Demon Sword Sect's Undercover-Chapter 751 - 750: Shan Sect Annual Meeting 01

On the twenty-fourth day of the twelfth lunar month, the annual Shan Sect gathering commenced.

The Shan Sect annual gathering occurs once every ten years, specifically after the first snowfall of the twelfth lunar month.

This tradition mainly aligns with the cycle of the Spiritual Green meteorite from Outer Space, falling once every sixty years, integrating selections and gatherings into one event.

Theoretically, according to the falling pattern of the Spiritual Green, there are six gatherings every cycle, with the first two being relatively simple, merely internal gatherings for discussions and strengthening bonds; starting from the third gathering, serious matters are addressed. This current gathering should be the fourth in the cycle, where the candidates for True Inheritor are usually finalized without further changes.

The fifth gathering is a preparation for the fall of the Spiritual Green, no longer involving selection issues; the sixth is self-explanatory, with cultivators from across the continent coming together to witness the spectacle from outer space, known as the Jinxiu Continent Jiazi Year Meeting.

Not just the Shan Sect but virtually all other Daoist sects across the continent follow a similar tradition, differing only in whether they occur every ten, eight, or twelve years. Yet all culminate in the continent-wide Jiazi Year Meeting—a cyclical endpoint.

However, this cycle’s fall of the Spiritual Green is extremely crucial, potentially determining who will unlock the Heaven and Earth Chains in the future. Thus, the competition for the true transmission within each Daoist lineage has become fierce, even bloody—Shan Sect is certainly not alone in this aspect.

Assignments, networking, nepotism, factional strife, and power struggles... these elements exist within every sect, and Shan Sect is far from being the worst offender. Even in recent times, the same chaotic situations have been seen within the major Great Dao and Great Buddha Sects.

Ambition is not solely possessed by Hou Niao or sword cultivators, it’s ubiquitous!

It’s also an existing power dynamic, each major Daoist lineage also keeping a watchful eye on each other, keen to see any new moves or reforms from others before deciding whether to follow suit.

Being one of the early Sects to hold its annual gatherings, the Shan Sect has thus attracted countless observers eager to see how this Demon Sect leader responds to the massive changes of Heaven and Earth.

In this sense, Hou Niao’s current actions and their potential impact may extend beyond just the Shan Sect, possibly affecting the entire continent!

Is it to be drastic and bold, or cautious and careful? There needs to be a major sect to lead the way, or perhaps, to cast the first stone.

In this era, all cultivators in the Tongtian Realm are fixated on the Spiritual Green that will arrive twenty years from now, particularly focusing on those who currently hold the position of True Disciples, exploring ways to overthrow them and climb to the top themselves. Everyone is still figuring it out.

Undercurrents are stirring, restlessness abounds—it’s a defining feature of these times; it’s precisely because of this that even the traditionally conservative masters of the Shan Sect have been forced to begrudgingly implement limited reforms, such as the establishment of the Seeking Truth Hall.

For cultivators, the most vital sense is to follow the tide, never to go against it, for even a genius would be crushed by the wheel of history if they do.

...At the heart of Yujing City, centered around the Heaven Measuring Sword Pavilion, thousands of cultivators gathered. Besides the disciples from Shan Sect, there were also many observers, mostly allies from various sects of the southwest, along with guests from the Daoist Sect.

At such a moment, it wouldn’t be polite to turn those willing to attend away, would it?

Cultivators began to appear in the vast plaza in front of Heaven Measuring Sword Pavilion at sunrise. Despite the thousands present, there wasn’t a single sound of disorder; those who made it here were at least at the Tongxuan Realm within Daoist Method, with no place for lesser cultivators, and even amid the bone-chilling breeze of the twelfth month, it scarcely mattered to them.

The Heaven Measuring Sword Pavilion is an open pavilion with only a roof but no walls; the pavilion has three levels—three levels to honor the heavens, two to honor the sword, and one to honor the people.

Though it only has three floors, each floor is exceptionally high, so even from the first floor, one can look down upon all beings.

All attendees stood below the platform, with those of higher realms standing closer to the Sword Pavilion. For instance, right now, in the front row of Heaven Measuring Sword Pavilion stood thirteen variously dressed elder Daoists—the thirteen Nascent Transformation elders of the Shan Sect; behind them were several hundred Golden Core Upper Cultivators, followed by a dense crowd of Tongtian Realm disciples.

The guests occupied a separate side, distinguished from the Quanzhen Sect cultivators. There were also hundreds of them, indicating how seriously the cultivation community of the continent regarded this Shan Sect annual meeting. Being the first major sect to hold the gathering, it set a directional tone.

The entire towering three-story structure of Heaven Measuring Sword Pavilion was occupied solely by a female Golden Core Pill Cultivator as the master of ceremonies, responsible for overseeing and controlling the proceedings, a senior member from the Sima Mansion who had held this role for six cycles and was skilled at managing the pace.

Despite her experience, the current gathering left her feeling anxious and as if treading on thin ice, for she knew this session was different.

In a normal gathering, the highlights were the higher-level cultivators, Golden Core Upper Cultivators, or Great Cultivation transformations; the focus was on understanding the Dao, demonstrating swordsmanship, and maintaining peace and harmony with few conflicts.

But this gathering focused on the lower Tongtian Realm, particularly on the Natural Realm.

Though the events unfolded among the several hundred Natural Realm cultivators, they were intimately related to every cultivator regardless of realm. The outcome would affect the future, the universe, cultivation paths, alliances, and much more.

To alleviate the intense and tense atmosphere, the original order starting from low to high—lesser cultivators followed by upper, then great ones—was completely disrupted. Golden Core cultivators began by ascending the pavilion to demonstrate magic and sword handling, followed by Nascent Transformation Masters showcasing their lofty Dao Realms. Only after the crowd’s mood had settled, their attention captivated by the profound Daoist methods and sword techniques, did the program for the Tongtian Realm disciples begin.

Otherwise, the gathering could hardly continue.

A sword cry silenced the area below the pavilion, and the female Golden Core master of ceremonies spoke with a strong, resonant voice, calming and far-reaching,

"In the sunny coves of Heaven during the twelfth lunar month’s spring, the peaches bloom brilliantly, welcoming smiles. Celestial officers in jade skirts and emerald plumage ascend above the smokeless realm riding purple kirin. Holding the Red Book Secret Jade Text, paying homage to the too pure three realms’ lord. From the secluded Linda, graceful shapes emerge from the azure clouds, heard by all true masters whispering at the forest’s edge..."

Under her guidance, one by one, the Golden Core Upper Cultivators ascended the Sword Pavilion,

"Within Qian Kun, hidden longevity, the path of elixirs is complete. The divine prescription can save the world, secretly cherished, treat not the words lightly. Lying on clouds, resting on waters, the Tongxuan understanding, who discerns turning stones to gold? In Huang Lao’s essence, all finds its place, step onto the altar, listen well to the steps of emptiness..."

This Golden Core Upper Cultivator spoke of alchemy, although the topic somewhat mismatched the current atmosphere. Yet, for cultivators, the way of the Elixir Furnace has always been a favored aspect. It often successfully diverted the disciples’ attention. Choosing such a start, the higher echelons of Quanzhen truly put much thought into it.