Shangyuque

Chapter 213 How deep is the courtyard, how high the tower, the road to the immortal palace is nowhere to be seen (1.11 million words)

For ordinary people, no matter what environment, era, or order they live in, they must always find a way out for themselves.

Of course, death is also a path; throughout history, there has never been a shortage of cowardly people who want to escape reality.

But for those who seek the path, losing their path is far more terrifying than death.

In the world of cultivation, those at the Purple Mansion level are qualified to sit at the table, those at the Golden Core level are qualified to set the rules for eating, and the rest are just ashes and consumables.

The so-called status and position were all given by the Immortal Alliance, but now the Immortal Alliance is going to change its rules.
The rules shaped by absolute power are so cruel. If those below can't understand them, how could someone from the poor sea not understand them?

Under such an order, for great cultivators like Qiong Hai, the hope for the future is the driving force that keeps them going.

Desire and perseverance are certainly necessary; without sufficient desire and perseverance, they would have died long ago on the road to success. But hope is more important than desire and perseverance.

Hope, hope! The fact that Mangxiang can attain the Golden Core stage is like a ray of hope shining on all cultivators who have not yet achieved it.

But now Qiong Hai discovers that Mang Xiang's attainment of enlightenment has not brought him hope, but rather despair.

With each additional Golden Core cultivator, the car door becomes one step closer to being welded shut, and the Immortal Alliance already has far too many Golden Core cultivators.

That beast Mangxiang wants to start a civil war, directly altering the distribution rules based on the fundamental interest distribution order of the Immortal Alliance.

The fact that Taihe Water killed the disciples can be seen as a sign that the conservative inner immortals are no longer willing to pretend.

Wang Yulou didn't care about the trivial matters of Huzhou, not because he was cowardly, but simply because he might be watching Taihe Water Palace and Jingu Garden go to war.

After Hongdengzhao was promoted to the position of Attendant, the Immortal Alliance now has nineteen Attendants, including Hongdengzhao.

Of the nineteen sects that came to the door—the Red Lantern Sect, the Heavenly Serpent Sect, the Golden Valley Garden, and the Taihe Water Palace—four had already begun preparing for the civil war. Just thinking about it sent chills down Qiong Hai's spine.

In theory, Foundation Establishment cultivators, honed by war, are as fragile as greenhorns in front of more experienced Purple Mansion cultivators, who can easily cut them down with a single move.

However, if the Purple Mansion were to make a move, it would be a gamble with lives. As the major player in the Immortal Alliance, the conservative faction had too many powerful figures who could step forward and start the massacre.

The Heavenly Serpent Sect has the Melon Immortal, and the Lotus Immortal City has Qiu Mile; there are countless similar conservative factions at the peak of the Purple Mansion realm.

If the reformers' Purple Mansion is very strong, they can create three-legged toads at will, just like the Mangxiang, and easily tear apart a Purple Mansion as long as Qiu Mile's.

Then, he would be honored to discover that Mang Xiang, the weakest Golden Core cultivator in the Immortal Alliance (on par with Shen Guang), would suddenly appear behind him using the Formless Technique and demonstrate his strength to show him why every Golden Core cultivator is a legend.

These are things that Qiong Hai doesn't need to actually happen to realize; this is normal for a Purple Mansion cultivator.

Just like back then, when Jia Ling Wang Jia Dongwei faced Bi Fang head-on, he was also very tough—these immortal cultivators, who stood at the top of the food chain and had existed for a long time, were too good at fighting and strategic maneuvering.

Even someone like Gu Qiyuan, who considered himself an idiot before opening his Purple Mansion, could still smoothly and easily reach the level expected of a Purple Mansion cultivator with his long lifespan.

Therefore, Qiong Hai truly saw the possibility that there was no way out.

Even if a powerful figure like Xiao Hu could easily suppress Mang Xiang, don't forget that Tian She just survived a calamity.
Having understood these things, Qiong Hai became certain that the Immortal Venerable Cangshan had not deceived them—Mang Xiang must have discussed the reforms before attaining enlightenment.

There must have been a systematic plan within the conservative faction, and it had been laid out long ago. Shenguang, that good-for-nothing, was clearly outmaneuvered and became a stepping stone for Mangxiang to achieve enlightenment and a pretext to divert the attention of the reformists.

This could even be compared to Wang Yulou's initiative to provoke Yu Hongdou into a fierce attack. The attainment of Dao by Mangxiang is very important, so he needs Shenguang, that punching bag, to distract the attention of the various reformist immortals.

The reforms promoted by the conservatives in the Immortal Alliance have far-reaching implications, so Wang Yulou needs a seemingly strong but actually weak punching bag to stand in front so that he can unleash his full power and use the apparent contradictions to resist the hidden malice.

There were no conspiracies, only open schemes. Both Mang Xiang and Wang Yulou paid the price, so they managed to navigate their own conflicts quite well.

Mang Xiang paid the price of charging for the conservatives, while Wang Yulou paid the price of charging for Mang Xiang.

The problem Qiong Hai faces is that he wants to take a chance and fight for it, but no one gives him the opportunity or the stage.

Even Chen Yangshi, who was pretending so well, was not given a chance by Wang Yulou!

