Hunyuan Immortal Sect

Chapter 307 The storm is rising
Song Xian did not deny it either: "To be honest, I have met with Chief Jiang before. Recently, all kinds of news have been flying around, and people are in a panic. Chief Jiang is worried that Bianxi City will change its course."

Tao Jinyuan remained calm: "It seems that Fellow Daoist Jiang thinks highly of you."

"To be honest, our sect doesn't want to get involved in the conflict in Xijiang County, but we have no choice. Now that the Yunxuan Sect has allied with the Murong family, the chaos in Xijiang County will be difficult to resolve in the short term. Our sect is also truly worried that the Beastmaster Sect will issue another call for conscription."

As Song Xian finished speaking, a Luoyun Sect disciple came out and saluted Tao Jinyuan, saying, "Master, Elder Jin has something important to tell you. Please come over."

"Then I won't bother you anymore. Goodbye." Song Xian also saw that Tao Jinyuan didn't want to discuss this matter with him. Since someone came, he got up and left.

Tao Jinyuan did not try to keep him, but sent someone to see him off. He then went to the sect's meeting hall, where besides Jin Yuanxing, there was also a burly middle-aged man.

"Master Tao, it's been a long time."

"It turns out to be Fellow Daoist Zhou. I'm sorry for not welcoming you to our sect. Please take a seat." The visitor was a foundation-building cultivator from Fengxing Sect in Anyuan City.

"Master Tao, the Beastmaster Sect has shown no regard for the dignity of either your sect or ours, and has murdered our Junior Brother Zhu and your Fellow Daoist Luo. Upon learning of this, our entire sect was filled with righteous indignation. We assisted the Beastmaster Sect against the Yunxuan Sect, and gained nothing in return. Now, they have executed our Junior Brother Zhu without even a word of warning. This is simply too much. This is intolerable. Our sect has decided to cease all compliance with the Beastmaster Sect's orders and will withdraw all of our disciples."

Tao Jinyuan and Jin Yuanxing looked at each other. A few days ago, they were still discussing sending people to contact the leading sects in other cities to strive for a middle position. They didn't expect that Fengxing Sect would be so radical and actually take the initiative to come to them and even withdraw the recruitment of disciples.

He doesn't even want to pretend anymore and is going to directly break off relations with the Beast Taming Sect!
The Beastmaster Sect's unprovoked killing of Fengxing Sect's foundation-building cultivators would certainly make them angry, but Fengxing Sect's quick decision to sever ties with the Beastmaster Sect was probably influenced by the Murong family's lobbying. It seems that they must have negotiated terms with the Murong family.

"Fellow Daoist Zhou, you said your sect wants to withdraw those recruited disciples. I wonder if you have already issued the order."

"Yes, before I set out, our sect had already sent people to contact them and asked them to return to Anyuan City."

"Will the Beast Taming Sect be willing to release us?"

"Our sect contacted them secretly and asked them to find an opportunity to leave the camp and return to Anyuan City in small groups. Now they have all quietly left Xijiang County."

"By doing this, aren't you worried about retaliation from the Beast Taming Sect?"

"It was the Beastmaster Sect that murdered our disciples first. A sect like this is not worth our disciples' lives. The Sect Master sent me here in the hope that your sect will stand by us. As long as we can unite, the Beastmaster Sect will not dare to do anything to us. Moreover, the Beastmaster Sect is currently struggling to protect itself, and it is still unknown who will be in charge of Xijiang County in the future. If the Beastmaster Sect retaliates against our sect, we will surrender to the Yunxuan Sect."

Tao Jinyuan did not expect Feng Xingzong to be so tough. He also intended to remain neutral, but he never thought of recalling those recruited disciples. Feng Xingzong not only did so, but also bluntly stated that he might defect to Yun Xuanzong in the future.

I don’t know what conditions Yun Xuanzong gave them that made them so determined to cut ties with the Beastmaster Sect.

It is certainly a good thing for him that someone is willing to take the lead. In this way, the Beastmaster Sect will focus on the Fengxing Sect, and if they want to take revenge, they will take revenge on the Tianxing Sect first. He can hide behind and wait for the opportunity to act.

"To be honest, Fellow Daoist Zhou, our entire sect is extremely indignant about the Beastmaster Sect's actions. However, the Beastmaster Sect is so powerful, and our sect has not yet decided whether to sever ties with them. Now that Fellow Daoist Zhou has come and is so frank, I will not hide anything. From now on, our sect will no longer blindly obey the Beastmaster Sect's orders."

"Our sect leader wishes to form an alliance with the various sects in Xijiang County and issue a statement of alliance, stating that we will not participate in the struggle between the Beast Taming Sect and the Yunxuan Sect. If they retaliate against us, we will join the other side. What do you think, Sect Leader Tao?"

Tao Jinyuan naturally would not agree to this request. He just wanted to remain neutral and stop providing blood transfusions to the Beast Taming Sect, rather than go against the Beast Taming Sect.

