Immortality and cultivation begin with full comprehension.

Chapter 853 A Thousand Words Are Not as Good as a Fight (Seeking Monthly Tickets)
"If there is any need for our temple to mediate, this old monk is willing to do his best."

This statement clearly indicates that Mingxin Temple tends to maintain stability and opposes hegemony, and also hints at the possibility of cooperation.

The hegemonic behavior of the "Thirty-Six Heavenly Caves" has become the target of opposition from almost all the other behemoth forces on the continent!

No one wants to be ruled by the "Thirty-Six Heavenly Caves," and no one wants the "Canglan Continent" to truly become the center of the "Tianlan Star"!

"With these words from the venerable one, all people under heaven are fortunate."

Li Yunjing nodded with a smile.

To receive such a statement from the head of the Buddhist community is already an unexpected delight.

Master Jin Guang did not stay long; after a cup of tea, he took his leave.

Immediately afterwards, the head manager of "Jubaolou," the ever-smiling Fortune God, arrived uninvited.

"Oh dear, Master Li, Your Majesty!"

"You two are even more charming than before, which makes this old fellow extremely envious!"

Before the God of Wealth arrived, his voice preceded him. His round, plump figure resembled a moving gold ingot, and his face was beaming with the enthusiastic smile typical of a businessman.

"Fellow Daoist Fortune is a rare guest, please invite him in."

Li Yunjing smiled.

He dared not neglect this manager who controlled nearly 30% of the high-end resources of "Tianlan Star".

"Hehe, having heard of your esteemed alliance's arrival, how could this old man not come to pay my respects?"

The Fortune True Lord rubbed his hands together, his eyes narrowed to slits, seemingly casually scanning the arrangement of the hall, but in reality, his gaze was as sharp as an eagle's. "The grandeur of your alliance is truly remarkable!"

"It seems that the business of 'Jade Void Immortal City' is about to gain a few more big customers!"

He made no mention of the alliance's disputes, only talking about business, but everyone present knew his true intentions.

"Fellow Daoist Caiyun is well-informed."

Ji Beichen interjected, "But I wonder what your esteemed establishment plans in light of these changing circumstances?"

"Intend?"

The Fortune Master laughed heartily, patted his round belly, and said, "Our 'Treasure Pavilion' plans are to follow 'fortune'!"

"We'll cooperate with whichever side is thriving!"

"Master Li is young and promising, His Majesty is a man of great talent and ambition, and your alliance has boundless potential. You are exactly the kind of partner that our 'Treasure Pavilion' values ​​most!"

His words were tactful, expressing his inclination while leaving room for maneuver, with everything based on self-interest.

Li Yunjing understood immediately and smiled, "In that case, my 'Divine Firmament Alliance' will need to deepen its cooperation with your esteemed establishment in the future, given the many resources and trade routes under our control."

"Easy to say, easy to say!"

"As long as the price is right, everything is negotiable!"

The Fortune Master smiled broadly, exchanging a few more pleasantries. He left behind several jade slips listing the prices of rare resources as "gifts" before taking his leave, completely satisfied.

Subsequently, the Valley Master of Medicine King Valley, Baiyao Zhenjun, also visited in person.

This was a gentle, middle-aged woman with a faint medicinal fragrance. She spoke earnestly, expressing the "Medicine King Valley's" desire to maintain stability in the cultivation world and ensure the smooth supply of spiritual herbs. She also subtly proposed a deeper level of cooperation with the "Divine Firmament Alliance" in the cultivation of spiritual herbs and the refining of elixirs.

Li Yunjing was naturally pleased with the outcome and had a very pleasant conversation with the Hundred Medicines True Monarch.

Besides those who made explicit visits, many other forces sent visiting cards or jade slips through various channels, either to test the waters, to show goodwill, or to seek cooperation.

"It seems that the interior of the 'Thirty-Six Heavenly Caves' is not a monolithic entity!"

After seeing the two off, Ji Beichen smiled.

This situation relieved the new emperor, finally alleviating the pressure.

"hey-hey!"

Li Yunjing sneered, glanced at Ji Beichen, and secretly shook his head.

This person is still too green!
It's not even a fraction of an eight!
How much of what the True Lord of Wealth and the True Lord of Medicine said is true, and how much is false?

Nobody can tell the difference!
Until the very last moment, nothing is certain!

Ji Beichen trusted others too much.

You should know that the words of wise and experienced elders are not absolute truths; they often tell lies and spout nonsense.

Li Yunjing himself is just like that!
If you're really that stupid, you'll get sold out and still be counting the money for the other person!

"Your Majesty, their words should not be taken seriously!"

Li Yunjing continued, "Let's still prepare for the worst-case scenario!"

"Uh……"

Ji Beichen was taken aback, then realized what he meant, his face flushed, and he chuckled dryly, "I was too naive. Headmaster Li is right!"

