This great battle had inflicted considerable losses on the Emei Sect, but their strategic objective had been achieved.

As Deng Yin was severely injured in Primordial Qi, he had to return to West Kunlun to cultivate, and he would not be able to cause chaos in the world for a while. This also removed the threat posed by Master Xiao Yue to the Emei Sect.

Qi Shuming convened a meeting to discuss how to deal with the Emei Sect's issues outside.

It was certain that Master Xiao Yue and his two disciples, Zhu Hong and Lu Qing, had to be expelled without question, but the problem lay in what to do with the remaining common Jianghu swordsmen.

Many of these people had ascended the mountain seeking the path of the Sword Immortal and considered themselves part of the Emei Sect.

Now they had to tell these people that their previous masters were impostors—mere swindlers—and that the true Emei Sect would not accept them, urging them to return whence they came.

This could greatly harm the reputation of the Emei Sect.

If left unmanaged, these people could continue to act under the Emei Sect's name and potentially tarnish it if they committed wrongdoing, which was definitely not acceptable.

As discussions continued, all reasoned that of two evils, choosing the lesser was wise, so they decided to simply speak plainly and send them all down the mountain.

That was when Shi Feiyang suggested accepting these individuals instead.

Everyone thought this unwise: "The Jianghu heroes are a mixed bunch, comprised of both good and bad roots, virtuous and wicked characters, but essentially none fit to enter the true Immortal Path of our Mysterious Sect.

Previously, Master Xiao Yue took them in just to amplify his own influence and challenge us. Even he didn't truly consider these people valuable. How could we indiscriminately accept them all?"

Shi Feiyang argued, "Nowadays, the number of martial practitioners is increasing, with martial valor becoming the trend. Countless Martial Arts Sects are emerging like bamboo shoots after a rain, with major Immortal Sects establishing branches specifically to integrate these Martial Arts Sects, making them a foundation. Given the great changes in the world, Immortals should not simply hide away and cultivate in seclusion or else the opportunity will slip through our fingers."

Indeed, in recent years, trade between the Mingyu Immortal Market and the Central Earth Continent had introduced extensive overseas resources.

These included vast amounts of Spirit Rice and Spiritual Medicine, which continuously improved the physical condition of the Central Earth's populace. Since the opening of the Immortal Market, the average height and strength of the Central Earth's inhabitants had significantly increased.

Children were growing taller and stronger generation by generation, further bolstered by the influx of Secret Manuals, Magical Treasures, Flying Swords, and Spirit Pills into the populace, fostering a growing number of Martial Arts Sects and Loose Cultivators.

Initially, it was the Shaolin Temple with its already profound Shaolin Buddhism.

Dharma Master was the top Buddhist monk, a Great Bodhisattva who attained enlightenment by seeing his nature and famously created the Nanming Leaving Fire Sword.

His junior, Wisdom Able, was also formidable. The only recipient of the Nanming Leaving Fire Sword was his junior brother.

But issues arose by the time of the fifth patriarch, Hongren, due to succession conflicts.

The sixth patriarch, Wisdom Capable, directly received the heart-to-heart Dharma, yet he was forced to flee to Lingnan and live incognito for many years. His Zen method was meant for the most spiritually gifted, too profound for those of lesser disposition.

Another Buddhist master, Shen Xiu, received the gradual method suited for general disciples and became more revered. Supported by Empress Wu Zetian, he was considered the true leader of the Zen tradition.

Thus, Zen split, and after Shen Xiu, Shaolin Buddhism gradually declined. By the Ming Dynasty, their Spell power was weak, and most monks fell into the delusional state of wild Zen.

The current Sect Leader, Fang Zheng, exhibited high insight, and he was not just a monotonous monk, but versed in secular affairs as well.

Now over a hundred years old, he had cultivated formidable Buddhist Mana. Knowing he couldn't compete directly with sects like Wudang, Emei, and Qingcheng, he worked diligently to develop Martial Arts within Jianghu, transforming Shaolin Temple into a Martial Arts Sect.

Over the years, he and his disciples had organized numerous martial arts, attributing many works to ancient masters and widely opened the door of convenience by accepting numerous disciples. With over a thousand monastic disciples and a flourishing number of secular disciples active elsewhere, they thrived!

The Qingcheng and Snow Mountain Sects had Daoist temples across the regions, practicing both Immortal Cultivation and martial arts, and had also become influential over the years.

Half an old nun from Wudang, seeing encouraging prospects, also envisioned the future.

This dedicated nun, entrusted by an old acquaintance, had become the Sect Leader of Wudang with her return to Kunlun imminent. She planned to take the seven Wudang sisters back to the Kunlun Sect.

When that time came, Wudang would only have the Sect Leader Ling Lingzi, her four disciples, and Elder Hao Xingjian, who was guiding his disciple, Wu Qingyang. Although everyone's cultivation was commendable and had progressed over the years, the numbers were simply too few.

She endeavored to develop the Martial Arts Sect within the wider Jianghu. Already unscrupulous, she quickly gathered nearly a thousand people to the mountain to become Daoists. First, they practiced Jianghu swordsmanship and palm techniques, and then, from among these, those with potential were formally accepted as disciples and taught Immortal Law.

All sects had their own plans, but all were prospering well, except for the Emei Sect. This former number one Mysterious Sect of Central Earth, which was once destined by Heavenly Number to be the foremost Immortal Sect, still hadn't passed its mundance martial arts knowledge through generations.

Initially, when Shi Feiyang went to find Deng Yin, he asked him to instruct Zen Master Xiao Yue to establish a Jianghu sect at Emei Mountain, and Deng Yin had quickly agreed. The reason why Zen Master Xiao Yue acted so swiftly was that many had already set successful precedents.

