Shangyuque

Chapter 219 'Nourish and Keep Up', the most insignificant aftershocks!
Cultivators are not the same as cultivators. Mang Xiang can be accepted and preside over reforms, while Shui Zun's slightest movement can shake the entire Immortal Platform. This is the difference brought about by their difference in strength.

In this world, the respect that the strong receive is virtually limitless.

They're all beasts; none of them want others to attain enlightenment first, and they're all wary of being schemed against. They keep a close eye on each other.

It must be said that this is a state of confrontation and balance unique to the top cultivators.

It is under this balance of power among the strongest that a situation has arisen where many top-level forces are vying for supremacy, and the hands and feet of the top experts are tied by interests and risks.

The problem is that the Water Venerable only moved slightly, just raised his hand and wiggled his butt, but the Immortal Assembly exploded and the conservative faction split up immediately—it was the 'Azure Serpent' gang.

So why were these top experts willing to help Mangxiang, such as Bifang swallowing Jia Lingxiao whole, the Yellow-robed Buddha violently shoving Zhu Bao Bodhisattva, and Rakshasa joining forces with Shaoyang Gong's protector, the One-Horned Flood Dragon Demon God, to tear Shaoyang Gong apart?

When Shui Zun made a move, the price meter for the price surged like it had been hit with a critical strike – he was Taihe Shui, who appeared to be half a step above the Huzhou region but was in fact completely above the Huzhou region and had deceived everyone, so of course he could afford the price.

But can the elephant afford it?

Can Mangxiang afford the price of having top-tier experts like Bifang, Huangyi Fo, and Luosha take action?
These are just the top experts who support Mangxiang from the three top forces that have emerged from the Dao Seizure. Has Mangxiang paid homage to other top forces?
This is a price that the mad elephant absolutely cannot afford!

Even if a wild elephant lay on a table and cut himself for a thousand years, he probably still couldn't afford it!
As a Dao seeker who has attained the Golden Elixir in this special era, Mang Xiang is very powerful, but there is still much for him to learn.

"Price? What do you mean by that, Fellow Daoist Cangshan?"

Mang Xiang spoke in a nonchalant tone, feigning ignorance.

However, Wang Yu'an pretended to be stupid in Taihe Water Palace because the conflict had not yet reached a certain level, and Wang Yulou's demands were not that strong, so Wang Yu'an's act of pretending to be stupid was effective.

However, the seriousness of the matter of selling out the Immortal Alliance under the guise of reform is something that Mang Xiang cannot hide by pretending to be stupid.

"They must want something from you if they help you."

"Mangxiang, speak! Why did you take the initiative to push for reforms within the Immortal Alliance?"

Cangshan's attitude wasn't exactly aggressive, but he clearly intended to get to the bottom of things.

If he can't get a clear answer, he won't support further expansion of the reforms.

Yes, before Mang Xiang attained the Golden Elixir, he had said he wanted to reform the system, and I supported it, but the situation is really different now.

Back then, Cangshan had no idea that Mangxiang would be playing such a big game.
Mangxiang, Bifang, Shuizun, Qingrui, Tianshe—so many powerful cultivators standing together. From Cangshan's perspective, things were gradually spiraling out of control.

This is not what we agreed on!
The internal strife within the Immortal Alliance, the Immortal Alliance taking the lead, and the Immortal Alliance preparing for the next chaotic era—these events, in their initial stages, exhibit an absolute consistency in their paths.

It's nothing more than taking some action, but halfway through, it either goes smoothly, stalls, or someone takes advantage of the situation.

Therefore, Cangshan needs to make an effort; even if it can't stop the flow, it should at least demonstrate its attitude and presence.

The Terrace of Immortals was quiet, and Xiao Wang obediently pretended to be deaf.

I dared not move at all, for fear of attracting the attention of others.

His efforts were barely worth mentioning.

But it is his unwavering commitment to the Dao that has enabled him to reach where he is today.

Wang Yulou will never forget Wang Xianzhu's story. Cultivators can be right countless times, but sometimes one mistake can lead to total defeat.

Therefore, we must be careful every time and in every place—of course, this does not conflict with the need to rush at times; they are not mutually exclusive, and the key lies in one's own mind.

"There's nothing wrong with Mangxiang's reforms; he and Tianshe are there, and the general direction of the reforms is clear."

Qingrui spoke, only to be met with Cangshan's cold rebuke.

"It's because of him and the Heavenly Serpent that we're worried."

Heavenly tribulations are insignificant, but one of them has just attained enlightenment, and the other has survived more than ninety heavenly tribulations. How can we not worry?
"Qingrui, you can't fool her. Let Mangxiang tell the truth!"

Qingrui tried to smooth things over, but Cangshan didn't give her any face at all.

So your name is Qingrui, right?
Sorry, I am Cangshan—the founder of the Immortal Alliance and the number one guy in Qunqingyuan. Your face is worthless to me.

