Volume 11: The First Law Chapter 2: The Dao Zong Dispute
During the Jingzhe season, not only all things come back to life, but also all things come out of the abyss and hibernating insects flee.
The stinging insects hiding underground dare not face the winter and have to hibernate. With the arrival of spring, they finally dare to crawl out of the ground to wreak havoc.
…
The Sword Sect is the most prominent sword-cultivating sect in the world.
The Sword Sect has been the leader for a million years, and its position has remained solid and unshakable, and it has produced four Sword Immortals.
As for the second position in the sword-cultivating sect, it is "the emperor takes turns, and next year it will be my turn", and it has been constantly changing.
The second most powerful sword-cultivating sect in the world today is the Sword Washing Pool in the Western Regions.
In order to ascend to the second position in the sword cultivation sect and stabilize his position, Xijianchi spent thousands of years of hard work.
As the saying goes, when you are well fed and well clothed, you will think about sex. After securing its position as the second best sword-cultivating sect of the human race, Xijianchi gradually became dissatisfied and coveted the top spot. He wanted to replace the Sword Sect and be promoted to the Dao Sect.
However, the reason why Xijianchi ranks second is because they only have that level of strength.
The reason why the Sword Sect is the number one sword-cultivating sect is because it is invincible in the world.
The gap between the two obviously cannot be viewed simply as first and second.
The most obvious difference is that since the inheritance of the Sword Sect, the one sitting on the throne of the Sect Master has always been the Sword Immortal.
In the history of Xijianchi, there has never been a sword immortal.
The current Xijianchi Sect Master, the White Frost Sword Master, is a swordsman at the peak of the Seven Tribulations Realm.
Is it strong?
Of course it is strong.
Even if we look at the entire human cultivation world, how many cultivators can reach the Seventh Tribulation Realm?
But no matter how strong he is, he is not a sword immortal after all.
Since he has not yet become a sword immortal, he has no qualifications to compete with the Sword Sect for the position of the Taoist Sect, the number one sword-cultivating sect.
Just like in Lu Qingshan’s previous life, without nuclear weapons, he would have no right to have an equal dialogue with the great powers.
However, sword immortals are rarer and more difficult to produce than nuclear weapons.
Therefore, the position of Dao Zong can only be the private fantasy of the monks in Xijianchi.
But today's Sword Washing Pool presents a mysterious and festive atmosphere.
No one directly pokes at the wrong layer of window paper.
However, everyone knew the source of their joy, it was because the almighty being of the Sword Sect had returned to the abyss.
The position of the new leader of the Sword Sect was taken over by the young junior sect leader Lu Qingshan.
Lu Qingshan's cultivation at this time is...
The peak of the seventh realm!
Yes, it’s not the peak of the Seventh Tribulation Realm, but the peak of the Seventh Realm.
This is the first time in all the years of Sword Sect’s inheritance that the Sect Leader is not a Sword Immortal.
Not only is the sect leader not a sword immortal, there is no sword immortal in the entire sword sect at this time.
…
Just as Soul Lord and Control Lord died, the first thing the remaining Demon Lords of the Heart Demon Clan had to do was not to avenge the two, nor to stabilize the structure within the Wujian Realm, but to find ways to gain the greatest benefits in the new round of power transition.
Don't think about what I can do, but what I can get.
This is the inertia of history.
With the return of Qingyun Sword Immortal and the weakness of the Sword Sect, Xijianchi, which ranks second among the sword cultivation sects, is undoubtedly the most likely beneficiary.
This is also true.
Ever since the news of Qingyun Sword Immortal's return to the ruins spread from the Eastern Region to Xijian Pool, the high-level cultivators in Xijian Pool have begun to get restless.
The Dao is the place where capable people reside.
Yes, it is true that our Sword Washing Pool cannot produce a Sword Immortal, but now your Sword Sect has lost its Sword Immortal too, right?
The Sword Sect suffered heavy losses in its Western Expedition. Now, in terms of paper strength alone, my Xijianchi is no weaker than the Sword Sect. Then why can't the Sword Cultivation Sect be my Xijianchi?
With this idea in mind, the first thing Xijianchi did was to send a letter of request to Daxia for promotion to Dao Sect.
…
The title of Dao Zong began in the Chang'an year and was coined by Xia Daozu.
After Xia Daozu founded the Great Xia Dynasty, he also established a nine-grade system for sects. According to a rigorous comprehensive strength evaluation mechanism, the human sects were divided into nine grades, and the grades were determined by Great Xia.
However, a behemoth of Dao Zong's level is beyond the material world.
Even Daxia can only be said to be on the same level as them. How can the Nine-Rank System be used to restrict them?
For this purpose, Daozu selected the strongest sect and Jialou among the six major cultivation systems of the human race at that time, and called them "Dao Zong" to express their transcendence.
At the same time, Xia Daozu also fixed the number of Dao Zong positions at seven, and the birth of new Dao Zongs in the future could only be replacements, not additions.
