Immortal Creation.

Chapter 684 Internal Affairs of the Sect
Ning Zhuo then said to Qing Chi, "Miss Qing Chi, you might as well move around more. This cave is quite large, with more than five rooms inside. You can choose one to stay in. Staying in Wanli Youlong all the time can get a bit boring."

Qing Chi gave an "oh," then stared intently at Ning Zhuo for three breaths before lowering his head and leaving.

Seeing her dazed and obedient appearance, Ning Zhuo couldn't help but think of her lively personality before she lost her memory. He felt both guilty and pity, and a strange feeling welled up inside him.

Sun Lingtong investigated the area and returned to tell Ning Zhuo that she hadn't found anything suspicious. She then asked Ning Zhuo, "When will we start digging into the mountain to find the teleportation chamber left by your aunt?"

This is a bit troublesome.

The cave dwelling that Meng Yaoyin rented back then was not this Shiquan Cave. The one she chose had long been occupied by someone else.

It was not easy for Ning Zhuo and his group to find a hidden teleportation chamber within the massive mountain.

Because there is also a large formation inside the mountain.

To bypass the great formation and avoid attracting the attention of others, finding the teleportation array will inevitably take some time.

"Fortunately, my mother left me a magic technique that allows me to sense things as long as I get within a hundred feet of her," Ning Zhuo sighed.

Sun Lingtong rolled up her sleeves: "The sooner we do this, the better. Let's start digging now!"

"Sharpening the axe won't delay the work of chopping wood," Ning Zhuo pondered. "Let's find out who our neighbors are and what the magic array here is first."

There are quite a few caves in this mountain. If some capable person in one of them discovers Ning Zhuo and his group's little tricks, it will undoubtedly cause unnecessary trouble.

The magic array is also key. Once you understand it, you can make targeted moves; otherwise, you can't even make any big probes.

Sun Lingtong patted her chest: "Alright. I'll probe the magic array here first."

He comes from the Bukong Sect, so his expertise in detecting magic arrays is a perfect match.

His vision and expertise in formations far surpassed Ning Zhuo's.

Most importantly, he himself is extremely trustworthy.

"Then I'll have to trouble you, boss," Ning Zhuo said.

Sun Lingtong waved his hand: "Why are you being so polite with me?" With that, he turned and left, heading into the deepest part of the cave to get on with his work.

Ning Zhuo made temporary arrangements for his companions, then went to the cultivation room, took out a futon, and sat down cross-legged.

Instead of engaging in cultivation, he took out the information jade slip and studied it.

Previously, he had used his divine sense to record this information, which was mostly stored in his mind and was very clear, but lacked analysis and thought.

As he delved deeper into his research, the once hazy situation gradually thinned in Ning Zhuo's mind, much like a thick fog being illuminated by sunlight.

"Wherever there are people, there is a world of its own," Ning Zhuo remarked.

If we were to summarize the structure of the Wanxiang Sect simply, it would be eight peaks and sixteen halls.

The eight main peaks and sixteen halls together form this super-coordinated structure.

The eight main peaks are: Chongzhen Peak, Wanshou Peak, Danxia Peak, Zilei Peak, Jianming Peak, Baicao Peak, Fuyao Peak, and Liuyun Peak.

The sixteen halls are: Foreign Affairs Hall, Internal Affairs Hall, General Affairs Hall, Skill Transmission Hall, Martial Arts Hall, Evil Extermination Hall, Alchemy Hall, Weapon Forging Hall, Array Formation Hall, Talisman Making Hall, Trade Hall, Spirit Plant Hall, Beast Taming Hall, Military Command Hall, Spirit Kitchen Hall, and Medical Arts Hall.

The current leader of the Myriad Manifestations Sect is named Dong Chen, who is also the peak master of Chongzhen Peak.

The election for the leader of the Myriad Manifestations Sect is held once every hundred years, and the leaders of the eight main peaks are all candidates.

To become one of the eight peak masters, one must rely on one's own strength, meet numerous challenges, and consistently occupy one of the eight main peaks.

This reveals the extraordinary management philosophy of the Myriad Manifestations Sect!
It's important to know that the Myriad Manifestations Sect opens its doors wide, primarily because of its low entry requirements. They even distribute the first few chapters of their sect's signature cultivation technique, offering them free of charge to others.

If a cultivator joins the Myriad Manifestations Sect and is strong enough and has a wide network of connections, they can occupy one of the main peaks and become the peak master.

This is tantamount to obtaining the qualification for the sect leader election, and potentially becoming the leader of the Myriad Manifestations Sect!
For the vast majority of forces and organizations, this is unimaginable—the path to advancement leads directly to the top, and there is theoretically no upper limit to development within a sect.

"Therefore, the eight main peaks are the eight most powerful interest groups within the Myriad Manifestations Sect."

"The daily affairs and organizational operations of the Myriad Manifestations Sect are all organized and completed through the Sixteen Halls."

“When cultivators from the eight main peaks join these halls and take up positions within them, it is tantamount to the eight main peaks encroaching on the sect’s authority.”

Among the eight peaks, there are four old peaks and four new peaks.

