Inside the alliance council hall, the bluestone floor gleamed with cold light. Outside, clouds and mist swirled, the air moist and crisp after the light rain had just stopped. Candlelight flickered in the hall, shadows crisscrossing, sandalwood smoke curling upward, mixed with the fresh scent of rain-soaked earth. The hall's dome soared high, painted with cloud patterns, appearing especially solemn in the candlelight.
Yuyi sat in the main position, his purple Battle Soul Dharma Robe gleaming with a faint luster in the dim candlelight. He leaned lazily against the back of the chair, one hand supporting his chin, the other casually resting on the armrest, his gaze absentmindedly sweeping over everyone in the hall. His expression was calm, but his eyes flashed with sharp light, as if he could see through everyone's thoughts.
The sect masters of each sect took their seats in order, with cushions neatly arranged. The Kuangdao Sect Master was a burly middle-aged man, his Golden Core early stage cultivation making him quite promingent among this group. He sat upright, his gaze occasionally glaning toward the entrance, as if waiting for something. His fingers lightly tapped his knee, revealing his inner nervousness.
Jianchi stood at Yuyi's side, holding a bamboo scroll, his expression gentle and focused. Though his Golden Core Realm cultivation was not top-tier, that steady temperament made people dare not underestimate him. His gaze swept over everyone in the hall, recording each person's expressions and movements.
"The time has come." Yuyi spoke indifferently, his voice not loud, yet clearly reaching everyone's ears. His voice was like frost, without any warmth.
Everyone in the hall looked toward the entrance—it was empty. Cangqiong Society's sect master Cangqiongzi and vice sect master Xuanjizi had not yet arrived. The hall immediately quieted, all eyes focused on the entrance.
Jianchi slightly frowned, saying in a low voice: "Elder, Cangqiongzi Sect Master and Xuanjizi Vice Sect Master have not yet arrived."
A playful arc rose at the corner of Yuyi's mouth, his eyes still lazy: "Since they haven't arrived, we won't wait. Remove their cushions."
The hall immediately fell silent. A flash of surprise appeared in the Kuangdao Sect Master's eyes, and other sect masters also looked at each other. This was Cangqiong Society, a new force with several thousand members, and sect master Cangqiongzi was a Golden Core middle stage expert—yet Yuyi treated them thus? The atmosphere in the hall became subtle for a moment.
An attendant stepped forward, removing the two cushions originally prepared for Cangqiongzi and Xuanjizi, leaving only one worn cushion in the corner. That cushion still had some dust on it, forming a sharp contrast with the other exquisite cushions in the hall.
"Begin the meeting." Yuyi's voice remained flat, as if everything just now was only natural.
Jianchi unrolled the bamboo scroll, saying loudly: "Today we have convened everyone to allocate the North Four District spirit vein resources. By the Elder's decision, established sects like Kuangdao Sect will obtain cultivation grounds with abundant spiritual energy, while Cangqiong Society will be allocated cultivation areas in desolate lans."
As the words fell, the hall door was suddenly pushed open.
Cangqiongzi strode into the hall, followed by the young and aggressive Xuanjizi. Cangqiongzi wore a green daoist robe, his face cold and stern, the aura of Golden Core middle stage naturally emanating. Xuanjizi was in martial attire, her Foundation Building peak cultivation making her appear sharp and imposing. Both walked with obvious dissatisfaction.
"Apologies, delayed on the way." Cangqiongzi said indifferently, no apology in his tone, walking straight toward his original position.
However, there was no longer a cushion there, only a worn cushion lying alone in the corner.
Cangqiongzi's steps paused, his face slightly darkening. Xuanjizi's eyes widened in anger, about to speak, but was stopped by Cangqiongzi raising his hand. A flash of anger appeared in her eyes, but was quickly suppressed.
"Elder Yuyi, what is the meaning of this?" Cangqiongzi's voice was cold, suppressing his anger.
Yuyi didn't even raise his eyelids, still leaning lazily against the back of the chair: "The meeting has begun, and you two are late."
"Only two quarter-hours." Xuanjizi couldn't help speaking, obvious dissatisfaction in her voice.
Yuyi finally raised his head, his gaze indifferently sweeping over the two: "Since you're late, wait outside for half an hour."
"What did you say?" Xuanjizi shouted in anger, spiritual power surging from her body.
"Xuanjizi!" Cangqiongzi said in a low voice, forcibly suppressing the anger in his heart. He deeply looked at Yuyi, then turned and walked toward the hall entrance. Xuanjizi, though unwilling, could only follow. Her steps were heavy, each step as if venting her dissatisfaction.
Everyone in the hall held their breath, not daring to make a sound. Yuyi, however, seemed as if nothing had happened, continuing to listen to Jianchi read the allocation plan His expression remained calm, as if everything earlier had nothing to do with him.
