She is Jianxiu

Since force was not an option, over the past century, Guo Xian and others have primarily relied on appeasement.

To be honest, Guo Xian was well aware that if he continued to allow the likes of the Heavenly Human Sect to remain in Dingxian City, it would be tantamount to raising a tiger to cause trouble in the future. However, the forces within the city were intertwined and complex, and eradicating this hidden danger would be far more difficult than simply being called difficult.

However, if we were to send someone to take over this, deciding who to send and how to do it would be a difficult problem that cannot be taken lightly.

Ultimately, it's because there are still a few powerful cultivators in Dingxian City. Unless they invite their elders to subdue them all by force, Guo Xian and his group, with their cultivation levels, would have to rely on whether the higher-ups are willing to give them face if they wanted to move freely in Dingxian City.

Although this matter was brought up today, Guo Xian was not entirely without a plan.

Despite Xiao Pingyu's indignant demeanor, she had already devised a plan. She was just waiting for Guo Xian to relent and hand over full authority over the affairs of Dingxian City to her. Then, she could immediately invite Xiao Yingquan to come and make an example of a force within the city, and then take the opportunity to suppress those Void Realm cultivators. This place would then naturally fall under the jurisdiction of her Xiao family.

Over the years, Guo Xian had been making excuses, saying that the hearts of rogue cultivators were easily disturbed and difficult to win over, so there was no need to waste time and energy on it. However, Xiao Pingyu believed that this person was just a front for the sect leader's faction, and that he had no say in the matter. Since he had refused her several times, it must have been the order of the higher-ups.

Little did they know what was so special about Dingxian City that made the Ancestor and the Sect Leader's faction keep such a close eye on it.

Guo Xian's expression darkened as he thought to himself, "The matter of Dingxian City has been put on hold for too long. If Xiao Pingyu continues to press on, I'll have no choice but to ask my mentor for permission to intervene and secure the city before the Xiao family interferes further. However, this would inevitably make me appear mediocre and incompetent, unable to even handle such a small matter. Even if my mentor doesn't say anything, I'll still feel utterly ashamed."

Fortunately, someone they hadn't expected to see in the main hall today was someone they hadn't anticipated three days ago.

"Does Fellow Daoist Xiao mean that Dingxian City has failed in its defense against demons and evil spirits, and has now become a burden to us?"

Zhao Chun smiled slightly, which immediately made Xiao Pingyu frown. He thought to himself that although her words were impolite, they hit the nail on the head and were exactly what she wanted.

However, the other party had not spoken for a long time, and the fact that he chose to speak at this moment made her tense up again.

"It's not that I intend to blame these rogue cultivators. After all, when it comes to matters of Dao and external things, it's really asking too much of them to compare with us sect cultivators." Xiao Ping's expression became slightly more serious, and a hint of self-satisfaction appeared in his eyes. He said, "In the past, we supported them precisely because we thought rogue cultivators were poor and weak. Who knew that things would turn out this way, making them lose all their courage and wish they could just stay in the city and not move."

After saying that, he glanced at Guo Xian with a hint of resentment, and his tone gradually hardened: "In the end, it's because we've been too lenient with them all these years. We should use both soft and hard tactics to teach these parasites a lesson."

"What does Elder Guo think of this matter?" Perhaps because Zhao Chun asked an extra question, the matter had become somewhat difficult to resolve. Guo Xian pursed his lips and began to search for a solution in his mind.

Just then, the two heard Zhao Chun speak again: "I think Fellow Daoist Xiao's words make a lot of sense. After all, Dingxian City is the hub of the South. From this city, transportation can reach all places and connect with all directions for supplies. But now it is shrinking back like this. How are the surrounding sects supposed to cope?"

Guo Xian's eyes were inscrutable as he watched her place her hands outstretched on the table, her expression calm and her tone composed. Whenever she spoke, most people would glance at her sideways, as if her words were golden and beyond reproach.

Although it lacks the actual status of a master, it already has the appearance of one.

Xiao Pingyu raised his eyebrows, not expecting that it was Zhao Chun who responded to him. After thinking for a moment, he couldn't help but feel a jolt in his heart!
What is this person trying to do?
Zhao Yan had never expressed any intention to take over the Immortal City before. Was it her own idea, or was it entrusted to her by the sect behind her?
Before Xiao Ping could fully grasp the intricacies of the matter, another person in the hall unexpectedly spoke up: "Our sect is based in the southern region and has had many interactions with Dingxian City in the past. We know that below the three Void Realm experts within the city, there are nine families and fourteen lineages, some of which are aristocratic families, others of master-disciple relationships, but all of them have countless connections with the powerful cultivators above. They interact with each other through marriage and sect relationships, so it can be said that pulling one hair affects the whole situation. If Sword Lord wants to take action, he should think twice before acting."

Zhao Chun looked in the direction of the voice and saw Zhou E's slightly lowered eyes. There was no smile on her face, nor any hint of obsequiousness or flattery. Yet, she used these words to give Zhao Chun the initiative, so that the latter would nod slightly and say naturally, "Fellow Daoist Zhou's reminder has given me some ideas. I wonder if Elder Guo has any good plans? If not, why not let me give it a try?"

Seeing that the two were about to settle the matter by talking back and forth, Xiao Pingyu was furious and said in an unhappy tone, "Elder Zhao is new to this place and may not be able to figure out the key points. How can we let you do it for us? It would be better if the Xiao family of Jinnan came forward."

The remaining factions, upon hearing their words, were momentarily unaware that Dingxian City had become a coveted location. However, seeing the two men gradually becoming more and more tense, they felt a sense of unease.

One of them is an elder of the Jinnan Xiao Clan, who is used to having the final say even in front of the sect leader's faction. The other one is the Zhaoyan Sword Lord, who is backed by the entire Zhenyang Cave Heaven.

If they were to confront each other directly, things might end badly.

"It seems Fellow Daoist Xiao knows Dingxian City very well," Zhao Chun suddenly laughed and said, "I wonder how much of the city's cultivators' ability to remain hidden for a hundred years is due to your efforts?"

Xiao Ping understood the sarcasm in the words and was about to slam her hand on the table to rise, but Zhao Chun stood up first. She lowered her eyes and swept them over the faces of everyone in the hall, and said in a deep voice, "Yunque Mountain, Wanjian Alliance, and Dingxian City—these three places, from west to east, can be used as the first line of defense in the east, with Dingxian City as the base. We can then enclose the area between the three places, clear out the heretics, and exorcise the evil spirits. At the same time, we can relocate the people and cultivators of the south into the enclosed area to isolate them from external threats. After that, we can suppress the evil spirits from flowing into the East Sea. Whether we capture or kill them, there is much we can do."

The person most delighted by this news was undoubtedly Zhou E. Yun Que Mountain occupies the northwest of the south. Once Ding Xian City can hold the east, they can breathe a sigh of relief.

Zhao Chun's method wasn't particularly ingenious; those present had certainly considered it before. However, while ideas are one thing, few could be certain it would actually work once they started implementing it. (End of Chapter)