The Quest for Immortality

Elder Master Xun, with a head full of white hair, emerged and came straight to the table, picked up a teacup, gestured to the Ancestors of Tai’a and Rushing Void Sect, and drank it in one gulp.

Elder Ouyang, who had been angry, became somewhat sympathetic upon seeing Elder Master Xun’s aged appearance and sighed:

”Brother Xun, among the three of us, you certainly age the fastest.”

Elder Master Xun responded calmly: ”There’s no choice; too many worries and too much labor.”

Elder Ouyang shook his head, ”I told you, you’re already an Ancestor, why do you still personally teach and preach? It’s a needless waste of energy...”

Elder Master Xun said: ”It’s the ancestral rules, a habit, and moreover...”

Elder Master Xun paused slightly, ”Personally teaching occasionally can also discover one or two good seedlings, enhancing our Taixu Gate.”

This statement made the Ancestors of Tai’a Sect and Rushing Void Sect somewhat uncomfortable in their hearts.

If not for Taixu Gate having a prodigy, their current situation might really not be better than the other two sects.

After a while, Ancestor Linghu of Rushing Void Sect said:

”Alright, let’s discuss the matter at hand...”

He did not beat around the bush, and directly said: ”Regarding this matter, I’ve heard some rumors, I assume it was you, Brother Xun, who deliberately spread it through the Elders and Sect Leaders to probe the reactions.”

”Let me first state a stance: regarding this matter, Rushing Void Sect disagrees.”

Elder Ouyang also nodded and said: ”Tai’a Sect also disagrees.”

The three sects, although originally from the same lineage, have separated and now live their own lives.

Now each has its own foundation, how can it be discussed and decided to merge just like that?

The entangled interests and personnel conflicts are too numerous, too complicated, causing these Ancestors headaches just by thinking about it.

Moreover, once the Three Sects United, there must be a ”leader.”

Who will be the head?

Given the current situation, it would surely be Taixu Gate.

Tai’a Sect and Rushing Void Sect would certainly not agree.

It sounds nice to call it ”Three Sects Unification,” but unpleasantly, it would be called ”annexation,” where Taixu Gate takes advantage and swallows Tai’a Sect and Rushing Void Sect!

Thinking of this, Elder Ouyang felt resentful and addressed Elder Master Xun:

”Brother Xun, the three sects are the same alliance, I don’t expect you to help us in times of crisis, but don’t add insult to injury...”

Ancestor Linghu also nodded: ”It is indeed disheartening.”

Elder Master Xun silently drank tea without speaking.

Elder Ouyang and Ancestor Linghu remained indifferent but did not urge him, waiting for Elder Master Xun’s response.

After a while, Elder Master Xun slowly began and asked the other two Ancestors a question: ”Do you think our three sects’ foundation can still be preserved?” 𝘳ἁɴ∅𐌱ĘŚ

Upon hearing this, the two Elder remarked somewhat apprehensively.

Elder Ouyang said: ”Tai’a Sect and Rushing Void Sect might not be in a favorable position, but your Taixu Gate, blessed with great fortune and with a prodigy disciple, has already ranked third among the Eight Great Gates, coinciding with the sect’s reform, thriving afterward. How would you not be able to preserve your foundation?”

Elder Master Xun shook his head, ”Don’t mention the top three of the Eight Great Gates. Even if Taixu Gate really mixes into the Four Great Sects, it may not truly be able to maintain its foundation.”

Elder Ouyang and Ancestor Linghu exchanged puzzled glances:

”Brother Xun, please clarify.”

Elder Master Xun hesitated for a moment and then slowly revealed two words:

”Evil God...”

Elder Ouyang and Ancestor Linghu’s expressions changed, and then they frowned.

Elder Master Xun said: ”These two words should be familiar to you.”

”You mean...” Ancestor Linghu said.

Elder Master Xun sighed: ”An Evil God has already infiltrated the Qian Learning State Boundary deeply, much more seriously than we predicted...”

Elder Ouyang and Ancestor Linghu remained silent.

Elder Master Xun quietly studied them, and slowly said:

”I know you may have sensed it, but not studying the Heavenly Mechanism Causality, you don’t know how serious this problem is.”

”Not just you, other seniors are probably the same.”

”Either secluded and oblivious, or merely focusing on sect interests, paying attention to sect development, as long as disciples’ missteps don’t affect the sect foundation, they turn a blind eye.”

”This is wrong...”

Elder Master Xun said solemnly: ”The corruption of the Taoist Heart is more terrifying than anything.”

”Once the Taoist Heart is corrupted, the Evil God will take advantage of it. No matter how powerful the influence or thriving the sect, once corrupted, will eventually decay and even rot completely.”

”And the Evil God resides in the human heart, its means are treacherous and unpredictable.”

”Those cultivators focusing on Power Cultivation and neglecting Cultivating Heart, no matter how high their cultivation, are no match for the Evil God.”

Elder Ouyang frowned, shaking his head: ”Brother Xun, you tend to exaggerate...”

Elder Master Xun said: ”The lesson from the Rouge Boat is profound enough, isn’t it?”

This matter is rather pointed.

Elder Ouyang and Ancestor Linghu both showed displeased expressions.

”This matter is due to poor discipline by Tai’a Sect and Rushing Void Sect, I do not deny it. But to say it’s caused by the Evil God, seems somewhat far-fetched...”

Elder Master Xun raised an eyebrow:

”Don’t you curious? Why this matter could be concealed until now? Why, you Ancestors could fail to notice? Why, such sordid affairs happened on Mistwater River?”

”The Dragon King Temple on Mistwater River has a history.”

”Why did this Dragon King Temple later vanish? Who hid it? What happened inside exactly?”

”Now in this Dragon King Temple, relying on pirates killing people as offerings, what exactly are they worshipping?”

”Is anyone bewitching sect disciples to commit sins to nourish that thing?”