Seeing that the 'Green Serpent' gang was about to clash with Cangshan, Shenguang's heart even leaped with joy.

The Cangshan substitutes are joining the chaos. If my divine light can't do anything to you, how can the Cangshan Immortal Venerable not do anything to you?
Right, that is it!

Bite, tear, bite the savage elephant to death!
Mangxiang and Qingrui are such despicable people, capable of anything.

Rather than believing that they want to reform properly, you should believe that I, Shenguang, am the number one Golden Core Immortal Venerable in the world!

All I can say is that Shenguang is indulging in fantasy again.

Golden Core cultivators within the Immortal Alliance can be roughly divided into three grades.

The top-tier Golden Core cultivators are like Shui Zun, Qing Rui, Cang Shan, and Xiao Hu. They are either very strong or have great influence. Their strength varies, but they are all core members of the Immortal Alliance, the cornerstones of the cornerstones. Within the Immortal Alliance, they are beings who can command the wind and rain.

The second-tier Golden Core cultivators are like the Heavenly Serpent, the Golden Valley Garden God, and Yuehua—senior and powerful figures with varying levels of strength and influence, but generally deep experience and considerable influence.

The third tier. Representative figures are probably Zhuzhao, General Baixu, Mangxiang, and Shenguang. Zhuzhao and General Baixu have a voice, but their strength and voice are not high. In essence, they are similar to Mangxiang and Shenguang, all of whom are the lowest tier among the Golden Core Immortal Venerables of the Immortal Alliance.

A dozen or so top-tier Golden Core cultivators served as the cornerstone of the Immortal Alliance in the six states, while the remaining second-tier Golden Core cultivators maintained a certain degree of influence, and the last remaining bottom-tier Golden Core cultivators were responsible for following the factions' lead.

As for factions, conservatives and reformers are broad categories. Within each state, there are also factions. For example, the dragon forces represented by the Golden Valley God, the White-Bearded General, and the Immortal Dragon King are similar to a loose horizontal alliance, which can also be considered a faction.

The situation was complex, leaving little room for Shenguang to maneuver. Perhaps the only time Shenguang would be noticed was when the Immortal Kingdom and Bifang were involved.

Such divine light—you might call him a Celestial Venerable, and he certainly is—but often, within the Celestial Alliance, one can only suppress those thoughts and indulge in fantasies to vent one's frustration.

There is no way, strength determines everything.

Shenguang is only at the level of 1,500 years old. It would be difficult for him to compete with those ancient monsters who are tens of thousands of years old.

He also wanted to expand his power, so he was chosen by Mangxiang to be a big punching bag to attract attention. While Mangxiang and Qingrui pressed his head down, they shouted to the Golden Core Immortal Venerables of the Immortal Alliance, "Everyone, come and see!" and then smoothly wiped out his power in the Western Sea.

How could Shenguang not hate such a deep-seated grudge?

"There's nothing that can't be said, Fellow Daoist Cangshan."
You ask me what they want, you ask me what price I paid, you worry that my reforms are a scheme.

I understand, I, Mang Xiang, understand.

But you must also trust the judgment of Fellow Daoist Qingrui, Venerable Shui, and others.

They have always supported my reforms, and my fellow Daoists also supported my reforms in the past.

why?
Did I, Mangxiang, make any promises to you in private?
No, everything is out in the open.

The reforms will benefit all fellow Daoists and the Immortal Alliance; it is a good thing.

Fellow Daoist Shui Zun's drastic changes are also extremely appropriate.

As times move forward, our Immortal Alliance must prepare for the next chaotic era, a sentiment you, Fellow Daoist Cangshan, also acknowledge.

I, Mangxiang, have cultivated myself for over ten thousand years and have always been very disciplined.

This was true during the foundation building stage, during the Purple Palace stage, and it is true now.

If I, Mangxiang, harbor any ill intentions towards the Immortal Alliance or our fellow Daoists, then may I be condemned to heaven and earth!

He was still pulling, and the mad elephant was still pulling!

What's the use of making promises or swearing oaths if you don't mention the price you paid?

"Nonsense!" Cangshan said coldly.

The founder of the Immortal Alliance looked at Taihe Water Venerable, his tone leaving no room for doubt.

"I know I can't stop a decision that will drastically change things."

However, I demand that the "selection before recommendation" method not be implemented in any department under the Immortal Alliance.

Wang Yulou's suggestion of freezing the city for 100 years is good, but I think freezing it for 120 years would be better.

As for what you're actually going to do, I don't care. It's just another fight!

It can't be stopped. Major changes are in everyone's interest. The possibility of Mangxiang selling out the Immortal Alliance is only a possibility, not a certainty. In the end, it's just speculation.

Cangshan had no reason to charge forward for other great cultivators who had doubts, despite the pressure from the Mangxiang allies and Taihe Water.