There are just too many powerful cultivators in the Immortal Alliance, far too many, making resources for our work extremely scarce!
Perhaps in the eyes of ordinary Foundation Establishment cultivators, and in the eyes of cultivators in the West Sea, Qionghai Zhenren, who has 'established a firm foothold' and 'thrived' within the Immortal Alliance, is a minor legend.

But only Little Legend knows the bitterness in his heart—on this point, Qiong Hai and Wang Yulou, who became the vice leader of the Immortal Alliance at the age of eighty-seven, probably have a lot in common.

There are plenty of Purple Mansions in the Immortal Alliance, with nearly thirty in the Red Lantern Clan alone. What is the Poor Sea compared to that?
Therefore, the poor and destitute Qiong Hai had no choice but to send Chen Yangshi to Huzhou with Fang Xinqian to try their luck.
-
The courtyard is deep and secluded, with glazed tiles and purple eaves, shrouded in ethereal clouds and mist, and the high tower obscures the path to the celestial palace.

Inside the Qunqing Pavilion, Jin Mingdu, who had snatched the right to greet Qin Churan, was leading Yu An deeper into the courtyard.

“Your older brother really wants to see you, but he’s being watched by too many people right now, and I’m also worried that you won’t be able to adapt to the situation in Immortal City.”

There's nothing special about the Immortal City; it's just that the people here are incredibly cunning, as you've experienced during this time.

Fang Xinqian, that scoundrel, is a prime example of how he uses all sorts of tricks to show his loyalty, treating you like a spectator in a performance.

Don't you feel it would be better to adjust for a while before going back to your older brother's side?

The person in the story is Fang Xinqian, but the one who actually uses various methods to show loyalty is Jin Mingdu.

However, Fairy Mingdu had grown up in the Immortal City and had followed Wang Yulou on the front lines of the two sects for so long. Her performance of treating Wang Yu'an as a spectator was quite well done.

At least, Yu'an didn't sense anything was wrong.

"Sister-in-law, you're right. The scenery of the Immortal City is indeed different. I've learned a lot during this time, and I'm also more worried."

The rumors circulating outside about my brother's past are all over the place and completely incomprehensible, but it also shows that my brother is in a position where he is being watched.

"Don't laugh at me, sister-in-law, but if it weren't for her looking after me and giving me guidance, I probably would have been scared off by those who approached me."

Truth and falsehood intertwine, and Wang Yu'an is undergoing the most crucial cultivation for a cultivator.

As long as you have the resources, the methods, and the opportunity, your cultivation level can rise without any bottlenecks—at least until you open the Purple Mansion.

However, how a cultivator becomes an individual capable of surviving in the cultivation world is a complex process.

Those who cannot be taught, the Wang family's cultivation plan is that even the best cultivation seeds must be sown out to sprout on their own, and then nurtured with all their might after they sprout. Wang Yulou and Wang Yu'an followed this path.

However, this era is special, Mangxiang Immortal Venerable is special, and Wang Yulou is also special. Therefore, Yu'an rode on the coattails of Mangxiang and his elder brother and flew to a position that he might never have been able to reach in his lifetime with his talent.

"You're too kind, Yu'an. You can bring Ningyao over too. I haven't met Guanning yet. He's two years old this year, right?"

Upon hearing Jin Mingdu mention his child, Yu An's face showed a hint of longing, and she sighed.

Yes, she's two years old.

Sister-in-law, I'm not afraid to say this, but sometimes I think it would be better if Guan Ning didn't have any spiritual roots.

In this way, he would never have to face the trials and tribulations of the cultivation world.

Jin Mingdu was stunned for a moment; she hadn't expected Yu An to think that way.

Mortals envy those who can achieve immortality, but only the cultivators themselves understand the suffering they endure.

As the vice leader of the Immortal Alliance, Wang Yulou was so cautious that he often stayed at home.

Of course, this is not because Wang Yulou is cowardly, but because of his decisiveness. Every time he makes a decisive decision, it is extremely costly.

The 87-year-old vice leader, a reform advocate recognized by the conservatives, and a core member of the Immortal Alliance's leadership, has been granted almost unlimited power in a certain sense.

This power was so useful that he could even intervene in the dispute between Taihe Shuizun and Jinguyuan Shenzun.

Yes, intervention would be dangerous, but if the Celestial Venerable intervened in the struggle between these two, would it be safe and without consequences?
Wang Yulou's right to interfere legitimately already constitutes "power that is almost unlimited in a certain sense".

But the backlash from this power is immense and terrifying—one wrong move and the entire clan perishes.

"wrong!"

A voice came from afar. Yu'an and Jinming looked over and saw Yulou walking towards them.

"You, my wife, have really worked hard."

Wang Yulou glared at Jin Mingdu first, and Jin Mingdu gave an unnatural smile.

Oh no, my husband has noticed that I've been bullying Qin Churan.

What ill intentions could Mingdu possibly have? He simply wanted more of Wang Yuque's attention.

Xiao Wang is very busy; in his eyes, there are too many things that are more important than spending time with his Daoist partner.

But that's where Wang Yulou's story ends. Family matters are the most troublesome. Jinshan deserves to be called loyal, and Mingdu is a good girl.

After Mingdu left, Wang Yulou looked at Yu'an.

