CHAPTER 711: CHAPTER 710: KUNZE’S PURPOSE (1/3)

Shangqing Sect.

The Great Elder’s face was somber, walking behind Kunze.

He needed Kunze to give him a reasonable explanation; if the explanation couldn’t convince him, he wouldn’t mind organizing the Elder Council to re-elect the Sect Master!

The responsibility of a Sect Master is to ensure the interests of the sect and make the sect prosperous.

Such a big thing has happened now—the Saintess was taken away, sect disciples were killed. If this matter isn’t handled well, where will the dignity of the Sect Master be? What face will these elders have? What will the disciples of the sect think?

Kunze’s face also didn’t look good.

Along the way, the sect disciples looked at him with peculiar eyes, lacking the previous fear, admiration, and reverence, but instead showing more confusion, disdain, and anger...

Kunze knew that what he did would definitely diminish his prestige; making such a decision, Kunze had also struggled.

However, in terms of the loss of prestige, the hope of saving the sect was the most important.

If he could actually restore the glory from a thousand years ago, then this loss now would be nothing.

So, Kunze was very determined.

The Great Elder saw Kunze leading him towards the Divine Hall and couldn’t help but ask, "Why are we going to the Divine Hall?"

"To show you something," Kunze said in a deep voice.

The Great Elder was full of doubt but still followed Kunze downwards.

They walked past long staircases and arrived at the plaza of the Divine Hall.

Various colorful silks and petals from the ceremony still lingered here, and the Soul Capturing Platform stood alone in the plaza, looking exceptionally out of place.

Kunze glanced at the Soul Capturing Platform and couldn’t help but sigh.

He now felt that perhaps their initial idea was wrong.

A truly talented person can achieve infinite possibilities, but a person whose soul is controlled, akin to a puppet, can achieve only as much?

Kunze couldn’t help but recall what was recorded in the sect’s historical scripture—the sect had found the Fire Phoenix bloodline before, but it achieved not much success, nor did it condense into a Golden Core, spending a lifetime in mediocrity.

In front of the Divine Hall were two rows of thick stone pillars, twelve on each side. The patterns on them were ancient and mysterious, yet exquisitely beautiful. Unfortunately, the pillars were already broken, but from the damaged pillars, one could still see their original outlines.

Kunze stopped, looking at the central position of the pillars, showing a look of sorrow, "Back then, my master died here."

The Great Elder’s expression changed slightly; remembering the time when Kunze’s master, the previous Sect Master, died, he couldn’t help but show a sad expression.

"Actually, we are the most pitiful," Kunze said slowly.

The Great Elder looked at Kunze’s back, feeling that Kunze seemed a bit off.

"As people of Flame Country, yet we couldn’t prevent Flame Country’s decline. By the time we reappeared, Flame Country had already started to rise. How could icing on the cake compare to sending help in times of need? During Flame Country’s most difficult time, we were stuck on this mountain, powerless. When the outside world began to develop and flourish, we were stuck on this mountain, unable to see the prosperous world. Because we possess the power that ordinary people don’t have, possessing energy that can intimidate all, we thought we were particularly strong, aloof and arrogant. But little did we know, it was this very pursuit of power that made us live a life that in others’ eyes, seems somewhat sad." Kunze muttered, not caring if the Great Elder was listening.

The Great Elder furrowed his brows tightly, not understanding why Kunze spoke such words.

Kunze continued, "You know, there’s a new term outside now called ’homebody,’ meaning those who stay home all day, living in their own world, unwilling to communicate with the outside. Of course, there’s also ’female homebody,’ and I think we’re quite similar to them. At least, in lifestyle. We’re also trapped on this mountain, unable to go out, unable to interact with the outside world. Perhaps, in others’ eyes, we’re just a bunch of people living in our own spiritual world. We long for cultivation, for supreme power, for the allure of immortality. But we’re forever stuck outside the Golden Core Stage. Without forming a Golden Core, we can never be called true Cultivators, just barely entry-level Cultivators. And I, a minor Grain Avoidance Stage Cultivator, have become the Sect Master of Shangqing Sect, which possesses ancient legacies. Don’t you find it laughable?"

"Kunze!" The Great Elder said solemnly, "I don’t know why you have such thoughts, but I want to tell you, we are the only ones in this world who control the truth. This predestines us to bear more hope; hope also brings pain, and we must move forward, bearing this pain. Even everything we have today was fought for by our predecessors, and we should inherit their will, revive Shangqing Sect, and repeat the glory of a thousand years ago!"

Kunze shook his head, "The truth may not be in our hands. Look at when we fought today—our Inner Sect disciples are all Innate strength, but in the face of firearms, what can they do? Flesh and blood can’t withstand bullets! Look again at today’s technology development; we can’t fly in the sky, but they’ve already built various flying tools! We can’t leave our planet, but they’ve landed on the moon and solved the mysteries of thousands of years. There’s no Lunar Palace on the moon, nor is there Chang’e! Perhaps the path of cultivation has long been obsolete; now is the era of technology!"

"Kunze!" The Great Elder roared angrily, pointing at Kunze, "Do you know what you’re saying? You’re the Sect Master of Shangqing Sect, the leader of the sect; you must lead the entire sect forward. If even you think like this, then what will happen to our sect’s disciples?"

"That’s why!" Kunze’s gaze was firm, "That’s why I must do this, even if misunderstood, even if misinterpreted, it doesn’t matter. You know, the hope of the sect isn’t just Ye Xin, but also Yang Chen!"

The Great Elder frowned suddenly, suspiciously resisting as he looked at Kunze, "What exactly are you saying?"

Kunze smiled slightly, "Follow me!"

Kunze led the Great Elder into the Divine Hall.

The Divine Hall was dilapidated, vines entwined, and water droplets dripped continuously from above.

After walking for a while, Kunze led the Great Elder to a secret chamber.

"I found this by accident in the Divine Hall, take a look at this." Kunze picked up a small sheepskin scroll and handed it to the Great Elder.

The Great Elder opened it and was surprised, "This is Small Seal!"

It must be known that Small Seal began during the Qin Dynasty, and if this was left over from that time, it would be remarkable.

Fortunately, the Great Elder loved calligraphy and understood the identification of Small Seal.

Upon seeing the content of the text, the Great Elder’s expression changed, "This... this actually..."

"If I’m not mistaken, Yang Chen should be..." Kunze said quietly to the Great Elder; by the end, only the Great Elder could hear.

Upon hearing these two words, the Great Elder’s face changed dramatically, looking at Kunze in astonishment.

"Then if that’s the case..." The Great Elder muttered.

Kunze stared at the Great Elder, "I think you should understand my purpose now, right?"

The Great Elder’s eyes flashed with brilliance, and he slowly nodded.