Fantasy: Immortality Begins with Absorbing Demons

Chapter 769 Coercion (Part 7)

It seems that the greatest truths are the simplest; just these two sentences seem to say everything.

The solution has already been given to you.

If you can't understand it, you can only blame yourself for not having enough comprehension.

This is essentially saying nothing at all.

What kind of inheritance can be considered a unique path?

What standards does it meet? What content? What level?

Suppose we create a unique martial art that ordinary people can only improve their physical health but not become stronger. Would that be considered an original path?

There needs to be a unified standard for classification.

Han Yi had a feeling that something hidden behind this was the key to breaking through to the Venerable realm.

Unfortunately, he couldn't find anyone to verify it.

Venerable-level experts are extremely rare.

In particular, the number of martial arts masters in Yunzhou is mostly concentrated in the Yuanmiao Sect.

Apart from Kaiyuan Miaozong, the strongest of the other first-rate forces is only at the Grandmaster level.

Even Han Yi had doubts.

The so-called two sentences about being able to break through the Venerable's method may also be a smokescreen released by the Yuanmiao Sect to create mystery.

The true path is never simply what it sounds like on the surface.

There should be a general direction to move forward.

Otherwise, why would the Yuanmiao Sect have Venerable-level experts appearing generation after generation to suppress the sect?

Can everyone independently create a unique and distinctive new path?

Not very realistic.

This is probably one of the important reasons why Emperor Yuanmiao was able to dominate Yunzhou.

He firmly grasped all the high-level martial arts training materials.

The rare and precious materials and blessed lands required for cultivation are all under strict control.

This forces all powerful individuals within the entire Yunzhou region who reach a certain level to submit and become part of the Yuanmiao Sect if they wish to make further progress.

"Yuanmiao Sect, Yuanmiao Sect... to have held sway over Yunzhou for a thousand years... truly lives up to its reputation..."

Han Yi sighed, gazed quietly out the window, and pondered deeply.

The surface of Flower Lake rippled, waves rose and fell, lotus leaves trembled, startling insects into flight; their translucent wings blinked rapidly, emitting a soft buzzing sound. In the large square not far away, there was a cacophony of voices and a large crowd of people; several high platforms were placed in the center, surrounded by a large group of young onlookers.

With Han Yi's eyesight, he could see it clearly.

On a high platform in the middle, two female disciples were locked in a fierce battle, their swords locked in combat. Although they were weak and lacked strength, speed, and agility, their superior skills and natural execution made them formidable opponents.

On one side, a woman in a green dress looked heroic and spirited, while on the other side, a woman in a white dress danced and twirled like a flower, creating a beautiful scene.

On either side of the stage, two groups of people glared angrily.

One group was dressed in white with "Qinghong Martial Arts School" embroidered on their chests. The other group was dressed in blue with "Baishui Martial Arts School" embroidered on their backs.

It resembled a martial arts school battle, with each side cheering and supporting their respective school's senior female disciple in a stage-like display of strength.

This was a martial arts talent show organized in the name of the Ten Thousand Beasts Sect. It brought together the younger generation of martial artists from the Huayang area, carefully selecting the best of the best to choose the eighteen new talents of Huayang.

These eighteen people skipped the tedious queuing and testing process and went straight to the inner hall, bypassing the outer courtyard.

That is, to directly enter the hall where Zhong Yunxiu, Zhang Ruoning and others are located, which contains the true inheritance of skills.

Since Han Yi rose to power and became the largest force in the Huayang area, the Ten Thousand Beasts Sect has...

Naturally, not only ordinary people wanted to join, but also the martial arts disciples left over from the original government military reform were equally eager to join.

Han Yi went with the flow and took over the Martial Alliance, becoming the head of the Huayang Martial Alliance, managing all the martial arts schools, and organizing a series of measures such as competitions and talent shows.

Held every three months, the selection is open to anyone under twenty years old with a clean background. The top eighteen receive substantial rewards, including wealth, training in cultivation techniques, and the coveted opportunity to join the Ten Thousand Beasts Sect. However, despite the name, more than eighteen people actually enter the sect each time.

Some people with outstanding potential and excellent performance may also be exceptionally admitted if they catch the eye of higher-ups and are valued.

Joining here refers to joining under certain conditions and with restrictions.

One must start from the lowest level and undergo a certain period of observation before it is possible to truly become an inner disciple of the Ten Thousand Beasts Sect.

Rao is so.

The martial arts school talent show still attracted a lot of enthusiastic participants, and the competition was fierce.

After all, winning a prize in the ring means both money and fame, a fatal temptation that is irresistible to young people who are eager to succeed and achieve something.

On the high platform, two young and beautiful women were panting heavily, their breaths rapid. Their strength had finally been exhausted, their movements less agile, and their attacks chaotic. Immediately, someone jumped onto the platform, stopping the fight.

Ultimately, this is just a contest in the ring; there is no conflict between the two sides that necessarily requires a life-or-death struggle.

The two women were already exhausted. If they continued fighting without using their ultimate moves, they would only be evenly matched, and it would eventually become a contest of endurance and willpower, which would be meaningless.

