Chapter 121 Negotiation

The people from the two factions each held their own arguments, and Qing Mingzi, the Sect Head, was unable to make a decision for a time.

One faction believed this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to both weaken the influence of the Demonic Path and expand the influence of the Joyous Union Sect—a win-win situation, so why not?

The other faction felt that the White Lotus Sect harbored malicious intent, believing this was very likely a trap set by the Five Demonic Sects, just waiting for the Joyous Union Sect to jump in.

After all, the war with the Heavenly Demon Palace had only recently concluded; the timing of the White Lotus Sect choosing to surrender was indeed quite suspicious.

The two factions argued endlessly over this, and Qing Mingzi also frowned deeply, unsure how to decide.

Just as everyone was fiercely debating, Ye Fan entered the main hall, bringing You Tan with him.

"Disciple Ye Fan greets the Sect Head, Revered Master, and all the Elders."

"Saintess of the White Lotus Sect, You Tan, greets all the Seniors of the Joyous Union Sect."

You Tan put away her usual charming demeanor and offered a rare, serious bow.

In front of so many Core Formation Realm Experts, she dared not play any tricks.

The matter of the White Lotus Sect merging was of great importance. Only the high-ranking members present knew about it within the Joyous Union Sect; everyone else was kept in the dark to minimize the possibility of leaks.

The group sized up You Tan from head to toe. Seeing her composed and calm demeanor, with no trace of fear on her face, they admitted her Heart-Nature was quite excellent.

"A person from the White Lotus Sect dares to come openly to our Joyous Union Sect. You have quite a bit of nerve," Qing Mingzi snorted lightly.

"Sect Head Qing Mingzi, you see clearly. You must already know the purpose of my visit. Although our White Lotus Sect cannot claim to be completely upright, we are absolutely sincere this time."

"I trust that regardless of success or failure, all you Seniors will not make things difficult for this Disciple."

You Tan’s words were neither servile nor overbearing, leaving no room for criticism, which caused everyone to look at her with renewed respect.

"Ye Fan, what do you think of this matter?"

Qing Mingzi suddenly shifted the responsibility to Ye Fan, wanting to hear his opinion.

"Me?"

Ye Fan was acquainted with You Tan, having used their past cooperation in the Heavenly Demon Palace as a pretext. Thus, his opinion was quite important in the eyes of Qing Mingzi and the others.

Ye Fan pondered for a moment, then glanced at You Tan beside him. After some hesitation, he finally spoke.

"This Disciple believes this matter brings a hundred benefits and no harm."

"Oh? Why?" Qing Mingzi asked with a frown.

Ye Fan's words greatly displeased the opposition, but it wasn't appropriate to erupt now, so they could only listen to him explain his perspective.

"This Disciple has heard that among the Five Demonic Sects, the White Lotus Sect had a relatively good reputation. Is this true?"

"This..."

Everyone present fell silent upon hearing this. The implication was crystal clear.

Compared to the Blood Demon Sect, the Corpse Refining Hall, and the Yellow Springs Cult, which practiced gruesome methods involving killing to cultivate, and the Yin Yang Gate, which engaged in countless acts of debauchery, the White Lotus Sect seemed to lack excessively heinous crimes.

In essence, the previous Sect Master of the White Lotus Sect had acted too radically, offending many high-ranking members of the Nine Sects. Coupled with choosing the wrong side during the Righteous-Demonic War, they had fallen into the Demonic Path and suffered a major setback.

Seeing everyone remain silent, Ye Fan immediately pressed his advantage.

"This Disciple once heard a Senior say that to oppose the Demonic Path, one must unite all possible forces, even forces from the Demonic Path itself."

"Unite all possible forces... even forces from the Demonic Path itself?!"

Ye Fan’s words seemed to open a new world for everyone. Before this, they had never heard such rhetoric, and they all fell into deep thought.

