In Emei, start by obtaining golden attributes.

Chapter 132 When a dog sees meat, it will naturally jump out.

"You obtained the 'Great Shift of Heaven and Earth' manual? How did you obtain it?"

The first one to get restless was Abbess Juechen.

Gu Shaoan and the others then described the matter in great detail.

Zhou Zhiruo stood up and placed the previously translated "Great Shift of the Universe" and the parchment scroll containing the original text of "Great Shift of the Universe" in front of Abbess Miejue.

After learning about the experiences of the group in the forbidden area, Abbess Juechen and Abbess Miejue suddenly realized something.

Abbess Juechen said, "Ten years ago, Yang Dingtian was considered a first-rate master in the martial arts world. Otherwise, the Ming Cult could not have grown to become a dominant force under his leadership. Unexpectedly, he died quietly in the Ming Cult's forbidden area, and no one knew about it."

Abbess Miejue said coldly, "Good riddance. In the past, although the Ming Cult was not a righteous sect, it did not do anything that was morally reprehensible. But what did Yang Dingtian do after he became the leader of the Ming Cult? His subordinates were all a bunch of wicked and evil people."

"The Golden Lion King Xie Xun killed people everywhere, the Green-Winged Bat King Wei Yixiao cultivated evil skills by sucking human blood, and Yang Xiao, who was second only to one person and above ten thousand others, did whatever he wanted and looked down on everyone."

"The Ming Cult, which was once a good sect, has become increasingly disreputable under Yang Dingtian's leadership, turning into a den of iniquity. Such a person is a menace if he lives; it would be better if he died."

Faced with what Miejue said, Abbess Juechen was also surprised.

Regardless of Yang Dingtian's character or strength, as the leader of the Ming Cult, the reputation of the Ming Cult did indeed begin to shift under his leadership, which is an indisputable fact.

After taking a few deep breaths to calm herself down, Abbess Miejue looked at Gu Shaoan and said, "I didn't expect that you would come here early this time, find out so many things, and even have the opportunity to obtain the 'Great Shift of Heaven and Earth'. It is truly a surprise to your teacher."

Gu Shaoan smiled gently, his expression calm.

After a few moments of contemplation, Abbess Juechen spoke up: "Senior Sister, according to what Shao'an and the others said, the conflict between the Six Great Sects and the Ming Cult this time was instigated by someone behind the scenes. If that's the case, I'm afraid the deaths of many disciples of our Six Great Sects in the past few years are also related to these people."

Abbess Miejue nodded slightly and said, "The person behind this scheme, who was able to drag the six major sects and the Ming Cult into the mess at the same time, must have had some grand ambitions."

"Then us"

Master Juechen responded subconsciously, but after only a few words were uttered, she seemed to remember something and immediately stopped speaking.

Abbess Miejue was perceptive and noticed Abbess Juechen's reaction. How could she not know why Abbess Juechen reacted that way?

For a moment, even Abbess Miejue hesitated.

Sometimes, he would think of his elder brother, who had loved him dearly since childhood but ultimately died at the hands of Xie Xun, the Golden Lion King.

Sometimes he thinks of Gu Hongzi, who died because of Yang Xiao.

Sometimes he thinks of Ji Xiaofu, whom he raised with his own hands, but who was eventually killed by his own hand.

The memories flashed before her eyes, as if a flame was gathering in her chest, and the murderous intent in her heart was almost impossible to suppress.

Under the influence of this murderous intent, the temperature inside the room seemed to drop several degrees.

However, Abbess Miejue always kept in mind her identity as the leader of the Emei Sect.

If this is indeed a conflict between the Ming Cult and the Six Major Sects, then Miejue, as the leader of the Emei Sect, would have a legitimate reason to destroy the Ming Cult in order to protect her sect and punish evil.

However, there are other people behind this, and their identities and purposes are unknown.

If the attack on the Ming Cult continues, there is a possibility that the Emei Sect may be placed in danger afterward.

This is definitely not something a sect leader can do.

Hatred and perseverance churned in her mind, and the tearing sensation deep within her heart felt like two hands, one black and one white, were trying to wrestle her body, creating a heart-wrenching struggle.

Looking at Abbess Miejue's ever-changing expression, caught in a internal struggle, it would be difficult for other members of the Emei Sect to understand.

The few people present, including Yang Yan and Zhou Zhiruo, had learned about the feud between Miejue and the Ming Cult from Abbess Juejue and Abbess Juechen over the years, and naturally knew the dilemma in Abbess Miejue's heart at this moment.

For a moment, there was silence.

After a long while, Abbess Miejue suddenly sighed.

"Unfortunately, the alliance of the six factions has been formed and is ready to be launched. At this time, even if I suddenly speak up, the Wudang faction may be fine, but the other four factions may not necessarily abandon their plans because of what I say."