Now that Fengxing Sect has taken the lead, he only needs to hide in the background secretly. There is no need for him to rush to the front. Moreover, if an alliance is formed at this time, it is likely that Fengxing Sect will be the main force.

If Feng Xingzong turns to Yun Xuanzong, it will implicate him instead.

"Fellow Daoist Zhou, I'm sure you haven't just discussed this with our sect. I wonder what other sects have to say?"

"Our sect has not yet come into contact with other sects."

"Really?" Tao Jinyuan didn't believe it, but he didn't ask any more questions. "I already know your attitude. Please allow me to carefully consider this matter."

"On the fifteenth of this month, our sect will invite all the other sects to discuss forming an alliance. We hope your sect can send someone to participate."

"I understand." Tao Jinyuan did not agree, but gave an ambiguous answer.

"I won't bother you anymore. Goodbye." The man said nothing more. After delivering his message, he stood up and left.

After Jin Yuanxing sent the people out of the mountain gate, he returned to the hall.

"Master, what do you think of the alliance proposed by Fengxing Sect?"

"What does Senior Brother Jin mean?"

"I think it's better to wait and see. There's no need to rush into taking sides. The situation in Xijiang County is currently murky. If Fengxing Sect is willing to step forward, let them do so. There's no need for us to get involved in this mess."

Tao Jinyuan tapped his fingers on the armrest of the chair. "The Fengxing Sect must have done this with the promise of Yun Xuanzong. They won't just be looking for us, they'll also seek an alliance with the Kong family. If we don't participate and the Kong family joins, and Yun Xuanzong and the Murong family win in the future, then we'll be in trouble."

"Everything has its pros and cons. As long as our sect does its best to remain neutral, whether the Beastmaster Sect or the Yunxuan Sect wins in the future, our sect can still maintain its position in Bianxi City. It's too early to quit now. Although the sooner we quit, the greater the gains from winning in the end, the greater the risks. It's not too late to make a bet until the situation becomes clearer."

Tao Jinyuan nodded slowly.

"Master, should we also let those disciples we've called up to go to Xijiang County leave? Since Fengxing Sect has already done so, there's no need for us to keep our disciples working for the Beastmaster Alliance."

"Sending them back doesn't that mean they're severing ties with the Beastmaster Sect? Furthermore, with the Wind Travel Sect's previous experience as a lesson, the Beastmaster Sect will surely be wary and won't let cultivators from other sects leave so easily."

"What I mean is, let them find a way to leave the Beastmaster Alliance. Even if the Beastmaster Sect has tightened its control, they will always find a way to break away from the group. Even during a battle, there will always be a chance to escape. Let them find a way to leave the Beastmaster Alliance and hide. Don't return to our sect yet, so as not to be blamed by the Beastmaster Sect. If one day we really want to cut ties with the Beastmaster Sect, we don't have to worry about the safety of those recruited disciples."

"That's fine. Send someone to contact them and ask them to find a chance to leave secretly, but don't flee in large groups openly."

The sky is clear and the sun is bright, with not a single cloud in the sky.

In the majestic and spacious hall of Qiyuan Mountain, the leaders of various sects and forces in Bianxi City have gathered, and everyone is whispering and discussing.

The battle situation in Xijiang County is now the most important event in Bianxi City. All kinds of rumors are spreading. Some say that the Qianqing Sect will come out to clean up the Beast Taming Sect, some say that the Beast Taming Sect is retreating step by step, and some say that the major sects in various cities have formed an alliance and will fight against the Beast Taming Sect.

Anyway, the situation is very bad, and everyone is naturally very worried. Many cultivators from each of their families are still serving in the Beastmaster Sect's coalition forces, and no one knows whether they are dead or alive.

Everyone waited for about an hour before they saw Jiang Feng coming in from outside, followed by Song Xian, Luoyun Sect's foundation-building cultivator Fei Yuan, and Kong Family's foundation-building cultivator Kong Zhende.

"Greetings, Senior Jiang." Everyone stood up and bowed.

Jiang Feng waved his hand, signaling everyone to take a seat, and Song Xian and the other two also sat down in the first row at the bottom.

"Today I have called all of you together to discuss the war situation in Xijiang County. Recently, rumors have been spreading throughout Bianxi City, and there are rumors that the Qianqing Sect is taking action to wipe out our sect."

"I solemnly declare that these are all completely false rumors. They were spread by Emperor Yunxuan and the Murong family to mislead the people and divide us."

"I know that some people are ready to make a move. Seeing the rebel Murong family and Yun Xuanzong joining forces, they think that our sect is doomed and are considering switching sides."

"I guarantee, personally and in the name of this clan, that if I discover anyone flirting with the rebels and intending to change their flag, I will absolutely not let that person off and will exterminate their entire clan."

