375: What's the point?

Those words left not only Qi Yue stunned, but even Chen Xuan felt somewhat surprised.

He hadn't failed to anticipate that some forces might take the initiative to reach out and show goodwill after the Dao Seeking Sect displayed its power this time.

But he never expected that the one to come knocking would be a Heavenly Venerable-level power like the Tiangong Pavilion, and their first words were about a Secret Realm alliance.

That Heavenly Venerable Mogong—what exactly was he after?

Chen Xuan's fingertips paused slightly as he fell into deep thought, remaining silent for a moment.

Seeing this, Dongfang Li, who was by his side, did not press him. She simply sat there, waiting with a calm expression.

After a moment, Chen Xuan looked up at Dongfang Li. "Since Pavilion Master Dongfang has invited me with such sincerity, I will speak plainly. You said the items obtained would be split according to contribution, but that is far too vague. Opportunities in a Secret Realm are unpredictable, and the value of treasures can differ vastly. How exactly should this 'equal split' be defined? I ask the Pavilion Revered Master to elaborate."

Dongfang Li pondered for a moment, then raised her jade-like hand. With a casual gesture, an ancient-looking scroll suddenly appeared in her hand.

Then, with a light flick of her wrist, the scroll slowly unfurled. As the scroll spread out, a faint ripple rose around the two of them, spreading like a wave on water.

The originally clear view of the ancient platform gradually blurred, and outside sounds were blocked out, forming an invisible barrier.

Only after finishing this did Dongfang Li lower her voice and say with a solemn expression, "This is a method from our own Pavilion Revered Master. Even those two Heavenly Venerables will not be able to peer in. Fellow Daoist may speak freely."

"Fellow Daoist must have heard of the guixu immortal ferry boat, right? When the Heavenly Tribulation Continent Secret Realm opens this time, this boat will appear in the deepest part of the Secret Realm."

Hearing this, Chen Xuan nodded slowly.

"My Tiangong Pavilion's goal is this guixu immortal ferry boat," Dongfang Li explained. "To be precise, it's an ancient book on it."

"As long as we can find this book, all other treasures in the Secret Realm—whether they be Ancient Legacies, Heaven And Earth Treasures, or Cultivation Techniques and Secret Manuals—can belong to you and the Dao Seeking Sect. My Tiangong Pavilion will not take a single bit."

As soon as these words were spoken, even Qi Yue, who had been silent, couldn't help but look up, surprise flashing in her eyes.

Chen Xuan looked at the woman before him.

Could that Number Seven be from the Tiangong Pavilion?

After a long silence, Chen Xuan spoke slowly, "I have understood Pavilion Master Dongfang's sincerity. However, this matter is of great importance and is not something I can decide on my own."

"I need to return to the sect first to report this to the Sect Master and discuss it with the Elders before I can give the Pavilion Revered Master a definitive answer. I hope Fellow Daoist understands."

Hearing this, Dongfang Li did not show the slightest dissatisfaction. She nodded and said, "What Fellow Daoist says is absolutely correct. I was being too abrupt."

After saying that, she flipped her hand, and a golden message talisman emitting a soft spiritual light appeared in her palm.

She handed the message talisman to Chen Xuan and explained, "This is a specially made message talisman from my Tiangong Pavilion. No matter the distance, as long as Fellow Daoist crushes this talisman, I will know immediately. Once the Dao Seeking Sect has reached a decision, please be sure to contact me."

Chen Xuan reached out and took the message talisman. "Very well. If there is a conclusion, I will certainly inform the Pavilion Revered Master at the first Opportunity."

Their conversation finished, Dongfang Li withdrew the scroll and led her people away.

At this time, on the ancient platform, Great Love Immortal Venerable raised his hand to signal for silence. The rising and falling arguments on the platform instantly quieted down. Clearly, this long-lasting discussion finally had a result.

Great Love Immortal Venerable's gaze swept across the surroundings. With a majestic expression, he said in a deep voice, "You all have argued for a long time, and the pros and cons have been stated. After weighing all sides, it has finally been decided—we go to war!"

