A significant meeting concerning the fate of the sect was held at the Eternal Immortal Sect.

Mei Jinqiu sat at the head seat, looking down. On either side were the Peak Masters of each peak, the Sect Leaders of each sect, the Hall Masters of each hall, and the Supreme and core Elders, all sitting upright and solemn.

For a moment, Mei Jinqiu felt somewhat dazed.

Such conferences to discuss the development of the sect had been held many times before. Now, the people below had been replaced many times over.

The current Eternal Immortal Sect is no longer the small, obscure sect in a barren land that it once was.

Back then, he and a few Elders could decide the future of the Eternal Immortal Sect. But now, as a great power that draws the attention of the world, its roots are deep and wide, and the internal relationships are complex and intertwined, no longer as they once were.

This seems to be an inevitable path for a power growing from small to large.

"Everyone is here, so let’s begin."

With Mei Jinqiu’s announcement, the conference began.

The final ultimatum from White Jade Capital hung over everyone’s heads like a death warrant.

The fierce discussions continued.

From morning to dusk, from midnight to dawn.

An entire day passed, yet no result was reached. Whether or not to defy White Jade Capital’s will for Fan Wubing became the key dispute between the new and old factions. Those elders who witnessed the Eternal Immortal Sect’s past weakness and witnessed the auspicious signs brought by Fan Wubing had deep emotions and unwavering support for Enlightenment Peak and Fan Wubing.

But for a sect to develop, fresh blood is necessary.

To this new blood, Fan Wubing and the past stories were as weak and ethereal as legends, whereas the help and investment from White Jade Capital were tangible and visible.

Thus, this debate evolved into a battle between faith and reality.

Choosing faith meant being isolated by the world, with a future full of hurdles and thorns;

Choosing reality would mean that the Eternal Immortal Sect would receive more generous treatment due to its special status, and becoming a top power in the world would be within reach.

From an outsider’s perspective, the second option seemed the best.

Only those old elders knew what choosing faith truly meant. But the elders were ultimately a minority, able to hold their positions in the debate only because of their status as elders.

During this time, Mei Jinqiu did not express any personal views.

"Everyone is devoted to the Eternal Immortal Sect and is exhausted, let’s adjourn for two hours and continue in the afternoon."

The group dispersed temporarily.

Mei Jinqiu returned to his chambers. On the wall of his chambers hung several portraits of past Sect Leaders of the Eternal Immortal Sect. The highest one was the first Sect Leader, but his image was unclear.

He looked at these portraits, with tightly knitted brows, eyes full of confusion and bewilderment.

"Sect Leader."

Mei Jinqiu turned to look, "It’s you, come in."

The Peak Master of Fate Peak, Qi Ming, the Peak Master of Celestial Craft Peak, Zhao Yangxia, and the acting Peak Master of Enlightenment Peak, Zhang Jingwei, came to stand behind Mei Jinqiu.

Of the original twelve Peak Masters of the Eternal Immortal Sect, only the four of them remained. The others had mostly stepped down due to lack of strength or personal reasons, replaced by others.

Qi Ming spoke, "From the results of the first day’s discussion, it seems everyone is leaning towards choosing White Jade Capital."

Zhao Yangxia chuckled wryly, "Naturally, isn’t it? Even we don’t really know what kind of person Wubing is or what he’s facing, let alone them."

Zhang Jingwei said solemnly, "I just know that without Wubing, there wouldn’t be the Eternal Immortal Sect we have now!"

Mei Jinqiu, after a moment of silence, asked,

"What does Fan Wubing mean to us?"

Zhang Jingwei immediately answered, "Hope."

Zhao Yangxia: "Faith."

Qi Ming: "Original intention."

"Exactly. It was because we saw him rise from obscurity without faltering that we dedicated ourselves sincerely to developing the Eternal Immortal Sect. He not only brought the first breath of development to the sect but also unwavering faith. The time of weakness that the Eternal Immortal Sect went through was much like the fourteen years he spent unable to cultivate, wasn’t it?" Mei Jinqiu said, "Finally, he found his way forward amidst the difficulties, and the Eternal Immortal Sect followed in his footsteps to reach where it is today."

He turned to face the three, "Now, once again, he is mired in difficulties, surrounded by formidable foes, opposed and criticized, just like those fourteen years when he went unnoticed. Back then, we ignored him. Now, what are your answers?"

Qi Ming answered, "For me, the rapid development of the Eternal Immortal Sect these forty years has been like a dream. Many nights, I need to inspect the whole sect to sleep peacefully. I can’t imagine, if today, I abandon my original intention for a seemingly bright future, how I would sleep at night afterward."

Zhao Yangxia laughed heartily, "Although Wubing might have thrown the set of cookware I gave him in storage to gather dust, I can say it’s the most meticulously crafted thing I’ve made in hundreds of years of blacksmithing. After all, one must fight for dignity. If you can’t raise your spirit, even soaking in Spirit Stone Mountain, your skills will only decline."

Zhang Jingwei’s eyes remained unwavering, "I promised him that I’d be the Gatekeeper Elder for the rest of my life."

Mei Jinqiu laughed, a very joyful laugh.

Qi Ming worriedly said, "However, nine out of ten other peaks, sects, and halls are not with us."

Mei Jinqiu’s gaze was sharp, "Then we’ll draw a clear line! I’m not Sect Leader for nothing. I was prepared for today, even when White Jade Capital first showed its intent for recruitment. The Eternal Immortal Sect can be the sect of twelve peaks, or simply the sect of four peaks!"