Chapter 2530: Huashan Coup

The night sky was profound, with shattered stars like dust.

It was still that remote mountain hollow, ablaze with roaring flames.

Gazing into the distance, that expanse of land was piled high with treasures—it wasn't just a small mound, it was truly a whole mountain! Magical artifacts, heavenly stones, spirit crystals, secret scrolls, and elixirs were innumerable, all plundered from the various Zhun Di.

One had to admit, the collections of Zhun Di were extraordinarily rich. Not to mention Hua Shan Zhen Ren and his companions, even Ye Chen couldn't help but sigh and click his tongue in amazement. This haul of big fish was well worth it; it was far quicker than kidnapping for ransom.

"Whatever you fancy, just take it."

Ye Da Shao was quite generous as he spoke, even picking up a demon-subduing pestle and handing it to Hua Shan Shen Nu.

"This iron mace is tough enough; it's perfect for striking the primordial spirit. Hold on to it tight."

"This immortal staff is a real treasure; on a quiet night, it's even more useful than a divine weapon."

"The Fiery God Spear—I think you'd like it."

Tonight, Ye Chen was exceptionally attentive, treating Hua Shan Shen Nu with great kindness and presenting one item after another.

And the treasures he chose had a certain thoughtfulness to them.

Given his demeanor, she didn't hold back either, simply pulling out a large sack and collecting them in batches, picking only the best ones.

Hua Shan Zhen Ren and Hua Shan Xian Zi couldn't help but want to laugh as they listened. How could these two fated rivals not end up together?

Ye Chen didn't mind at all, rummaging through the pile of treasures like he was scavenging scrap, searching for materials to refine the Nine Revolutions Soul-Returning Pill.

Unfortunately, after circling around, he didn't find a single one.

As dawn approached, the spoils were finally divided.

Hua Shan Zhen Ren took a deep breath and looked toward the direction of Hua Shan. With matters here settled, it was time to return to Hua Shan, but he dreaded the scene that awaited. Once they went back, it would be a storm of blood and slaughter; after countless ages, it would mean fellow disciples turning against each other once more.

"New emperor, new officials; Senior's past mercy has inevitably led to today's disaster."

Ye Chen took a swig of wine, his words drawn out. Such scenarios were nothing new to him; back in Da Chu, he had encountered them before. The chaos in Heng Yue had also resulted in countless deaths, much like the current Hua Shan Zheng Bian.

So, the rules of mortal dynasties applied just as well to cultivator sects. In this turbulent world, which ruler didn't ascend to power by stepping on a pile of bones?

Ah!

Hua Shan Zhen Ren sighed and took the first step forward.

Ah!

Hua Shan Xian Zi and Hua Shan Shen Nu sighed as well, following along. Hua Shan Pai was about to face stormy winds and waves; from this day forth, its strength would surely decline greatly.

Ye Chen tucked away his wine flask and stepped into the sky, closely following the three.

At that moment, far away on Hua Shan, dawn was also breaking. Clouds and mist swirled around it, with warm sunlight bathing the majestic immortal mountain in a layer of serene harmony.

However, today's Hua Shan was slightly different from usual.

Looking down from above, one could see many cultivators in armor stationed at the foot of various spirit mountains, with soldiers guarding the mountain paths and every hall and pavilion, all standing in neat formation.

As a result, on this fine morning, not a single disciple was seen descending the mountain for training—or rather, they had all been strictly ordered to stay put.

In addition, divine rainbows continuously streaked through the void; these were the various hall commanders who had been leading troops outside, now summoned back to the sect. They were all clad in armor, as if awaiting a command.

The entire Hua Shan was enveloped in a protective heaven-shielding barrier, and the atmosphere was oppressively tense.

"What's going on here? Why have all the hall masters arrived?"

"All disciples are forbidden from descending the mountain; the roads are sealed off. Something big must be happening."

"Could there be war?"

On various peaks, figures clustered together—it was the Hua Shan disciples, standing at the summits and whispering among themselves, gazing in all directions.

"What do you make of this?" the second true successor of Hua Shan frowned.

"Most likely, the sect leader encountered some trouble outside." The speaker was the first true successor, Hua Yang, his brows slightly furrowed as he looked toward the Hua Shan grand hall.

The Hua Shan grand hall was already filled with people; without exception, they were all elders, with more than half being supreme elders, and Di Yuan Zhen Ren was also present.

"Uncle-Master, what's the meaning of such a grand assembly?" Di Yuan Zhen Ren glanced at the supreme great elder.

"Just wait and see."

The supreme great elder replied indifferently and lapsed back into a doze. Like him, many of the elders present were doing the same, all waiting for something.

What were they waiting for? Naturally, news that the Hua Shan sect leader had been killed. Once that message arrived, they could use the pretext of stabilizing Hua Shan to launch a rightful Zheng Bian and install a new sect leader—one from their own faction.

Di Yuan Zhen Ren said nothing, subtly scanning his surroundings. The elders from the opposing faction, though dozing, all had slightly upturned corners of their mouths.

Outside the hall, armored cultivators were everywhere—these were troops deployed only in times of war, completely surrounding the grand hall.

"This setup— is it for a Zheng Bian?" Di Yuan Zhen Ren frowned.

"Such a massive show of force—if it's not a Zheng Bian, no one would believe it."

"The sect leader hasn't returned; he's probably met with misfortune. This group of old schemers must have planned it long ago."

"They really dared to strike against the sect leader?"

The elders from Di Yuan Zhen Ren's faction were whispering among themselves through divine sense, their expressions darkening.

