Lu Qingxuan’s voice remained calm, yet it struck like thunder, exploding violently within the hearts of Ancestor Xuehai and Gui You.
Ancestor Xuehai’s pupils shrank abruptly, while the black mist surrounding Gui You froze mid-motion.
The ferocity and menace on their faces vanished in an instant, leaving behind nothing but overwhelming shock and dread.
How did he know?!
Ancestor Xuehai and Ancestor Gui Sha had entered seclusion cultivation together, attempting to break through to the 8th stage of the Divine Transformation Realm. This matter was among the highest secrets of the demonic path, known to only a handful.
So how had Lu Qingxuan learned of it?
A terrifying thought rose simultaneously in both their minds—there was a traitor within the demonic sect.
Who was it?
Who exactly?!
These shameless, backstabbing demonic cultivators were utterly detestable!
At this point, any further words seemed meaningless.
Ancestor Xuehai and Gui You exchanged a glance, then both fell silent. Yet the suspicion and malice in their eyes only deepened.
Seeing the demonic side suffer a setback, the righteous Ancestors felt a surge of satisfaction.
At the same time, they looked toward Lu Qingxuan, unease stirring faintly in their hearts.
According to him, the righteous path would take ninety percent—but how exactly would that be divided?
With the overwhelming strength he had displayed today, even if the Azure Immortal Sect claimed half, no one would dare object.
Just as everyone’s thoughts drifted, Lu Qingxuan spoke again, “Of this ninety percent, the Azure Immortal Sect will take twenty percent.”
Everyone froze, thinking they had misheard.
Ignoring their shock, he continued, “Grand Righteous Academy will take twenty percent. Heavenly Sword Sect will take twenty percent. Wangu Temple will take twenty percent. Supreme Origin Sect will take ten percent.”
Silence fell over the entire scene.
The righteous Ancestors exchanged glances, their faces filled with disbelief.
This distribution… it wasn’t merely fair—it was astonishingly generous.
In the past, whenever similar fortuitous opportunities arose, their allocations were roughly the same.
Back then, the Azure Immortal Sect had only one Divine Transformation expert, comparable to the Supreme Origin Sect, and thus received only ten percent.
The Heavenly Sword Sect, with Ancestor Luo Tianxing at the 7th stage of the Divine Transformation Realm, had always stood at the peak of the righteous path and naturally took a larger share.
But now, Lu Qingxuan, with his 6th stage Divine Transformation Realm cultivation, had suppressed everyone present. His strength likely rivaled Luo Tianxing himself.
Under such circumstances, he could have rightfully claimed the greatest share for the Azure Immortal Sect—yet he only took twenty percent, standing equal with the strongest Heavenly Sword Sect and the deeply rooted Grand Righteous Academy and Wangu Temple.
Such bearing, such magnanimity.
Sect Master Pudu of Wangu Temple pressed his palms together and bowed slightly, “Amitabha. Fellow Daoist Lu, your righteousness is admirable. I am truly impressed.”
Headmaster Li stroked his beard and smiled, “With Fellow Daoist Lu presiding over the righteous path of the Southern Ridge, Lizhou is truly fortunate.”
Not far away, Su Qingyan slowly lifted her gaze. Within her cool phoenix eyes flickered undisguised admiration and pride.
Her master was still the same.
No matter how high his cultivation realm or status rose, his conduct remained as clear and noble as ever, inspiring heartfelt reverence.
Just as everyone’s emotions surged and their respect for Lu Qingxuan reached its peak, his voice sounded again, “As for the twenty percent obtained by the Azure Immortal Sect, I will take half of it and gift it to all unaffiliated cultivators of the Southern Ridge, Lizhou.”
The moment these words fell, every expression froze—whether from the five righteous sects or the three demonic sects.
Gift it to unaffiliated cultivators?
Ten percent of the inheritance!
This wasn’t spirit stones or pills—this was the inheritance of an ancient mighty figure, a supreme fortuitous opportunity capable of changing the fate of a cultivator, even an entire small faction.
And he was just… giving it away?
The Ancestor of the Supreme Origin Sect’s lips trembled as he spoke, “Fellow Daoist Lu… you…”
He had lived nearly a thousand years, yet he had never seen someone of the righteous path act in such a way.
