have some unexpectedly excellent performance.”

The Chongxu Ancestor nodded, but didn’t hold much hope.

In matters like cultivation, weak is weak, strong is strong.

Occasionally defeating strong with weak is luck.

But in a Dao Conference with rounds of intense battle, there’s almost no room for such ’luck.’

The Chongxu Ancestor said: ”Try to get through this session, next time will be better, we have a ’trump card’ in our Rushing Void Sect.”

The Chongxu Sect Leader’s spirits lifted, he nodded, and felt a little hopeful.

Ling Huxiao had outstanding talent, and remarkable Sword Dao.

If he leads the team, the next Sword Discussion Conference in the Rushing Void Sect would definitely shine brilliantly.

There’s even the potential to turn the tide.

But in the heart of the Chongxu Ancestor, dark clouds still remained.

He feared only that the Four Great Sects might cut things to the bone, leaving no breathing space for them...

...

Scenes like those in Tai’a Sect and Rushing Void Sect were playing out among the upper echelons of many sects within the Qian Learning State Boundary.

Some rejoice, some worry.

Some have their schemes succeed, some look up to the sky and sigh.

The closer to the Dao Conference, the more frequent the changes.

The undercurrent was also constantly surging.

And these, Mo Hua, a ’plain and ordinary’ disciple of the Taixu Gate, knew little about and did not concern himself with.

He kept to his duties, focused on cultivation.

His cultivation was growing bit by bit.

His Sword Dao honing little by little.

And his Formation, under Elder Master Xun’s guidance and his own relentless effort day and night, was slowly reaching a state that ordinary cultivators hard to imagine...

Time passed like a white stallion.

Soon, more than six months went by.

Under the watchful eyes of the masses, the Dao Conference of the Qian Learning State Boundary began...