In order to express their respect for Xia Daozu and his efforts to save the situation, the leaders of the seven major Taoist sects who were appointed by Xia Daozu at that time passed a resolution that the Taoist sect would be canonized by Daxia.
Although this does not mean that Dao Zong is decided by Da Xia, from then on, the replacement of Dao Zong must go through the process in Da Xia to be legal, which is enough to show the supreme status of Da Xia.
Of course, in the twenty thousand years since Chang'an came into power, Daxia has only exercised the power to confer the title of Dao Zong once—when Huanling Zong was promoted to Dao Zong.
Relying on its own strong comprehensive strength, the Huanling Sect gained recognition from the other six Taoist sects, and was finally canonized as the Taoist Sect by Xia Zhao in Chang'an City.
Today, Daxia received the second invitation letter for promotion to Dao Zong since the Chang'an Year.
…
The replacement of Dao Zong is such a big event, Da Xia cannot have the power to make the final decision on it.
Therefore, according to the regulations, Daxia immediately sent a message to the six major Taoist sects including the Sword Sect, asking them to send high-level monks to Yanlan Pass to discuss the invitation for the Sword Washing Pool.
As a result, the entire human race's upper echelons fell into a delicate state of chaos.
The Sword Sect made such great sacrifices to quell the rebellion in Zhongling. It is a bit inappropriate and unkind of you, Xijianchi, to propose to replace the Sword Sect at this time.
But there is no rule that says this is not allowed.
The position of Dao Zong has always been based on the overall strength of the sect, rather than on the contribution to the human race.
As long as you have the nerve to take advantage of someone's misfortune, others will at most say a few words about you being a dishonest person, but they will not reject your proposal for this reason.
But when it comes to the Sword Sect, everything is a little different.
It is true that the Sword Sect's strength has been greatly reduced, but after all, it was once the number one Taoist sect of the human race. A lean camel is still bigger than a horse. Who dares to make a final judgment on the Sword Sect and deprive it of its title of Taoist sect?
Within the Sword Sect, there are a bunch of sword maniacs. Even if half of the sect's disciples were lost in the Western Expedition, there are still half of the sect's sword maniacs left!
It is true that there is no sword immortal in the Sword Sect now, but it is also well known that the Sword Sect is full of talented people.
It feels good to kick someone when he's down now, but once the vengeful sword madman like the Sword Sect holds a grudge against him, and if the Sword Sect really produces another sword immortal in a few years, who will be able to withstand the revenge of the Sword Sect?
Who has the courage to step forward?
There are also huge differences in attitude towards this matter within Daxia.
Xia Zhao is fine, he doesn't take it seriously, and his attitude is definitely towards the Sword Sect.
However, the other three royal families had different ideas from Xia Zhao and were staunch royalists, so they naturally acted in an impartial manner to outsiders.
In short, the gift letter inviting all the major Taoist sects to come to Yanlan Pass to decide on the Sword Washing Pool's promotion to Taoist sect was still sent to various regions in accordance with the regulations and delivered to the hands of the six major Taoist sects.
The six regions were in uproar.
Who could have thought that after ten years of bloody battles, the Sword Sect managed to save Zhong Ling from the clutches of the devil, and after a brief and simple welcome, what awaited it was actually the criticism from within the human race.
…
At this time, the sword washing pool was in the sect's main hall.
The high-ranking monks of the Sword Washing Pool sat in positions that matched their status in a solemn atmosphere.
The leader of Xijianchi Sect and the master of Baishuang Sword sat alone on the main throne, looking into the distance, as if thinking about something.
There was silence in the hall.
After a long time, the White Frost Sword Master retracted his gaze and coughed.
Everyone in the hall immediately perked up, knowing that the real business was about to begin.
"We have received a reply from Daxia regarding our sect's promotion to Dao Sect..." White Frost Sword Master glanced at everyone and sneered, "The Sword Sect has always been small in number, and has always relied on the combat power of its top cultivators to become the leader of the sword sects. After the Zhongling battle, the Sword Sect's strength was greatly reduced. In terms of the combat power of its top cultivators, the gap between our Xijianchi and them is huge, but the number of our middle-level cultivators is a hundred times that of the Sword Sect."
"How can the Sword Sect today still be worthy of the name of the Dao Sect?"
"Although I respect the contributions of the Sword Sect, and I respect Qingyun Sword Immortal even more, the position of the Dao Sect is ultimately determined by strength."
As soon as the White Frost Sword Master said this, the expressions of everyone in the hall began to change .
“More importantly, without the advantage of top combat power, what ability does the Sword Sect have to defend the Eastern Region? If, in recognition of the Sword Sect’s contribution, they are allowed to use the name of the Dao Sect, who will be responsible when the Eastern Region is lost? In the eyes of the world, our Xijianchi proposing to replace the Sword Sect at this time is adding insult to injury, but the fact is that we Xijianchi are willing to shoulder the responsibility for the rise and fall of the human race and are willing to sacrifice.” The White Frost Sword Master leaned back in his chair and said calmly.
