You, a living person, are telling me I've served in the underworld for ten years?

Chen Yang walked straight to the main seat and sat down, with Huang Zhenren standing beside him. Xuan Shui Zhenjun also stood up and nodded slightly to Chen Yang.

Chen Yang leaned back in his chair, his fingers interlaced on the table, his gaze calmly sweeping over the faces that were either tense, uneasy, or trying to remain composed, before he spoke.

"Why did you stop? I heard everything clearly outside. Don't you all have a lot to say and a lot to discuss? Continue, let me hear it too. Otherwise, some people will say that I, Chen Yang, am arbitrary and domineering, and that I am abusing my power."

His tone was calm, but the meaning behind his words made everyone present feel a chill, and they dared not speak easily. They had dared to yell at True Lord Xuan Shui earlier because True Lord Xuan Shui had a relatively mild temper, and his status was, after all, a level lower.

But faced with this young man who was already the Yin Marshal, the leader of the Qingwei Sect, and the one whose strength was rumored to be unfathomable, no one dared to be the first to step forward.

After a few seconds of silence, a middle-aged man in his fifties, dressed in a brocade robe and with a ruddy complexion, sitting in the middle of the conference table, seemed to have mustered up his courage and stood up.

He is the current head of the Gao family, a medium-sized family in the area.

The head of the Gao family cupped his hands in greeting to Chen Yang, forcing a smile, but his tone was still somewhat hesitant.

"Sect Leader Chen, please calm down. We came here today not to offend you, but because we were anxious and had no other choice."

He paused, and seeing that Chen Yang's face was expressionless, he continued, forcing himself to speak.

"Sect Leader Chen, your Qingwei Sect is now very powerful, and we all admire it. However... however, by opening your sect so wide and accepting so many disciples, you have attracted almost all the talented and ambitious young people from the surrounding states."

If this continues, our families and small sects might not even be able to recruit a single decent disciple... the lineage will end in our hands. Sect Leader Chen, could you... show some mercy and leave us a little room? Let us also recruit one or two promising talents to continue our lineage?"

As soon as he finished speaking, another elder from the Flowing Cloud Sect quickly echoed his words.

"Yes, Sect Leader Chen! Now that spiritual energy is reviving, it is a crucial time for all sects to accumulate strength and cultivate the next generation. But there are only so many good talents. If they are all taken by your sect, wouldn't we be left without even a sip of soup? This... this is too... too unfair."

His voice trailed off as he finished speaking.

After listening, Chen Yang had a half-smile on his face. He didn't directly respond to their request, but instead asked a question.

"As far as I know, not every disciple who comes to my Qingwei Sect to become an apprentice can pass the test. There are quite a few young people who fail and return disappointed."

Since they aspire to spiritual cultivation but have failed to join our Qingwei School, aren't they precisely the kind of people you should recruit? Why don't you go and find them, take them under your wing, and teach them diligently? Wouldn't that be perfect?"

Upon hearing this, a murmur of dissatisfaction immediately filled the conference room.

The man from the Iron Sword Sect couldn't help but speak in a muffled voice.

"Sect Leader Chen, what you're saying... those are the ones your Qingwei Sect rejected, they're 'useless'! What use are we to them? Are we just wasting resources training people with no future?"

"That's right! Training disciples also consumes resources! Those who can't pass your tests definitely lack aptitude and comprehension, making training them much more difficult and less efficient, or even impossible!"

The Zhao family patriarch also shook his head.

"You want us to pick up your unwanted trash? Isn't that bullying?"

"Yeah, wouldn't this make us look like we're picking up your scraps? If word gets out, where will we put our faces?"

The crowd started complaining again, though they didn't dare to be as intense as before, their dissatisfaction was evident.

Upon hearing these harsh words, Xuan Shui Zhenjun frowned and slammed his hand on the conference table in front of him!
"boom!"

A muffled thud, the palm strike imbued with true energy, made the table vibrate and silenced the murmurs of the crowd.

"presumptuous!"

Xuan Shui Zhenjun's face was ashen, and his sharp gaze swept over the crowd.

"This is the Qingwei Sect! It's not a place where you can run wild and speak recklessly! Watch your words!"

Master Huang also replied coldly.

"You all came here today claiming to be here to reason with us. But judging from your words and actions, it's hardly like reasoning with us. You're clearly using this as an excuse to force us to compromise and make our Qingwei faction give in! What, do you really think our Qingwei faction is made of clay, that you can manipulate it at will?"

