CHAPTER 546: 281、THE LOOSENING OF THE NANHUA SECT, DEMON LAIR ERUPTS_2

"Send a copy of the list of alliances with Our Sect to the Seven Stars Sect, and... bring my letter with you. I will personally write a letter to Sage Monarch Mao Ri to apologize..." he said.

No matter whether the Green Carp Ridge Magic Cave was created by the Seven Stars Sect, the Butian Sect had to at least follow the rules of courtesy, since these did not involve actual benefits.

"Yes, Sect Leader." The Third Elder accepted the order and returned to his seat.

"We will take our leave."

After the issue of the Green Carp Ridge Magic Cave was resolved, the elders had no more matters to report. They immediately stood up, bowed, and left.

"Master Xu, this..."

"Should I go and beg an Ancestor, or the Sect Master, to let the Nanhua Sect help the Butian Sect this time..."

After everyone had left, Zuoqiu Ying saw that Xu Xing’s face still showed worry. After hesitating for a moment, she spoke.

"This matter is beyond the Nanhua Sect’s capability." Xu Xing, seeing Zuoqiu Ying’s loyalties extending beyond her own sect, felt greatly gratified in his heart. He shook his head and said, "The Beichen Sect is a lower sect of the Butian Sect, but the Butian Sect is also a lower sect of the Seven Stars Sect. Regarding internal affairs, even if the Nanhua Sect is willing to help, they cannot."

The Ten Great Higher Teachings divided the territories in East Huangzhou. Apart from the Heavenly Saint Sect, other sects were subordinate to these major Higher Teachings, required to pay them annual tribute. In other words, the Ten Great Higher Teachings were the ruling powers over the various small and medium-sized sects.

The North Wilderness was the territory of the Seven Stars Sect, a fact recognized by all major Higher Teachings. The alliance agreements between these Higher Teachings also stipulated non-interference in the internal affairs of each other’s territories and subordinate sects.

"Then Master Xu... what do you plan to do?" Zuoqiu Ying asked curiously.

Xu Xing had won against the Flying Feather Immortal Palace. She did not believe that this matter could stump him. Just by looking at Xu Xing’s expression at this moment, she determined that he must have had a plan.

"The Seven Stars Sect’s action... is intended to demonstrate its power to the various sects in the North Wilderness, to make them recognize who the true Higher Teaching is..." Xu Xing smiled. "Since Our Sect has submitted the letter of surrender, the Seven Stars Sect will not hold onto this matter. After all, it is a righteous sect, not some demonic sect. It still needs Our Sect to resist the Yin Wind Gate and the Godslayer Sect."

He briefly explained the underlying schemes to Zuoqiu Ying.

"However... I am afraid that this matter will give the Flying Feather Immortal Palace an opportunity to cause trouble..." Xu Xing sighed.

Dealing with the Seven Stars Sect was easy, but dealing with the Flying Feather Immortal Palace was difficult. Even if the Seven Stars Sect knew that the Butian Sect, by establishing itself in the North Wilderness, was a troublesome newcomer, they had to resist the threat of the Yin Wind Gate and the Godslayer Sect. Thus, they had to tolerate its growth even while trying to curtail it, like drinking poison to quench thirst. However, the Flying Feather Immortal Palace was different; they genuinely wanted his life.

"Could it be... the Flying Feather Immortal Palace wants to use the Green Carp Ridge Magic Cave incident to force Master Xu to leave the Nanhua Sect and reveal his whereabouts..."

"Even if the Magic Cave didn’t erupt, the Flying Feather Immortal Palace would have taken the opportunity to fan the flames."

Zuoqiu Ying was not foolish. After a brief thought, she understood Xu Xing’s worries.

The Demonic Qi from the Magic Cave is a supreme treasure for Demon Repair; absorbing a wisp of Demonic Qi is better than absorbing a hundred wisps of Spiritual Energy. Furthermore, when a Magic Cave erupts, a Demonic Treasure will inevitably be born within it. This treasure is also an object of contention among the Dao Lords of various sects and is exceedingly valuable.

Given the Butian Sect’s current strength, it would clearly be difficult to protect this Magic Cave and resist the invasion of Demon Repair. This was all foreseeable. With their foundation on the verge of collapse, Xu Xing, as the Sect Leader, would have no choice but to appear.

"Previously, I was in the shadows, and the Flying Feather Immortal Palace was in the open, so my plans went smoothly. Now, both the Flying Feather Immortal Palace and I are in the open. This kind of scheming was bound to happen sooner or later..." Xu Xing said solemnly.

Leaving the Qingzhu Mountain Spiritual Land on a cloud, Zuoqiu Ying carefully recalled every detail of her conversation with Xu Xing after she and Wu Ziting had entered the Cave Mansion. When she remembered Xu Xing’s rudeness to her, her cheeks flushed red, like two rosy clouds appearing. In her two or three hundred years of cultivation, this was the first time she had faced such matters between a man and a woman.

