Why?

Earth Treasury now just wanted to ask—why?

Why had his Reincarnation Tower become the venue for the Dao Path’s three-sect gathering? They hadn’t even bothered to inform him, the tower’s master!

So casual, so natural, so thoughtless!

Earth Treasury had been waiting, waiting for the immortals of the Enlightenment and Severing Sects to gather completely. Then he would step forward and shout at them:

‘Get out of my Reincarnation Tower!’

Of course, that was just in his heart—shouting would be undignified.

He would instead say ‘Those not of the Heaven’s Dao sequence cannot enter the Reincarnation Tower arbitrarily,’ which would be reasonable, and convincing, and deliver a measured blow to the Dao Path immortals’ faces.

Just thinking about it brought joy.

So Earth Treasury kept enduring, kept waiting, until within the Reincarnation Tower, the Dao Path immortals stood in their zones, the Enlightenment Sect mustered several hundred disciples and followers, while the Severing Sect, despite being advised not to bring too many, gathered several thousand immortals…

Elder Li had been absent for long, saying he went to search for the Red Lotus in the Blood Sea;

Without the crucial ‘lubricant’ here, the atmosphere between both sides gradually stiffened…

Finally.

Had everyone quieted down? Were there no more immortals coming?

Excellent, now was the time!

Earth Treasury narrowed his eyes, and while Truth Listener wasn’t paying attention, he lightly tapped its forehead with a finger, temporarily sealing its mouth.

“Everyone!”

Earth Treasury slowly stood up, a confident smile appearing at the corners of his mouth, starlight blooming in his eyes.

“You all…”

Trembling—his throat was trembling lightly.

Earth Treasury was suddenly alarmed, feeling an overwhelming pressure from the dense crowd before him, nearly freezing his dao heart!

What… what terrifying pressure…

Look at the Enlightenment Sect!

Bell-Striking Immortal sat in the primary seat, the Twelve Golden Immortals at peace with each other.

All seated possessed great fortune, their dao inheritance from the Jade Clarity carrying orthodox mystery.

Then look at the Severing Sect!

Several great disciples accompanied by their fierce reputation, the Sage-Attending Great Immortals not to be taken lightly.

Three thousand dao practitioners listening to the Great Dao, holding life and death in their palms.

At this moment, because of Earth Treasury’s two shouts, all the Dao Path immortals turned to look. Within this temporarily opened mustard seed dimension, their gazes converged into a torrent, nearly shattering the mindset of Earth Treasury despite his Heaven’s Dao power protection!

This scene seemed to perfectly illustrate the hard truth that [With enough people, you can do whatever you want].

The words ‘Dao Path’ seemed to appear atop the Reincarnation Tower, and Earth Treasury’s heart recalled his two teachers’ continuous sighs when he first became their disciple.

The Dao Path was simply too domineering.

Treasure Master Duo Bao smiled and said, “This… Tower Master, what guidance do you have?”

Earth Treasury forced a smile and said loudly with neither servility nor arrogance:

“This is the Second Reincarnation, a place protected by Heaven’s Dao. Please, everyone, don’t be too noisy and mind the cleanliness of the venue!”

Hmm, the dignity of a Tower Master!

“Thanks for the reminder,” Treasure Master Duo Bao answered with a smile, and the crowd uninterestedly withdrew their gazes.

Earth Treasury nodded, silently sat back beside Truth Listener, and released its seal, not realizing his back was already soaked.

Truth Listener buried its head in its paws, its long tail swishing back and forth, almost laughing out loud.

Elder Chijing asked gently, “Has Junior Brother Changsheng not returned yet?”

White Marsh, who had been waiting for long, stepped forward timely.

By now, White Marsh had changed into a dark Daoist robe, his goatee trimmed neater, and made a Daoist gesture to both sides, smiling:

“The Water God will return shortly. He has figured out how to search for the Red Lotus and should bring good news to everyone when he returns.”

At this time, Elder Li’s true body was hiding nearby, sheltered by the Taiji Diagram;

White Marsh’s words were setting the stage for his smooth entrance.

Sure enough, as soon as White Marsh finished speaking, the Severing Sect immortals showed signs of excitement;

Most Enlightenment Sect immortals remained calm, with a small portion showing worried expressions.

Just then, a sigh echoed through the top floor of the Reincarnation Tower, and Elder Li’s figure, with white hair and white robes, appeared at the stairway entrance, entering the mustard seed dimension.

“Junior Brother Changsheng!”

“Changsheng is here!”

“Changsheng, have you found that Red Lotus?”