Then, before the two could exchange more than a few words, another visitor arrived.

The Heavenly Demon Sect even sent a highly respected elder to secretly express the demonic path's concerns about the possible dominance of the righteous order by the Thirty-Six Heavenly Caves, and subtly suggested the possibility of maintaining a tacit understanding with the Divine Firmament Alliance in certain aspects.

Li Yunjing neither confirmed nor denied this, but he did not refuse to make contact either. Having another potential check and balance force is not a bad thing.

For two whole days, the eastern section of Yingxian Garden was bustling with visitors. Li Yunjing, Ji Beichen, and other core members of the alliance, such as the Chiyang Ancestor and the Xiao Xuan Ancestor, were almost never at a moment's rest.

Whether they were forceful, conciliatory, or simply demonstrated their strength, or perhaps used interests as leverage, they calmly dealt with the probing and contact from various forces, clearly showcasing the "Divine Firmament Alliance's" stance, strength, and potential to the top forces of the entire "Tianlan Star."

The undercurrents of these past two days have been just as intense and important as the upcoming formal alliance meeting.

As the morning light of the third day pierced the seven-colored spiritual clouds above the "Jade Void Immortal City," a grand, far-reaching bell tolling, seemingly from ancient times, suddenly resounded throughout the heavens and earth!

"Bang! Bang! Bang!!!"

……

The bell tolled nine times in a row, each sound shaking the soul and cleansing away the dust, signifying the official start of the Myriad Immortals Alliance, which would determine the future of "Tianlan Star"!
"The time has come."

Li Yunjing opened his slightly closed eyes, his gaze shining brightly, and stood up.

Today he changed into a more solemn purple-gold sect leader's robe, wearing a thunder-patterned crown, his aura as deep as the sea, exuding an imposing presence without anger.

Ji Beichen was also dressed in a nine-dragon robe and wore a flat-topped crown, displaying his imperial majesty.

The alliance's high-ranking members, including Ancestor Chiyang, Ancestor Xiaoxuan, True Man Xuanji, and Su Muqing, were all dressed in their finest attire and stood solemnly.

Two hundred Golden Core disciples and dozens of Nascent Soul elders stood in neat rows, all full of energy and soaring to the heavens.

"Let's set off for the meeting!"

Li Yunjing waved his sleeve and stepped out first.

The delegation of the "Divine Firmament Alliance" left the "Welcoming Immortal Garden" under the watchful eyes of countless people, some open and some hidden, and marched in a grand procession toward the main hall of the "Jade Void Palace" in the very center of the Immortal City, which was shrouded in pure and ethereal immortal light!

Wherever they went, cultivators along the way gave way, their gazes fixed on this newly emerging but already powerful force that was stirring up the world.

The closer they got to the Jade Void Palace, the more delegations from other forces they encountered.

Under the leadership of Xuan Gang Sword Master, the sword energy of the Taixu Sword Sect soared into the clouds; under the guidance of Yunmiao True Monarch, the Luofu Dao Sect exuded an ethereal aura; the monks of Mingxin Temple, behind Jin Guang Shangren, were bathed in Buddhist light; the teams of Tianluo Dao Sect and Tianmo Sect also displayed extraordinary momentum.

When the various forces meet, their gazes meet, and a silent contest and scrutiny fill the air.

Finally, representatives of all forces gathered before the towering gate of the Jade Void Palace, which was hundreds of feet high and engraved with countless patterns of immortals and gods.

The palace gates slowly opened, revealing a vast and magnificent hall behind them, shrouded in mist and clouds, seemingly a world unto itself.

At the end of the hall stands a towering white jade cloud platform.

On the cloud platform, seven enormous thrones, each radiating a different colored spiritual light, were placed side by side.

The seven True Lords who initiated the alliance—Qingwei True Lord of Jade Void Cave Heaven, Jingxu True Lord of Azure Wandering Cave Heaven, Xuanji True Lord of Jade Light Cave Heaven, Caiyun True Lord of Treasure Gathering Pavilion, Baiyao True Lord of Medicine King Valley, Tianyan True Lord of Heavenly Mystery Pavilion, and Tianyin True Lord of Heavenly Sound Pavilion—were already seated on their thrones, calmly overlooking the powerful figures from all sides who were filing in below.

Below that are hundreds of seats arranged in a fan shape, with clear hierarchical distribution, according to their strength and influence.

The "Divine Firmament Alliance" was positioned to the left front of the Cloud Platform, second only to the Seven Great Grotto-Heavens, and on par with the remaining Grotto-Heavens such as the "Tai Xu Sword Sect", "Luo Fu Dao Sect", "Kasyapa Treasure Light Temple", "Heavenly Demon Sect", and "Heavenly Luo Dao Sect"!

The very arrangement of this position demonstrates the importance that the "Thirty-Six Grotto-Heavens" alliance attaches to the right to speak!