"Boom!"

As his voice fell, a thunderous cheer erupted on the platform. The pro-war Cultivators, led by the Grand Elder of the Yuling Valley, all showed wild joy and excited expressions.

Meanwhile, the peace faction, such as Penglai Island, frowned slightly, but they did not speak out to object again.

Great Love Immortal Venerable waited for the cheers to subside slightly before continuing, "The Yao Race has repeatedly violated our borders and conspired with traitors against the Nine Provinces. Such evil deeds cannot be tolerated! Next, this Venerable will unite with the forces of Sword Province, Canglan Continent, Heavenly Tribulation Continent, and others to form a Demon-Slaying Army. Once preparations are complete, we will set sail, invade the Demon Race Continent, and wipe them out in one fell swoop to eliminate the threat forever!"

"As for the other Immortal Venerables and the forces that have not yet stated their position, you need not worry."

"This Venerable will also visit them one by one to persuade them."

"The war against the Yao Race is no small matter and requires thorough preparation. Ten years at most, five years at least. Once the army is assembled, we will set sail and flatten the demon's nest!"

Five years... Chen Xuan sat in the corner, looking up at the high-spirited Great Love Immortal Venerable on the ancient platform, then glanced at the excited Cultivators around him.

Five years was not long, but it wasn't short either.

For an ordinary Cultivator, it might just be a small stage of progress in their cultivation base. But for his Dao Seeking Sect, as long as they developed steadily within five years, it would be enough to hold their own in the Nine Provinces Continent without having to answer to any power.

As these thoughts flowed through his mind, Chen Xuan's gaze fell back onto the ancient platform.

By now, Great Love Immortal Venerable had waited for the cheers and discussions to settle. His expression softened slightly as he continued, "The matter of the demon-slaying is settled, and subsequent preparations will follow their own course. Next is the second item of today's meeting."

The representatives of many forces all turned their eyes toward the center of the ancient platform, waiting for what came next.

"I presume you all have heard that an Ancient Secret Realm is about to emerge in the waters above the Heavenly Tribulation Continent."

Great Love Immortal Venerable's voice was steady and powerful, clearly reaching everyone's ears. "Definitive news has been received that the opening time for this Secret Realm is four months from now."

As soon as he finished speaking, a low exclamation rose from below the platform, and many Cultivators' faces showed signs of being moved.

Great Love Immortal Venerable did not stop, throwing out even more heavy-hitting news: "This Secret Realm opening is different from before—according to the divinations of the Yin-Yang School Cultivators, the legendary guixu immortal ferry boat will also appear in the Secret Realm this time!"

"What?! The guixu immortal ferry boat?!"

"It seems this Secret Realm is destined to be extraordinary."

"Revered Master, what is the guixu immortal ferry boat? Why is it causing such a stir?"

A Cultivator called out, "May I ask, Lord Immortal Venerable, is this true? Will the guixu immortal ferry boat really appear?"

One confirmation request after another rang out, and the atmosphere of the ancient platform was pushed to a climax once again.

Great Love Immortal Venerable's voice rang out again: "This Venerable can guarantee that the news of the guixu immortal ferry boat appearing is absolutely true."

Listening to all this, Qi Yue's brow furrowed slightly. She couldn't help but ask Chen Xuan via heart-lake transmission, "Sect Master, what exactly is this Great Love Immortal Venerable trying to do?"

Common sense dictated that such secrets should be kept quiet. The fewer people who knew, the less competitive pressure there would be during the subsequent struggle, and the greater the probability of one's own force obtaining the Opportunity.

Yet Great Love Immortal Venerable chose to announce it publicly at this meeting where Nine Provinces Cultivators were gathered. In this way, the news would spread throughout the entire Nine Provinces Continent within three days. When the time came, forces would swarm there, and the Secret Realm would surely be a bloodbath.

What exactly was he after?