Gentlemen, it's time to enter the Banner of Ten Thousand Souls.

Chapter 240 The Qinghe Sword Sect is 'isolated'
On the isolated Rift Sky Mountain, the clear sword mark in the sky has existed for a thousand years.

Looking up now, you can still see all sorts of twisted and bizarre shadows in the cut marks.

The leaders of the five major sects had already reunited here, but none of them paid much attention to the sword mark. Instead, they all looked at a water mirror hanging in front of them.

The water mirror reflects everything that happened on Pearl Island, from beginning to end.

The five sect leaders arrived here as soon as the decision to hold the Rift Sky Mountain Gathering was made.

The so-called grand construction project in anticipation of the grand event was nothing more than a pretext. For these great cultivators who were close to immortals, even a piece of driftwood could provide a stable foothold; there was no need to build any palaces or grand halls.

There's no need to make the younger generation wait at Zhuguang Port, wasting their time.

All of this was nothing more than a test, a trial.

Just as the five sect leaders had anticipated, the Demonic Sect couldn't resist taking action. Although they only used a minor trick, it nearly caused heavy casualties at Pearl Harbor.

From beginning to end, everyone's performance was observed by the five sect leaders.

After everyone fell silent, Jiao Yue, the leader of Tianxin Island, slowly withdrew the water mirror technique that reflected all directions.

Zhang Qi, as always, was unkempt. After his fellow practitioners fell silent, he burst into laughter and said, "Not bad, much better than I expected. Old Lu, I told you that calling Chen Ye would have been the right thing to do, didn't I? He's not only blessed with good fortune, but he's also a rare talent."

Lu Xingzhou had a serious expression, and it was impossible to tell whether he was angry or disappointed. Hearing Zhang Qi say this, Lu Xingzhou simply nodded.

However, Yin Xiaoshuang, the leader of the Mirage Sect, said with shame, "Our Mirage Sect has disgraced the five major sects. I never expected our disciples to be so unworthy."

For this grand event, Yin Xiaoshuang had no choice but to end her seclusion, only to hear a series of bad news as soon as she emerged. First, the Demonic Sect attacked the Mirage Sect, and a tsunami caused the Mirage Demon Clan to flee en masse. And now, this farce has unfolded.

In this farce at Zhuguang Port, the worst performer was Yu Xing of the Mirage Faction; he was utterly disgraceful.

Zhang Qi, who was thought to be the most intolerant of any flaws, said, "Xiao Shuang, you're still blinded by that so-called face. You only think that Yu Xing has embarrassed you, but tell me, from beginning to end, what did he do wrong?"

Zhang Qi's words surprised the other sect leaders.

This Yu Xing is clearly a walking scourge. It all started with him arguing with the Yunlu Immortal Sect, then he stormed off in a huff, and then he took Yue Song Zhenren as a demon and threw out those two Kui Niu Divine Thunders.

It's fair to say that 99% of the trouble comes from Yu Xing, so why is Zhang Qi asking him what he did wrong?
Zhang Qi sighed and said, "Xiao Shuang, let me ask you, did Yu Xing actually start the trouble? Wasn't he wronged?"

Yin Xiaoshuang said doubtfully, "Even if he was wronged, it's because of his usual misconduct that he was so easily wronged."

Zhang Qi laughed and said, "The way you talk makes you sound like a demon. You think you're being bullied because you've done something wrong? Shouldn't we, the so-called righteous people, keep things separate? We should settle scores when we offend someone. If Yu Xing is wronged just because he behaves improperly, then where is the justice in this world?"

"Yu Xing's only mistake was mistakenly believing he was encountering a demonic possession, and using a magic weapon he shouldn't have used. But shouldn't you Mirage Sect blame yourself? How do you usually teach your disciples? Those who play illusions are most afraid of demonic possessions. You exaggerated this matter to an extreme degree, scaring Yu Xing into thinking he was going to die, which is why he threw out his most powerful magic weapon. If we really have to pinpoint his fault, your Mirage Sect should account for at least 30% of it."

"Let bygones be bygones. But in the whole Pearl Harbor incident, Yu Xing was wronged and misled, and then forced to use that magic weapon. At most, it was due to inexperience, not that he was inherently evil. You still care that he made you lose face, but the real problem lies with your Mirage Sect itself."

Yin Xiaoshuang was reprimanded by Zhang Qi, but she was not angry at all. She just looked at Zhang Qi intently.

Zhang Qi was not a preacher; for a thousand years, he preferred to cut down his opponent with a single sword stroke rather than preach a long string of principles to people.

He was dying, which is why he became so talkative.

The other sect leaders were also aware of the situation. Regardless of any dissatisfaction they might have had with Zhang Qi in the past, they listened attentively like juniors now that things had come to this.

After all, this was the Nine Heavens Sword Immortal who once swept away all demons. If it weren't for Zhang Qi, there wouldn't be the five major sects in the world today.

