Clan Rise: Starting as a Grandfather

Chapter 1641: Chapter 1008: Reactions from All Sides, Grand Sect Founding Ceremony

The Wanhua Demon Court has three Venerables and seven Elders. The three Venerables are the Wanhua Demon Emperor, Qingyuan Fox Venerable, and Chi Huang Phoenix Venerable, while the seven Elders include Mystic Armor Dragon Turtle, Colorful Feathered Simurgh, Beiming Black Hawk, Black Wind Tyrant Bear, Red-headed White Tiger, Wind Valley Spirit Deer, and the Cloud Traveling White Crane, all of whom are late-stage Golden Core Demon Kings.

Although there are dozens of Demon Kings in the entire Wanhua Mountain Range, the Wanhua Demon Court has less than half of them, yet just these ten Demon Kings are enough to intimidate the entire Wanhua Mountain Range.

However, the Wanhua Demon Court is not a tightly-knit force; strictly speaking, it is merely an alliance of the myriad demons within the Wanhua Mountain Range.

Each top-level member of the Wanhua Demon Court has their own tribe and sphere of influence. Although they share common interests and have formed alliances, there are also conflicts and tensions over interests among them.

Internally, the Wanhua Demon Court is relatively loose, with no hierarchy between the three Venerables and seven Elders, but externally they can unite to face threats from various human immortal cultivation forces.

Nominally, True Yang Immortal City belongs to the Wanhua Demon Court, but in reality, it is controlled by three Demon Kings, naturally involving some distribution of interests, which is an internal matter of the Wanhua Demon Court.

The three Demon Kings truly controlling True Yang Immortal City are Xiong Ba from the Black Wind Tyrant Bear Clan, Xiao Shan from the Red-headed White Tiger Clan, and Xuan Ling from the Cloud Traveling White Crane Clan.

At this moment, in the central True Yang Hall of True Yang Immortal City, the three Demon Kings were gathered, discussing the matter of the Sky Cloud Sword Sect.

“What do you two think about the Sky Cloud Sword Sect matter?”

Xiao Shan, clad in a white fitted outfit, had red tiger fur at his temples, amber slitted eyes, and white tiger stripes extending across the back of his hand, spoke in a slightly raspy voice.

“What else is there to think? Let them do as they please; do they dare attack True Yang Immortal City?”

Like a giant tower, Xiong Ba opened his round eyes wide, speaking in a muffled voice.

“You can’t say that. The Sky Cloud Sword Sect is an alliance of many forces within the Yunxiao Mountain Range. The others might not matter, but Que Lingyu is not someone easily dealt with.”

Xuan Ling, resembling an elderly white-clad immortal, with crane-like hair and youthful features, held a jade flute in hand, his sleeves embroidered with patterns of auspicious clouds and immortal cranes.

Being another avian, Xuan Ling had more insight into Que Lingyu.

In the outside world, Que Lingyu might not be famous, but Xuan Ling understood her strength well.

Though the Yun Que Clan has a lowly bloodline with little connection to ancient divine beasts, Que Lingyu is different; her bloodline has long since surpassed that of the Yun Que Clan.

“At worst, we could have her join True Yang Immortal City as well!” Xiong Ba said dismissively.

“No, that’s not possible! Of the seven chairs in True Yang Immortal City, the demon clan already holds four; we must leave three for the human clan, or the Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion and Ten Thousand Treasures Store will surely object!” Xiao Shan shook his head.

“Then let Shui Ling step down!” suggested Xiong Ba.

Shui Ling is a Demon King of the Minghai Palace, representing the Beihai Demon Court.

“That’s not an option either!” Xiao Shan continued to shake his head.

“If nothing works, what do you suggest we do?” Xiong Ba asked impatiently.

Xuan Ling stroked the jade flute in his hand. “It’s not just the Sky Cloud Sword Sect; there’s also the Yellow Springs Old Ghost, who is utterly unbridled. If you don’t give him a position, he’ll surely cause trouble outside True Yang Immortal City in the future.”

In the past, the Yellow Springs Hall had been reclusive, seldom involving itself in power struggles among the various forces.

