Chapter 878: Separate Paths

Within the Dry Learning State Boundary, at the Gan Dao Sect.

In a grand hall resembling a palace from myths, Elder Shen, who came from the Shen family, was at the Feather Transformation Realm, holding real power. He was currently discussing matters with a group of elders and instructors.

Not long after, Elder Zheng, wearing Gan Dao Sect Daoist robes, with a half-white mustache and hair, and upright eyebrows and eyes, pushed the door open and entered, his face filled with anger.

The hall instantly fell silent for a moment.

Elder Shen looked around, waved his hand, and said, "All of you, leave first. We'll discuss this matter later."

"Yes."

The group of elders and instructors then exited the grand hall.

The hall door closed, leaving only Elder Shen and Elder Zheng inside.

Elder Zheng directly opened his mouth and said, "Regarding the Rouge Boat incident, how do you plan to handle it?"

Elder Shen frowned, "Handle what? What does the Rouge Boat incident have to do with my Gan Dao Sect?"

Elder Zheng coldly laughed, "Let's be honest, don't tell me you know nothing about it."

"Was that ship really just operated by Gui Shui Men?"

"Those disciples gathered, plotting for fame, power, and profit. And in the Dry Learning State Boundary, who are the biggest in fame, profit, and power? Which families?"

"How could your Shen family and the Gan Dao Sect have no connection at all?"

Elder Shen remained silent.

Seeing the situation, Elder Zheng let out a cold laugh:

"It's useless for you not to speak. I've checked, and there's a shadow of your Shen family behind that ship. And many Gan Dao Sect disciples have gone on that ship..."

"Elder Zheng..." Elder Shen's face sank, and he coldly said, "Don't speak slanderously and say such irresponsible things."

Elder Zheng coldly laughed, "Whether it's slander or not, you know clearly in your heart. I only thought you pursued fame and gain, a selfish and greedy person, but I didn't expect your Dao heart to be extinguished to this extent, hiding filth and impurity behind you, doing such a deed worse than a pig or dog..."

Elder Shen angrily slapped the table, and sharply said, "Enough!"

Elder Zheng's face was resolute.

Elder Shen took a breath, suppressing his anger, and pointed at Elder Zheng, saying:

"Surname Zheng, I'm tolerating you out of consideration for your Zheng family. Don't push your luck!"

"What do you mean, push my luck?" Elder Zheng retorted, "Distinguishing right from wrong, wearing the same pants as your Shen family, being a dog and horse for your Shen family, then that's not pushing my luck? Is that the duty of a Gan Dao Sect Elder?"

Elder Shen coldly said, "Elder Zheng, please speak carefully."

"Speak carefully or not, what does it matter? I'll ask you one more question, regarding the Rouge Boat incident, exactly how do you plan to deal with it?" Elder Zheng said with a cold face.

Elder Shen originally didn't want to discuss this matter, but seeing Elder Zheng's determined attitude, refusing to give up until he achieved his goal, and fearing he would blow the matter up, he impatiently said:

"The old ancestor already has a plan for this matter."

"What plan?" Elder Zheng said.

Elder Shen's expression changed, and he sighed slightly, "The Rouge Boat incident was an oversight by my Shen family. We originally just provided a little convenience to Gui Shui Men, but we didn't expect them to be so presumptuous and act arbitrarily..."

"Provided a little convenience?" Elder Zheng's gaze was sharp, "The profits your Shen family gained from this were probably not small, right? Is it because you've eaten too much and are just turning a blind eye?"

Elder Shen did not answer, but counter-questioned, "Which family doesn't seek benefits? Don't you, the Zheng family, talk about benefits?"

"At least my Zheng family will not seek this kind of benefit."

"Good, good, your Zheng family is noble, so what?" Elder Shen said mockingly, "What do you want? To question the crime of my Shen family?"

Elder Zheng: "I naturally can't question the crime of your Shen family. But I am the discipline Elder of the Gan Dao Sect. I cannot ignore those disciples who went on the Rouge Boat and violated sect rules."

Elder Shen suppressed his anger, "What else do you want?"

Elder Zheng said, "Abolish their cultivation and expel them from the sect!"

Elder Shen slapped the table and angrily said, "Nonsense!"

He was so angry that his hands were trembling, "What kind of people are they? They are all... the heavenly pride of various great families, their spirit roots are all of superior quality, they are the most top 'pearls' among the world's cultivators. How can you say abolish and then abolish? Who gave you the guts?"