“Wrong, Yu’an. Guan Ning needs to choose his own path.”

We can't help them go very far; all we can give them is the initial right to choose.

Back then, I asked you to try educating the younger generation of the clan at Fulong Temple by first telling them the truth and then letting them make their own choices.

"Unfortunately, General Whitebeard actually sent you to my side. Ha, doesn't that seem familiar?"

Following behind her elder brother, watching Wang Yulou's back, Yu'an suddenly burst into tears.

How could it not feel familiar?
Wang Yulou's words and feelings are perhaps only understood by him.

From a young boy who rushed to Qingxifang at the age of thirteen to learn the Dao, to becoming the leader of the Immortal Alliance before he was a hundred years old.

Wang Yulou's fate, like Wang Yu'an's, was never entirely in his own hands.

This is realistic. The brothers don't want to be separated, but they live in reality and need to endure the trials of the cultivation world, even if it's not what they want.

Because the opportunity was too good, they needed to stay away from their families.

With a major battle looming, Wang Yu'an was tasked with shouldering the heavy responsibility of leading the Wang clan branch of Fulongguan.

Because General Whitebeard was about to make a move, Wang Yu'an was sent to the Immortal City to get close to Wang Yulou.

There's no choice, most of the time there's no choice.

Wang Yu'an even recalled that afternoon when Uncle Rongyuan slapped him; it felt so distant, yet so vividly clear.

Now, Uncle Rongyuan has died in the jaws of the monster, with no place to be buried.

Wang Yu'an and Wang Yulou have also become independent Foundation Establishment cultivators.

But at the time, they had a choice.

Go home and raise donkeys, or embark on the long road of cultivating immortality—choose one.

"Why are you crying?"

Wang Yulou was caught off guard by Wang Yu'an's sudden outburst of emotion.

Others might be acting when they cry, but Yu'an clearly wasn't acting out his own older brother's tears.

Tears welled up uncontrollably in Wang Yu'an's eyes, but he forced himself to remain calm.

"Brother, you've worked so hard all these years."

Yu Lou fell silent for a moment, all her unspoken words turning into a long sigh.

The magpie who values ​​him wouldn't say this to him, because the magpie needs him to work harder, be more determined, and be more aggressive.

Wang Jingyi, who cherishes him, won't tell him because she lacks the habit of expressing her emotions in this way.

Jin Mingdu, Zhou Yingxi, and other Daoist partners would not tell him either, because Wang Yulou had never shown his vulnerable side in front of them.

Now, perhaps only his younger brother, Yu'an, truly appreciates his older brother's hardships.

Especially after experiencing life in the Immortal City for so long, how could Wang Yu'an not understand what was hidden behind those warm smiles and raised wine glasses?

"There's nothing hard about it. I chose this path myself, and I've walked this path all by myself."

That's why I said you were wrong; you should give Guan Ning the right to choose for himself.

"Yes, even without spiritual roots, I can find ancient cultivation methods for him to ensure his foundation building."

Wang Yu'an shook his head and asked seriously in return.

"But elder brother, is it really giving a thirteen-year-old boy the right to choose to be a mortal when faced with the possibility of becoming an immortal?"

Have you given it?
For example, give.

"This question has no end; in the end, it will lead to the question, 'Going out might lead to death, and living might lead to death.'"

Each person is primarily responsible for their own actions. Of course, I hope you can also open your Purple Mansion, just like the donkeys raised by the Wang family can.

But this kind of thing is difficult, and there's a difference between what I think, what I can do, and whether I actually did it.

Yu'an didn't quite understand what his elder brother meant.

"Big brother, are you saying I have a chance to open my Purple Mansion?"

He had certainly thought about it, but he didn't dare to actually reveal it.

Previously, he felt he wasn't good enough for her; recently, Yu'an has come to believe he shouldn't.

But now.
"You and Yu Hongdou will go to Huzhou together. Fang Xinqian and Chen Yangshi will lead the charge, while Yu Hongdou will handle the pressure from above."

You represent me, responsible for conveying my helplessness. Be the clown—cry when you need to cry, break down when you need to break down. Can you do that well?

Wang Yulou would not easily get involved himself; Taihe Water Zun clearly wanted to get something for free.

If Taihe Shuizun is willing to betroth Changshui to Yulou and promise Yulou a future, Wang Yulou will consider helping Shuizun get things done.

But now, Shui Zun wants to get something for free without paying any price, so Wang Yulou naturally has no choice but to refuse.

But he couldn't take the lead himself. With the vice leader stepping down, the pressure for reform within the conservative faction would increase.

Reform, power struggles within the conservative faction, the historical turning point of the Immortal Alliance era, and Wang Yulou's opportunity in the Purple Mansion—all these things were intertwined.

Therefore, he needed a reliable person to play the clown. Previously, he chose Chen Yangshi—Qiong Hai was easy to bully, and there were also problems with Chen Yangshi's rise to power. Using Chen Yangshi would be enough to suppress him.

However, Chen Yangshi's initiative to express his willingness to go with Fang Xinqian made Wang Yulou hesitate.

Xiao Chen can die, but he cannot die in a way that chills the hearts of other aspiring young heroes.

Later, Wang Yulou realized where he had gone wrong.

