From a loser to an immortal sage

Chapter 128 Entering the Chaotic Situation, Turbulent Times Begin

As the hall doors opened, a tense atmosphere immediately enveloped us. In the center of the hall, several elders stood facing each other, their faces grim and menacing. Elder Xuanfeng, dressed in a red robe, his hair and beard bristling, glared angrily at Elder Mingyue opposite him. Elder Mingyue, on the other hand, was dressed in plain clothes, looking weary, with a lingering worry between his brows. Upon seeing Wen Chen and me enter, the previously noisy hall instantly fell silent, all eyes fixed on us.

"You..." Wen Chen's voice was deep and authoritative, echoing in the hall, carrying a hint of suppressed anger. The powerful aura emanating from him caused the elders, who were originally on the verge of conflict, to subconsciously restrain themselves.

"Immortal Venerable, you've finally returned!" Deacon Wu hurried forward, his face showing obvious anxiety and unease. "The Immortal Sect... the Immortal Sect now..." He hesitated, seemingly unsure how to begin.

I gently took Wen Chen's hand, gave him a reassuring look, and then turned to Deacon Wu, asking in a gentle tone, "Deacon Wu, don't be nervous, tell me slowly, what exactly happened?"

Deacon Wu took a deep breath and recounted the events that had transpired within the Immortal Sect during this period. The elders were divided into a pro-war faction and a pro-peace faction, leading to constant friction and even injuries to some disciples. The catalyst for all this was the issue of resource allocation within the Immortal Sect after Wen Chen and I left.

After hearing Deacon Wu's account, my heart sank. I never imagined that such a change would occur within the Immortal Sect while we were fighting the Demon King to the death.

"Immortal Venerable, we have been waiting for you for a long time." Elder Xuanfeng broke the silence first. Although his tone was respectful, there was a hint of hostility in his eyes. "Fairy Xiao Yao, although you have made great contributions, you are still just a junior disciple. I'm afraid it is not your place to interfere in the affairs of the Immortal Sect."

His words were blunt and carried a clear sense of contempt. I was somewhat displeased, but I remained outwardly calm and said indifferently, "Elder Xuanfeng, you are mistaken. With the Immortal Sect in turmoil, as a disciple of the Immortal Sect, it is only right that I do my part."

"Try your best? Hmph!" Elder Xuanfeng sneered. "In my opinion, the Immortal Sect is now in decline. Only by launching a strong attack can we deter the villains and consolidate our sect's position! Blindly backing down will only embolden our enemies!" He glared at Elder Mingyue, his tone full of disdain.

I took a deep breath and tried to keep my tone calm as I said, "Elder Xuanfeng, force is not the only way to solve problems. Sometimes, peace is the best policy."

"Womanly compassion!" Elder Xuanfeng interrupted me mercilessly. "Fairy Xiao Yao, you are still young and do not understand the cruelty of the cultivation world! Only the strong can survive, and the weak are only fit to be eliminated!"

His tone was firm and unyielding, leaving me with a sense of powerlessness. I glanced at Senior Brother Lin and Junior Sister Chu standing to the side. Senior Brother Lin gave me an encouraging look, while Junior Sister Chu wore a disdainful expression. I sighed inwardly; it seemed that mediating this conflict would not be easy. Just as I was about to continue persuading Elder Xuanfeng, I heard a gentle voice from outside the door: "Senior Brother Xuanfeng, why be so angry?"

I turned my head and saw Elder Mingyue walking slowly towards me...

Elder Mingyue walked to my side, gently patted my hand, and said softly, "Xiao Yao, don't pay him any mind. Senior Brother Xuanfeng is impulsive and his words are bound to be rash." She sighed, her worry deepening. "Actually, I also want to settle things peacefully, but..." She paused, her gaze sweeping over everyone in the hall, her voice lowering slightly, "but the Immortal Sect is currently beset by internal and external troubles. If we are not careful, we will be doomed."

I grasped Elder Mingyue's hand and gave her a reassuring look. "Elder Mingyue, I know you are doing this for the good of the Immortal Sect, and I also believe that harmony is the best long-term solution. I will do my best to mediate this matter, so please rest assured."

Elder Mingyue glanced at me gratefully, a glimmer of hope flashing in her eyes.

Wen Chen stood to the side, listening quietly to our conversation without saying a word. His aura was still powerful, but it was no longer as oppressive as before, as if he approved of my approach.

I turned to Deacon Wu and asked in a gentle tone, "Deacon Wu, I would like to know the specific details of the allocation of resources in the immortal sect. Would you be so kind as to inform me?"