"Furthermore, what time is it now?"

"The Sword Discussion Assembly is imminent. If you abolish them, who will compete for rankings for my Gan Dao Sect? Who will compete for benefits? Who will compete for a share of the Ganlong Spirit Mine?"

Elder Shen frowned and pointedly accused, "You are a shortsighted person. How can you not consider the overall situation at all?"

"So what?" Elder Zheng coldly laughed, "You just want to protect them like this?"

"This isn't protection..." Elder Shen sighed, "They are still young. Who doesn't make some mistakes when they are young? We must always give them a chance to reform."

"Moreover, I think you should be clear in your heart how important this Sword Discussion Assembly is. Compared to sect benefits, what do these small matters count for?"

Elder Zheng's eyebrows and eyes were sharp, "These are small matters?"

"I said, compared to sect benefits..."

"You talk about family benefits when you open your mouth, and sect benefits when you close your mouth. It's all about benefits. Where is the 'Dao righteousness' of you cultivators?"

"Let's put 'Dao righteousness' aside for now..."

"Why put it aside?" Elder Zheng questioned, and then his voice turned cold, "Dao righteousness, once put down, can it still be picked up?"

Elder Shen impatiently waved his hand, "I can't get through to people like you."

Elder Zheng also had an expression of playing a lute to a cow, "So, this matter is decided like this then?"

Elder Shen said, "Great deeds don't bother with trifles. For the sake of the overall situation, these matters won't be pursued. Moreover..."

Elder Shen originally didn't want to say it, but at this time, he had to lower his voice and warn Elder Zheng, "The old ancestor has already nodded on this matter. Don't cause extra problems."

Old ancestor...

A thick disappointment appeared in Elder Zheng's eyes:

"You are... losing big for small..."

Elder Shen impatiently, "I said this is for the overall situation. How can it be losing big for small?"

Elder Zheng shook his head, and slowly said, "Prioritizing profit over righteousness. If this continues, families and sects will all be types who seek profit and forget righteousness..."

"Feeding on profit and growing fat, occupying profit and exploiting. Great families and great sects will eventually monopolize all benefits and inheritances, becoming colossal entities, causing the cultivation world to be divided from top to bottom, making it impossible for people to live."

"This is a sign of the decay of the heavenly Dao. It looks prosperous, but the great building will collapse, it's just a matter of time."

"Here we go again, here we go again, what great building will collapse, alarmist talk..." Elder Shen impatiently said. He shook his arms, and said arrogantly:

"Look at this Dry Learning State Boundary, look at my Gan Dao Sect, the grand buildings, clouds and fog winding high, where is there no atmosphere of an immortal family? And where will it decay?"

Elder Zheng said indifferently, "Grand buildings only have appearance, clouds and fog float in mid-air. External prosperity cannot cover the decay of the human heart."

"You are still so..." Elder Shen spat out four words, "Incomprehensible!"

He waved his hand, "I don't have time to argue about these things with you. The Dao Discussion Assembly still has important matters to decide. If Elder Zheng has time, just help out. If not, don't cause trouble here, otherwise..."

Elder Shen coldly laughed, "Your position as Elder probably won't last long..."

"No need." Elder Zheng directly threw a jade slip in front of Elder Shen, "I quit!"

Elder Shen was stunned, "What did you say?"

Elder Zheng said word by word, "I said, I'm not doing this broken Elder position at your Gan Dao Sect!"

Elder Shen's face turned ashen. He picked up the jade slip Elder Zheng threw at him and saw the two big characters "Resignation" on the jade slip. He was immediately shocked and somewhat unbelievably said angrily:

"Outrageous! You... you know how many cultivators outside are dying to enter my Gan Dao Sect to seek a position, and you actually, actually..."

Elder Zheng coldly laughed, "The temple of your Gan Dao Sect is too grand. I, this small Buddha, am not worthy."

After finishing, he flicked his sleeve and left.

"Stop!"

Elder Shen immediately shouted, then calmed down a little, looked at Elder Zheng, and slowly said:

"Don't forget, my Gan Dao Sect has an agreement with your Zheng family ancestor. You can leave, but your Zheng family's array must be passed down."

Elder Zheng's face was solemn, "The old ancestor only agreed to consider it. Whether it's passed down in the end is still decided by me."

