txolops Chapter 153 The Loyalty of the Jie Sect
Chapter 153 The Loyalty of the Jie Sect
Taibai stood quietly in the hall, his gaze slowly sweeping over the bowing disciples around him, a hint of surprise creeping into his eyes.
He never expected that even a disciple like Duobao, who was free from karmic entanglements, would speak up for his fellow disciple.
At this moment, only about twenty disciples in Biyou Palace remained calm and silent.
Of the other disciples who echoed this sentiment, about half did so because of their own heavy karma and fear of bringing disaster upon themselves.
The other half mostly followed suit out of loyalty to their fellow disciples.
"Teacher, have you ever considered the principle that things reach their extremes and then reverse, or that the moon wanes after it is full?"
"Isn't Senior Brother's statement a bit too alarmist?" Qiu Shou Xian couldn't contain himself and raised his voice.
"Our Jie Sect is now at its zenith, its power shaking the primordial world. Who dares to challenge our might? To talk about the reversal of fortunes at this time would be too disappointing."
Under normal circumstances, given Taibai's temperament, he would have already swept it away with a single burst of magic.
However, with many kind-hearted disciples standing beside them at this moment, they could not appear too domineering.
Otherwise, it would not only be of no benefit, but would also gradually create a rift between him and his disciples, causing them to become disloyal and alienated.
"In the past, the Demon Court was at its peak, with a magnificent and ever-changing atmosphere. Even the powerful Witch Clan sometimes had to temporarily avoid its sharp edge."
Taibai stopped looking at the wiry-headed immortal and calmly spoke to Tongtian.
"The three clans of dragon, phoenix, and qilin each rule over heaven and earth; how prosperous their fortunes are!"
Although they fought each other for years, they ultimately benefited the Demon Ancestor, and their clans declined, a truly regrettable situation.
Teacher, the ways of Heaven are ever-changing; in the primordial world, nothing is constant or unchanging.
Although the Jie Sect is currently thriving, it is only in times of peace and security that it can maintain its long-term prosperity.
To prevent individual disciples from abusing their authority and acting recklessly, thereby tarnishing the foundation of our sect's fortune, this disciple earnestly requests the Master to discern the truth and make a sound judgment, and to rectify the sect's rules!
Tongtian was easily swayed by emotions. When he first heard Taibai's suggestion, he was already quite hesitant, but seeing so many disciples opposing it in unison, he couldn't help but hesitate again.
If it weren't for his most trusted disciple, Taibai, who had proposed this idea, he would most likely have given up under such strong opposition.
However, the person offering advice at this moment was precisely the one he favored as the successor to the orthodox tradition.
Tongtian secretly observed and discovered that Taibai had indeed made profound considerations about the future of the Jie Sect, and that there seemed to be quite a few disciples who were dissatisfied with their senior brother.
In that case, it would be better to take this opportunity to gradually hand over power to Taibai.
Firstly, it would help him establish his authority; secondly, it would be much more logical for me to entrust the entire teachings to him in the future.
Seeing that their teacher remained silent, seemingly persuaded by his senior brother, the disciples became increasingly restless.
Led by Jin Guangxian, the group took another step forward and knelt directly before the cloud bed, pleading in sorrowful voices:
"Teacher! Please consider the overall situation of the Jie Sect and do not allow our eldest brother to... act so rashly, chilling the hearts of countless fellow disciples!"
Tongtian seemed not to hear, he raised his hand and gestured, a beam of clear light flew out from his sleeve.
The clear light settled and transformed into the Qingping Sword.
"From this day forward, Taibai is the Vice Leader of the Jie Sect, with the same rank as the Leader. His words and actions represent the will of this Master."
My disciple, from now on you will handle the teaching affairs in this Biyou Palace.
"I happen to have some questions about Taoist practices, and I need to go to Shouyang Mountain to discuss them with your eldest master. After resolving my doubts, I will return."
After speaking, Tongtian nodded slightly to Taibai, and his figure quietly faded away.
Taibai took the still-warm Qingping sword and understood.
The teacher wasn't going to discuss doctrines; he clearly saw that trouble was about to break out within the sect, so he simply withdrew and went away to seek peace and quiet.
