Volume 5 Chapter 54
Our Discord Server: https://discord.gg/PazjBDkTmW
Volume 5 Chapter 54: Conquest
The Kunling Sect, located on the edge of the prosperous Middle-earth, was established around the same time as the "Eight Wilderness Hall," but was much luckier, securing one of the last resource-rich areas of Spirit Qi in Middle-earth. The "Eight Wilderness Hall," arriving slightly later, had to divide into eight branches in the barren lands around Middle-earth, each choosing relatively Spirit Qi-abundant spots to establish their main and branch halls. This is how the "Eight Wilderness Hall" got its name.
Though only on the edge of prosperous Middle-earth, the situation of the Kunling Sect was still much better than that of the "Eight Wilderness Hall" because Middle-earth is densely populated with abundant resources. It was much easier for the Kunling Sect to gather various resources and recruit disciples over the generations compared to the "Eight Wilderness Hall."
However, the cultivation methods of the Kunling Sect were ordinary, and over a thousand years, they hadn’t produced any extraordinary figures. Despite being founded around the same time, they remain a regular second-tier sect, while the "Eight Wilderness Hall," despite its remote location, was led by two ambitious and capable palace masters and has grown to become the largest and most powerful sect.
In reality, under the management of the eight remarkably talented palace masters, the strength of the "Eight Wilderness Hall" has steadily increased over the years. However, these palace masters felt helpless because no matter how the Hall developed, its influence remained confined to the remote, barren edges of the Shenzhou Continent. The lack of resources, sparse population, and thin Spirit Qi heavily restricted its growth. When recruiting disciples, they had to look for potential candidates among the various Barbarian tribes of the wilds. Some disciples might have exceptional talent and work hard, but due to growing up in such environments, their comprehension compared to those from prosperous Middle-earth was lacking. Moreover, there were no outstanding talents in management, which greatly impacted the future potential of the "Eight Wilderness Hall."
Over the years, the "Eight Wilderness Hall" tried many times to extend its influence into the prosperous Middle-earth. However, the interests in Middle-earth were already tightly held by major sects and their affiliates, creating a unified group that left no room for new entrants. Nobody wanted "Eight Wilderness Hall" to disturb this long-standing balance. Also, the hall had a reputation for being uncultured and brutish, so few welcomed their presence nearby.
As a result, despite its efforts, "Eight Wilderness Hall" could not expand into Middle-earth as desired, due to the combined opposition from the major sects there. The leaders understood that if this continued, they might reach prominence through individual talents but would eventually fade away.
In recent years, while "Eight Wilderness Hall" expanded by taking advantage of Shenzhou Continent’s turmoil, it only managed to annex sects on the desolate outskirts. As soon as they touched sects on the fringes of Middle-earth, they faced severe suppression. The formation of the Righteous Alliance intensified this resistance.
Because of this, "Eight Wilderness Hall" harbored resentment towards the various sects of prosperous Middle-earth, which ultimately led them to choose to cooperate with "Ming." The hall master, Man Tian, even personally joined "Ming." They understood that for the long-term development of their sect, they had to completely dismantle the current structure of interests and distribution in prosperous Middle-earth, and joining "Ming" was their only choice.
It was previously mentioned that "Eight Wilderness Hall" disciples came from remote Barbarian tribes of Shenzhou Continent. These tribespeople were naturally combative yet simple-hearted. They resented Middle-earth’s suppression, and every year, some disciples voiced desires to confront Middle-earth.
It can be said that the reason they agreed to let "Ming" be the one to instigate this catastrophe is that they already had such intentions. The "Statue of Shura" provided by "Ming" gave them the confidence and strength to initiate the disaster.
If Man Tian had felt uneasy about being the one to first spark the great calamity before, then after the ceremony ended, feeling the transformation the "Statue of Shura" had wrought on him and others, as well as the powerful energy within him, he was now full of confidence.
…
Like all other sects in Middle-earth, though the "Kunling Sect" was on the outskirts of Middle-earth, they looked down upon "Eight Wilderness Hall." They thought that despite its temporary success, "Eight Wilderness Hall" was merely a nouveau riche and would decline in a few generations, never achieving the stability of Middle-earth’s prominent sects.
