Pressuring Taiqing Sect, Changqing's Proposal
One day later, the sect masters of the nine major sects arrived secretly at Taixuan Sect, accompanied by their high-level elders.
In the inner hall of Taixuan Sect, Chu Tianlu waved his hand to erect a soundproof barrier. "Fellow daoists," he began, "Taiqing Sect has inexplicably produced a slew of genius immortal seedlings. If we can't uncover their origins, Taiqing Sect will inevitably crush the other nine sects beneath them in the future—perhaps even reduce us to their vassals!"
His words sent shockwaves through the room; the faces of the other eight sects' leaders twisted in alarm.
"We all know that much," said Bihai Sect's master, Kong Shang, frowning. "But Taiqing Sect won't just hand over their secrets. We've interrogated the captured Qin family disciples—even resorted to soul-searching—but came up empty. They've clearly prepared for this with prohibitions."
"Same on our end."
"Nothing at all! Those Taiqing bastards are too cunning!"
The other sects nodded in agreement.
Chu Tianlu declared firmly, "That's precisely why I've summoned you. We've confirmed Taiqing Sect is hiding something. Why not unite our nine sects and pressure them? Force them to reveal the origins of these seedlings and share them with us!"
The others' eyes lit up—who wouldn't covet such promising disciples?
"Brother Chu speaks wisely!"
"A brilliant plan!"
"Exactly! Why should Taiqing hog all these premium seedlings?"
The sects rallied behind the idea.
"Excellent! But we're short-handed. I hope you'll each bring a few Soul Transformation Heavenly Lords to bolster us!"
"Of course!"
They nodded and filed out, summoning treasures and soaring into the sky.
Meanwhile, the four great demonic sects had drawn similar conclusions after interrogating their Qin captives: Taiqing Sect had mastered a method to produce superior immortal seedlings.
For the demonic path, this was an existential threat that demanded immediate suppression.
They too dispatched elites straight to Taiqing Sect to extract the method by force.
——
Outside Taiqing Sect's mountain gates.
Brilliant streaks of light hurtled from afar, halting just beyond the grand protective array. A thunderous voice boomed across the lands.
"Where is Taiqing Sect's master?!"
The commotion alerted everyone. Liu Qinghui burst from the main hall, looked up, and paled. He spun around. "Quick—summon the Supreme Elder!"
Taiqing disciples craned their necks skyward, faces etched with shock and fear.
"Who are those people? Their auras are terrifying!"
"I recognize one—Taixuan Sect's master, Chu Tianlu. The others look like they're from the top ten sects too. But they don't seem friendly."
"Why do I have such a bad feeling...?"
Soon, streams of light shot from Taiqing Peak, materializing in midair.
"Brother Chu, what is the meaning of this?" Taiqing's Supreme Elder, Feng Jun, demanded coldly. His gaze swept icily over the nine sects' arrivals as a terrifying pressure surged from his body.
Opposite him stood an old man leaning on a dragon-headed cane—Chu Tianlu's father and Taixuan's Supreme Elder, Chu Anhua.
"Is this how you greet guests, Brother Feng? You've even activated your sect-protecting array—are you guarding against us?" Chu Anhua said mildly.
Feng Jun shot back without mincing words, "Is this how guests behave? Or are you here to unite and wipe out my Taiqing Sect?"
Thunder Sword Sect's Supreme Elder interjected coolly, "What are you saying, Brother Feng? The ten righteous sects are bound by blood—we're family. We'd never turn on our own! We just have a few questions for Taiqing Sect."
Feng Jun sneered. "If that's the case, why bring such a crowd? Old Thunder Ghost, it's been centuries since you showed your face. I thought you'd croaked. No more nonsense—state your business and talk it out properly. Is this fanfare meant to bully my Taiqing Sect into submission?"
The Supreme Elders behind him glared daggers in return.
The air grew thick with tension.
Suddenly, a massive black flying centipede barreled in from the distance, halting nearby. Atop its enormous head stood dozens of demonic cultivators in garish robes.
The four great demonic sects had arrived.
"Kekekeke! What a show today! Planning to attack Taiqing Sect, are you? Need Ghost King Sect's help, Old Thunder Ghost? Hahahaha!"
The demonic sects had brought four Soul Transformation Heavenly Lords too, their cackles echoing menacingly.
The righteous cultivators' faces darkened with fury.
Feng Jun said coldly, "Brother Lei, Brother Chu—these old demons crashed the party uninvited. Let's set other matters aside and team up to exterminate them first!"
"Agreed!"
"No issue—these scum just cost us plenty of disciples. Time to settle the score!"
The demons' expressions shifted at once. They had four Heavenly Lords; with Taiqing, the enemy would number seven. They'd be slaughtered.
"Think carefully," Ghost King Sect's Supreme Elder barked. "A clash at our level means mountains of corpses. Are you sure you want to fight here?"
Feng Jun and the others exchanged glances, forcibly reining in their battle lust.
Feng Jun especially—Taiqing's home turf. A brawl among Heavenly Lords would devastate the sect.
For the moment, neither side dared strike. Stalemate resumed.
——
Qingyun Manor.
Qin Changqing had anticipated Liu Qinghui's visit—the massive disturbance outside was impossible to miss. He knew their intent.
"Changqing, you're aware of the situation, right? The nine major sects are pressuring us. Without an explanation, this won't end well. What do you think?" Liu Qinghui sighed.
Qin Changqing was well-informed; Guan Zilan, Huang Miaoying, and the others had rushed to tell him. After a moment's thought, he replied, "The sect's in a boom right now—no need for conflict. It gains us nothing and risks annihilation. Nine sects united? Even Taiqing couldn't withstand that."
Liu Qinghui sighed. "Exactly. They only sent three Heavenly Lords this time. If they all came..."
"Precisely!"
Qin Changqing shook his head. "No choice now—reveal my role. If it resolves the crisis for the sect, I'm fine with the extra burden."
"Changqing!" Liu Qinghui's eyes warmed. "I never expected such selflessness from you!"
Qin Changqing rolled his eyes inwardly. Selfless? This is for my benefit too.
Dealing with more sects meant more, higher-quality children—and faster cultivation progress.
Plus nine more backers. All upside, no downside.
"Sect Master, Taiqing has birthed over a hundred children these years, many with heavenly spiritual roots. We're miles ahead. Telling them changes nothing—my energy's finite. Spread thin, each sect gets a handful yearly at best; they can't catch up. Besides, Taiqing can charge them extra spirit stones. I'll cooperate—after all, we decide how many it takes to make a baby..."
Liu Qinghui's eyes gleamed brighter with every word until he burst out laughing. "Changqing, you're spot on! That's the plan!"
Of course, the precondition: Qin Changqing stays in Taiqing Sect. Non-negotiable.
"Good—I'll inform the Supreme Elder now!"
Liu Qinghui shot into the sky.
Soon, Feng Jun heard his voice transmission.
Feng Jun's brows lifted in a faint smile. "Very well—you may enter. But only the sect masters. Old Thunder Ghost, you three keep these demons in check."
Chu Anhua and the others exchanged looks and nodded. "Fine. Tianlu, you go."
Chu Tianlu and the nine sect masters descended at once. The array parted to admit them, then sealed shut again.