readytorunbook Chapter 542 Change of Fortune (1)
Chapter 542 Change of Fortune (1)
Chapter 542 Change of the World (Part 1)
"Going down the mountain" is actually a unique way of saying "the three upper peaks are relative to the six lower peaks."
For the three peaks above and below, the mountains are naturally two different worlds.
Below the mountain is the bustling world, a place of mundane life, a chaotic mix of emotions and desires, where one cannot find peace of mind and is constantly plagued by troubles.
Only by staying in the mountains can one achieve a state of spiritual clarity, a tranquil mind, and the ability to calmly watch the clouds drift by, completely at ease.
“Master…” Yang Huawu was stunned for a moment.
This was the first time he had ever witnessed such a dramatic change in his master's emotions.
He was initially chosen to descend the mountain and become the head monk because he thought he lacked talent. At that time, although he was reluctant, he had no choice but to obey his master's orders.
But now, after hearing what his master Yu Zaozi said, it seems that it's not that he lacks talent, but that there is another hidden reason.
“Master, I know the principles you’re talking about, but I just can’t do them…” Yang Huawu said bitterly.
Before he went down the mountain, he wasn't particularly interested in those so-called sect positions.
According to his understanding, with the many big shots of the three peaks suppressing everything, all those positions and responsibilities are the same, no matter who goes up there.
Even if you replaced it with a pig, everything would still function normally.
But when he actually took the position of chief, he discovered that things were not as he had imagined.
Holding a high position, his glance, his words, and his orders can affect the lives of thousands, even hundreds of thousands of people.
This immense and heavy pressure brought him an unparalleled sense of responsibility.
He couldn't bear to see the people of Yunzhou displaced, separated from their families, homeless, without even a decent piece of clothing, and even resorting to cannibalism.
He still has the most basic empathy.
“What a foolish child…” Yu Zaozi sighed. “Enough, enough, Xiao Wu, do you even know the current situation?”
Before Yang Huawu could speak, he continued, "Do you still remember the matter of the dragon blood?"
"Dragon blood?" Yang Huawu was taken aback.
He knew about this, of course, but it happened a very, very long time ago.
The discovery of the dragon blood in that secret realm involved countless people. So many of Yunqi Peak's senior and junior disciples went there, and then there were repeated urgent requests for support.
At that time, the demon army suffered a great defeat against eight thousand winged soldiers, and Yin Sheng, known as the Demon-Slaying General, died on the spot, sacrificing himself for his country, which caused the demon disaster in Pingzhou to spread to Yunzhou.
Yunzhou is threatened by the demonic army from the outside, and internally it is also in turmoil, with the demonic forces, led by the Three Saints Sect, making moves and engaging in constant small actions.
Yang Huawu reported this several times, trying to remind the three peak masters in charge of everything to take care of their own territory, but unfortunately, his efforts were never taken seriously.
The entire focus of the sect is on vying for the dragon's blood.
But dragon blood isn't something you can just get so easily.
The powerful families, led by the Tantai clan, have deployed so many experts, determined to win. Demon and monster generals have also rushed there to prepare for action, and even members of the main branch of the Western Regions Buddhist sect…
This scene... is simply...
Yang Huawu felt his scalp tingle just thinking about it; their Taoist sect was indeed powerful.
However, Yuanmiao Sect was only one of the representatives of the Xiaoyao Dao. No matter how strong it was, could it be stronger than so many forces in the world? Later, as he expected, it seemed that the three peaks of the sect returned empty-handed from that great secret realm.
Later, because he was busy with various matters, both big and small, in Yunzhou, he stopped paying attention to this matter.
"Yes, that's true... indeed..." Yu Zaozi said calmly, "The Yu Zao lineage, the Qiong Zao lineage, and my Yu Zao lineage have indeed failed to defeat the Tantai family... However, failing to obtain the Dragon Blood does not mean there was no gain..."
"What does Master mean..." Yang Huawu asked, puzzled.
"Do you know that dragon blood possesses a spirit?" Yu Zaozi did not answer directly, but instead changed the subject, "This is the last pure dragon blood in the human world. Do you understand the meaning behind it?"
"This disciple does not know?" Yang Huawu asked respectfully.
"It's very simple... This dragon blood contains a true spirit. If you don't gain the true spirit's approval, even if you obtain it, it's all in vain..." Yu Zaozi's expression held a hint of pride. "Our group before us, although we didn't obtain the dragon blood, did gain the true spirit's approval, so..."
"So even if the Tantai family gets the dragon blood, they can't use it and can only obediently send it back!" Yang Huawu's expression became excited. He was originally a sect interest-oriented person, and now he was very excited when he thought about it. "It is said that this dragon blood can transform a person, make their power increase by leaps and bounds, lay an ultimate foundation, and allow them to see the pinnacle of the Transformation Realm."
"In this way, if my Yuanmiao Sect regains the dragon blood, it will be as if we have obtained another seed out of thin air. The future..." He became more and more excited as he thought about it, and his face flushed.
However, Yu Zaozi gently raised his hand to interrupt, saying, "It's not a Dao Seed, it's a Dao Child..."
"What, Daozi??!!!" Yang Huawu was shocked and, disregarding etiquette, immediately stood up.