The greater the ability, the greater the responsibility.
In addition to his incomparable reputation, Dao Zong also has an extremely heavy responsibility.
Dao Zong needs to shoulder the responsibility of protecting each domain.
This is also the reason why Xia Daozu fixed the number of Dao Sect positions at seven in the first place—there are only seven realms in the Cangqiongtian.
Xijianchi wants to replace Jianzong. If successful, it means that Xijianchi must move the entire clan to the Eastern Region and take over Jianzong's responsibilities to guard Yumen Pass.
From this perspective, it seems that what the White Frost Sword Master said is true.
But everyone present knew very well that this was just a high-sounding excuse made by the Lord of the White Frost Sword.
——If there really is the ambition that every man is responsible for the rise and fall of the human race, what Xijianchi should do should not be to replace the Jian Sect, but to fight for the Dao Sect position vacated by the Huanling Sect!
But everyone knows that the Central Spiritual Realm is in turmoil at this time, the demons are rampant, and it is a real war.
Moreover, in order to expel the demons, Zhongling suffered heavy losses and lost all its resources. Compared with the Eastern Region, it is definitely not a good place to go .
If you want to take the position of the Taoist master in Zhongling, you really need to make sacrifices - the Changye Mountains are not that easy to defend.
The position of Zhongling Dao Zong is like a fruit that needs to be watered, fertilized, cared for and nurtured before it can grow.
Although many people covet it, there are only a few who are actually willing to take action.
It can be seen that even though everyone knew that the position of Dao Zong of Huanling Sect was vacant, in the end, only Zhulong Hall took action and mobilized the entire sect to go to Zhongling Territory for support.
…
At this time, Lanting Sword Master, the deputy sect master of Xijianchi, stepped out and said, "I think what the sect master said is very appropriate."
Another deputy sect leader, Lu Tianjian, smiled knowingly and said in a clear voice, "I agree with what the sect leader said. The Sword Sect has made great contributions to the human race. No one can match it. If it were any other time, we at Xijianchi would not do such a thing. But now that the Dao-Demon War is at hand, this is not the time to think about these sentiments. Everything still depends on strength. As the saying goes, those who accomplish great things do not care about trivial matters. For the sake of the human race, we must fight for the position of Dao Sect. Even if we are spurned by some ignorant cultivators, Xijianchi will not hesitate."
With all three sect leaders saying this, it was clear that the Dao Sect's struggle was an inevitable trend, and other cultivators also responded one after another.
The crowd was in an uproar for a while, but many people kept looking around, as if they were worried about something and hesitated to speak.
There were ripples in the eyes of the White Frost Sword Master. He was in a trance for a moment, then he looked up and regained his composure. He stroked the chair support with his palm and said with a smile: "The invitation letter for promotion to Dao Sect was submitted by Xijianchi. It was reasonable. Daxia received the invitation letter and held a court meeting to send out a gift letter to invite all the major Dao Sects and Xijianchi to participate. This was also the rule set by Daozu Xia..."
His eyes became stern. "The young swordsman who has become the sect master naturally from the junior sect leader, will he attend this court meeting or not? If he doesn't attend..."
"That not only shows that you don't take Da Xia and the six major Taoist sects seriously, it's also disrespectful to Daozu Xia!" Lanting Sword Master understood what he meant and continued.
Sword Master Baishuang smiled at what Sword Master Lanting said and continued, "If that young sword cultivator really swallows his anger and attends the court meeting, how confident can he be when facing us, even if he is the master of the Sword Sect, as a seventh-level sword cultivator?"
"Then what do you think, Sect Master? Should this young Sword Sect Master attend this court meeting or not?" asked Lanting Sword Master curiously.
The White Frost Sword Master thought for a moment and made a judgment: "I think that Lu Qingshan still doesn't dare to bear the name of disrespecting Daozu Xia. He can just bring one of the three current peak masters of the Sword Sect to support the occasion and attend the court meeting together."
"But there are so many cultivators in the East Region watching. As the leader of the Sword Sect, he is not able to handle this situation alone. How can he make others believe that he has the ability to handle Yumen Pass? You have to know that this is just a dispute between the Dao Sects, a relatively peaceful fight within our human race. The upcoming battle between the Dao and the Demons is the most important and extremely cruel!"
"Without sufficient strength, it is destined to be difficult to sit on the position of the Sword Sect's leader." Although what the White Frost Sword Master said was not pleasant to hear, it was indeed the truth.
“It seems like the young Sword Sect leader will have a tough time in the future…” Sword Master Lu Tian sighed.
"It's not easy," the White Frost Sword Master said coldly, "If you want to bear the weight, you must have the right weapon."
Finally, the White Frost Sword Master stood up and said in a resounding voice, "I will personally attend the court meeting for the promotion to Dao Sect this time."