Tongtian also knew that after this incident, the Jie Sect would likely face a difficult century of peace, and disciples would come in droves to complain and lodge grievances.
Since that's the case, it's better to leave early and leave everything to Taibai's discretion.
As for whether the trip to Shouyang Mountain is for a short stay or a longer one, that is the leader's own business.
Even though he lingered in the Eight Views Palace for hundreds of years, who in the primordial world would dare to make any unwarranted comments?
Taibai gripped the Qingping Sword without much hesitation.
He walked steadily forward and sat down peacefully on the futon beside the cloud bed, where his teacher had just been sitting.
This scene was clearly witnessed by every disciple in the hall.
In an instant, all aspects of human nature were on full display.
Some disciples looked delighted, their eyes filled with anticipation; others had complex expressions, unable to hide their disappointment; and still others, such as Qiu Shou Xian and Jin Guangxian, were ashen-faced, their eyes revealing deep despair.
This whole affair can be said to have been instigated by them. Now that the eldest brother wields the Qingping Sword, holds the power of the deputy sect leader, and has been entrusted with full authority by the teacher, their future situation in the sect is predictable.
Just as the entire hall fell silent, so quiet you could hear a pin drop, Qiu Shouxian's hand, which was behind his back, moved almost imperceptibly.
One of the disciples standing behind him understood immediately. A struggle flashed in his eyes, but he gritted his teeth, took a step forward, stepped out from the crowd, and bowed down in the direction of the cloud bed.
Taibai immediately turned his gaze to this person.
Its body was slender, with vertical pupils in its eyes, and a chilling, fishy aura swirled around it, clearly indicating that it was a snake demon who had attained enlightenment.
Judging from his cultivation level, he was only at the Xuanxian realm, which was actually the lowest level among the ten thousand immortals of the Jie Sect.
Judging from his cultivation level, he was only at the Xuanxian realm, which was actually the lowest level among the ten thousand immortals of the Jie Sect.
However, the karmic black energy surrounding it was quite dense, with faint traces of blood-red light.
This snake demon probably relies on the power and influence of the Jie Sect to commit many evil deeds.
Just as Taibai had predicted, this disciple had previously committed many evil deeds in the prehistoric world, devouring countless living beings and thus making many enemies.
He joined the Jie Sect in search of protection.
It was Qiu Shou Xian, one of the Seven Immortals who served as attendants, who accepted him as an outer disciple on behalf of his master.
Tongtian usually didn't pay much attention to these outer disciples, and therefore hadn't carefully examined their character.
Even if this disciple stood in front of Tongtian, Tongtian might not know his past actions unless he deliberately calculated them.
This disciple lived up to expectations, quickly becoming familiar with many of his fellow disciples after entering the sect.
In just a few days, he used his accumulated connections to gather a group of disciples of the Jie Sect and slaughtered all his former enemies and their relatives.
This also explains why the cultivator understood perfectly from just a subtle hint from Qiu Shou Xian, knowing exactly what he should do.
"Senior Brother, that meditation cushion is our teacher's sacred seat. Isn't it somewhat presumptuous of you to sit there like that?"
Taibai looked at the snake demon in front of him with disgust and loathing in his eyes.
He knew this person was merely a pawn pushed forward, and the disciples behind him were testing his senior brother's bottom line.
If Taibai only gives verbal admonitions today, then the disciples, working together, might not be unable to resist him.
"Then, in your opinion, what should be done?"
"Brother Qibing, you should stand beside the prayer cushion and bow three times towards the Holy Throne to show your respect for your teacher!"
Seeing that Taibai was not angry, the cultivator was even more certain that he would not easily make a move, and his tone became even more forceful.
His actions were simply an attempt to impress Qiu Shou Xian and gain his favor.
"The teacher hasn't even spoken yet, so when did it become your place, a mere outer disciple, to point fingers?"
Taibai slowly rose and walked down from the stage, his voice growing colder.
"Remember, in the Jie Sect, the teacher is the most respected, and I am the next most respected."
Even if I have made mistakes, it is not up to a mere outer disciple to criticize me.
Seeing Taibai's expression suddenly change, the disciple was so frightened that he stumbled backward, and the next moment he knelt down with a thud, kowtowing repeatedly:
"This disciple knows his mistake! Please forgive me, Senior Brother!"