Chapter 133: Palace Master Fang Has News

Mu Fanghe’s words left everyone present exchanging bewildered glances, unable to fathom why the situation was so urgent that it could stir a man of his stature to such agitation.

Liu Junhuai continued, "Senior Mu and I share the same thought. The Blood-Slaying Alliance has been nearly wiped out in the Western Region, which will undoubtedly draw their intense scrutiny. With the Chu family—a super-power capable of overshadowing most of the Star-Sky Continent—providing cover, the Alliance is certain to launch a massive operation. Only by swiftly seizing Liangqiu Tuochu can we ensure the Western Region remains peaceful for the time being."

Mu Fanghe looked at Liu Junhuai with a sense of relief. "Junhuai is absolutely right. This is no alarmist talk. Once the Blood-Slaying Alliance initiates its subversion plan, it will be an earth-shattering catastrophe. They have been plotting this for a long time. The series of strikes by your Sect Alliance has inadvertently torn a corner off their grand conspiracy. If I were the Grand Alliance Master, I would certainly suspect that the actions taken against us in the Western Region were premeditated. The Alliance has been planning for so long and has already planted countless 'time bombs' across numerous sects. Once these hidden agents erupt simultaneously, the entire Star-Sky Continent will descend into chaos, providing the perfect opportunity for them to usurp power."

Ren Yinhuai nodded in agreement. "The Blood-Slaying Alliance is brimming with confidence, waiting for a catalyst to erupt. Now that they have sensed a threat, they might simply choose to strike preemptively. To prevent disaster, we must immediately notify the regional governors and even the Star-Sky Council. Even if it turns out to be a false alarm, it will serve as a necessary warning for all regions to heighten their vigilance. Regional Governor Mu, the arrest of Liangqiu Tuochu is imperative!"

Mu Fanghe’s expression turned grim. After a moment of silent contemplation, he turned to Fang Yexu and Guan Chaoyong. "The two of you will remain here tomorrow to continue discussions. Contact me immediately if there are any new developments. I will return to the regional government office right after tomorrow’s grand ceremony. You and the Sect Alliance must not leave this area for now; remain on standby."

He then turned to the members of the Sect Alliance. "I will immediately send word to reliable people in the regional government to rush here. You must quickly compile the information you have gathered into booklets—prepare several dozen copies in the form of jade slips. Once my people arrive tomorrow, we will split into two groups and strive to notify every regional government in the shortest possible time."

Liu Junhuai said, "Please rest assured, Senior Mu. After tomorrow’s ceremony, the Sect Alliance will hold its first general assembly. The representatives of various sects will not return immediately and will await your orders at any time. Also, Senior Mu, please do not appear too anxious, lest your attendants become suspicious."

Mu Fanghe’s expression softened slightly as he bowed deeply to the group. "Do not blame me for being overly concerned. You have made tremendous contributions to the Western Region and even the entire Star-Sky Continent. If the cultivation world can survive this calamity, you all deserve the greatest credit. Even if the defense of the Star-Sky Continent fails, your actions have provided the Western Region with a temporary calm, giving us precious time to react. Very well, rewards shall wait until victory is secured. I cannot delay any longer, or it will arouse suspicion. You must work hard to prepare those jade slips quickly!"

After seeing the three men off, the Sect Alliance, under Ren Yinhuai’s direction, immediately began the production of the jade slips.

Xiao Qingtian pulled Liu Junhuai aside and whispered, "Who would have thought it would come to this? Because of us, the Blood-Slaying Alliance is about to plunge the world into chaos. You are the instigator, and I am the one who fanned the flames. I only hope that our moment of righteous fervor does not end up causing the suffering of all living beings in the cultivation world."

Looking at Xiao Qingtian’s worried expression, Liu Junhuai felt a pang of guilt. After all, Sect Leader Xiao had been dragged into this entirely because of him.

He silently handed Xiao Qingtian a glass of wine and said, "Uncle Xiao, even without our actions, the Blood-Slaying Alliance would have acted eventually. If that had happened, most cultivators would still be in the dark, caught off guard with no hope of resistance. Wouldn't that lead to even greater catastrophe, with tens or hundreds of times more victims? Our actions have at least alerted them; if they choose not to join the resistance now, they cannot blame us. Uncle Xiao, I want to ask you: why do you cultivate?"

Xiao Qingtian replied, "At first, it was to avoid being bullied by the strong. As my cultivation level rose, I developed a desire for power. Once I attained power, my cultivation was driven by a longing to ascend to the Immortal Realm. Why do you ask?"

Liu Junhuai said, "Uncle Xiao, after ascending to the Immortal Realm, cultivators pursue something higher: the comprehension of the Dao! Every step we take relies on a guaranteed environment for survival. If we cannot even guarantee our own safety, how can we pursue the call of the Great Dao? This Blood-Slaying Alliance is the evil force destroying the survival environment of all cultivators. Do you think you can hide from it? Even if you could, how can you improve your state of mind while living in fear? The Heavenly Tribulation will destroy all weakness. Any flaw in the cultivator will draw the tribulation into their body, no matter how high their cultivation level is!

