Chapter 932: Chapter 931: Blood Transformation Confrontation

“Greetings to Master Li and Master Jian. Our sect has come abruptly, I beg your pardon, I beg your pardon.”

Hou Niao saluted as an equal, not because he was disrespectful to his elders, but because his current position did not allow him to lower his status; the Quanzhen Sect’s reputation was at stake, and his every word and action represented the sect.

The two Masters returned the salute as equals, not minding in the slightest; this young rising star could not be underestimated.

“With the visit of Sect Hierarch Hou, the Blood Transformation Sect is honored. We should have gone to Dushan to congratulate you, but unfortunately, there have been many troubles lately. It’s embarrassing, truly embarrassing.”

After escorting Hou Niao into the hall, the host and guest took their seats. Two female cultivators came forward to serve tea, a pair of twin sisters, beautiful and identical; if not for the difference in their clothing, it would be hard to tell them apart. This was the gift prepared by the Blood Transformation Sect, outstanding disciples from the Tongtian Realm, coveted by countless Blood Cultivators, yet before they could benefit their own people, they had to be presented as concubines.

Gift-giving requires attention to detail, understanding the recipient’s preferences to achieve twice the result with half the effort. They had also heard of Sect Hierarch Hou’s romantic exploits and the fact that upon taking a high position, Master Wu offered his own granddaughter-in-law. What does this imply?

Fond of sisters? That’s fine! But concerning the issue of others’ wives, it’s hard to grasp; you can’t use them yourself then gift them, can you?

But now it seemed, the Master was clearly not as lascivious as rumored, his eyes pure and his manners gracious. The two elder Masters, old yet sharp, waved the two women away after the tea was brewed, realizing that Sect Hierarch Hou’s visit was likely for important matters.

Hou Niao spoke directly, “I heard that three months after the external Upper Envoy landed, no one has contacted your sect. Is this true?”

The two Masters were startled; no one came to reach the Blood Transformation Sect, which was the sect’s greatest secret. Externally, it was claimed they were in negotiations; even many Golden Cores within the sect were unaware. How did Hou Niao, with his vast divine skills, come to know this?

The two exchanged glances, realizing that someone within the Blood Transformation Sect might be leaking information to the Shan Sect’s Quanzhen Sect. Despite the centuries-old friendship between them, they found this hard to accept from their current standpoint.

It was excessive.

Master Li chuckled, “It’s just that we haven’t announced it publicly. There are some disagreements we can’t resolve yet, but I believe we will reach a consensus soon.”

Hou Niao smiled, “May I be allowed to meet them? Maybe they are good friends from the Hell Star?”

Master Jian remained composed, “It’s not convenient at the moment, as there are improvements needed for the Cultivation Technique. Well, the Upper Realm’s inheritance ultimately needs to adapt to the environment here.”

Hou Niao understood; he didn’t blame them. This was a subconscious act of self-preservation, very important in the current state of the Jinxiu Continent; as the saying goes, “It’s not thieves you fear stealing but keeping you in mind.” Weakness is the original sin. Without support from the Upper Realm Daoist, one becomes prey in the eyes of others.

“I came today to inform the two Masters of a fact. On the Hell Star, I had some familiarity with Gu Zai of the Blood River, and when we parted, there was an incident. A portion of the Upper Realm envoys took another path, and they are destined not to reach the Jinxiu Continent, at least not within sixty years.

Thus, Gu Zai as you knew will not come, but if there are other Blood River inheritances, of course, I won’t stop you.

The decision is yours; I am merely a messenger. Whether the person you mentioned exists or not, it actually has nothing to do with me.”

Standing up, “Message delivered, our sect has other matters to attend to, I won’t stay.”

As he turned to leave, before reaching the hall door, Master Li’s voice sounded from behind, “Sect Hierarch Hou, please stay. It’s not our intention to deceive; this matter is of great consequence, and we had no choice.”

The three sat down again, Master Li’s words were melancholic, “Speaking of this is humiliating. Our two-thousand-year Daoist now needs a Golden Core to serve as a facade, but we have no choice. Such a dilemma, what advice does Sect Hierarch Hou have for us?

Sect Hierarch, since you know Gu Zai, is there anything you have to pass on?”

Hou Niao was also troubled; he had anticipated such a scenario but had found no good solution along the way.

“It’s true that I know Gu Zai, but when we parted, it was too hasty to arrange anything afterward; Gu Zai didn’t leave any Skill inheritance for me to pass on. For a Daoist, this isn’t a matter to be treated lightly.

It’s known that the Jinxiu Continent is different from Outer Space. If those so-called Upper Realm inheritances want to take root on Jinxiu, there must be improvements. That’s not something a Blood River Daoist could achieve, otherwise, what would be the difference from what I brought back compared to the old prayers?”

The two Masters shook their heads and sighed; they also knew it was unlikely. Skill inheritance is the foundation of a Daoist, how could it be entrusted for someone else to pass on, especially to a completely different system-type Sword Cultivator?

“We considered that, given the Blood Transformation Sect’s unique Daoist direction, if it doesn’t work out, should we collaborate with an Upper Realm envoy? Doing so could prevent some people’s ill intentions.”

Hou Niao disagreed, “Masters, allow me to offer my insight; affairs like these are unlikely to remain undisclosed. Most of them are acquainted with each other, clearly knowing who has arrived and who hasn’t. Furthermore, nothing can be hidden indefinitely. Without actual new Skills being conferred, how long do you think internal disciples will maintain their faith?”

The two Masters remained silent; such blunt truths were difficult to disregard, both internally and externally surrounded by difficulties, neither side was easy to deceive.

“And even if you do bring an Upper Realm envoy into the sect, who can guarantee that in decades, it won’t become overpowering, its traditional foundation corroded, ultimately proving counterproductive?”

Master Jian looked up, “Does Sect Hierarch Hou have a plan with your visit?”

Hou Niao furrowed his brow, “Our two sects share a millennium of friendship, and I have some ties with Gu Zai on the Hell Star; it’s unreasonable to sit idly by in terms of sentiment and reason. Therefore, I rushed over to discuss a strategy with the two Masters.

Over these days, surely you’ve inquired into the destinations of those external envoys. Have you found any results?”

Master Li hesitated, “The information is mixed, true and false, and it’s spread across the continent, with many having already begun contacting various Daoists, making them hard to distinguish quickly. However, I’ve heard some envoys have headed overseas. Perhaps those isolated islands are quite suitable for them.”

Hou Niao pondered over it. He had also heard this, but it had little actual significance, as he currently didn’t have the time to explore overseas.

“To be frank, there’s hardly a method capable of resolving your sect’s predicament, but rather than this, it’d be preferable to openly admit to maintaining the Jinxiu Daoist, claiming immunity to external influences. This might earn a form of respect?”

Master Jian hesitated, “But respect doesn’t equate to safety. It’s true that the Blood Transformation Sect’s Daoist isn’t improving. The Jinxiu Cultivation Realm has always followed survival of the fittest; when walls fall, everyone pushes. We fear someone might instigate disharmony among them.”

Hou Niao snorted, “Masters, you must understand that you’re not the only ones without true inheritance from the Upper Realm! There were dozens taking another path back then, meaning at least a dozen out of a hundred Daoists are like you without the true source; our Quanzhen Sect is included. However, because I’m here, it goes unnoticed.

Why not establish a Jinxiu Alliance of our own, solely belonging to Jinxiu people, an alliance of Jinxiu Daoists?”