The [ Boundless Dharma Alliance ] and the [ Immortal Alliance ]!
These were the names of the two alliances, their meanings extremely clear: an alliance of Buddhism and Immortality.
Was this a declaration of war?
Yang Hong looked at the two invitations in his hand, both crafted from third-tier Flame Copper and inscribed with the blood of fourth-tier Scarlet Sun Red Bulls. The content of the invitations was nearly identical, and he could smell the acrid scent of gunpowder.
"Tell me, has it kicked off outside yet?"
"Sect Master, it hasn't started yet, but looking at the situation, it could break out at any moment."
Ran Boren was flustered and excited at the same time, unsure if he was more afraid of war or anxious for it.
Yang Hong put down the invitations and shook his head.
"These bastards, always causing trouble when they have nothing better to do.
What exactly is going on?"
Ran Boren pondered for a moment before replying, "It is said that it all began with that auction fifteen years ago."
"After the auction, ten Mahayana cultivators from the Thunder Sound Temple and five Mahayana cultivators from the Glazed Moon Palace did not return to their respective sects. Investigations later discovered that...
In the grasslands over 200 li north of Sunrise Immortal City, five sets of Glazed Moon Palace cultivator robes were found within a Golden Light Dragon-Trapping Formation of the Thunder Sound Temple, hidden by an invisibility array."
"However, the Thunder Sound Temple claimed that Master Guang Ji and the other ten Mahayana realm cultivators had not returned to their sect, and that their soul tokens had shattered. To prove this, the Thunder Sound Temple directly opened its Soul Hall for the Immortal Sects to inspect.
Therefore, the Thunder Sound Temple counter-accused, claiming that the Mahayana cultivators of the Glazed Moon Palace had killed their people."
"But all evidence pointed to the Mahayana cultivators of the Thunder Sound Temple ambushing and killing those of the Glazed Moon Palace. Naturally, the Glazed Moon Palace rejected this claim, and their arguments escalated from a verbal dispute to a fight to the death.
Ultimately, this developed into a confrontation between the Immortal Sects and the Buddhist Sects."
Hearing Ran Boren's account, Yang Hong's expression turned somewhat peculiar. He had merely intended to distance himself from the direct robbery arrangement, yet it had stirred the entire cultivation world. It felt rather surreal.
He was now worried about being discovered by cultivators from both the Immortal and Buddhist Sects as the one responsible for the killings. If he were found out, he would likely be beaten to death.
So he continued, "Are the higher-ups of the Immortal and Buddhist Sects idiots? Can't they investigate properly?"
"Why haven't they investigated? I personally saw a Buddhist Venerable and an Immortal Celestial investigating outside that hidden formation using immortal arts.
However, the perpetrator of this deed was incredibly, incredibly skilled, leaving not a single trace, and even their karma was erased.
The only ones capable of such a feat are Arhats or True Immortals. This matter has been at a standstill ever since."
Yang Hong chuckled strangely and nodded. The marvel of the Red Lotus Karmic Fire was precisely that it directly burned away karma and erased cause and effect. Unless he exposed himself, no one could have possibly imagined he was the killer.
"Sect Master, let us join the [ Boundless Dharma Alliance ]. The Buddhist factions are the largest and strongest."
"How strong?"
Seeing Ran Boren's eagerness, Yang Hong was a little puzzled.
"Sect Master, Rainsoft Plains have largely chosen their sides. Six out of eight ninth-tier sects have sided with Buddhism, with only two siding with the Immortal Sects. Of the sixty-four eighth-tier sects, only twenty-four have chosen the Immortal Sects.
Three tenths of the seventh-tier sects have sided with the Immortal Sects, and less than two tenths of sects ranked sixth-tier and below have joined the Immortal Sects.
Therefore, Sect Master, there is nothing to consider. We will join the [ Boundless Dharma Alliance ]."
Looking at the increasingly agitated Ran Boren, Yang Hong felt like slapping him.
Didn't this idiot know he disliked Buddhism? Wasn't his usual demeanor clear enough?
"Calm down. We will not side with either. If they want to fight, let them tear each other to shreds."
As he spoke, Yang Hong once again shattered the two invitations into fragments.
"You may go. I haven't been planting the plains these past few years, and you've all grown lazy, haven't you?