Mang Xiang's methods were too ruthless. Wang Yulou had been following Mang Xiang for a long time, and he was inevitably influenced by him.

That beast, that monster!
Therefore, since Chen Yangshi was not an option, Wang Yulou thought of Yu'an.

With scarce resources, after Wang Jingyi opened a 'legal' Purple Mansion, Wang Yulou wanted to push the clan leader to use the magic treasure to carry the Dao Purple Mansion to prolong life and open an 'illegal' invisible Purple Mansion.

Wang Yulou himself also wanted to open his Purple Mansion.

What about Yu'an?
Yu'an is Wang Yulou's brother, and Wang Yulou doesn't want Yu'an to be in danger.

But if they don't push forward, given the current state of the Immortal Alliance, Yu'an will probably have a hard time waiting for the next great era.

Unlike Qiong Hai, Wang Yulou knew about the changes in the frequency of transactions within Wanli Fang.

Wang Yulou was unaware of Qiong Hai's speculations, but those speculations were just that—speculations. The change in the frequency of transactions among the great cultivators in Wanli Fang was a fact that had already occurred, was consistent with reality, and had reference value.

Therefore, Wang Yulou was convinced that a civil war would not break out, and that the reforms were likely driven by the need to alleviate internal pressure within the Immortal Alliance.

In the realm of cultivation, the truth that Wang Yulou sees is different from the truth that Qiong Hai sees.

Therefore, he will give Yu'an the right to choose at this moment.

"Big brother, I won't blame you."

Yu'an made her choice.

Just as a thirteen-year-old boy cannot choose to raise a donkey before the possibility of becoming an immortal, eighty-seven-year-old Wang Yu'an cannot give up the possible opportunity to enter the Purple Palace.

Even though the opportunity was dangerous, he understood that his older brother had really done his best.

"Alright, go ahead. I will appoint you as a servant of my Jade Palace. It's not a position within the Immortal Alliance, but it's still a title."

Given our brotherhood, you can represent me and express my stance.

Let Yu Hongdou, a member of the reform faction, take the blame; let Fang Xinqian and Chen Yangshi, the heads of the core departments of the Immortal Alliance, do the work; and let his brother Wang Yu'an express his opinion.

This arrangement was actually quite interesting, and Wang Yu'an naturally noticed it.

"Brother, it seems you don't really intend to get involved in the affairs of Huzhou."

Similar to Fang Xinqian, many people are waiting for your move.

Two conservative factions from Huzhou came to the door and got into a dispute, which was too big to be true at such a critical moment for the reform.

Everyone involved understands that this event could become a key turning point in the reform; in every sense, it has the potential to become a key turning point.

"As for the reform, my main task is to reduce the number of redundant staff in the Immortal Alliance. Currently, Changshui is blocking my way, but I can gradually push it forward."

Another aspect of the reform was war and killing. The conflict between the two factions accelerated the reform process.

You may not know, but the Red Lights have already begun a new round of full-scale recruitment, and it's time to accelerate the reform process.

The attack on Huzhou is good; it's good for the reform.

It's good that Huzhou isn't attacked; it's good for the stability of the conservative faction.

What the God and the Water God think is their business; I won't delve into it and try to stop them like a mantis trying to stop a chariot.

Most people simply don't understand that the essence of reform is murder, which is why they expect me to intervene.

Qiong Hai certainly knew the essence of the reform, which is why he sent Chen Yangshi to volunteer to go and test the waters.

"Brother, is the reform just a means to kill people?"

The people of Yu'an were dumbfounded.

This is absurd. Shouldn't reform be moving in a better direction?

Wang Yulou smiled mysteriously and said softly.

"Yu'an, you've reached the mid-Foundation Establishment stage. It's time for you to engage with the true world of cultivation."

The Immortal Alliance's long period of stability over thousands of years was a precious time during a special era.

But now, there are too many cultivators, and too many great cultivators.

The immortals have always had big appetites and eat a lot, but they are never full.

Given the current situation, if they want to eat more, they can only resort to cannibalism.

It's time for Wang Yu'an to get to know the real world of cultivation—the world hidden under order and law, the world constructed under a grand narrative, the world built to serve great cultivators through absolute power.

Does the Immortal Alliance serve all cultivators under heaven?
Yes, but the conditions offered by the Immortal Alliance aren't very good; they can only serve high-level cultivators for now.

Perhaps, once the great cultivators have eaten their fill, the Immortal Alliance will take the opportunity to serve the other cultivators as well.

perhaps.

At that moment, Wang Yu'an understood everything.

If the reforms were for the purpose of killing, and the great cultivators killed to eat more, then too many things would make sense.

"Big brother, do I really have a chance to reach the Purple Mansion realm?"

Wang Yu'an asked in a low voice, believing that he was still far, far away from the ruthlessness of the great cultivators and his elder brother.

Could someone like me really open my Purple Mansion?
"I don't know. Go, go to Huzhou. All I can give you is the possibility and opportunity to obtain the Purple Mansion."

Of course, if you don't want to go, I can arrange for someone else.

I know this isn't a real choice, but…

Yu'an took the initiative to speak, interrupting Wang Yulou.

"Brother, I'm going!"