"Even if there are reasons for it, if my Emei Sect were to abandon the siege of Bright Peak because of this, it would surely be branded as deserting in the face of battle."

"Especially the Shaolin area."

At this point, Abbess Miejue suddenly frowned.

Seeing Abbess Miejue's reaction, Yang Yan, sitting next to Abbess Juechen, couldn't help but nudge her with her shoulder and whisper, "Master, is there a problem at Shaolin?"

In response to Yang Yan's question, Abbess Juechen sighed and replied, "This time, the joint attack on Bright Peak by the six major sects was actually proposed by Shaolin."

"In other words, Shaolin is the one in charge among the six major sects this time."

Zhou Zhiruo asked in bewilderment, "Shaolin has enjoyed a reputation for hundreds of years and is considered one of the two pillars of the righteous path, along with Wudang. This time, there is a reason for this. As long as the reason behind it is revealed, would the high monks of Shaolin disagree with giving up the attack on Ming Cult?"

Upon hearing Zhou Zhiruo's words, Abbess Miejue smiled bitterly, her expression cold and insightful, and slowly shook her head, saying, "How could things be so simple? Zhiruo, you've oversimplified things and underestimated Shaolin."

Abbess Miejue explained:
"This time, the leader of Shaolin is the monk Kongzhi, who just took over as the head of Shaolin a year ago."

Zhou Zhiruo and Yang Yan were no strangers to the monk Kongzhi.

After all, with the new head of Shaolin Temple, how many people in the entire Great Wei Kingdom haven't heard of Kongzhi?
"The monk Kongzhi had just succeeded to the position of Shaolin abbot, and many disciples in the sect were dissatisfied. It just so happened that the Ming Cult had been provoking them in recent years, so the people of the Southern Branch of Shaolin took the lead in uniting the six major sects."

At this point, Zhou Zhiruo and Yang Yan are still unclear about what Miejue is referring to.

Zhou Zhiruo spoke up: "Does Master mean that this Shaolin monk Kongzhi wants to use the siege of Bright Peak to establish his authority and thus secure his position as sect leader?"

Abbess Miejue nodded and said, "That's right!"

"This time, it was personally led by Kong Zhi, the sect leader. If the matter is interrupted, Kong Zhi, who is eager to secure his position, will become a laughing stock. His already unstable position as sect leader will become even more precarious."

Abbess Juechen sighed and said, "If the news of the six major sects attacking the Ming Cult hadn't spread, it would have been fine. But unfortunately, the person behind the scheme has leaked the information. Countless eyes are now watching Shaolin's banner of 'subduing demons and protecting the righteous path'!"

"If we give up now because of a few unsubstantiated speculations, it would be a slap in the face. How will the martial arts world view Shaolin? If word gets out, the person behind the scenes will manipulate things, and the reputation of Shaolin as 'intimidated by the Ming Cult's ferocity,' 'fearful in battle,' and 'having only a hollow reputation' will spread throughout the martial arts world. The golden reputation that Shaolin has built up over the past hundreds of years will be covered with dust that is difficult to wipe away in an instant."

"In order to maintain this supreme reputation that has been upheld for hundreds of years, Shaolin is willing to adopt the mindset of 'better to kill the innocent than let the guilty go free,' and will definitely carry out the siege of the Ming Cult to the very end."

"It can be said that from the moment the other side revealed the news of the six major sects besieging Bright Peak, Shaolin was already in a difficult position. Even though the sect leader Kongzhi knew that this matter might be dangerous, he would not let it go."

"We can only incite and coerce other sects to join forces and strive for a victory in one battle, so as to silence public opinion by destroying the Ming Cult."

Yang Yan frowned and said, "How can a reputable sect risk its life for such reasons? How innocent were the Shaolin disciples who sacrificed themselves when attacking the Ming Cult?"

At this moment, Gu Shaoan suddenly spoke up: "For many sects and forces, human life is the least worthwhile thing."

"Especially for a top-tier power like Shaolin, there is never a shortage of disciples."

Upon hearing this, both Abbess Miejue and Abbess Juechen sighed softly.

Although Gu Shaoan's words were blunt and cruel, that was the essence of the martial arts world.

Not every faction is like the Emei Sect, maintaining a righteous and upright bottom line in all its dealings with people and matters.

After a moment, Yang Yan asked again, "What about the Wudang Sect? Wudang and Shaolin have always been equally famous, and Master Zhang is the number one person in the world. Don't they have any say? Or can they restrain Shaolin?"

“Wudang?” A complex emotion flashed in Abbess Miejue’s eyes, along with a cold indifference that revealed her deep understanding of the world.

"It is precisely because of the Wudang Sect that Shaolin is even less willing to back down."

