Chapter 929: Chapter 928: Dushan Quanzhen

Dushan remained the same, not drastically changed by becoming the Quanzhen Mountain Gate. In fact, there wasn’t a single building, just like usual.

In the vast area, even thousands of people scattered in would not be noticeable. Most of the southwest region is like spring all year round, with few places like Dushan. Although cultivators are not afraid of the cold or heat, suddenly coming to such an ice and snow-covered place still made everyone feel uncomfortable. Especially considering they might have to stay for a long time, ten years, a hundred years, can they hold on?

Thousands of people were distributed across dozens of peaks, each with their own high skills; some directly faced the wind and snow without fear of nature, some dug pits and holes to live like a groundhog, some carried a few logs to build a small hut, and some simply brought their own tents, and so on and so forth.

“If you can’t stand it, get lost! There’s no place for cowards in the Sword Sect, did you think coming here was to enjoy life?”

Hou Niao’s words immediately refuted what some people were thinking, “Tear down the huts and tents, they are a desecration to nature!”

Master Xu’s words represented the thoughts of most people, after all, not everyone could accept his so-called Wei Sword Mountain style and live like savages,

“At least, we need a main hall? For internal ceremonies, reception of guests, sword gatherings, etc., we can’t always use the sky as the roof and the ground as the bed; we understand the Sect Hierarch’s feelings, but everything should not be overdone. Jinxiu has its specific circumstances, and they can’t be simply copied!”

Thus, everyone began to chatter their opinions, tongues as sharp as blades, each with their thoughts and ideas; Master Hai thought the buildings of the Overseas Immortal Mountain were good, Master Xu believed stone would appear more solid, and Master Yang suggested digging snow caves…

Hou Niao also knew there was no need to go against everyone’s opinions on such minor details. On critical matters, one cannot yield an inch, but on details, one should let go and let everyone decide together, to create a sense of participation and cohesion.

Thus he decided, “Since you’re all Nascent Soul seniors, let your twelve opinions prevail. However, as it’s a Mountain Gate, it must have a unified style; how about this, since everyone has divine skills, set a time limit of several hours, and each of you masters build a hall, simple and easy, no need to be too big, then everyone will vote, and the one with the most votes wins!”

Nascent Soul masters building houses? Only the Sect Hierarch could come up with such a bizarre idea. But since he had done crazier things like moving homes temporarily, everyone took it as usual.

Hou Niao realized his thinking was biased, focusing too much on simplicity. In reality, there’s no definitive rule on such matters; many famous sects are magnificent like the Immortal Realm, which also has strong cohesion. It’s like mortal armies, good-looking uniforms, and ragged clothes have completely different effects on soldiers’ morale, creating a sense of belonging.

He constantly reminded himself not to be stubborn, as he was an amateur in the reconstruction of the sect, he couldn’t lead a sect purely based on imagination, and he should listen to others’ opinions.

The twelve masters each chose a spot on the main peak and built according to their wishes. After several hours, Hou Niao led a group of several thousand judges to inspect each one, marking the first team-building activity since the new Mountain Gate was established. Although it was a bit messy, the atmosphere was good, which was a positive sign.

Master Xu’s stone house was square, just like his honest personality, but it was a bit too plain, making people not want to take a second look,

“It looks like a coffin box. All that’s missing is a gravestone in front. Are you sure this is where ceremonies are held?” Hou Niao’s comment made the old master blow his beard in anger.

Master Yang’s snow cave, on the other hand, was dug with interweaving passages, thoroughly understanding the essence of a cunning rabbit having three burrows,

“Good! This method is excellent! If everyone dug like this, we might as well rename the Quanzhen Sect to the Quanzhen Mouse Sect.” Hou Niao’s sharp tongue drew glares from Master Yang.

After going through them one by one, those supporting and opposing, talking over each other, none received more than thirty percent of the votes. After all this effort, Master Xu’s coffin box got the most votes. Though it was unsightly, at least it was sturdy, aligning with the Quanzhen Sect’s consistent heavy style.

Interest was somewhat lacking; these masters had high realms, yet their choices in Mountain Gate architecture did not reflect their high cultivation level at all, until the ninth building.

It was filled with a magical aura, with flying eaves and projecting beams, and most importantly, under the pure sunlight, the whole building seemed to bathe in seven-colored light!

It was built from massive blocks of ice, without any other materials mixed in, yet it exuded a breathtaking sense of power against the backdrop of the Snow Mountain.

Pure, hard, an ice sword before the Ice Hall pierced the sky, further enhancing its momentum.

Hou Niao found himself unable to move, and a glance around showed everyone seemed equally awestruck.

A truly smiling master stood in front of the Ice Hall, but to their astonishment, it was Master Wu, someone they didn’t expect.

Master Hai sighed, “Forget it, there’s no need to see the other buildings. Over the years, Master Wu has been living comfortably in the Prince Manor, and surprisingly, he’s truly developed some spiritual realization. Forget about everything else, this Ice Hall has my respect, it perfectly suits my Jinxiu Sword Vein!

Pure, rigid, and merciless!”

Among the several thousand present, no one raised an objection, and Hou Niao took a step forward and bowed deeply, “Thank you, Master, for your gift! The name of Master Wu shall be etched in Quanzhen history, may the glacier never fall, remaining forever!”

Master Wu received the salute calmly, a weight lifted from his heart, finally cutting ties completely with the Prince Manor.

He had always had a passion for architecture, which was why he initially established his own manor, to have a place to indulge in it; this passion might seem unbecoming for a sword cultivator, but he liked it, and, surely, it was fate.

“This is just a sample, too small, too low, and too cramped to represent the Quanzhen’s main hall. Give me three months and some people, and I’ll return a building unparalleled on the Jinxiu Continent, one that would make anyone bow down!”

Hou Niao laughed heartily, “Old Wu, this might be a bit overkill, and to think I’ve never been to your Prince Manor, otherwise I would’ve known your skill and wouldn’t have gone through all this trouble?”

Master Wu folded his hands, “You should stay away. Weasels in the house, I still want to live a few more years!”

Hou Niao glanced around, “Is my reputation in the Quanzhen Sect already this bad? Old Wu, on behalf of the entire sect, I have a request for you, could you possibly treat the entire Dushan mountain range as your manor, and create an overall plan?

We’re not just asking for a main hall but an entire Mountain Gate architecture made of ice and snow. Imagine what it would be like when completed, who on the Jinxiu Continent could compare to us?

In Quanzhen, not only must our swords be the sharpest, but our buildings must also be the best!”

Master Wu’s eyes shone brightly, for this was truly a responsibility to be remembered throughout history. His name would be immortalized for this, for architecture cannot speak, but it will last forever!

“This is my passion, there’s no need to ask me, but I refuse to accept suggestions. In ten years, I’ll return a different Dushan to you, and in thirty years, this will become the pinnacle of the Jinxiu Mountain Gate!”