"This Disciple believes this opportunity is rare. Since the White Lotus Sect has actively come to surrender, our Joyous Union Sect accepting them is for the sake of righteousness—everything is for the sake of opposing the Demonic Path. Even if the Eight Sects have some minor complaints, it is meaningless."

Ye Fan’s words elevated the Joyous Union Sect's act of expanding its power to a moral high ground. Hearing this, Qing Mingzi and the others felt slightly embarrassed, as if their spines had straightened considerably.

"Ahem. According to what you say, must our Joyous Union Sect agree?"

"This Disciple dares not. I only spoke what came to mind."

After speaking, Ye Fan remained silent, giving the Sect Head and the others time to contemplate.

As expected, he and You Tan were invited out of the main hall, and the others resumed their fierce debate inside.

You Tan presented the terms on behalf of the White Lotus Sect: including You Suyi, five Core Formation Realm Cultivators, plus three hundred of their most core Foundation Establishment Realm Disciples, all would merge into the Joyous Union Sect. The Jade Slips excavated from the Heavenly Demon Palace would also have a share offered.

They demanded treatment equal to that of regular Disciples, and the Joyous Union Sect was also required to separately allocate one peak for You Suyi to command.

In other words, the power of the White Lotus Sect could not be directly disbanded, which served as a means of self-preservation for them.

"Do you think they will agree to these terms?" You Tan asked with some trepidation.

"I think they will, but there will likely be a few more conditions," Ye Fan said after some thought.

"Conditions?"

Just as You Tan was about to say more, the doors to the main hall opened again. Qing Mingzi invited them both back in and announced the result of the high-level discussion.

Overall, the Joyous Union Sect agreed to the White Lotus Sect merging entirely, but there were two small conditions.

"What conditions?" You Tan asked with a frown.

"First, all Cultivators at the Core Formation Realm and above, including You Suyi, must swear a Heavenly Dao Oath. As long as our Joyous Union Sect does not betray them, they will never betray us," Qing Mingzi stated frankly.

"This..."

You Tan was slightly stunned but then nodded. She could make the decision on behalf of her Master regarding this requirement.

"And the second is..."

"A pledge of allegiance."

"A pledge of allegiance?"

Qing Mingzi's meaning was simple: the White Lotus Sect's words were unsubstantiated; they needed to offer a pledge of allegiance to show sincerity.

In a way, this was even more convincing than a Heavenly Dao Oath.

"The head or a high-ranking member's head from any of the Four Demonic Sects. If the White Lotus Sect agrees, I and the Joyous Union Sect can also assist in providing support. What do you think?"

"This..."

You Tan's charming, pretty face was filled with difficulty. Clearly, she hadn't expected the Joyous Union Sect to propose such a drastic, irreversible measure.

If the White Lotus Sect truly did this, whether successful or not, they would be cutting off all retreat paths. From then on, there would be absolutely no possibility of reconciliation with the Four Demonic Sects.

"This is a matter of great importance. This Disciple needs to report to Revered Master before making a decision," You Tan said with difficulty.

Qing Mingzi naturally agreed. If You Tan had agreed immediately, he would have had to reconsider things carefully.

Just as everyone thought the matter was settled, Ye Fan suddenly spoke up.

"This Disciple is willing to represent the Sect and go along to show sincerity."

Everyone was stunned when Ye Fan spoke those words. No one expected him to voluntarily step forward and take on this task.

Qing Mingzi wanted to say something, but since Ye Fan had already spoken, stopping him now would make the Joyous Union Sect seem insincere.

If the Saintess of the White Lotus Sect could come to negotiate with the Joyous Union Sect, why couldn't the Daozi of the Joyous Union Sect go to the White Lotus Sect?

Ye Fan's actions were not entirely selfish; he genuinely felt this was an opportunity for the Joyous Union Sect. If successful, it would greatly increase the Sect's influence.

Time was pressing; the Four Demonic Sects could launch an attack at any moment. If they delayed, no one knew what might happen. After careful consideration, Ye Fan could only take the initiative to accept this mission.