Is Xu Xing using me? Zuoqiu Ying recalled her passivity after entering the Cave Mansion, and her willingness to deceive the Nanhua Sect and risk herself to help Xu Xing. A chill ran down her spine for a moment.

It shouldn’t be like this.

I want to marry Xu Xing because he is the venerable leader of a sect, with the potential to reach the Primordial Spirit Realm and achieve immortality. Xu Xing marrying me also serves his interests... Zuoqiu Ying tried to console herself.

She and Xu Xing were not childhood sweethearts, nor was it love at first sight. They were together because both the Nanhua Sect and the Butian Sect needed this marriage alliance.

Among the spouses in this world, how many fall in love before marriage? It might be possible for commoners, but for us, the legitimate daughters of aristocratic families...

Zuoqiu Ying sighed softly.

Perhaps Xu Xing is acting affectionately towards me for his own benefit. But since I can feel affection for him now, then in the future... Xu Xing will surely be able to feel affection for me too...

With the Cloud Sword Sect’s unexpected intervention, the Nanhua Sect could no longer ignore the Butian Sect. To prevent the Cloud Sword Sect from snatching away the "peach" that was the Butian Sect, the Nanhua Sect sent an envoy the next day to meet with Xu Xing and discuss establishing diplomatic relations.

"Although the Butian Sect is Orthodox, the Flying Feather Immortal Palace is currently powerful. Our Sect... will not abandon its interests to oppose the Flying Feather Immortal Palace..."

"Master Xu, please bear with this for now. When the Butian Sect grows stronger, or when you reach the Primordial Spirit Realm, Our Sect will definitely abandon its alliance with the Flying Feather Immortal Palace and ally solely with the Butian Sect..."

Several days later, Daoist Tao visited Xu Xing’s Cave Mansion. He directly addressed the matter of the alliance between the two sects, speaking with great candor.

"I am aware of the Nanhua Sect’s difficult position, caught in a dilemma..." Xu Xing nodded. "Although the current Flying Feather Immortal Palace is not Orthodox, our two sects have ties going back generations, with deep connections. It’s impossible for the Nanhua Sect to simply abandon them..."

"Master Xu is profoundly wise and understanding. I, Tao, am full of admiration." Upon hearing this, Daoist Tao breathed a sigh of relief, a smile appearing on his face.

If Xu Xing had been stubborn enough to force the Nanhua Sect to choose only one side, then the Nanhua Sect would have had to abandon the Butian Sect and re-establish ties with the Flying Feather Immortal Palace, even if it meant enduring the condemnation of all righteous sects! With the alliance of two great Higher Teachings, what did the condemnation of some small and medium-sized sects matter?

"This is the Contract Book proposing the alliance between our two sects. Please review it, Master Xu..." While speaking, Daoist Tao took out the Contract Book Ding Jifeng had given him and sent it to Xu Xing using his Magic Power.

"Nanhua Sect, supposedly a close ally of the Flying Feather Immortal Palace, certainly didn’t make things difficult for me..." Xu Xing received the Contract Book and carefully read every clause. As he read on, the smile on his face grew wider.

The Nanhua Sect’s alliance Contract Book contained no articles that would compromise their sovereignty or dignity. On the contrary, to support the Butian Sect, many aid-related articles had been added. For example, the Nanhua Sect would allocate a certain amount of Cultivation Resources to the Butian Sect annually until the Butian Sect grew strong enough and cultivated a sufficient number of Nascent Soul Realm and Dao Pill Realm cultivators. Only then would these aid provisions cease.

"Much of this is due to Immortal Ying’s efforts. It was only after she pleaded with the Ancestor that the Sect Master added these terms..." Daoist Tao glanced at Xu Xing and said with deep meaning.

In fact, Zuoqiu Ying was to be married to Xu Xing, used as a bargaining chip by Ding Jifeng and Elder Zuo Qiu. From this, one could well imagine that when it came to Nanhua Sect allocating Cultivation Resources to Butian Sect, Zuoqiu Ying alone would never be enough to convince the Nanhua Sect’s high-level members to concede. However, since the Nanhua Sect was investing so much to support the Butian Sect, they needed a suitable justification. Thus, Zuoqiu Ying, who was to marry Xu Xing, became the most suitable reason. With this "dowry," Zuoqiu Ying would also have some standing within the Butian Sect. This was a win-win situation for both the Nanhua Sect and Zuoqiu Ying.

"So it was Immortal Ying..."

"This kindness is something I, Xu, will remember and will not easily forget..."

Xu Xing was also an astute man. With a little thought, he understood the Nanhua Sect’s intentions. However, since the benefits were right before him, he would not act in a way that would displease both sects. Sometimes, playing dumb was a good thing.

"Tomorrow, I, Xu, will personally go to Spring and Autumn Mountain to request an audience with Chief Zuoqiu and discuss the marriage." Xu Xing immediately stated his position.

"Excellent!"

"Then I, Tao, will await Master Xu’s esteemed arrival at Spring and Autumn Mountain..." Daoist Tao bowed, a smile on his face.