Deacon Wu hesitated for a moment, his eyes flickering as if he were weighing the pros and cons. "This..." he stammered, his gaze sweeping over Elder Xuanfeng and Elder Mingyue, before finally shaking his head. "Fairy Xiaoyao, it's not that I'm unwilling to tell you, but this matter involves far-reaching issues, and I really dare not speak rashly."

I understand his concerns. There are many factions within the Immortal Sect, and as a mere steward, he is caught in the middle and has no choice but to offend either side.

I didn't force him; I just smiled faintly and said, "I understand your difficulties, and I hope you can reconsider. After all, only by understanding the truth can we find a solution."

I turned to look at Elder Xuanfeng, about to offer some advice, but he rudely interrupted me: "Fairy Xiao Yao, you should mind your own business first! How dare you interfere in the affairs of the immortal sects!"

I felt somewhat displeased, but I held back my anger and calmly replied, "Elder Xuanfeng, as a disciple of the Immortal Sect, I naturally have a responsibility to care about the safety of the sect. Moreover, the Immortal Venerable has now entrusted this matter to me, so please cooperate."

My words caused Elder Xuanfeng's expression to change. He glared at me fiercely, but ultimately said nothing more.

The atmosphere in the main hall fell into a stalemate once again. I felt a headache coming on; the internal strife within the immortal sect was more complicated than I had imagined.

Just then, Senior Brother Lin walked up to me and said in a low voice, "Junior Sister Xiao Yao, I have a few words I want to say to you alone." He glanced at the elders and disciples around him, his eyes showing a hint of caution.

A thought struck me. Senior Brother Lin was always upright and righteous; his special visit to me meant he had something important to tell me. I nodded and followed him out of the main hall… At the end of the corridor, Senior Brother Lin stopped, turned back to look at me, his expression grave. “Junior Sister Xiao Yao, there are some things you may not know yet…”

At the end of the corridor, Senior Brother Lin stopped and turned to look at me with a solemn expression. “Junior Sister Xiao Yao, there are some things you may not know yet…” He paused, as if organizing his thoughts, “The internal strife within the Immortal Sect is not as simple as it seems on the surface. Resource allocation is just the fuse; behind it lies a deeper power struggle.”

A chill ran through me; I vaguely sensed the complexity of the situation. Senior Brother Lin had always admired me, even considered me a supporter. His special visit to me was no accident.

"Senior brother, what are you referring to?" I asked in a low voice.

Senior Brother Lin took a deep breath and slowly said, "Elder Xuanfeng and Elder Mingyue are arguing over resource allocation on the surface, but in reality, they represent different forces. Elder Xuanfeng is backed by the sect leader's lineage, who advocates external expansion and seizing more resources; while Elder Mingyue represents the conservative faction, who advocates recuperation and consolidating existing strength."

He paused, then continued, "Deacon Wu appears neutral, but in reality, he is adept at playing both sides, secretly maintaining connections with both factions to consolidate his position. As for those disciples..." He shook his head, "Most of them are unaware of the truth, easily swayed, and become victims of power struggles."

Senior Brother Lin's words enlightened me. I realized that the root of the internal strife within the immortal sects was so deep, far more complex than I had imagined. I had initially thought it was just a simple issue of resource allocation, but now it seemed that a complex power struggle lay hidden behind it all.

"Thank you for the reminder, senior brother. I will handle this matter carefully." I looked at Senior Brother Lin gratefully.

Senior Brother Lin nodded and patted my shoulder. “Junior Sister Xiao Yao, I know you are kind-hearted and want to resolve the crisis in the immortal sect, but you must also be careful and protect yourself.”

I returned to the main hall, my mind filled with a multitude of thoughts. Senior Brother Lin's words made me realize the seriousness of the problem and strengthened my resolve to mediate.

However, things turned out to be far more difficult than I had imagined.

As soon as I returned to the main hall, I heard several disciples whispering among themselves. Their eyes kept glancing at me with a hint of hostility.

"It's her! She insists on meddling in the affairs of the immortal sects, doesn't she even know her place?"

"I heard she's just a useless person without any spiritual roots, but I don't know what methods she used to gain the favor of the Immortal Venerable."

"Mind your own business, and you'll only make things worse!"

My heart sank; these words pierced my soul like sharp knives. I knew these rumors must have been spread by Junior Sister Chu. She had always been dissatisfied with me and constantly opposed me.

I took a deep breath, trying to stay calm. I knew that it was especially important at times like this that I couldn't afford to lose my composure.

