Chapter 299 - 297: The Dispute Over the Path

Chapter 299: Chapter 297: The Dispute Over the Path

"Yuan Longxi is indeed far too selfish, but he is also acting for the sake of the Ming Sect. However, the Ming Sect he’s fighting for is not the same as the one I’m fighting for."

Lu Beiming sighed and shook his head helplessly.

Chen Yuan was taken aback. ’Isn’t there only one Ming Sect?’

Mr. Bei, who was at his side, explained, "Yuan Longxi opposes us at every turn within the Ming Sect. He objects to nearly every suggestion Vice Sect Leader Lu makes.

"He does this simply because our paths differ, and Vice Sect Leader Lu is standing in his way.

"Two hundred years ago, before Vice Sect Leader Lu returned, our Ming Sect had grown extremely weak. Some of our hall’s lineages were even at risk of dying out completely.

"At that time, Yuan Longxi’s master wanted to completely abandon the name ’Great Brightness Sect’ and establish a new lineage so that they could create a foothold in the Jianghu openly and honorably.

"Both the Jianghu and the Court are wary of the Great Brightness Sect. But a force that uses the Great Brightness Sect’s Martial Arts yet completely abandons its name would be nothing more than a stray dog. Without their spirit, they would no longer be a threat.

"Tantai Zhaorong’s master was also hesitating at the time, unable to make up her mind to betray the ancestors.

"It was then that Vice Sect Leader Lu returned, bringing with him a portion of the lost Cultivation Technique lineages. With the combined power of the three Vice Sect Leaders, we were finally able to open the Ming Sect’s Treasure Vault and obtain numerous Secret Treasures to develop our power.

"However, this move also completely crushed the desire of Yuan Longxi’s faction to abandon the Ming Sect and establish an independent Sect. Naturally, they deeply resent Vice Sect Leader Lu for it.

"Within the Ming Sect, Yuan Longxi is only one of three Vice Sect Leaders. But if he were to establish a new Sect, he would be like a founding patriarch. He could stand openly in the Jianghu, a position far more glorious than his current one."

Lu Beiming said in a low voice, "Yuan Longxi and his master have both said that the most important thing for a Sect is its lineage. As long as we abandon the name ’Great Brightness Sect’ but continue to practice its Cultivation Techniques, then in reality, nothing will have changed.

"But if our Ming Sect loses even its name, what meaning do these Cultivation Techniques have? In any case, as long as I am alive, I will not allow anyone to split from or betray the Ming Sect!"

Chen Yuan nodded in understanding. The greatest point of contention between Yuan Longxi’s faction and Lu Beiming’s faction was, in fact, about which path the Ming Sect should take.

Yuan Longxi’s faction believed that the Ming Sect was already reviled by everyone in the Jianghu. As soon as the Ming Sect’s name was mentioned, both the Jianghu and the Court would move to suppress them.

Since that was the case, it would be better to abandon the Ming Sect’s title and establish a new Sect. As long as they were still practicing the Ming Sect’s Cultivation Techniques, it would be as if the Ming Sect had not perished.

But to Lu Beiming, an old man who had lived since the peak of the Ming Sect five hundred years ago, if the sect’s name was gone, what was the difference between that and splitting up and destroying the sect? This was something he would absolutely never allow, and it was the greatest point of conflict between them.

Chen Yuan naturally supported Lu Beiming. It wasn’t just because he was already on Lu Beiming’s side; even from an outsider’s perspective, he felt that Lu Beiming’s path was the correct one.

The reason was simple: without a proper title, one’s actions lack legitimacy.

Yuan Longxi’s approach was said to be about preserving the Ming Sect’s strength, but in reality, he was simply scared after being repeatedly targeted by the Court and the Jianghu Forces. He had chosen appeasement and compromise because he no longer wanted to be targeted and suppressed.

"Then what is Vice Sect Leader Tantai Zhaorong’s attitude?"

