Yanlai Realm, Changchun Sect.

A few two-hour periods later, two flying ships landed on Changchun Mountain.

Two thousand disciples from the Changchun Sect and the Celestial Pill Sect disembarked from the Spiritual Boat in batches and entered the Sect under the arrangement of the elders.

Han Jihai stood at the entrance of the Sect Hall, gazing towards the north, and said to Lin Chen:

"Disciple, do you think the Ancestral Master can bring back the Sect Leader?"

Lin Chen thought for a moment upon hearing this and nodded, saying:

"If Martial Uncle Wang is still around, he should be able to bring him back..."

From the previous conversation between True Man Changchun and the old demon Blood Pupil, it seemed that the strength of these two was evenly matched.

Perhaps the old demon Blood Pupil was somewhat stronger, but if True Man Changchun was going to fight to the death, neither side would benefit.

Besides, the fact that True Man Changchun dared to go alone to the Demon Sect to demand a person suggests that he had some confidence.

The only unknown was whether Wang Changchun and the others were still alive after several two-hour periods had passed?

There was a trace of worry in Lin Chen’s eyes.

Looking back at the Sect, the disciples’ expressions were varied.

Some, who had narrowly escaped death, returned to their homeland, almost in tears—these were disciples of the Changchun Sect.

Others looked ashen and dispirited—these were disciples of the Celestial Pill Sect, which had been destroyed by the Demon Sect.

Most Sect disciples joined the Sect as teenagers and had stayed in the Sect for decades.

To them, it was a lifetime...

The place where they had lived their whole lives was destroyed by the Demon Sect; to say they weren’t upset would be impossible...

Before long, Li Zhenqian and Li Fengping came over and said to Han Jihai:

"Junior Martial Uncle Han, we want to return to the Li Family for a visit..."

Hearing this, Han Jihai thought for a moment and agreed, "Okay, go home to visit... remember to return to the Sect in three days."

A portion of the more than two thousand disciples who fled back were from the three major families and the Royal Family of Yanlai Realm.

They hadn’t returned home in years, and now the situation had changed drastically.

Naturally, the northern Yanlai City and Jade Belt City became the first line of defense... it wouldn’t make sense not to go home and take a look.

Soon, hundreds of disciples came, emotive in their return to their hometowns.

Han Jihai did not stop them and agreed one by one.

The remaining disciples in the Sect mostly returned to their residences or went down the mountain to visit relatives and friends.

Looking at the gradually deserted Sect Hall, Han Jihai sighed.

"Alas, when the tree falls, the monkeys scatter... Is the grand Righteous Alliance gone just like that?"

Lin Chen silently watched his saddened master beside him, feeling somewhat uneasy inside.

"Master, let’s wait until the Ancestral Master returns before making conclusions," Lin Chen advised.

...

Until evening, a streak of green light flashed across the sky, tracing a long arc.

This was a flood dragon dozens of meters long.

Not a real dragon, but a wooden flood dragon formed by intertwined thick vines.

It was lifelike, exuding a dragon’s might.

Flying over from the distant sky, it landed in the Sect’s square.

"Look quickly, the Ancestor is back!"

"And the Sect Leader, the Sect Leader has returned as well..."

In the square, the disciples’ voices of surprise rang out.

Having been saddened all afternoon, Han Jihai was suddenly energized and ran directly to the Sect square.

"Ancestral Master, Senior Brother!"

Han Jihai, his face full of joy, watched the return of a dozen or so people in the square.

Besides Wang Changchun, several Golden Core Elders from the Celestial Pill Sect and Changchun Sect were also rescued.

"Senior Brother, you’re still alive!" Han Jihai was somewhat incredulous.

Wang Changchun rolled his eyes at the words and asked in return, "What, were you hoping I’d die?" 𝐟𝕣𝕖𝐞𝐰𝕖𝚋𝐧𝗼𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝗰𝐨𝐦

At this moment, he was covered in quite a bit of blood, his face was pale, and his left arm had been cut off completely.

But his mood and spirit seemed quite good.

"Ahem, how could that be? I wouldn’t want to be the Sect Leader... better you take it, Senior Brother!"

Han Jihai returned the Sect Leader’s token to Wang Changchun as if he were holding a hot potato.

True Man Changchun laughed at this sight and said:

"Han the kid, two hundred years have passed, and you’re still the same... always hiding behind others when doing things."

"You’ve reached Golden Core, but your courage hasn’t grown at all?"

"Hmph, it seems your master really did teach you poorly..."

Han Jihai gave an embarrassed smile upon hearing this but dared not answer back.

Lin Chen also showed an odd expression.

In terms of seniority, True Man Changchun was the master of both Han Jihai and Wang Changchun.

Wang Changchun’s master was True Man Changchun’s first disciple, and Han Jihai’s master was True Man Changchun’s second disciple...

However, over the millennia, those few Golden Core cultivators of the second generation had long since passed away.

In Han Jihai and Wang Changchun’s generation, they were the third generation of disciples.

Lin Chen, as Han Jihai’s direct disciple, was counted as the fourth generation.

In the Sect, there were also fifth and sixth-generation disciples, but their relationships weren’t as close.

True Man Changchun looked around and said:

"Changchun, Jihai, gather the core disciples and elders of the Sect to the hall."

"I have some matters to announce."

"Ancestral Master, some disciples and elders have gone home and will only return in three days..." Han Jihai reminded at this moment.

True Man Changchun thought for a moment upon hearing and said:

"Alright, it won’t hurt to wait these few days."

"In three days, I will announce something in the Sect Hall..."

