World's No. 1 Swordsman-Chapter 526: Protector Pis Proposal

Linyuan was the Daoist name of the elder guarding the repository's fourth floor.

Because of his limited aptitude, he could no longer advance to the True Immortal Realm. The old man was at the dusk of his years, with only six or seven thousand years left. His vitality was fading, his immortal power weakening, and his body wrapped in the aura of decay.

Linyuan was very talkative. He spoke with Wang Sheng about many matters concerning Dao scriptures, making it clear that he had spent much effort studying them. Unfortunately, when asked about their origins, the old man simply shook his head with regret.

"The Dao scriptures that have managed to survive to this day amount to nothing meaningful. Some of them were rumored to have once recorded peerless immortal arts, and that the cultivation path that spread through the world was distilled from them. It's a shame. I'm almost at the end of my life, yet I have never seen a complete Dao scripture. A small regret, but a regret all the same."

Wang Sheng blinked. He suddenly felt that this Xinghai Sect elder could be something of an immortal scholar.

When he asked who the Old Man of Xinghai was, Linyuan let out a few chuckles.

"Hehehe... You don't know about these things yet since you've only just joined the sect, but the Old Man of Xinghai was the sect master's master, my martial uncle, and the founder of the Xinghai Sect. Sadly, he fell long ago.

"Our sect has actually been around for an extremely long time, but in the old days, we were based on some other qi planet. When our previous sect master died, our situation heavily deteriorated. We were eventually forced to relocate here ten thousand years ago.

"Haaa... Martial Brother Yao Xingzi always dreams of one day reaching the former sect master's realm, freeing us from our humiliation, and leading the Xinghai Sect back to glory. Unfortunately, he has been focusing so much on cultivating the past years that he has neglected our sect's internal affairs.

"Cultivating and managing a celestial sect are two different matters. They shouldn't be treated as one. That's why the Celestial Wind Sect is so strong, even though its sect master is only at the Heavenly Immortal Realm. Unfortunately, our sect master can no longer bear to hear such words."

These were, in truth, the grumblings of the Xinghai Sect elder.

Maintaining a slightly awkward but polite smile, Wang Sheng softly asked, "If one gathers followers only by relying on high cultivation, then when facing an enemy with even greater strength, how can those beside him be relied upon? Is that what you're trying to say, Senior?"

Elder Linyuan nodded with approval, studied Wang Sheng carefully, and then laughed. "Yes, yes, exactly. You're still young, Daoist Friend Pi, yet despite your impressive cultivation, you don't devote yourself completely to it. You can see so far ahead, too."

Wang Sheng quickly shook his head. He had only read these things in books; they were hardly wisdom or foresight.

In fact, after learning that Linyuan was of the same generation as Yao Xingzi, Wang Sheng decided to speak with him more, even if it meant flattering him a bit and opening his heart to him.

Linyuan had extremely high seniority in the Xinghai Sect. Because of his age and limited comprehension, he couldn't advance any further after reaching the middle stage of the True Immortal Realm. Even so, he surely possessed considerable influence within the sect.

It would never hurt to form a good relationship with such an elder. Rather, it would even help with his plan to use the sect as a shell.

Their original topic, the Dao scriptures of the Primal Era, gradually slipped from their minds as they began discussing how a celestial gate should be governed.

Elder Linyuan spoke of the Old Man of Xinghai's legendary life. He also described how the Xinghai Sect had fallen from power, how they were forced off their original qi planets, and the pressure they now faced from the Celestial Wind Sect and the Fengli Sect.

Wang Sheng pondered for a moment. He then remarked, "I've only read a little and fear I'd come across as showing off to you, Senior, but I'd like to offer my thoughts on the matter. From my standpoint, one's cultivation only serves as a deterrent. Sect masters certainly should have a high cultivation realm, powerful divine abilities, and the means to eliminate external enemies. That's the only way to maintain their deterrence.

"However, when it comes to internal affairs, they should temper their grace and severity. They should also lead with virtue to ensure all cultivators who boarded this ship would row together, regardless of whether they joined early or late.

"There are two sides to everything, and nothing in the world is simply black or white, simply yin or simply yang. It's not completely wrong for a sect master to completely devote themselves to cultivation.

"After all, high cultivation does not necessarily make one capable of properly governing a sect, but the strength of a celestial gate's strongest member will always serve as the foundation that determines whether it can stand among thousands of others. I suppose that's why it seems as though the sect master has his hands tied."

Elder Linyuan clapped and laughed. He then gave Wang Sheng a strange look. "Nothing is simply black or white, simply yin or simply yang, huh? Well said! You're wiser than most elders in the sect. Daoist Friend Pi—no, I am much older than you, so allow me to boldly call you Young Friend Pi. Anyway, what books have you been reading?"

Wang Sheng smiled. "I just like reading miscellaneous books, and my master often scolds me."

In truth, the palace dramas from his previous life had influenced him more.

"That, too, is true talent," Linyuan replied. "From your perspective, how should the Xinghai Sect respond to the Celestial Wind Sect's aggression? You probably don't know this, but half a year ago, they sent someone overbearing to our mountain gate. He insulted us and demanded that we merge into the Celestial Wind Sect. In anger, the sect master nearly cleaved him in half. That was when he decided to recruit ambitious cultivators to overcome this crisis together."

As expected...

Considering the Fengli Sect had already swallowed the Tonglin Immortal Sect, it was not surprising that the Celestial Wind Sect showed similar monstrous behavior.