Inside the Dripping Water Cave, with the backing of the Nine Victories True Man, the Yuan family only needs a few people to become the number one family.

A faction with certain collective interests, even if small in number, can be a formidable force if they band together—theoretically, they can be stopped, but the cost-benefit ratio is a problem.

Otherwise, the others wouldn't have remained silent; only Cangshan stepped forward to stop them.

On the other hand, if the major changes to the Water Deity are successfully implemented, the Immortal Alliance will be the first to obtain the ticket to set sail in the next era.

Just like Cangshan's statement, when faced with a choice between risk and benefit, no Golden Core Immortal Venerable would be afraid of that little bit of risk.

Whether or not Mang Xiang is sold, if one wants to kill him, most of the immortals on the Immortal Platform can kill him.

No need for divine retribution; everyone can wipe them out with a flick of their wrist!

The fact that Mangxiang was able to escape the Heavenly Serpent's fatal attack in Heavenly Serpent Valley was entirely an act by the two of them.

Judging from the alliance between Tian She and Mang Xiang, even if his Wu Xiang Fa was incredibly powerful, it would have been impossible for him to escape unscathed from Tian She's attack so easily.

That performance was actually assisted by the Heavenly Serpent, which elevated Mangxiang's strength and status in the eyes of the Immortal Alliance's Immortal Venerables, thus laying the groundwork and accumulating momentum for his further attainment of the Golden Core stage.

These two wretches have long since become brothers, even though they are from different fathers, mothers, genders, and species!

"Haha, Fellow Daoist Cangshan has given a good suggestion. The reform of the Immortal Alliance has a lot to do, and the departments within the Immortal Alliance cannot be disrupted. Freezing is indeed a good choice."

Wang Yulou, you heard that too. Do a good job. Fellow Daoist Cangshan is very supportive of your work.

Taihe Shui accepted Cangshan's request with a smile—it was a small matter.

What he really cared about was just one thing: to fully implement this 'new model' of skill-based selection within the Immortal Alliance.

The two factions in Huzhou fighting over land with magic was just the beginning; their true aim was to create a new order through such battles and the pursuit of opportunities.

With a fair selection system, we can build a pool of capable and efficient people for the future.

Of course, this is only temporary; once things stabilize again in the future, the selection system will definitely be abolished.

We can't give those lowly people too much fairness. People's hearts always flow against the current, always wanting more. Giving them less at the beginning can effectively control the speed at which those at the bottom rise, thus better maintaining overall stability.

Tired oxen and horses, deceive oxen and horses, guide oxen and horses—these tasks all require specific people to do them personally. Therefore, oxen and horses foremen like Wang Yulou have the space to create value and realize self-development.

"Yu Lou will obey the Immortal Venerable's decree and will certainly maintain stability within the Immortal Alliance!" Wang Yu Lou hurriedly replied.

"Alright, let's start the decision-making process. Forget about the Purple Mansion; we can just cast a vote."

Taihe Shui nodded slowly and once again put forward the resolution standard of 'no Purple Palace on the table'.

Wang Yulou kept his eyes down, pretending he hadn't heard anything.

Mang Xiang proved his Dao, and after that came reform. He was on the table just before the arrival of a chaotic era, and his control over this position was unparalleled.

With the internal pressure within the Immortal Alliance continuing to increase and the Mangxiang Five-Discussion Golden Core being rejected, other top forces are also on the verge of implosion.

Will Zifu be able to remain a staple on the dinner table for a long time to come?
Thinking about the truth that Xiaoyu had once revealed to him, Wang Yulou felt a little worried.

He could understand the cycle of stability and turmoil, but he just happened to be born on the eve of a major era of turmoil.

So be it, it's fate. At least, this unresolved upheaval has sent me to the Altar of Immortals.

Such an opportunity can only be seized at this special juncture in time, right?

Just as Wang Yulou was pondering, the artifact spirit finished counting the votes of the immortals.

"One hundred and eighteen to twenty-five, the resolution is passed!"

Qingrui nodded in satisfaction and said in a deep voice.

"Fellow Daoists, what happened today must not be revealed to outsiders!"

Shui Zun wore a satisfied smile, Mang Xiang's expression remained serious, and Shen Guang's expression was somewhat inscrutable.
Flames ignited in Wang Yulou's eyes.

The Immortal Alliance, one of the top powers in the world, has officially begun betting on the next turbulent era!
The reform marked a formal shift, ushering in a new chapter of major changes and transformations.

The one who holds the reins is the Immortal Venerable Mangxiang.

The actual driving force behind this was Wang Yuque!
'Wang Yulou and Jinguyuan will win the battle for land, and our two sects will immediately go to war to promote reform.'

This is a crucial piece in your strategy to implement the "selection first, recommendation later" system within the local sects of the six states. Use it wisely to overcome the resistance from below.

On the way back to the Great World along the water steps, the Water Venerable gave Wang Yulou some instructions.