"Moreover, my Zheng family's Eight Trigrams Thunder Array is extremely rigid and strong, its nature is unyielding. The disciples of the Gan Dao Sect do not have this nature to learn it!"

"Absurd!" Elder Shen pointed at Elder Zheng and said, "Your Zheng family also doesn't think too highly of yourselves. My Gan Dao Sect is a giant in Dry Learning, where heavenly pride gather, widely accepting the talents of heroes from all nine provinces. The disciples of my Gan Dao Sect are not worthy of learning? Who is worthy of learning?"

Elder Zheng laughed mockingly, "Heavenly pride? Their patterns are vulgar, they prioritize profit over righteousness, and indulge in self-interest. Even if they have heaven-grade spirit roots, so what? They are just poison tumors with higher cultivation."

"One day the poison will spread to the world, causing imbalance in the heavenly Dao and bringing about a great calamity. Your Gan Dao Sect is just a place that nurtures enemies! Such a sect, excuse me, Zheng will decline with thanks!"

"Good, good," Elder Shen said angrily, "My Gan Dao Sect is one of the four great sects in Dry Learning, its power is prosperous. Losing one person like you is just like losing a single hair from nine oxen. On the contrary, you... you will absolutely not regret today's decision!"

Elder Zheng looked at Elder Shen with contempt, and without any hesitation, flicked his sleeve and left.

Elder Shen was left alone in the grand hall, smashing tables and slapping tables in powerless rage.

Since he became a true transmission Elder of the Gan Dao Sect, no one had ever dared to disrespect him like this, and even more so, no one would discard the revered position of a Gan Dao Sect Elder like worn shoes.

Elder Shen was extremely angry.

After a while, he suppressed his anger, calmed his expression, and called the elders and instructors outside the hall back in to discuss matters.

The group of elders and instructors, looking at the mess inside the hall and Elder Shen's still angry face, simply dared not speak.

The meeting proceeded as usual.

After discussing matters, Elder Shen compiled all the matters into a jade slip, hid it in his sleeve, and went alone to the highest tower in the Gan Dao Sect.

This tower was built with white jade bricks and glazed tiles, even more magnificent and noble than the palace outside resembling a palace from myths.

In the center of the tower sat an old man.

The old man's mustache and hair were all white, and he wore an embroidered gold splendid robe, possessing an immortal and Daoist aura.

Elder Shen respectfully stepped forward, handed over the jade slip, and then quietly said:

"Old ancestor, everything has been discussed and arranged. This Dao Discussion Assembly, without any accidents, will be handled according to our intentions."

The old man closed his eyes to nurture his spirit and did not speak.

There was some silence in the high building and jade tower.

Elder Shen lowered his head and was silent for a moment, then quietly said again, "That person surnamed Zheng, he didn't know what was good for him and resigned and left..."

The splendid-robed old man then suddenly opened his eyes, looked towards Elder Shen, his gaze slightly condensed.

Elder Shen only felt that the old ancestor's gaze was solemn, filled with dignity and dissatisfaction, so he lowered his head even more and explained:

"This person is arrogant due to his talent and disobedient to control. Therefore, normally, I occasionally used words to deter and suppress him a bit, but I didn't expect..."

He didn't expect that he would really throw away his job and not do it. He would discard the position of an Elder of a four great sects just like that.

The splendid-robed old man's eyebrows slightly frowned. After a moment, his voice was indifferent, "Forget it. Those who want to stay can stay, and those who want to leave cannot be kept."

"Old ancestor," Elder Shen quietly said, "Whether this person surnamed Zheng leaves or stays doesn't matter, but the array on him..."

The splendid-robed old man silently looked at Elder Shen.

Elder Shen then said, "The inheritance of the Zheng family's Eight Trigrams Thunder Array is rare in the cultivation world. Even my Gan Dao Sect, with its long history and deep array foundation, once did not have a thunder path array inheritance."

"If this thunder array can be collected into the Array Pavilion, it will certainly add a lot of color to the array Dao collection of my Gan Dao Sect."

"Old ancestor, what do you think, should we find a way... to make this person surnamed Zheng stay?"

After Elder Shen finished speaking, he lowered his eyebrows and obeyed his eyes, listening to the old ancestor's decision.