Lu Beiming shook his head. "That girl, Tantai Zhaorong... her master initially shared the same attitude as Yuan Longxi’s master. They both believed that if the Ming Sect continued to weaken, it would eventually be destroyed, so they agreed to change its name and re-emerge in the Jianghu.

"However, after I returned, the Ming Sect’s strength increased, and her master’s attitude began to waver.

"But as for Tantai Zhaorong herself, I can’t quite see through her. The girl is only in her early forties. Her master took her in just before passing away and only taught her for a few years.

"To step into the Ninth Realm Celestial Profound at such an age would have been considered astonishingly talented, even in the Ming Sect of five hundred years ago.

"It’s just that she has a silent and reserved personality, so no one knows what her true stance is.

"Both Yuan Longxi and I have tried to sound her out, but we haven’t been able to determine her real position."

Chen Yuan nodded.

The situation in the Ming Sect seemed complex, but it was actually simple. It was nothing more than a conflict between the old guard and the new.

However, none of this had much to do with Chen Yuan for the time being. He wasn’t qualified to intervene in a dispute concerning the future path of the Ming Sect.

After discussing these matters, Lu Beiming went on to instruct Chen Yuan on some of the taboos and other things to be aware of inside the Heaven-Reaching Tower.

Lu Beiming had never attempted to challenge the Heaven-Reaching Tower due to an issue with his strength—not because he was too weak, but because he was too strong.

He had been around when the Heaven-Reaching Tower opened in his youth, but he was already in the Primordial Pill Realm by then, so of course, he couldn’t enter.

But even though he couldn’t enter, many Martial Artists from the Ming Sect had, so Lu Beiming knew a great deal about the conditions inside.

"Vice Sect Leader Lu, since people like Duan Zhixuan lost to me, does that mean they don’t plan to enter the Heaven-Reaching Tower to try their luck? Are the other young Martial Artists of our Ming Sect not planning to enter either?"

Lu Beiming said solemnly, "This is the last thing I must warn you about. Inside the Heaven-Reaching Tower, unless absolutely necessary, you must never reveal your identity as a member of the Ming Sect."

"Why?"

"Because inside the Heaven-Reaching Tower, the greatest danger comes not from the tower itself, but from the other Martial Artists who enter from the outside.

"Although there are many opportunities inside the tower, each one is unique. If you take one, others cannot. The fighting and competition among participants are exceptionally fierce.

"You know our Ming Sect’s reputation. Outside, the various Sects and Noble Families won’t fight us to the death because of various concerns.

"But inside the Heaven-Reaching Tower, the moment the Ming Sect’s name is revealed, we will absolutely be the first to be targeted and eliminated.

"Ever since the Ming Sect’s decline five hundred years ago, whenever our disciples have ventured into the Heaven-Reaching Tower, it has usually been a case of ten going in and nine not returning. Our losses have been tragic.

"So, for a time, our disciples chose not to enter the tower even when it opened. Even those who did go in had to hide their identities.

"The problem is, hiding your identity means you have to hide some of your strength. As a result, you obtain fewer opportunities and treasures, and you still have to face all sorts of dangers. It’s often not worth the risk.

"But you are different. You have another identity outside, and you don’t primarily cultivate our Ming Sect Technique, so there’s less worry about being exposed.

"If Duan Zhixuan and the others had obtained the opportunity left by the Sect Leader, they would have risked venturing into the Heaven-Reaching Tower.

"But now that they have nothing, they won’t choose to take that risk.

"After all, although our Ming Sect is weak right now, our disciples do not lack for Cultivation Techniques or Secret Treasures for cultivation.

"Unless they can bring out a Divine Artifact Demon Soldier from the tower, any treasure they might obtain—after risking a nine-in-ten chance of death while being besieged by the Major Sects—might not even be as good as what’s in our Ming Sect’s Treasure Vault.

"Oh, right. For your trip into the Heaven-Reaching Tower, I also have something for you."

With that, Lu Beiming took out a small, palm-sized sword and handed it to Chen Yuan.

The small sword seemed to be neither metal nor wood, and it was covered in golden patterns.

