Demon Sword Sect's Undercover-Chapter 717 - 716: Master of the Grotto Heaven [Additional Release for Bai Yu Tuanzi’s Birthday]

Chapter 717: Chapter 716: Master of the Grotto Heaven [Additional Release for Bai Yu Tuanzi’s Birthday]

PS: Happy Birthday!

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The evaluation of the Heavenly Heart Pavilion was finally about to begin. As the news spread, the True Inheritors, who had been lingering in the sea of flowers, slowly gathered. This was what they were most eager to understand.

For hundreds of years, the Heavenly Heart Pavilion had been manipulating the Constellation True Inheritors but had never provided a convincing reason; although the selected Constellation True Inheritors were indeed deserving of their titles, there was still inevitable skepticism about such opaque operations in public opinion. Without a standard visible to all, the possibility of backroom dealings existed.

This was common knowledge, and no one could stop the cultivators from talking.

After harboring grievances for hundreds of years, they finally found an opportunity for release. As two Constellation True Inheritors ascended to the Upper Realm, the Heavenly Heart Pavilion suddenly couldn’t produce convincing candidates, prompting all the major powers to set aside their prejudices and gather here, regardless of their affiliation. They were here to force the Heavenly Heart Pavilion’s hand.

Either by demonstrating power or by changing the rules, they aimed to allow every major Daoist denomination to participate in the decision-making process, thus breaking the monopoly that the Heavenly Heart Pavilion and the Taihao Sect had on ranking.

So, in fact, this was a premeditated organizational effort. With so many True Inheritors coming upon hearing the news, how could there not be a mastermind behind it?

Especially the most active ones were the Wu Sect and Guo Sect. Having lost their positions as Constellation True Inheritors, they naturally thought their other True Inheritors should step up, among other things.

For every effect, there is a cause, such is the way of cultivation.

Hence, after these True Disciples selected the nineteen most powerful among them in the interactions of the past few days, these nineteen no longer wanted to fight amongst themselves. Instead, they joined forces to challenge the authority, demanding the official statutes from the Heavenly Heart Pavilion.

Either the nineteen would decide on the top two to fill the positions of Constellation True Inheritors,

Or, if the Heavenly Heart Pavilion did not wish to make a decision now, they must present compelling conditions to satisfy them!

What conditions are most convincing? Proof lies in actual strength. If the Heavenly Heart Pavilion could indeed find such a cultivator, not among the Constellation True Inheritors yet capable of convincing everyone, it would mean that on the Jinxiu Continent there were still numerous cultivators qualified for the position. These True Disciples then wouldn’t represent all the top talents of the Tongtian three realms, and naturally, they would cease their demands. Otherwise...

With over two hundred True Inheritors gathered, although the mood was not boiling with passion, silence was a form of power that compelled the Heavenly Heart Pavilion to follow the overall trend.

A few of the most famous Daoist True Inheritors gathered together, waiting for the Heavenly Heart Pavilion to unravel the mystery.

"I heard that the demonstration will be conducted by three disciples of the Heavenly Heart Pavilion. Who has heard of these three?" the Wu Sect True Inheritor, Gu Daozi, asked.

"Never heard of them," the Zhou Sect True Inheritor Lou Yue snorted coldly. "Disciples of the Heavenly Heart Pavilion always move about in Jianghu incognito, never revealing their true identities, shrouded in mystery, carrying an air of looking down upon the world. This time, I’m curious to see where their confidence comes from."

He had the credentials. Since his initiation, he had undertaken many significant actions and was well-regarded; especially recently in the Northwest Xunfeng Valley, his reputation flourished greatly. Although the commander Han Tiangang was played in the Upper Realm, others rose on the wave of the event, including him and people like Huai Liangyou and Dai Xun.

These individuals had been active across the continent, accomplishing many solid deeds. What they couldn’t stand the most were their positions being influenced by those who always hid their heads and tails, waiting for an opportunity to vent their full displeasure.