Elder Li held his dust whisk, raised both hands and said loudly:

“Senior and Junior Brothers and Sisters, don’t rush, don’t rush, hear what I have to say!

I’ve only found traces of the Red Lotus, but the location may be a deliberately set trap. Unable to investigate clearly, I returned first to regroup with everyone.

By my estimation, the Red Lotus hasn’t reached its time to emerge. If we guard here at the edge of the Blood Sea now, we definitely won’t let others take this Red Lotus!”

Speaking thus, Elder Li had walked to the gap between the two sects’ immortals, particularly by making Daoist gestures and bowing to Elder Guangcheng and Treasure Master Duo Bao, addressing them as Senior Brothers.

Both Great Senior Brothers also stood and returned the courtesy, giving Elder Li a full face.

At this time, many immortals looked at the space behind Elder Li…

Of course, they weren’t looking at his body parts.

When immortals from both sects kept arriving, the Celestial Soldiers and Generals had brought large numbers of chairs and meditation cushions, with immortals from both sects sitting on opposite sides, clearly separated.

Now, there were rows of stone chairs to Elder Li’s left and right, already fully occupied.

True Man Taiji smiled, “Junior Brother Changsheng, come sit here? It’s a bit stuffy here, I’ll just go out for some fresh air.”

“Brother-in-law, come here!”

Qiong Xiao immediately countered, making room behind her seat, “I’ll just stand.”

Elder Li immediately showed a slightly… awkward yet polite smile.

In this situation, he naturally couldn’t show any bias and had to follow his previous strategy—stay in the middle, but don’t take the high seat.

Elder Guangcheng suddenly spoke, pointing between his and Treasure Master Duo Bao’s seats, smiling:

“Though Changsheng joined later, today you fully represent the Human Sect, and even have Big Senior Uncle’s order.

Today between our Enlightenment and Severing Sects, there might be some disagreements, requiring a mediator.

Why not sit here?”

Elder Guangcheng smiled at Treasure Master Duo Bao and asked, “What does Junior Brother think?”

“Excellent, most excellent!”

Treasure Master Duo Bao patted his belly, naturally showing a composed confidence.

Elder Li secretly frowned, thinking of his upcoming plans, ready to immediately refuse this seemingly good proposal.

The higher one is lifted, the harder the fall;

His strength was insufficient, and his cultivation realm barely ranked above average among those present, and that was only thanks to half the Severing Sect immortals lowering the average.

If he truly sat as an equal with the two Great Senior Brothers of major sects, it would be four words—virtue not matching position.

This wasn’t the path to stability.

“Thanks for both Senior Brothers’ favor.”

Elder Li made another Daoist gesture and said gently, “This junior brother’s learning is shallow, I’m afraid I’m not qualified to be such a mediator.

Though Master ordered me to manage sect affairs, our Human Sect only has six peaks and a few courtyards.

For such a grand occasion, the two Senior Brothers should take charge. I’ll just bring a meditation cushion and sit here to offer suggestions. What do the Senior Brothers think?”

Elder Guangcheng smiled, “Just come sit, who doesn’t know about your skill in planning and calculation, Changsheng?”

“Indeed,” Treasure Master Duo Bao urged, “With you sitting in the middle seat, who would dare object?”

“Senior Brothers, this absolutely cannot be!”

Just as Elder Li was about to explain the reason, set traps, and discuss feelings, a voice suddenly came from behind:

“Let me see, who’s bullying Changsheng?”

The crowd looked toward the voice and saw behind Elder Li, a Yin-Yang Double Fish diagram had appeared from somewhere at some unknown time, with a figure slowly stepping out.

He had the stature of an eight-chi tall man, long hair casually scattered, brows and eyes showing no sharpness, a somewhat ordinary face that was quite pleasant to look at;

Wearing an azure blue robe, feet in black boots with white patterns, and just one light laugh, one teasing remark, made people’s hearts peaceful.

Seeing this person, the Enlightenment Sect immortals, led by Elder Guangcheng, immediately made Daoist gestures and bowed.

Seeing this person, the Severing Sect immortals had some commotion, but after Treasure Master Duo Bao coughed, the surrounding areas quieted down. Three thousand immortals, with not quite uniform movements, similarly bowed their heads.

The immortals called out, merging into one phrase:

“Greetings to Great Senior Brother.”

Though somewhat messy, with echoes rising and falling, one could still hear the full respect.

Great Master Xuandu!

Elder Li’s heart truly relaxed, his spine unconsciously straightening a bit, “Senior Brother!”

The Great Master blinked and nodded with a smile.

