Hunyuan Immortal Sect

Chapter 509 Internal Conflicts
"I disagree." In the silence, a deep voice suddenly rang out. It was the Third Elder, Huo Youming, who was speaking. He had his head down, and the light and shadow on his face made him look somewhat unpredictable.

As soon as he said this, everyone in the hall immediately focused their attention on him.

Feng Ziyi and Tian Xuan exchanged a glance. In fact, the three of them had discussed this matter privately yesterday, but Huo Youming had many concerns at the time and did not express his opinion, only saying that he would consider it. Unexpectedly, today, he would openly oppose it in front of everyone during the meeting.

Before anyone else could speak, Huo Youming raised his head, his gaze sweeping over the crowd with a firm and sharp look.

"Our sect has fallen to this state because it was forced by the Bright Moon Sect. If we surrender to the Bright Moon Sect now, wouldn't we be ridiculed? Besides, our sect leader's body is not yet cold. The reason he risked his life to break through to the Core Formation stage was also because he was forced by the Bright Moon Sect. If I surrender to the Bright Moon Sect, it would be no different from recognizing a thief as my father. How could I face the spirits of the sect leaders of several generations in heaven?"

“My fellow disciples, you are not disciples of the sect for generations, but you were born and raised in the sect. Are you willing to hand over the foundation built over hundreds of years to others just like that?”

As soon as he finished speaking, a man echoed, "Senior Brother Huo is right. The sect's centuries-old foundation must not be destroyed in our hands, especially not by surrendering to the Bright Moon Sect."

Feng Ziyi's face instantly darkened. His gaze swept over the crowd, and he saw that many people were swayed by what he said. Huo Youming's words were not only sharp but also pointed. Anyone with eyes could tell that he was being subtly mocked.

“Junior Brother Huo, your words are too harsh. How can you call us treacherous? We are trying to find a way for our sect to survive.”

Huo Youming met his gaze without flinching: "Surrendering to the Bright Moon Sect, handing over the entire sect, is that what you call a way out?"

There seemed to be a faint smell of gunpowder in the air, and the atmosphere suddenly became very subtle.

Although the silence was brief, it felt as if a very long time had passed.

Tian Xuan coughed slightly: "Everyone is doing this for the good of the sect. Since this is a discussion, let's talk it over properly. The reason I proposed to join the Bright Moon Sect is to preserve our strength so that we can rise again in the future."

“Since Junior Brother Huo feels this method is inappropriate, then come up with an idea so we can discuss and decide together. The sect leader has unfortunately passed away. No matter what, we cannot afford to split up internally; we must act in unison.”

Huo Youming stood upright, looking ready to pounce, like a rooster in a cage fighting arena.

“If Senior Brother Tian’s original intention was to preserve his strength, then he should not have surrendered to the Bright Moon Sect. How could the Bright Moon Sect allow us to maintain our independent structure and give us a chance to rise again?”

"I have decided to join the Beast Taming Sect. Only in this way can the sect continue to exist. I will return to Yongning City if things change in the future."

"Back then, both the Hunyuan Sect and the Mingyue Sect were forced into a corner. They sought refuge with the Yushou Sect and remained dormant for many years before finally finding an opportunity to return to Bianxi City and Humen City."

"Not only have these two sects not disappeared, but their strength has also increased. If they can do it, why can't our sect? Why must we surrender to the Bright Moon Sect?"

Feng Ziyi and Tian Xuan exchanged a glance, both sensing something amiss in each other's eyes. Huo Youming's tough attitude was unexpected. When they discussed this matter with him before, although he did not agree, he was mild-mannered, only saying that he would consider it. They never expected that his attitude would change so drastically in just one day.

His words just now clearly showed his determination; he didn't use advice, but rather a decision.

This shows that regardless of whether the two people agreed or not, he was determined to join the Beast Taming Sect.

“I agree with Senior Brother Huo’s words.” The same man from before chimed in, “As long as the green hills remain, there will always be firewood. Let’s temporarily avoid the Bright Moon Sect’s sharp edge and seek refuge with the Beast Taming Sect. When the time is right, we can return to Yongning City. If we rely on the Bright Moon Sect, our sect’s centuries-old foundation will be destroyed in an instant.”

Although this person's words were not as sharp and intense as Huo Youming's, his attitude was equally unambiguous.

After he finished speaking, a burly man declared, "That's right. If we join the Beast Taming Sect, our sect will still have a chance to make a comeback. If we surrender to the Bright Moon Sect, we will surely collapse."

After the three finished speaking, the others also looked thoughtful.

Feng Ziyi glanced at everyone and finally understood why Huo Youming's attitude had changed so drastically after just one night.

He was opposed from the very beginning, but he was outnumbered and powerless, so he didn't express his opinion.

Clearly, the two people who echoed him had been persuaded and won over by him, which is why they had the confidence to make trouble today.

The reason he reacted so strongly was that before his death, Sect Leader Luo Huang left a will entrusting him with the affairs of the sect, which was actually his intention to succeed him as sect leader.

More accurately, this was Luo Huang's last words before he formed his Golden Core. Breaking through to the Golden Core realm was no small matter, and he naturally considered the worst possible consequences.

Therefore, before heading to the Yunxing Chamber of Commerce, he summoned all the sect's high-ranking members together and announced the matter.

Although he did not explicitly state that Huo Youming would succeed him as head of the sect after his death, the implication was clear.

Although Feng Ziyi was the sect's Grand Elder, he was old and often disagreed with Luo Huang on matters, so he did not please him.