A golden elixir that has been cultivated for 60,000 years is certainly of a high level. Water Venerable's methods may be crude, but that's because he doesn't care about those insignificant details.

But when it comes to crucial details, the water vessel can be made in great detail.

Just like now, Wang Yulou never expected things to develop this way.

The defeat of Taihe Water Palace in the battle for land was used to dispel the resistance from the executive level of the six local sects to major changes and reforms, and to select candidates before implementation.

This move was truly masterful and unparalleled.

The logic behind it is not complicated.

Even the Taihe Water Palace might lose in a land-grabbing contest.

For many executive-level cultivators of the local sects in the six states who were dissatisfied with the current division of interests, this was like a kind of hope, a hope that allowed them to see that they also had a chance to break free from their cage.

However, the celestial beings above would not tell those below that it was all a lie.
How can one cultivate immortality and let everyone see the truth?

The space on the Terrace of Immortals was already crowded enough.
"Water Venerable, why does Immortal Venerable Cangshan insist that the core departments of the Immortal Alliance cannot adopt the 'select first, then promote' approach?"

Knowing that the Water Venerable was behind, Yu Lou hurriedly asked.

Cangshan's attitude was too strange. You could say he was against the reform, but he didn't stop it.

You might say he didn't oppose the reform, but he actually did interfere.

Hard to comment.

'Perhaps he was worried that the six states would descend into chaos, and that the Immortal Alliance could not be allowed to descend into chaos, so he restricted the reform measures within the Immortal Alliance.'

It could also be because he wanted to show his presence, but that's not important.

Focus on the big picture and let go of the small details; let's get to work.

Taihe Shuizun doesn't pay much attention to Cangshan's attitude; so far, everyone is resorting to open and overt schemes.

The risks and rewards are there for all to see. Go for it when you need to, and accept failure if you fail. There's nothing to worry about.

"Lord Water, Huzhou and Wunan are located in the south and north of the Immortal Alliance, respectively. I plan to start the reforms in these two places first."

Next are Xinjingzhou and Chongxianzhou, which also face relatively less resistance.

"Once we've settled things in these relatively peripheral states, we can then finally initiate the reforms on the Qingyuan Plain. Do you have any objections to this order?"

As they walked along the water steps back the way they came, Wang Yulou reported his reform ideas to the Water God.

Huzhou is the location of Taihe Water Deity and Jingu Garden Deity, so promoting the reform in Huzhou would be relatively simple.

There's no need to elaborate on Wunan; now even the White-Bearded General has joined the "Green Serpent" clique, and with the addition of Tiantai Mountain, the conservative forces of Yuehua Sect and Jiuqiao Valley, reform in Wunan is no longer a problem.

By making a breakthrough in these two states, the resistance to full implementation will be greatly reduced.

The influence of the general trend cannot be ignored at any time.

With the approval of the Immortal Platform and the support of all the Immortal Venerables, the interests of both the great cultivators and the common people at the bottom are taken into account. This major change of "selecting first and then promoting" is the trend of the times.

By using the reforms in the two states to 'accumulate momentum' for the overall situation, and then suppressing the weak states of Xinjing and Chongxian to follow suit, there will be no major resistance afterward.

'Wang Yulou, the big picture I want is for the Immortal Alliance to seize the initiative in this inevitable era of chaos.'

You must control the pace of the reforms well, and don't let certain sects bully others too much—it's agreed that everyone will be reduced by 30%.

This is my title. If you encounter significant resistance, simply report it to me, and I will arrange for someone to help you tackle the tough issues.

Tongxuan and Shuijinguang Shenzhao Fazun?

What is this honorific title?
Isn't he a practitioner of the Dharma of Form?
Why is the title 'Shenzhao Fazun' included?

Wang Yulou had no time to think much; the support from Taihe Shuizun was so strong that he was somewhat distracted.

Should we just vote for it?
Shouting 'Mangxiang, be loyal!' is a shout.

Shouting "Water God, be loyal!" is also a form of shouting.

Compared to the raging elephant of the Golden Core Floor Tiles, the Water Venerable is superior in terms of its beastly nature, power, and strength.
Wang Yulou had no sense of gratitude, so his relationship with Mang Xiang was just so-so.

If we're talking about close friends, the one who firmly expresses support at this moment is the real friend—mainly because the Water Lord is strong.

It's not fair to blame Wang Yulou for blindly following anyone who offers help; the real issue is that Mang Xiang himself is a worthless person, and this era doesn't allow him to let gratitude cloud his judgment and become a tool to carry Mang Xiang's will.

However, the Water Venerable is also terrifying. For many years, no one under his tutelage has achieved the Golden Core stage, and his eldest disciple, the Bear King, died mysteriously.
Furthermore, if water is thrown into a vessel at this time, the vessel may not necessarily accept it.

