Tang Xiaoqi's declaration, like detonating a depth charge beneath the seemingly calm lake surface, directly pointed the finger at the ancient demon behind Shadow Serpent Pavilion, elevating Qingxu Temple's calamity to the height of the righteous path's survival. This neither servile nor overbearing, well-reasoned statement made the atmosphere originally filled with accusations and coveting suddenly become solemn and complex.
Inside the main hall ruins, a brief silence fell. Several alliance elders had varying expressions, their gazes flickering, clearly rapidly weighing pros and cons.
True Person Ling Feng of Heavenly Sword Sect remained cold and hard-faced, but the sharp scrutiny in his eyes slightly diminished. Accustomed to the sword path, his thinking was relatively straightforward. The "far exceeding ordinary demonic cultivators" demonic will in Xiaoqi's words made him instinctively sense a threat. If that were true, it truly wasn't the time to haggle over one sect's gains or losses.
True Person Yun Shang of Flowing Cloud Pavilion slowed her fan's pace, the beautiful smile fading from her lovely face, replaced by a hint of deep thought. Adept at scheming, she instantly understood the key points - continuing to press Qingxu Temple might squeeze out some benefits, but would surely chill people's hearts and more likely cause them to ignore the true giant threat, the loss outweighing the gain. Moreover, Tang Xiaoqi's attitude was firm and all of Qingxu Temple shared bitter enmity. Forcing the issue would cost too much.
Master Huijue of Prajna Temple lowered his brow, joined palms, quietly chanting Buddhist mantras, his compassionate gaze sweeping over the surrounding ruins and busy Qingxu Temple disciples, already indicating his stance.
Other elders from medium and small sects, seeing that the three major sect representatives did not immediately make trouble, also dropped their petty schemes and began seriously considering the information in Xiaoqi's words.
Breaking the silence was True Person Ling Feng, who snorted coldly, his gaze shooting toward Xiaoqi like a sword: "Boy, words are empty without proof! Your claims about the demonic will and Shadow Serpent Pavilion's shocking conspiracy - do you have concrete evidence? If based solely on your one-sided account to have the alliance mobilize in a big way, that would be treating this as a joke!"
This was the most crucial question. Without conclusive evidence, all accusations could be understood as Qingxu Temple trying to shift attention and shirk responsibility.
Xiaoqi was well prepared for this. He took a deep breath, speaking in a low voice: "Junior is willing to swear by the heart demon that what junior just said regarding the demonic will and Shadow Serpent Pavilion's larger scheme contains absolutely no falsehood! As for concrete evidence..." he pondered briefly, deciding to reveal part: "Junior personally experienced its pressure in the Black Wind Mountain Range, nearly having my soul shatter. Moreover, the demonic cultivators' this action mobilized power far exceeding the ordinary, with far-reaching plans, using Demon Pattern Valley as bait, main forces rushing straight to our Qingxu Temple. Their ambition certainly couldn't be contained by a mere corner of land! Seniors only need to investigate slightly, and will surely detect the clues!"
He did not mention his father Xu Zhan or the Soul Control Jade - this was the bottom line that absolutely could not be exposed. But swearing by the heart demon plus his analysis of Shadow Serpent Pavilion's unusual actions possessed certain persuasiveness. Cultivators valued promises, especially heart demon great oaths - if not truly confident, no one would dare easily make one.
True Person Yun Shang suddenly spoke, her voice carrying a hint of ethereal quality: "Even if what you say is true, that demonic head remnant and Shadow Serpent Pavilion's scheme are indeed vast. However, Qingxu Temple suffered this severe blow, its strength greatly damaged, likely can no longer bear the heavy responsibility of direct confrontation. Even if the alliance takes action, the leading authority and subsequent division of interests..."
Her words once again directed the topic toward actual power and resource distribution, intending to win Flowing Cloud Pavilion more voice in future actions.
"Amitabha," Master Huijue opportunely interrupted, his voice peaceful yet carrying undeniable force: "Fellow cultivator Yun Shang, with the demonic catastrophe before us, the common people are paramount. Arguing over temporary gains and losses is not what the wise would do. The urgent priority is confirming the threat, integrating forces, jointly resisting external humiliation. Qingxu Temple fought to resist the demonic flames, paid a painful price. Their merit cannot be denied, their resolve is admirable. The alliance came to aid and should prioritize helping fellow cultivators and purging demonic villains."
True Person Ling Feng also nodded. Though arrogant, he was notconfused on major issues: "If an ancient demon truly lurks behind Shadow Serpent Pavilion, it is indeed a major threat to our righteous path, must not be left untouched! Since Qingxu Temple has already discovered part of the truth, they should share intelligence, and the alliance will coordinate all forces for purging!"
Several key figures speaking, the tone was set. The following argument centered on how to confirm intelligence authenticity, how to allocate various sect forces, how to establish joint command, and details like specific aid plans for Qingxu Temple.
The argument remained intense. When it came to specific issues like troop numbers, material allocation, command authority, all sects quibbled over every detail, neither yielding. True Person Ling Feng advocated Heavenly Sword Sect leading, relying on powerful martial force for direct purging. True Person Yun Shang emphasized intelligence and strategy, trying to win Flowing Cloud Pavilion more flexible action space. Other medium and small sects worried about becoming cannon fodder, demanding fair sharing of risks and benefits.
The entire discussion lasted several hours, filled with compromises, negotiations, and temporary alliances. Tang Xiaoqi and Mu Qingfeng, as Qingxu Temple representatives, participated throughout. Mu Qingfeng relied on his steadiness and familiarity with sect affairs to win Qingxu Temple maximum support in material aid and personnel placement. Xiaoqi's presence constantly reminded everyone of the latent, greater threat, causing all sides during arguments to always retain some wariness toward the common enemy.
Finally, as evening approached, a preliminary alliance resolution was finally reached:
Recognize Shadow Serpent Pavilion and forces behind them as enemies of the cultivation world. The Righteous Alliance will coordinate forces to conduct comprehensive investigation and purging of them. Establish a temporary joint council with one elder from each of Heavenly Sword Sect, Prajna Temple, and Flowing Cloud Pavilion, plus Qingxu Temple representatives, responsible for overall planning of this operation. All parties according to their own circumstances will within the near future dispatch elite forces. After gathering, strike at Shadow Serpent Pavilion's known strongholds and deeply investigate intelligence about the demon behind them. The alliance will provide Qingxu Temple with a batch of emergency aid materials including pills, spirit stones, construction materials, and some defensive dharma artifacts to help stabilize the situation and restore some vitality. Qingxu Temple must unconditionally share all intelligence about Shadow Serpent Pavilion and the demon, and provide necessary support in alliance operations.
The resolution made, all parties had different thoughts, but on the surface finally reached consensus on jointly facing the enemy.
For Qingxu Temple, though losing some autonomy and needing to share intelligence, they successfully transformed the sect disaster into righteous cause, bringing the alliance's substantial support and temporarily alleviating the crisis of being friendless and facing troubles both inside and out. That batch of aid materials was especially a timely rain for rebuilding the sect and treating the wounded.
Xiaoqi looked at the finally reached resolution, feeling slightly relieved in his heart, but more than that a heavy pressure. The alliance's involvement meant the war against Shadow Serpent Pavilion would fully escalate, and he and his secret would also be placed on a broader, more complex stage.
The road ahead, still shrouded in heavy fog, with danger lurking everywhere.