After being reprimanded by Xuan Shui Zhenjun and Huang Zhenren, everyone's expressions became somewhat unnatural.

The man from the Iron Sword Sect, with his neck stiff, muttered something.

"We...we're not here to provoke anyone, we just...we just feel it's unfair. Besides, isn't it because your Qingwei Sect is so arrogant and bullies us small, insignificant families that you're so brazen, relying on the fact that Sect Leader Chen is the Underworld Marshal, holding a high position and wielding great power, even our ancestors are under his control..."

"Yes, that's right!"

"Even the Yin General can't be unreasonable!"

"We had no choice..."

Once someone started, others quietly echoed, each with an expression of "seven disagreements and eight resentments," but none daring to truly break off relations.

Chen Yang raised his hand, signaling Xuan Shui Zhenjun and Huang Zhenren to remain calm.

He looked at the crowd, his voice still calm, yet carrying an undeniable force.

“I, Chen Yang, never use my status in the Underworld to intimidate others. Today, we will only discuss the rules of the cultivation world.”

He paused, then spoke slowly.

"My attitude regarding recruiting disciples is very clear: it's all about ability. If disciples are willing to come to my Qingwei Sect, that's their choice, and it's also their recognition of my Qingwei Sect. If you want to retain your disciples, you should enhance the attractiveness of your sect."

We will provide better conditions and create a better cultivation environment. As long as you use legitimate means and compete fairly, the Qingwei Sect will not interfere and will be happy to see it succeed.

His gaze sharpened.

"However, I must warn you all of one thing. Competition must be conducted within the rules. If anyone resorts to underhanded tactics, or coerces or threatens a disciple or their family in order to seize their disciple…"

Once I find out and verify it, I, Chen Yang, will never let him go, nor will I let the forces behind him go!

These words were delivered with a resounding force, carrying a chilling murderous intent that sent a shiver down the spines of everyone present.

They had no doubt that Chen Yang had the ability and determination to do so.

Seeing this, Master Huang added in a timely manner.

"Have you all understood? My sect leader's meaning is very simple."

You too can be open and honest, promoting your strengths and attracting disciples with attractive conditions and aboveboard methods, just like we are. We don't hinder, and even welcome healthy competition. But the prerequisite is that it must be 'open and aboveboard'!

Xuan Shui Zhenjun also said in a deep voice.

“That’s right. The conditions offered by our Qingwei Sect are generous because we are willing to invest in training our disciples. If you can offer even more generous conditions, that’s your ability, and we have nothing to say about it. We accept fair competition.”

After listening to Chen Yang and the two core elders of the Qingwei Sect, the meeting room fell into a brief silence. The people exchanged glances and began to whisper among themselves.

"That...sounds like it makes sense?"

"Fair competition? Easier said than done. The Qingwei Sect has abundant resources and a stronger foundation than us. How can we possibly compete?" "You can't say that. After all, we are a local force. Some of our disciples live nearby and may not be willing to go to such lengths. If we offer sufficiently attractive terms, we might be able to retain some of them."

"Yes, the key is whether we are willing to invest and how we promote ourselves."

"If it were truly a fair competition, I would accept the loss; it's better than having no chance at all like this."

Amid the discussions, supporters and opponents, those hesitant and those calculating, were evenly divided. But at least, Chen Yang's proposed framework of "fair competition" gave them a glimmer of hope and silenced their continued sophistry.

Seeing everyone's reactions, Chen Yang knew that his words had worked.

He tapped his fingers lightly on the table, drawing everyone's attention back to him.

"It seems that everyone is generally accepting of this plan."

Chen Yang said calmly.

"Then it's settled. From today onwards, you may go back and recruit disciples in your own way. As long as your methods are aboveboard, the Qingwei Sect will not interfere and will not cause trouble afterward."

At this moment, the head of the Gao family stood up again and asked cautiously.

"Sect Leader Chen, words are not enough. What if... what if we offer generous terms and attract disciples, and then your Qingwei Sect raises the bar and snatches the disciples back? Wouldn't we have wasted our time? How can we, a small sect, compare with your sect in terms of resources and wealth?"

"Yes, yes! How can you guarantee that?"

"If you go back on your word, won't we have to come and cause trouble again?"

Others echoed this sentiment, as it was their biggest concern.

Chen Yang seemed to have expected this, and said calmly.

