Fantasy: Immortality Begins with Absorbing Demons

Chapter 573 Division (Part 1)

When Han Yi opened the door, he saw that it was none other than Zhong Yunxiu's personal female bodyguard.

"Something has happened inside the gate. The head of the academy has notified all disciples to assemble in the main hall."

She hurriedly left a message and quickly walked towards the residence of the disciples of the Nine-Bend Courtyard next door.

"Hmm..."

Han Yi frowned, unsure of what was wrong, but a sense of unease was rising in his heart.

Such personal guards would only visit you if there was an extremely serious and urgent emergency.

Now…...

He didn't have time to think much and rushed towards the main hall.

The main hall of Jiuquyuan is located deep within the inner courtyard and is usually guarded by dedicated personnel. It is not opened unless there is an important event.

However, when Han Yi arrived today, he found that many of the guards who usually guarded the area were nowhere to be seen, and he didn't know where they had gone.

When he arrived at the main hall, it seemed that quite a few people had already gathered inside.

Zhong Yunxiu and Zhong Han stood at the front of the group, looking at the Jiuquyuan crowd gathering around them, their expressions somewhat unpleasant.

Although Jiuquyuan is the weakest in the entire Jingtianzhuang, it is not without any accumulation.

Over the years, the network of connections, just those within the inner courtyard, numbered at least forty martial arts masters.

The martial arts masters mentioned here do not refer to those who are close to the peak of martial arts masters, such as Zhong Han and Han Yi.

Most of them were only at the third or fourth level of true skill, and their strength could not be improved. They were scattered in various places in Jingtian Manor, serving as disciples who had graduated from their masters and belonging to different departments.

But judging from the current situation, at most thirty people have come.

This means that the remaining dozen or so people gave up on Jiuquyuan.

"The government troops are being aggressive, internal strife has broken out in the manor, Zhao Ziyang is doing nothing, the conflict is escalating, Yangzhi Academy has declared independence, and our Jiuqu Academy also needs to make a choice."

Zhong Yunxiu stood at the front of the line and briefly explained the reason.

Han Yi listened attentively to everything.

It seems that after the government troops wiped out the Green-Clad Alliance, they came to Jingtian Manor overnight, requesting manpower and resources to cooperate in the investigation and pursuit of the Green-Clad Alliance thieves.

The government army was powerful, imposing, and intimidating. Left with no other choice, the heads of the seven academies gathered together to discuss the matter.

Before a suitable plan could be finalized, the government troops specifically ordered all disciples of the Yangzhi Academy to attend.

As for Yangzhiyuan, it already harbored immense hatred for the government army because of Fang He's death, so how could it possibly agree?

So, having no other choice, they could only beg the manor lord, Zhao Ziyang, to step in and resolve the matter.

But to everyone's surprise, Zhao Ziyang didn't say anything and tacitly agreed to the government army's request.

The news caused an uproar throughout Jingtian Manor.

The disciples of Yangzhi Academy were filled with grief and indignation, and they hated Zhao Ziyang even more than the government troops.

Zhao Ziyang was originally from the Yangzhi Academy, but now he has actually sold out his own foundation!

The current head of the Yangzhi Academy, Zongwu, immediately announced his separation from Jingtian Manor and severed all ties with Zhao Ziyang, vowing to have no further connection with him!

A single move can have far-reaching consequences. Once Yangzhi Academy broke away and chose to establish its own sect, several other academies with which it had good relations immediately followed suit and announced their own departure.

One after another.

Each branch school took sides.

Some were already dissatisfied with Zhao Ziyang's management, while others harbored great hatred and resentment towards the government troops.

In short, Jingtian Manor is currently in chaos, with several branches that dislike each other fighting each other for resources.

The Nine-Bend Courtyard, on the other hand, was only for self-preservation.

"The situation is critical now, so I won't say any more. Jiuquyuan has no ambition, nor does it want to shed blood. It just wants everyone to be well and live well. Those who are willing to follow Jiuquyuan, go to Wangshan, and we will meet there."

Zhong Yunxiu looked at the crowd in front of her, her voice low.

After saying that, she called out to Zhong Han and left first.

Inside the mountain is the core resource of Jiuquyuan, the location of the meat field.

We can lose any other resources, but this meat field is the one we must fight for.

The crowd remained silent, pondering the future, before dispersing without uttering a word.

Han Yi also saw Xiao Zhong, Sun Zheng, Liu Song and others, his sworn brothers in name only.

By this point, everyone seemed to have lost the mood for small talk, and after a brief smile, they quickly left.

Han Yi didn't dawdle. After returning to his residence, he quickly packed his things, took them with him, and headed towards Wangshan.

