Qi Ming’s shoulder trembled, "Sect Leader, you want to..."

Mei Jinqiu said, "The reason the Eternal Immortal Sect has reached this point today is precisely because it lacks a true core. When the Heaven-Questioning Sect on the Immortal Continent was rising, White Jade Capital also tried to bring it under its wing, but with the Divine Phoenix Celestial Venerable overseeing it, the Heaven-Questioning Sect is now completely independent of White Jade Capital and Wenxin Heaven, and remains the top sect in the world. Without a core, without a belief, without a guiding principle, it’s just a pile of loose sand! The Eternal Immortal Sect indeed developed quickly over the past forty years, but look at what it has become now! It’s my incompetence, failing to hold onto the core of the Eternal Immortal Sect, shaming the Sect Leaders of the past!"

Qi Ming took a deep breath, "No matter what, I support the Sect Leader."

Zhao Yangxia chuckled, "So do I."

Zhang Jingwei merely nodded silently.

Two hours later, the meeting continued.

Mei Jinqiu stood at the head seat, gazing at everyone. This time he chose not to remain silent, nor did he use pleasantries, instead he said directly,

"Those who choose White Jade Capital, please raise your hand."

The sudden vote by raising hands left everyone shocked.

A Peak Master stood up and said, "Sect Leader, what does this mean?"

Mei Jinqiu’s eyes flared with a thunderous authority, "Sit down!"

The Peak Master hesitated for a moment, then sat down obediently.

Mei Jinqiu’s aura became increasingly stronger, almost supporting the entire hall, "Everyone, please raise your hand."

Amongst the 137 present, 84 raised their hands.

Mei Jinqiu continued, "Those who choose Fan Wubing, please raise your hand."

Out of the remaining 53, 34 raised their hands.

After observing everyone’s expressions, Mei Jinqiu resolutely raised his own hand. The 19 who hadn’t raised their hands followed suit and raised theirs.

Eighty-four versus fifty-three.

The future of the Eternal Immortal Sect was apparent from this result.

Some people had already shown satisfied smiles.

At this moment, Mei Jinqiu suddenly laughed, "Seems like I’m not doing too bad as Sect Leader, actually having the support of 53 fellow comrades."

"What does the Sect Leader mean by this? Eighty-four to fifty-three. Shouldn’t the path for the Eternal Immortal Sect be obvious by now?" said a Peak Master.

Mei Jinqiu’s gaze was sharp,

"You 84 choose White Jade Capital, we 53 choose Fan Wubing."

"Sect Leader Mei! Are you trying to split the Eternal Immortal Sect?"

"Absurd!"

"Even as Sect Leader, you don’t have that authority! The Eternal Immortal Sect isn’t a one-man show!"

The entire hall became chaotic in an instant.

Just then, a flying sword suddenly swept in, its trembling sword light enveloping everyone’s forehead with a deadly intent, frantically surging. Everyone’s movement was instantly frozen, and those who tried to break free from the bind failed.

Soon after, a voice shouted, "Who dares to move! Don’t blame my flying sword for having no eyes!"

Everyone quickly looked outside the door, seeing a white-clothed Sword Immortal gracefully flying in.

"Shuo Ri Sword Immortal!"

The newcomer was the Shuo Ri Sword Immortal himself, Wei Changkong!

Once the senior brother of Fate Peak, now the Sect Leader of the Eternal Immortal Sect within Great Li.

Wei Changkong’s white clothes flapped in the breeze, his aura towering as he grandiosely strode into the hall, first paying respects to Mei Jinqiu, Qi Ming, and the others, then turning to face everyone, his gaze fierce,

"I’m giving you two choices. One, choose Fan Wubing; two, leave the Eternal Immortal Sect."

Someone roared in anger, "Wei Changkong, by what right?"

A flying sword suddenly pierced half an inch into this person’s forehead, making him immediately freeze, cold sweat pouring from his brow.

Wei Changkong looked at him coldly, "As long as I’m here, no one can deliver the Eternal Immortal Sect to outsiders."

"Shuo Ri Sword Immortal, don’t forget, the development of the Eternal Immortal Sect up to now is thanks to White Jade Capital. If you refuse White Jade Capital, will you compensate for those resources?"

Wei Changkong’s eyes were like blades, "Yes, I will compensate! Whatever the Eternal Immortal Sect owes White Jade Capital, it will be repaid to the last penny!"

"Do you want to make the entire Eternal Immortal Sect the enemy of the world?"

"Make no mistake, it is the world that intends to be enemies with Fan Wubing, and the Eternal Immortal Sect is simply determinedly standing behind him."

"Absurd! Ridiculous! Foolish! Are you willing to gamble with the futures of so many of us for someone defying the Heavenly Dao?"

"Your futures are not worthy of being the wager. Now I’m telling you, those afraid of causing trouble, afraid of being seen as enemies of the world, please leave now with this year’s stipends, and the Eternal Immortal Sect will not hold you accountable."

"You—"

Wei Changkong summoned a dense array of flying swords, nearly filling the entire hall,

"Now! Immediately! Choose!"

Everyone gritted their teeth at Wei Changkong, yet dared not defy him.

Wei Changkong was a Sword Immortal, a Great Sword Immortal with a fearsome reputation throughout the Changsheng Continent. His talent had fully blossomed ever since he went to Great Li, with growth post-rise nearly rivaling the other three top disciples of the Eternal Immortal Sect aside from Fan Wubing.

Under the harsh probing of the fierce Sword Qi, some left angrily, some departed dejectedly, some wavered, while others remained resolute.

During this time, outside the Eternal Immortal Sect, streaks of aura swept in, all disciples rushing back upon hearing the news. These disciples who had wandered outside for years returned to the sect once more, if only to prove that, no matter when, they intended to stand on the same front as the Eternal Immortal Sect.

Seeing this scene, Mei Jinqiu nearly burst into tears.

Beside him, Lin Xing, who had returned with Wei Changkong from Great Li, smiled and said,

"Sect Leader Senior Brother, that saying is true, the future belongs to the young. Look, we old folks don’t really need to worry, the choice of the young is the best choice."

Mei Jinqiu took a deep breath, "The days ahead for the Eternal Immortal Sect won’t be easy."

Lin Xing teased, "Sect Leader Senior Brother, there you go again. No matter how rough it’ll be, could it be any worse than forty years ago? Back then, the Emperor of Great Li even came to our Eternal Immortal Sect to seize fate."