Chapter 711: Chapter 710: Conversing with the Bigwigs
Yang Fei was not familiar with the Imperial City, and since he and Hu Lizhong were basically considered fugitives there, they agreed when Zhao Wuji suggested a change to a quieter location.
Zhao Wuji truly lived up to his name as the Shadow Slaughter Venerable; his power within the Divine Continent remained formidable.
Originally, Qin Yanyang had led Yang Fei on a mission to cleanse the Shadows. Although they had dismantled the Shadow Headquarters, they had not completely eradicated the Shadows.
Under Zhao Wuji’s arrangements, the seven of them quickly arrived at a courtyard house.
Though not in the busiest area, the courtyard house was situated between the third and fourth rings and covered a large area. In the precious land of the Imperial City, it certainly held significant value.
The east side of the courtyard had been converted into a tea house, decorated in a classical and elegant style, which was quite to everyone’s taste.
After sitting down, Wang Chunyang looked at Yang Fei and said, "Lad, the authentic Daoist cultivation technique you openly shared in the Hidden Sect was indeed impressive. It has caused quite a stir in the Hidden Sect. In the past few months, many who switched to this cultivation technique have made quick progress, and even many who had reached bottlenecks in their cultivation have broken through and are ready to advance to the next stage. You have done a good deed for the cultivation realm."
Yang Fei smiled and said, "That’s good to hear. I was worried that only a unique talent like me could quickly grasp this Daoist cultivation technique."
Wang Chunyang laughed and said, "Indeed, you are an arrogant young man. But you are right; although the Daoist Mysterious Sect cultivation techniques are profound, most people haven’t seen much change after months of practicing. However, for those cultivators with higher comprehension, these techniques are extremely useful. And Daoist cultivation techniques emphasize accumulating depth to produce significant results; you often can’t see much at the beginning, but once you gain some insight after a long period of cultivation, the potential is immense, and the upper limits are high."
Speaking of which, Wang Chunyang glanced at Helian Zhan and continued, "These days, I have also studied the Daoist cultivation technique and compared it with some cultivation techniques of my Wang Family. I’ve realized that although this Daoist cultivation technique seems basic, it is actually profound and infinitely mysterious."
Helian Zhan just smiled in response and didn’t speak.
Both Ouyang He and Zhao Wuji nodded in agreement, it appeared they had verified this after obtaining the mnemonic of the Daoist cultivation technique.
Helian Rong said, "I switched to the Daoist cultivation technique recently, and I feel that my realm is much more solid than before. Though there hasn’t been significant progress, one thing is certain, my foundation is much firmer."
Listening to this, Helian Zhan laughed and said, "Indeed, the Daoist cultivation technique prioritizes a solid foundation. Only with a strong foundation can one go further. Compared to other techniques, it has higher demands on the cultivator, focusing on innate talent and comprehension. The higher one’s talent and comprehension, the farther they will go later. Continue diligently with this Daoist technique, it might also benefit your condition."
Helian Rong silently nodded.
"Ahem, let’s get back to the main topic," said Yang Fei, noticing the conversation veering off. Worried that these individuals might continue to probe into his identity as a Taoist Inheritor and ask more about Taoist scriptures, he swiftly changed the subject.
"Hehe, what do you consider to be the main topic?" Wang Chunyang asked, staring at Yang Fei.
Yang Fei said, "The grand tendencies of the world."
Wang Chunyang laughed heartily, "Indeed ambitious!"
Yang Fei shook his head, "Actually, I am not a very ambitious person, but facing these overwhelming trends, if I do nothing, I feel that I would be letting myself down, and betraying my identity as a Taoist Inheritor."
Ouyang He scoffed, "What, do you also want to restore the Taoist sect like Huang Chengcheng tried and oppose the Eight Great Forces?"
Wang Chunyang looked at Yang Fei with a half-smile.
Yang Fei felt a shiver in his heart. Since meeting, these powerful figures had brought him a certain amount of pressure, but it was only now that he felt a touch of hostility from Ouyang He.
For the Hidden Sect Eight Great Forces, the identity of a Taoist Inheritor was obviously sensitive.
After all, with the destruction of the Taoist sect over eighty years ago, in which all the Eight Great Forces participated, none could escape blame if the Taoists sought revenge.
As the oldest among them, and as the current Sect Leader of the Poison Sect, Ouyang He had likely personally participated in the siege of the Taoist sect back then.