Though tiny, it emanated an extremely powerful and sharp Sword Intent. It was quite extraordinary.

Chen Yuan’s heart stirred, and he asked, "Is this a Divine Artifact Incarnation?"

Mr. Bei said from the side, "This is a Divine Artifact Incarnation of the Sun-piercing Sword. It requires many rare materials to make, such as Thunderstruck Wood, Flame Sun Essence Gold, and Celestial Soldier Fragments.

"Vice Sect Leader Lu gathered all of these from his personal collection. He even personally lent his power to Liu Bai, allowing him to channel the power of the Sun-piercing Sword into it.

"This is the very first Divine Artifact Incarnation created after Liu Bai obtained the Sun-piercing Sword. It shows how highly Vice Sect Leader Lu thinks of you."

"Thank you, Vice Sect Leader Lu!"

Chen Yuan hurriedly cupped his hands in gratitude.

Lu Beiming waved his hand. "No need for such formalities. You were the one who seized the Sun-piercing Sword in the first place. If you hadn’t schemed to acquire it, there would be no Divine Artifact Incarnation.

"However, the entire Jianghu now knows that the Sun-piercing Sword was taken by our Ming Sect. The moment you use this Divine Artifact Incarnation of the Sun-piercing Sword, your identity will inevitably be exposed.

"Therefore, either you don’t use it, or if you do, you must kill your opponent. Otherwise, the consequences will be endless.

"Also, for this trip to the Heaven-Reaching Tower, I will have Ju Mang go as well, under the identity of the Pavilion Master of Heaven’s Edge Sea Pavilion, to watch over you from the outside.

"Before the Heaven-Reaching Tower opens, a large number of Jianghu Forces will gather on Yanfu Mountain. Your identity as Chen Jiutian has offended many people. If someone decides to break the rules and attack you, even if they’re a Ninth Realm Celestial Profound, Ju Mang will be able to get you away safely."

"I will forever remember your kindness, Vice Sect Leader Lu."

Chen Yuan was quite moved. This was the first time he truly felt what it was like to be backed by a major power.

Liu Suifeng had actually treated him well too, but Zhenwu Hall’s foundation was too shallow. Liu Suifeng couldn’t produce a Divine Artifact Incarnation for him to use as a trump card, nor could he provide protection. He could only pull some strings and ask someone to help look after him.

But with the Ming Sect, it was different. Qin Wuye’s fated opportunity, a Divine Artifact Incarnation, and the secret protection of an Eighth Realm Divine Platform Grandmaster—this combination all but guaranteed that Chen Yuan’s trip to the Heaven-Reaching Tower would be fruitful.

Of course, that was all predicated on him not messing up inside the Heaven-Reaching Tower.

"I have said all that needs to be said. You should set off for Yanfu Mountain now. The assembly delayed things for some time. By the time you reach Yanfu Mountain, the Heaven-Reaching Tower will be about to open."

Chen Yuan and Mr. Bei cupped their hands in assent. After bidding farewell to the others, the two of them left the bottom of Yanbo Lake and headed for Yanfu Mountain.

On the way, Chen Yuan remarked with emotion, "Vice Sect Leader Lu is truly generous. He dares to invest so many resources in a disciple like me who has only just joined the Ming Sect."

"Vice Sect Leader Lu has always been like this. You’ll get used to it after a while."

Mr. Bei smiled and said, "When I first joined the Ming Sect, it was also thanks to Vice Sect Leader Lu’s tireless efforts in nurturing me that I was able to reach where I am today.

"Vice Sect Leader Lu often says that what our Ming Sect has always lacked isn’t Cultivation Techniques or resources, but people.

"As long as you are outstanding enough, Vice Sect Leader Lu might even be willing to give you everything he has in the future."

The two chatted idly as they made their way into Desolate Heaven Ridge. However, just before the mountain path leading into Yanfu Mountain, they parted ways.

The identities of Chen Jiutian of Zhenwu Hall and Bei Tianya of Heaven’s Edge Sea Pavilion had no apparent connection, so it was best not to let anyone see them together.