Starting at the Nascent Soul stage, a rogue cultivator is incredibly poor.

"Oh dear, tsk tsk tsk..."

Qingyouzi held the slightly warm jade talisman in his hand, slowly walked back to his cave, and muttered to himself.

"It seems the situation is... getting a bit urgent."

He sat cross-legged on the stone bed, his fingertips caressing the warm surface of the jade talisman, his mind churning with thoughts.

"Celestial Immortal City is summoning all Nascent Soul cultivators within its walls... What could have happened?"

If he didn't go, the Heavenly Immortal City wouldn't make things difficult for a rogue cultivator like him. But this trip... might also be an opportunity.

By diligently cultivating step by step, it would take at least one or two hundred years to reach the threshold of the mid-stage Nascent Soul realm. Without a fortuitous opportunity, it would be difficult to make any progress during that time. This gathering might just reveal information about treasures that can enhance one's cultivation.

However, the risks... are certainly not small.

That's enough.

Qingyouzi put the jade talisman into his sleeve.

"Let's see what Jiang Taiyuan has to say first, then weigh the pros and cons. Incidentally... we can also meet some like-minded people and broaden our horizons."

The path to immortality is lonely; it's never a bad thing to know more people.

Three days later, in the core area of ​​Tianxian City, in front of a jade palace hidden in the clouds.

Following the jade talisman's guidance, Qingyouzi landed in the plaza in front of the hall. The main hall was over ten zhang high, entirely constructed of deep-sea cold jade, with upturned eaves carved with ancient cloud patterns, solemn and dignified.

A person stood in front of the hall, wearing the moon-white Taoist robe with gold patterns unique to the elders of the Heavenly Immortal City. His aura was deep and dignified, indicating that he was at the early stage of the Nascent Soul realm.

Qingyouzi remembered this person; when the Heavenly Immortal Cave opened, he stood beside Jiang Taiyuan, and it seemed his surname was Ye.

He stepped forward slowly and bowed with his hands clasped in greeting:

"The rogue cultivator Qingyou has answered the summons. Elder Ye, please verify the jade talisman."

After saying this, he handed over the jade token.

The elder took it, scanned it with his divine sense, and nodded, saying:

"The jade talisman is correct. I am Ye Jiuyou, Fellow Daoist Qingyou, please come in."

As he turned to lead the way, another beam of light descended.

The newcomer was dressed in a white robe and had a refined appearance; it was Daohe.

"Elder Ye, the jade talisman is here."

Daohe stepped forward with a smile, handed over the jade talisman, and then turned his gaze to Qingyouzi, feigning surprise:

"Oh, isn't this Fellow Daoist Qingyou? What a coincidence to meet you here again, haha."

A hint of coldness flashed in Qingyouzi's eyes, but he calmly returned the greeting.

"Fellow Daoist Daohe, how skillful."

He has no desire to associate with such two-faced people.

"Oh dear! We've known each other for a while now, why be so formal?"

Daohe gave two awkward laughs.

The two entered the hall side by side.

The hall is very spacious, with nine ancient bronze lamps hanging from the high ceiling, their flames unwavering, casting a soft, bright light.

At this moment, more than twenty Nascent Soul cultivators were seated on jade mats on both sides, their auras varying in strength. The weakest among them was at the early Nascent Soul stage, while five or six of them possessed a significantly heavier aura, indicating that they were at the mid-stage of the Nascent Soul realm.

Qingyouzi slightly reduced his spiritual senses, walked as usual, but his gaze quickly swept across the entire scene.

A burly figure came into view: Hong Kaishan.

The other person seemed to sense something and turned to look at them. Their gazes met across the distance, both as cold as iron, before they looked away.

The atmosphere inside the hall was rather subtle.

Some acquaintances gathered together, conversing in hushed tones using telepathy; others sat alone, their expressions wary. Many gazes clashed in the shadows, concealing hostility, apprehension, or scrutiny.

Qingyouzi found an empty seat at the back and sat down, closing her eyes to rest.

Within about half an hour, another seven or eight Nascent Soul cultivators arrived one after another.