This seating arrangement completely breaks the previous alliance's seating arrangement!
The alliance leader and vice-leaders have almost all been captured, leaving only the Seven Great Cave Heavens, who remain high above!
Li Yunjing remained calm and led everyone to their seats.

Ji Beichen sat to his left, with Ancestor Chiyang, Ancestor Xiao Xuan, and others seated in order. Other Nascent Soul Realm cultivators and Golden Core disciples from various alliances stood solemnly behind him, silent yet exuding a powerful and unyielding aura.

Once all the representatives of the various factions were seated, the massive main hall of the "Jade Void Palace" was filled with the most powerful forces from almost the entire "Tianlan Star," and the atmosphere was so heavy it seemed as if water could drip from it.

The True Lord Qingwei, seated in the central position, slowly opened his eyes. His gaze was gentle, yet carried an invisible pressure as he swept across the entire area.

"Fellow Daoists."

When Qingwei Zhenjun spoke, his voice was calm yet clearly reached everyone's ears, carrying a power that could stabilize the universe.

"Our gathering here today to discuss the future of 'Tianlan' is truly an unprecedented event in billions of years."

"However, although the calamity has been quelled, its aftershocks have not yet subsided; the old order has been broken, and new rules have not yet been established."

"External threats remain, and internal disputes are gradually emerging."

“If this continues, it will not be a blessing for the common people, nor will it be the original intention of our pursuit of the Dao.”

"Therefore, we invite like-minded people from all over the world to gather here, with the aim of establishing a new order, defining rights and responsibilities, and integrating forces to cope with future changes and protect the continuation of our 'Tianlan' lineage!"

His opening remarks were grand and lofty, elevating the alliance to a level concerning the continuation of the "Tianlan Star" lineage.

"What Fellow Daoist Qingwei said is very true."

Beside him, the Pure Void True Lord of "Biyou Cave Heaven" chimed in, his tone sharp: "Without rules, nothing can be accomplished."

"The establishment of a new order requires strong leadership to ensure that orders are obeyed and crises are dealt with."

"Our 'Thirty-Six Heavenly Caves' Alliance boasts the oldest heritage, the deepest foundation, and the largest and most widely distributed number of Nascent Soul cultivators. We are right to shoulder this important responsibility and lead the way for the world!"

See you in the picture!

Jingxu Zhenjun made no secret of his demand that the "Thirty-Six Grotto-Heavens" alliance lead the new order, backed by his powerful strength.

Upon hearing this, many representatives of the smaller forces below, who were affiliated with the "Thirty-Six Grotto-Heavens" or had weaker strength, echoed his sentiments.

"What True Lord Jingxu said is absolutely right!"

"Only the 'Thirty-Six Grotto-Heavens' are capable of shouldering this heavy responsibility!"

"The Thirty-Six Heavenly Grottoes are the orthodox sect of Xuanmen and should command the world!"

……

However, some forces, such as the "Taixu Sword Sect", "Luofu Dao Sect", and some representatives of the demon race and ancient race who dominated their respective regions, showed displeasure but remained silent for the time being, their eyes glancing unintentionally toward the "Shenxiao Alliance".

Everyone knows that the key to breaking the monopoly of the "Thirty-Six Grotto-Heavens" lies in whether the old and new forces, centered around the "Divine Firmament Dao Sect" and the "Imperial Ze Dynasty," dare to step forward!
Li Yunjing, seated upright, seemed oblivious to the gazes that were gathering around him. He remained calm and even picked up the spiritual tea beside him and took a small sip.

Ji Beichen, too, kept his eyes closed and his mind at ease, remaining completely calm and composed.

On the high platform, True Monarch Qingwei took in the reactions below, his gaze finally settling on Li Yunjing, and he slowly spoke:
"Master Li, Your Majesty."

“Your alliance has gained a reputation and its strength has grown significantly in recent years.”

"Regarding what Fellow Daoist Jingxu just said, I wonder what your insights are?"

In an instant, the entire main hall of the Jade Void Palace became so quiet you could hear a pin drop.

All eyes were immediately focused on the purple-robed youth and the Nine Dragons Emperor!

The eye of the storm has finally arrived!

Li Yunjing slowly set down his teacup, raised his head, and calmly met the gaze of the seven True Lords on the high platform. A slight smile curved his lips, and his clear voice echoed distinctly in the hall:
"I dare not presume to offer such insightful opinions."

"However, I believe..."

He paused, his gaze sweeping across the entire room before finally settling on Qingwei Zhenjun's face. His tone remained calm, yet carried an undeniable power:

"The world belongs to everyone in the world."

"A new order should be discussed and agreed upon by all people under heaven!"

Li Yunjing's words were like a boulder thrown into a calm lake, instantly creating ripples!
This is already an open declaration of war!
Completely oppose the "Thirty-Six Grotto-Heavens"!
Moreover, with no statement from any party on "Tianlan Star," Li Yunjing became the one to stick his neck out and get shot!
This choice truly surprised everyone.