These words only increased Yang Yan and Zhou Zhiruo's doubts. Abbess Juechen said, "Don't be fooled by the fact that Shaolin and Wudang are both leaders of the righteous path and call each other fellow Daoists. In reality, there is a struggle between the two, one being the most powerful and the other the most powerful."

At this point, Abbess Juechen's tone carried a hint of barely perceptible sigh, "Master Zhang is exceptionally talented. He single-handedly founded Wudang, and in just a few decades, his influence and prestige have, in some respects, already subtly surpassed Shaolin, which has a history of hundreds of years."

“Especially the reputation of Master Zhang as the ‘Number One Martial Artist’ is itself the greatest challenge to Shaolin’s status as the ‘Source of Martial Arts’.”

"This is why, despite being the number one person in the world, Master Zhang has rarely descended from Zhenwu Mountain over the years!"

"While it is true that Master Zhang was devoted to the lineage and disliked disturbances, the deeper reason was that Shaolin was unwilling to see him leave the mountain, or rather, it forced Master Zhang to not leave the mountain at will."

Seeing that the two were confused, Abbess Juechen slowly gave an example: "Imagine if Master Zhang were to roam the martial world, with his prestige and martial arts skills, what could he not resolve? What sect could he not intimidate? At that time, no matter how big the problem people in the martial world encounter, who would they think of first and seek help from first? Would it still be Shaolin?"

"In literature, there is no first place; in martial arts, there is no second place. It is precisely because Wudang is involved among the six major sects this time that Shaolin, as the leader, cannot back down."

"With this mindset, how could they allow anyone or any reason to obstruct the six major sects from attacking the Ming Cult? If our Emei sect does not go with us, in their eyes and those of the uninformed martial arts world, we will only be seen as 'deserting in the face of battle' and 'cowardly retreating,' and may even be misinterpreted as having 'private interests' with the Ming Cult."

"At that time, Emei's nearly century-old reputation will be ruined, making it the only laughingstock to retreat during the siege of the six sects, and a laughingstock to the heroes of the world! How will it stand in the martial arts world afterward? And how will it face the other five sects, especially Shaolin?"

The atmosphere inside the room grew even more somber.

Abbess Juechen's words were like a cold hammer, revealing the unshakable power dynamics of the martial arts world beneath Shaolin's outward compassion and the silent yet fierce competition between Shaolin and Wudang.

Abbess Miejue let out a long, heavy breath, as if expelling the knot of resentment in her chest caused by the torn apart of hatred and responsibility. She remained silent, her brows furrowed.

Thinking of Zhang Sanfeng, Abbess Miejue couldn't help but shake her head.

Zhou Zhiruo and Yang Yan finally fully understood the implications. Looking at their master's insightful yet helpless expression, they felt a heavy weight in their hearts.

This murky water was far deeper and more dangerous than they had initially imagined.

Gu Shaoan remained seated in silence, his eyes deep, as if he had already understood the scheme behind it all.

It was because of this knowledge that Gu Shaoan knew that the siege of Bright Peak by the six major sects could not be reversed in just a few words.

Immediately, Gu Shaoan reached into his robe and placed a sheepskin scroll on the table.

"This is a map of Bright Peak that I asked Senior Sister and Junior Sister Yang to draw over the past few months. It details the Ming Cult's deployment from the canyon to the top of the mountain, as well as the traps and mechanisms they set up."

As Abbess Miejue and Abbess Juechen focused their attention on the parchment scroll, Gu Shaoan continued, "In addition, there is a batch of gold and silver treasures in the secret chamber of the Ming Cult's forbidden area, whose value should exceed one million taels of silver."

When the group was explaining the forbidden area, they mentioned gold and silver treasures, but only briefly. Abbess Miejue and Abbess Juechen did not expect that the value of this batch of gold and silver treasures would be so high.

Before the two could think further, Gu Shaoan spoke again: "The six major sects have been preparing for the siege of Bright Peak for a long time, and they are determined to attack the Ming Cult. Even if the Ming Cult already knows this news, as long as Master sends a message to notify the other six major sects to regroup, even the Ming Cult will not be able to ambush the six major sects halfway, and the crisis can be resolved."

"Next, it will be a decisive battle between the two sides at Bright Peak, where each side will display their skills. Life and death are in the hands of fate, so you can't blame anyone else."

"But with Master's prior notice and this drawn map, our Emei Sect only needs to send a hundred people this time. With Master, Uncle Juechen, and me protecting us, it's fine to treat it as a training exercise."

"Afterwards, we will arrange for eight or nine hundred senior sisters to be stationed in the forbidden area, and not to participate in the siege of Bright Peak, which will naturally reduce casualties."