At a glance, there were a total of thirty-six people in the hall. Apart from Jiang Taiyuan, there were twelve elders from Tianxian City, two of whom were at the mid-stage; the remaining twenty-four were all Nascent Soul cultivators from outside the city, including rogue cultivators and patriarchs of medium-sized sects, with most at the early stage and only three or four at the mid-stage.

As for the late-stage Nascent Soul realm... not a single one has been seen.

The main hall was silent, with only subtle fluctuations of divine consciousness intertwined like undercurrents.

"cough."

A soft cough rang out from the high platform at the head of the hall.

Everyone looked up.

Jiang Taiyuan had already taken his seat in the main position at some point, dressed in a simple gray robe, his face calm, except for his deep, unfathomable eyes, which slowly swept over the cultivators below.

"I'm sorry to trouble you all to come today," he said, his voice not loud, but clear enough to reach everyone's ears, "because the Southern Xuan Continent has reached a critical juncture of life and death."

In short, the tone was set.

"The Northern Continent harbors wolfish ambitions, coveting the territory of my Southern Xuan for far more than a day. Stealing the Heavenly Immortal Cave's earth veins is merely the bare tip of their fangs. Recently, the Boundless Sea Demon Clan has been making frequent unusual movements, and the major sects of Northern Continent have secretly joined forces. All signs indicate that Northern Continent has secretly colluded with the demon clan, intending to encircle and devour my Southern Xuan from two sides!"

He paused, his gaze sharp as lightning:

"If the lips are gone, the teeth will be cold; if the door is broken, the hall will be in danger. You are all either patriarchs of sects or independent cultivators, all born and raised here, and your lineages exist here. If Nanxuan falls, how can your Daoist temples, traditions, disciples, and followers remain intact?"

An elderly man in a black robe sitting in the front row suddenly spoke, his voice hoarse:

"Elder Jiang's words are indeed reasonable. However, the Northern Pavilion is powerful, with two late-stage Nascent Soul cultivators alone from the Blood Yin Sect. Even if we join forces, how can we possibly withstand them?"

Jiang Taiyuan looked at him, his expression unchanged:

"What you are concerned about is indeed the key point. Therefore, I have gathered you all here today not to talk about lofty principles, but to discuss practical solutions."

With a flick of his sleeve, a massive phantom image of the Southern Xuan Continent appeared in mid-air, clearly showing mountains, rivers, and the distribution of sects.

"Celestial Immortal City has reached an alliance with seven major sects, including True Dharma Sect, Spirit Beast Mountain, and Profound Sword Pavilion. Each sect will send at least two Nascent Soul cultivators and ten Golden Core cultivators to form the 'Southern Profound Alliance Army' to jointly resist foreign aggression."

He pointed to the northern border of the phantom:

"Three lines of defense will be constructed here, forming a complex array, and allied forces will take turns guarding it. At the same time, part of the Heavenly Immortal City's secret vaults will be opened. Magical treasures, elixirs, and cultivation manuals can all be exchanged for based on merit by all participants in the war."

Upon hearing this, many cultivators in the hall exchanged glances.

Jiang Taiyuan continued:

"In addition, all Nascent Soul cultivators who participate in the battle will receive an annual stipend of 10,000 spirit stones; those who achieve meritorious service will receive even greater rewards. If any fellow cultivator perishes in this battle... their sect or family will be protected by Heavenly Immortal City for a hundred years to ensure their lineage is preserved."

A gray-robed monk with a sinister face sneered:

"Easy for you to say. On the front lines, most of those who die are rogue cultivators and members of minor sects. Aren't you major sects just sitting back and reaping the benefits?"

"Insolence!" Ye Jiuyou shouted sternly.

Jiang Taiyuan raised his hand to stop him, looked at the gray-robed cultivator, and spoke in a calm tone that carried an undeniable air of authority:

"If Fellow Daoist Feng Ming has any doubts, you may leave now. Heavenly Immortal City will not force you to stay."

The gray-robed cultivator's expression stiffened. He looked around and, seeing no one agreeing, finally let out a cold snort and fell silent.