From a minor repairman in Qingxifang to an inner disciple of Fulong Temple, the patriarch of the Wang family's Fulong Temple branch, and now the younger brother of the alliance leader.

Wang Yu'an has been on the path of spiritual practice for over seventy years, so why would he be willing to turn back?
-
Yu Hongdou does not have a residence in the Immortal City; she lives in the Shi Kingdom Palace.

The Shiguo Palace is similar to the Shiguo Prefecture's Grand Cultivator Service Center in Immortal City. It is an institution within Immortal City that serves the numerous Grand Cultivators of Shiguo Prefecture.

As the only Grand Cultivator from Shiguo Prefecture currently residing in the Immortal City, Yu Hongdou lives a low-key life in a secluded palace on the edge of Shiguo Palace.

Her behavior was very similar to Danri sitting at the last seat in the Mangxiang Dojo.

Can one achieve true freedom by opening the Purple Mansion?

It's both possible and impossible. The Purple Mansion can obtain status and treatment within the Immortal Alliance, but above the Purple Mansion are Immortal Venerables, and within the Purple Mansion, there are also distinctions of rank.

Sometimes, some unlucky Purple Mansion cultivators even get bullied by some Foundation Establishment stage youths who lack martial ethics.

Yu Hongdou felt like she had been bullied again today.

Wang Yuque came uninvited and personally visited her door.
"Alliance Leader, you could have just informed me if you needed anything. There was no need for you to come in person, was there?"

Through a screen made of spirit wood and spirit silk, Wang Yulou saw Yu Hongdou taking a bath.

Hongdou Zhenren was quite skilled; he knew that a weasel paying respects to a chicken was never a good thing. Upon noticing that Wang Yulou had entered the Shiguo Palace, he immediately began to bathe.

I've already taken my clothes off, you can't make things difficult for me, can you?
Wang Yulou's expression was very strange.

Yu Hongdou was also a ruthless person; she actually stripped naked and confronted him directly in the bathtub.

This master was so terrified by Wang Yulou's fierce attacks that his way of receiving me today was almost a way of saying, "Even if you take advantage of me, don't force me to do anything that could kill me."

Compared to Wang Yulou's battle against Changshui, Yu Hongdou used a similar strategy to fight Wang Yulou, but it was not exactly the same.

Sexual resources are readily available to a leader like Wang Yuque of the Immortal Alliance.

Yu Hongdou flaunted such a worthless item to Xiao Wang, which only shows that she was frightened by Xiao Wang's high-level fighting skills.

Wang Yulou charged forward desperately for the opportunity to enter the Purple Mansion, but Yu Hongdou had already reached the shore.

Hongdou Zhenren lacked the breadth of knowledge to comprehend the grand scheme of things; she only wished to peacefully pass through her term of office.

Ultimately, the reformists were simply too weak and ineffective in the face of the reformist banner suddenly raised by the conservatives; they couldn't break through.

The reforms were in the interest of all the great cultivators of the Immortal Alliance, and the driving force behind them was still the conservative Immortal Venerables.

The key contradiction in this matter has now become an internal struggle within the conservative faction for control of the reform movement.

"Come out first, we need to talk. The matter in Huzhou is an opportunity. I remember you're from a small sect with a Purple Mansion?"

Wang Yulou, the other members of the Huzhou special task force, had already been arranged. All that was missing was someone with a big head to take the beating, which is why he took the initiative to go to Hongdou Zhenren's house to invite him.

Yu Hongdou is the Purple Mansion of the Reform Faction. But the Reform Faction has been suppressed to the point where it can only make a few noises by the conservatives who are shouting for reform. Isn't she anxious?

“I am a cultivator from the Divine Might Prefecture of Shiguo State, and I am considered a disciple of the Immortal Venerable Quanfa. Fellow Daoist Yuque, you have misremembered.”

Yu Hongdou said she wasn't in a hurry; Qionghai needed job resources, but she didn't.

She has only been cultivating her Purple Mansion for a few years and is currently in the stage of building up her foundation as a Purple Mansion cultivator; it's not time for her to seek further advancement.

Moreover, although she came from a small sect and was the second Purple Mansion cultivator in the sect, she was similar to Li Haikuo of Miaofeng Mountain. She also achieved enlightenment with the support of the Divine Might Palace's All-Law Immortal Venerable.

Even if the Immortal Alliance is in chaos, she is still a cultivator from the Divine Might Palace with a solid foundation, so she is not afraid of suddenly losing her protection.

"Even True Immortal Changshui knows that if you do things properly, Water Venerable will see it. Don't you really want Immortal Venerable Quanfa to look at you with new respect?"

Wang Yulou patiently persuaded him—well, it was purely a matter of enticement.

A reformist Purple Mansion must be sent to bear the brunt of the retribution; if it is a conservative, it will be difficult to exert influence between the God and the Immortal.

This matter truly requires Yu Hongdou's help.

Wang Yulou might not be able to persuade the other reformist factions in the Immortal City, and Yu Hongdou's initial suggestion of "recommendation first, selection later" also revealed her ambition.

Of course, in the end, the "recommendation first, selection later" approach was rejected.

Even a great cultivator would disagree that Changshui should be killed and Cangshan should be killed.