In fact, Li Yunjing didn't know the drawbacks of this choice, but he had no other choice!
Previously, the "Huangze Dynasty" was the leader of the alliance, and the "Shenxiao Daozong" was a deputy leader-level sect, almost equivalent to a full-time deputy leader, controlling a lot of power in the alliance!
The original power structure was overthrown, namely the "Huangze Dynasty" and the "Shenxiao Dao Sect," excluding them from the core of future power!

This is a life-or-death struggle, and Li Yunjing has no choice but to step in!
Moreover, without the five Void Returning Great Powers suppressing the world, Li Yunjing was confident that with the five Immortal Artifacts in hand, he might not be afraid of the ancient beings of the "Thirty-Six Grotto-Heavens"!
"Master Li, you are mistaken!"

Before the seven True Monarchs on the high platform could respond, the sect leader of a large sect affiliated with the "Thirty-Six Grotto-Heavens" below couldn't wait to rise and retort. He bowed respectfully towards the high platform, then faced Li Yunjing, his tone impassioned:
As the saying goes, a snake can't function without a head!

"Tianlan Star is vast and has many forces. Without a strong core to coordinate and manage them, they will inevitably pass the buck when problems arise, resulting in low efficiency. How can we deal with potential crises in the future?"

"The 'Thirty-Six Heavenly Caves' Alliance is highly respected and exceptionally powerful, making them the perfect choice for this task!"

"Only with them in charge can we quickly gather strength to protect our 'Tianlan'!"

As soon as he finished speaking, several other people echoed his sentiments.

"Indeed! 'Joint consultation' sounds nice, but in reality it's inefficient, with everyone having their own agendas, making it difficult to achieve great things!"

"Extraordinary times call for extraordinary measures!"

"A strong leader is needed!"

"Does Sect Leader Li believe there is a more suitable leader than the 'Thirty-Six Grotto-Heavens'?"

……

These speakers were mostly forces that had long been won over or controlled by the "Thirty-Six Grotto-Heavens." Their remarks were uniform, and they attempted to gain the upper hand in public opinion.

Faced with this overwhelming momentum, before Li Yunjing could even speak, Ji Beichen beside him had already let out a cold snort, his imperial majesty naturally radiating:
"Power domination?"

"Could it be that they intend to recreate the hegemonic power of the ancient sects, treating all heroes of the world as nothing?"

"In my opinion, what Master Li said, 'Let all people discuss this together,' is the right thing to do!"

"The new order concerns the vital interests of all parties; how can it be decided unilaterally by one party?"

"As for efficiency..."

Ji Beichen's gaze swept over the vassals with a hint of disdain. "If so-called 'efficiency' comes at the cost of sacrificing fairness and the right of all parties to speak, then this 'efficiency' is better off not being used at all!"

Ji Beichen's speech represented the sentiments of the "Huangze Dynasty" and many other large forces unwilling to be annexed, immediately drawing nods of approval from many other forces.

"Amitabha!"

At this moment, Venerable Jin Guang of Mingxin Temple slowly spoke, his Buddhist voice peaceful yet carrying an undeniable power: "What Your Majesty says is not without reason."

"Our Buddhist community also believes that the new order should value 'harmony' and prioritize 'public good'."

“Force may be effective in the short term, but it is not a long-term solution. It easily breeds resentment and sows the seeds of future trouble.”

"The way to long-term stability is to establish a mechanism in which all parties can participate and where rights and responsibilities are clearly defined."

Master Jin Guang's statement undoubtedly gave a strong boost to the camp opposing the "Thirty-Six Grotto-Heavens'" monopoly.

As soon as he spoke, the Buddhist community, including the "Kasyapa Baoguang Temple," "Dachan Temple," "Jingang Temple," "Ruyi Temple," and "Bodhi Zen Monastery," all spoke up.

Buddhists are known for their eloquence, and this statement immediately swayed public opinion, rendering the claim of the "Thirty-Six Grotto-Heavens" untenable.

"Master Jin Guang's words are rather pedantic!"

The Pure Void True Lord of "Biyou Cave Heaven" frowned slightly, his tone turning cold, "Now that 'Tianlan Star' faces unknown threats from the outside and has remnants of evil within, it is precisely the time to concentrate our strength and take a firm hand to rectify the situation!"

"If we discuss everything and check and balance every situation, wouldn't we miss opportunities in the war?"

"My 'Thirty-Six Heavenly Caves' do not seek hegemony, but are willing to shoulder this responsibility and lead 'Tianlan' through the difficulties!"

Left with no other choice, this important figure personally intervened.

"What a fine example of 'taking responsibility'!"

A clear, cold voice rang out; it was Su Muqing, the leader of the Northern Emperor Sect. "But I wonder if, under this 'responsibility,' the resource quotas for my other continents can be guaranteed?"

