The Quest for Immortality-Chapter 2221: Asura (part 3)

"The Sword Discussion Conference, the original intent is ’discussion,’ not ’killing.’

"Reviving it now is no different from encouraging disciples to kill indiscriminately. How will others perceive the ethos of our Qianxue?"

Some disagreed.

A Sword Cultivation Elder with a rugged face and a stern expression said:

"To slay demons and eliminate evil requires thunderous methods. To protect the Dao, one must have a Shura heart."

"The demon monsters are insidious and vicious."

"To eradicate the demons, one must be more cunning, more ruthless than the demon monsters."

"Without a resolute heart for killing, one will surely fall victim to the demons."

"This is the significance of the Shura battle."

"Without the decisive killing and iron will honed in the Shura battle, we Righteous Cultivators could not have overthrown the Demon Palace, established the Taoist Court, spread the Righteous Dao, and safeguarded all beings..."

But these words met with even more opposition.

"That’s ancient history..."

"The times are different. Back when demons wreaked havoc, it was naturally necessary to be decisive in killing. Now that the world is at peace, there’s no need to constantly speak of ’Righteous and Demonic’..."

"Exactly, this is the Sword Discussion Conference, with Righteous Families standing tall and prodigies gathering, where are the ’demons’ here?"

"Constantly talking about Righteous and Demonic seems rather alarmist..."

"This Shura battle, I find it unsuitable..."

"That’s right, I disagree too."

"If you disagree with the Shura battle, then what? Do you intend to reject the interpretations of the Dao Discussion Heaven Instrument?"

"This..."

The people hesitated again.

The Dao Discussion Heaven Instrument, after all, is a treasured legacy of Mount of Tao, existing for thousands of years, and no one truly dares to dismiss its interpretations.

"It’s not dismissal, it’s temporary shelving," said an Elder with a knack for diplomacy.

"Exactly, it’s shelving. As for the final names in the Earth Rank sword discussion, we will arrange them separately..."

"Then the question arises, who will arrange this list?"

"Whoever arranges it, how can it be guaranteed to be free of favoritism and corruption?"

"Whoever arranges it, how can it be ensured it won’t be affected?"

The most important point is, "whoever arranges it, can they gain everyone’s acceptance?"

The interpretations of the Dao Discussion Heaven Instrument are not entirely rational, and the lists it often produces dissatisfy many sects, causing many disciples to harbor grievances.

But no one truly dares to voice objections.

Because it is the creation of the ancestors of Mount of Tao.

It is a system that has been used for the Sword Discussion Conference since antiquity.

Something that can ’gain acceptance.’

If they don’t adhere to the Dao Discussion Heaven Instrument, and arrange the list themselves, even if the Four Great Sects and Eight Gates join forces, it would never truly be convincing.

After all, human nature is too complex.

In such a competitive environment, what is devised through cultivators’ discussions cannot withstand scrutiny.

No matter how the list is arranged, it will attract a host of ’doubts.’"

As for ’drawing lots’ to leave it to chance, let alone.

These people are the core Elders of great powers, great sects, and great families, with extraordinary vision and knowledge, naturally knowing that so-called luck can’t possibly be true luck.

Some cultivators of exceptional talent truly are capable of using the Heavenly secret technique to reverse cause and effect, defying fate itself.

They can even change fate.

Let alone the ’luck’ of drawing lots."

"Then should we let the Dao Discussion Heaven Instrument reinterpret?"

"Impossible," said an Elder of Mount of Tao, "once the Dao Discussion Heaven Instrument is set, it cannot be changed."’

"It’s not that we don’t want to change it, it’s that we cannot change it."’

"To take a conservative view, assuming the Dao Discussion Heaven Instrument really has been tampered with, would a reinterpretation yield a different result?"

"If it can be changed once, it can be changed a second time..."

"This..."

The Elders frowned deeply, truly at a loss this time.

No matter the direction, it was difficult to make a decision.

In the conference hall, the murmur of private conversations resumed, while the Elders of each sect frowned in small groups, discussing the matter.

After an undefined period, an elderly figure with hair and beard as white as snow, of unknown age, slowly opened his eyes and sighed croakily:

"So be it, the Shura battle will proceed. The result of the Dao Discussion Heaven Instrument is immutable..."

Seeing others still had objections, this Elder added:

"The Dao Discussion Heaven Instrument is ancestral."

"Its principles are complex, its causality profound."

"Its most profound aspect is that whatever it interprets is the best choice given the current circumstances."

"Though the result may be strange, bizarre, without the ability of the ancestors of Mount of Tao, it should not be overturned at will."

"If you proceed by its result, the situation may be bad."

"If you don’t proceed by its result, the situation will only be worse..."

"Such is the way of the world, one merely chooses between ’bad’ and ’worse’..."

"Do not hold yourself in high esteem, but hold respect for the creations of the ancestors."

These words were profound, leaving everyone silent upon hearing them.

The conference hall fell into a brief silence. .

"Besides, for the vast majority of your sects, this matter is actually not bad..."

The white-haired elder’s eyes gleamed with perceptive insight:

"It is also an opportunity for you all."

"The Shura battle carries significant weight, enough to ’reshuffle the deck.’"

"After all, in the past, the Shura battle was known by another name..." The elder’s gaze settled deeply, his voice resonant like a drum:

"The Heaven Rank Advancement Battle!"

Only those who endure the Shura-like grind and emerge as prodigies are qualified to ascend Xuantian Peak, to engage in the final Heaven Rank sword discussion atop Mount of Tao with the heroes of their generation.

This was once the Heaven Rank Advancement Battle.

These weighty words caused the chests of all present Elders to tighten.

Simultaneously, their eyes flickered, each harboring their own thoughts.

...

The debate at Mount of Tao ceased.

In the end, the matter was decided, and by evening, it was conveyed to each sect.

The final round of the Earth Rank sword discussion would employ the ancient sword discussion system:

"Shura Battle."

"All Earth Rank participating disciples will engage in a chaotic battle for supremacy between life and death."

"Whoever survives to the end is the victor."

This result, once conveyed to each sect and family, immediately created a stir across all directions.

Even the cultivators present to watch the ceremony were in an uproar.

Such a matter was truly incredible.

It was beyond almost everyone’s expectations.

The Earth Rank sword discussion, already nearly ’settled in dust,’ suddenly stirred into a great storm as if caught in a whirlwind.

Now, truly no one knew how the situation would develop...

...

Meanwhile, the Four Great Sects, Eight Gates, Twelve Streams, and even some of the Qian Learning Hundred Gates able to advance in the Earth Rank sword discussion, all high-ranking Elders, even the Sect Leaders, held emergency meetings overnight to discuss the sudden change brought forth by the Sword Discussion Conference.

From evening until late at night, the lights in all major sects burned bright.

Almost no one could sleep.

At Taixu Gate, in the Elder’s Residence.

Since last night, Elder Master Xun had been restless, and now, looking at the compass before him, his face grew exceptionally grave.

Finally, the aged Elder Master Xun sighed deeply:

"The storm is finally coming..."

This oncoming storm just... suddenly descended from the sky.

The sky of Qianxue is about to change as well.

And at this moment, in the Disciple’s Residence.

Mo Hua stared at the words ’Shura Battle,’ equally dazed and lost in thought.

With it came a sudden surge of apprehension.

The faint chance he had longed for had finally arrived.

In a trance, Mo Hua’s eyes blurred, and he seemed to see his master smiling warmly at him...