Wang Yulou is in a difficult position. This system of order is just like this. He only needs to make slight changes to the edges, and the others will disagree.

It's still the same alliance principle between Jia Dong and Bi Fang—the level of the great cultivators is far superior to that of the short-lived species. They have a high degree of consensus on a broad range of issues, can foresee the dangers behind possibilities, and thus achieve cooperation based on the expectation that cooperation will generate relatively greater benefits.

The "recommendation first, selection later" method is still a selection process. Those selected are not necessarily one of our own. If this continues in the long run, it will inevitably harm the interests of some great cultivators. No one can guarantee that they are not one of those "great cultivators" when surrounded by powerful opponents.

The interests of the great cultivators that have been eroded may not necessarily be transferred to other great cultivators in absolute terms. Instead, they may be stolen by the cultivators in the ruling and executive layer of the Immortal Alliance who are in charge of the selection process. How could the master agree to the infringement of the master's interests by the governing group within the Immortal Alliance system?

Of course, Wang Yulou wasn't stupid. He tested it out and, finding it didn't work, immediately proposed the "freeze personnel for a hundred years" method.

As for whether this act of revealing ambition will incur the wrath of the many beasts on the Immortal Platform?
Stop joking. The Immortal Venerable doesn't care about such trivial matters, and those who do care about such trivial matters would never become Immortal Venerables.

If a useless person who only shouts about loyalty and is obsessed with gratitude is made vice leader, can he hold the position?
These questions are unnecessary; the bag won't work.

This is similar to how, when a dynasty is first established (note that it is newly established), it needs to send brave warriors, generals, ruthless heroes, and even scoundrels with ulterior motives to guard the frontier.

Sending a 'good person' who only knows loyalty to such a dangerous place as the frontier is not a safe bet.

On the contrary, sending a ruthless leader or a strongman with ulterior motives often yields better results.

why?
Because these people are highly capable, ambitious, and most importantly, intelligent. If they weren't intelligent, they wouldn't be able to rise to high positions and become powerful figures who guard the gates.

As for whether the rulers knew that the strongmen guarding the border had ulterior motives?
They know, but they don't care, because the ruling group is clever enough, and the specific people in these frontier areas are also clever enough.

These people are too smart; they rose to high positions through their abilities and intelligence, and then they became ambitious.

But it is precisely because these people are too clever that they know what kind of situation is in their favor. As long as the overall situation is stable, their disloyalty will ultimately remain just that – disloyalty.

Of course, at the end of a dynasty, when the ruling group is finished, ambitious newcomers on the frontier will rise up again after being tempered by the flames of war—that's another matter entirely.

If we translate that into the cultivation world, Wang Yuque is ambitious, intelligent, clear-headed, ruthless, and capable of internal power struggles, making him an excellent vice leader.

Let alone testing him once, even if Wang Yulou tested him three or five times, as long as he didn't do anything reckless, he wouldn't really be targeted.

There are many talented people and many heroes, but none of them have risen to the top. Therefore, as long as Wang Yuque doesn't lose, he is irreplaceable.

He took the fastest path of progress, a path with only one rule: never lose. As long as you never lose, you can keep going fast!
"I knew it, I knew it. You came to my door in person, you wouldn't let me off so easily."

"Speak up. Tell me what you want me to do first. Let me make this clear: I'm not going to be your pawn anymore!"

There's no such thing as a carefree Red Bean Immortal. Even if you don't become an immortal in the Purple Mansion, you still have to do your job properly and follow the interests and order of the Golden Core Immortals.

"Go to Huzhou, go to the place where the struggle is most intense, there are great opportunities there."

Wang Yulou's promises were empty and terribly hollow, just like Taihe Shuizun's desire to get something for nothing. He was also trying to see if he could get something for nothing from Yu Hongdou.

Give it a try; you can't lose by trying.

"Go slowly and don't send me away!"

Clearly, Red Bean Real Person hasn't gone mad yet.

"Ten strands of the essence of the celestial cave!"

Wang Yulou quoted a price directly. In this kind of situation, how could anyone take the blame for nothing without profiting from it?
As a fifth-rank Purple Mansion, he also receives a share of the essence of the cave heaven each year.

Ten years have passed; it's time to spend them, there's no need to hesitate.

In any case, as the vice leader of the Immortal Alliance, his other benefits are more than enough compared to the needs of Foundation Establishment cultivators, so he doesn't have to worry about running out of money after spending ten strands of hair.

As a Golden Core cultivator, Mang Xiang received a larger share of the essence of the grotto-heavens, but he was still willing to help the Immortal Venerables kill disobedient disciples for a few strands of the essence, because he wanted to earn favors.

Just like Danri and Yu Hongdou, who kept a low profile, Xiao Mang, who had just achieved the Golden Core stage, was very disciplined and sensible.

"You can keep it yourself; I'm afraid I won't live to spend it."

Yu Hongdou understands that some money is not something she can earn with her small frame.

“Fellow Daoist Hongdou, we are good friends, so I’ll just say what’s on my mind.”

Yu Hongdou's expression changed. Who wants to be friends with you?
"You know, the matter of reform is a consensus among the immortals on the Altar of Immortals."