I walked up to the disciples and asked in a calm tone, "Fellow disciples, if you have any complaints about me, please feel free to speak up."

When the disciples saw me step forward, they seemed at a loss. They looked at each other, but in the end, none of them dared to speak up.

I smiled faintly and said, "I know you've all been misled and that's why you misunderstand me. My involvement in this matter isn't for power or profit, but for the safety of the Immortal Sect. I hope you can understand and support me."

My words had little effect; the disciples remained silent, their eyes filled with doubt and resistance.

I sighed inwardly; it seemed that changing their minds wouldn't be easy.

I decided to first convene a meeting with the elders and disciples from all sides to discuss ways to resolve the problem.

However, my proposal was met with resistance from all sides. Although Elder Mingyue supported me, she was outnumbered and powerless to influence the situation. Elder Xuanfeng went even further, rejecting my proposal outright. He snorted coldly and said, "Unless you can come up with a solution that satisfies me, I will not participate!"

I looked at him and said, word by word, "Elder, do you know..."

"Elder, are you aware that the Immortal Sect is currently in a precarious situation, plagued by internal strife and surrounded by external enemies? If this continues, the consequences will be unimaginable!" I raised my voice, trying to awaken his sense of responsibility.

Elder Xuanfeng scoffed disdainfully, "Scare tactics! The Immortal Sect has stood for thousands of years, how could it be defeated by such a trivial matter? What do you, a mere young girl, know about the big picture?"

I suppressed my anger and tried my best to remain calm. "Elder, I know you are highly respected and experienced, but I am not speaking carelessly. The internal strife within the Immortal Sect has been going on for a long time, and has already consumed a lot of resources and manpower. If it is not resolved in time, it will only give the enemy an opportunity to take advantage of us."

"Hmph, enough nonsense! Unless you can come up with a solution that satisfies me, I won't participate!" Elder Xuanfeng waved his hand impatiently and turned to leave.

I took a deep breath, knowing I couldn't back down now. "Elder, please wait! Although I don't have a perfect solution, I'm willing to do my best to mediate the conflicts between the parties and facilitate peace talks. I believe that as long as everyone can sit down and talk properly, we will definitely find a solution."

Elder Xuanfeng stopped in his tracks, but did not turn around. "Anyone can talk big, but I want to see concrete actions."

My heart sank; I knew this would be a difficult struggle. I looked around the hall at the indifferent faces, and a sense of powerlessness washed over me. I knew that without getting all parties together, the problem couldn't be solved. How could I break this deadlock?

Elder Mingyue walked to my side, gently patted my shoulder, and gave me an encouraging look. "Xiao Yao, don't be discouraged, I believe in you."

Senior Brother Lin also came over and said in a low voice, "Junior Sister Xiao Yao, I will support you."

Their support gave me a glimmer of strength. I took a deep breath and tried to pull myself together. I cannot give up; for the future of the Immortal Sect, I must persevere.

I started thinking about how to get all parties to sit down and negotiate. Coercion was clearly not going to work; I had to find a reason that none of them could refuse.

Suddenly, a brilliant idea flashed into my mind. I walked to the center of the main hall and said loudly, "Elders and disciples, I know you all have doubts about me, thinking that a useless person without spiritual roots has no right to interfere in the affairs of the immortal sect. But today I want to tell you all that I am doing this not for personal gain, but for the future of the immortal sect!"

My voice echoed in the hall, drawing everyone's attention.

I paused for a moment, then continued, "I know that everyone's biggest concern right now is resource allocation. I can assure you that I will do my best to allocate resources fairly and justly, ensuring that everyone receives their due reward. However, the prerequisite is that everyone must stop fighting amongst themselves, unite, and work together to fight against external enemies!"

My words sparked discussion among the crowd, and some disciples began to waver, their eyes no longer filled with pure hostility.

I pressed my advantage and continued, "I know it won't be easy to do this, but I believe that as long as we work together, we will definitely be able to overcome the difficulties and restore the glory of the Immortal Sect!"

Before I could finish speaking, Elder Xuanfeng sneered, "That sounds nice! Who do you think you are? Why should we listen to you?"

I looked at him with a firm gaze. "Elder, I don't want everyone to listen to me. I want everyone to put aside their prejudices and work together for the future of the Immortal Sect and for our common home!"

"Hmph, all talk and no action! I'll give you three days. If you can prove that the proposed peace plan will harm the interests of the Immortal Sect, then I'll..." He paused, staring sharply at me, "and then I'll stop meddling in this business."