Within this ten-year plan, you are to cultivate 100,000 square li of land. If you fail to achieve this, there will be no pill benefits for you in the next decade!"
"Sect Master, this is truly not good. If we don't take a side, we will surely be attacked by both factions."
Looking at the scattered invitation fragments, Ran Boren's legs were trembling.
Seeing the spineless Ran Boren, Yang Hong was deeply disappointed. It seemed he should consider replacing the head of the War God Hall. Ye Yudong might not be bad; although his cultivation was a bit low, he knew when to yield and when to advance, and he could read the room.
"Sect Master, when I returned, cultivators at the Integration realm from the Beast Taming Sect and Sunrise Sect warned me. We must make a decision quickly."
"Has it started outside yet?"
Addressing Ran Boren's concern, Yang Hong asked again.
"Uh... not yet. But it might be soon."
"Very well. Come notify me again when the fighting officially begins outside.
Now go down and summon Ye Yudong."
"Ah... yes, this disciple obeys."
Ran Boren wanted to say more, but Yang Hong's aura suppressed him, making him dare not speak further. He retreated obediently.
An hour later, Ye Yudong arrived at Jiumei Mountain. Seeing the enormous Green Sky Willow tree, 680 zhang tall, from afar, Ye Yudong was not only awestruck but also felt a sense of pride and smugness.
He was pleased with his decision to join Qingfeng Villa and proud of his sect's immense power.
Soon, he spotted the Sect Master, appearing tiny beneath the colossal Green Sky Willow, yet possessing an immense and world-shaking presence.
"Greetings, Sect Master. May your path to cultivation be smooth, your ascension to the Immortal Realm swift, and your lifespan equal to the heavens."
Ye Yudong knelt on one knee, offering sincere blessings. Yang Hong smiled and nodded. Ye Yudong's sweet words and honest sentiments were precisely what he appreciated.
"Rise. For the next period, you will cultivate on this Green Sky Willow, striving to break through to the seventh-tier Integration realm as soon as possible."
Without further ado, Yang Hong directly bestowed a great boon, allowing him to cultivate here.
"Ah... Thank you, Sect Master. This disciple will cultivate tirelessly, day and night, and I guarantee I will not disappoint your cultivation."
Ye Yudong was overjoyed and astonished. He hadn't expected such a windfall!
Yang Hong continued, "The [ Five Elements Perfect Circle Technique ] is profound and vast. If you have any questions, feel free to ask me. Additionally, I will impart to you the [ Grand Evolution Sword Technique ]. This sword technique possesses immense offensive power. Once you comprehend it, it will be of great use to you."
"Thank you, Sect Master, for imparting this technique."
"Good. Prepare yourself."
With a flick of his finger, Yang Hong transmitted the Earth-grade top-tier sword technique, the [ Grand Evolution Sword Technique ], into Ye Yudong's mind.
Watching Ye Yudong enter a state of comprehension, Yang Hong flicked his sleeve and tossed him to the very top of the Green Sky Willow.
By day, he absorbed the Purple Qi of Creation; by night, he drank the Moon Essence Dew. Surrounded by the exceptionally dense spiritual energy of a seventh-tier spirit脉, Ye Yudong felt as though he were in a cultivation paradise.
Within seven days, he had basically comprehended the [ Grand Evolution Sword Technique ]. In ten days, he broke through from the third layer of Nascent Soul to the fourth layer.
In just one year, he directly broke through to the seventh-tier Integration realm.
Such a rate of cultivation would be unbelievable if spoken aloud.
"Thank you, Sect Master, for this great fortune. Ye Yudong will never forget it. From now on, any command from the Sect Master will be carried out by Ye Yudong with his life, even if the Sect Master demands my life!"
Having easily overcome the heavenly tribulation of his breakthrough, Ye Yudong immediately knelt before Yang Hong and swore his loyalty.
Yang Hong was satisfied with his attitude; it was significantly better than Ran Boren's.
"Very well. For your first task, I want you to spar with Ran Boren. Come back to see me when you have defeated him!"
"Yes, disciple obeys!"
Without hesitation, Ye Yudong knelt, kowtowed, and immediately rose, flying towards Qingfeng Mountain on his sword.