Zhang Qi was merely speaking from the heart, saying to the other sect leaders, "You are all old guys who are hundreds of years old. I can see that, and you know it too. After I leave, the Demonic Sect will definitely make a comeback, and in the future, we will have to rely on these younger generations to support us. But look at them, they don't even know each other's names. How can they live and die together?"

Back then, the demonic sect was powerful, and it was only through the selfless efforts of righteous cultivators that they barely managed to survive. At that time, everyone was willing to risk their lives and unconditionally believe in their fellow practitioners, which is how the weak can overcome the strong.

But nowadays, the right path doesn't have this kind of external pressure, and over the years it has turned into internal competition.

A slight smile appeared on Lu Xingzhou's stern face as he said to Zhang Qi, "I know what you mean. Once you leave, the righteous path will indeed be unable to unite as a single force as it was back then, and will only be able to fight their own battles. My disciples are domineering and unreasonable, but they are all loyal to the Burning Incense Sect, which is exactly what the Burning Incense Sect needs."

Lu Xingzhou, abandoning his previous gloomy and serious demeanor, smiled and said to everyone, "In a peaceful and prosperous era, we cannot produce the same group of heroes who followed one after another. To attempt to recreate that era is nothing but wishful thinking. How many disciples has Zhang Qi produced in the past thousand years? If all five righteous sects were as strict as the Qinghe Sword Sect, we would be courting death."

"When the Demonic Sect comes to attack, our sect will help each other if we can, and if we can't, we'll each mind our own business. We are not as united as we were a thousand years ago, but we have more talented disciples in our later generations, and the Demonic Sect no longer has eighteen Demon Lords. Different eras should have different ways of dealing with things."

Finally, Lu Xingzhou told Zhang Qi everything he had been thinking.

He knew that the two were on different paths and could not work together. They were only held together by the camaraderie they had formed in the past. If it hadn't come to this, Lu Xingzhou wouldn't have wanted to argue with Zhang Qi about these things.

But this gathering was originally intended to discuss how to deal with the counterattack from the Demonic Sect, and it was time to reveal our hand. In recent years, the Incense Burning Sect has relaxed its standards for accepting disciples, allowing its rules to deteriorate and its disciples to develop various problems, but in return, the number of disciples has increased significantly.

The chief disciples of the Three Mountains and Five Halls are only a few of the most outstanding, but the number of other cultivators is far greater than that. When the demonic sect counterattacks, the Incense Burning Sect will naturally have sufficient power to protect itself.

You can only talk about character and morality after you've survived.

The Mirage Sect is essentially the same thing; otherwise, how could a disciple like Yu Xing, who is talented but lacks intelligence, possibly catch their eye?

However, the Mirage Sect was really unlucky. Their spells required too much talent, so it was difficult for them to expand their recruitment.

The Yunlu Immortal Sect and Tianxin Island are different. The Yunlu Immortal Sect has a wide variety of Five Elements spells, and every cultivator can master one or two of them. Tianxin Island is home to the Merfolk, a race with extraordinary talents, ensuring that Tianxin Island never lacks outstanding disciples.

Originally, the Mirage Sect also planned to learn from Heavenly Heart Island, with the Mirage Demon clan being their target and the most suitable to be trained as disciples. However, the Mirage Demons are different from the Merfolk; they are born without intelligence, and even the rare encounter with a Spirit Immortal has now resulted in their escape. Zhang Qi watched Lu Xingzhou's impassioned speech without offering any rebuttal.

The leaders of the five major sects are not fools; they all have their own reasons, they just chose different paths.

“Since that’s the case, I won’t waste any more words. After I leave, I will rely on you all to protect the righteous path.” Zhang Qi and Lu Xingzhou exchanged a glance, and then Zhang Qi asked, “Old Lu, since you made the plan, you will also be in charge of the arrangements afterward.”

Lu Xingzhou, without hesitation, said to the other sect leaders, "Everyone, the purpose of this grand gathering is twofold: first, to create an opportunity for Zhang Qi to unleash his final strike, so we must lure him out. I have already asked the fellow Daoists of Tianxin Island to work together to set up an array at Lietian Mountain to fake the scene of Zhang Qi's ascension."

“Once the formation is activated, those demons will likely become restless. We, the four major sects, will handle the weaker demons. Only when a truly formidable opponent appears should Zhang Qi unleash this final strike, so as not to waste it. Does anyone have any objections to this?”

Master Jiaoyue of Tianxin Island asked, "The formation has been completed, but why are the disciples of the Qinghe Sword Sect, from the four major sects, here to deal with the demon?"

Lu Xingzhou laughed and said, "They will naturally play the role of isolated victims. The five major sects are fighting among themselves because of Zhang Qi's ascension. Zhang Qi is usually domineering and arrogant, and I imagine you all have a lot of resentment in your hearts. After he ascends, shouldn't we vent our anger on the Qinghe Sword Sect? Just isolating him is already considered merciful by our righteous sects."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Qi couldn't help but stroke his beard. This old Lu was taking the opportunity to be sarcastic.