Di Yuan Zhen Ren remained silent, his hands clenched white in his sleeves. Judging by the expressions of the opposing faction's elders, he could guess about seventy or eighty percent of the truth. With such confidence, the sect leader must have met his end.

For a time, the atmosphere in the hall grew extremely oppressive, laced with a palpable aura of killing intent. The elders from the two factions shared a tacit understanding, locked in silent opposition.

"Blood and slaughter are inevitable."

An old man with a white beard sighed to himself. At his advanced age, his insight was keen; the situation today clearly signaled major events, and Hua Shan Pai might change hands.

"Let's just observe for now."

Another elder transmitted his thoughts. They belonged to neither faction—or more precisely, they had always maintained neutrality, never aiding either side. They had seen such successions of sect leaders too many times before.

No one knew when, but the supreme great elder suddenly opened his eyes, only because a transmission stone in his sleeve had a faint fluctuation. The tiny voice within was audible only to him: The sect leader has been slain.

"It's done."

The supreme great elder smirked, taking a deep breath, his eyes gleaming with barely concealed delight. After so many years, he had finally waited for this day.

Seeing his joy, Di Yuan Zhen Ren and his allies grew even more somber.

"Trouble, big trouble."

The hall's silence was broken by a series of hurried footsteps.

It was an elder who rushed into the hall. "The sect leader's primordial spirit jade tablet has just shattered."

This old fellow put on a good act, though he couldn't hide the wild glee in his eyes. He belonged to the faction opposing the sect leader and had been keeping a close watch on the jade tablet.

"You all..."

Di Yuan Zhen Ren roared in anger, slamming his chair as he stood up, his finger trembling as he pointed at the supreme great elder. His ominous premonition had come true; just as they suspected, this group of despicable old schemers had indeed acted against the sect leader, waiting for news of his death.

"Di Yuan, why this outburst? What do you mean by it?"

The supreme great elder spoke gravely, rising from his seat as well. Ignoring the others, his sharp, eagle-like eyes fixed on Di Yuan Zhen Ren, his cultivation at its peak as he exerted his aura to intimidate.

"You know full well."

Di Yuan Zhen Ren was furious, his killing intent overflowing, his old eyes streaked with blood vessels. The opposing faction's intentions were now crystal clear: They had ambushed the sect leader halfway and were staging a Zheng Bian to seize control.

"Junior Brother Di Yuan, what are you implying?"

Hua Shan Da Zhang Lao's tone was mockingly sarcastic. "The sect leader's fall grieves us all as well."

"Don't play innocent; it's disgusting."

"You..."

"Enough!"

The supreme great elder thundered, his authority on full display, halting the two factions on the brink of conflict. He glanced at Di Yuan Zhen Ren's group and then at the neutral faction before saying leisurely, "The sect leader has met an untimely end; Hua Shan cannot be without a leader for a day. Stabilizing the sect is the top priority right now."

"Uncle-Master speaks wisely."

Hua Shan Da Zhang Lao quickly echoed in agreement.

"Since everyone is here, let's settle this today," the supreme great elder said calmly, returning to his seat.

"Da Zhang Lao is both virtuous and capable; he's the most suitable choice."

No sooner had the words fallen than an elder spoke up—it was the black-robed elder who had once tried to assassinate Ye Chen. He gently stroked his beard, already prepared with his rhetoric. First, let Da Zhang Lao ascend as sect leader; once Hua Shan Shen Zi returned, they could pass the position to him. After all, as long as it was someone from their faction, it didn't matter who.

"No objections?"

"For years, Da Zhang Lao has achieved countless merits; he's truly deserving."

"We are all willing to acknowledge him as the Hua Shan sect leader."

The black-robed elder's words triggered a chain reaction; all from Da Zhang Lao and the supreme great elder's faction chimed in, eager not to be outdone, nearly praising Da Zhang Lao to the point of ascension on the spot.

The neutral elders sat steadily, watching the performance, fully aware of their motives.

"Since all the elders hold me in such high regard, I shall reluctantly take on the role of Hua Shan sect leader. Once the situation stabilizes, I will step down for someone more worthy."

Hua Shan Da Zhang Lao spoke leisurely, stroking his beard, his back straight as an arrow, his expression one of noble resolve. The feeling of being revered was truly delightful.

"I disagree."

Di Yuan Zhen Ren snorted coldly, and behind him, a group of elders rose in unison, glaring at the opposition. They had killed the Hua Shan sect leader and now thought they could change leadership with a few words? It wouldn't be that easy.

The elders were united in their indignation, their gazes resolute, ready to fight if necessary. The Hua Shan sect leader couldn't die in vain; they would make these murderers pay in blood.

"Then tell us, besides Da Zhang Lao, who else is qualified?"

Again, it was the black-robed elder, speaking leisurely as he sat there, eyeing Di Yuan Zhen Ren with a provocative gaze.

This question left Di Yuan Zhen Ren at a loss for words.

Indeed, in terms of cultivation and seniority, Da Zhang Lao was the prime candidate. Back in the days when they vied for the sect leader position, Da Zhang Lao had only lost to Hua Shan Zhen Ren by half a move. Among his peers in Hua Shan, who could compare?

"You might as well speak! Who else is qualified?"

The black-robed elder sneered, pressing aggressively.

"I wonder if this old one might be qualified."

Before Di Yuan Zhen Ren could respond, a ethereal voice echoed into the hall.

As the words faded, a figure entered like a ghost, exuding an immortal aura, with a serene and refined demeanor, like an elderly transcendent immortal, his Dao essence perfectly harmonious.

And who else could it be but Hua Shan Zhen Ren?