The difference between "Dao Seed" and "Dao Child" is only one word, but the difference is enormous. The so-called Dao Seed is the most outstanding talent in a sect, the one on whom great hopes are placed in the future, and the important successor to the sect's next generation.
However, there are many lineages, therefore, there can also be many seeds of the Tao.
In other words, each Dao seed represents immense potential and a bright future; as long as they don't die, they will become the pillar of the sect in the future.
Just like Yang Huawu himself, he was also listed as one of the Daoist sects when he was young. When he reached a certain age, he served as the head of the academy in charge of all daily affairs in Yunzhou.
But there is only one Daozi.
Dao Zi is the most outstanding among the many Daoist talents. This signifies a clear decision: he is the future sect leader of the Yuanmiao Sect.
In other words, if the current sect leader of Yuanmiao Sect, the Ancestor of Creation, were to abdicate or encounter misfortune, Daozi would rightfully become the ruler of the entire sect. This position would far surpass that of his master, Yu Zaozi, the peak master of Baiyu Peak and head of the Jade Forging lineage, one of the three branches of Yuanmiao Sect.
At most, the reclusive patriarchs of the three lineages could impose some restrictions on the daily behavior of the Daoist disciples.
“Indeed… This dragon blood can grant my Yuanmiao Sect a Daozi… The importance of this dragon blood… Do you now understand the crucial points involved…” Yu Zaozi said calmly.
Dragon blood... In reality, dragon blood doesn't have the effects described in the legends.
Or rather, the true dragon blood is even more exaggerated than the rumors suggest.
However, Yang Huawu still had some doubts; in other words, he thought of something.
"Since this dragon blood is so significant, it would be very difficult for the Tantai family to hand it over..."
He didn't finish his sentence, but his meaning was clear. He didn't say more, but both of them understood what he meant.
During the great calamity of demons a thousand years ago, martial arts masters were either killed, injured, or forced into seclusion, and many lineages were severed, resulting in heavy casualties.
Blood-melting martial artists seized this opportunity to rise to prominence, expand, and form powerful bloodline families.
The moon wanes when it is full, and water overflows when it is full.
Where there is strength, there will be decline.
As bloodline families grow stronger, resources for pure martial arts practitioners decrease, naturally causing them to weaken.
In this process, countless martial arts sects were uprooted, leaving no successors and only a handful remaining.
In the end, it was only through the intervention of many venerable figures that a number of small martial arts sects were preserved.
Emperor Yuanmiaozong was one of them at that time.
Fortunately, although powerful bloodline families are strong, reproduction is not easy. Their strength or weakness is determined by the source of their bloodline, and the bloodline will decline with each generation.
Therefore, martial arts are gradually reviving and showing signs of resurgence.
Of course, because the martial arts system has suffered a severe break in its lineage, from a macro perspective, bloodline families still hold absolute dominance. That is, in places like Yunzhou where a complete martial arts tradition still exists, the Yuanmiao Sect can suppress bloodline families and remain the mainstream.
Generally speaking, bloodline families and martial arts lineages are incompatible and extremely opposed. The fact that they have developed to the point where they have merged and produced individuals with certain bloodlines who cultivate martial arts is already the limit.
It's impossible for the Tantai family to kindly give away the dragon blood that could create a Daoist child to Yuanmiaozong.
If you can't have it, destroy it.
Even if the Tantai family doesn't need it themselves, they absolutely cannot let Yuan Miaozong obtain it.
“Yes, the Tantai family wouldn’t be so kind, so…” Yu Zaozi hesitated for a moment, but he also knew that this matter could not be kept secret.
Finally, he sighed and said, "In exchange, my Yuanmiao Sect..."
He paused, then continued, "From now on, Yunzhou will no longer suppress aristocratic families, many restrictions will be lifted, and the imperial court will be allowed to intervene in its affairs... Yunzhou will be jointly managed by the imperial family, the Tantai family, and my Yuanmiao Sect..."
"What?!!!"
Yang Huawu felt a chill run from his heels straight to the top of his head, and his hair stood on end.
Yunzhou has always been the most solid and fundamental territory of the Yuanmiao Sect.
Isn't this behavior tantamount to selling out your own property?
Even if it's for the sake of dragon blood, it doesn't have to be like this. This is tantamount to cutting off the fuel supply at the root of the problem, courting disaster.
If this is done, Yunzhou will fall under the administration of the imperial court, and the so-called free and open martial arts hub, where a hundred schools of thought flourish, will cease to exist.
Moreover, the laissez-faire, self-cultivating, and open-minded ideas that characterized Yunzhou during the long reign of Emperor Yuanmiaozong will become a complete joke.
"The sect's actions..." Yang Huawu's expression was solemn. "I don't agree with them. Just for the sake of dragon blood, they gave up their foundation. This is simply drinking poison to quench their thirst and trapping themselves in their own web!"
“Xiao Wu, you are still too young…” Yu Zaozi’s voice finally became a little impatient. “It’s just a temporary concession. The reason why my Yuanmiao Sect was able to survive the great calamity a thousand years ago, and even survive and grow strong and prosperous under the constant suppression of bloodline families, is all because of the word ‘patience’…”
"To endure for a time, in exchange for dragon blood and a future pillar of martial sainthood, is perfectly reasonable and justifiable."
"Can…..."
Yang Huawu was still dissatisfied, and there was something he didn't say.