"Only by bravely facing evil can one improve their state of mind, even if they fail. This evil is not as irresistible as the Heavenly Tribulation, and no one forces you to defeat it. Since we have encountered it, it must be fated—a unique form of cultivation for a cultivator, just different from our daily meditation. Such a trial of the Heavenly Dao... if you try to avoid it instead of facing it, your trial of the heart will fail. Your state of mind will forever have a flaw, and all your cultivation will eventually amount to nothing."

Xiao Qingtian listened intently to Liu Junhuai’s explanation. The more he heard, the colder the sweat that broke out on his skin. A shudder ran through him, and his mind suddenly cleared. Liu Junhuai’s words were profound and hit the mark. Xiao Qingtian realized he had been suffering from a demonic obstacle of the heart, which had been exploiting his fear of the looming catastrophe to break his psychological defenses. Liu Junhuai’s words had pulled him back from that fear, step by step, helping him rebuild his confidence in victory.

Liu Junhuai watched silently as Xiao Qingtian’s expression shifted, and a faint smile touched his lips. He knew Xiao Qingtian had gained some insight and his state of mind would soon recover.

After a long while, Xiao Qingtian let out a long howl toward the sky, his eyes filled with renewed determination. He looked at Liu Junhuai with gratitude and said, "Thank you, Junhuai. I feel my state of mind has improved slightly. Thank you for helping me overcome this trial of the heart!"

After bidding farewell to the Sect Alliance members, Liu Junhuai went to oversee the preparations for the founding ceremony the following day.

The plaza outside the assembly hall was brightly lit and bustling with activity. Even Mei Bingyi’s mother and Shen Yihuan were sweating profusely. Because so many people were attending, tomorrow’s ceremony would have to be held outdoors.

Palace Master Fang led a group of Juechen Palace disciples in arranging tables and chairs, while Shen Duoduo and Wu Bini were busy decorating the main stage.

Seeing Liu Junhuai arrive, Palace Master Fang walked up and asked, "How did it go? Can the people from the regional government be trusted?"

Liu Junhuai replied, "Regional Governor Mu and the two hall masters are on our side. There might be others sent to spy among his attendants, but fortunately, the three of them were prepared. Mother, after tomorrow’s ceremony, the sects that join the Alliance will stay for a few days. Something major is likely to happen in the cultivation world!"

Palace Master Fang looked nervous. "What is it? Is the Blood-Slaying Alliance going to attack the Sect Alliance?"

Liu Junhuai smiled. "Not yet! Where is Grandfather? Let’s go find them and explain everything there, so I don’t have to repeat myself."

Palace Master Fang laughed. "Look at us, so busy that we find your explanations tedious?"

Chatting, the two found Fang Keyin and Bian Yanshan, who were busy writing banners. After hearing Liu Junhuai’s brief explanation, everyone realized the severity of the matter and looked at Liu Junhuai—the instigator of all this—in a long, heavy silence.

Finally, Palace Master Fang spoke first. "Junhuai, I’ve thought about it carefully, and we really owe it to you and the Sect Alliance. At least now Juechen Palace has a sense of preparation. With you stirring things up, the Blood-Slaying Alliance won't be able to spare attention for the Western Region for a while. During this time, each sect can make thorough defensive preparations, and core talented disciples can be safely relocated, ensuring that no sect’s heritage is lost. Besides, most of our core strength lacks the tempering of a harsh environment. With the baptism of blood and fire, perhaps Juechen Palace will see its first increase in strength in a century. This is not necessarily a bad thing."

Fang Keyin said, "You are right to think that way. The cultivation world was meant to be a place of storms and bloodshed. In this world full of the strong, cultivation and strength cannot be improved solely through hard work. The more one experiences, the broader their future path becomes. Unfortunately, fewer and fewer people understand this truth today. Yingqiu, do you remember how many years it has been since Juechen Palace disciples participated in a battle involving more than ten people? In my memory, it seems not a single disciple has died in years. 'Be prepared for danger in times of peace' is just a nice saying! Without the threat of life and death, people have become lazy!"

Bian Yanshan laughed from the side, "The Fang family are all fighters! Even the old man is like that, and the women, too. You should just maintain your 'mother of the world' composure and stop meddling in men’s wars."

"Father, look at Uncle Bian, always teasing me! He’s been teasing me for over twenty years!" Seeing Palace Master Fang’s uncharacteristic, daughter-like behavior, Liu Junhuai nearly bit his tongue. His future mother-in-law no longer possessed any of the imposing dignity of a palace master.

Fang Keyin shook his head with a smile and winked at Liu Junhuai, who remained bewildered, failing to grasp the hidden meaning in his eyes.

Seeing that Liu Junhuai didn't understand, Fang Keyin said helplessly, "Junhuai, let’s go help Duoduo and the others; look how tired those two girls are!"

Liu Junhuai looked toward the main stage and said strangely, "They don't look tired; they're just chatting!"

As he spoke, he suddenly saw Fang Keyin signaling him incessantly. A flash of understanding crossed his mind, and he glanced sideways to see Palace Master Fang and Bian Yanshan bickering with great spirit.

What was going on? Liu Junhuai was shocked! In a moment of carelessness, he nearly bit his tongue again.