208: Chapter 207 Discussing Dao in the Southwest 208: Chapter 207 Discussing Dao in the Southwest Jinxiu Continent is not simply distinguished by the directions of northeast, southwest, and northwest.
Since the terrain does not cater to human sense of direction, humans have had to conform to the terrain and, due to a combination of comprehensive factors such as mountain ranges, rivers, climate, etc., divided Jinxiu Continent into five regions:
namely the largest being the Northern Region, followed by the Northeast Region and Southeast Region, and the smaller Northwest Region and Southwest Region.
Extending outwards, beyond the Southwest Region lies the Lizhi Sea, the Southeast Region borders Tianjin Yang, outside of the Northeast Region stretches the endless Buzhou Cangling, the Northern Region connects with the majestic and perilous Dragon Wing Mountain Range, and outside the Northwest Region is the desolate Yanxi Desert—this is the general division.
The region with the most countries is the Southeast Region, which is also Jinxiu Continent’s most prosperous area, hosting dozens of countries, where Daoism flourishes most;
though the Northern Region is the largest in area, it does not have as many countries and is more like vast land with sparse population, lagging behind in population and wealth.
Shan Country, Anhe Country, Wu Country, Wei Country, and so on all belong to the Southwest Region, which houses thirteen countries, meaning there are thirteen cultivation Daoist traditions.
The traditions within the region are mixed, forming a hodgepodge of Daoist Sect, Buddhist Sect, Demon Sect, and various fringe sects; the Quanzhen Sect of Shan Country originally stood as the preeminent power within the Southwest Region, but has since ceded the crown due to the rapid expansion of Wu Country over the past century, making Wu Sect the most brilliant star of the Southwest Region.
This Southwest Regions Forum is a major gathering of low-rank cultivators from the thirteen countries of the Southwest, but now, strictly speaking, due to Wu Sect’s expansion, four smaller Daoist states have already pledged allegiance to Wu Sect, leaving only nine forces.
If Anhe finally succumbs, there will be only eight forces left capable of voicing their own opinions; considering those unwilling to take sides due to differences in strength, the number of those who dare to speak out won’t exceed five.
This is the reality of the Southwest Region.
“Southwest Regions Forum, that sounds nice, doesn’t it?
All of you, one by one, haven’t even reached the Tongxuan Realm yet—you don’t understand the first thing about the Dao, and you’re holding a forum?
It’s actually just a competition!
And it’s taking place in Anhe Country’s Divine City!”
Hou Niao was quite speechless.
What was this all about?
They could have said so earlier and spared him the wasted trips back and forth.
“The news has just arrived, and we couldn’t find you; it doesn’t hurt a young person to run around a bit, it won’t kill you,” he could see through Hou Niao’s thoughts immediately.
Hou Niao was a bit puzzled, “Why Anhe?
What does it have to do with Wu Sect’s annexation of the Anhe Daoist traditions?”
Yu Zhengxing pointed at him, “You’re finally using your head a bit.
As I’ve always been telling you guys, the Demon Sect isn’t about body cultivation; you can’t cultivate your passion and muscles into your brain!
The whole incident started with the Anhe Daoist Sect.
With the gradual absorption of several smaller sect countries by Wu Sect, our Quanzhen Sect just sat on the sidelines, thinking we could benefit from their struggle; but now Wu Sect’s power has grown so much that it has reached our doorstep.
The higher-ups’ judgement over the past century has proven to be wrong—they overestimated the resistance of these smaller Daoist branches and underestimated Wu Sect’s control methods.
As a result, they watched Wu Sect grow into a formidable force that became unstoppable.
The past can be a guide for future action; we can’t allow Anhe to keep falling into their hands, so the Quanzhen Sect has decided to intervene in their dispute.”
Hou Niao sighed, “The strategy is right, but there is a natural disadvantage that cannot be avoided.
If we weren’t the Demon Sect but rather a branch of the Daoist Sect, this matter would be much easier, and Anhe Daoist would respond enthusiastically.
the difference in traditions cannot be erased; the divergence is too great.
On this point, Wu Sect has an innate advantage.”
Yu Zhengxing looked at him in surprise, this young fellow was strong in personal power, but he hadn’t expected his strategic thinking to be so sharp as well.
On reflection, starting from his handling of the Wen Family matter, it was evident, being able to essentially solve Wen Jinglai’s hidden troubles and leave seeds for revival—with even him struggling to think of a better way.
Apart from a somewhat ruthless heart, it was near perfect.
“We can’t completely stop them, what we can do is to support the resistance faction within the Anhe Daoist Sect!
As long as they have the determination to resist, we will provide our full support.
That’s why you see the interactions between us and the Anhe Daoist Sect in recent years—on one hand they need our help, and on the other, aren’t we also helping ourselves?
The current Anhe Country collectively hasn’t torn their faces completely, so the blatant struggles are still hidden within the shadows.
Nonetheless, a very small group of hard-liners have already been victim to underhanded tactics.
Take my friend Wen Jinglai, for example.
I told him to be careful, but he was so engrossed in the rules of the Daoist infighting that he got himself fully involved.”
Yu Zhengxing felt a bit nostalgic, “Being from the same Daoist tradition, it’s easy for Wu Sect to blend in, while it’s difficult for us.
The stigma of colluding with the Demon Sect makes it hard for many to accept us.
This Southwest Regions Forum—first, to show our stance and resolve; second, to bolster the Anhe Daoist resistance; and third, to flex our muscles and display our power to Wu Sect.
Therefore, victory is the only option—defeat is not permissible!”
Hou Niao nodded, now fully understanding.
Anhe was sandwiched between Shan Country and the rising power of Wu Sect.
Therefore, it was the best choice of location, second to none.
“As for the specifics…”
“I don’t know the specifics either.
How the forum will be conducted, the conditions for victory, who will lead the team, all are still unknown.
Probably everything will be finalized once we reach Divine City.
The news has only just arrived.
I put your name forward, and Jin City’s three houses unanimously agreed.”
Hou Niao laughed in surprise, “Seems like plenty of people aren’t fond of me.”
Yu Zhengxing smiled meaningfully, “At least you have some self-awareness.
But it’s not as absolute as you say—there are those who truly see your potential.
After all, among the low-rank disciples of Da Feng Plain of this generation, not many are outstanding, and even fewer have achieved anything significant.
There were a few in the previous years, but they’ve all been transferred to other states.”
Hou Niao didn’t ask further, as he knew the Quanzhen Sect wasn’t exactly a sanctuary for the virtuous, with complex politics at play, just as with the tripartite structure of Jinxiu, which he still hadn’t completely figured out.
No need to force it, when his Realm and status reached a certain level, he naturally would understand; but he had a vague feeling that Yu Zhengxing was somehow connected to the Capital Commandant Li Chuping?
It was just a feeling, one he didn’t dare to delve into.
The Quanzhen Sect’s order has been issued, and disciples from all states are en route to Jin City.
I expect they will gather in a fortnight or, at most, twenty days, which will be your day of departure.
You still have time to return to Yinling to take care of any unfinished business, but don’t delay, especially not until after the disciples from Yu Jing arrive.
Those individuals are all favored children of heaven, strong and well-connected; if conflicts arise, even I can’t help you.”
Hou Niao nodded, unoffended by this.
Strength was forged through battle, not through boasting.
Favored children of heaven?
Let them be pampered, as long as they’re comfortable, just beware of falling off their pedestals.