...

Three days later, at the Changchun Sect’s Sect Hall.

Numerous elders, including Lin Chen, and some core disciples at the late Foundation Establishment stage entered the Sect Hall.

The elders and disciples who had returned home also rushed back, amounting to over a hundred people.

True Man Changchun casually sat in the Sect Leader’s seat, glanced around, and said:

"Since everyone is here, let me announce a few things."

True Man Changchun paused, and the disciples and elders below showed respectful expressions.

"First thing, the Righteous Alliance is dissolved starting today."

"Ancestor!"

"This..."

Upon hearing this, the disciples and elders below were all surprised but dared not ask for details.

Lin Chen glanced at Wang Changchun and Master Han Jihai. Seeing their calm demeanor, he knew they were informed beforehand and felt at ease.

However, an elder still asked with confusion:

"Ancestor, the Demon Sect is imposing... If we dissolve the Righteous Alliance, how will we resist the Demon Sect?"

True Man Changchun looked at him and said indifferently:

"What? Even if I don’t dissolve it... can you stand against those from the Demon Sect?"

"They’ve already reached our doorstep! The Changchun Sect’s thousand-year foundation... has been beaten to ruins in just over ten years by you all!"

Seeing some anger in True Man Changchun’s words, the elders all kept silent, not daring to speak further.

After a while, seeing no one dared to oppose, True Man Changchun said:

"As they say, ’the shot hits the bird that sticks out’..."

"Qing State is vast, and it isn’t just the Changchun Sect, Celestial Pill Sect, and Spirit Beast Sect..."

"Why should we be the ones at the forefront? It’s time to let those other powers worry."

True Man Changchun’s tone carried a hint of deeper meaning.

"From today onward, the Righteous Alliance is dissolved."

"All disciples and elders are to retreat to within Yanlai Realm... using Jade Belt City as the boundary."

"North of Jade Belt City, those demon cultivators are not our concern. But if those demon cultivators dare to intrude into Yanlai Realm... don’t hold back, strike them fiercely!"

Upon hearing this, the elders and disciples below also showed excited expressions.

In this way, the Righteous Alliance was only nominally dissolved, but in practice, it was no different than before.

Because whether dissolved or not, the disciples and elders of the Changchun Sect could only retreat to Yanlai Realm.

True Man Changchun paused, then continued:

"The second thing, starting today, the disciples and elders of the Celestial Pill Sect and Spirit Beast Sect will merge into our Changchun Sect..."

"The elders from the Celestial Pill Sect will join Pill Peak as elders... As for the elders from Spirit Beast Sect... we will establish a new peak named Beast Taming Peak."

At this point, a hint of reminiscence flashed in True Man Changchun’s eyes.

"Alas, eight hundred years ago, I and those two old friends came to the Eastern Domain together to establish sects..."

"Our three immortal sects, united in spirit..."

"Now, they’ve left ahead..."

Upon hearing this, several elders from the Celestial Pill Sect almost shed tears, their voices trembling as they spoke:

"Ancestor Changchun... Is our Celestial Pill Sect’s ancestor truly gone..."

True Man Changchun gently nodded and said:

"Yes, before Taoist Friend Tiandan passed, he entrusted me to take care of you..."

Upon hearing this, the elders and disciples of the Celestial Pill Sect all looked downcast.

After a while, an elder took the lead and said:

"Since it is so, from now on, we will fully rely on Ancestor Changchun’s care..."

"Let Ancestor Changchun take charge!"

The disciples of the Celestial Pill Sect and Spirit Beast Sect said in unison.

In the hall, Lin Chen watched this scene thoughtfully, contemplating:

"True Man Changchun’s methods are quite remarkable."

"The first dissolution of the Righteous Alliance is actually a diversion of conflict... Since the Demon Path is unstoppable, why should the Changchun Sect charge at the forefront?"

"There are so many forces in Qing State, and quite a few of them pride themselves on being righteous... Let them fight among themselves; the Changchun Sect can recuperate."

Pausing a moment, Lin Chen continued his thoughts:

"Secondly, handling the disciples of the fallen Celestial Pill Sect and Spirit Beast Sect isn’t easy... Although the three sects had good relations, they weren’t one sect."

"But True Man Changchun claimed that Tiandan did entrust him... Whether true or false, it is the best outcome."

"After all, this is what the disciples of the Celestial Pill Sect hope to see; they need someone to rely on..."

With just a few words, True Man Changchun avoided internal discord.

He is, after all, an old fox who’s lived for over a thousand years, possessing both strength and cunning calculation.

Lin Chen also recalled the previous secret message between True Man Changchun and Old Demon Blood Pupil...

"Perhaps, at that time, the two had already reached a compromise?"

"For the Changchun Sect, unable to continue the counterattack, retreating is the best choice."

"And for Old Demon Blood Pupil, he doesn’t want a destructive mutual end either. Qing State is vast and not limited to a single Yanlai Realm..."

Lin Chen quickly understood this, which was also a strategy once proposed by the Blue Star Think Tank.

Diversion of conflict!

Resisting the Demon Sect isn’t just the responsibility of the Changchun Sect and Celestial Pill Sect...

Since the Demon Sect’s target is the entire Qing State, other righteous forces must also join the fight!

"In this way, the Changchun Sect will gain a significant amount of breathing time..."

Lin Chen quietly thought.

"Of course, all of this is based on the premise of equal strength between the two sides..."

"A Nascent Soul cultivator! The emergence of True Man Changchun has completely disrupted the balance of power between the Orthodox and Demonic Party!"