Half an hour later, Cangqiongzi and Xuanjizi re-entered the main hall. This time, Cangqiongzi said nothing more, walking straight to that worn cushion and sitting down. Xuanjizi stood behind him, her face iron-dark. Her gaze lingered on Yuyi for a moment, a trace of resentment flashing in her eyes.
Jianchi continued reading: "Kuangdao Sect obtains Qingyun Peak cultivation ground, a place with abundant spiritual energy, an excellent cultivation site. Cangqiong Society obtains Desolate Valley cultivation ground—though spiritual energy is thin, it is sufficient for cultivation."
"Wait!" Cangqiongzi suddenly stood up, suppressed anger in his voice, "Why does Cangqiong Society only receive desolate lan? We have several thousand members—don't we deserve better cultivation grounds?"
The atmosphere in the hall immediately tensed. The Kuangdao Sect Master slightly frowned, and other sect masters also looked toward Yuyi. The candlelight in the hall seemed to dim a few degrees.
Yuyi still leaned lazily against the back of the chair, even yawning: "What dissatisfaction does Cangqiongzi Sect Master have?"
"This allocation is clearly unfair!" Cangqiongzi's voice rose, "Cangqiong Society's strength is not weak—why can we only get desolate lan?"
Yuyi finally sat up straight, his gaze indifferently looking at Cangqiongzi: "Unfair? Then withdraw from the alliance."
Cangqiongzi's face changed, his anger almost erupting. Xuanjizi clenched her fists even tighter, spiritual power churning in her body. A trace of killing intent flashed in her eyes, but was quickly suppressed by reason.
"Elder's words are mistaken." Cangqiongzi forcibly suppressed his anger, "Since Cangqiong Society has joined the alliance, we should receive fair treatment."
"Fair?" Yuyi sneered, "Do you know the way of controlling dogs?"
Cangqiongzi was stunned, not understanding why Yuyi suddenly mentioned this.
Yuyi stood up, slowly walking before Cangqiongzi, looking down at him: "Disobedient dogs must be beaten, obedient dogs must be fed. Cangqiong Society has just joined the alliance, yet wants to stand on equal footing with me?"
Cangqiongzi's face turned iron-dark, his hands clenching into fists. Xuanjizi was even more furious, about to erupt, but was stopped again by Cangqiongzi. Her body slightly trembled, clearly trying with all her might to control her emotions.
"Elder Yuyi's lesson is correct." Cangqiongzi said through gritted teeth, obvious humiliation in his voice, "Cangqiong Society accepts the allocation."
Saying this, he turned and strode out of the main hall, Xuanjizi closely following. The hall door heavily closed, issuing a muffled sound. The main hall returned to silence, but the atmosphere still carried tension.
Yuyi returned to the main position, his expression still indifferent. Jianchi stepped forward, saying in a low voice: "Elder, treating Cangqiongzi this way—is it not too much?"
Yuyi looked at him, saying indifferently: "Jianchi, do you know why we must do this?"
Jianchi shook his head.
"Cangqiong Society has great power. If we don't establish authority first, trouble will surely arise in the future." Yuyi's voice was calm, yet carried unquestionable authority, "I hate having anyone in my jurisdiction standing on equal footing with me."
Jianchi thoughtfully nodded.
Several days later, Jianchi hurried to Yuyi's cultivation chamber.
"Elder, something has happened." Jianchi's voice carried anxiety, "Cangqiongzi has seized Kuangdao Sect's Qingyun Peak cultivation ground. The Kuangdao Sect Master has come to complain, and both sides are already confronting each other at the cultivation ground."
Yuyi opened his eyes, a trace of cold light flashing in them: "Oh?"
"This subordinate has mediated multiple times, but Cangqiongzi refuses to yield." Jianchi sighed, "The Kuangdao Sect Master has gathered a large group of people, preparing to use force."
Yuyi stood up, adjusting his dharma robe: "Let's go see."
At Qingyun Peak cultivation ground, spiritual energy was abundant, clouds and mist swirling. But now swords were drawn, the atmosphere tense. The mountain wind blew past, raising waves of spiritual energy fluctuations, as if presaging the coming conflict.
The Kuangdao Sect Master led dozens of disciples, holding long blades, glaring in anger. Opposite them were Cangqiongzi and Xuanjizi, along with hundreds of Cangqiong Society disciples, aggressive. Both sides' spiritual power collided in the air, issuing slight explosive sounds.
"Cangqiongzi! This is the cultivation ground the Elder allocated to Kuangdao Sect—how dare you seize it!" the Kuangdao Sect Master shouted in anger.
Cangqiongzi sneered: "Allocated? Just Yuyi's one word. Cangqiong Society has several thousand members—how can we humble ourselves in desolate lan?"