The splendid-robed old man silently pondered for a moment, then shook his head, "Forget it. The Eight Trigrams Thunder Array is not easily passed down, nor is it easily learned. If he is unwilling to teach it, we cannot force him."

Elder Shen did not understand and frowned, "Old ancestor, does this array really emphasize an extremely rigid and upright nature?"

Seeing that the old ancestor did not answer, he said again:

"According to disciple's view, what about nature? It's purely illusory. If your spirit root is good, and your root bone is good, what can you not learn? Why talk about nature?"

"I think the Zheng family is mystifying this thunder array. They cherish their broom and are unwilling to pass it on to outsiders, so they use this saying of 'nature and Dao heart' to fob us off."

The splendid-robed old man looked at Elder Shen, shook his head, and didn't want to say more, just instructed:

"Let this matter stop here. As for the Zheng family, if he is willing to stay, just let him stay, as if nothing happened before."

"If he wants to leave, you cannot make things difficult for him."

"Although the Zheng family is secluded in Zhenzhou, they are one of the few families that can inherit thunder array. We must not underestimate them."

"Moreover..."

The splendid-robed old man paused, "The current Dao Discussion Assembly is the main matter. Don't cause extra problems."

"Yes, old ancestor," Elder Shen said.

The splendid-robed old man then picked up the jade slip offered by Elder Shen, scanned it briefly, and nodded slightly.

"Well done. Just instruct it down like this..."

"Remember, either don't do it at all, or do it thoroughly. You can't let things drag on and cause complications."

Elder Shen immediately bowed:

"Respectfully follow the old ancestor's instructions."

Several days later, in the Dry Learning State Boundary, Dry Learning Pavilion.

In the tall and grand hall, the masters of the four great sects, eight great gates, even the twelve streams and the various minor sects among the Dry Learning hundred sects, as well as those with real power among the elders, gathered in one hall to discuss the reform of the sects and the specific regulations of the Dao Discussion Assembly.

Most of the previous matters had already been discussed.

This time, the discussion at the Dry Learning Pavilion was to make a final decision.

But before the meeting, the four great sects, led by the Gan Dao Sect, had issued a proposal.

As soon as the Elder of Tai'a Gate saw the jade slip, he immediately stood up and slapped the table, saying, "Absolutely not!"

Then an elder from Duan Jin Gate said in an ambiguous tone, "Why not?"

The Elder of Tai'a Gate flipped through the jade slip and said, "This change is too big."

"Just some schedule changes, and some minor regulation adjustments, it's nothing..."

"Nonsense!"

Many sects echoed.

"Exactly, things that have been inherited for hundreds of years are changed just like that."

"They don't regard the ancestors' laws at all."

But the dissenters were ultimately in the minority.

Most sects were silent, and some sects clearly supported this proposal.

"The ancestors' laws were originally adjusted according to the times and changed constantly."

"I think the Gan Dao Sect's proposal is very good."

Inside the Dry Learning Pavilion, discussions were everywhere for a time.

Elder Shen, who was in the high seat, coughed once, and waited for the crowd to quiet down a bit before opening his mouth and saying, "Everyone has seen the jade slip. This time's discussion mainly focuses on several points. I hope everyone understands:"

"First, the Sword Discussion Assembly will be moved forward. Sword discussion will come first, then Dao discussion;"

"As everyone knows, the Sword Discussion Assembly is a major event in my Dry Learning State Boundary. Not only do the disciples of the sects gather, and the families assemble, but cultivators from all sides of the various states and boundaries will also come to observe, as it has always been."

"However, according to the past order of first Dao discussion, then Sword discussion, it is just too lengthy."

"The Dao Discussion Assembly, with all its comparisons of talismans, arrays, elixirs, and weapons, has a complex process in itself. Once time is delayed, the Sword Discussion Assembly has to be postponed, which inevitably makes it difficult to distinguish between the main and secondary."

"Therefore, in order to hold the Sword Discussion Assembly on time, and also not to delay the time of cultivators from all sides of the nine provinces, the time for the Sword Discussion Assembly must be moved forward!"

"All manpower and material resources will be concentrated on the Sword Discussion Assembly to ensure that every Sword Discussion Assembly held after this is held on time, and we will strive to make this assembly the biggest event in Dry State, even in the nine provinces."

"This is the first point. Second, after this Sword Discussion Assembly, we will relax the quotas."