"Once the Ming Cult is destroyed and the dust settles, considering the kindness of Master in informing the major sects of the news, as well as the map and gold and silver that my Emei Sect has provided, the other five sects will not care that many of my Emei Sect disciples did not participate in the war."

After hearing Gu Shaoan's words, the group carefully considered them and found that Gu Shaoan's words were indeed feasible.

After all, the three leading the team this time—Abbess Miejue, Abbess Juechen, and Abbess Wujue—had all reached the Qi Condensation stage. Combined with the martial arts from the "Emei Nine Yang Manual" and the "Nine Yin Manual," their strength had undergone a dramatic transformation compared to a few years ago.

Not to mention Gu Shaoan is there too.

It was indeed not difficult for four Qi Condensation experts to protect a hundred Emei disciples.

If all else fails, the disciples can simply dress up a little afterward to appear somewhat disheveled.

Not to mention, the Emei Sect also discovered gold and silver treasures in the forbidden area and shared them equally with everyone.

The other five major sects can save face and reputation. If they still insist on the fact that the Emei disciples suffered fewer casualties, the Emei sect wouldn't mind having a few more friendly matches after the Ming Cult is dealt with.

At this moment, Yang Yan seemed to realize something and asked, "So, Senior Brother, when you first asked me and Senior Sister to draw up the map of Bright Peak, you had the idea of ​​using it as a bargaining chip to appease the other six major sects?"

Gu Shaoan nodded.

"With this map, the number of casualties among the six major sects during their attack on Bright Peak can be minimized. By presenting this map, even if the Emei Sect sends fewer disciples, the other five sects won't be able to say anything."

"However, I didn't expect that there were gold and silver treasures stored by the Ming Cult in the forbidden area."

"Since it is a joint attack on the Ming Cult by the six major sects, everyone should contribute equally. There is no reason for the Emei Sect to do all the work while the other sects reap the benefits. Since we did a lot of preparation in the early stages, it is only natural that the Emei Sect should send fewer disciples when attacking Bright Peak."

Initially, Gu Shaoan intended to use the map and the "Great Shift of Heaven and Earth" manual within the Ming Cult's forbidden area as leverage.

Anyway, the Great Shift of Heaven and Earth is the signature martial art of the Ming Cult, not the Emei Sect.

Gu Shaoan didn't care at all about using the Ming Cult's signature martial arts to do favors for the Emei Sect and reduce casualties among its disciples.

However, Gu Shaoan changed his mind after discovering the gold and silver treasures accumulated in the Ming Cult's forbidden area.

"I see! I didn't expect you to come up with such a method."

Abbess Juechen, who was standing to the side, couldn't help but nod.

When Abbess Miejue looked at Gu Shaoan, the satisfaction in her eyes was almost overflowing.

A few breaths later, Abbess Miejue couldn't help but sigh, "Perhaps the best thing I ever did in my life was to take you as my disciple. Compared to you today, I am somewhat incompetent as the sect leader."

In response, Gu Shaoan smiled and said, "When I was young and weak, Master and the sect protected me. Now that I have the ability, it is only right for me to give back to Master and the sect."

Gu Shaoan's words were simple and unadorned, yet they contained the core of the martial arts sects' heritage.

The master provides the disciples with the initial soil and nourishment, and the disciples, in turn, repay the master with their own brilliance.

A strong disciple is the pride and glory of the sect, while a stable sect is the disciple's eternal foundation and place of belonging.

Just as streams flow into rivers, rivers rush and nourish the earth, eventually turning into rain and dew to moisten the source of the streams, forming an endless cycle.

Only in this way can a sect endure and remain standing for a long time.

Looking at Gu Shaoan's tall and upright figure, Abbess Juechen was filled with emotion.

Both of them knew that with Gu Shaoan's talent, once he matured, he would surely be able to lead the Emei Sect to rise and even become the Emei Sect's reliance in the martial arts world.

The two of them never expected that Gu Shaoan would reach this point in just a few years.

Their strength has far surpassed that of their elders.

Even their overall perspective and their thinking when facing problems surpass theirs.

Even Abbess Miejue and Abbess Juechen couldn't help but visit the mountain where the Emei Sect buried their predecessors in recent years to see if it had really been burned by fire for several days without their knowledge. Otherwise, how could such a disciple have ended up in the Emei Sect?

At this moment, Abbess Juechen asked, "What should be done with the people behind the events involving the Six Major Sects and the Ming Cult?"

Abbess Miejue sneered, "When a dog sees meat, it will naturally jump out. The other party's goal is to make the six major sects and the Ming Cult suffer mutual destruction. Since that's the case, after the Ming Cult is destroyed, the person behind it will naturally jump out."

At this point, Abbess Miejue's voice suddenly turned cold.

"I want to see what the person behind this is planning, going to such lengths to achieve this."

(End of this chapter)