Chapter 253: CH. 253 | The Sect Meeting at Lingxian Sect

Wu Yue heard the order and immediately left the main sect building. There was no way he could personally visit each sect one by one, so he called on several core disciples of the Lingxian Sect to help deliver the invitations.

Lin Tian himself remained in the main hall, gazing thoughtfully at the pond beside the building.

He still found himself puzzled by the Yuntian Sect's ambitions. He knew full well that their plan involved extending their influence into the mortal world.

But Lin Tian understood the Yuntian Sect was no minor player, they carried a long, deeply rooted history and a solid foundation.

Simply wanting to expand their influence over the Qin Kingdom seemed like too shallow a motive on its own.

Lin Tian felt certain there had to be something more behind it, some larger plan beyond merely swaying the kingdom's politics.

He walked back to his altar and sat down cross-legged, ready to resume his cultivation. There was no use speculating endlessly about the current situation.

He needed solid information first, facts the various sects might be able to provide him.

Still, since this matter touched on the sects scattered throughout the Qin Kingdom, Lin Tian knew he had to tread carefully.

Every sect carried its own history, and none of them would easily accept reform terms dictated by the Yuntian Sect.

Lin Tian chose to keep cultivating, focusing on gathering the primordial qi drifting around the sect grounds.

It wasn't a great deal, but more than enough to help restore his condition and gradually strengthen his cultivation base.

As he cultivated, his thoughts drifted to his firstborn son, Lin Dong. By now, he and An Yue were settled within the Lingxian Sect, currently staying at the Technique and Weapon Hall.

With Lin Dong here at the sect, at least his safety would be well looked after. Lin Tian felt confident that An Yue, along with the other disciples who'd effectively become his aunts, would take excellent care of him.

"Everything's under my control now," Lin Tian said quietly. "I'll make sure it all goes smoothly."

***

Three days later.

Lin Tian stood in front of the sect's main hall, his gaze fixed steadily on the front courtyard. Two days earlier, his invitation had already reached every sect leader near the Northern Wasteland region.

Wu Yue reported that a total of nine sects had confirmed their attendance at the Lingxian Sect, one of them being the Yunlan Sect, represented personally by Li Qingxue.

All the preparations for the gathering had been completed within the main hall. Wu Yue stepped out of the building and took his place right beside Lin Tian, both of them looking out over the courtyard ahead.

"Have you settled on how you'll approach the discussion with them, Sect Master Lin?" Wu Yue asked.

"Their visit to the Lingxian Sect has one purpose, discussing the Yuntian Sect's proposed reforms. I invited them here because I want to hear their thoughts directly."

Wu Yue glanced over briefly, cleared his throat, then turned his focus back to the courtyard ahead. "I'm confident they'll share the same view as you."

"I hope so."

Before long, the first group of invited sect representatives arrived. Lin Tian spotted them from a distance, it was the Yunlan Sect, with Li Qingxue leading the delegation.

The sect's barrier wall opened, and Li Qingxue flew in, landing gracefully in the front courtyard of the Lingxian Sect. Wu Yue descended the steps to greet her.

"Welcome to the Lingxian Sect, Sect Master Li Qingxue," Wu Yue said, clasping his hands together.

Li Qingxue nodded, smiling at his warm welcome. Her attention then shifted forward, where Lin Tian stood in front of the main hall, seemingly waiting.

"It's been a while, Sect Master Lin Tian," Li Qingxue greeted him.

"Good to see you again, Sect Master Li."

"You've been stuck at peak Nascent Soul for far too long now. If you don't mind, I could help trigger a heavenly enlightenment through my own dao."

Li Qingxue smiled broadly, clasping her hands together and bowing her head. "I'd be honored to receive such a generous opportunity."

Wu Yue guided Li Qingxue toward the main hall, and she followed along without objection. Lin Tian remained standing in front of the building, waiting for the other sect leaders to arrive.

The second delegation arrived, and Lin Tian smiled at the sight of them. It was the Yingzun Sect, their numbers considerably larger than the Yunlan Sect's group.

Leading their delegation was Si Lingxi, a woman who had clearly succeeded in restoring the Yingzun Sect's standing in the aftermath of the Yuanmo disaster.

These days, they could be considered an important allied sect to the Lingxian Sect.

Wu Yue came forward again to welcome Si Lingxi. Lin Tian met with her as well, the two of them exchanging warm greetings.

"Thank you for inviting us here. I genuinely want to discuss this matter with you," Si Lingxi said.

"Plenty of other sect leaders will be arriving as well. We can discuss it together."

Si Lingxi nodded, clasping her hands together before excusing herself to follow Wu Yue into the main hall. Lin Tian chose to remain outside, waiting for the rest of the sect leaders to arrive.

As time passed, one sect after another arrived, each welcomed personally by Wu Yue and Lin Tian.

Nearly all of them felt genuinely honored that Lin Tian had taken the initiative to invite them, a stark contrast to the Yuntian Sect, which had simply sent out an ultimatum letter demanding compliance with their reforms.

Of the nine sects invited, every single one had arrived exactly as Lin Tian had requested. Wu Yue approached him once more.

"The meeting is ready to begin."

"Wait a moment," Lin Tian said. "I'm still waiting for someone."

"Someone?"

Wu Yue wasn't quite sure what Lin Tian meant, but as his attention turned forward, he caught sight of a figure flying in, accompanied by two middle-aged men.

The man in the center looked strikingly familiar to Wu Yue, and his focus locked onto him immediately.

"I-Isn't that..."

Lin Tian smiled and greeted the man, reaching out to shake his hand. "Thank you for coming."

"It's I who should be thanking you, Sect Master Lin Tian."

"Thank you for trusting me," said the Third Prince of the Qin Kingdom.

Lin Tian nodded firmly. "We need you here, because we need a mortal perspective on this. You understand it better than any of us."

"I hope... you can help convince them."