Translator: Cinder Translations
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Zhou Siyi took a seat next to Yu Wen, casually exchanging pleasantries with Xiao Chen and the others.
A quarter of an hour later, another pair of Golden Core cultivators, a man and a woman, arrived.
"Xiao Chen, what is the purpose of this gathering you've called us to this time?" asked a male cultivator surrounded by blood mist.
This man, named Ding Yan, was a mid-stage Golden Core demonic cultivator who practiced the blood path.
Xiao Chen's wrinkled face showed a faint smile.
"The first reason is to promote communication among us, so we can share resources and information. The second is to revisit a topic I've brought up in previous gatherings: the Mixed Yuan Temple's intention to secretly recruit us. I'd like to hear everyone's thoughts. After all, we loose cultivators of Yishi Ridge are united as one. Only by standing together can we secure our foothold in this cultivation world and avoid oppression by the sects."
"Xiao Chen, have you already pledged allegiance to the Mixed Yuan Temple? Is that why you're playing their lobbyist over and over?" Ding Yan sneered, continuing.
"The Mixed Yuan Temple is a major orthodox sect. We are all demonic cultivators and natural enemies of theirs. Instead of becoming their hidden pawns, why not openly join a demonic sect?"
Xiao Chen's expression turned cold as his icy gaze swept over Ding Yan.
"Joining a demonic sect means being under their control. How could it compare to our current freedom? The Mixed Yuan Temple promises not to interfere with our daily cultivation, only requiring our cooperation in some of their operations. Moreover, in times of crisis, we can seek their protection."
Since Ding Yan had exposed his role as a spokesperson for the Mixed Yuan Temple, Xiao Chen no longer bothered to conceal it and openly defended the temple.
Ding Yan stood up with a disdainful look.
"Xiao Chen, if you want to be the Mixed Yuan Temple's lapdog, go ahead. But I won't collude with those bald hypocrites."
Xiao Chen's face darkened, his tone icy.
"Ding Yan, how dare you insult me! Do you have a death wish?"
Ding Yan retorted, "Xiao Chen, others may fear you as a late-stage Golden Core ghost cultivator, but I, Ding Yan, do not. If you want to fight, I'm ready anytime."
The tension between the two escalated, and it seemed they might come to blows at any moment.
Suddenly, Zhou Siyi stood up.
"Both of you, please calm down. There's no need for conflict and discord. I'm new here and attending this gathering for the first time. Could someone explain to me what exactly the Mixed Yuan Temple's recruitment entails?"
"Daoist Zhou, I'll explain it to you," said Yu Wen, sitting beside Zhou Siyi.
"The spiritual energy in Yishi Ridge is abundant because there are two massive spirit stone mines nearby. A branch vein extends into Yishi Ridge, while the main veins are controlled by major sects and used for spirit stone extraction. Initially, these mines belonged to the Mixed Yuan Temple. However, during the great war between the righteous and demonic paths a hundred years ago, two Nascent Soul ancestors of the temple were severely injured. The Nine Palaces Sect and the Corpse Demon Sect seized the opportunity to take over the mines."
"After the Mixed Yuan Temple's two Nascent Soul ancestors recovered, they wanted to reclaim the mines. But the temple is no match for the Nine Palaces Sect and the Corpse Demon Sect and has resorted to underhanded tactics. Hence, we loose cultivators have become valuable pawns. Their recruitment is merely to use us as cannon fodder."
Hearing this, Zhou Siyi's eyes revealed a look of realization.
"So joining the Mixed Yuan Temple is essentially seeking death."
Xiao Chen said, "Fairy Zhou, that's not entirely accurate. The Mixed Yuan Temple is determined to reclaim the two mines, and a conflict with the Corpse Demon Sect and the Nine Palaces Sect is inevitable. When that happens, Yishi Ridge will become a battlefield. If we loose cultivators don't seek the protection of a sect early, we'll surely suffer in the crossfire."
Ding Yan sneered mockingly.
"Then why not join a demonic sect instead? Why choose the weaker Mixed Yuan Temple?"
Xiao Chen replied, "Ding Yan, do you think joining a demonic sect mid-way will make us core members? We'd still be marginalized, forced to take on the most dangerous sect missions, with the constant risk of death."
Ding Yan retorted, "If the Mixed Yuan Temple truly wages war against the Nine Palaces Sect and the Corpse Demon Sect, we can simply leave Yishi Ridge. The world is vast; are we Golden Core cultivators really without a place to go?"
"Are you really willing to give up the foundation you've worked so hard to build?" Xiao Chen retorted.
"No matter how important it is, it's not as important as life itself. As for me, Ding Yan, I will not join the Mixed Yuan Temple," Ding Yan said firmly. "From now on, don't bother notifying me about these gatherings."
With that, Ding Yan turned and was about to leave.
"Ding Yan, I've tried to reason with you, and yet you're being ungrateful," Xiao Chen's voice carried a strong killing intent.
Ding Yan glared, his expression fierce. "What? Old ghost Xiao Chen, are you losing your patience? Do you want to force me to join the Mixed Yuan Temple?"
At that very moment, a voice suddenly echoed from the loft.
"Everyone, both the righteous and demonic factions look down on us loose cultivators, treating us like grass. Why don't we form our own power to resist the external enemies?"
"Who is it?"
The seven people, including Zhou Siyi, all tensed.
They scanned the surroundings, and saw someone flying in from the horizon.
A Nascent Soul cultivator!
The seven faces turned serious but with a hint of confusion.
Based on the words just spoken, the visitor appeared to be a loose cultivator.
Since when did a Nascent Soul loose cultivator appear in Yishi Ridge?
The newcomer was wearing a black robe, his body surrounded by the aura of death.
He flew into the loft and, with a smiling face, spoke.
"Everyone, my name is Ji Yin. I wish to invite you all to join my Ji Yin Sect. What do you think?"
Song Wen chose to present himself as a corpse cultivator, knowing that among the loose cultivators in Yishi Ridge, the majority were demonic cultivators, and a corpse cultivator would be more easily accepted.
More crucially, the righteous cultivator Cui Huo had offended the Nine Palaces Sect and had to distance himself from the previous relationship with them, so Song Wen had to come as a demonic cultivator to avoid suspicion.
"Greetings, Senior Ji Yin..." The seven of them simultaneously paid their respects.
"No need to be so formal," Song Wen said as he sat down on a stone chair, casually resting.
The sudden appearance of Song Wen and his invitation to join the so-called "Ji Yin Sect" made Xiao Chen the most cautious among the seven.
"Senior, forgive my ignorance. I have heard of the Ji Yin Sect, but I do not know where it is founded," Xiao Chen bravely asked.
Song Wen replied, "It is still in the process of being established. Once the sect is fully established, you will all be elders of the Ji Yin Sect."
He scanned the group, seeing that everyone hesitated but no one dared to speak up first and reject his offer. He continued.
"Rest assured, the Ji Yin Sect I'm establishing is not a traditional sect. It's more like an alliance—an alliance for us loose cultivators to work together toward the great dao and secure our place in this world."
"Joining the Ji Yin Sect doesn't require any of you to swear loyalty, nor will I force you to keep soul lamps. You will not be forced to carry out sect missions. You can join or leave at any time, and I will not say a word."
"More importantly, after joining the Ji Yin Sect, any assets you currently control will remain yours."
(End of the Chapter)
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