Wait, that doesn't sound right. Why would they send someone overbearing to the Xinghai Sect just to hurl insults? Has their sect master lost his mind?

During the blood mine incident, the Eastern Kang Star Deity's spiritual consciousness residue had killed at least two of the Celestial Wind Sect's Heavenly Immortals and severely injured several more of their experts. It had since been under so much pressure that their sect master's son had to invite two Heavenly Immortals from the North-River Sword Sect to get the situation under control.

Even if they took pride in being a tyrant, provoking the Xinghai Sect made no sense under such circumstances. After all, the Xinghai Sect's sect master was a Heavenly Immortal, while its vice sect master was strong enough to fight one. Its strength shouldn't be underestimated, especially since it could instantly disrupt the balance between the Fengli Sect and the Celestial Wind Sect simply by joining one of them.

Even if the Celestial Wind Sect's sect master had been dumb, he still wouldn't have provoked the Xinghai Sect at a time like this. That would've just pushed it straight into the Fengli Sect's arms.

Wang Sheng smiled. "Something's off with this. That envoy probably wasn't who he claimed to be."

Linyuan's eyes lit up. "Oh? Why would you think so, Young Friend?"

Wang Sheng shook his head. "Just a guess. Considering the Celestial Wind Sect has become the large and powerful sect that it is now under the same sect master, I doubt he'd make such a blunder. I had once cultivated in seclusion in the market of the Tonglin Immortal Sect. When I emerged, it had already merged into the Fengli Sect. I heard nothing of what happened in between."

"In your opinion, what should the Xinghai Sect do now to escape this predicament?"

"The answer to that can both be difficult and simple."

Wang Sheng tapped his finger on the table, but soon realized the gesture was impolite. He smiled in embarrassment. To gain the Xinghai Sect's attention and become more influential as quickly as he could, he now had to show off his knowledge a little.

Linyuan waited with complete attention.

After gathering his thoughts, Wang Sheng replied, "First, the Xinghai Sect should send a letter and some small gifts to the Celestial Wind Sect. The tone should be humble, but not enough to come across as begging.

"We have to make it clear that the Xinghai Sect seeks only to cultivate in peace, without ambition or desire, and that wherever they go, we will retreat three steps. Afterward, we'll observe how they'll react, which will show us whether it was really their people who threatened us."

Linyuan pondered for a moment and slowly nodded. "And after that?"

"It depends on the outcome, but regardless of who sent the envoy, it does not change the fact that we're now caught between the Fengli Sect and the Celestial Wind Sect, two great celestial gates. That's why we have to stabilize the situation. To that end, we have to abandon some of our most distant markets and temporarily narrow our sphere of influence.

"At the very least, make both the Celestial Wind Sect and the Fengli Sect feel that they'll pay a heavy price if they attack us. This strategy requires uniting all our members and disciples, though. It's imperative that we make them feel deeply connected and work together toward a common goal."

"I won't be too bold since I don't know how powerful the sect is, but we do have a Heavenly Immortal, which is all we need to claim dominion over an entire qi planet. Afterward, we wait. When the Celestial Wind Sect and the Fengli Sect truly go to an all-out war, we'll ally with the weaker side. By then, we'll hold the initiative and can secure better terms.

"That will be our chance to take Fengmo and become one of the top five forces in all of the ancient battlefield's thirteen qi planets. From there, we only have to declare neutrality, quietly develop this qi planet, and even deliberately make some foolish moves like expelling unaffiliated practitioners to lull the Celestial Wind Sect and the Fengli Sect. From there, we can—Senior? What's wrong?"

Feeling emotional, he looked at Wang Sheng as though he had discovered a treasure. He then sighed deeply. "Haaa... Had you joined the sect a few hundred years earlier, perhaps we never would've fallen into this crisis! Young Friend, you..."

"Mm?"

"No, it's nothing." Linyuan laughed softly. "Your plan makes me wish I were tens of thousands of years younger—young enough to fight once more for our sect's fate. Anyway, it's getting late now, and I've grown somewhat weary. Let's end our conversation here for today. I'll visit you later to ask for your advice again."

"I apologize for disturbing you, Senior," Wang Sheng said as he rose and cupped his fists. "And thank you for clearing my doubts."

Linyuan stood up and smiled. "No, no, you're the one who cleared mine, Young Friend. Come, I will see you out."

Accepting his offer, Wang Sheng walked with Linyuan out of the repository. The disciples on duty secretly watched them in confusion as they passed through the lower three floors, unable to understand why Linyuan had suddenly come downstairs and was chatting so warmly with a new Dao protector.

Once outside, the two exchanged bows and parted.

Wang Sheng left feeling a little proud. He had no idea how much his plan would help, or if he had made the sect suspicious of him because he had spoken too much. Regardless, his remarks all had to be said. The sooner the upper ranks were warned, the better.

The success of his plan to use the sect as a shell was tied directly to its survival. That was why he had to ensure that it endured. In this matter, his goal aligned with that of the sect master and the others.

Still half a step away from the True Immortal Realm, Wang Sheng couldn't influence matters through strength yet. This was his only way to intervene.

After Wang Sheng had left, Linyuan immediately flew toward the main peak of the rear mountain. Three days later, he returned with fine wine, dishes, and a plain-looking female disciple. Together, they personally visited Wang Sheng's pavilion.