Yuyi slowly opened his eyes, emerging from deep meditation.
The candle flames in the secret chamber had burned out completely, leaving only wisps of azure smoke curling into the air. For days, he had been in seclusion within Youyue Valley, cultivating the Silent Extinction Sword Art, rarely stepping outside except to handle essential valley affairs. Yet today's cultivation session had been unusually difficult—his mind remained restless, unable to find peace.
Shaying had long grown accustomed to this. Whenever Yuyi entered seclusion, she would handle Youyue Valley's daily affairs alone or spend time with Yuehua Xianzi, Bingxin, and others.
"Valley Master, a message from the Nitian Alliance. They say there's an urgent matter to discuss." A Youyue Valley disciple reported softly from outside the door, her voice carrying traces of anxiety.
Yuyi frowned slightly. The Nitian Alliance had been convening meetings frequently lately, each one ending in chaotic arguments with no resolution. He rose and straightened his robes before pushing open the door.
"Tell them I'll be there shortly."
Shaying was in the courtyard, guiding several newly admitted disciples in sword cultivation. Seeing Yuyi emerge, she quickly approached.
"Another meeting?"
Yuyi nodded. "The Nitian Alliance has been busy lately. Duan Changjian and the others probably have some new idea."
Shaying spoke softly, "Be careful. The cultivation world is in turmoil. Tianyin Pavilion's people have been slaughtering indiscriminately—even Lieyang Gang has retreated to their main headquarters. Seven months of bloodshed have left the entire cultivation world in panic."
"Don't worry, I know what I'm doing." Yuyi said, retrieving the Hanxiao Sword from his storage ring. "Hold onto this sword for me. I'll be back soon."
Shaying accepted the sword, a flicker of worry crossing her eyes, but she said nothing more.
Yuyi employed his movement technique, transforming into a blur as he sped toward the Nitian Alliance headquarters. Along the way, he noticed many cultivators hurrying about, clearly terrified by Tianyin Pavilion's massacre. Some disciples from smaller sects dared not venture out alone, always traveling in groups, fearful of encountering Tianyin Pavilion's assassins.
When he arrived at the Nitian Alliance's main council hall, it was already filled with people. Duan Changjian acknowledged Yuyi's arrival with a slight nod.
"Everyone's here. Let's begin." Duan Changjian said gravely, "I've called you all here today to discuss the current situation. Tianyin Pavilion's slaughter has continued for seven months. Our losses grow greater by the day. If this continues, the Nitian Alliance won't be able to hold on."
The council hall erupted in murmurs as leaders of various guilds voiced their grievances.
"Alliance Master, our Bihai Gang can barely hold on. Our disciples haven't been able to cultivate normally or earn Spirit Stones for so long—their discontent is reaching a breaking point." The Bihai Gang leader said with a worried expression.
"That's right, Alliance Master. If we don't find a solution soon, our Yinghao Alliance won't last either. Our Spirit Stone reserves are nearly depleted." The Yinghao Alliance leader added.
Duan Changjian raised his hand for silence. "I understand everyone's concerns. That's why I've gathered you here today—to reach a decision."
Yuyi leaned back in his chair listlessly, closing his eyes to rest. He had grown weary of these meetings long ago—always the same content, the same arguments, utterly meaningless.
Shaying sat beside him and gently nudged him. "Hey, pay attention."
Yuyi opened his eyes lazily. "If he had a solution, he would have found it by now. Listening to his nonsense is worse than cultivating."
Shaying was exasperated but could only listen attentively herself.
Duan Changjian surveyed the crowd and spoke solemnly, "Given the current situation, we must endure until the storm passes. We've managed to hold on this long. If we confront Tianyin Pavilion head-on now, we'll only make their madness, which is finally beginning to subside, even more violent."
"But I understand everyone's difficulties. Therefore, our three guilds have decided to provide financial support to the struggling guilds within the Nitian Alliance. I hope everyone can endure a while longer."
Xuantie, Liekong, and Canglong—the leaders of the three major guilds—all nodded in agreement with Duan Changjian's decision.
Though the other guild leaders still harbored dissatisfaction, they could say nothing more. After all, the three major guilds had set an example—what more could they do?
After the meeting concluded, Duan Changjian called out, "Youyue Valley, Yinghao Alliance, Yunya Alliance, Bingxin, Yuehua Xianzi, and Yinyuan Pavilion—stay behind. The rest of you may return."