Wangshan is also located in the Black Miasma Mountain Range, not too far from Qiyun Mountain, which makes it convenient for him to gather up the spoils he had collected in the secret cave yesterday.

rustle…...

Han Yi looked up at the sky. The sun hadn't risen yet; the sky was overcast, and a light drizzle had started to fall again. "Sigh..."

He sighed inwardly. Overnight, it seemed that the entire Jingtian Manor had undergone earth-shattering changes.

The changes are so drastic that people simply cannot keep up.

But isn't that how the world works? Survival of the fittest.

……………

……………

At the foot of Wangshan Mountain, in a manor.

The sky remained overcast, and the drizzling raindrops pattered on the road, turning it into a muddy mess and making the mountain path even more difficult to traverse.

Zhong Yunxiu stood in the middle of the courtyard, expressionless, her mood unreadable.

But just by looking at her clenched knuckles, which had turned white, and her slightly trembling lips, you could tell that she was definitely not at peace.

"Yunxiu, now that things have come to this, there's no need to think too much. Let them fight if they want. We just need to save our lives."

Gongsun Jing stood beside Zhong Yunxiu and spoke softly.

“I know… but I still feel a little sad…” Zhong Yunxiu sighed.

The familiar environment of decades was shattered in a single day, torn into countless pieces.

Those familiar people, that familiar home, those familiar experiences—it seems we can never go back.

Gongsun Jing was speechless for a moment, not knowing how to comfort her, so she could only hold her hand as a form of consolation.

The light, gray drizzle, like silk threads, gradually thickened.

Gradually, more and more people came into the courtyard, making it somewhat crowded.

The number of disciples willing to follow the Nine-Bend Academy and the Snowdrift Academy, the two inner academies, has reached its limit.

No one was rushing towards them from outside the door.

Zhong Yunxiu looked at the group belonging to the Nine-Bend Academy and sighed again.

In terms of the number of people, it seems that there are more than before.

But upon closer inspection, most of the extra people were disciples, family members, and relatives wearing straw raincoats and carrying large and small bags; their faces were unfamiliar.

The number of truly combat-capable individuals has decreased by more than ten compared to when they gathered in the inner courtyard earlier.

This shows that many people in the Nine-Bend Academy are not optimistic about its future, which is why they are nowhere to be seen at this crucial moment.

Zhong Yunxiu stared intently at the group, where Han Yi, Xiao Zhong, and others were present.

On the contrary, the two who were known as the Twin Stars of Jiuquyuan and were hailed as the next generation of leaders, Song Qiao'er and Zhou Qi, did not come.

She had just seen the two of them in the main hall.

It's impossible that neither of them was unaware of the implications of this matter, which is why they made their choice at this juncture.

Song Qiao'er and Zhou Qi were both exceptionally talented, having cultivated to the third level of true skill at a young age. They were also quite good-looking.

The only thing they lack is resources, or rather, their background.

The two were originally the children of former disciples of the Jiuqu Academy, and were sent to the Jiuqu Academy for training after being discovered.

Unfortunately, the small temple of Jiuquyuan seemed unable to accommodate two great deities.

In fact, the disagreement arose when Zhong Yunxiu decided to fully retreat in order to protect herself, and it became irreparable.

They retreat to protect themselves, avoid the chaos, and reappear once the situation becomes clear.

This cannot be called a mistake; it can be described as a well-thought-out strategy.

However, a complete contraction means that most industries must be abandoned, and most resources must be ruthlessly discarded. Only a few core industries can remain.

It's like the meat field of Wangshan, or Qiyun Mountain where Han Yi is located.

The former is essential for martial artists' training and daily life. The latter is for weapon and equipment manufacturing and logistics.

It would be difficult to retain the remaining industries.

As a result, Jiuquyuan, with its limited resources but strong capabilities, will be seen as a tough nut to crack and something others will be unwilling to provoke.

However, there are advantages and disadvantages. Abandoning most of the industries means that the welfare resources supplied to the disciples of the inner court will be greatly reduced.

Before the Nine-Bend Academy became independent, the resources it could provide to its disciples and the income from its businesses were barely enough to keep them afloat.

Song Qiao'er and Zhou Qi were able to stay there at that time.

But now, resources are insufficient and the future is uncertain. They say they are protecting themselves and being prudent, but isn't it just that they are afraid of being implicated and want to find a place to hide? The two are not old, and they are in the prime of their lives, and they are also in the period of their martial arts development.

They do not approve of this kind of repressed and tolerant behavior, this kind of forced suffering.

