151: Chapter 150 The Divine Forging Sect's Choice

Shenduan Sect, Council Hall.

This hall was built ten thousand feet in the air, shrouded in clouds and mist year-round. The entire hall was constructed from an unknown white jade, appearing and disappearing within the sea of clouds like a mirage. The roof was extremely high, the dome invisible, with only layers of flowing mist. There were no lamps inside; all the light came from the figures suspended in mid-air—twelve figures sitting amidst the clouds, their bodies radiating light of varying brightness. Some were as blazing as the scorching sun, some as cold and clear as moonlight, some as deep as a cold pool, and some as gentle as warm jade. The light was too intense to see their Faces, robes, or even their forms. Only clusters of light could be seen suspended there, emitting a suffocating pressure.

At the very top, that cluster of light was the most vast. It was not blinding, yet one dared not look directly at it; it was not scorching, yet it inspired awe. It hung there quietly, like the master of this world.

Shenduan Sect Master, Transformation God Daoist Lord.

Beneath the twelve lights, dozens of figures stood on both sides of the hall. Those figures had no light, or their light was too weak and suppressed. They were the Golden Core Elders and Nascent Soul True Lords of Shenduan Sect, the backbone and core of the Sect. But in the presence of those twelve lights, they didn't even have the right to sit.

The atmosphere was so heavy it felt as if it could drip water.

"Heavenly Demon Hall has already destroyed Danding Sect, and Qingxuan Sect is also finished," a light spoke, its voice like clashing metal echoing through the hall. "Two Sects—one Nascent Soul self-detonated, and another Nascent Soul is missing. Thousands of Disciples are nearly all dead or wounded."

The hall fell silent for a moment.

Another light spoke, its voice low like muffled thunder: "Shenduan Sect's Face has been slapped."

"Face?" a third light sneered, its voice sharp and piercing. "Heavenly Demon Hall has produced a Soul Transformation expert; it was only a matter of time before they expanded their territory. Danding Sect and Qingxuan Sect were in the way, so it was inevitable they'd be hit. What does this have to do with Face?"

"How does it not?" the second light's voice rose several notches. "Danding Sect and Qingxuan Sect are our subsidiary Sects. Heavenly Demon Hall destroys them just like that, and we don't even let out a fart? Who will follow us in the future?"

"Follow us?" the third light countered sharply. "In a desolate place like the Ximing Continent where even birds don't poop, what use are subsidiary Sects? The Spiritual Qi is thin, resources are meager, and the Disciples' Aptitude is poor. If they're destroyed, they're destroyed; it just saves us the trouble."

"You—"

"Enough," a fourth light spoke, its voice calm yet making both of them fall silent simultaneously. "What are you arguing for? In front of the Sect Master, show some decorum."

The hall became quiet. But it wasn't a peaceful quiet; it was the oppression before a storm.

After a moment, a fifth light spoke, its voice old and slow: "This old man feels this matter needs careful consideration. Heavenly Demon Hall has produced a Soul Transformation expert, and their strength has increased greatly. Xuanhuang Pill Mansion's attitude is unclear. Starting a war rashly makes the outcome hard to predict."

"Careful consideration?" a sixth light's voice was young and sharp. "If we keep considering, Heavenly Demon Hall will be at our doorstep. Where will you 'consider' then?"

The old voice said calmly: "Young man, don't be an alarmist. Heavenly Demon Hall wants territory, not war. Give them a piece of land, and they will naturally stop."

"Give them a piece of land?" the young voice sneered. "Give a piece today, give another tomorrow, and the day after, the entire East Xuan Region will be theirs. Can you afford to give that?"

"You—"

"Enough," the first light spoke again, its voice still like clashing metal. "Everyone, calm down."

The hall fell silent again.

A seventh light spoke, its voice raspy as if its throat had been injured: "This old man thinks both of you have a point. Heavenly Demon Hall indeed should be fought, but not rashly. A struggle between Soul Transformation experts is no child's play. Our Old Ancestor's cultivation is profound, but Heavenly Demon Hall has two Soul Transformation experts. One-on-one, we aren't afraid. Two-on-one is difficult."

"So we must endure?" the sixth light was unwilling.

"It's not enduring, it's waiting," the raspy voice said. "Waiting for Xuanhuang Pill Mansion's attitude. They also have a Soul Transformation expert and subsidiary Sects in the Ximing Continent. With Danding Sect destroyed, they can't possibly remain indifferent."

"Wait?" the sixth light sneered. "Wait until when? Until Heavenly Demon Hall destroys Qingxuan Sect too? They've already destroyed them."

"Qingxuan Sect isn't destroyed yet," the second light spoke, its voice steady. "According to reports from the front, the people of Qingxuan Sect have broken through the encirclement. Their Ancestor is still alive and is retreating toward us with a group of Disciples. There's also a newly ascended Nascent Soul meeting them halfway. They are already on their way."

A slight commotion stirred in the hall. Some were surprised, some doubtful, some thoughtful.

"A newly ascended Nascent Soul?" the fifth light frowned. "Where did Qingxuan Sect get a newly ascended Nascent Soul?"

The second light said: "The news says it's a young man named Ye Chen. He was out traveling for experience before and just achieved a Breakthrough. He encountered the retreating party halfway and saved the Ancestor of Qingxuan Sect."

"Ye Chen..." the fifth light murmured, seemingly recalling something. "This name sounds a bit familiar."

"Regardless of who he is," the sixth light's voice rang out again with some urgency, "the people of Qingxuan Sect are still running, and the Heavenly Demon Hall is in pursuit. Should we send someone to meet them?"