But things are different now; the interests entwined within the Sun Giant Mountain are too great, and even the Yellow Springs Ancestor can’t resist this temptation.

Previously, he plotted extensively and greatly offended White Cloud True Monarch, and when the Sun Cave Heaven collapsed, White Cloud True Monarch stalled him, leaving him with nothing but unfulfilled plans.

If we continue to exclude him from True Yang Immortal City, he’ll certainly make trouble in secret.

“Could he still dare to oppose us?” Xiao Shan frowned.

“No, but he’ll engage in some shady business, causing us trouble!” Xuan Ling replied.

The three of them looked at each other, momentarily at a loss.

The interests in Sun Giant Mountain involve too many, and while the Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion and Ten Thousand Treasures Store can play it safe, their powers are formidable. Although they will share some interests, they won’t push things to the absolute limit, so as long as they are positioned there, few would want to provoke them.

The Wanhua Demon Court, although holding the primary power in Sun Giant Mountain, is, therefore, in the most precarious situation.

An inequitable distribution of interests will inevitably exacerbate conflicts, and if things worsen, they may end up in the most uncomfortable position.

As for forcing others by might, they could suppress the demon tribe in the Wanhua Mountain Range but not other human Golden Core cultivators.

“Whoever dares to cause trouble, I’ll be the first to crush them!” Xiong Ba exclaimed angrily.

Of course, he was just speaking. If it indeed came to action, he would certainly not rashly engage in a life-and-death struggle with a Golden Core cultivator.

For the demon tribe, human cultivators are extremely troublesome to deal with because of their access to pills, artifacts, and talisman arrays and other immortal cultivation techniques; these methods are like cheats for the demon tribe.

Therefore, in an equal realm, the demon tribe generally cannot compete with human cultivators.

Moreover, battles between Golden Core and third-order demon kings are even more complex, not only involving pillars, artifacts, talisman arrays, but also divine skills and the Void.

Especially the Void, which might seem empty but contains many rules.

In the battles of Golden Core cultivators, the Void can be considered akin to terrain.

Whoever understands the Void better, whoever becomes more familiar with it, essentially holds the geographical advantage.

Thus, unless there is an overwhelming advantage, battles between Golden Core cultivators can easily devolve into pursuits.

…

At the southernmost tip of the Wanhua Western Region, amidst the gloom soaring to the skies and the pervasive darkness of the Earth Abyss, lies a dimly lit grand hall—this is the Yellow Springs Hall.

The entire Yellow Springs Hall is jet black, enveloped by lanterns glowing with a ghastly green light.

Inside the hall, Old Ghost Tian Ye is reporting to the Yellow Springs Ancestor.

“Ancestor, it has been confirmed that White Cloud Immortal City is joining forces with Cangyu Mountain and Hidden Sword Mountain to establish the Sky Cloud Sword Sect!”

“This new Cloud Heaven Sword Sect has a total of five Golden Core Cultivators, including White Cloud True Monarch and Yun Que Demon King!”

Old Ghost Tian Ye crouched on the ground, speaking with utmost respect.

“Hmm, who are the other three?” Yellow Springs Ancestor asked indifferently.

“Hidden Sword Mountain’s Mountain Master Jian Changhe, who entered seclusion for Core Formation over twenty years ago, only emerged five years ago after overcoming the Heavenly Tribulation to achieve the Golden Core stage.”

“Yang Zhenshan from the Yang family, who demonstrated remarkable prowess within the Sun Cave Heaven, using powerful Thunder Skills to defeat many opponents. It’s likely he acquired numerous Jie Dan Spirit Objects from within the Sun Cave Heaven, thereby successfully forming his core.”

“Yet his Core Formation was silent and unobtrusive; no one knows where he underwent the Heavenly Tribulation!”

“The last one is Yunxiao, a Guest Elder from Hidden Sword Mountain. He is believed to have swallowed a Divine Pill in the Sun Cave Heaven to achieve his core formation. I was present at the time; that Divine Pill was quite extraordinary, but unfortunately I was entangled by the Unpredictable Ghost Sect people and couldn’t seize the opportunity!”

