CHAPTER 280: THE BANQUET TURNING INTO A DEBATE

The summit banquet continued in a slowly celebratory tone. Food and drinks were served continuously.

Compared to ordinary fare, this was special food made from rare ingredients. Each meal contained pure spiritual energy.

Various clans and sects discussed the situation around the continent. Most of the conversation centered on the Northern Region and the Western Region.

The Northern Region was not a place of great expanse and barren deserts. Only a handful of locations were habitable.

Yet, the situation was still far better than the Western Region, where spiritual energy was sparse.

Suddenly, a middle-aged man turned and looked in the Dust Valley Sect’s direction and spoke.

"I’m curious—how do you cultivate such outstanding disciples in such a barren region?" His face wore a harmless smile.

Although he was merely a Golden Core Realm Stage 2 expert, he was the strongest person in the Northern Region, and his sect was the overlord of the region.

His sect was called the Stone Path Sect.

Listening to his question, the clattering of spoons and forks lessened immediately and everyone ceased speaking. They turned their heads toward the Dust Valley Sect.

"Haha. You’re right to be curious. What we have achieved is not something any ordinary person can do." The Dust Valley Sect Master responded with the same harmless, equal smile.

"If you want to learn the secret behind our success, you can come to our sect and enroll in a six-month course. I assure you, your life will never be the same again."

Huh!

Everyone inside the grand hall was stunned. The Dust Valley Sect Master’s response was beyond what they expected.

The Yun Clan Master and the Lotus Sword Sect Master exchanged a knowing glance. Also, many ancient forces looked at one another.

As the sect at the center of the storm, everyone knew they needed to withstand the tempest to prove themselves.

Their disciple might be outstanding, but these proud clan leaders and sect masters were still the weak sect from the barren region.

"Hahaha. Sect Master, I like your response." The Qiú Clan Master smiled, his voice echoing throughout the hall. "Don’t worry; after this summit, I’ll send a couple of elders to take the six-month course."

"Patriarch Qiu, thank you. We won’t disappoint you."

Watching the two allies blatantly flatter each other in their presence irked many to no end.

The Stone Path Sect Master had his jaw drop, unsure of how to respond. He had merely been probing, but now he was dealt such a blow.

Gnashing his teeth, he prepared to respond when the Silver Wei Sect Master spoke casually.

"If your sect is as great as you portray it, why do none of your disciples compete in the Martial Battle? Don’t tell me you’re mediocre in that aspect?"

"You should know strength is king. Although a side occupation is important, without enough strength you will be nothing but ants beneath those who control power."

Almost everyone in the hall fell quiet, and many nodded in agreement. This was the universal truth of the cultivation world.

Now, everyone was waiting to see how the Dust Valley Sect Master would respond.

What the Silver Wei Sect Master said could not be refuted blindly; otherwise, it would reveal how shallow and ignorant they were.

Looking at the ancient Silver Wei Sect Master, the Dust Valley Sect Master wore a bright smile.

"The Silver Wei Sect Master is right." He nodded. "But there is a question my son often asks that makes me realize how ignorant and foolish most people are."

Hiss!

Did he just call the ancient Silver Wei Sect Master foolish?

Everyone sucked in a sharp cold breath. The Silver Wei Sect Master darkened but did not rush to speak.

"Sect Master Wei, why don’t you tell me what is the strength you speak of?" He asked calmly, ignoring all the strange gazes directed at him.

"Strength is king. Fine, I agree. But what is strength?"

Listening to the question, the hall descended into a pin-drop silence. Many who were ready to ridicule the Dust Valley Sect held their breath.

The question was simple but very difficult to answer.

Everyone was lost in deep thought.

What is strength?

After a few seconds, the Silver Wei Sect Master raised his head and stared at the still-smiling Dust Valley Sect Master.

"No one really defines what strength truly is. But from my personal opinion, strength is the freedom to do anything you want without fear."

Many agreed with him, while others contemplated more deeply. His answer was neither right nor wrong.

Still, everyone wanted to hear from the Dust Valley Sect.

"From your personal opinion, do you have freedom?" The Dust Valley Sect Master asked calmly.

Once again, everyone fell into silence. They realized the more the sect master asked, the deeper and more complicated it became.

Does anyone have freedom?

To some extent they did have freedom, but in another aspect they did not. If they truly had freedom, why had everyone been stuck on the lone continent for thousands of years?

"This is meaningless," the Liu Clan Master snapped. "The path to the dao is a gradual process. This cannot be solved with a mere question. We all understand what the Wei Sect Master means. So that’s enough."

"You’re right. It’s enough for the ignorant to keep swimming in their mediocrity." His voice was calm, as if he were not addressing the leader of an ancient force.

"From the benevolence of our sect, I’ll tell you what we think strength is." He continued without batting an eye at the furious ancient Liu Clan Master.

"Strength is relative. It is different from person to person. My understanding of strength differs from everyone else’s. But what is true everywhere is that there are different types of strength."

"Physical strength. Spiritual strength, mental strength, and many more. The domain of strength is endless. Let’s talk about another domain of strength: alchemy."

"Who do you think is superior between a Peak Golden Core Expert Warrior and a Peak Tier-3 Alchemist?" He asked and paused for a moment.

Listening to the question, many could not help but sneer.

"Are you suggesting the Peak Tier-3 Alchemist is stronger?" The Vermilion Fist Sect Master asked, raising his brow.

"They are equal." The Dust Valley Sect Master responded.

"Nonsense," the ancient Zhou Clan Master interjected.

How could anyone compare a Peak Golden Core Expert Warrior with a mere Peak Tier-3 Alchemist?

This was the most ridiculous thing he had ever heard.

With his usual smile, the Dust Valley Sect Master turned to the Silent Pill Sect Master. "What do you think? Do you think a Peak Tier-3 Alchemist is weaker?"