Chapter 1230: Chapter 519: The Profound Background of Major Sects [Subscribe Requested]
Actually, itâs not accurate to say that Green Lotus Temple wanted to gamble; in truth, Green Lotus Temple had no desire to gamble.
According to Taoist Yiyangâs original intention, it was natural for Moon Wheel Sect to directly order the Zhou Family to withdraw from Jiufeng Ridge and forbid them from developing any influence within Lanzhouâs borders in the future.
He didnât harbor any unrealistic hope that Moon Wheel Sect would entirely ignore the Zhou Family, allowing Green Lotus Temple to annihilate them.
However, Baiyue True Person evaded the issue entirely, claiming that the Zhou Family was a meritorious clan that had been rooted in Jiufeng Ridge for hundreds of years, unwilling to issue a forcible command for them to vacate Jiufeng Ridge.
After much back-and-forth between the two sides, Taoist Yiyang had discerned Baiyue True Personâs bottom line and proactively proposed a dueling resolution, offering both sides a way to de-escalate the situation.
Upon hearing this, Baiyue True Person tacitly agreed.
Subsequently, after further discussions between the two, the details of the duel were swiftly finalized.
The duel would consist of three rounds in total: two involving Golden Core Stage cultivators, and one involving a Purple Mansion Phase cultivator.
The side claiming two victories would be considered the winner.
Initially, Taoist Yiyang had intended for all three rounds to involve Golden Core Stage cultivators.
But Baiyue True Person knew full well that Zhou Mingde was useless as a Golden Core Stage cultivator. If he were truly sent to compete, it would essentially gift points to Green Lotus Temple, so he resolutely disagreed.
In the end, Taoist Yiyang had to compromise!
After Su Yunniang finished explaining the duel rules, her expression turned solemn as she looked toward Zhou Chun and said, âNow that the date for the duel has been setâjust a month from nowâif your Zhou Family wishes to preserve Jiufeng Ridge, you must plan meticulously!â
âOnly one month to prepare?â
Zhou Chunâs expression hardened as the subtleties of the situation quickly dawned on him.
It was evident that Green Lotus Temple feared the passage of time would complicate matters, worried that with too much delay, the Zhou Family might borrow powerful Dharma treasures or items from elsewhere to enhance the combat capabilities of their duel participants.
With only one month, unless the Zhou Family could secure several formidable Dharma treasures within ten days, any treasures obtained afterward wouldnât be refined and mastered in time.
At this thought, Zhou Chun turned to Su Yunniang and asked, âDid Baiyue True Person not allow you to bring anything for us?â
Su Yunniang naturally understood his implication. Upon hearing his words, she shook her head and said, âThe powerful Dharma treasures of our sect are almost all known to Green Lotus Temple. If they were lent to your Zhou Family for this duel, it would be outright cheating, and Green Lotus Temple would certainly not let it slide!â
She then stressed, âMoreover, this matter is a grievance strictly between your two factions. Considering the opponent is Green Lotus Temple, such a major force, I doubt there are many entities within Jingguo willing to intervene and risk lending their Dharma treasures to your family!â
Upon hearing her response, Zhou Chun was filled with unspeakable disappointment.
But as she had spoken so plainly, any complaints or blame against her at this moment would be utterly useless.
He could only force a grim nod and say, âThis junior understands. Iâll notify the two elders to prepare for the duel immediately and wonât keep you, Aunt, any longer!â
With that, he actively spoke to dismiss her.
It was the first time Su Yunniang had encountered such treatment at the Zhou Family.
Frowning slightly, she shook her head without saying more, leaving without delay.
After Su Yunniang departed, Zhou Chunâs expression grew increasingly grim.
âItâs true: relying on heaven, earth, or others is never as good as relying on oneself!â
âI had thought Moon Wheel Sect would be a great tree offering shelter from the storm. Who knew it was merely a peacock treasuring its feathers? When things get tough, theyâre just as unreliable!â
Muttering to himself, his mood was heavy.
A large ship is difficult to steerâa fitting analogy for the Zhou Familyâs current circumstances.
Even though Zhou Chun now knew Moon Wheel Sect was an unreliable ally, there was no way for him to steer the Zhou Familyâs massive ship away from this territory.
Currently, the Zhou Family had three Golden Core Stage cultivators, hundreds of cultivator clan members, and numerous Demon Beasts under their care.
Relocating a force of such magnitude and finding a suitable place to settleâwhat a daunting challenge!
So even though Moon Wheel Sect had proven unreliable, the Zhou Family could only remain in Jingguo Country, continuing to exist as Moon Wheel Sectâs vassal.
This was a predicament faced by many mid-tier forces: unable to climb higher, unable to drop lower, facing hurdles and pressure at every turn as they struggled to maintain stability and longevity, waiting for a stroke of destiny!
If a fortunate opportunity arose, coupled with assistance from others, they might seize the moment to achieve Dragon Transformation, becoming one of those mighty powers that endure for centuries or millennia without collapse!
If such an opportunity never came and the family embarked on a path of decline, they would meet the same fate as the former Sanjue Sectâfalling apart and ultimately vanishing into obscurity!
Not long after, Lin Hongyu, Zhou Mingde, and Zhou Daoyi all gathered at Zhou Chunâs chamber to discuss strategies for the duel.
Truthfully, there wasnât much to deliberate. The Zhou Family had limited options for participants; their only choices were Lin Hongyu, Zhou Chun, and Zhou Daoyi.
Among them, Zhou Daoyi had the aid of a formidable Third Order mid-tier Demon Beast, the Green Flood Dragon, granting him a considerable advantage.
But Green Lotus Temple was surely aware of this and would likely devise countermeasuresâit must not be underestimated.
As for Lin Hongyu and Zhou Chun, Zhou Chun himself held a reasonable confidence in winning at least one match, even though he knew Green Lotus Templeâs contestants would undoubtedly be armed with an arsenal of Dharma treasures.
But the situation for Lin Hongyu was far less certain.
While her personal strength was decent, the disparity in treasures compared to Green Lotus Templeâs representatives made her prospects challenging.