Chapter 35

Two hundred years ago, the leader of the Qingping Sect, which ranked second in the Zixiao Hall, was exceptionally talented and a prodigy of his generation. Unwilling to see the leader of the Ziyang Sect succeed as the head of the hall, he first proposed a martial competition. When that failed, he suggested that the disciples choose their own leader. The other eight sects had mixed reactions, with many, including the senior elders, believing that the leader of the Qingping Sect was indeed the best candidate. However, the Ziyang Sect argued that the great battle with the evil sect a hundred years ago had cost them many talented individuals, and they should follow the old rules, with the leader of the Ziyang Sect taking over.

If everyone were devoted to cultivation, they wouldn't fight over the position of leader. However, there were few such devoted cultivators in the Zixiao Hall. When mediation by the senior elders failed, a small incident led to a major internal conflict between the sects. The Qingping Sect, at the height of its power, suppressed the Ziyang Sect. The leader of the Ziyang Sect immediately contacted the leaders of the other eight sects, promising that the leaders of the Zixiao Hall's sects could recruit their own disciples, on the condition that they must recognize the leader of the Ziyang Sect as the head. The leaders of the eight sects could follow orders but not be summoned. This meant that if you were in trouble, they had to help you, but they didn't have to obey your commands. This system, modeled after the political structure of Zhongzhou, granted the leaders of the eight sects the independence of feudal lords.

Although the Qingping Sect, led by its talented leader, had many experts, it was no match for the combined forces of the nine sects. The senior elders, while criticizing the leader of the Ziyang Sect for his absurd promise of following orders but not being summoned, tried their best to stop the internal conflict. However, the situation was already out of control. In the end, the nine sects suffered heavy losses, and the Qingping Sect lost most of its members, with its leader also falling in battle. The remaining disciples fled to the Northern Continent and eventually established the Qingping Sect there.

After the conflict, at the request of the senior elders, the leaders of the nine sects swore not to engage in internal conflicts again. Although their strength was weakened by the internal strife, the Zixiao Hall, with its deep roots and abundant spiritual resources, continued to produce new generations. Two hundred years later, the Zixiao Hall regained its status as the leading orthodox sect.

When Ziyun Zhenren heard this, he thought the Qingping Sect was deliberately causing trouble, which was why Zhang Tongyuan had issued a proclamation. He was about to order the Ziyang Sect to be on high alert when the leader of the Yunqing Sect, Zhengyi Sect, stepped forward: "Ziyun Zhenren, this portrait seems to be of my wayward disciple."

"Hmm?" Ziyun Zhenren was taken aback and took out the second portrait: "Sanzhen Zhenren, do you recognize him?" The leader of the Zhengyi Sect was ranked third before he became a monk. After his master, the transmission elder, passed away, he cultivated under the protection of the law elder along with the leader of the Yunqing Sect, still ranking third. The leader of the Yunqing Sect jokingly called him "Sanzhen," and everyone followed suit. Eventually, when he became the leader of the sect, he was known as Sanzhen Zhenren. Sanzhen was very laid-back and went along with whatever he was called. Zhang Lao called him "Third Elder," and he responded, and Lin Fan called him "Sect Leader," and he responded.

Sanzhen Zhenren glanced at Ziyun Zhenren, who was in his forties but looked like he was in his early twenties, with a handsome appearance and deep cultivation. Unfortunately... Sanzhen Zhenren didn't know how to say it. This guy, Ximen Shuai, was the only disciple of the former Demon Lord of the Demon Sect. How could you, as a sect leader, not know about this? Although Ximen Shuai wasn't prominent, he still had this identity. Sanzhen knew Ziyun Zhenren, who was highly talented, deeply cultivated, and diligent. He was also very handsome and was deeply favored by the former leader of the sect. Later, with the support of the former leader, who was also the former head, he and the former leader's daughter practiced dual cultivation, and with the head's full support, he eventually became the leader of the Ziyang Sect.

Although they were cultivators, they all had their own selfish desires. Fortunately, the Zixiao Hall had the First Library: the Library Hall, where the leaders of each sect taught based on their talents to strengthen their own sects. Otherwise, the Zixiao Hall wouldn't be able to maintain its status as the leading sect.