Among them, Chongzhen Peak, Wanshou Peak, Danxia Peak, and Zilei Peak are the original four peaks. Jianming Peak, Baicao Peak, Fuyou Peak, and Liuyun Peak are the new four peaks.

The distinction between old and new peaks exists because the first four peaks have remained unchanged through countless changes. The latter four peaks, however, frequently change hands, with power shifting on the main peaks and flags changing hands frequently.

This is because the Myriad Manifestations Sect has too many members. The eight main peaks are selected based on merit, and there is also a massive base of members to enrich the sect.

These members outside the main peaks are not all weaklings. Many outstanding individuals prefer to work alone, or have unspeakable difficulties, or have offended others for various reasons, and thus remain outside the eight main peaks.

These people get to know each other, establish connections, and often form groups.

If these groups grow and reach a certain size, they may have the potential to challenge the eight main peaks. Therefore, the reason why the four new peaks changed hands is due to this aspect.

Of course, this method of attacking the main peak is not cruel or bloody; the Wanxiang Sect's limited rules strictly prohibit it.

The Myriad Manifestations Sect was able to maintain its vitality amidst the elimination of the strong and the weak, preventing it from fighting each other to the death.

Even someone like Wen Ruanyu, who is a true disciple of the Golden Core stage, is not one of the eight main peaks. She leads a long-term mission in the Foreign Affairs Hall and is stationed in the White Paper Immortal City year-round.

Meng Yaoyin was among them. Otherwise, her cave dwelling wouldn't be on the small mountain opposite Ning Zhuo.

Yang Sanyan, however, was not one of them; he was from the main peak. After all, he possessed superior talent and was arrogant. Even though he was still in the Qi Refining stage, he was noticed and selected.

The intelligence jade slip also mentioned that Flowing Cloud Peak is the weakest of the eight main peaks. It currently lacks a peak master, and the power occupying the peak is not significant, mainly due to its extensive network of connections. Appointing a peak master requires passing an examination. Only those who pass the examination can become the peak master.

Upon seeing this, Ning Zhuo couldn't help but ask a question: "Among the eight main peaks, Liuyun Peak is the weakest. So, how do you compare the strengths of the other seven?"

This point was not mentioned in the intelligence jade slip.

Ning Zhuo couldn't help but wonder, "Would the jade slips that are two price points higher contain any explanation of this?"

"Probably not." He continued to think, answering his own question.

Ning Zhuo was no ordinary genius; during his more than ten years of forbearance, the object of his most intense study was the City Lord's Mansion.

In order to deal with future enemies, he often put himself in the shoes of the city lord's mansion, and then analyzed and pondered every action and policy of the city lord's mansion.

The person who knows you best is often your enemy!
Over time, Ning Zhuo naturally developed the perspective and vision of those in power.

If he were from the Myriad Manifestations Sect, he would never allow his own intelligence jade slips to rank the eight main peaks in order of strength. That would be asking for trouble and inciting internal strife.

"But relative strengths and weaknesses definitely exist." "The intelligence didn't explicitly state it, but I was able to deduce it and obtain it easily."

Thinking of this, Ning Zhuo's consciousness lingered on a section of the intelligence report.

This is the identity information of the main members of the Sixteen Halls.

The head of the Foreign Affairs Hall, Xiang Ji, is a member of Chongzhen Peak. Chen Xuan of the Internal Affairs Hall also comes from Chongzhen Peak.

Ning Zhuo's eyes narrowed slightly: "External affairs and internal affairs are both managed by Chongzhen Peak, which is the sect leader's faction. It can be seen that Dong Chen has a very high degree of control over the Myriad Manifestations Sect."

Zhao Qian, the head of the General Affairs Hall, comes from Ten Thousand Beasts Peak. This hall is mainly responsible for collecting cultivation resources, which is both basic and important, but it is a tough and arduous job.

Wang Yan, the head of the Alchemy Hall, comes from Danxia Peak.

The Formation Hall and the Talisman Making Hall are respectively controlled by Chongzhen Peak and Danxia Peak.

"The top three of the four arts of cultivation are all located in Chongzhen Peak and Danxia Peak, which shows that the two strongest forces in the Wanxiang Sect must be these two."

Ning Zhuo looked again and discovered that Wan Shou Feng controlled the Beast Taming Hall, which was also a perfect match for his expertise.

"Huh? Where's Purple Thunder Peak?" Ning Zhuo was slightly taken aback, having made an unexpected discovery.

The important halls among the sixteen halls are almost all controlled by Chongzhen Peak, Danxia Peak, and Wanshou Peak. Zilei Peak, one of the original four peaks, only holds real power in the Medical Hall.

This discovery was of great significance and immediately attracted Ning Zhuo's attention!
Logically speaking, the old four peaks were extremely powerful internal forces within the sect; otherwise, they would have been able to occupy a main peak for many years, and no matter how much later generations tried to challenge them, they could not be defeated.

“The new four peaks represent the rising stars, while the old four peaks are the established forces of the Myriad Manifestations Sect. Logically speaking, the Purple Thunder Peak should not have such little real power.”