Of course, leaving the Nine-Bend Academy also means that they will not be able to obtain the follow-up techniques of the Cold Yin Nine-Bend Palm; at most, they can only practice up to the third level.

But staying in this remote mountain corner, with scarce resources, doesn't guarantee you'll be able to train effectively.

So he simply gave up on the Nine-Bend Academy and sought another path, choosing true skill anew.

"I heard that the two of them were valued by the You family and recruited as key trainees. They have no shortage of real skills and resources, but they need to serve the You family for ten years."

Zhong Han stood to the side and explained in a low voice.

The wages of avarice is death.

In the path of martial arts cultivation, the most important thing still revolves around one word: money.

Take Tao Yaohui for example. Even if he wasn't naturally gifted, he was still able to break through at a rapid pace thanks to the unlimited resources provided by his sister, Tao Qingtang.

Therefore, it's not a matter of right or wrong in Song Qiao'er and Zhou Qi's choices; they were simply different choices.

Zhong Yunxiu understood this, which is why she didn't get angry, but she felt a little sad.

But she believes that there are always things that are more important than money.

For example...

She glanced at the group of senior disciples in the group.

Leaving aside the families...

These disciples range in age from their early twenties to their thirties and forties.

They weren't without other options; that's why they brought their wives and children with them.

It's just pure emotion, genuine feelings.

Even if it's just for the sake of this trust, as the head of the department, she has to take full responsibility.

Zhong Yunxiu cast aside all her weak emotions, and her gaze became firm again.

“This happened so suddenly… It’s all so kind of you to be able to come together…” She wanted to say something, but suddenly her voice choked up and she couldn’t get the words out.

"What are you saying, Master? Practicing martial arts is one thing, but if you practice it to the point of becoming stupid and losing even the most basic sense of propriety and shame, what's the point?" Xiao Zhong grinned. "Everyone knows the situation in the inner courtyard. Those who came here are prepared. Just say whatever your orders are."

Unlike other disciples of the Nine-Bend Academy, Xiao Zhong came from a well-off family, and several of his family members held positions in the government army.

It wasn't that he had nowhere to go, but as the chief disciple of the Nine-Bend Academy, he couldn't bear to leave out of conscience and responsibility.

"Yes, Headmaster, please speak frankly, and we will do our utmost."

"That's right, everyone knows how things have turned out. It has nothing to do with you; they're the ones at fault..."

"Time is of the essence now. Making arrangements early will allow us to respond sooner and have more leverage. I see that the Yangzhi Institute has already begun to take action."

After Xiao Zhong spoke, everyone chimed in, their voices sincere.

A hint of joy finally appeared on Zhong Yunxiu's face, and a trace of relief appeared in her eyes.

Although Jiuquyuan is small in number and weak in strength, it is not without its merits.

They are few in number but united, and those who remain are all sincere and genuine people.

The overall cohesion is naturally stronger than that of other departments. This is an extremely valuable point.

With people's hearts united, what is there to worry about in achieving anything?

Zhong Yunxiu glanced at the people at the front of the group: Zhong Han, Xiao Zhong, and Han Yi.

Putting Zhong Han aside, Xiao Zhong and Han Yi, with their skills, could easily secure a decent position no matter which faction they joined.

The two of them followed without hesitation or complaint, which demonstrates true affection.

Of the three, Zhong Han, the strongest, has already entered the Inscription Stage, which is equivalent to the eighth level of True Skill. Han Yi, the weakest, is also at the sixth level of True Skill and should not be underestimated.

This is currently the only high-end combat force in the Nine Turns Academy besides her.

Therefore, the most urgent task is to make arrangements for the three of them.

With the three of them there, Jiuqu Academy can hold the line for now. "Xiao Zhong, you continue as the chief disciple, mentor the new disciples, and handle all matters, big and small, within the sect. Hanhan, you're in charge of external affairs, communicating with other forces and maintaining contact..."

Zhong Yunxiu gave instructions one by one.

Finally, she looked at Han Yi: "Xiao Yi, why don't you stay at Qiyun Mountain and take care of all the supplies, including weapons, clothes, and logistics?"

"Okay." Han Yi nodded without hesitation.

"The situation in the village is chaotic right now. No one can tell who is friend or foe, who is human or ghost. But I believe that this chaos will end sooner or later, and we will definitely have a chance to rise again."

From this day forward, my Nine-Bend Academy will stand alone, renamed Nine-Bend Gate. We will not concern ourselves with the disputes between other branches. As long as we unite and defend this place, and the Flesh Field remains, our future hope remains!

Zhong Yunxiu addressed the crowd with a resolute tone, which inspired and gave them a lot of hope.