At this moment, Hu Zongzhu of the Hongyun Sect was thoroughly enjoying the current atmosphere. In the past, whenever he had the chance to visit the Jiuxiao Sect, he had to keep a low profile and behave himself. But now, the way he surveyed the surroundings was as if he were looking upon his own sect.
Hu Zongzhu picked up his teacup and took a small sip. Immediately afterward, he placed the cup back on the table beside him with a thud. He fixed his gaze on the Jiuxiao Sect disciple who was serving them, his expression turning somewhat displeased as he spoke.
“What kind of tea is this? It’s unbearably bitter. Serving such low-quality tea to us—do you intend to insult all the sect leaders present here today?” Hu Zongzhu was clearly upset.
He was very familiar with the taste of this tea. Back when the Jiuxiao Sect was powerful, this was the kind of tea they had served him. But now, things were no longer what they used to be. Did they really think they could dismiss them with the same tea?
“Master Hu, this is the tea we’ve always used in the Jiuxiao Sect,” one disciple replied with a slight frown, stepping forward.
Just then, a disciple from Hongyun Sect, standing behind Hu Zongzhu, suddenly stepped forward and slapped the Jiuxiao Sect disciple, sending him flying.
“Hmph, if our sect leader says it’s low-quality tea, then it is low-quality tea. Hurry up and bring out your best tea,” the disciple sneered.
The Jiuxiao Sect disciple, still reeling from the slap, was visibly furious and wanted to rush forward and fight back.
When had they ever suffered such treatment before?
The leaders of the various sects remained calm and composed in their seats, watching the scene unfold before them with cold amusement. In their hearts, they were eager to see how the Jiuxiao Sect would respond.
If Jiuxiao couldn’t endure the provocation and resorted to fighting, that was exactly what they wanted.
Inciting trouble and seizing the sect—Jiuxiao’s vast lands and rich resources were more than enough for them to divide among themselves.
The Hongyun Sect disciple, at this moment, stood tall and proud, his heart filled with excitement. In the past, Jiuxiao had been like an insurmountable mountain in their minds, an impossible peak to climb.
But now that Jiuxiao had declined, wasn’t it now just a soft persimmon, theirs to squeeze and strike as they pleased?
“You…” the Jiuxiao Sect disciple was about to say something when he was suddenly stopped by another figure.
“Senior Brother…” the disciple, his face flushed with anger, looked at the one who had stopped him, his heart full of resentment.
“Step aside. Have someone prepare the best tea for all the sect leaders. I’ll handle this,” Wu Hao ordered.
Though the disciple was clearly unhappy, he could only nod reluctantly at this point.
“Master Hu, esteemed sect leaders, I apologize for the poor hospitality. I’ve already had someone prepare fresh tea,” Wu Hao said, bowing respectfully to the gathered sect leaders.
Wu Hao had once been a formidable figure in the Jiuxiao Sect, proud and arrogant. But now, with Jiuxiao’s decline, he had to swallow his pride for the sake of the sect’s survival.
“Haha, very well. You certainly know how to handle things. We won’t hold this against you. It’s getting late—has the new sect leader not arrived yet?” Hu Zongzhu said with a smile and a wave of his hand.
“He will be here shortly,” Wu Hao replied. He then glanced at the gathered crowd and slowly stepped back. Of these thirty-eight sects, not one had pure intentions.
The Jiuxiao Sect disciples who were busy around them felt a deep sense of frustration as they witnessed the scene. They knew all these sect leaders well—once, they had all fawned over Jiuxiao, desperately trying to curry favor. Now, however, they were brazen and arrogant, no longer regarding Jiuxiao as a power to be reckoned with.
They understood in their hearts that this was all because Jiuxiao had declined.
But this dramatic reversal left them stunned and unable to adjust quickly.
Watching the disciples of the thirty-eight sects strutting around with an air of superiority, pointing fingers and treating them like servants, they burned with anger.
Yet, they knew what they must do. For now, they could only swallow their pride and endure, or else they would bring trouble to their sect leader.
“The sect leader has arrived…”
At that moment, Xinfeng approached from a distance. Upon hearing this announcement, the thirty-eight sect leaders exchanged meaningful glances.
They did not stand up, remaining seated.
The disciples of the thirty-eight sects exchanged whispers, their chatter particularly grating.
“So this is Jiuxiao’s new sect leader.”
“I know him—he’s the number one prodigy of Jiuxiao.”
“Hehe, looks like Jiuxiao has truly declined. Though he’s their top genius, his strength pales in comparison to our sect leaders. Even our elders could easily crush him.”
…
The Jiuxiao Sect disciples around clenched their fists, filled with anger and resentment.
Feng Xiaoling followed closely behind Xinfeng. Though he was displeased with the current situation, he had already expected it.
Xinfeng’s gaze remained calm and composed, seemingly unfazed by everything. He soon reached the main seat and bowed respectfully to the gathered crowd.