Her phoenix eyes were frosty as she stared directly at True Lord Jingxu: "Does the Northern Emperor Sect have the right to govern autonomously?"

"If not, this 'responsibility' is nothing but a fig leaf to cover up the blatant theft and extortion!"

Su Muqing's words were like a cold northern wind, sharp and direct, tearing away the veil of warmth and pointing straight to the core issue of interest distribution.

"Sect Leader Su's words are too extreme."

Xuanji Zhenjun of Yaoguang Cave Heaven spoke up to smooth things over, his tone gentle yet sharp: "Resource allocation and jurisdictional authority naturally need to be redefined under the new order."

"However, we believe that only by having the 'Thirty-Six Grotto-Heavens,' who are familiar with the overall situation and have strong capabilities, lead the determination process can we ensure fairness and reason and prevent certain forces from taking advantage of their location to seize too many resources."

This statement, while seemingly fair, actually alludes to forces like the "Shenxiao Daozong" and the "Shenxiao Alliance" that are rapidly expanding in the new landscape.

“I cannot agree with what Fellow Daoist Xuanji has said.”

The Crimson Sun Ancestor's voice boomed like a bell, carrying a scorching aura, "Resource allocation should be based on contribution, strength, and the actual situation of the region. How can it be decided solely based on 'familiarity with the overall situation'?"

"Could it be that outside the 'Thirty-Six Heavenly Caves,' there are no people familiar with the situation of this region, nor capable of defending their own rights?"

"If that's the case, wouldn't the word 'joint consultation' become a joke?"

"Fellow Daoist Chiyang is right!"

The patriarch of the Xiao family, Xiao Xuan, stroked his beard and sneered, "In my opinion, the most important thing about this new order is the concept of 'public'!"

“When an ‘Elders’ Council’ is established, with representatives jointly elected by the major powers to participate in decision-making, any major matter concerning the entire ‘Tianlan Star’ must be discussed and voted on by the Elders Council, rather than being decided by one party!”

"Presbyterian?"

"Hmph, with so many people talking, how can a decision be made?"

Jingxu Zhenjun refuted this.

"Permanent council seats may be established!"

Master Xuanji gently shook his jade whisk, his mind clear. "The strongest and most contributing forces will serve as permanent council members, responsible for daily decision-making and execution. In case of major issues, the entire council of elders will be convened for resolution."

"In this way, both efficiency and fairness can be guaranteed."

"Oh?"

"But how are these permanent council members selected?"

"And what is the standard?"

The Heavenly Mystery Pavilion's True Lord Tianyan finally spoke, his voice ethereal and profound, as if he were deducing the secrets of heaven.

"Naturally, we will judge based on strength, foundation, and contributions to 'Tianlan Star'!"

Jingxu Zhenjun immediately said, intending to steer the standard in a direction that would benefit the "Thirty-Six Grotto-Heavens".

"contribute?"

"In resisting the demonic calamity, countless disciples of my 'Tai Xu Sword Sect' have shed their blood across the sky and perished. Is this contribution worthy of your attention, fellow Daoist?"

The Sword Master Xuan Gang suddenly spoke, his sword aura chilling.

"Our 'Luofu Dao Sect' also contributed greatly during the demonic calamity, treating the wounded and stabilizing the rear. Is such a contribution inferior to those who hid in the rear and preserved their strength?"

Yunmiao Zhenjun's tone remained calm, but the sharpness in his words was in no way diminished.

"Hehe, speaking of contributions, although my 'Heavenly Demon Sect' has a bad reputation, we have slaughtered quite a few 'Void Demons' during the Demon Tribulation. I wonder if we can find another place to talk about this 'contribution'?"

The Supreme Elder of the "Heavenly Demon Sect" chuckled sinisterly, making the situation even more complicated.

For a time, inside the main hall, representatives from all sides quoted classical texts and engaged in heated debates, focusing on core issues such as "leadership," "decision-making mechanisms," "resource allocation," and "contribution standards."

Those who support the "Thirty-Six Grotto-Heavens" emphasize efficiency, strength, and inheritance, striving to establish their leadership position.

The opposing side, on the other hand, raised the banners of "fairness," "joint consultation," and "rights," demanding the establishment of a more inclusive decision-making mechanism.

As the core of the opposition camp, the "Shenxiao Alliance" saw Li Yunjing, though not frequently speaking, consistently guide the debate by offering insightful viewpoints, either personally or through alliance members, at crucial moments.

He clearly demonstrated that the "Shenxiao Alliance" does not simply oppose order, but rather opposes an unjust and unilaterally hegemonic order.

They have the ability and the willingness to participate in building a more equitable and diverse new order.

This debate is no longer just a verbal battle, but a contest of strength, will, and wisdom among all parties.

The Daoist principles clashed in the air, and divine senses flickered in and out of existence. Although no physical combat was initiated, the battle was more dangerous and intense than any other duel.