To the side, the Blue Ox quickly carried over a stone chair, nimbly placing it in the center between Elder Guangcheng and Treasure Master Duo Bao’s seats.

The Great Master waved his hand, looked around, and sighed with a smile:

“One lotus flower has caused such chaos in the Dao Path, making all junior brothers and sisters so anxious, how can this be?

Where is the manner of great sects?

Where is the pure and upright dao heart?”

Many immortals from both the Enlightenment and Severing Sects showed shame, not daring to meet the Great Master’s gaze.

The Great Master stepped forward, sat in the central stone chair, and gestured for Treasure Master Duo Bao, Elder Guangcheng, and the immortals from both sects to take their seats together.

Elder Li took the opportunity to retreat to a corner, exchanging glances with White Marsh and Blue Ox.

White Marsh gave Elder Li a questioning look, Li returned a firm gaze, and White Marsh pondered briefly, gradually showing a smile.

‘Everything arranged?’

‘Rest assured, everything is arranged.’

Then in the gathering…

Elder Guangcheng asked, “Senior Brother Xuandu, has the warfare in Xuandu City stabilized recently?”

“Temporarily peaceful.”

Great Master Xuandu said leisurely: “This time it was also Changsheng who urgently called me, saying the Enlightenment and Severing Sects were about to fight over a Red Lotus. I had to hurry back to see if I could help mediate.

From what I understand, the Severing Sect junior brothers and sisters want this Red Lotus to stabilize the sect’s fortune, while the Enlightenment Sect junior brothers and sisters feel this lotus is the convergence of worldly karma and will bring disaster.

Is this so?”

Treasure Master Duo Bao said seriously: “Indeed it is.”

“Correct,” Elder Guangcheng continued, “The Twelve-Petal Karmic Red Lotus is connected to the Ancient Elder Blood River. We must not let this fierce person have any opportunity.”

Just as Treasure Master Duo Bao was about to refute, Great Master Xuandu raised his hand to stop him.

The Great Master asked: “Do the two Senior Uncles have any edicts?”

Treasure Master Duo Bao and Elder Guangcheng fell silent simultaneously, each sitting on their stone chairs maintaining silence.

“Ah,” the Great Master sighed, “Neither Senior Uncle has spoken on how to handle this, yet you’ve gathered all the junior brothers and sisters here… Why such haste? How do you know this isn’t a scheme?”

Treasure Master Duo Bao smiled, “Great Senior Brother’s reproach is justified. However, with the Great Tribulation approaching, our Severing Sect lacks any treasure that can stabilize our sect fortune, hence our anxiety… Please, Great Senior Brother, help us!”

Elder Guangcheng frowned, “The Red Lotus is formed from karma burden, how could such a treasure stabilize sect fortune?”

Treasure Master Duo Bao stood firm: “The Twelve-Petal Red Lotus has the same origin as that Twelve-Petal Golden Lotus, how could it not stabilize sect fortune?”

“Correct!”

A Severing Sect immortal stood up, declaring loudly: “The Twelve-Petal Red Lotus stabilized the Asura Race’s fortune in ancient times! Our Severing Sect doesn’t ask for much—we just want to suffer less damage during the Great Tribulation, nothing more. We’re not targeting the Enlightenment Sect!”

From the Enlightenment Sect side, an immortal immediately stood to respond: “Leaving aside everything else, just considering the Severing Sect’s numerous sage disciples, can this Red Lotus even stabilize that?”

A hot-tempered female immortal rebuked: “How can you speak so unpleasantly? Our Severing Sect is united as one, fellow disciples like brothers and sisters, lacking only a treasure to stabilize our fortune!”

“The Red Lotus violates heaven’s harmony, rejected by Heaven’s Dao. How could it emerge smoothly, and how could it stabilize sect fortune? This… this breaks the rules!”

“How can treasures have good or evil? How can divine abilities distinguish right from wrong?”

“Exactly! The Enlightenment Sect’s urgency to obstruct us today—could it be you want to see our Severing Sect become a laughingstock? Or do you want more of our Severing Sect immortals to die during the Great Tribulation, helping fill your Enlightenment Sect’s tribulation fate?”

“We’re all Dao Path disciples, why must we quarrel like this?”

“Pah! We’ve long disliked you, today we’ll—!”

Hum—

A black and white halo burst from around the Great Master, washing over everywhere like waves, forcefully suppressing this imminent conflict between the two sects, plunging the top floor of the Reincarnation Tower back into silence.

The Great Master smiled, “Where’s Changsheng hiding? It’s your turn to act.”