"The original intention of the Sword Discussion Assembly was not to let a minority of disciples monopolize the top and steal the limelight, but rather to encourage more sect disciples to actively strive."

"Relaxing the quotas allows more disciples to participate, encourages mutual competition among disciples, and promotes common progress. This is a good thing."

"Third, and the most important point..."

Elder Shen paused, his expression solemn, and said, "From this session onwards, the positions of the four great sects, eight great gates, and even the twelve streams will be decided according to the ranking of each sect in the Dao Discussion Assembly!"

As soon as these words were spoken, there was an uproar in the hall.

Elder Shen paused for a moment, then continued to explain:

"After this, for three sessions, this position will change in each session."

"But after three sessions, the sects' positions will be finally determined and will remain unchanged for one hundred years."

"The reform of the sects, three sessions of Dao Discussion, ten years of time, will decide the positions within one hundred years. After this, every hundred years, such a 'reform' will take place once. The capable will occupy it..."

Elder Shen said earnestly:

"The positions of the four great sects and the eight great gates, which rank first among the thousands of sects in my Dry Learning State Boundary, have significant meaning."

"The teachings of the sects are to pass on the Dao and teach the industry. Those who can teach out excellent disciples and excel in the Dao Discussion Assembly can have the qualification to occupy this position."

"Otherwise, occupying a position without merit, and the name not matching reality, is just inviting ridicule."

"In order to prevent some sects from relying on the merits of their ancestors and not thinking of progress, this matter is led by our four great sects and promoted proactively."

"This is also a kind of spur to us four great sects."

"Among these 'four great sects,' whoever has the ability can rise."

"If the disciples taught by our four great sects are not as skilled as others, we also have no second thoughts and are willing to yield our position."

"The Gan Dao Sect, including the existing four great sects, has absolutely no complaints!"

"Everyone, what do you think..."

Inside the Dry Learning Pavilion, hearts immediately fluttered.

The positions of the four great sects!

Within the Dry Learning State Boundary, there was no sect that didn't want to squeeze into the forefront, didn't want to rank among the four great sects, occupy the largest share of the Ganlong Mountain Range, and swallow this piece of fat.

Even the elders of Tai'a Gate and Chongxu Gate, at this moment, hearing Elder Shen's words, all felt a surge of desire in their hearts.

Suppose, if there was no Rouge Boat incident, they would indeed fight this one no matter what.

But now, they were like dumb people eating bitter herbs, unable to speak of their hardship...

Several sects, including Tai'a Gate, still wanted to try to oppose it.

But the Gan Dao Sect, including the four great sects, had already secretly arranged everything.

These matters were all predestined.

Finally, each sect voted, and almost unanimously agreed to the Gan Dao Sect's proposal.

The various sides contended, each calculating the 'sect reform,' and it formally began to be implemented...

Tai Xu Gate.

In the center of the elders' area, Mo Hua was still following Old Mr. Xun to learn arrays.

To be precise, Mo Hua was "taking an exam."

Old Mr. Xun had arranged a complex array examination paper, which included more than ten second-grade nineteen-pattern arrays, and even peak nineteen-pattern arrays, allowing Mo Hua to draw them all in one go within a limited time.

There were breaks in between, but the time given was very short.

Mo Hua started drawing in the morning and continued until the evening.

When he handed the "exam paper" to Old Mr. Xun, there was still one-third of the incense stick left in the incense burner in front of Old Mr. Xun.

"Finished drawing?"

"Yes." Mo Hua nodded.

Old Mr. Xun took Mo Hua's array exam paper and carefully looked at each array one by one.

Although time was limited, although the patterns were numerous, and although the difficulty of the arrays was very high.

But the patterns on the exam paper were drawn with rigorous and orderly strokes, just like they were printed, without a trace of error!

Even the penmanship was pure and perfect, without any flaws.

Completing this top-level array grand exam with this standard is almost impossible for a second-grade array master.

Even if an ordinary third-grade array master came to take the exam, they fundamentally wouldn't be able to reach this level.

Solid foundation, broad knowledge, rich experience, and deep attainment.

Profound and unfathomable divine sense, thousands of times refined penmanship.

Even if an old monster who has seized a body came to draw second-grade arrays, they would probably only be this good...

Old Mr. Xun took a deep breath, then looked deeply at Mo Hua, and the heart that had been hanging in his chest finally slowly settled...