Gou Zai Fei Men made up myths

The situation reached a stalemate. The major sects exerted pressure with their strength, while the smaller forces dared not speak out, and the independent cultivators were even less influential.

All eyes were once again focused on Shen Mo.

Despite the doubts and pressure, Shen Mo remained calm. He waited for the debate below to subside before speaking slowly, his voice not loud, but clearly reaching everyone's ears: "Elder Huoyun, Elder Wuhen, what you said... is not without reason."

His words startled Huo Yun and Jian Wuhen, and surprised the crowd below the stage. Was Sect Leader Shen about to compromise?

But Shen Mo changed the subject: "The alliance is newly established and it is indeed necessary to pool our wisdom. Therefore, I propose that the alliance set up a 'Council Hall' where each member can send a representative to discuss alliance affairs."

The eyes of the smaller sects and independent cultivators lit up! A council hall? Each member could send a representative? This sounded much fairer than an "elders' council"!

Huoyun Daoist's face darkened: "Sect Leader Shen, sects vary in size and strength. To treat them all equally would be child's play."

"Elder Huoyun, please be at ease." Shen Mo raised his hand in a gesture of reassurance and continued, "The council's decisions concern routine matters such as resource allocation and task evaluation. The weight of these decisions is determined by the amount of 'contribution.' Those who contribute more naturally have a greater say. This is distribution according to merit, incentivizing contributions to the alliance. I presume you all have no objections?"

This made perfect sense, leaving Huo Yun and Jian Wuhen speechless for a moment. Based on contribution level, their major sect would certainly have a higher initial contribution level, so it seemed they weren't at a disadvantage.

"However," Shen Mo's gaze swept over the expectant eyes of the small and medium-sized forces and independent cultivators below the stage, his voice rising slightly, "major matters concerning changes to the alliance's aims, external wars and peace, and even... the expulsion of members, require a vote by all members of the council, and... require the approval of more than 70% of the contribution weight before they can be implemented!"

"Seventy percent?" Jian Wuhen exclaimed in disbelief. "This..."

Shen Mo didn't give him a chance to refute, and said loudly, "Why is that? Because the foundation of the alliance lies in 'mutual assistance and sharing,' in protecting the interests of the vast majority of members! Not in becoming a tool for a minority to seize personal gain and suppress dissent!"

"If anyone relies on their power to act perversely and harm the interests of the majority of members, the alliance has the right to expel them! This is the very reason for the alliance's existence!"

His voice was firm and resonant, carrying an aura of righteous indignation. His gaze swept over Huo Yun and Jian Wuhen like lightning: "Elders, if your sects consider themselves to have made outstanding contributions and acted with integrity, why should you fear this '70%' limit? Could it be... that you harbor the intention to use your power to oppress others and enrich yourselves at the expense of the public good in the future?"

"You!" Huoyun Daoist was so angry that his beard trembled, and Jian Wuhen's face turned red.

"Well said!"

"Sect Leader Shen is fair!"

"That's how it should be! We can't let the major sects do whatever they want!"

Below the stage, the smaller sects and independent cultivators erupted in thunderous cheers and shouts of support! Shen Mo's words resonated with them, giving them the confidence to stand up to the major sects!

Taking advantage of the situation, Shen Mo spoke, his voice resounding throughout the entire hall: "The Azure Cloud Alliance aims to provide a platform for cultivators in the Southern Region to settle down, establish themselves, and explore the Great Dao together! Those who wish to join the alliance shall abide by the alliance rules and enjoy its benefits."

"Those who are unwilling will not be forced by the Qingyun Sect. Secret Realm slots will be exchanged fairly based on contribution points, treating everyone equally!"

He calmly looked at Huo Yun and Jian Wuhen: "Will you join hands to benefit the Southern Region, or will you remain stagnant and preoccupied with temporary power? I urge you two elders to think carefully."

The pressure was instantly shifted back onto the Blazing Sun Sect and the Heavenly Sword Sect. If they resolutely opposed it, they would be standing against the vast majority of cultivators in the Southern Region, losing the hearts and minds of the people.

If they agree, it means acknowledging the dominant position of the Qingyun Sect and that its power will be subject to checks and balances.

Huoyun Daoist and Jian Wuhen's expressions shifted, becoming extremely grim. Behind them, the burning gazes of the smaller sects and independent cultivators pressed down on them as if they were physical objects.

Shen Mo's question, "Is it to join hands and move forward together, or to remain stagnant and complacent?" struck everyone like a heavy hammer, echoing in the square and making it hard to breathe. The bright sunlight shone on the high platform, making the blue robe appear somewhat dazzling.