"It's possible that Purple Thunder Peak has some hidden strength supporting them. Or it's possible..."

"Purple Thunder Peak has declined and is on the verge of defeat, facing the critical moment of being expelled from the main peak."

If it's the latter possibility, then the problem is much bigger.

Ning Zhuo's thoughts raced through his mind: "This signifies the transition between the old and the new, and will become a major trend for the sect going forward!"

"Is there an opportunity for me to profit from this?"

The external environment of the Myriad Manifestations Sect is very stable. It is the largest super sect in the Flying Cloud Kingdom, far surpassing the second-place sect. Looking across the country, no sect can rival it.

Once such a massive upheaval occurs within the Myriad Manifestations Sect, countless opportunities will inevitably arise.

Ning Zhuo had fought his way up from the bottom, so he knew all too well how precious this opportunity was.

"Who knows, I might be able to take this opportunity to elevate my life to a higher level."

Just as he was pondering this, the old cook's voice came from outside the door: "Young master, the spiritual food is ready."

"Okay, I'm coming." Ning Zhuo replied.

He held the jade slip in his hand, about to put it into his storage belt, when he suddenly thought: "The intelligence jade slip clearly states that Flowing Cloud Peak is the weakest of the eight main peaks. This is obviously guiding others so that if they want to attack a main peak, Flowing Cloud Peak will be their first choice. Then, what about Purple Thunder Peak?"

"Was the creation of this intelligence jade slip partly the work of the Purple Thunder Peak?"

The four of them sat around the stone table and started eating together.

Sun Lingtong was travel-worn. He needed to probe the magic array, which also required digging tunnels, but he wouldn't go deep into the mountain.

Qing Chi was absent-minded, glancing at Ning Zhuo every now and then.

The cook also looked at Ning Zhuo: "Young master, is the food to your liking?"

His attitude was completely different from that at the aphrodisiac brothel, and the decisive factor was that Ning Zhuo had saved his life.

Ning Zhuo took a bite and immediately praised it, then asked in confusion, "Master Chef, your ordinary spiritual food tastes delicious. Why do you make such bizarre dishes?"

The old chef shook his head: "My pursuit is to create culinary disasters. But since I'm following you, young master, I must cook according to your taste."

Ning Zhuo said earnestly, "Whether it tastes delicious or not is really not important. Master Chef, you might as well put all your effort into making some culinary monstrosities so that I can improve faster. Of course, don't focus on enhancing my soul. You can provide more support for my physical cultivation."

The old cook smiled wryly: "Young Master Ning, you are unaware of the two inconveniences here."

"First, my culinary skills are all focused on the ghost element, and dishes that enhance the foundation of the soul are my forte. As for physical cultivation, I can only say that I am quite ordinary."

"Secondly, Gan Douding, the head of the Spirit Kitchen Hall of the Myriad Elephants Sect, is a fanatical supporter of the Bright Cuisine School, advocating for a perfect combination of color, aroma, and taste, and emphasizing the wonderful experience of cultivators during the eating process. She hates the Dark Cuisine School the most."

"If she finds out that I am making culinary abominations within the Myriad Manifestations Sect... I would be expelled from the sect, which is fine. What I am worried about is that it will cause you a lot of trouble, young master."

Ning Zhuo immediately realized that the intelligence jade slip did indeed describe Gan Douding's identity and school of thought.

"I see." Ning Zhuo nodded. "We've just arrived in this treasure land, so let's be cautious and avoid provoking enemies unnecessarily."

Just then, a cold shout suddenly came from the cave entrance: "People of Stone Spring Cave, come out!"

Ning Zhuo and his group looked at each other in bewilderment.

Ning Zhuo did not move. Instead, he took out the token, activated his magic power, and created a phantom in mid-air.

The phantom revealed three cultivators, the leader being a Foundation Establishment cultivator whose peak aura was clearly visible, while the other two attendants were Qi Refining cultivators.

Ning Zhuo's voice echoed from outside the cave: "Who are you, and what is your purpose?"

The Foundation Establishment cultivator laughed and said, "Listen carefully, this mountain has already been chosen by my master. He prefers tranquility, and all irrelevant people here will be expelled."

“Before you came, my family had already persuaded more than ten couples to leave.”

"Ignorance is no excuse. Leave now and I'll give you some spirit stones as compensation. If you don't leave, my master, a Golden Core cultivator, won't bully the weak. But among my followers are twelve Foundation Establishment cultivators. You'll see him at the Martial Arts Hall!"

Ning Zhuo remained silent.

Qing Chi gritted his teeth, revealing his resentment.

The old cook looked at Ning Zhuo with concern: "Young Master..."

Sun Lingtong chuckled, her eyes sparkling as she stared at Ning Zhuo.

Ning Zhuo paused for a moment, then spoke again: "How many spirit stones do you want to give me?"

The newcomer revealed a disdainful smile: "Here are ten mid-grade spirit stones! Go to the Internal Affairs Hall and get your rent refunded. There's plenty of time."

Ning Zhuo laughed heartily: "Then thank you very much."

He immediately agreed.

(End of this chapter)