bookpub Chapter 148 A Code Within A Code
Chapter 148 A Code Within A Code
Chapter 148: The Best of the Best
The years passed peacefully, and the world was at peace.
The members of Sword Sect initially thought that Dragon River Alliance would engage in a battle with Water Monster, especially since Water Monster's threat had reached the doorstep of Pill Cauldron Sect.
It was expected that there would be a fierce war.
However...
The events that Talisman Treasure Sect encountered, as well as the destruction of the downstream four sects, seemed like a small stone dropped into the Coiling Dragon River, causing a brief ripple before returning to calmness.
Recently, Water Monster Race announced that they would divide the territory with Dragon River Alliance at the Three-Fold Bay, mutually respecting each other's boundaries.
Coiling Dragon River, shaped like a dragon, winding and coiling, had three bends. The Three-Fold Bay referred to the bay area of the third bend, which was the boundary between the downstream and middle reaches of Dragon River.
This was originally the territory of the downstream four sects, but now it was completely occupied by Water Monster.
Naturally, the people from the downstream four sects were unwilling, but the four sects in the middle and upper reaches agreed.
Elder Chong Ling, as the only surviving elder of Sword Sect, didn't even have a seat at the discussion meeting and had to stand throughout the entire meeting.
During the meeting, she expressed her protest firmly, but no one paid attention to her opinions.
When Elder Chong Ling returned, she was filled with immense sorrow. The disciples of Sword Sect, who had been preparing to rebuild the sect, were devastated upon hearing the news.
The only consolation was that Dragon River Alliance agreed to allocate Little Warehouse Mountain to Sword Sect, as well as a few other small mountains divided between Imperial Beast Sect and Flowing Sand Sect. Moreover, they could recruit disciples in the southern region of the mountains.
This was the only piece of good news, which was obtained after Long Yan threw a big tantrum at the meeting.
Originally, the decision of Dragon River Alliance was to allocate the disciples of the downstream four sects proportionally to the four sects in the middle and upper reaches.
The disciples who were originally from the downstream sects suddenly became disciples of the middle and upper reaches. Wasn't this an increase in status?
Although in the middle and upper-level sects, they could only start as outer disciples, at least they had a chance to rise, right?
Elder Chong Ling's refusal and Long Yan's resistance were seen as a lack of understanding in their eyes.
To save face for Long Yan, they allocated a few worthless mountains.
When the news reached Sword Sect, the disciples who were originally enthusiastic about rebuilding the sect were instantly disheartened.
Originally, they had hoped that the alliance could help them seek revenge against Water Monster. However, now the alliance had reconciled with Water Monster and even issued a requirement that they were not allowed to seek revenge, otherwise even the allocated mountains would be taken back.
How could one accept such humiliation?
But the disciples of Sword Sect were also helpless.
Currently, the strongest in the sect was Elder Chong Ling, who was only at the Divine Soul realm, and she was still at the late stage of Divine Soul.
The sect didn't even have a single disciple at the Divine Ability Realm, let alone seeking revenge. It was difficult for them to even establish a foothold.
Upon hearing this news, Zhang Chi knew that he had to take action.
At this moment, Elder Chong Ling had already gathered all the disciples of Sword Sect together.
Looking at the expectant eyes of the young disciples below, Elder Chong Ling also felt a pang of pain in her heart. But she knew that reality was cruel. They didn't have the power to confront Water Monster or Dragon River Alliance.
In the Immortal Cultivation World, strength was what mattered.
"The alliance has already set conditions. Those who are willing can participate in the assessments of Dragon Transformation Palace, Celestial Melody Pavilion, Profound Heart Sect, and Pill Cauldron Sect. They will give priority to accepting demotions."
The so-called priority demotion referred to two conditions.
Under equal conditions, Sword Sect disciples would be given priority consideration.
Demotion meant lowering certain assessment requirements.
The young disciples might be filled with anger, but as an elder, she had to consider their well-being.
Sword Sect was destroyed, and they should have died on the battlefield. But they were lucky enough to escape with the protection of their fellow sect members.
Wanting to preserve the spark of Sword Sect could be considered everyone's good intention.
However, in the long run, it was not beneficial to their own development.
Therefore, she would not stop the disciples from leaving, and even encouraged such behavior.
"The disciples who want to leave should not feel guilty. As long as you still remember Sword Sect in your hearts, Sword Sect will not be considered extinct.
In the martial world, there are always times when one has to bow their head."
The elders were the first to sound the retreat, and the disciples, who were originally not firm, naturally wavered in their hearts.
"Elder Chongling is right, but I have a slightly different opinion."
A clear voice rang out, and everyone looked towards the door, only to see Zhang Chi slowly walking over.
Beside him, Tang Ruoling was supporting him, seemingly struggling.
But his back was straight, emphasizing both weakness and strength.
"Senior Brother, why are you here?"
When Chen Runyu saw Zhang Chi, she found her backbone, and her heart also settled.
She originally wanted to express her stance, that she wanted to live or die with Sword Sect, but she was worried that saying so would influence others' choices, so she could only keep it to herself.
Fortunately, Zhang Chi arrived at this moment.
"You also heard the news?"
Chongling looked at Zhang Chi with some concern.
She intentionally didn't tell Zhang Chi about this news, fearing that he couldn't bear the blow.
But she didn't expect that he still found out.
Zhang Chi smiled and said, "I have a friend named Cai Yu, who is well-informed and shares interesting things with me every day."
"Then..."
"No worries, for the sake of our master, I will also rise up. When Sword Sect is in a critical moment of survival, how can I, as the chief disciple, immerse myself in sadness? You have all worked hard these days."
Zhang Chi's weak yet strong appearance struck the deepest chord. The disciples of Sword Sect looked at Zhang Chi, and their hearts suddenly calmed down.
"We haven't worked hard."
Chen Runyu looked at Zhang Chi, her eyes full of tenderness.
"The alliance's decision must have surprised everyone, but this result doesn't surprise me."
Hearing this, Chongling asked in confusion, "Why do you say that?"
"Because they have been too comfortable for too long, and have lost the spirit of striving and advancing. I dare to assert that today's Four Sects will be tomorrow's Pill Cauldron Sect and Profound Heart Sect."
Zhang Chi's words were shocking and relentless. The powerful Profound Heart Sect and Pill Cauldron Sect, in his eyes, were not worth mentioning.
"Don't say such things."
After speaking, Chongling looked at the people present with seriousness and said coldly, "I don't want to hear what was said here today in any other place."
The current Sword Sect cannot afford to provoke the Pill Cauldron Sect and Profound Heart Sect. Chongling didn't want Zhang Chi to get into trouble.
The disciples were taken aback, but Zhang Chi reassured them, "Elders, rest assured. I believe that everyone here is the outstanding youth of Sword Sect. They have integrity and loyalty, which are our Sword Sect's most precious assets. They are the sparks left by Sword Sect and will surely become a raging fire in the future."
After hearing Zhang Chi's words of encouragement, the disciples, who were still feeling down, suddenly raised their heads proudly.
In terms of motivation, Zhang Chi was a professional.
As for his confidence, it was purely because the actions of the Dragon River Alliance were too predictable.
Even more predictably, Cai Yu overheard that the people from Pill Cauldron Sect planned to build a huge defense line at Sanzhe Bay, preventing the Water Monsters from crossing...
PS: I had something to do and went out for a while today, so the update is a bit late, but I will still try to finish writing the chapter.
(End of this chapter)