"On this point, I can make a promise to you. From today onwards, for one year, the basic conditions and treatment for disciples recruited by my Qingwei Sect will remain unchanged and will not be increased on my own initiative."

In other words, you have one year to use leverage no less than what my Qingwei Sect currently offers to communicate with disciples who haven't made a decision yet, or those who are dissatisfied with the current situation.

He changed the subject.

"Of course, this promise is only valid for one year. After one year, as the spiritual energy revival deepens, resource prices and cultivation costs may change, and our Qingwei Sect will adjust its strategies accordingly."

Then, everyone can rely on their own abilities. I believe that a year is enough time for you to stabilize your position and build your own base.

Our commitment to the same conditions for one year!

This condition caught everyone's attention. They looked at each other and all agreed that it was acceptable. A year is neither a long nor a short time.

But that's enough for them to try and win over those disciples who are still observing or hesitant due to reasons such as travel or family. As for a year from now... we'll see then; at least for now, the difficult time is over.

"Good! Sect Leader Chen is a man of few words! My Gao family accepts this condition!"

The head of the Gao family was the first to express his opinion, a relieved smile on his face.

"My Liuyun Sect has no objection either."

"Iron Sword Sect...agrees."

The Zhao family seconded the motion.

"The Qian family also agreed."

Seeing that the main parties had nodded in agreement, the others followed suit, essentially accepting Chen Yang's proposed solution. The tense atmosphere in the meeting room immediately eased considerably.

Seeing that the matter had been settled, the head of the Gao family stood up and cupped his hands in greeting.

"In that case... I won't bother you any longer. Sect Leader Chen, farewell, elders."

The others also got up and prepared to leave.

"Wait a minute."

Just as everyone was about to leave, Chen Yang suddenly spoke up and called them back.

The crowd paused, their hearts pounding, and they looked at Chen Yang warily. Someone couldn't help but ask.

"Sect Leader Chen, is there anything else? You...you wouldn't be going back on your word, would you? A gentleman's word is as good as his bond, and so many of us heard what you just said..."

Chen Yang glanced at the man and said calmly.

"I stopped you not to go back on my word. What I, Chen Yang, say, I will always keep."

His gaze slowly swept over the crowd, and his tone became serious and cold.

"I have something else to remind you of. Back in Kyoto, I was assassinated several times by foreign assassins in black. I'm still investigating who's behind it. But one thing is certain: these assassins were brought in through certain channels within China!"

His voice suddenly turned cold.

"I'm making this clear today. Some people may think they can get away with things from the past. But from now on, if anyone dares to collude with foreign forces and do things like inviting wolves into the house and harming their compatriots, they will be severely punished."

No matter who he is, no matter which family or sect stands behind him... once I verify his identity, I will exterminate his entire family, leaving no one alive!

The last eight words pierced everyone's ears like ice picks, carrying a chilling killing intent that caused the temperature in the entire conference room to plummet! Everyone felt a chill run from the soles of their feet to the top of their heads, their scalps tingling.

"We...we didn't!"

"Sect Leader Chen, you are wise! We would never dare to do such a thing!"

"Who did this? They'd better come forward! This kind of traitor who sells out his country for personal gain and colludes with foreign enemies deserves to be punished by everyone!"

"Yes! If we knew, we would definitely report it!"

After a brief moment of shock, everyone quickly distanced themselves from the situation, and some even expressed their outrage on the spot, condemning the behavior.

Master Huang, observing the situation from the side, saw that the time was right, so he cleared his throat, took over the conversation, and softened his tone.

"There's no need for you all to be nervous. The sect leader is simply laying bare the unpleasant truths beforehand to warn those with ill intentions. Of course, we also know that everyone here is part of the Chinese cultivation world, and most of you are people who understand the greater good."

He changed the subject, his tone becoming slightly seductive.

"Therefore, the sect leader's meaning is that if anyone knows any clues about this matter, or suspects that certain people are colluding with foreign forces, they are welcome to report it to our Qingwei Sect."

"If the clues are true and help us catch the real culprit, the Qingwei Sect will reward you handsomely! Spirit stones, pills, cultivation techniques, magical artifacts... whatever the Qingwei Sect can offer, we will not be stingy!"

Everyone's eyes lit up again upon hearing this. A reward for reporting? And a substantial reward from the Qingwei Faction! This was far more attractive than mere verbal threats! Many immediately began to consider any rumors or suspicious activity they knew. (End of Chapter)