Old Ghost Tian Ye reported the intelligence he knew without holding back.

“Heh, they certainly are fortunate!” Yellow Springs Ancestor said with a grin.

“Ancestor, what should we do next? They’ve established the Sky Cloud Sword Sect obviously targeting True Yang Immortal City; should we stop them?” Old Ghost Tian Ye asked, looking up.

Yellow Springs Ancestor flicked his broad robe, “Naturally stop them. I want to kill that bastard White Cloud!”

White Cloud True Monarch annoyed him the most. Had it not been for White Cloud True Monarch entangling him, how could he have returned empty-handed from the Sun Cave Heaven.

He was the first to discover the impending fall of Sun Cave Heaven and had laid out plans in advance. Initially, he hoped to kill White Cloud True Monarch to seize more resources inside the Sun Cave Heaven.

Yet the result was that he obtained nothing.

Whenever he recalled the outcome of returning empty-handed, he seethed with anger.

“Prepare to send them a grand gift at that time!”

Yellow Springs Ancestor spoke with a sinister aura.

…

Establishing a sect is not something accomplished through mere words.

Especially for Golden Core cultivators establishing a sect, it requires a complex and grand ceremonial procedure.

Firstly, widely invite guests from all directions to hold the sect founding ceremony, where they announce to Heaven and Earth, establish the Dao and pass down teachings, set rules and erect steles, establish sect authority, announce to all sides, and establish their foothold in the world.

Previously, White Cloud True Monarch had only established a lineage of his own, which naturally didn’t require such complication. But now they were establishing an entirely new and grand sect.

This is not merely establishing a sect; it is establishing the Dao and passing down teachings.

The key to the Sky Cloud Sword Sect isn’t the sword sect itself, but the Sky Cloud Dao.

For now, it’s only the Sky Cloud Sword Sect, but if this sect can be passed down, it would later morph into the Sky Cloud Dao.

Equivalent to a Dao sect of Immortal Cultivation, not merely a simple sect.

An auspicious day.

White Cloud Immortal City floated amidst the Cloud Sea of the Nine Heavens; the vermilion palace walls gilded by the morning sun, cloud-patterned bells hung beneath the thousand flying eaves of the Yulou, chiming melodiously with the passing breeze, resonating with the flowing Spirit Vein within the city to produce a clear Dao sound.

Today, the main altar for the sect founding ceremony was set up at the center of the Immortal City on “Cheng Tian Platform”, surrounded by nine Cloud Bridges encircling the Han Baiyu paved circular altar, the bridge railings carved with the trajectories of the sun, moon, and stars, and three hundred and sixty coiling dragon pillars supporting a dome-like barrier, lightly enclosing the clamorous observing Dao friends outside.

Foundation Establishment elders greeted guests while walking on clouds, guiding them up the Cloud Bridges.

The guests included representatives from over a hundred large and small forces, such as cultivators from the Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion, Ten Thousand Treasures Store, and the Yun Que Demon Court, all of whom were familiar faces.

Master Shouyi from the Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion, who is now the Pavilion Master of True Yang Immortal City Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion.

The person from Ten Thousand Treasures Store wasn’t anyone else but Zhongli Xiayi.

From the Yun Que Demon Court came Xuan Ling Demon King.

Apart from these three major forces, there were representatives from various other forces, including Wind Valley, Southern Wilderness Immortal Cultivation Families, Qingli Immortal Cultivation Family, etc., all attending this sect founding ceremony.

Additionally, there were Sky Cloud Sword Sect’s affiliated forces, like Lingxiu Three Sects, Nether Prison Sect, with Lin Daoyuan, Yue E, Li Shangyuan, Sheng Youhuang among the guests.

No matter past grudges, today marks the sect founding ceremony for Sky Cloud Sword Sect, and those grievances have become things of the past.

The founding of Sky Cloud Sword Sect invites the celebration of heavenly rites.

Since Sky Cloud Sword Sect sent invitations to various forces, of course, it wasn’t to settle old scores.

And everyone coming here undoubtedly wanted to see how this new sect establishes its Dao tradition by bearing witness from Heaven and Earth.