Wang Yulou needs to be on good terms with Yu Hongdou, as Shui Zun interferes with the reforms, and he also needs to be on good terms with other forces within the Qunxiantai, such as the 'Green Serpent' gang.

Not touching Wang Yulou, and not taking Wang Yulou into custody, would actually be more in line with Shui Zun's interests at this time.

"Difficult, difficult, difficult," Wang Yulou thought to himself.

"Immortal Venerable, it is Yu Lou who has contributed to the Immortal Alliance."

Shui Zun interrupted Wang Yulou's chanting, saying, "They're all beasts; there's nothing to pledge loyalty to."

Moreover, those narratives were meant for the cattle and horses below, and the water deity was completely indifferent to them.

'Enough with the talk. Once this is done, I'll grant you the position of Purple Mansion!' This was the first time someone had directly promised Wang Yulou the position of Purple Mansion. Even Mang Xiang, who had promoted him to the position of Vice Alliance Leader, had never explicitly stated that he could open a Purple Mansion.

Well, the Water Venerable isn't lacking in this aspect. This 60,000-year-old sage is indeed far-sighted, looking at the grand scheme of his next era.

Compared to those benefits, a small Purple Mansion is nothing to worry about.

Ultimately, the 90% that the great cultivators took was divided into a 30/60 split, with the more than 2,000 Purple Mansion cultivators taking 30% and the more than 100 Immortal Venerables taking 60%.

In comparison, the difference in power between a Purple Mansion cultivator and a Golden Core cultivator is roughly one in nine thousand to fifty in nine thousand.
A difference of about fifty times!

Wang Yulou could easily extract huge profits from Gu Shen's family, Gu Qiyuan's place, and Da Tiantai Mountain.

However, compared to the top-tier Golden Core cultivator Taihe Water Venerable, their extravagance is still far inferior.

This resource allocation model may seem unreasonable in terms of measurement, but it is reasonable when considering the disparity in strength.

Even a tiny leak between the fingers of a Golden Core Immortal Venerable is enough to make those below feast on their greasy food.
Purple Mansion, Purple Mansion, after seventy-five years of cultivation, I have seen the hope of Purple Mansion.

Wang Yulou still remembered that his greatest ambition was simply to achieve Foundation Establishment before the age of sixty.
He wasn't worried that the Water Lord would just make empty promises and not deliver. Given the Water Lord's status, he had no reason to renege on such a small benefit.

Giving Wang Yulou a Purple Mansion quota would be like giving Wang Yulou a meal of donkey meat at Zhiweifang to Shui Zun.

"A drop in the ocean" is an understatement; it's more like "a drop in ninety-one oceans."
-
Wang Yulou was pulled up to the sky by the water vessel. For those who witnessed this scene, their feelings were more than just complicated.
Putting everything else aside, the hardest person to keep in check was Chen Yangshi.

He wasn't sure whether Fang Xinqian had sided with him or not, but he was absolutely certain that his ancestor had sided with the Water Venerable.

Moreover, he had already openly expressed his intention to rebel against the Jade Palace, and his rebellious nature was being thoroughly thwarted by the young king.

No sooner had he tugged at Wang Yulou than the Water Venerable pulled Wang Yulou up into the sky.
I can't hold it in anymore, I really can't hold it in anymore.

This is actually the price of following the family. Chen Yangshi enjoyed the cultivation of Master Qionghai, so he had to serve Master Qionghai's interests.

His talent may be no less than Wang Yulou's; he just lacks an opportunity to prove himself and didn't get off to a fast enough start.

But this very difference led to drastically different fates for the two in the tides of time.

Despite having the same cultivation level and good background, with Chen Yangshi even having a higher starting point than Wang Yulou, he knew he might be in serious trouble.

Therefore, Chen Yangshi was in agony as he knelt and waited with everyone else.

It was even more agonizing than when his beloved Deng Mingzhu married that Purple Mansion cultivator.
"Ok?"

Yu Hongdou, whose thoughts were equally complicated, noticed the water steps appearing on the horizon; Wang Yulou had returned.

The water steps descended from the distant sky, and Wang Yulou quickly stepped down from them.

Yan Kang, Tian Sheng Shui, Jin Ming Du, Wang Yu An, Yu Hong Dou, Chen Yang Shi, Fang Xin Qian
Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, Wang Yulou straightened his clothes and bowed gracefully towards the Water God statue in the center of the Taihe Water Palace.

Then he turned to look at Tian Shengshui, who looked uneasy, and said with a smile.

"You need to hurry up with your battles for territory. The Immortal Alliance has many matters to attend to, so I won't stay any longer."

The new resolution from the Assembly Hall will soon be distributed to the local sects in the six provinces. Then you'll know what's going on.

Tian Shengshui seemed to kneel down to receive the alliance leader's decree, but Chen Yangshi could no longer hear the subsequent conversation between Wang Yulou and Tian Shengshui.