Shi Feiyang had also predicted that Deng Yin would definitely be unable to conquer Emei Mountain. Even if he could have succeeded, Shi Feiyang himself would have intervened to prevent it.

Moreover, he had long planned to wait until after he had expelled Zen Master Xiao Yue to harvest the fruits of these labors.

He was sure that Qi Shuming would agree. Even if Qi Shuming did not agree, he would create some issue outside to make Qi Shuming consent.

And indeed, Qi Shuming did agree. In fact, he had long wanted to do so. As the Sect Leader of the Emei Sect, he wished to lead the Emei Sect to prosperity and fulfill Master Changmei's wish of "Great Prosperity for Emei". However, since the founding of the sect, he had only secluded himself within the mountains, which he found very frustrating!

"The Blood God Child was severely injured by my Purple and Blue Douluo Fire, leaving him unable to cause trouble for ten years. But after ten years, he will definitely seek revenge. By then, with so many of us around, if he goes on a rampage again, I fear..."

Shi Feiyang said, "We'll inform them of all the possible pros and cons. It will be their choice if they wish to stay and learn under the Emei Sect. If they don't, they can leave the mountain,

and we won't stop them. Besides, even though the Blood God Child is powerful, we'll also spend these ten years cultivating a Magical Treasure specifically to counter him. When it comes time to fight again, it's still uncertain who will win or lose!"

After much discussion, they found no better plan and unanimously agreed to incorporate the martial artists gathered by Zen Master Xiao Yue.

Then, a new issue arose, concerning who would manage the operations of the Emei lower courtyard. Most people in the Immortal Path are unfamiliar with mundane affairs, especially true for those from the Mysterious Sect who seclude themselves for cultivation all year round.

Originally, the Daoist Drunkard, who often wandered the Mortal World, was best suited for this, but he was no longer there.

As they spoke, more and more people began to look towards Shi Feiyang.

Clearly, they thought that it was Shi Feiyang's idea. Over time, they also felt that Shi Feiyang, who handled all sorts of complicated affairs with considerable skill, was more capable than them, who only knew about relentless cultivation.

It was just that Shi Feiyang, being a junior disciple who had joined later and often stayed overseas, was not very familiar to them, and they felt awkward asking him directly to do such a task that would hinder his cultivation.

Seeing that more and more looks were directed at him, Shi Feiyang voluntarily offered to manage the lower courtyard for the sect.

His initiative was met with unanimous praise and approval.

Qi Shuming found it particularly tiresome and bothersome for a cultivator to mingle daily with mortals and their trivial worldly affairs. He said to him, "Junior brother, if you do it for five years, I will let someone else take over. Our brothers can take turns managing the lower courtyard."

Shi Feiyang was indeed planning to take on the management of the lower courtyard. His main purpose for coming to the Emei Sect was to draw out the Taiyin Hunyuan Ancestor.

He had set up this situation and obtained the Jade Lotus from the Emei Sect, assembled the four Dragon Sparrow Rings for Deng Yin, and cleaned up the sect for him.

Those harmful elements, if left unattended, could cause tremendous destruction in the future, perhaps even leading to Deng Yin's downfall.

Now, having gotten the Jade Lotus, he needed to strategize his next steps to retrieve the Heavenly Demon Immortal Slaying Sword from the Taiyin Hunyuan Ancestor.

From the Taiyuan Five Mansions to Emei Mountain's top, first visiting the Golden Summit at Jade Emperor Temple. Zen Master Xiao Yue wasn't there anymore, and his two direct disciples, Bing Weimo Zhu Hong and Shen Xiu Qi Lu Qing, had also left with him.

The people left on the mountain all considered Zhu Hong and Lu Qing their teachers and had kowtowed to Zen Master Xiao Yue as their ancestors. Now, they were all abandoned here, left for the Emei Sect to retaliate against.

At the Golden Summit, Shi Feiyang revealed "Miracles" and used the Immortal Law from the Shaqing Secret Manual to Gathering Clouds and Mist, finally condensing it into a heavenly landscape. His body radiated a golden light, descending amid the celestial clouds.

A great crowd had gathered at the Golden Summit to watch. After touching down, he cast a spell to transmit his voice, calling all Emei Sect disciples to come up.

He told the crowd, "I am Yue Yun, the Sword Immortal of the Emei Sect, impersonating the True Master of Jade Cave. The Zen Master Xiao Yue who previously established a sect here and broadly took in disciples was actually an outcast of our sect. He had competed with the current Sect Leader Qi for the position of Zhuchi,

and after his defeat, he turned against his master and betrayed his faith, committing unforgivable wrongs! He repeatedly took evil demons as his teachers, and now he has even joined the Blood Demon Sect. This time, he even brought a demon to attack our sect's Mountain Gate. His intentions in taking you in were utterly malicious!"

He gave them three options: "You can either leave the mountain now and forget everything about the Emei Sect, returning to your former lives without involving yourselves in matters of Immortals and Demons.

Or you can continue to recognize that demon as your master and leave the mountain to find him. If we meet again, you will be our enemy, and we will take your heads with Flying Swords, harboring no resentment!

Lastly, you can join the true lineage of our Emei Lower Courtyard, abide by the rules of our Mysterious Sect, and if you prove capable, I might recommend some of you to the Sect Leader Brother, to become disciples of the Immortal family.

But by doing so, you'll also become a target for the Blood Demon. When he returns in power, and the great war between Immortals and Demons commences, although it is said that evil cannot prevail over good, the danger will be extreme, so you must be prepared mentally!"

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