“Senior Brother, I’m here!”

Elder Li responded from the corner, stepping forward.

The Great Master’s smile gradually faded as he said coldly: “Those who just argued and continuously stoked the flames, did you note them down?”

Elder Li declared loudly: “All noted!”

“Investigate later for Western Sect planted spies.”

Great Master Xuandu said flatly, his expression commanding authority without anger, making most immortals’ dao hearts tremble.

Then, the Great Master leaned back in his chair, his relaxed voice spreading everywhere:

“The Dao Path’s three sects are originally one family. The Enlightenment Sect, Severing Sect, and Human Sect merely differ in teachings. The two Senior Uncles indeed had several disputes about accepting disciples in the past, but never opposition. Why today are all junior brothers and sisters so antagonistic? Search your hearts—can you face the ‘Dao’ character above your heads?”

The crowd fell silent.

Seeing he had control of the situation, the Great Master passed the lead.

“Changsheng, speak your view on the Red Lotus matter.”

“Following Senior Brother’s command, please fellow sect members hear my words!”

Elder Li cupped his hands to all directions, stepped forward two paces holding his dust whisk, and declared:

“Today, I won’t speak of how the Western Sect is this or that—everyone should already understand the Western Sect’s true face! Today, I also won’t speak of how the Enlightenment and Severing Sects should coexist peacefully. With the Great Tribulation ahead and fate undetermined, who knows what will happen after the six Sage Lords gather in Purple Void Palace?

But, if the Enlightenment and Severing Sects fight over this Red Lotus, isn’t that too laughable? If fighting had truly broken out just now, whose heart would that have pleased, whose wishes fulfilled? Whose friends and family, whose dao companions and fellow disciples would have been lost?

We’re amid the Great Tribulation—how can you judge if you’re already affected by tribulation fate? Shouting about sacrificing for the sect with heated blood, only to end up as tribulation ash, damaging your sect’s fortune, breaking the Dao Path’s fortune!

Do you all want this Red Lotus to become the turning point of the Dao Path’s decline from prosperity?”

The crowd fell silent.

True Man Taiji sighed, “Regrettably, looking at the current situation, war seems inevitable sooner or later.”

Elder Li stated firmly: “Then we must prioritize and know why we fight!”

Lord Zhao Gongming, who had been ‘pulled’ here earlier but remained silent, couldn’t help speaking: “What specifically does Changsheng mean?”

“Don’t rush, Old Brother. Today I’ll speak directly, hiding nothing, making everything clear.”

Elder Li’s eyes flashed with divine light, the Taiji Diagram appearing behind him as he stepped forward two more paces;

Though his voice was steady, it carried extraordinary pressure.

“First, I’ll state two points the Dao Path’s three sects must follow.

First point: Before the Sage Lords in Purple Void Palace discuss how to determine the Great Tribulation, we absolutely cannot have internal strife! If our three teachers wholeheartedly strive to secure our survival, yet we fight bloody battles beforehand, what can be said?

Second point!

Even if after Purple Void Palace, the Sage Lords cannot resolve the Great Tribulation and the Dao Path’s three sects must weaken living beings’ power, we must ensure we simultaneously weaken the power of sects outside the Dao Path.

How could our three teachers wish to see us fight internally?

Would you all wish to see the Enlightenment and Severing Sects fight while the Western Sect reap the benefits?

When the Great Tribulation erupts, our three sects need not act as one—even if just the Severing Sect with its most numerous immortals attacks the Western Sect alone, with the Enlightenment and Human Sects waiting aside, letting the Severing Sect send the enemies that need culling to fill the tribulation fate, wouldn’t our Dao Path lose fewer lives?

This is the logic. If any fellow sect member disagrees or finds this inappropriate, the Human Sect is willing to mediate and guarantee. But today! If anyone later stands to say ‘What wrong has the Western Sect done’ or ‘What does the Western Sect have to do with this,’ then please, three Great Senior Brothers, cripple their dao foundation and expel them from the Dao Path!”

Elder Li’s final words fell like thunder with extraordinary authority. The Dao Path immortals nodded in unison, several breaking into cold sweats.

In the corner, Earth Treasury snorted:

“Water God is truly formidable, making our Western Sect a target to ease the Dao Path’s internal conflicts.”

Elder Li said: “Friend, say one more word and I’ll ask Great Senior Brother to use soul-moving techniques on you, making you reveal all the Western Sect’s schemes against the Dao Path over these years. Our two sides already compete for the world’s great fortune, with opposing positions. Now with the Great Tribulation falling, what should be said should be said, lest those in our Dao Path who don’t know the Western Sect’s evil show mercy and give the Western Sect opportunity.”