The atmosphere inside the Jade Void Palace was extremely tense.

Everyone understood that the outcome of this debate would directly determine the power structure and resource flow of "Tianlan Star" for thousands or even tens of thousands of years to come.

Seeing that the debate had reached a stalemate, Qingwei Zhenjun, who was sitting in the center, slowly raised his hand. An invisible pressure instantly enveloped the entire venue, and the noisy argument came to an abrupt end.

"Fellow Daoists, now that the debate has reached this point, I believe your respective positions are clear."

Qingwei Zhenjun's voice was calm, yet carried an undeniable decisiveness: "Since our ideologies differ and we cannot reach a consensus, let us determine the rules based on strength and the outcome based on results."

"This is an unchanging principle in the cultivation world."

His gaze swept over the crowd below, finally settling on Li Yunjing: "Sect Leader Li, since you advocate 'consultation among all people,' you must be quite confident in your own strength."

"Why don't we take this opportunity to witness the methods of the 'Divine Firmament Dao Sect'?"

"Not bad!"

Jingxu Zhenjun immediately chimed in, his tone tinged with provocation: "If Sect Leader Li can prove that the Shenxiao Dao Sect has sufficient strength to participate in the highest decision-making, or even serve as a permanent director, then we will naturally have nothing to say."

"Otherwise, empty talk about 'joint consultation' is nothing more than an excuse for the weak to band together for warmth!"

The "Thirty-Six Heavenly Caves" have finally shed their veil of sentimentality and are determined to lay the foundation for a new order through the most direct means, prioritizing strength above all else.

This is both a way to suppress the arrogance of the "Divine Firmament Alliance" and a way to make an example of them to deter other disgruntled forces.

The hall fell silent once more, all eyes fixed on Li Yunjing.

Ji Beichen, Old Ancestor Chiyang, and the others had solemn expressions. They knew that the most crucial test had arrived.

“Since Fellow Daoist Qingwei has laid down his path, I, Li, will accept it.”

Li Yunjing slowly rose, his purple-gold Daoist robe fluttering without wind. There was no fear on his face, but rather a calm smile: "I wonder how you wish to see it?"

"Simple."

Qingwei Zhenjun exchanged a glance with the other Zhenjun beside him and said, "Our 'Thirty-Six Grotto-Heavens' has sent three cultivators to spar with Sect Leader Li."

"If Sect Leader Li wins, it will prove that the Shenxiao Dao Sect is indeed qualified to be a permanent member of the council and participate in core decision-making."

"If we lose..."

He paused, his tone turning cold: "Then I request that Sect Leader Li retract his proposal of 'joint consultation' and support the 'Thirty-Six Grotto-Heavens' leading the new order."

"Three people?"

The Crimson Sun Ancestor, enraged, laughed, "What a fine 'Thirty-Six Grotto-Heavens'! You really have no shame! You actually think you can fight three against one?"

"Since it is a test of whether one is qualified to participate in the highest decision-making, one must naturally have the ability to deal with complex situations."

Jingxu Zhenjun sneered: "If you can't even withstand this little test, how can you talk about leading the masses?"

These conditions are extremely harsh, clearly intended to use this opportunity to severely damage or even cripple Li Yunjing, the biggest troublemaker.

"Sect Leader Li, you mustn't!"

Ji Beichen hurriedly transmitted his voice, "This is a trap!"

Li Yunjing raised his hand to stop the commotion from the crowd behind him.

He looked calmly at True Monarch Qingwei, his tone still composed: "Yes."

There was an uproar!

He actually agreed!

"but,"

Li Yunjing changed the subject, "Since this is a qualification verification, if I, Li, am lucky enough to win, a single seat on the board of directors may not be enough."

"Oh?"

Qingwei Zhenjun narrowed his eyes slightly, "What else does Sect Leader Li intend to do?"

"If Li wins,"

Li Yunjing spoke each word clearly throughout the hall: "'Shenxiao Dao Sect' must have the right to veto!"

"In the Elders' Council of the New Order, any major resolution shall not be passed if my 'Divine Firmament Dao Sect' objects to it!"

Veto power!

As soon as this statement came out, everyone was shocked!

This is almost on par with the "Thirty-Six Grotto-Heavens", and even surpasses them in some aspects!
This is a much bigger ambition than simply wanting a permanent seat on the board!

The expressions of Qingwei Zhenjun and the others turned completely somber.

They never expected Li Yunjing to have such a big appetite, daring to directly demand core power!

"Insanity!"

Jingxu Zhenjun shouted sternly, "A veto? Based on your opinion?"

"Just me."

Li Yunjing stood with his hands behind his back, his aura suddenly becoming profound and vast. A supreme Daoist charm, like the beginning of chaos and the dominion of thunder, spread out from him, faintly rivaling the auras of the seven Nascent Soul Grand Perfection cultivators on the high platform!
If you dare not accept, then let it be.