Jiang Taiyuan's gaze swept across the entire room:

"I, Jiang, will make this clear today. Within the Allied Forces, there is absolutely no distinction between frontline cannon fodder and rear-area elites. All missions will be assigned according to cultivation level and special skills. All twelve elders of Heavenly Immortal City, including myself, will take turns serving on the front lines."

He paused, his voice turning deep:

"But if anyone thinks they can stand aside and mind their own business, don't blame Tianxian City for not coming to their aid when the iron hooves of Beiting trample the mountains and rivers."

There was a dead silence in the hall.

An elderly Nascent Soul cultivator with white hair and beard sighed and slowly said:

"Fellow Daoist Jiang, it's not that we're afraid of battle. It's just that we are all alone, without the ties of a sect. If we were to perish in battle, our lineage would be severed, and what benefit would a hundred years of protection bring us?"

Jiang Chuyuan looked at him and suddenly smiled:

"Fellow Daoist Chishong, you've been stuck at the peak of the early Nascent Soul stage for nearly two hundred years, haven't you?"

The old man was taken aback.

"If you wish to join the battle," Jiang Taiyuan said slowly, "the Heavenly Immortal City will offer you one 'Nascent Soul Pill' and open the 'Nine Revolutions Spirit Pool' for three days. Whether you can break through to the mid-stage depends on your fortune."

A sharp glint suddenly flashed in the old man's eyes.

Jiang Taiyuan stopped looking at him and looked at the crowd:

"Those of you present, if you have any cultivation bottlenecks, incomplete cultivation techniques, or damaged magic treasures, the Heavenly Immortal City will provide assistance as appropriate for those who wish to participate in the battle. This is not an empty promise; I am willing to swear a great oath against inner demons as proof. This is not only a promise I have made, but also a promise made by the four saints behind the Heavenly Immortal City to everyone."

He stood up, hands behind his back:

"The tide of history is overwhelming; those who follow it will prosper. If Nanxuan wins, you will all be heroes who protect the realm, your names recorded in history, bringing blessings to future generations. If Nanxuan loses... when the nest is overturned, how can any egg remain intact?"

That's all I wanted to say.

A wisp of blue light flew out from his sleeve, transforming into twenty-four jade tablets that landed precisely in front of each person.

"This is the 'Covenant Jade Token.' Within three days, if you wish to participate in the war, activate it with your magic, and an envoy will escort you to discuss the details. If you do not wish to..."

His tone was flat:

"Crush it. From now on, Celestial City will have nothing to do with you."

The jade pendant feels warm and smooth to the touch, with simple cloud patterns engraved on its surface.

Qingyouzi stroked the jade pendant, his eyes calm.

Jiang Taiyuan's words were a perfect blend of kindness and severity, reason and emotion.

Opening the secret vault, helping to break through bottlenecks, protecting the inheritance... each one directly addresses the most fundamental desires of cultivators. Especially for independent cultivators and small sects, the temptation is extremely great.

But Qingyouzi's mind was clear.

Once the jade token is activated, he will be bound to the Southern Xuan war chariot. At that time, mission assignments and frontline garrisons will all be at the command of the allied forces. As a rootless rogue cultivator, he would be easily sent to dangerous places as a vanguard.

"Perhaps we should...wait and see."

He tucked the jade pendant into his sleeve, and as he looked up, he saw Hong Kaishan's expression change. Finally, he gritted his teeth and activated the jade pendant. Dao He also looked conflicted, and after a moment, the jade pendant began to glow faintly.

Light gradually illuminated the hall.

However, nearly ten people, like Qingyouzi, put away their jade tokens and remained silent.

Jiang Taiyuan seemed to have expected this, and did not urge him, but simply said:

"Three days is the limit. Gentlemen, please return."

The crowd rose one after another, bowed, and left.

Qingyouzi walked out of the main hall and looked up at the sky. The clouds rolled and unrolled, and the sky was as usual.

But the winds of impending storm were already blowing through the building.

He transformed into a blue rainbow and sped towards the cave.

The jade pendant in her sleeve was faintly warm.

After Qing Youzi left, Hong Kaishan also slowly walked out of the main hall. Looking at Qing Youzi's back, a complex look flashed in his eyes, which eventually turned into a long sigh.