Huo Youming was young, had a long lifespan, and was quite skilled in cultivation. In many matters, he followed Luo Huang's lead, which earned him Luo Huang's deep satisfaction.

As for Tian Xuan, although he is the second elder of the sect, his cultivation is mediocre. He has been stuck at the sixth level of Foundation Establishment for many years, so he is naturally excluded from the candidates for sect leader.

If it weren't for the threat of invasion from the Bright Moon Sect, Huo Youming would have been the next leader of the Huayuan Sect after Luo Huang's funeral.

This is why he so vehemently opposed joining the Bright Moon Sect, because if he joined the Bright Moon Sect, the Hua Yuan Sect would naturally cease to exist, and his position as sect leader would become a pipe dream. "Given the relationship between Hong Haoran and Xu Zhuoxuan, our sect has lost its territory in Yongning City. Do you think the Beast Taming Sect will help us return to Yongning City?" Feng Ziyi's tone was no longer amiable; his voice had become colder.

"You say that after the Hunyuan Sect and the Mingyue Sect joined the Beast Taming Sect, they eventually made a comeback, but have you considered that times have changed? What was the situation then? What is the situation now? How can you compare them?"

"At that time, the Beast Taming Sect and the Yunxuan Sect were vying for supremacy in Xijiang County. In the end, the Yunxuan Sect won, which is why they were able to survive."

"Now the Beast Taming Sect dominates the Western Frontier County. Who do you expect to drive the Beast Taming Sect away?"

"Even if the Southern Han County attacks and the Beast Taming Sect is replaced, and we join the Beast Taming Sect, it will be gone. Why would they spare us?"

These words were reasonable and logical, and everyone else hesitated after hearing them.

Silence fell over the main hall once again. Just then, a disciple strode in from outside, bowed, and said, "Reporting to all senior uncles, Senior Xiao Ling of the Hunyuan Sect has arrived. He says he has important matters to discuss with Uncle Feng."

Upon hearing this, everyone in the hall immediately began whispering among themselves.

Why are people from the Hunyuan Sect here?

"Could it be that you intend to help our sect fight against the Bright Moon Sect?"

"How is that possible? They couldn't persuade them before, and now that the sect leader has passed away, and the Bright Moon Sect has invited a Golden Core cultivator to help them, they'd rather avoid us than help us."

"They wouldn't be here to take advantage of our misfortune, would they?"

Feng Ziyi waved his hand: "Since she has come at this time, let's bring her here. Whatever it is, it will be convenient for all of us junior brothers to discuss it together."

"Yes." The disciple responded and left.

Before long, Xiao Ling entered from outside with a kind smile on her face. She walked straight to the center of the hall, bowed to Feng Ziyi, and then turned her head to nod slightly to the people on both sides.

"Fellow Daoist Feng, fellow Daoists, I am Xiao Ling from the Hunyuan Sect. I apologize for disturbing you."

"Fellow Daoist Xiao, your arrival at this time must be of great importance. Since all my fellow disciples are here, please speak frankly!"

"I have come on the orders of our sect leader." Xiao Ling took out a jade slip from his hand: "This is what our sect leader asked me to give to Fellow Daoist Feng."

Feng Ziyi did not speak, but took the jade slip. After probing it with his divine sense, he said expressionlessly, "Please tell Sect Leader Song that he is grateful for his kindness. I will discuss this matter with my fellow disciples before making a decision."

"Then I won't disturb you any longer. Farewell." Xiao Ling turned and left the main hall.

"Senior Brother Feng, what exactly is the purpose of Xiao Linglai's visit to the Hunyuan Sect?" someone immediately asked as she walked away.

Feng Ziyi smiled coldly: "Song Xian said in this jade slip that our sect cannot withstand the Bright Moon Sect with its strength. If we have nowhere to go, they are willing to vacate a mid-grade second-level spiritual vein in Bianxi City for us to stay in."

"Ignore him. Let's talk about our sect's future. We don't have much time left."

"My idea is that we should pretend to submit to the Bright Moon Sect for now, and then establish our own sect when the time is right."

"As long as you can stay in Yongning City, there will always be a chance. If you go to Xijiang County, under the control of the Beast Taming Sect, there will be no hope, and you won't even have the most basic guarantee for cultivation."

"What are your opinions, fellow disciples? Please state your views now!"

Huo Youming immediately replied, his tone resolute: "No matter what, I will never accept surrender to the Bright Moon Sect, nor will I hand over my centuries-old foundation to others."

“Everyone has their own ambitions. If you insist on surrendering, I won’t stop you, but please don’t incite others.”

Feng Ziyi's face darkened, his gaze fixed on him: "Junior Brother Huo, don't speak so harshly. What do you mean by 'incite'? This is a sect meeting."

Huo Youming slammed his hand on the table and stood up, glaring angrily: "The sect leader's dying wish was for me to take charge of the sect's affairs. I have decided to go and join the Beast Taming Sect, and when the time is right, I will make a comeback. Those who do not obey, please leave now."

Feng Ziyi slammed his fist on the table and stood up: "You are not the sect leader yet. You have no right to give orders."

Their eyes met, as if sparks were flying.

Tian Xuan sighed: "Hey, Senior Brother Feng, Junior Brother Huo, calm down. We're facing a formidable enemy right now. The Bright Moon Sect hasn't even attacked yet. If we start fighting amongst ourselves, won't people laugh at us?"

"Alright then! Let's rest for a bit and give everyone some time to think it over. After all, this is a matter of life and death for the sect. We'll discuss it again in an hour."

Feng Ziyi and Huo Youming remained silent. Tian Xuan gave a signal with his eyes, and then everyone left one after another.

(End of this chapter)