"This child is too arrogant."
He Yuqing, the Vice President of the Celestial God Association, struck the table with a fist and said loudly:
"If he continues to be so aggressive, won’t others think we’re easy to bully if we keep retreating?"
"As time goes on, our enemies within the guild will jump out. Though they are mere clowns, having a Dao Child lead them would pose a significant threat."
He lifted his head to look at Tang Xingye and said loudly:
"President, we have no retreat now. Let’s do this!"
The other high-ranking members of the guild also looked at Tang Xingye with eyes full of expectation.
Tang Xingye frowned deeply, not responding immediately.
He Yuqing spoke up again:
"President, are you worried this child can transform into a dragon? Although his transformation is formidable, it doesn’t last long. You’re only a step away from becoming an Earth Immortal and have two Tier Ten Treasures. Even if faced with an Earth Immortal, you can withstand them until his transformation ends without issue."
"His Immortal Foundation is strong, but how long has he been cultivating? His accumulation is far less than the President’s. Once his transformation ends, it will be his demise."
The crowd chimed in one after another, uniting the entire guild in thought.
Facing the expectant looks from all directions within the guild, Tang Xingye’s fighting spirit was also ignited, finally overcoming a bit of unease in his heart as he made up his mind:
"Since Su Yu is pressing so aggressively, how can I sit and wait for death?"
"From now on, the guild is in an emergency state. Begin full mobilization."
"Yuqing, you are responsible for contacting friendly cultivators within the sect, inviting skilled fighters at twice the market price."
He Yuqing immediately responded:
"I guarantee to complete the mission."
"Ye Chen, you are responsible for contacting experts near the endless forest, inviting them at twice the market price as well, also ensuring suppression of local guilds to prevent them from taking advantage during our battle."
"Jiang Lang, you are responsible for reaching out to allied experts from other sects, inviting them at twice the market price as well."
"Alright."
After issuing the tasks, Tang Xingye said coldly:
"I have been a true disciple of the Immortal Sect for over a hundred years and have managed the guild for over a hundred years. How could I fear a newly ascended Dao Child like you? Today, I want to see what you rely on to try and eliminate my Celestial God Association."
The news of the negotiations breaking down was soon leaked by someone, and the entire sect quickly learned that the new Dao Child had taken a stand against the Celestial God Association.
After understanding the specific situation, many were surprised to find that the vast majority of the inner sect disciples sided with the Dao Child.
The Celestial God Association had been domineering for a hundred years, monopolizing the Tongming lineage, causing many disciples’ long-standing dissatisfaction.
But the association had always been powerful, leaving no one able to challenge them. Now that someone intends to take them down, numerous disciples support it, and some who had grievances with the association even openly declared their support for the Thousand Star Hall.
Though support voices were strong in the channel, Su Yu had yet to make an appearance.
After the failed negotiations with the Celestial God Association, he returned directly to the Profound Truth Cave Heaven and remained silent for many days without appearing.
Of course, it wasn’t out of idleness. He used his status as a Dao Child to first visit the Sect Leader, then gradually visit each vein’s head within the sect, seeking their support.
He believed that his proposal to deal with the Celestial God Association would be approved, but it was a significant matter. Bringing it up suddenly would put the Tongming vein head and elders in a difficult position, making him seem overly aggressive by going against fellow sect members right from the start.
By communicating with them in advance, even if some heads or elders opposed it, they would discuss only the matter itself and wouldn’t harbor great resentment toward him personally.
Time passed, day by day.
On the surface, everything seemed calm, but beneath the calm, undercurrents surged as both factions were preparing heavily.
The Celestial God Association was inviting skilled fighters everywhere, with their headquarters near the endless forest fully preparing for war.
In contrast, the actions of the Thousand Star Hall were much smaller. Their territory lay in the East Sea, over ten million kilometers from the sect, so any movements and messages took time to reach.
Apart from the two major guilds, various forces on Blue Mountain Island were also watching closely. Everyone speculated on who would win or lose, with many major powers and trade associations openly placing bets on the outcome.
Although the Thousand Star Hall had the advantage in terms of public opinion, the domineering reputation of the Celestial God Association was poor, but the apparent strength of both sides was laid bare, leading the majority to believe the association was stronger.
In the chaos, time passed unknowingly, and soon it was the day of the Xuanzhen Immortal Sect’s Dao Child ceremony.
"Clang!"
At dawn, a majestic bell rang, echoing through the heavens and earth.
Protective barriers across the sect activated simultaneously, transforming into thirty-six massive purple beams of light, reaching up to the sky, inscribing a formation amidst the clouds. Countless celestial lights and purple energy seemed to converge like rivers into a sea, forming an immense celestial formation.
"Clang!"
The bell tolled again, the center of the celestial formation split open, revealing a cloud sea stretching for miles, with floating immortal islands and countless radiant beams swirling within.
"Clang!"
Nine-colored clouds flowed towards the rift like seawater, cascading like waterfalls, spreading in all directions with the bell’s echo, transforming into a vast sea of clouds.
Countless strands of purple qi fell like heavenly rays, as the thousand spirit beasts raised within the mountains flew out. Celestial cranes carried ginseng, Profound Turtles bore inscriptions, and celestial horses galloped on clouds, all bowing toward the sect’s center.
Three hundred and sixty Inner Sect Disciples, wielding Immortal Swords, tread the stars and arrange the formations, with sword tips pointing to the center. Beneath them, a grand formation rises, converging into a brilliant rainbow light that shoots toward the corner of the Profound Truth Cave Heaven, transforming into a celestial stairway.
"Clang!"
Accompanied by dazzling celestial light soaring to the sky, five golden-scaled Pegasus guide a palace, surrounded by interwoven golden and purple lights, descending slowly along the celestial stairway.