Silence. No one answered.

Meeting them meant war. War meant a clash at the Soul Transformation level. Everyone present knew what a Soul Transformation level clash meant. It wasn't something 'heavy casualties' could describe; it was heaven-destroying and earth-shattering, a disaster where the people would be plunged into misery and the entire East Xuan Region might be shattered.

"Sect Master," the first light turned toward the vast light at the very top, its voice respectful. "Please make the decision."

Everyone's gaze turned to the very top. That cluster of light still hung there quietly, neither hurried nor agitated, neither angry nor overbearing. It was silent for a long time, so long that those below began to feel uneasy.

Then, it spoke. Its voice was very light, like wind blowing through the clouds, yet it reached everyone's ears clearly.

"What is the attitude of Xuanhuang Pill Mansion?"

The first light said respectfully: "There is no news yet. But it is speculated they won't sit by and watch. Danding Sect is their subsidiary Sect, and its Sect Master self-detonated his Nascent Soul to take the enemy with him. They won't let this debt go unpaid."

The light was silent for a moment, then asked: "What does Heavenly Demon Hall want?"

The first light thought for a moment and said: "They want territory. Ximing Continent can no longer satisfy them; they want to expand into the East Xuan Region."

"If we give them a piece of land, will they stop?"

No one answered. Everyone knew the answer. No. Heavenly Demon Hall was a demonic Sect, and a demonic Sect's appetite could never be filled. Give them one piece, and they'd want a second. Give a second, and they'd want a third. They would constantly stretch their claws into the East Xuan Region. By then, it wouldn't be a question of whether to fight, but whether they could survive.

The light seemed to smile slightly. No expression could be seen, but everyone felt that hint of a smile. It wasn't happiness or mockery, but a very complex emotion.

"Then we fight."

Three words, very light, yet like a thunderclap that shook the entire hall. The twelve lights suspended in mid-air shook simultaneously, and the standing Nascent Soul True Lords and Golden Core Elders below turned pale. Some were excited, some worried, some silent, and some wanted to speak but stopped.

The sixth light was the first to speak, its voice full of satisfaction: "The Sect Master is wise!"

The fifth light frowned: "Sect Master, should we consider it further? Xuanhuang Pill Mansion hasn't stated their position yet. What if they—"

"They will," the light interrupted him, its voice still light but brook no doubt. "Danding Sect was destroyed, and their Face was also slapped. The people of Xuanhuang Pill Mansion care about Face even more than we do."

The fifth light opened its mouth but said nothing more.

The first light asked: "Sect Master, how shall we fight?"

The light was silent for a moment, then slowly said: "Three paths. First, send people to meet the Qingxuan Sect members. It wasn't easy for them to escape alive; we can't let them die outside. Second, contact Xuanhuang Pill Mansion and arrange to deploy troops together. Heavenly Demon Hall has two Soul Transformation experts; we cannot win alone. Third—" it paused, its voice suddenly turning cold, "investigate the backgrounds of those two Soul Transformation experts from Heavenly Demon Hall."

"Yes," the first light took the command.

The sixth light spoke again: "Sect Master, regarding Qingxuan Sect... should we give them an explanation? After all, they were the ones blocking the front for us."

The light was silent for a moment, then said calmly: "Settle the survivors. Compensate the deceased. After the war is over, return Qingxuan Sect's territory to them. Tell their Old Ancestor that Shenduan Sect will not mistreat anyone who has bled for the East Xuan Region."

"Yes."

"Also," the light suddenly said, "let that Ye Chen come see me."

The first light was startled: "Sect Master, he is but a newly ascended Nascent Soul..."

"A newly ascended Nascent Soul who dares to go head-to-head with a Late Nascent Soul Stage from the Heavenly Demon Hall," the light's voice was still very light, but carried an indescribable tone. "How many such people do we have in Shenduan Sect?"

No one answered.

The hall fell silent. The twelve lights no longer argued, and the Nascent Soul True Lords and Golden Core Elders below no longer whispered. Everyone looked at the light at the very top, at the person who decided the fate of the entire East Xuan Region.

The light suddenly asked: "How much longer until the people of Qingxuan Sect arrive?"

The second light calculated and said: "At their speed, it will take about seven days."

The light nodded: "In seven days, I want to see them. Before then—" it swept its gaze over everyone present, its voice still light but carrying unquestionable authority, "everyone, go prepare. In seven days, the war begins."

"Yes," everyone responded in unison.

The clouds above the hall began to churn, and the twelve lights gradually faded away like a receding tide. The Nascent Soul True Lords and Golden Core Elders below also dispersed one after another, their footsteps hurried; some were excited, some solemn, and some remained silent.

Finally, only the cluster of light at the very top remained in the hall. It hung there, neither hurried nor agitated, neither angry nor overbearing, quietly shining like a star that would never fall.

Outside, the sea of clouds churned, and the sky grew dim. Shenduan Sect's mountain gate remained towering, solemn, and inviolable. But everyone knew a storm was coming. This time it wasn't a small skirmish, a border friction, or a sectarian grudge. It was a war between Soul Transformation experts, the fate of the entire East Xuan Region.

Three days later, the war begins. And the people of Qingxuan Sect were still on the road. Ye Chen stood at the bow of the flying boat, looking at the eastern sky that was drawing closer, with only one thought in his mind—faster, even faster. Behind him, the Old Ancestor lay in the cabin, his breath weak, unconscious. Further back were the exhausted and scarred Disciples. They needed rest, they needed healing, and they needed a safe place.

Shenduan Sect was just ahead.