Yuyi finally straightened up, pretending to be serious.
"I've asked you all to stay because there's an important matter to discuss." Duan Changjian began, "The Nitian Alliance has thousands of members. Relying solely on our three guilds for financial support won't last long. I hope you can share some of the burden."
Yuyi cursed inwardly—so they were here for money.
Shaying glared at him and whispered, "How can you speak like that? With so many people in the Nitian Alliance, how can just three guilds sustain it all?"
The Yinghao Alliance and Yinyuan Pavilion both complained of their own difficulties. Bingxin and Yuehua Xianzi also expressed helplessness, saying their sects were stretched thin.
Yunya Alliance leader Yunyouzi spoke up, "I have some reserves in this regard. I can contribute 130,000 Spirit Stones."
Everyone turned to look—Yunya Alliance indeed possessed considerable strength.
Duan Changjian turned to Yuyi. "And you, Valley Master Yuyi?"
Yuyi pretended to be generous, "I think Youyue Valley can manage 100,000 Spirit Stones. However... I'll venture to say that even with this support, I fear we won't last more than four months."
Xuantie pressed further, "Valley Master Yuyi, if you have any thoughts, please speak freely."
Yuyi pondered for a moment, then shook his head. "Nothing."
Xuantie said, "Valley Master Yuyi, could you possibly contribute a bit more? Once the Nitian Alliance's situation improves, we will certainly repay you with interest."
Yuyi had no choice. He pretended to deliberate with difficulty. "Very well, I'll contribute another 70,000 Spirit Stones. That's the absolute limit." As he spoke, his heart ached—this was 170,000 Spirit Stones!
Various thoughts crossed people's minds—some despised Yuyi's selfishness, others thought him too stingy. But Yuyi paid no heed. The probability of the Nitian Alliance disintegrating was too high, and this amount of Spirit Stones already pained him deeply.
After the meeting, everyone dispersed. Yuyi boarded Youyue Valley's flying boat with a pained expression. Shaying shook her head with a bitter smile, then departed arm-in-arm with Yuehua Xianzi.
"Shaying, surely Yuyi has more Spirit Stones than that?" Yuehua Xianzi asked curiously.
Shaying answered without hesitation, "He's reluctant to part with them. If he truly wanted to donate, Youyue Valley could produce another 250,000 Spirit Stones without issue."
Yuehua Xianzi was surprised—she hadn't expected Youyue Valley to possess such wealth.
Shaying continued, "Yuehua Xianzi, I know of your sect's difficulties. Yuyi has agreed to provide 50,000 Spirit Stones initially. If that's not enough, just ask anytime."
Yuehua Xianzi couldn't help but smile. "It seems he's not actually that stingy—he just doesn't care much for the Nitian Alliance."
As the three were speaking, they suddenly received a transmission from the Heavenly Dao Laws, the voice resonating throughout the entire cultivation world:
"Heavenly Dao Laws Announcement: Sect ultimate techniques are now open for cultivation by all sect members; Technique Grandmaster realm is now accessible, allowing cultivators to break through to higher realms; Guild headquarters size limits have been raised, with expanded territory; Cultivation mission levels have increased with enhanced rewards; Dharma Treasure categories have been expanded; Main headquarters Dharma Treasure enhancement functions have been activated; Tianyin Pavilion is now open, with related missions added."
Shaying and Yuehua Xianzi's faces lit up with joy—the sect ultimate techniques they had longed to learn were finally within reach! This meant their strength would increase dramatically, no longer constrained by others.
Just then, they received another message from Duan Changjian's sound transmission jade talisman: "Emergency meeting."
The three had no choice but to turn back toward the Nitian Alliance headquarters council hall.
Upon receiving the Heavenly Dao Laws announcement, Yuyi immediately grew alert. The opening of sect ultimate techniques meant each sect's power would increase substantially; the opening of the Technique Grandmaster realm meant more powerful cultivators would emerge in the cultivation world; Tianyin Pavilion's threat might intensify; and internal conflicts within the Nitian Alliance could escalate.
Yuyi decided he must accelerate his cultivation progress and enhance his own strength to face the impending upheaval in the cultivation world. He had a vague sense that the cultivation world was about to undergo an unprecedented transformation, and he had to be prepared.