The Guo Sect True Inheritor Cheng Kun chuckled. "Let’s see whether it’s a mule or a horse. Brother Han did great things for the livelihood of the people in the Northwest. I do not believe they can overlook that."

Qi Sect True Inheritor Huai Liangyou smiled, "Regarding the Heavenly Heart Pavilion and these three Daoist friends, I actually know a bit about them. I have crossed paths with two of them in the Southeast. Although they have never admitted it personally, I know they come from the Heavenly Heart Pavilion.

They are indeed of decent strength and can barely support the facade of True Disciples, but if they alone are meant to stop us—afraid they cannot stop even one out of the nineteen.

As for the third person, I heard he is a wanderer who has recently returned, and I have no information about him."

Gu Daozi nodded, "That aligns with the actual situation of the Heavenly Heart Pavilion. Is strength something to be told by mouth? I think, what we need to guard against the most is them finding excuses to procrastinate, trying to bluff their way through. As long as we hold onto this point firmly and do not let go, let’s see what statutes they can come up with."

Everyone nodded in agreement. On this issue, there wouldn’t likely be any surprises. Among the nineteen, it was not only their little Daoist group’s attitude — including disciples from other sects such as the Buddhist Sect’s Jiaye, the Chu Sect’s Tan Xiao, the Shan Sect’s Wei Gu, the Yan Sect’s Yan Baiyi, the Lian Sect Heartless Dao’s Teng Chongzhi, and others.

This was the trend of events, and nobody could change it.

Soon, the Daoist who had been overseeing this matter, the Heavenly Heart Pavilion’s Golden Core Qiu Shi, appeared at a high spot in a pavilion, with an unfamiliar cultivator following by his side.

But no one cared about who the follower was; their only concern was how the Heavenly Heart Pavilion would handle them.

Qiu Shi Daoist cleared his throat lightly, his voice rising, "Respected Daoist friends, listen sincerely, the Heavenly Heart Pavilion’s decision on the position of the Constellation True Inheritor is never based solely on one aspect. Our observations must be comprehensive, fair, and visionary, fitting the Jinxiu Continent’s future changes.

Please give us some time. I reassert, within ten to twenty years, before the descent of the Spiritual Green in Outer Space, you will definitely see a satisfactory result.

This is our responsibility to the traditions of the Heavenly Heart Pavilion, to each of you, and to the entire Jinxiu Continent; choosing the best candidates to usher in Jinxiu’s most glorious era.

So, do you still insist on seeing a result right now? Will you continue to linger here, unwilling to depart?"

The hundreds of True Disciples from various sects of the continent did not move an inch. Now that they were here, having reached this stage, how could they possibly leave easily?

Qiu Shi Daoist sighed, as expected. It seemed he couldn’t wholly blame these young people. Although the Heavenly Heart Pavilion’s operations had maintained ample mystery and fairness for hundreds of years, it had lost touch with the secular and participatory aspects, severing itself from the entire Cultivation World and ultimately leading to this outcome.

In the Cultivation World, among humans, who truly needs fairness?

It seems no matter the outcome this time, the Heavenly Heart Pavilion must make a change. But then again, once the Heaven and Earth Chains are unleashed, will people still need the Heavenly Heart Pavilion’s rankings?

The so-called heaven of the Heavenly Heart Pavilion is only the heaven of Jinxiu, insignificant within the universe!

It’s merely dust.

Feeling somewhat disinterested, let the young handle their own affairs.

He gestured, "See there? That’s him, Hao Ren of my Heavenly Heart Pavilion’s Tongtian Natural Realm. He will serve as the lord of the Grotto Heaven and engage with all of you in the Fragrance of Orchids micro-world to determine the Heavenly Heart Pavilion’s strategy concerning the Constellation True Inheritor.

If no one can defeat him, please let everyone return to their respective Daoist dominions, and do not persist.

If someone does defeat him, then the Heavenly Heart Pavilion will work together with you all to find a solution that satisfies everyone."