"But this new order cannot be decided by your whims alone!"

His voice carried a thunderous force, resounding with authority.

Qingwei Zhenjun stared intently at Li Yunjing, his eyes flickering with uncertain light.

He originally intended to use this opportunity to suppress the other party, but unexpectedly he was outmaneuvered instead.

If we do not accept the challenge, it will make the "Thirty-Six Heavenly Caves" appear cowardly, and our prestige will plummet; if we accept the challenge, what if... no, there is no what if!

Three Nascent Soul True Monarchs, one of whom is...

"it is good!"

Qingwei Zhenjun slammed his hand on the armrest of his chair and said in a deep voice, "As you say! If you win, you will have the right to veto! If you lose..."

"Li will abide by the previous agreement."

Li Yunjing chimed in.

"In that case, let's move on to the 'Martial Arts Arena'!"

Qingwei Zhenjun stood up and waved his sleeves.

Instantly, the entire space of the main hall of the Jade Void Palace changed, and amidst the surging clouds and mist, everyone found themselves in a vast and boundless void.

Beneath your feet lies a path of starlight, and above your head stretches a dazzling galaxy. This is the small world within the "Jade Void Cave Heaven," the "Martial Arts Arena," designed specifically for high-level cultivators to compete.

"Yu Hengzi of Jade Void Cave Heaven, please enlighten me, Sect Leader Li!"

A middle-aged Taoist priest dressed in a star-patterned robe with a cold and stern face stepped forward first, his aura revealing him to be at the seventh level of the Nascent Soul stage! He was an extremely powerful sword cultivator in the Jade Void Cave Heaven, whose "Seven Star Demon-Slaying Sword" had once drunk the blood of demons.

"Azure Paradise, Cangmingzi, please!"

An elderly man in a blue robe followed, his body shrouded in mist, as if containing a boundless ocean. His cultivation was also at the seventh level of the Nascent Soul stage.

He was skilled in water-based supernatural powers, and his magical abilities were vast and boundless.

The last one was an old man dressed in simple gray clothes, with an ordinary face and even a somewhat sluggish breathing.

He walked out slowly without announcing his name, but the moment he appeared, even Qingwei Zhenjun and the others nodded slightly in acknowledgment.

Li Yunjing's pupils contracted slightly.

This person gave him an extremely dangerous feeling, and his cultivation level... was actually at the Great Perfection of the Ninth Level of the Nascent Soul Realm!
Moreover, it was by no means an ordinary Nascent Soul Great Perfection cultivator; its aura was extremely restrained, like a dormant volcano.

This person's cultivation level is almost at the half-step Void Return stage!
It seems this person is the most valuable secret among the "Thirty-Six Grotto-Heavens".

"Three, please."

Li Yunjing's expression remained unchanged. He took a step and arrived in the center of the void.

Under the starlight, the semi-divine artifact "Starry Night Robe" appears even more noble and mysterious.

On his body, the "Divine Firmament Thunder Seal" and the "Black Tortoise Shell" are fully prepared and ready to unleash a powerful attack at any time!
As for the "Zhou Tian Xing Chen Pan" which is suppressed in the "Heng Yue Shan Shan", the "Du Tian Shen Lei Ta" which is suppressed in the "Suo Long Yuan", and the "Wan Mo Ta" which is suppressed in the "Mo Yuan", these three immortal artifacts can be summoned by Li Yun Jing through divine sense at any time!

As for the "Thunderous Divine Mace" in his sea of ​​consciousness?
Li Yunjing dared not use it unless absolutely necessary!

His strength was still weak. After using the "Thunderous Divine Mace" last time, he spent decades recovering from his injuries, which caused him great harm in the long run.

Moreover, once the phantom of this treasure is unleashed, it could very well kill an important figure from the "Thirty-Six Heavenly Caves," causing the two sides to become mortal enemies and start a war, which is not the outcome he desires.

"excuse me!"

Yu Hengzi made the first move, pointing his fingers like a sword. A tiny point of cold star burst forth from his fingertip, initially subtle, but instantly transforming into a dazzling sword river that spanned the Milky Way, carrying the supreme sword intent to annihilate stars and destroy evil spirits, sweeping towards Li Yunjing!

Within the Sword River, the Seven Stars revolve, unleashing endless killing intent!
At the same time, Cangmingzi formed hand seals, and it seemed as if boundless seawater surged in the void, transforming into countless layers of raging waves that pressed towards Li Yunjing from all directions. Each wave contained an extremely cold power that could freeze the soul and erode magic power!
This is one of the signature divine powers of the "Biyou Cave Heaven", "Nine Nether Weak Water"!
Despite being attacked from both sides, Li Yunjing remained calm. His "Starry Sky Robe" suddenly lit up, with countless illusory stars surrounding him and protecting him.