Jiang Feng's voice was stern, and Song Xian immediately echoed him, "The Hunyuan Sect has always stood firmly on your side and will never waver. As long as Chief Jiang gives the order, our sect will go out in full force to wipe out the thieves. I hereby promise that if we find anyone in Bianxi City secretly colluding with Yun Xuanzong, we will follow Chief Jiang's orders and eliminate them."

"The same is true for the Luoyun Sect. On behalf of our sect leader, I promise that we will not allow anyone in Bianxi City to rely on the Yunxuan Sect. Once discovered, they will be annihilated with thunder."

"This government has always supported the Beast Taming Sect. Anyone in Bianxi City who dares to defect to the Yun Xuan Sect will be our enemy."

Luoyun Sect and the Kong Family also made clear statements. Previously, Jiang Feng summoned the three of them to another room, where they had conducted prior communication and reached a consensus.

The Luoyun Sect and the Kong Family had long enjoyed a strong reputation, so naturally other forces did not dare to object to their statement and all expressed their willingness to live and die with the Beast Taming Sect.

Seeing that everyone had expressed their opinions, Jiang Feng continued, "Our sect has made a decision. For the monks who join the conscription team, a monthly salary of 50 spirit stones will be paid. In addition, the dead and wounded will receive an additional subsidy of 200 spirit stones. There will also be an additional reward for each enemy monk killed. These will be directly distributed to the conscripted monks who join the coalition army."

"For the support of each sect, our sect will not be unfair. After the war is over, we will count the merits and give corresponding rewards of spirit stones or resource territories."

"The monks who participate in the conscription can serve in the coalition army for a maximum of ten years before they can regain their freedom."

"Now I announce the reward rules. For each sect, the number of troops sent will be the basis. Those who send more than ten people will be rewarded with 5,000 spirit stones. Those who send more than 20 people will be rewarded with 10,000 spirit stones. And so on. Those who send 100 people will be rewarded with 50,000 spirit stones."

"In addition, there are additional rewards for killing or injuring enemy soldiers. For each enemy soldier killed by a disciple of each sect, in addition to the disciple himself, the sect will also receive an additional spirit stone reward."

"In addition, our sect is willing to allocate thirty resource jurisdictions to each sect, and reward them according to the merits earned by each sect."

"All the rules are in the manual, which I will distribute to you later. After the war is over, the rewards will be distributed to each sect according to their size."

Originally, the Beast Taming Sect had not mentioned any compensation at all, but now that they have taken the initiative to bring it up, it is enough to show that they have a serious sense of crisis and know that they cannot control the various sects by coercion alone, and they need to give certain benefits. However, these conditions are not generous and seem stingy.

Putting aside other things, the Beast Taming Sect's giving away thirty resource territories is a bit too petty.

Back then, the Luoyun Sect recruited cultivators from Bianxi City to attack Humen City, and even provided ten resource territories as subsidies. As for the spirit stone rewards, they were a drop in the bucket for the Beastmaster Sect.

But no matter what, it is better to have something than nothing. At least the Beastmaster Sect has made it clear about the amount and method of the reward. This is much more reliable than saying nothing before and only saying that there will be rewards after the war.

The meeting lasted for most of the day before it ended. Everyone left and Song Xian also returned to Tianshan.

At night, Huang Ye hurried into the brightly lit hall and bowed. "Master, I've just received the latest intelligence from Xijiang County. The coalition forces in Xijiang County are demoralized. Rumor has it that a large number of recruited monks have fled. Among them, the recruited monks from Anyuan City's Fengxing Sect even left Xijiang County overnight and have now returned to Anyuan City."

"It is rumored that the Fengxing Sect has released a statement condemning the Beastmaster Sect for killing their monks without reason, and stated that they will no longer obey the Beastmaster Sect's orders."

"Really?" Song Xian's expression changed slightly. Recently, all forces have been undercurrents surging and ready to make moves.

For example, the Luoyun Sect and the Kong Family, according to the information obtained from Jiang Feng, these two families seem to have secret dealings with the Yunxuan Sect, but on the surface, they dare not openly oppose the Beast Taming Sect.

Therefore, when the sect meeting was held in Bianxi City, the representatives of the two families were very tactful and agreed with Jiang Feng.

I didn't expect that Fengxing Sect would cut ties with the Beast Taming Sect so quickly. It depends on how the Beast Taming Sect reacts next. I believe that all forces are paying close attention at this moment.

If the Beast Taming Sect does not eliminate the Fengxing Sect with thundering means, it will inevitably trigger a chain reaction, and more and more sects will cut ties with the Beast Taming Sect.

Feng Xingzong dared to be the first to take action, so they must have made some preparations. Yun Xuanzong and the Murong family must have been involved.

Fengxing Sect itself is the leading sect in Anyuan City. To kill them, the Beastmaster Sect has to send a Jindan cultivator to lead a large team to Anyuan City. However, with the situation in Xijiang County so stalemate, can the Beastmaster Sect still take Fengxing Sect into consideration?

(End of this chapter)