The audience was deathly silent. Countless gazes, some burning, some cold, some hesitant, some resolute, were all focused on Huo Yun Dao Ren of the Lieyang Sect and Jian Wuhen of the Tianjian Sect.

Huoyun Daoist's face turned from green to red, then from red to white, his chest heaving violently, and his knuckles gripping the armrest turned white from the force.

He could feel the expectant, even subtly coercive, gazes of countless small and medium-sized sects and independent cultivators behind him, as well as the cold, scrutinizing gaze of Elder Ling Shuang of the Xuanbing Pavilion beside him, and even more so, the calm yet unfathomable eyes of Shen Mo on the opposite high platform.

Agree? Does the Blazing Sun Sect, with its thousand-year-old reputation, really have to submit to others and be constrained by this "Council Hall" and "70% contribution rate"?

Refusing would mean openly standing against the vast majority of cultivators in the Southern Region, losing the hearts and minds of the people, and making it difficult for the Blazing Sun Sect to move an inch in the Southern Region in the future! Shen Mo's scheme is too vicious!

Jian Wuhen's forehead veins bulged. He was even more impatient than Huo Yun, and under this pressure, he could hardly suppress the urge to draw his sword.

But out of the corner of his eye, he saw that Shi Tie, that fierce god, was grinning and staring at him with ill intent. He also thought of his brother, whose Dao heart had been damaged during his seclusion. A breath of pent-up anger stuck in his throat, making his vision go black.

But out of the corner of his eye, he saw that Shi Tie, that fierce god, was grinning and staring at him with ill intent. He also thought of his brother, whose Dao heart had been damaged during his seclusion. A breath of pent-up anger stuck in his throat, making his vision go black.

In the midst of this suffocating silence, a smooth and enthusiastic voice rang out, breaking the deadlock.

"Oh my! This is a great thing that will benefit the southern region and benefit future generations! What are you waiting for?"

Chen Hao of Baibaoge suddenly stood up, his chubby face beaming with a sincere smile. He cupped his hands in a salute to Shen Mo, his voice booming as if afraid no one would miss him, "Sect Leader Shen, your righteousness is boundless! I admire you to the core! The 'Azure Cloud Alliance' is well-established! The rules are clearly defined!"

"Our Hundred Treasures Pavilion is the first to support this! We are willing to sign and seal the alliance, and from now on, we will work together with the Qingyun Sect and all fellow Daoists in the Southern Region to achieve common development!"

As he spoke, he actually took out a glittering jade slip and a talisman pen from his storage bag, walked quickly to the jade table in front of the platform where the covenant was placed, and was about to imprint his divine sense mark on the position representing the Treasure Pavilion without hesitation.

His movement was like toppling the first domino.

"Elder Ling Shuang," Shen Mo spoke up at the opportune moment, turning his gaze towards the Xuanbing Pavilion, his tone gentle, "The Xuanbing Pavilion has always been upright and fair. This alliance aims to quell disputes and jointly explore the Great Dao, which is beneficial to the stability of the Southern Region. If your esteemed pavilion is willing to join, we will give priority to cooperating with your pavilion in the exchange of pills and magical artifacts within the alliance."

"In addition, there is a 'Mysterious Ice Cave' in the 'Minor Myriad Laws Secret Realm', which contains extremely cold Daoist energy, which may be beneficial to the cultivation of your disciples. I, Shen, can make the decision to designate it as a special trial area for the Mysterious Ice Pavilion."

Elder Ling Shuang's usually cold eyes flickered slightly. Prioritizing resource exchanges was a tangible benefit, and the "Mystic Ice Cave" directly addressed the core needs of the Mystic Ice Pavilion!

She exchanged a glance with another female elder beside her, pondered for a moment, then slowly rose, her voice clear and melodious like the clash of ice and jade: "What Sect Leader Shen said is indeed a blessing for the Southern Region. Xuanbing Pavilion is willing to follow in his footsteps." After saying that, she also walked to the jade table, representing Xuanbing Pavilion to imprint her divine consciousness.

The two major powers took the lead in expressing their opinions, and the smaller sects and independent cultivators were in an uproar!

"I, Aokimon, join!"

"Count me in from Spirit Butterfly Valley!"

"And there's my Golden Knife Sect!"

"Liu Yishou, representing his three hundred brothers, humbly requests to join the alliance!"

In an instant, the crowd was in high spirits, with many sect leaders and independent cultivators rushing to the jade table, afraid of being left behind. Han Lin quickly led his disciples forward to maintain order and register everyone, keeping them extremely busy.