"You are openly defying the Elder's command!"
"Command?" A flash of disdain appeared in Cangqiongzi's eyes, "He, Yuyi, just relies on his Deity Transformation Realm cultivation to suppress me?"
Just as both sides were about to fight, a figure suddenly appeared between them.
Yuyi stood there lazily, his purple Battle Soul Dharma Robe gently fluttering in the wind. Qingfeng and Hanmei stood behind him, their expressions serious. His appearance, like a sea-calming needle, instantly quelled both sides' anger.
"Elder!" The Kuangdao Sect Master hurriedly bowed, respect and nervousness in his expression.
Cangqiongzi's face slightly changed, but quickly regained composure, cupping his hands: "Elder."
Yuyi looked at him, saying indifferently: "Cangqiongzi, what is the meaning of this?"
"Elder," Cangqiongzi stepped forward, "Cangqiong Society has several thousand members—the desolate lan is truly difficult to accommodate. Qingyun Peak has abundant spiritual energy, just right for our cultivation."
Yuyi did not speak, only quietly looking at him. That gaze was indifferent as water, yet made Cangqiongzi feel a pressure.
"Elder, this is the cultivation ground you allocated to Kuangdao Sect." The Kuangdao Sect Master said urgently.
Yuyi turned to look at the Kuangdao Sect Master, suddenly saying: "Kuangdao Sect Master, do you know your offense?"
The Kuangdao Sect Master was stunned, his face immediately turning pale: "Elder, this subordinate..."
"Knowing the cultivation ground was seized, not reporting to me, instead privately gathering people, preparing to use force." Yuyi's voice remained flat, yet carried authority, "Where does this place the alliance?"
The Kuangdao Sect Master dropped to his knees with a thud: "Elder, calm your anger. This subordinate knows his mistake."
Yuyi turned around, looking at Cangqiongzi: "Cangqiongzi, you want this cultivation ground?"
Cangqiongzi's heart leaped with joy, hurriedly saying: "Exactly."
"Good." Yuyi nodded, "Then let it be thus—this cultivation ground will be used by you in rotation."
Cangqiongzi and the Kuangdao Sect Master were both stunned.
"Rotation?" Cangqiongzi frowned.
"Correct." Yuyi said indifferently, "Kuangdao Sect uses daytime hours, Cangqiong Society uses nighttime hours."
"Nighttime?" Xuanjizi couldn't help speaking, "Nighttime has heavy yin fiend qi—how can one cultivate?"
Yuyi looked at her, a playful arc rising at the corner of his mouth: "Nighttime has heavy yin fiend qi? Just right for your cultivation."
Cangqiongzi's face changed, about to speak, but was stopped by a glane from Yuyi.
"What? Dissatisfied?" Yuyi's voice remained flat, yet carried unquestionable authority, "If dissatisfied, then withdraw from the alliance and go seek better cultivation grounds."
Cangqiongzi gritted his teeth, forcibly suppressing his anger: "The Elder's arrangement, Cangqiong Society will obey."
Yuyi nodded, turning to look at the Kuangdao Sect Master: "Kuangdao Sect Master, you privately gathered people, nearly triggering conflict. I fine you to submit one thousand spirit stones as punishment."
The Kuangdao Sect Master hurriedly kowtowed: "This subordinate accepts the punishment."
Yuyi turned and left, Qingfeng and Hanmei closely following. Behind came Cangqiongzi's suppressed anger and the Kuangdao Sect Master's helpless sighs. The mountain wind blew past, raising waves of spiritual energy fluctuations, as if telling the aftermath of this conflict.
Back in the council hall, Jianchi stepped forward, his expression complex: "Elder, this..."
"How is this method?" Yuyi lazily sat back in the main position, a smile on his lips.
Jianchi gave a bitter smile: "The Elder is brilliant, but..."
"But Cangqiongzi will surely harbor resentment in his heart?" Yuyi interrupted him, saying indifferently, "Let him resent—as long as he dares not rebel, that is enough."
Jianchi was silent for a moment, then nodded.
Qingfeng and Hanmei stood to the side, smiles flashing in their eyes. They had followed Yuyi for a long time and deeply understood this Elder's style of action. Seemingly lazy and casual, actually with tough methods, never leaving any room for opponents.
Outside the hall, the light rain began to fall again. Yuyi gazed out the window, a trace of depth flashing in his eyes. The hidden danger of Cangqiongzi had been planed, but as long as he remained in this position for a day, no one would dare to truly rebel.
The way of controlling dogs—disobedient dogs must be beaten, obedient dogs must be fed. And Cangqiongzi obviously needed more "lessons." A cold smile rose at the corner of Yuyi's mouth, as if plotting something.