374: Alliance

"Since you two were invited to participate in the discussion, please take your seats."

Great Love Immortal Venerable's voice was indifferent as he gave a faint reminder.

Chen Xuan cupped his hands to Fang Yusheng in thanks, his gaze swept over the people on the Ancient Platform, and then he led Qi Yue to find a secluded corner to sit.

As expected, as soon as they sat down, countless gazes swept over them, either curious, scrutinizing, or wary, all speculating on the depth of this Man in White Robes's cultivation base, and even more wanting to gauge the true strength of the Dao Seeking Sect.

The previous appearance of Chen Xuan's duo was truly too eye-catching.

The phenomenon triggered by the appearance of the Bai Ze mount had already shocked the entire audience, and even more startling was that he could silently break through the Formation laid by Great Love Immortal Venerable.

One must know that even if Great Love Immortal Venerable did not specialize in the Dao of Formations, the methods of an Immortal Venerable level were definitely not something an ordinary Mahayana Stage Cultivator could reach. From this, it could be seen that this Dao Seeking Sect indeed had an extraordinary foundation in the mastery of Formations.

"Sect Master, have you really heard of Mystic Talisman Heavenly Venerable's name?" Qi Yue focused her Qi Gathering and asked Chen Xuan through heart-lake transmission.

Chen Xuan's tone was frank, and he responded without hesitation: "No such thing, those words earlier were just a casual remark."

"So that's how it is, I thought..."

Chen Xuan raised his hand and waved slightly, interrupting her. His gaze swept over the people on both sides of the Ancient Platform as he slowly transmitted: "Compared to that, the number of people gathered for this discussion seems a bit fewer than I expected. Although they are all powerful major forces, there are only two Heavenly Venerables present."

Hearing this, Qi Yue also quietly looked around.

The auras of the Cultivators on the Ancient Platform were as restrained as deep pools; she couldn't even see through a single person's Realm. Following the Sect Master here was, in the end, just to make up the numbers, so she pursed her lips and said no more.

On the Ancient Platform, after the commotion around them gradually subsided, Great Love Immortal Venerable slowly scanned the crowd and said in a heavy voice: "The discussion continues."

"This discussion will mainly cover two matters."

A faint pressure emanated from him, instantly silencing the surroundings as he continued: "The main reason for gathering everyone here today is to discuss two things. The first is concerning the disposal of the Demon Race Continent."

As his voice fell, everyone's gaze followed.

"As you all know, over the years, the Yao Race has repeatedly crossed the borders and invaded the frontiers of our Rain God Continent, committing countless sins."

"And this time, they have laid a deep plan, secretly instigating the rebellion of the Demon Suppressing Tower Cultivators, plotting for the entire land of the Rain God Continent—their intentions are damnable! Now the Yao Race's arrogance is growing by the day; if it is not curbed, it will surely become a major threat in the future. If the Rain God Continent falls into the hands of the Yao Race, the next will be the neighboring Heavenly Tribulation Continent and Flame Continent."

"Whatever views you have, feel free to speak plainly."

Arguments immediately broke out one after another.

"Great Love Immortal Venerable is absolutely right!" Just as he finished speaking, a loud voice rang out from the seats on the left.

"This old man believes that blind concessions never bring peace, but only insatiable greed! The Yao Race's collusion with the traitors of the Demon Suppressing Tower shows their wolf-like ambitions are beyond redemption. In my opinion, we should immediately send word to the Nine Provinces, gather the strength of all Cultivators, march into the Demon Race Continent, and completely wipe out the Yao Race's nest to eliminate the threat once and for all!"

"I believe this matter is inappropriate."

A refined old man dressed in green robes slowly stood up. "The Demon Race Continent is vast and boundless, the Demon Race Cultivators are numerous, and they are naturally strong in physique and skilled in combat. Not to mention the nine Yao Venerables within the Yao Race, whose cultivation bases are unfathomable and definitely not easy to defeat."

"If we rashly start a war, it will surely be a long and bloody battle. At that time, not only will our Nine Provinces' Cultivators pay a tragic price, but billions of Mortal lives will be displaced and devastated."

He paused and added, "Now that the Rain God Continent is protected by a Formation, its defensive power is far greater than before. Didn't the Yao Race's long-planned scheme this time still get easily stopped by us? In my view, holding our ground and waiting for changes while planning better strategies is the safe way."