Huzhou is destined to become the starting point for reforms among the six prefectures. With your abilities, you will surely find a way to break the deadlock after you go there.

If you achieve something, the fellow Daoists and Immortal Venerables within the Immortal Alliance will naturally see it.

A Purple Mansion can rise to the fourth rank in twenty years, the third rank in sixty years, the second rank in one hundred and forty years, and the first rank in three hundred years.

The lifespan of the Purple Mansion is seven hundred and twenty years. Extending lifespan is simple, but how many years can it be extended?

Fellow Daoist Hongdou, contributions to the Immortal Alliance are hard to earn, but if we do a good job with the reforms, right?

The Immortal Alliance's exploitative design for the Purple Mansion is actually quite human-like. Being a beast of burden in the Great Heaven and Earth for three hundred years is enough to be promoted to the first-class Purple Mansion. What a great treatment!

It can be said that there are no bottlenecks in this process. As long as you are willing to sacrifice your lifespan to serve the Immortal Alliance, the Immortal Alliance will give you corresponding treatment.

But that's lifespan. Before the existence of the Cave Heaven Technique, everyone could accept the basic fact that lifespan fades with time.

But now that we have the Cave Heaven Technique, who would still want to waste their lifespan and work like an ox or a horse in the vast world?

Moreover, it's impossible for her to consistently receive good assignments within the Immortal City while earning contributions and advancing her Purple Mansion level over three hundred years.

Many tasks and positions within the Immortal Alliance Purple Mansion come with enormous risks.

Old Zhou is a typical example.
Yu Hongdou was indeed cultivating the latest Cave Heaven Technique. She was already nearly four hundred years old when she opened her Purple Mansion—she couldn't afford to waste any more time!
It can be said that the long process of building a foundation, generating the five elements, and initially forming the grotto-heaven is, in effect, a dead end for the vast majority of foundation-building cultivators.

In short, Xiao Wang's conditions are very realistic.

The ten strands of celestial essence represent Xiao Wang's sincerity; the real trump card he has prepared is to share the spoils after the reforms are successful.

Red Bean, here's your chance, you choose!
"You can't possibly be that good, and besides, did Immortal Venerable Mangxiang promise you anything about making significant contributions to the reforms?"

Yu Hongdou was finally moved.

“Fellow Daoist Hongdou, it seems you still have some misunderstandings about me. Within the Immortal Alliance, from the Immortal Venerables to the thirteen of us who serve in the Immortal City, there have been quite a few conflicts.”

But these conflicts are normal, after all, we are all cultivators under the Immortal Alliance.

Many people say that the reform was initiated by conservatives, but that's wrong.

The reform was not initiated by the conservatives alone, but was a major event jointly promoted by most of the Immortal Venerables of the Immortal Alliance.

Although you are a cultivator of the Purple Mansion sect who practices reform, you can still participate.

Times are changing, and the Immortal Alliance cannot remain unchanged forever.

What is difficult is easy; reform is the general trend, and reform cannot be separated from the participation of reformist monks.

Yes, the reform could not have been done without the participation of the reformist monks.

It can only be said that the world of cultivators is too ruthless. The conservatives brewed reforms and kept them hidden for so long, but in one fell swoop they seized the ideological program of the reformists and refined it in an instant.

Even if a high-ranking monk doesn't have such a strong demand for an ideological program, this kind of thing is still somewhat outrageous.

"I am the vice leader of the Immortal Alliance, not the vice leader of the conservative faction."

This opportunity is the same whether it's given to someone else or to Fellow Daoist Hongdou, so Yulou naturally prefers to give it to you.

Wang Yulou's attitude was very good and quite frank.

The reform cannot be a one-man show by the conservatives; it concerns his own destiny, so he is naturally concerned and cautious.

In addition, sending Yu Hongdou, a reformist from the Zifu faction, to Huzhou would also make good use of her unique position.

If Yan Kang were to go to Huzhou, he really wouldn't be able to do anything.

"What do you want me to do in Huzhou?" Yu Hongdou asked.

It wasn't that she was easily 'deceived' by Wang Yulou, but rather that Wang Yulou's reasons were very realistic. From the perspective of the larger interests, what Wang Yulou said was not wrong at all, and his actions were quite appropriate.

"I'll just put on a show and suffer the injustice. This matter has come to my hands, and I have to deal with it, but I can't handle it, so I have no choice but to resort to this last resort."

The best course of action would be to marry Changshui, but this best course of action is obviously not easy to resolve.

The contradictions in Huzhou are too great and too unique, so there is no middle ground.

Therefore, Xiao Wang's current response is almost at its limit.

The deputy leader, Wang Yuque, has already persuaded the reformists to go to Huzhou to mediate. What else can you expect from him?
We can't just watch Wang Yulou go over there and get crushed to death by the God and the Water God, can we?
There's no point in dying like that.
That's how things are. Since the best strategy couldn't be implemented, Wang Yulou opted for the less desirable one, and no one else could have done it better than him.

Of course, if the vice leader is an idiot, he might think of asking the God to back down and give way to the Water God, asking for only 30% – but that wouldn't solve the problem, it would be suicide.

Yu Hongdou was disgusted by the outrageous plan proposed by Wang Yulou.

This isn't aimed at solving the problem at all.
"Wang Yuque, you're such a scoundrel!"