“Thank you all for coming. I am Xinfeng, and today I assume the position of Jiuxiao Sect leader.”
The thirty-eight sect leaders exchanged glances before half-heartedly bowing and offering some polite words. But they hadn’t come here to exchange pleasantries—they had their own agenda.
Xinfeng sat silently, saying nothing, and the atmosphere in the hall grew quiet.
The Jiuxiao disciples stood behind him, knowing that today would not be easy.
At this moment, Hu Zongzhu of the Hongyun Sect let out a laugh. “Jiuxiao has recently suffered great upheaval—we all deeply regret it…”
Hearing Hongyun speak first, the other sect leaders straightened their backs. They knew the important part was about to begin.
“However, after much discussion among us, we have reached a consensus. We hope Sect Leader Xinfeng will hear us out,” Hu Zongzhu continued.
Xinfeng’s fingers trembled slightly before he forced a smile. “Please, Master Hu, go ahead.”
Hu Zongzhu coughed lightly, then looked around the room before speaking bluntly. “Jiuxiao once flourished and occupied many territories. Originally belonging to our thirty-eight sects, we suggest that Sect Leader Xinfeng return these lands to us for the sake of future peaceful coexistence.”
“That’s right.”
“Most of Jiuxiao’s lands were seized from us. Now the time has come, it’s only fair they be returned.”
The other thirty-eight sect leaders nodded in agreement.
Xinfeng’s expression shifted slightly before he calmly smiled. “Esteemed sect leaders, I must say, I don’t quite understand your meaning. When did Jiuxiao ever seize your lands? Those territories have all been passed down from our ancestors…”
Hu Zongzhu of Hongyun Sect immediately waved his hand, interrupting Xinfeng before he could finish.
“Sect Leader Xinfeng, we came here in principle to discuss matters with you. If you insist on ignoring our request, we thirty-eight sects won’t hesitate to go to war with Jiuxiao. Think carefully.”
Hu Zongzhu’s expression turned cold, no longer bothering with subtlety. With Jiuxiao’s decline, he had tried to speak politely first—if the other side understood the situation, they wouldn’t want to break relations. But judging from the current situation, it seemed harsh words were necessary to make them realize their position.
“Might I ask, Master Hu, exactly which territories are you referring to?” Xinfeng asked calmly, though his hands were tightly clenched beneath his sleeves.
“The Hailie Mountains belong to Hongyun Sect,” Hu Zongzhu had already prepared his response. “Jiuxiao has controlled the Hailie Mountains for thousands of years, causing us great losses. If Sect Leader Xinfeng truly wishes for peaceful coexistence, perhaps you could offer one hundred valuable treasures as compensation.”
“And what about the rest of you?” Xinfeng asked, his tone unchanged, though his heart was burning with fury.
The other sect leaders quickly followed suit, each voicing their demands.
After the last sect leader had spoken, every Jiuxiao disciple’s face turned red—not from excitement, but from pure rage.
At this moment, Xinfeng stood up, his gaze fixed on the crowd as he gritted his teeth and said, “Are you all trying to carve up Jiuxiao?”
Xinfeng had already prepared for some losses, but he hadn’t expected the thirty-eight sects to be so brazen as to attempt to divide Jiuxiao entirely.
“That’s not how we see it. We’re only reclaiming what’s rightfully ours,” Hu Zongzhu replied.
“That’s right.”
“It’s time to return what was taken.”
…
The other sect leaders nodded in agreement.
“That’s impossible…” Xinfeng glared furiously.
Hu Zongzhu of Hongyun Sect glanced at Xinfeng, then sneered coldly and stood up. “Whether it’s possible or not is no longer your decision to make.”
“That’s right. If Jiuxiao refuses to return our lands, we thirty-eight sects will form an alliance and completely eradicate Jiuxiao from the Western Extreme Lands.”
At this moment, all thirty-eight sect leaders stood up.
They had already decided—Jiuxiao was theirs for the taking. If negotiations failed, even better. They would simply attack and wipe Jiuxiao out entirely.
The Jiuxiao disciples standing nearby were filled with anger. This was truly an unbearable humiliation.
Xinfeng took a deep breath.
“Hey, look over there—there’s a warship approaching!” One disciple suddenly shouted, pointing into the distance.
At that moment, everyone turned their gaze to the horizon, involuntarily gasping in shock. What a massive warship!
The thirty-eight sect leaders exchanged glances. Was someone else coming to claim a share?
Xinfeng stood there, his fists clenched tightly. Was Jiuxiao truly destined to be carved up like a sheep by these wolves today?
The Jiuxiao disciples hung their heads, their hearts filled with shame. This was a disgrace.
Tai Sui Yellow Amulet Paper FuLu Taoist Love Talisman Traditional Chinese Spiritual Charm Attracting Love Protecting Marriage