Earth Treasury snorted but remained silent.

Elder Li shook his head and continued loudly:

“Regarding this Red Lotus matter, let me point out three suspicious aspects.

First, the timing of its appearance is quite delicate. The Red Lotus seed emerged neither early nor late, but precisely when this Great Tribulation descends, appearing in the Blood Sea, with news reaching both the Enlightenment and Severing Sects almost simultaneously.”

Elder Li turned to face the Enlightenment Sect’s Twelve Golden Immortals, gazing at Elder Guangcheng, and cupped his hands:

“Senior Brother Guangcheng, surely someone in the Enlightenment Sect has suggested that if the Severing Sect obtains the Red Lotus, how could the Enlightenment Sect oppose them during the Great Tribulation, correct? Brother need not say who—if you’ve heard such words, just nod.”

“Correct,” Elder Guangcheng agreed, then closed his eyes to rest.

Elder Li then looked at Treasure Master Duo Bao, cupped his hands, and said: “Senior Brother Duo Bao, has someone in the Severing Sect also said the Red Lotus is an evil treasure, questioning how it could stabilize dao rhythm, but was rebuked? Similarly, brother need not say who rebuked—if you’ve heard such words these past days, just nod.”

Treasure Master Duo Bao slowly nodded, also closing his eyes to rest.

At this, the Enlightenment and Severing Sect immortals discussed amongst themselves, doubts arising as they began reconsidering whether they had been manipulated.

In the corner, White Marsh’s eyes were full of admiration, truly wanting to praise:

Water God, you old sophist.

Concept substitution was a common sophistry technique, but those who could use it as skillfully as Elder Li were truly rare.

With just the “First point” and a few sentences, plus earlier hints and groundwork, Elder Li had easily made ninety percent of the immortals present feel that today’s contradictions and conflicts between the two sects, nearly erupting into fighting, were purely due to outside instigation…

Thus temporarily concealing the fundamental conflict between the two sects.

He also reminded both sects’ immortals that Western Sect spies must be hidden within their ranks.

Duo Bao and Guangcheng naturally understood this matter. Their cooperation and silence showed they felt Elder Li’s handling also suited both sects’ current ‘interests.’

Elder Li continued guiding the thousands of immortals present…

“Second, years before us, the Western Sect began searching the Blood Sea, sending thousands of beings in succession. This begs the question—have they already taken the Red Lotus? Or did they gain nothing? The Western Sect claims poverty, yet they have a particularly diligent Sage who rises early and retires late, rushing east and west collecting all sorts of treasures. Do you all think that Sage would pass up such a Red Lotus?”

The crowd shook their heads in unison.

Elder Li continued: “A Sage’s abilities are unfathomable to ghosts and gods, naturally able to find the Red Lotus’s location. Now there are only two possibilities. One is that the Western Sect’s Sage couldn’t take the Red Lotus—there are arrangements even a Sage must fear. Two is that the Western Sect’s Sage either took it or deliberately left it for various schemes. In such circumstances, how can we be careless?”

The crowd nodded continuously.

Even someone as clever as Qiong Xiao felt Elder Li’s words were completely faultless.

“Third, if this Red Lotus was controlled by Ancient Elder Blood River for his resurrection, why didn’t he warn the Asura Race to prepare early? To the point that now the Asura Race frantically rushes about the Blood Sea like headless flies? Think carefully—traps everywhere, schemes covering the ground.”

“Changsheng speaks the truth,” Treasure Master Duo Bao sighed, “This time, we truly lacked consideration.”

Elder Guangcheng also opened his eyes and said slowly: “We nearly fell for others’ schemes. Fortunately, Changsheng was vigilant and warned us in time.”

Elder Li: …

These Great Senior Brothers were all playing dumb while knowing full well!

From the Enlightenment Sect, True Man Jade Tripod asked solemnly: “Changsheng, how should today’s situation be resolved?”

“Don’t rush, True Man Jade Tripod. I already have a plan.”

Elder Li took out a scroll from his sleeve, raised it above his head with one hand, and casually unfurled it, revealing rows of neat small characters.

“I, Dao Path disciple Li Changsheng, hereby initiate this matter!

From today until the six Sage Lords discuss the Great Tribulation in Purple Void Palace, the Human, Enlightenment, and Severing Sects shall not quarrel!

If all agree, sign this non-aggression pact here!

Hope for the three sects’ prosperity!

Wish for the Dao Path’s perpetual strength!”