Several days later, the Righteous Alliance's urgent council formally convened at the Alliance Headquarters in Central State's Tianshu City. This council was extremely high-level; participants were all sect authorities or their fully authorized representatives, discussing precisely Clear Void Temple's submitted intelligence concerning Shadow Snake Pavilion and the Myriad Soul Devouring Spirit Formation's earth-shaking conspiracy. Clear Void Temple was led by Sect Master Xuanying personally, accompanied by True Lord Xuanxu and... Tang Xiao Qi. Bringing Xiao Qi was Sect Master Xuanying's idea. As the direct acquirer and participant of the initial intelligence, he might need to supplement details when necessary; at the same time, this was also a form of training, letting him personally witness the high-level maneuvering of the cultivation world.
Tianshu City was the cultivation world's largest city, straddling Central State, majestic and grand. The Alliance Headquarters was especially located at the spiritual vein convergence point in the city center, with majestic halls and imposing presence. Xiao Qi followed his Master-Aunt and Great Master-Uncle, walking on smooth as mirror spiritual jade floor, looking at those profound-aura cultivators around, at minimum Foundation Establishment late stage, his heart could not help feeling some nervousness, but more a novel sense of broadening horizons.
The council hall's atmosphere was solemn and stern. The central main seat was vacant — that was reserved for the Alliance's nominal leader, a usually seclude-cultivating Golden Core peak expert. Below, on left and right sides were placed more than ten jade chairs, representing the most influential dozen top sects in the Alliance. Sky Sword Sect, Vajra Gate, Xuanji Sacred Land, Medicine King Valley, Clear Void Temple, etc., were prominently positioned. Xuanying brought Xiao Qi and Xuanxu to sit at Clear Void Temple's position. Xiao Qi, as a Foundation Establishment junior, could only stand behind his Great Master-Uncle, observing silently.
The meeting began; Xuanying, as the first discoverer of the intelligence, once more elaborated on the situation's severity, displayed key information from the jade slip copy, and emphasized the urgency of joint action and swift prevention of Shadow Snake Pavilion. Initially, the hall's atmosphere was one of solidarity against enemies. Representatives from various sects spoke one after another, condemning Shadow Snake Pavilion's egregious acts, expressing support for joint response. However, when the topic progressed from "whether to do it" to specifically "how to do it," disagreements began to emerge.
First was the struggle for leadership. Sky Sword Sect Master Jian Wuya, sharp and decisive, spoke first, voice like a sword's resonance: "Demons are rampant, matters of survival — how can we hesitate? I propose immediately forming a Demon-Sweeping Allied Army, led by Sky Sword Sect, gathering elite disciples from all sects, directly marching on Blackwater Marsh, sweeping the demon lairs with thunderous force!" His words were full of confidence and determination, as if already considering himself the indisputable commander.
This declaration immediately drew different opinions. Vajra Gate Gate Master Shi Wuzun frowned slightly, saying slowly: "Sect Master Jian, please remain calm. Shadow Snake Pavilion has schemed for a long time; Blackwater Marsh's situation is unclear. If we recklessly press with a large army and fall into an ambush, or they transfer ahead of time, will not we be like frightened birds? This old monk believes we should first send elite squads to infiltrate and scout, ascertain the true situation, then decide actions. As for leadership — this matter is greatly important, requires careful consideration; we should select a person of high moral prestige and who plans before acting." Though not explicit, his meaning was clear: Sky Sword Sect was too aggressive, unsuitable to lead such a complex operation.
Xuanji Sacred Land Saint Master Yue Wuhua's voice sounded: "Gate Master Shi Wuzun speaks wisely. Shadow Snake Pavilion's methods are deceitful; we must be on guard. Moreover, Alliance operations, resource allocation, personnel coordination cannot be decided by one sect or party. We should establish a joint council for shared decision-making, demonstrating fairness and enabling collective wisdom."
Medicine King Valley Valley Master Mu Qingzi cared more about aftermath: "The demon formation is perilous; even if destroyed, its location will certainly be contaminated by yin evil, corroding spiritual veins, leaving endless troubles. Clearing the evil aura, rescuing possible survivors, comforting the locality — these aftermath matters also need advance planning, requiring massive resources; how should they be allocated?"
Then, representatives from sects with slightly less strength but also having a place in the Alliance began speaking, either indirectly or directly presenting their demands and concerns. "My Liuyun Sect is located on the frontier, resources scarce; this campaign's contribution of troops and effort may not match the great sects, but our heart to eliminate demons is sincere — merely hoping in subsequent resource allocation or exploration quotas, there can be some consideration..." "Scouting Blackwater Marsh, the risk is huge; sending elite disciples, if there are casualties, the sect's legacy may be affected — should the Alliance have corresponding compensation mechanisms?" "If the intelligence was first obtained by Clear Void Temple, does that mean Clear Void Temple has more say in follow-up actions? This seems unfair..."
For a time, the hall was filled with heated debate; the original atmosphere of solidarity gradually replaced by various power struggles, power balancing, and risk-avoidance arguments. Some advocated swift decisive action, others recommended cautious approach; some sought leadership, others demanded fair distribution; great sects considered strategy and prestige, smaller sects worried about survival and losses. Xuanying tried several times to speak, bringing the topic back on track, emphasizing the urgency, but was interrupted by new points of dispute each time.
Xiao Qi stood behind, listening to these great figures who could cause tremors throughout the cultivation world argue red-faced over leadership, resources, and risks, even some verbal barbed exchanges hiding traps; he felt a moment of bewilderment and heart-chilling disappointment. He recalled the villagers of Kaoshan Village's helpless, terrified eyes; the churning blood pool in the demon cave and despairing faces in the iron cages; and that terrifying formation diagram depicted in the jade slip... how urgent and real that disaster was! But here, in the mouths of these decision-makers of world fate, that imminent disaster seemed to have become a negotiable bargaining chip, an opportunity to vie for status and discourse power.
He realized for the first time how feeble personal power was before massive power maneuvering, and that the so-called Righteous Alliance was by no means monolithic; internally it was filled with complex interests and conflicts. To accomplish one matter concerning all beings was actually so difficult. He looked at his Great Master-Uncle seated ahead, his brow slightly frowned, sensing the helplessness and anxiety beneath his calm surface. This survival-related council, in various disputes and endless bickering, pushed forward with agonizingly low efficiency. Outside, the sky darkened; in the hall, candles burned brightly, yet could not dispel the gravity in the air and... a trace of disappointing clamor.