Eternal Immortal Sect.
Cultivators from the Immortal Suppression Department arrived in haste. This magnificent and ancient sect fell into a deep silence.
Two thousand disciples lined the path in silence with respect, looking with grief at the wooden trays held by the Department cultivators.
Resting upon the white cloth were merely a few dust-covered strips of fabric or fragments of weapons.
In the battle of Mountain of Esoteric Stratagems, Sect Master He Hao had gone personally. Along with him went two Great Elders and fifty disciples; not a single one returned.
They had gone to seize the opportunity of the Three Corpses and to strive for a legitimate entry into the Imperial Court.
They had secured their future prospects, and from this day forth, they would bear the reputation of having sacrificed themselves for the Imperial Dynasty. Yet, in exchange, the sect was now filled with white silk and the memories of old friends.
The path within the Immortal Sect felt incredibly long.
The cultivators of the Immortal Suppression Department felt as though they were trudging through a quagmire.
On either side, the disciples of the Immortal Sect glared at them with fury. At the far end of the path, beneath the jade steps, thirteen sect elders with ethereal, sage-like bearings stood with expressions of deep sorrow.
The Department cultivator lowered his head, thinking to himself, "At least the Department decided to save them some face by not revealing that their Sect Master was actually a spy."
An old man accepted the personal effects.
This elder had hair and beard as white as snow and wore a wide, flowing Daoist robe. His long beard, long hair, and the hem of his robe danced in the wind.
As he looked at the relics, a trace of pain flashed through his eyes, which were originally burning like torches. A heavy sigh was carried away by the wind.
"Ancestor Lan, the journey to the Mountain of Esoteric Stratagems was fraught with many unexpected calamities.
The Imperial Court and the Lord Commander also feel deep grief.
Your sect's Sect Master and all the sacrificed elders and disciples fought with great valor.
The Imperial Compensation and Honors will be issued within a few days. Please, restrain your grief."
The cultivators of the Immortal Suppression Department behaved with the utmost reverence.
Ancestor Lan was the founding patriarch of this secluded sect.
It was rumored that every time Ancestor Lan emerged into the world, his cultivation would have advanced further.
Starting merely as the master of a small Daoist temple, he had single-handedly established the lineage of the Eternal Immortal Sect, which has stood until this day.
It was no wonder the Commander had solemnly exhorted them to be absolutely respectful and not to provoke this Ancestor Lan.
"Convey the thanks of this poor Daoist to the Commander."
Ancestor Lan flicked his sleeve and turned his back to them.
Upon receiving the relics, he performed a quick divination with his fingers and instantly understood the events at Mountain of Esoteric Stratagems.
He murmured softly, "The Immortal Suppression Department, the Grand Tower, the Peerless Hall... Alas, the Great Era has arrived. My disciples were ultimately tainted by Karma, dragged for no reason into this multi-sided conflict."
As the cultivators of the Immortal Suppression Department departed, a dignified and imposing middle-aged man standing nearby bowed.
This man wore grey robes. Between his brows lay a steady depth and shrewdness, giving him the air of a powerful overlord or noble, and his voice was deep and resonant.
"Ancestor Lan, the Sect Master's soul has returned to the heavens, yet it was the Immortal Suppression Department that used our Immortal Sect as mere bait!
Now they avoid the heavy to dwell on the light, gambling that our Immortal Sect will simply turn a blind eye. This is an intolerable insult!"
"What do you propose?" Ancestor Lan asked, his gaze still fixed on the relics.
Duanmu Qi frowned slightly.
"The Zhangsun Clan, the Sword Pavilion, the Heavenly Monarch Dao Sanctuary, and the Azure Cloud Li Clan—all have suffered disastrous losses because of this.
Not a single one of us has the strength to oppose the Immortal Suppression Department alone, let alone the Imperial Dynasty. However, the actual authority of the Immortal Suppression Department rests in our hands.
If the Five Major Forces unite, we can stand against the Immortal Suppression Department as equals."
Ancestor Lan remained silent.
Duanmu Qi continued,
"The Azure Cloud Li Clan has karmic ties with many parties in the Imperial Dynasty.
That Spirit Puppet Patriarch, Li Yaotie, hails from the Heavenly Light Sect; the Demon-Suppressing General, Li Xinghuo, is the adopted son of the Grand Tutor; the Blood-Robed General, Li Tianyue, served under the Marshal of the East.
Their Merchant Branch has close ties with the Imperial Preceptor, and even the Crown Prince cultivated in seclusion within the Li Clan for three hundred years."
"If we form an alliance, using the Li Clan's connections in the Imperial Court, we will become the true Immortal Suppression Department. From then on, we will never have to take orders from that Wu Neng again."
"There is one more thing."
Duanmu Qi narrowed his eyes slightly.
"The Blue Moon Immortal Sect has already requested passage through our Westfall Prefecture.
Taking advantage of the rumor that the Li Clan's two Void Refining cultivators died at Mountain of Esoteric Stratagems, they intend to join forces with the Ethereal Immortal Sect to expand their dominance in the Azure Cloud Prefecture.
The Li Clan is currently internally hollow and likely unable to stop them. This is precisely the moment for our Immortal Sect to lend the Li Clan a helping hand."
"At that time, the Li Clan will owe our Immortal Sect a debt of gratitude. We can then recommend the Li Clan for the position of Commander; there is great potential in this."
Ancestor Lan shook his head.
Immediately, he vanished with a shifting of form and shadows, his voice drifting back leisurely: "Go and assist the Li Clan."
"We respectfully bid farewell to Ancestor Lan!"
The assembled elders and disciples bowed in salute.
They then proceeded to discuss the funeral arrangements for the Sect Master, as well as the appointment of his successor.
The Eternal Immortal Sect had stood for eighty thousand years, possessing an incredibly rich heritage.
Numerous elders offered recommendations, and ultimately, the heavy responsibility of the Sect Master position fell upon Duanmu Qi.
Duanmu Qi remained neither arrogant nor impetuous, though his eyes held deep grief.
In daily life, he had had little friction with the late Sect Master. The Sect Master had managed the sect in perfect order.
Although he had often suppressed Duanmu Qi's own family line, hearing the news of his death now still made Duanmu Qi feel as though a knife were twisting in his heart.
With a long sigh, Duanmu Qi arrived at the Sect Master's residence.
Looking at the Main Peak, which was about to fall into his hands, he saw the True Inheritance disciples of the Sect Master's lineage kneeling on the ground, refusing to rise, tears streaming silently down their faces.
A young man caught his eye; it was none other than Li Chuyuan of the Li Clan lineage.
"You, come with me."