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Chapter 1200: Chapter 1069: Ignore
"Ancestor Rui’s Mahayana ceremony must be held, but there’s no need to pretend to be stronger than we are. The family just needs to approach it earnestly," Li Taichang said.
The Li family has grown too quickly, leaving insufficient time to accumulate a solid foundation. In this regard, the Li family is even inferior to some older Integration-level forces.
Upon hearing this, the elders refrained from further argument, as both sides had reluctantly arrived at a mutually acceptable answer.
"Since we’ve decided to host the ceremony, preparations for various spiritual objects must begin immediately to avoid running out of time."
Li Taichang thought for a moment and said, "This matter will need the Internal Affairs Elder to take the lead."
As the head of the family, he had too many matters to handle. Organizing the ceremony was an extremely tedious task that he simply didn’t have the time to oversee personally.
"Understood," the Internal Affairs Elder replied.
"If there’s nothing else, let’s conclude here."
Seeing no one speak further, Li Taichang stood up and left.
Meanwhile.
The Qingzhu Sect, He Family, Huoyang Sect, and other forces surrounding the Li family all convened their own meetings upon learning that Li Zhirui had achieved Mahayana.
Their discussions were similar, revolving around how to manage their relationship with the Li family.
For forces already subservient to the Li family, their emotions ranged from admiration to relief. They understood that offering support during hard times leaves a deeper impression than adding praise in prosperous moments. While they hadn’t exactly acted as benefactors, the principle still resonated.
It might seem as if the Li family’s promotion to a Mahayana-level force had little to do with them, but as their patron, the Li family bore the obligation to protect them if bullied!
After all, the annual tributes they paid were not offered for free.
Of course, the level of assistance they’d receive would depend on their relationship with the Li family or their ability to present rare spiritual objects.
Though they were pleased, others felt uneasy—especially the three Integration-level forces that had previously clashed with the Li family.
They had spilled the blood of many Li family cultivators, though no evidence remained to prove it. Still, many matters don’t necessarily require proof; suspicion alone is enough.
Therefore, they were deeply worried that the Li family’s newfound strength might lead to settling old scores, leaving them in an extremely precarious situation.
"Does anyone have any ideas for avoiding retaliation from the Li family?"
The elders present hung their heads in silence. None knew how to resolve the issue, feeling shocked and incredulous that the Li family, once vastly weaker, had suddenly risen so dramatically.
"Actually, given the Li family’s current strength, it’s unlikely they’ll wipe us out. There’s no need to be overly concerned."
An elder spoke up, "Instead of fretting, we should focus on fostering a Mahayana cultivator in the Qingzhu Sect. Then we could even counteract the Li family’s advances."
"That’s easy for you to say. The Qingzhu Sect has been passed down for over ten thousand years, and the last Mahayana cultivator was two or three millennia ago. Do you think we’ve intentionally avoided producing another Mahayana? It’s simply that no one has managed to achieve it!"
It’s not just the Qingzhu Sect; many forces face similar predicaments. Rather than growing stronger over time, their power has gradually diminished.
During the thousands of years without a Mahayana cultivator, the Qingzhu Sect tried countless methods, but many Integration-level cultivators fell in the process—and none succeeded in ascending to Mahayana!
"Even a comparatively weak Li family managed to accomplish what we have not. How could the Qingzhu Sect possibly fail? This is merely because certain individuals fear the birth of a Mahayana cultivator!"
Seeing that the discussion was spiraling into arguments, with participants even unearthing old grievances, the Sect Leader interrupted sternly, "Enough! I summoned you here to discuss the Sect’s future, not to engage in petty squabbles!"
After speaking, the Sect Leader, looking thoroughly weary, waved his hand, signaling them to leave.
Not long afterward, a few elders returned. They were members of the Sect Leader’s faction.
"Sigh!"
The Sect Leader let out a heavy sigh and said, "The Sect is riddled with factional divisions. Even as Sect Leader, I cannot mend the conflicts between the factions, causing the Sect’s strength not to rise but to fall."
The older a force, the more severe its internal issues tend to become. The Qingzhu Sect exemplified this dilemma.
Over the past two thousand years, there had indeed been cultivators with great prospects for reaching Mahayana, but factional struggles thwarted their attempts.
No faction wished to see another faction produce a Mahayana cultivator!
Should a Mahayana cultivator arise from a rival faction, the balance of power within the Sect would shift dramatically, potentially leaving less prominent factions sidelined or outright fragmented.
Originally, expanding their territory had briefly eased internal tensions, creating an opportunity for the Sect to advance further. But just as they began, the Li family’s sudden emergence as a Mahayana force left them without room to maneuver.
"This might not necessarily be a bad thing. The rise of the Li family’s Mahayana cultivator could actually help unify the Sect and reduce internal strife."
One elder slowly remarked, "Previously, many of the Sect’s internal conflicts stemmed from the lack of external pressure or stimulus. The Li family’s presence may force some degree of reconciliation."
The Sect Leader himself belonged to a faction, though their goal was to strengthen the Sect rather than vie for power.
The Qingzhu Sect’s internal situation was dire—without factional support, he would be nothing more than a figurehead, with no one heeding his authority.
After a moment’s silence, the Sect Leader responded, "Let’s hope things turn out as you suggest, that these individuals understand the bigger picture. Otherwise, even if the Li family doesn’t destroy us, we might still end up as one of their vassals!"