At least, that’s what the sect leader of the "Kunling Sect," Immortal Kunning, thought.
But at this moment, Immortal Kunning and the three elders behind him were nervously standing in front of Man Tian. They tried to remain calm, but the unease and fear on their faces were obvious.
In front of them lay a body. To call it a body, however, is an understatement; it was more like a pile of minced flesh.
This body, or rather this pile of flesh, was originally one of the five Condensed Core Stage masters of the "Kunling Sect," second only in skills to the sect leader, Immortal Kunning.
Just a while ago, Immortal Kunning was discussing with his four elders whether they should gather at "Ronghua Mountain," where the "Qingxu Gate" was, as many other sects were doing. In the face of a catastrophe in the cultivation world, it seemed the safest place.
But then, Man Tian appeared suddenly in front of the five of them, accompanied by three of the Twelve Evil Immortals and more than ten Flying Generals. What frightened the five most was that they had no warning of Man Tian and his group’s sudden arrival.
Man Tian promptly demanded that the "Kunling Sect" merge into the "Eight Wilderness Hall," accept its leadership, and have their disciples practice the "Eight Wilderness Hall’s" cultivation methods. The five leaders could serve as Evil Immortals or Flying Generals within the "Eight Wilderness Hall."
These demands were something Immortal Kunning could not agree to. Yet, aware of the "Eight Wilderness Hall’s" immense power and uncertain about the fates of other disciples, he didn’t dare refuse outright. As he searched for words, one elder suddenly jumped out, shouting if they weren’t concerned about the Righteous Alliance. Didn’t they know someone from the Righteous Alliance had a strong bond with their sect?
Man Tian responded with a calm smile, saying, "Since I have taken this action, it means I no longer regard the Righteous Alliance as a concern."
Man Tian appeared rough, but when he spoke, his voice was gentle and refined.
As Man Tian said this, an unknown Evil Immortal, who had been silently standing behind him, suddenly pointed lightly at the elder who was shouting.
With just a light gesture, although it was unclear what sort of magic it was, the elder who had been angrily shouting turned into a pile of minced meat in an instant.
Seeing this pile of meat, Immortal Kunning and the other three elders were all greatly alarmed because they hadn’t even noticed what technique the Evil Immortal had used, let alone how to defend against it.
Man Tian continued to smile pleasantly as if he hadn’t noticed the sudden appearance of the pile of meat, and simply asked again, "Have you made your decision?"
Moments later, one of the elders behind Immortal Kunning stepped forward resolutely, his expression turning fierce. Just as he was about to speak, another person behind Man Tian made a slicing motion, and the elder’s body split in two, his eyes wide open in shock at the moment of death.
Witnessing this, Immortal Kunning and the remaining two elders turned pale with fear because they still couldn’t discern the method used and knew they couldn’t avoid such gestures. Their initial anger vanished, leaving only deep panic.
The "Eight Wilderness Hall’s" casual and deadly methods, combined with their mysterious and powerful magic, quickly shattered the defenses in the three men’s hearts.
"Have you decided?" Man Tian asked again, this time sounding a tad impatient and frowning slightly.
Seeing Man Tian’s expression change, Immortal Kunning and the remaining two elders shivered. Finally, Immortal Kunning weakly said, "I hope the Hall Master can treat us and our disciples equally."
This sentence was undoubtedly an agreement to Man Tian’s previous demands. From now on, the "Kunling Sect" would no longer exist, and Immortal Kunning would no longer be a sect leader, but merely an Evil Immortal or Flying General of the "Eight Wilderness Hall."
The eyes of the elder who was cut in half after his death were facing the weak Immortal Kunning, as if questioning him. However, Immortal Kunning was nervously looking at Man Tian and did not notice the dull eyes.
Not everyone has the courage to face death.
"Do not be disheartened, you will soon find that joining my Eight Wilderness Hall will give you far more than you lose."
Man Tian spoke with a calm smile.