He felt a ringing in his ears, and his mind was a complete mess.

The new resolution of Gunsendai.
Despite the Water Lord's personal intervention in the reforms, Wang Yulou not only retained his position as Vice Alliance Leader but also took a further step, truly standing atop the Immortal Platform while wearing the robes of the Six States.

This event was like a bolt from the blue for Chen Yangshi.

Nearly a century of arduous climbing, countless days and nights of endurance and perseverance, all the unbearable pressure and distress, all the pain that had no one to confide in, have all become meaningless.

Individual struggles are so fragile in the aftermath of an era.

Watching Wang Yulou's profile as he chatted and laughed, Chen Yangshi's kneeling body trembled.

He couldn't understand it, or perhaps he understood it too well.

What makes Wang Yulou worthy of the Water Lord's approval and allowed to continue serving as the vice leader of the alliance?
Because he's never lost!

Because he was so hardworking, he even dared to tease Changshui!

Because he was ruthless enough to send his own brother to Huzhou to die, there were so many reasons for this, even Wang Yulou's weakness could be considered one.

Perhaps countless people could have carried out the reforms, but Wang Yulou has done a very good job. How much better could even the most capable person have done?
Shui Zun cares about the result, not the process.

Not replacing Wang Yulou would further appease people and make Shui Zun's intervention in the reform appear gentler.

Of course, this gentleness is limited to the top, just as many rules only exist at the very top.

For those below, Shui Zun's gentleness seemed rather cruel.

The implementation of the "select first, then promote" policy means that countless veteran dog king families will be swept away and forgotten in the changing times.

In the past, no matter how much loyalty was pledged, it was worthless in a chaotic era where true ability was valued.

The 'fairness' brought about by selecting first and then pushing is extremely cruel to some of the loyal dogs who have long been loyal to the great monks.

There's no way around it; someone always has to pay the price.

At the beginning of his cultivation, Wang Yulou's core goal was to avoid becoming a casualty of his own cultivation.

He has now reached that level, and even with the reforms and shifts in policy, he has not been demoted.

However, his responsibilities have also become heavier.

Ruling over six states sounds impressive, but it's actually an extremely difficult job.

Nineteen families from six states came to his door, and with other unorthodox sects, there was no shortage of geniuses and heroes everywhere. Xiao Wang's reform work was somewhat delayed.

Therefore, he must return to Immortal City as soon as possible to begin freezing personnel matters within the Immortal Alliance and to promote the implementation of the "select first, then promote" approach in Huzhou and Wunan Prefecture.

Wang Yulou and his group flew towards the Golden Crow chasing the sun. Suddenly, Wang Yulou turned around and looked at Chen Yangshi, who was kneeling blankly in place.

He smiled and shook his head, saying...

“Nourish yourself and keep up.”

Chen Yangshi shuddered and looked at Jade Palace Immortal in disbelief, but Jade Palace Immortal had already flown into the Golden Crow Chasing the Sun.

He only saw Fang Xinqian's back. This former friend did not kick him when he was down, but he also did not turn around to look at him.

Everyone has their own destiny, and everyone relies on their own abilities and opportunities.
-
As the sun rose high above the horizon, Yu Hongdou entered Wang Yulou's quiet room with some unease.

After Wang Yulou returned unscathed from the Immortal Platform, his position in the Immortal Alliance had become more secure than ever before.

There are also differences within the Purple Palace.

Both are Purple Mansions, but a Purple Mansion that rises from a local sect, or even a Purple Mansion that rises from a local sect's vassal force, is definitely not the same as a Purple Mansion that has served as the vice leader of the Immortal Alliance and spearheaded reforms.

Xiao Wang is not yet a Purple Mansion, but he already possesses the Myriad Miles Mirror and wears the Six Continents Uniform, making his status in the Immortal Alliance higher than that of most ordinary Purple Mansions.

Now that he has weathered the storm of Shui Zun's interference in the reform, his future is truly bright and promising.

Even Hongdou Zhenren had to be extremely careful when facing such a powerful leader.

Do not offend them easily.

Red Bean Master, you don't want to be resented by the Jade Palace Alliance Leader, do you?
"Fellow Daoist Hongdou, please sit down."

Wang Yulou opened his eyes, somewhat wearily raised his hand to invite Yu Hongdou to sit down, and smiled as he asked her to do so.

"Alliance Leader, did you go to the Ascension Platform this time?"

For some reason, even though Wang Yulou was hundreds of years younger than her, just sitting in front of him made her feel inexplicably nervous.

Hongdou Zhenren even awkwardly smoothed her hair back, trying to ease her inexplicable emotions.

Yu Hongdou is in heat, but that's not surprising.

Wang Yulou is a cultivator who rose through the ranks as a prodigy.

When Wang Yulou began his cultivation at Drip Cave, he followed the path of a leader-type cultivator.

