Choice and Betrayal
Cultivators had a habit of trying to do things to fill the voids they had due to things they were unwilling to be resigned to even if it hardly did anything. Owing to their lack of power to create significant change, they tried to make small changes to the world.
Mu Yu had those he was emotionally attached to, and they reciprocated his feelings. Those emotional attachments were his compass in life. He knew he lacked time and power. General Manager Xun’s gift was an opportunity for him to overcome those obstacles.
Pure spiritual energy enveloped Mu Yu’s seated body. His own spiritual energy ushered spiritual qi into his body toward his dantian using Dustfallen Mental Cultivation. He converted the spiritual qi into his own spiritual energy via his dantian. He lost track of time as he cleansed his body using the spiritual qi.
The world of cultivation was enjoying a peaceful season. Well, the ball was still rolling, but it was rolling below the surface. The various sects agreed to surrender – not without some degree of internal strife, unsurprisingly. At the very least, they could keep their efforts, albeit under a different name. It had yet to be decided, but the two main alliances were probably going to delegate patriarchs of their choice to each sect and have them managed according to the two alliance’s preference.
The alliances were merely abstract entities. In reality, everyone would continue staying at their sect. What changed was the cultivation system they would have to follow. It was the two big sects’ way of gradually taking over sects. An abrupt revolution where every sect was changed wasn’t feasible, after all.
Universe Sect’s Daoist Boyang sat on his seat with a pale face. The sect elders spent all day arguing which alliance they should join. Once it became nothing but an ad hominem spitting contest between Daoist Bo Yuan, Daoist Bo Ping and Abbess Bo Hua, Daoist Bo Yang intervened.
“You two done yet? Are you disregarding me?” Daoist Bo Yang slammed the timer table to smithereens. then carried on, expressing, “Our sect is about to be history, yet, instead of thinking about how to ensure its survival, you’re trying to figure out how to bow your head and to who? I hate to imagine what our ancestors would think when they see you two on the other side.”
Daoist Bo Xing, who sported a scruffy beard and hadn’t said a word up until then, smiled. “Patriarch, you know the status quo better than all of us. What good is our ancestor’s pledge? How are we going to keep our heads high? We have no choice but to go with the current. How do you know that’s not the route to survival? Additionally… whether or not we disregard you is of no importance because our future patriarch may be somebody else.”
“Insolence!” Daoist Bo Yang rose to his feet and discharged his energy.
Daoist Bo Xing also rose to his feet. He was driven back several steps, but he hadn’t wiped his grin of his face. “Senior Brother, your cultivation level isn’t worth anything now. All you’re good for is venting your anger on us. How will you deal with Reverend Jiuhua? Whoever he says is running the show will be running the show.”
“What are you implying? Have you sold your soul to Jiuhua Sect?” interrogated Bo Yuan, also jumping to his feet.
Bo Xing gave his senior a tepid glance. “Not quite. However, I am grateful Reverend Jiuhua thinks highly of me. I am merely a man who reads the weather well. Patriarch, you have been instated for so many years, yet our sect has failed to get anywhere. Let’s not mention your laughable friendship with Dustfallen Sect. You’re the one who’s a shame to our ancestors.”
Bo Xing had no reason to fear the others if Reverend Jiuhua was backing him. However, short Bo Ping wasn’t thrown off. “Brother Bo Xing is right. Bai Lang came to see me the day before, though. I, too, can read the forecast well. We will serve different masters going forward. You might not be Universe Sect’s next patriarch.”
Daoist Bo Yang couldn’t believe his ears. He was so overwhelmed with despair that he burst out into laughter. It turned out he was the only one fighting for his sect to the bitter end. He never abused his authority or prioritised anything over the sect. Gu Yitian finally pushed them to third rank. He finally saw hope, yet… They do say it’s every man for himself when danger looms. What was all his effort for in the end?
“All right! All right! All right!” thundered Daoist Bo Yang, dispersing his energy. “You’re all… great.”
Daoist Bo Yang made his way to their ancestral hall at the rear of the mountain with a hunched form. Gu Yitian went in and knelt next to his kneeling shifu. Gu Yitian wasn’t a wordsmith, so he didn’t know what to say.
“Yitian, do you think your shifu is useless?” asked Daoist Bo Yang, voice raspy and tired.
“No, Shifu. They are just ungrateful and traitorous. I know Green Pine Sect and Jiuhua Sect approached you first, but you rejected them. That is how those scoundrels ended up with the opportunity. No matter what it is you do, I believe you are right,” conveyed Gu Yitian.
Daoist Bo Yang was consoled to hear the disciple he selected from a group of children tell him that. To this day, recruiting Gu Yitian was his proudest decision. Gu Yitian only ever listened to Daoist Bo Yang.
Everyone had something they want to protect, even in the case of aloof Gu Yitian.
“Given your potential, Green Pine Sect and Jiuhua Sect will fight for you. Your future isn’t with Universe Sect. I don’t want to chain you down, either. I won’t be against you joining any sect. All I hope is that you will come back to help when Universe Sect faces a crisis.” Daoist Bo Yang let up three incense sticks and planted them in the furnace. He bowed, then picked up the whisk to dust the top of the tablet table.
“Shifu, I am Universe Sect’s disciple. I will not join any other sect. I will be with you no matter where you go.”
The corners of Daoist Bo Yang’s lips curved up. “You don’t need to comfort me. I’m getting on with age. Sticking with me will only hinder your progress. While I’m happy to know you’re loyal, if you want to join Green Pine or Jiuhua Sect, descend the mountain. Go where I can’t find you. Cultivation is a long and arduous journey you have to traverse on your own. If you have what it takes, leave Moyun Mountains. Our ancestors left behind a note saying the outside of Moyun Mountains is where the real world of cultivation is. If you want to leave, be cautious when crossing the forest.”
“Shifu, I will not leave. Please do n-”
Daoist Bo Yang patted Gu Yitian’s shoulder. “Fret not. I won’t reunite with our ancestors so soon. If I leave, those heartless ones will mow this ancestral hall down. I’m not going to concern myself with the sect any further. They can knock themselves out. As long as I’m alive, I will protect this hall, nevertheless.”
Gu Yitian knew what he had to do. He gave Daoist Bo Yang three kowtows before leaving. He didn’t have the ability to protect his shifu or sect. He needed power. He needed to cross the risky bridge for his convictions.
Previous Chapter l Next Chapter