Headmaster Li’s eyes flashed with sharp light before he let out a long sigh. As he looked at Lu Qingxuan, admiration remained—but now there was also a deeper curiosity.
He faintly sensed that Lu Qingxuan’s every step was not impulsive, but part of a far-reaching plan.
After all, even if he did not need it himself, he could have used it to strengthen his sect’s foundation.
“However,” Lu Qingxuan’s tone shifted slightly, “I have a proposal.”
Everyone’s hearts tightened. They knew such a tremendous benefit would not come without a price.
“The Soul-Breaking Mountain Range is extremely dangerous. Every time our disciples enter for training, there are casualties. If this continues, it will not benefit the righteous path.”
His voice was steady and firm, “Rather than letting them fight alone and suffer needless losses, why not have our five sects join forces and construct a city at the entrance of the Soul-Breaking Mountain Range?”
“This city can provide shelter, rest, and a place for trade for our disciples. It can also serve as the first line of defense against beast tides from deep within the mountains.”
“Most importantly, this city will not belong to any single sect. It will be jointly guarded and managed by all five sects. Any cultivator from Lizhou entering the mountains, whether sect disciple or unaffiliated cultivator, may enter the city for protection.”
“Amitabha!”
Sect Master Pudu was the first to react. He clasped his hands and bowed deeply, “Fellow Daoist Lu is farsighted and compassionate toward all living beings. I am ashamed of myself. Wangu Temple fully supports the construction of this city!”
“My Grand Righteous Academy agrees!” Headmaster Li laughed heartily, stroking his beard. “Excellent! This is an act that benefits both the present and generations to come!”
The Ancestors of the Heavenly Sword Sect and Supreme Origin Sect exchanged a glance. In each other’s eyes, they saw shock—and complete conviction.
Without hesitation, they cupped their hands together, “We will follow Fellow Daoist Lu’s lead!”
A joint city meant the five great sects would become more closely connected than ever before.
Shared benefits, shared risks.
Over time, a powerful righteous alliance—centered subtly around the Azure Immortal Sect—would become unbreakable.
Boom—
High above, the golden clouds that had been gently glowing suddenly churned violently.
Countless rays of light gathered, slowly forming lines of ancient golden characters across the sky.
The script was ancient and powerful, carrying an overwhelming pressure that transcended time itself. Even the Divine Transformation Ancestors felt their hearts tremble.
“I am the Nine-Life Cat Demon Emperor, at the 9th stage of the Combined Body Realm. Here, I attempted to break through to the Great Ascension Realm, but failed and perished.”
“All that I have learned in my lifetime is stored here. Yet the Great Dao is ruthless—only those with great destiny luck and great perseverance may obtain it.”
“This inheritance is only open to cultivators below the Golden Core Realm. Remember this: once greed arises, your soul will be annihilated.”
“In seven days, the inheritance will open.”
Though only a few lines, the information they contained was earth-shaking.
Nine-Life Cat Demon Emperor.
9th stage of the Combined Body Realm.
Failed breakthrough to the Great Ascension Realm.
Every person present felt their breathing halt.
Above the Divine Transformation Realm lay the Void Refinement Realm, the Combined Body Realm, and the Great Ascension Realm.
The inheritance of a Demon Emperor who stood at the peak of the Combined Body Realm was far more valuable than they had imagined—hundreds, thousands of times more precious.
Yet immediately after, the expressions of the Divine Transformation Ancestors turned strange.
Only cultivators below the Golden Core Realm could enter?
They—ancient beings who had lived for over a thousand years—had argued and schemed here for so long… only to discover they weren’t even qualified to enter?
For a moment, the atmosphere turned awkward.
Headmaster Li cleared his throat first, breaking the silence, “It seems we old fellows are merely here to pave the way for the younger generation.”
Hearing this, everyone smiled faintly.
A trace of a smile also appeared on Lu Qingxuan’s face.
“In that case, everyone should return and prepare.”
“In seven days, let your finest disciples come here and compete.”
With those words, Lu Qingxuan did not linger. With a sweep of his sleeve, he transformed into a streak of azure light and shot toward the Azure Immortal Sect.
“Farewell, Fellow Daoist Lu!”
…