Whether it was the Dripping Water Cave, the Western Sea, the front lines of the two sects, or the Immortal Alliance, Xiao Wang had never been subservient to anyone.

You said Xiao Wang was a dog for Mang Xiang and Xuan Zhuan?
Ha, what a coincidence, they are not human, but great cultivators.

If we stretch Wang Yulou's cultivation time into a progress bar, the time he was forced to endure in front of the great cultivators might only account for a fraction of that progress bar—the great cultivators wouldn't waste that much time on little Wang.

For the vast majority of the remaining time, Wang Yulou was the leader of a faction.

This process of becoming a leader allowed Wang Yulou to avoid worrying about cultivation resources at an early age. Things that ordinary cultivators could only dream of, Wang Yulou could use however he wanted.

At the same time, his long-term high position also cultivated Wang Yulou's leadership qualities.

Putting everything else aside, just the fact that he shouted "Yangshi, keep up!" was enough to make Yan Kang, Yu Hongdou, and the others remember it for a very long time.

Observe, keep in mind, ponder, and think.

It wasn't that Wang Yulou's shout was wrong, but rather that Wang Yulou rarely took the initiative to express his attitude, and collecting and pondering information about him was the habit and task of all the cultivators who knew him.

So, it really was just that Wang Yulou said four words, and after the other Purple Mansions collected and pondered them, they went back and bound them into a book, clearly writing down the cause, effect, scene, and audience of Wang Yulou's words, and then sent them to their own big bosses or to the relevant intelligence trading places to earn resources.

If this is done every day, Master Hongdou will naturally treat Wang Yulou differently.

Now, it seems that Xiao Wang has even made it to the top of the altar, and then walked down unscathed.
"Yes, the Water Lord is not satisfied with the scale of the reforms and wants major changes."

I slightly modified the "recommendation first, selection later" approach you mentioned to "selection first, recommendation later".

Selecting first and then pushing can avoid many problems, resolve dilemmas, and satisfy both parties.

Therefore, the Immortal Assembly has passed a resolution that all local forces under the Immortal Alliance, from the Purple Mansion level and above, must fully promote the selection process before implementation.

This suggestion, tracing back to its origins, was formally put forward by you.

"Red Bean, I intend to appoint you as the Immortal Alliance's Selection Master, overseeing all sects across six states to fully implement the selection-then-promotion system, with treatment comparable to a second-class Purple Mansion."

Seeing that Yu Hongdou remained silent, Wang Yulou frowned slightly.

Yu Hongdou, you're being a bit too ungrateful.

However, Wang Yulou added, "There are many things that can't be done entirely by oneself."

"I have no ill intentions, only good intentions."

The ocean can only become vast by embracing all rivers; the reform is not a reform by the conservatives, nor is it a reform by any particular immortal or by Wang Yulou.

It is a reform of the Immortal Alliance, a reform of the six states, and all cultivators of the six states must participate in order to better implement it.

Such a great opportunity is a gift whether you give it to someone else or to you.

We've collaborated before, and now we're joining forces again to contribute to the reform of the Immortal Alliance. We can cooperate and trust each other.

"This is a matter of selection before promotion, and everyone from the Water Venerable to the Immortal Venerable of Cangshan takes it very seriously. Are you sure you don't want to accept it?"

Hongdou Zhenren was so moved that her heart was swaying and her heart was pounding. If it weren't for her high level of cultivation, she probably wouldn't have been able to keep her composure. But Wang Yulou had already begun to dismantle and invite her from a perspective of self-interest.

All I can say is that Xiao Wang's Dao heart is still too pure.

emotion?

Sorry, I need to open my Purple Mansion.

"That suggestion wasn't mine. You were the one who taught me how to say it that day, have you forgotten?"

Yu Hongdou gently bit her lower lip and softly reminded her.

Even her usually aloof and pretty face now had a touch of coquettish charm.

Wang Yulou is so clever, even though he's an 88-year-old old man—of course, in the eyes of the immortals, he's just an unweaned baby, and their standards of judgment are different.

Seeing Yu Hongdou's pathetic state, Xiao Wang immediately frowned, sensing something was wrong.

Sister-in-law, what are you trying to do?

You're already moved?
But how could I not be moved?
On the Immortal Platform, Wang Yulou, in front of a group of immortal venerables, fought for benefits and positions for his small Purple Mansion, which originated from a vassal sect of the Divine Might Mansion.

Yu Hongdou had never seen what Qunxiantai looked like before, but after imagining it for a moment, she was naturally tempted.

The reform was a turning point for the Immortal Alliance.

Wang Yulou first arranged for her to go to Huzhou, and then pulled her in to promote the "select first, then promote" approach.
To put it simply, it was almost like feeding Yu Hongdou mouth-to-mouth.

How could Yu Hongdou not be moved?
“I haven’t forgotten. How about this: you’ll receive half of the second-class Purple Mansion treatment as a selected Immortal True Person of the Immortal Alliance. That way, you’ll feel better.”