The leader of the Yunqing Sect was elected, with the leaders of each sect selecting their three most outstanding disciples. These disciples were then evaluated by the Yinxian Sect to determine a few candidates, who were then assigned tasks, such as visiting the Demon Sect or mediating conflicts between sects. The final leader might not be the most powerful in cultivation, but they would have deep experience and a good understanding of human relations and the twelve continents' cultivation sects.

Sanzhen Zhenren looked at Ximen Shuai's portrait for a while and shook his head: "I don't recognize him."

A sect leader from the Southern Continent's Leishan Sect glanced at Sanzhen and then realized something. Seeing Ziyun Zhenren look at him, he also shook his head: "I don't recognize him." He thought to himself, the Qingping Sect in the Northern Continent was determined to become stronger and had already become the leading sect in the Northern Continent. The Zixiao Hall seemed strong on the outside but weak on the inside. If this was really Sanzhen Zhenren's disciple, the best course of action for Ziyun Zhenren would be to send someone to invite him, giving the Yunqing Sect a great face, and then explain the situation and make a fair decision while taking care of the Yunqing Sect. When Ziyun Zhenren spoke, the Leishan Sect leader sighed lightly.

"Zhang Tongyuan, how did your disciple offend my disciple?" Ziyun Zhenren asked.

If you were a sect leader, you could勉强 say this out of favoritism, but as the head, saying this makes you seem petty. The worst part is that without investigation, you're already attributing the blame to the other side's disciple.

Sanzhen Zhenren smiled: "It must be my wayward disciple. I will go and find him."

The other sect leaders and heads, hearing this, had their own thoughts but didn't say anything.

Sanzhen Zhenren used some unknown method and spent only a little over an hour to bring Lin Fan to the Zixiao Hall. At the same time, Zhang Tongyuan also returned to the Zixiao Hall, and the banquet was nearing its end.

Zhang Tongyuan frowned, feeling that this was not right. He hadn't asked the head or other sect disciples for help; he just had the Ziyang Sect disciples gang up on Lin Fan and Ximen Shuai. Using the authority of elders to suppress others made Zhang Tongyuan feel completely defeated. "Head, you should focus on entertaining guests. Why get involved in the affairs of the second-generation disciples?"

The head whispered to Zhang Tongyuan: "I will stand up for you."

Zhang Tongyuan felt uneasy and bowed: "Head, the fault lies with me. I got itchy hands when I saw that they were fellow cultivators..."

"Shut up." Ziyun Zhenren walked down and greeted him: "Sanzhen Zhenren, it's... well, just a misunderstanding. Please don't be hard on your disciple."

Sanzhen Zhenren said: "You should thank Ziyun Zhenren for not punishing him."

"Thank you, Ziyun Zhenren. I was disrespectful. Please forgive me," Lin Fan replied.

Ziyun Zhenren was secretly pleased with himself for turning the situation around. As Ziyun Zhenren turned, Lin Fan, annoyed, raised his little finger and wiggled it at Zhang Tongyuan, who was standing by the throne. Zhang Tongyuan felt his face heat up and turned his head away, pretending not to see.

The banquet ended, and everyone said their goodbyes. Sanzhen Zhenren and Lin Fan flew out of the Zixiao Hall and landed in front of a small temple. Ximen Shuai was sitting outside the temple. Seeing Sanzhen Zhenren, Ximen Shuai straightened his clothes and politely said: "I, a junior, greet Sanzhen Zhenren."

Sanzhen Zhenren smiled: "Ximen Shuai, why are you being so formal with me?"

Ximen Shuai said: "My master met Sanzhen Zhenren before he passed away and told me that the leader of Yunqing Mountain would be Sanzhen Zhenren."

"Guess wrong? Ha ha." Sanzhen Zhenren said: "It's better to offend a gentleman than a petty person. Ziyun Zhenren is very protective of his disciples and lacks the demeanor of a sect leader. You should not stay in the Zixiao Hall for long. Leave quickly."

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