On the high platform, the two women each took a step back, clasped their hands in greeting, and stood to one side, quietly awaiting the outcome.

In a close match like this, the final rankings must be determined by examining the details.

Unlike common competitions where the winner is determined by the number of times a person is hit, this is different.

The details to be judged here refer to age, comprehension, and the ability to understand true skills.

One person has a shorter cultivation period, is younger, and has a lower cultivation level, yet manages to fight to a draw with someone of higher cultivation and older age through extraordinary talent. That person is naturally the winner.

Alternatively, if the two players have similar basic conditions, but one player has more skillful technique and more refined strength, they will also be judged as the winner.

At first, some people questioned the evaluation criteria, saying they were too subjective and broad.

But this is a new selection competition, choosing future disciples of the Ten Thousand Beasts Sect, valuing their future potential and aptitude.

It doesn't require simple combat skills.

These disciples from martial arts schools, no matter how high their starting point, can only ever become grandmasters at most.

Among ordinary rogue martial artists, he would be considered a decent fighter. But within the Ten Thousand Beasts Sect, he's not quite up to par.

If you randomly pick any member of the inner hall, isn't every one a martial arts master?

A short while later, Meng Ren, who had been watching the game intently from the sidelines, delivered a convincing result. The victorious side was naturally overjoyed, feeling a great sense of pride and satisfaction, as their previous efforts had been rewarded.

The loser wasn't discouraged; his expression shifted slightly, as if he was considering his next move and making adjustments in preparation for achieving his goal again in the future.

Meng Ren, a younger brother who was determined to follow Han Yi since the time Jingtian Manor was still around.

Now, the bitterness has finally given way to happiness.

His position as the leader of the Huayang Martial Alliance, and his role in overseeing the recruitment of disciples for the Ten Thousand Beasts Sect and managing the number of personnel in each branch, made him an overnight sensation in the Huayang area.

Every day, countless people try to befriend him and build a good relationship.

Speaking of Meng Ren, the first time he met Han Yi was through internal boxing matches, where they sparred in the ring and became acquainted through fighting.

Back then, he was forced to fight on the stage against his will. Now, however, he sits in the main seat, and his every word and action can determine a person's fate.

“Everyone… changes…” Han Yi sighed as he looked away.

The resurgent Beast Sect is changing rapidly, with each day bringing new life to everyone.

However, how long can this false prosperity last?

Calm and peaceful, thriving and prosperous.

Not only was the Myriad Beasts Sect booming, but the lives of the people in the Huayang area were also thriving and peaceful.

There was no government troops arbitrarily arresting people and persecuting loyal and virtuous officials.

There was no infighting between forces that affected the innocent.

Han Yi alone suppressed this area, resulting in an extremely stable overall environment.

At least on the surface, everything seems to be thriving.

There was no sign of the impending demonic calamity. But Han Yi knew the truth in his heart.

This day would come sooner or later.

It's just a matter of time.

Even with the Ten Thousand Beasts Sect's own strength, which has grown considerably, he was not confident that he could successfully overcome the demonic calamity.

If you want to rely on external forces...

Yuanmiaozong is the first choice for most people.

but…...

Yuanmiaozong was not a virtuous person, nor was she a saint who would selflessly dedicate herself to protecting Yunzhou.

at this point.

In fact, it's not hard to see this from some things.

If they really are that kind-hearted.

Why not simply open up the inheritance process and share all the secrets?

Putting aside everything else, if they could make their method for breaking through to the Venerable level public, there would definitely be several, or even a dozen, more Martial Arts Venerables in Yunzhou.

With the overall strength of Yunzhou improved, dealing with the demonic calamity will naturally be easier, and the number of casualties will likely be greatly reduced.

Emperor Yuanmiaozong did not make this choice.

Instead, they did not hesitate to use the pretext of righteousness to force various forces in Yunzhou to take sides.

By pooling all resources, forming a united front, and under unified command, working together to combat the demonic calamity…

The words sound nice, though.

However, in the process of division of labor and cooperation, there will always be some dirty and tiring work.

So who will be the first to charge to the front lines and resist the onslaught of the demonic calamity?

Actually, you don't even need to think about it.

It certainly wouldn't be the arrogant Yuanmiao Sect, who considers themselves the masters of Yunzhou. They view the various forces in Yunzhou as resources to be consumed, and human lives are nothing more than a cold, hard number to them.

Perhaps Han Yi was overthinking things, judging others by his own petty standards.

Yuanmiaozong may have had good intentions; they were preserving their power to guard against even greater dangers later on.

But what Han Yi wanted was open and fair cooperation between the two sides, with no secrets between them, everything transparent and open, and true unity.

Only an allied force formed in that way could truly be called the Yunzhou Allied Forces.

Instead of the current situation, where the Yuanmiao Sect acts superior, ordering people around without saying a word, repeatedly saying "it's for your own good," and then forcibly taking away their disciples and all their resources.

This is not cooperation at all.

It's a completely different form of slavery contract, where the obligations and responsibilities of both parties are fundamentally unequal.