Hu Lizhong’s forehead began to sweat, causing smudges in his makeup.
Yang Fei was not afraid at all, and as he met Ouyang He’s gaze, he firmly said, "If it weren’t for the massive changes in the world’s structure, as a Taoist inheritor, it would naturally be my duty to rebuild and restore the Taoist Sect."
"Hmph, the Taoist Sect was exterminated over eighty years ago. In the early years, the remnants of the Taoist Sect attempted multiple times to regroup, but all their attempts ended in failure. Now, I won’t deny that the Hidden Sect harbors many descendants of the Taoist sect, and many loose cultivators still aspire to it. However, the overall momentum has passed. Furthermore, with the existence of the Eight Great Forces, it’s impossible to rebuild the Taoist Sect."
Ouyang He stared coldly at Yang Fei and said, "Kid, if you want to live, you’d better give up the idea of reorganizing the Taoist Sect. Otherwise, you’ll face a joint siege by the Eight Great Forces, and even if you had three heads and six arms, you would still die."
Wang Chunyang and Helian Zhan did not interject. Both wore smiles as they watched Yang Fei, seemingly uninterested in the matter, but they were more interested in Yang Fei’s attitude.
Helian Rong, fearing that Yang Fei’s words would provoke her master, immediately said, "Yeah, Yang Fei, you should stop thinking about rebuilding the Taoist Sect. Currently, due to worldly affairs, the Hidden Sect Eight Great Forces might split into several factions. Moreover, Heaven and Penglai are also joining the world scene, which will lead to a global confrontation. Each of the Eight Great Forces will have its own agenda for development and won’t band together. However, if you try to reestablish the Taoist Sect, the Eight Great Forces will definitely unite against you."
Yang Fei had thought about reestablishing the Taoist Sect, but he was never keen on it.
Especially after his last venture into the Hidden Sect, where his master had said that someone would aid him in times of trouble. He had almost been detained, with no one stepping forward to help him.
If it weren’t for Qin Yanyang risking everything to rescue him, he would likely still be trapped there.
Following that incident, Yang Fei was somewhat disappointed in his master and even more so in the so-called remnants of the Taoist Sect.
He felt that even if there were still people in the Taoist Sect, they had lost their fighting spirit under the attacks of the Eight Great Forces and had given up hope of restoring the Taoist Sect.
People’s hearts couldn’t be relied on. What use was his own efforts if he, Yang Fei, continued to strive?
At this moment, having heard Helian Rong’s analysis, Yang Fei nodded and said, "Thanks for the reminder. In fact, I never really considered rebuilding the Taoist Sect from the start, nor did I plan on opposing the Eight Great Forces. However, now, because of my wife, I will never forgive the Zhuge and Duanmu aristocratic families."
As he said this, his gaze fixed on Ouyang He, Wang Chunyang, and Helian Zhan: "I wonder how the Sects or aristocratic families you three represent view the current situation in the Divine Continent?"
Wang Chunyang smiled and said, "Are you trying to ask if we, along with your wife Qin Yanyang, hold any hostility towards you, right?"
Yang Fei nodded and said, "Exactly, I need to confirm whether you all are enemies or allies with the Duanmu and Zhuge families."
"Not at all," Helian Rong said directly.
Yang Fei glanced at her, not taking her word for it, but instead turned his gaze back to the three powerhouses.
Helian Zhan smiled and said, "For the time being, the Hidden Sect Eight Great Forces are not monolithic. All actions regarding the Divine Continent were decisions made by the Zhuge and Duanmu families."
Yang Fei’s heart stirred, and he asked, "So, Senior Helian, are you saying you haven’t allied with those two families?"
Helian Zhan nodded.
Yang Fei turned to Wang Chunyang and Ouyang He.
Ouyang He snorted and ignored Yang Fei, seemingly harboring some hostility towards him, perhaps due to their earlier conversation.
Wang Chunyang responded with a bland smile, "The sole guiding principle of the Langya Wang Family is lineage. As long as we can ensure the stable and healthy continuation of our lineage and maintain a certain status and strength, we are open to any choice."
Yang Fei frowned.
It seemed like something was said, yet nothing was said at all.
Wang Chunyang smiled gently and continued, "Personally, I dislike allying with the Zhuge and Duanmu families, especially those old fools from the Duanmu aristocratic family which I have always detested."
Yang Fei’s eyes lit up.