At the same time, numerous supernatural powers such as "Five-Colored Divine Light", "Yin-Yang Qi" and "Four Divine Beasts" are activated, making the defense unparalleled!

He didn't use any fancy moves, he just threw a simple punch!
"Thunder Tribulation Divine Fist!"

With a punch, chaos is broken!

It wasn't a surge of thunder, but rather that wherever his fist passed, space seemed to return to the state of undifferentiated chaos. The brilliant sword river and the countless layers of weak water turbulent tides, upon contact with this chaotic domain, were like mud oxen entering the sea; the spiritual energy structure, laws, and Dao rhythms within were forcibly decomposed and assimilated.

The violent energy instantly became docile, eventually transforming into pure chaotic primordial energy, which was then swallowed up by the vortex of lightning behind Li Yunjing!

One punch is not to shatter, but to "return to chaos"!
"What kind of magical power is this?"

Yuhengzi and Cangmingzi's expressions changed drastically. They felt as if their supernatural powers had entered the void. Not only had they failed to harm their enemy, but their power had also been borrowed by the enemy!
This method is unheard of!

"This child's comprehension of the Dao of Chaos and the Dao of Thunder has reached such a level!"

On the high platform, the light of deduction flashed rapidly in the eyes of True Monarch Tianyan, and his face showed surprise.

However, just as Li Yunjing's old strength was waning and new strength was beginning to emerge, the gray-robed old man who had been silent all along made a move.

He didn't use any earth-shattering magic; he simply raised his right hand and gently pointed his index finger forward.

"Nirvana Finger!"

There is no brilliance or imposing presence on the fingertips, only a pure and ultimate sense of "annihilation"!
It was as if all things had come to an end, the Great Dao had returned to nothingness, and all things, tangible and intangible, would vanish into nothingness under the touch of these fingertips!
This finger strike ignored the defense of the Starry Sky Robe and directly locked onto Li Yunjing's soul essence!
Before the wind even arrived, Li Yunjing felt as if his soul was about to be frozen, his nascent soul was pierced by a series of sharp pains, and the Dao aura around his body began to become unstable!
At the critical moment, chaotic lightning burst forth from Li Yunjing's eyes!
With a thought, his natal magic treasure, the "Heavenly Thunder Emperor Seal," which he had been nurturing deep within his nascent soul, emerged from the top of his head!
"Buzz!"

Although the "Heavenly Thunder Emperor Seal" is not of high grade, a majestic heavenly might that transcends the laws of this world suddenly descended!
The two characters "Thunder Emperor" on the bottom of the seal shone brightly, triggering a resonance with the laws of thunder throughout the heavens!
The finger wind, which contained the Daoist rhyme of "annihilation," was as if it had encountered its nemesis the moment it touched this heavenly might. It let out a faint wail, and the Daoist rhyme on it was forcibly dispelled and purified by the extremely yang and strong power of thunder!
"puff!"

The old man in gray was struck as if by a heavy blow. He groaned and staggered back several steps, a look of horror appearing on his face for the first time!

His "Nirvana Finger" was always effective, especially against all kinds of protective supernatural powers, but today it was easily neutralized by the opponent's magic weapon.
"it is good!"

"You all try taking one of my moves!"

Taking advantage of this opportunity, Li Yunjing frantically activated the Nine Heavens Responding Thunder Scripture within his body, causing chaotic thunder energy to surge and roar!

With his left hand forming a hand seal, he summoned the thunder of the heavens, while with his right hand he made a grasping motion, condensing the Chaos Thunder Spear. Man and spear became one, transforming into a chaotic lightning bolt that tore through the starry sky, and he took the initiative to attack the three of them!
"Boom! Boom! Boom!"

In the void, the scene became bizarre and fantastical!
Li Yunjing sometimes transforms into countless lightning shadows, each wielding different lightning techniques—some fierce, some gentle, some explosive, some corrosive—dazzling onlookers; at other times, he draws upon the power of the celestial bodies, starlight cascading down like a waterfall, intertwining with lightning to form a "Starlight Domain," weakening and suppressing his opponents; and at still other times, he condenses chaotic lightning essence into various divine weapons and mythical beasts, such as thunder dragons, lightning phoenixes, and chaotic giant axes, launching fierce attacks!

He pushed the defensive power of the "Black Tortoise Shell" to its limit, and a huge black tortoise phantom appeared around him. The Eight Trigrams flowed on the shell, blocking Yuhengzi's tricky sword energy and Cangmingzi's all-pervasive Weak Water, making him as stable as a rock.

Yu Hengzi's swordsmanship was superb. His "Seven Stars Slaying Evil Sword" evolved into the Zhou Tian Star Dou Sword Formation, with sword light raining down. However, Li Yunjing neutralized each sword light with his Chaotic Thunder Fist. Occasionally, a sword light would slip through the net, but it would be blocked by the Xuanwu phantom.

(End of this chapter)