Chapter 1704 - 1701: Fence-Sitters

Chapter 1704: Chapter 1701: Fence-Sitters

"Senior Brother, how can we let the sect be divided like this? How will we face our ancestors in the future?"

Wan Daorong was greatly surprised by Tantai Chunqiu’s decision and immediately sent a voice transmission with a dissenting opinion.

Tantai Chunqiu replied in a voice transmission, "The current situation is beyond our control, and this decision is a temporary measure that will benefit us in the long run."

Wan Daorong’s heart tightened. He understood Tantai Chunqiu’s ambition and knew he wouldn’t concede so easily. After some thought, he suddenly realized the truth.

Indeed, Senior Brother’s decision is the best choice for now.

Wang Yuanxiao, Ran Weixian, Cao Zhengyang, and Xiao Shuhui have already abandoned loyalty and decided to betray. Even if we forcibly bring them back, the Shang Qing Sect will never be the same.

Instead, these four will band together and consistently oppose us, potentially even collaborating with the Wangxian Sect, making it hard for us and Tantai Chunqiu and the Qingyun Peak line.

By suggesting the seven great peaks govern themselves, Tantai Chunqiu has planted a seed of discord in the opposing faction.

After today, will it be Wang Yuanxiao’s Tianzhu Peak calling the shots, or Beirong Peak, Daliang Peak, or Beiming Peak?

Eventually, these four peaks will develop mistrust among each other, unable to unify, while as long as our three peaks stay united, we can easily deal with those traitors later.

"That’s settled." Tantai Chunqiu declared, "Wang Yuanxiao, if you agree, release our disciples who are detained. From now on, everyone will mind their own business and coexist peacefully. If you disagree and insist on using this opportunity to coerce us, we’ll have a life-or-death struggle."

Wang Yuanxiao also realized this was the best outcome.

Just as he was about to agree, a congestion suddenly gripped his chest.

The next moment, all the Divinity Transformation Realm masters on site sensed something and turned their gaze towards the distant void. 𝑓𝑟ℯℴ𝓂

Whish~~~

A flash of tunneling light appeared, followed by a sharp sound slicing through space.

A Nascent Soul controlled a sword, swiftly fleeing.

Chased by a powerful practitioner who unleashed powerful magic attacks, the escaping Nascent Soul body was repeatedly injured, making the Nascent Soul weaken significantly.

"Cao Zhengyang!"

Wang Yuanxiao roared and vanished from his spot.

The next moment, in the depths of the distant void, two figures collided, violent mana spreading outward. Thunderous explosions continued to reverberate, the entire void trembled, constantly tearing and healing itself.

Not to mention ordinary cultivators, even Divinity Transformation Realm masters felt the battle was ferocious, a life and death duel with no holding back.

Aboard the Spirit Ship, Yan Xihua’s smile vanished, her expression somewhat stern.

Sun Xingyu felt the terrifying killing intent rippling around, shivering despite the Spirit Ship’s defense shield and the oppressive presence of seven Divinity Transformation Realm masters by his side.

The strength of a Late Stage Peak Divinity Transformation is truly overwhelming!

With just a wave of a hand, they could destroy an entire region.

If they were to attack me, I would be killed in one blow.

The Space Law I control seems like a child’s plaything in front of these two.

Wasn’t Cao Zhengyang originally colluding with Wang Yuanxiao? Why is he now chasing Bai Xumi’s Nascent Soul body and engaging in a death duel with Wang Yuanxiao?

Everyone on site was dumbfounded.

Especially Ran Weixian and Xiao Shuhui.

Originally, the four branches united in overall strength could counter Tantai Chunqiu, Wan Daorong, and Guanglingzi without being at a disadvantage.

But now that Cao Zhengyang is hunting Bai Xumi and engaging in a life-or-death battle with Wang Yuanxiao, it shows that Cao Zhengyang has betrayed them, which heavily benefits the opposing faction.

Lu Qiushang and other Wangxian Sect masters felt a sense of dread.

None expected such a turn of events at this critical moment.

Consequently, those quick to react on site thought of another matter.

Ran Weixian quickly sent a voice transmission to Xiao Shuhui, "Brother Xiao, the situation might be disastrous. Cao Zhengyang’s betrayal possibly means those detained in the back mountain have been released, and our biggest bargaining chip is gone."

Xiao Shuhui’s heart jolted, his expression drastically changing, his eyes flashing with a complex light.

Originally, he supported the Main Peak lineage, but after the Wangxian Sect joined and Wang Yuanxiao’s morale soared, he switched allegiance, leading Beiming Peak to betray the Main Peak.

Now trouble has arisen again in his camp, and Xiao Shuhui’s mentality is shattered.

Being like a wavering grass is so difficult.

Should I now take the Beiming Peak followers and switch back to the Main Peak?

He himself felt ashamed.

But the next moment, he launched a furious attack on Ran Weixian beside him.

Ran Weixian never expected Xiao Shuhui to attack him at this moment, caught completely off guard.

With their proximity, despite evading promptly, he was heavily injured under Xiao Shuhui’s surprise attack.

Then, he heard Xiao Shuhui say something that made him curse angrily, "Shameless!"

"We at Beiming Peak have endured humiliation just for this moment, all Beiming Peak disciples follow me to slay the traitors and fight to protect the Shang Qing Sect’s foundation!"

Xiao Shuhui’s voice pierced the sky, echoing afar.

After ambushing Ran Weixian, he didn’t linger, quickly fleeing the Mountain Protection Array, appearing at the battlefield between Cao Zhengyang and Wang Yuanxiao, assisting Cao Zhengyang in besieging Wang Yuanxiao.

At the same time, he transmitted to Cao Zhengyang, "Brother Cao, you and I must advance and retreat together."

Cao Zhengyang cursed internally, feeling somewhat disdainful, yet he replied, "You and I, as senior and junior brothers, have been enduring humiliation for the sect’s greater good."

With Cao Zhengyang’s response, Xiao Shuhui felt reassured, attacking even more fiercely, going all out.

"Husband, our Peng’er is dead, perished utterly, leaving no remains!"

In the distance, Bai Xumi’s Nascent Soul body roared with despair, "Cao Zhengyang was responsible for watching over those wretches, yet he allowed our son to be killed, then even attacked me, forcing me to abandon my body and flee using Nascent Soul Sword Control."

Though Wang Yuanxiao had already sensed his son’s Life Soul Lamp extinguish, hearing his partner say it and that she was forced to escape at the expense of her body nearly drove him insane.

All he painstakingly planned, believing he’d smoothly replace Tantai Chunqiu as the Sect Master, but now the Shang Qing Sect is falling apart, and even his wife and son suffer — one injured, one dead. He’s gained nothing but lost immensely.

"Cao Zhengyang, I will kill you!"

Wang Yuanxiao, consumed by rage, facing the siege from Cao Zhengyang and Xiao Shuhui, seemed to enter a crazed state. As his Primordial Spirit emerged, surrounded by golden light, a massive Primordial Spirit Dharma Form appeared, directly attacking Cao Zhengyang.

Simultaneously, his body sacrificed a magic treasure named ’Mountain and River Cauldron,’ one of the top three strongest treasures in the Shang Qing Sect, said to be passed down from the Ancient End of Dharma Era, capable of suppressing ancient gods and demons.