Although the two were old comrades-in-arms who had gone through life and death together, they often quarreled. Lu Xingzhou had been waiting for this opportunity for a long time, and at least half of his sarcastic demeanor was genuine.

However, Zhang Qi didn't care anymore. Let him vent his anger; anyway, his death would end everything.

Lu Xingzhou carefully discussed the details with everyone. When they had finished talking, Lu Xingzhou took out an ancient bamboo scroll and said to everyone, "It's perfect that you are all here. In order to ensure the smooth progress of the plan, we will follow the old ways today and have the four major sects form an alliance to defend each other."

This contract is not just a promise made in words, but a contract signed on this bamboo slip by several sect leaders using their own spiritual energy. Disciples of the four major sects will be bound by the contract, and will be punished if they do not abide by the rules of this alliance.

The five major sects signed this contract back then.

Upon hearing this, Yin Xiaoshuang quickly said, "Why are the four major sects here again? Didn't we agree that isolating the Qinghe Sword Sect was just a pretense?"

Lu Xingzhou said seriously, "If you're going to put on a show, you have to go all the way. Otherwise, how can you conceal the secrets of heaven? Besides, do you all have any concerns about the Qinghe Sword Sect? Even without this contract, are you afraid that the Qinghe Sword Sect will betray the alliance?"

Upon hearing this, Yin Xiaoshuang was no longer worried.

For a thousand years, the character of everyone in the Qinghe Sword Sect has stood the test of time.

"Everyone, please!"

Lu Xingzhou tossed the bamboo slip in his hand into the air, and the bamboo slip transformed into an ancient and dark phantom, appearing before everyone.

The contract, signed a thousand years ago with the blood of many cultivators, is covered with names, most of whom died in the war between the righteous and the demonic.

Looking at the names of their predecessors, the other sect leaders were also filled with emotion.

Unexpectedly, only a thousand years later, they are about to sign this contract again.

The sect leaders pricked their fingertips and wrote their names on the contract.

The ancient bamboo slips emitted a hazy, clear light, which then transformed into a halo that spread outwards and disappeared into the horizon at an extremely fast speed.

A mysterious mark appeared on the back of each of the four sect leaders' hands; this was the alliance contract between offense and defense.

With the contract in hand, you can sense the location of nearby allies no matter where you are. If the distance is within a hundred miles, you can communicate with each other, and there are many other convenient means.

At the same time, the contract also serves as a constraint. Anyone who joins the demonic sect and harms fellow practitioners will be marked by the contract, emitting a red light that can be seen even hundreds of years later. Moreover, their spiritual energy will be sealed, leaving them helpless and waiting for their death.

In a short while, the halo of the contract had already flown across the sea and arrived in Pearl Harbor.

The disciples of the four major sects all sensed something, and corresponding marks appeared on their hands.

Inside the Pearl and Treasure Pavilion, Chen Ye was about to pour tea for Mo Suixin, who was sitting next to him, when he suddenly noticed a change in her expression and asked in confusion, "Miss Mo, what's wrong? Do you think I'm too petty and are holding a grudge against Qin Wanjun?"

Mo Suixin came to find Chen Ye specifically because of Qin Wanjun's matter.

Tianxin Island has already discussed compensation with the Mirage Sect, and the Incense Burning Sect has also received an inquiry letter from Tianxin Island.

Qin Wanjun attacked Chen Ye without asking why, which violated the rules of Tianxin Island at the time, so the consequences could be severe.

Qin Wanjun himself didn't think there was anything wrong with it. The Incense Burning Sect was a large and powerful family. At worst, they would just compensate with some pills and magic treasures. They wouldn't make him pay with his life, would they?
However, after being scolded by Mo Suixin, Fang Hao, the sect leader's disciple, seemed to have figured something out. His attitude became much more sincere, and he begged Mo Suixin to first test Chen Ye's intentions before he would personally come to apologize.

This gesture was quite appropriate; Mo Suixin had to give Fang Hao some face.

Moreover, Mo Suixin had not seen Chen Ye for a long time and originally wanted to find an opportunity to meet with him.

He had barely sat down and explained his purpose when this contract appeared in his hand.

When Chen Ye asked about it, Mo Suixin showed him the contract and explained its purpose.

Upon hearing this, Chen Ye was deeply impressed by the magic's wonder. He hadn't expected the five major sects to possess such a method to prevent internal strife. Back in the Yellow Springs Sect, he had discussed with Qu Heng what to do if the five major sects were instigated to fight each other when the Demonic Sect revived.

It seems there aren't many fools in the world after all. With this contract, at least the righteous path can unite.

But then Chen Ye frowned and asked, "But what about rogue cultivators?"

(End of this chapter)