This will make you feel better.

Is this something a person can say?
Even though Yu Hongdou already had some different feelings for him, she couldn't hold back when Wang Yulou uttered such vile words with his burning lips.

I was actually moved by this bastard, this dog, this scumbag just now.

"No way! You still owe me fifteen strands of celestial essence!"

Red Bean Real Person couldn't control her expression and retorted fiercely.

"I've already given you the position of Immortal True Person selected by the Immortal Alliance, and you're still eyeing those fifteen strands of grotto-heaven essence?"

"Wang Yulou, these are two different things. Don't tell me that the vice leader of the Immortal Alliance would renege on his debts."

"What do you mean by defaulting on a debt? I'm paying it off gradually, little by little, first a little and then a little more. In short, don't worry, I'll pay it back slowly."
-
The shift in policy is a major event for the Immortal Alliance.

The most anxious of them all are the Purple Mansions.

There are benefits to those in the Purple Mansion, but not many, and obtaining the Golden Core is as difficult as ascending to heaven.

They also have to worry about becoming a consequence of their actions, living a life that is somewhat filled with fear and trepidation.

The seventh discussion on the Mangxiang Golden Core had nothing to do with the Purple Mansions, and now the discussion on the reform and shift has once again excluded the Purple Mansions of the Immortal Alliance from the decision-making process.

If this is the case, how can the Purple Mansions not panic?

During the time after Wang Yulou returned to the Immortal City from Huzhou, most of the major cultivators in the six states were inquiring about the discussions on the Immortal Platform.

However, what Mangxiang meant by following the rules was not just empty talk. Those who truly stood at that level were extremely disciplined when it was time to follow the rules.

This is similar to the details that the Water Venerable pays attention to, the key details. Adhering to the rules is a kind of intangible credibility. The Immortal Venerables of the Immortal Alliance are all very tight-lipped.

Even the core disciples of the Immortal Venerable's Purple Mansion sect, knowing the truth, would never dare to spread it.

Therefore, the Purple Mansions who were inquiring about information were basically using their own unique methods, going back and forth, making it quite a lively scene.

Chen Yangshi was targeted after returning from Huzhou.

Wang Yulou's four words, "Nourish yourself and keep up," had already spread throughout the six states, just like his other public pronouncements—this was not an exaggeration, but a fact.

Moreover, most of those who know the key to these four words are high-level cultivators within the Immortal Alliance; they are insiders, and outsiders cannot understand the 'value' of this information.

In the misty lake, Chen Yangshi, deep in thought, slipped into the private room he and Fang Xinqian used to frequent.

Deng Mingzhu was already waiting inside. As soon as Chen Yangshi entered, he saw the beautiful woman's worried gaze.

"Mingzhu, what brings you here? Why are you being so secretive?"

Chen Yangshi didn't realize anything was wrong, and only thought that Mingzhu's worries were because of his relationship with Yuque Zhenren.

As usual, he plopped down next to Deng Mingzhu and pulled her into his arms.

"Ok?"

When the beautiful woman entered his arms, Chen Yangshi was stunned.

The woman's stiff body and rapid heartbeat made Chen Yangshi, who had the cultivation of the peak of Foundation Establishment, instantly realize that something was wrong.

"Young friend Yangshi, it's my fault, it's my fault for not knowing about the tragic love story between you two back then."

Otherwise, I, Yang Shuye, would never have dared to steal your love and break up your marriage with Mingzhu.

A male cultivator who looked to be around thirty years old, with a smile on his face, suddenly appeared in the empty seat opposite the star-crossed lovers.

The Zifu (purple mansion) of Hezuiling, Zuodao, Qunqingyuan, is undergoing major repairs. Yang Shuye is Deng Mingzhu's old Zifu Daoist partner!

Chen Yangshi instinctively pushed Deng Mingzhu away and jumped up in fear.

They used to enjoy their affairs, but now they're paying the price for both the old and new transgressions.

He was embracing someone's concubine right in front of a powerful cultivator from the Purple Mansion realm, and even Qiong Hai couldn't protect him!

"Haha, young friend, don't be impatient. I've come here to help you."

However, you are either a subordinate of Fellow Daoist Yuque or a junior of Fellow Daoist Qionghai.

You must know quite a bit about the inside story of the reform and change of direction, right?

Yang Shuye didn't even glance at Deng Mingzhu. Instead, he politely poured Chen Yangshi a glass of wine and personally handed it to him.

Looking at the wine glass in his hand, Chen Yangshi felt like laughing and crying at the same time.

He felt it was absurd, utterly absurd.

What he longed for—his lover who had been snatched away by the Grand Master of the Purple Mansion—had returned to his side so easily.

This was merely the most insignificant aftershock of the Immortal Alliance's reforms and the Jade Palace's control over the six states.

(End of this chapter)