Chen Xuan followed the sound and looked over, his gaze first falling on the impassioned purple-robed old man. While he was pondering, a soft and gentle female voice suddenly sounded in his ear.

"The one you were just looking at is the Grand Elder of the Yuling Valley. His skills aren't top-notch, but his personality is very flamboyant, and he loves to call for blood."

Chen Xuan turned his head and saw two women walking over slowly with graceful steps.

One had a cold and elegant temperament somewhat similar to Xiao Lingxian, while the other was pretty and gentle.

"And who might you two Fellow Daoists be?" Chen Xuan stood up and cupped his hands, his tone indifferent.

Dongfang Li returned the gesture with a graceful smile like a winter plum under the moon: "The North Pavilion Master of the Tiangong Pavilion, Dongfang Li, and this is my Disciple, Yu Qingyan. Speaking of which, my Disciple once had some interactions with the Dao Seeking Sect's Disciples in the Rain God Continent."

Chen Xuan nodded in realization, instantly remembering the matter Li Pingan had told him about.

"So that's how it is!"

Dongfang Li didn't stand on ceremony either, sitting down directly in an empty seat nearby and naturally acting as a commentator for the situation on the Ancient Platform: "The green-robed scholar who just refuted the pro-war stance is a representative of Penglai Island. Penglai Island is located deep in the waters of the Canglan Continent, quite close to the Red Immortal Pavilion."

“Speaking of which, they are also the party furthest from the Demon Race Continent among the Nine Provinces forces."

Hearing this, Chen Xuan's gaze indifferently swept over the green-robed scholar who was still talking eloquently. No wonder he chose the pro-peace side; being separated by a vast ocean, he did not know the hardships of the border.

The debate on the Ancient Platform continued. Representatives of the major forces took turns to stand up, either strongly advocating for war or insisting on peace. Each held their own ground, and the sounds of discussion rose and fell, making it difficult to determine a winner for a moment.

Dongfang Li's gaze drifted over Chen Xuan and Qi Yue with interest: "Your earlier entrance was truly full of style. I wonder what kind of rare species that beast you rode earlier was? It could actually trigger such a phenomenon."

"Bai Ze, an ancient Divine Beast." Chen Xuan's tone was flat as he gave a simple explanation.

Don't ask; if you do, it's an ancient Divine Beast.

Beside him, Qi Yue's eyelashes fluttered slightly, and she subconsciously glanced at Dongfang Li. For some reason, she always felt that this Tiangong Pavilion's Pavilion Revered Master looked at her with a strange gaze, a subtle scrutiny carrying some indescribable emotion. Was it an illusion?

On the other side, Yu Qingyan's expression was cold. Her Revered Master had specifically brought her over to get to know this Dao Seeking Sect Revered Master; could it be... that she had taken an interest in this female Cultivator?

Dongfang Li gave a polite exclamation: "The world is indeed vast, and there is no lack of wonders."

"By the way, I wonder what the Dao Seeking Sect's view is on this Yao Race matter? Are you for war or for peace?"

Hearing this, Chen Xuan did not answer directly but instead looked up at Dongfang Li and asked back: "My Dao Seeking Sect has only recently emerged and has little influence; this matter will ultimately follow the general trend of the Nine Provinces. On the other hand, your Tiangong Pavilion has a deep foundation and is most qualified to speak at length on this matter, isn't it?"

"You overpraise us." Dongfang Li's smile remained unchanged. "The Pavilion Revered Master only instructed me to attend the discussion and gave no other instructions. I am just here to listen."

"The thoughts of a Heavenly Venerable are unfathomable; indeed, they cannot be casually speculated upon."

"To be honest, I don't know how my own Sect Master will choose either." Chen Xuan also chose to play dumb to evade the question.

Anyway, it was all circular talk, pushing and blocking, just casual chatting.

After chatting for a while, Dongfang Li stopped beating around the bush and revealed the purpose of her visit: "Will you be going to the Heavenly Tribulation Continent's Secret Realm in four months?"

"Hmm?"

Chen Xuan turned to look at her, waiting for her to continue.

Seeing this, Dongfang Li said calmly: "For this Secret Realm journey, my Tiangong Pavilion intends to form an alliance with the Dao Seeking Sect to watch over and help each other. The items obtained can also be divided equally according to the effort put in. What do you think, Fellow Daoist?"