"Does putting up with being caught in the middle really solve the problem?"

Xiao Wang chuckled and said.

"Does the problem really need to be solved?"

Does the problem really need to be solved?
This is a good question, and one that most people cannot imagine or understand.

With just one sentence from the true teachings, Yu Hongdou finally understood why Wang Yulou was able to become the vice leader of the Immortal Alliance.

If solving a problem is one approach, then why isn't not solving a problem also a problem-solving approach?
If a problem is too difficult, then don't do it; just do your best.

Fighting would facilitate the implementation of the reformist killing plan, and thus lead to victory.

Not fighting is beneficial to the stability of the conservative faction, and they will win.

With both sides blocked, Wang Yulou's personal honor or disgrace is unimportant; the Immortal Alliance has won big.

Even if the Water Venerable is powerful, he can't expect Wang Yulou to kill the Golden Valley Garden God Venerable for him, can he?

Send Yu Hongdou to put on a show of arrogance, letting both sides have a good laugh, while sending Yu An over to play the victim, and the matter will be glossed over.

Why isn't this a solution?
The Immortal Alliance has existed for so long, and there have been many instances of things that started strong but ended weakly and were not done in a respectable manner.

Once this matter has passed and become history, it will be better to be broad-minded than meticulous, and everyone will continue to move towards victory in the new governance structure.

As for the minor setbacks in the past, they are not important.

"Wang Yuque, those who underestimate you will probably pay the price in the future."

Red Bean whispers softly.

It's just about enduring humiliation and swallowing insults; it's a small matter!
What's that saying again? It's all for the service of all cultivators under heaven.

Of course, the essence of the grotto is still necessary.

Slogans are meant for lower-level cultivators; for higher-level cultivators, self-interest is the ultimate goal.

"Ten strands of the essence of the grotto are too little; I need at least fifteen strands."

Faced with Red Bean's price increase, Xiao Wang immediately agreed.

"Okay, okay, it's nothing. I'll give it to you when you get back from Huzhou."

Yu Hongdou remained silent for a long time before asking a question in bewilderment.

"Why do you think I'm an idiot?"

Wang Yulou explained with a helpless expression.

"I don't have any right now. I was thinking, should I borrow some from Fellow Daoist Yan?"

It's broken, it's about to break; Yu Hongdou's teeth are practically grinding to dust.

You're a complete bastard, you lowly beast!

So, you never intended to give it to me in the first place!

If Yu Hongdou had believed even a single word of Wang Yulou's nonsense, she wouldn't be where she is today.

She suppressed her heaving chest and said coldly.

“I’m going to Huzhou, but remember, you can’t renege on these fifteen strands of the essence of the grotto.”

Otherwise, I'll let all the cultivators in the Immortal Alliance know about your magnanimity, Wang Yuque!

Wang Yulou smiled and shook his head, saying...

"As the vice leader of the alliance, it is only right for me to use the essence of my own grotto-heaven to support the Immortal Alliance. Fellow Daoist, please rest assured."

I'll definitely give it to him. Wang Yulou wouldn't be so tasteless. It's just that the payment period is a little longer. That's not too much to ask, is it?
After all, I've already contributed my own savings to the Immortal Alliance and to the reforms. You can't expect me to immediately sell my blood to repay that debt; that's inappropriate.
-
The view extends south from Qunqing Immortal City, past Xinjingzhou, and then to Huzhou.

Huzhou, the city of ten thousand lakes, has a thriving history of water management.

Taihe Shui is a highly respected cultivator who has mastered water magic, and Jinguyuan Shenzun, as a dragon demon god, is also a highly respected cultivator who has mastered water magic.

As a member of the Immortal Alliance, Jingu Garden is located in the very center of Jintao Sea.

Jintaohai, also known as Wanli Jintao, is famous for its boundless golden reeds. When the golden reeds covering the water sway in the wind, they resemble a surging ocean.

Therefore, Wanli Jintao is also known as Jintao Sea.

As for why the Golden Valley Garden is called the Golden Valley Garden, it is because the deity's name is the Golden Valley Garden.

However, the Golden Valley Garden Deity has now left the cave in its avatar. Instead of entering the sect, it has silently arrived at one of its own temples.

As a Golden Core Immortal Venerable who cultivates Dharma and Dharma, the Golden Valley Garden God Venerable also made the Ten Thousand Mile Golden Waves his own home ground and Daoist temple.

It can sense any other powerful cultivator who enters its territory and even slightly reveals their form instantly.

In the temple where it appeared, a middle-aged man with a dignified and imposing presence stood silently, gazing at the dragon-shaped deity's image as if waiting.

Suddenly, the divine image moved. Originally cast from ninth-grade purple bronze, it descended from the altar like a living purple dragon.

As the purple dragon moved, it quickly transformed into the appearance of a woman. Although she was still entirely purple, her silhouette revealed her unparalleled beauty.

The woman knelt before the Taihe Water Venerable and said respectfully.

"Master, Xiaoyuan is late."

The courtyard is deep and secluded, the towering buildings obscure the path to the celestial palace.

How many people in the world know that the Golden Valley Garden Deity is a disciple of the Supreme Water Deity?
(End of this chapter)