"I still have to thank the Sect Master for making the painful sacrifice." Qi Xiu chuckled.

"You sure are a considerate lad. On a serious note, the Dao Alliance is going to launch a crusade against the Hundred Thousand Great Mountains. Do you want to join in on the excitement?" Dongfang Qing casually asked as he popped two peanuts into his mouth.

"Me?"

After a brief contemplation, Qi Xiu slowly shook his head:

"I'd better not. There are too many internal affairs in the sect right now. The essentials of the 'Hunyuan Myriad Generations True Scripture' aren't fully compiled yet. I fear I don't have the energy to join in on this commotion."

These weren't just excuses from Qi Xiu; it was a genuine reflection of his feelings.

Ever since the establishment of the Primordial Sect, various matters had been rushing in like the relentless river, such as establishing various internal rules, procurement of cultivation resources, defining the organizational framework, as well as providing for the hundred first-generation disciples.

Compared to his previous role as Vice Sect Leader at the Shenxiao Sect, where all he had to do was approve the affairs presented to him, and there would naturally be others to handle the tasks.

Now in the Primordial Sect, which consists only of Qi Xiu and Bai Qingfeng as the free members, almost all responsibilities have fallen on their shoulders.

Qi Xiu managed to cope because most of the time he dedicated himself to organizing and compiling the essentials of the 'Hunyuan Myriad Generations True Scripture', leaving numerous mundane tasks to Bai Qingfeng.

Faced with the mounting pile of complex affairs, Bai Qingfeng, whose cultivation had nearly reached the Pinnacle of the Bloodstained Realm, had even developed two dark circles from stress.

If at this time, Qi Xiu abandoned the sect to join the excitement at the Hundred Thousand Great Mountains, he truly feared that Bai Qingfeng would collapse upon hearing the news.

"You smart lad, you're usually sharper than anyone else, but why can't you wrap your head around this?

Being hands-on is good.

But as a Sect Master, if you have to do everything yourself, the sect won't be far from decline."

With a smile, Dongfang Qing, a fellow Supreme Sect Leader, began imparting the essentials of being a Sect Master to Qi Xiu:

"The sect, in a certain sense, is like a large ship on the vast ocean.

As Supreme Sect Leader, your most crucial task is to steer the direction, not to row the oars or raise the masts yourself.

You need to learn to delegate these messy affairs to your crew members.

Otherwise, being bogged down in these trivial matters every day, you won't even know where the ship is heading over time."

"But this Primordial Sect of mine is just starting. Besides those kids, it's just me, Bai Qingfeng, and Xiahou..."

"Can't you find some experienced sailors first?"

"Experienced sailors..."

Dongfang Qing's words made Qi Xiu suddenly realize, and his eyes instantly gleamed with insight!

Indeed.

Basing on time alone would not quench immediate thirst. In that case, why not recruit some ready-made talents to use for now and replace them when the cultivated disciples mature?

Awakened by one word, looking at the suddenly enlightened Qi Xiu, Dongfang Qing continued:

"You have Shen Wansan, a wealthy backer. You can have him assist in finding manpower. 𝘧𝑟𝑒𝑒𝘸𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝓁.𝘤𝘰𝓂

Shen's Myriad Goods Pavilion spans the entire realm of the Central Earth, and their intelligence and information are vast. Entrusting this task to him won't go wrong."

"That sounds good. I'll send a letter to ask Senior Shen to help find some people." Accepting Dongfang Qing's suggestion, Qi Xiu also felt it was appropriate.

After he sent the letter, turning around, he saw that Dongfang Qing was smiling even more brightly.

"Now you do have time to join me for some excitement in the Hundred Thousand Great Mountains, don't you?"

"Hah?" Surprised by Dongfang Qing's real motive, Qi Xiu couldn't help but laugh: "So it turns out your advice was leading to this."

"Look, it was all with good intentions.

This time, the Dao Alliance's crusade against the Hundred Thousand Great Mountains is different from those previous minor skirmishes.

This time, the Dao Alliance is determined to secure internal peace before dealing with external threats, intending to eradicate the instability of the Hundred Thousand Great Mountains to fully focus on the forthcoming invasion by alien races beyond the Heavens.

Otherwise, leaving the potential threat near their pillow, there's no guarantee that it won't cause greater troubles in the future.

Now, with the divine prowess of the Human Dao growing increasingly intense, even those of us who are Primordial Spirit True Honors can sense it.

By joining me this time, you'll have the chance to slay some Dao Body Realm Demon Kings and Demon Lords, which will also help accumulate a foundation for your future breakthrough to the Primordial Spirit." Dongfang Qing said.

"According to you, this move by the Dao Alliance is indeed a battle to the finish with the Hundred Thousand Great Mountains?" Qi Xiu asked with a slight frown.

"You could say that. Although it's not explicit, from the forces mobilized by the Dao Alliance, it seems they intend to completely uproot the Hundred Thousand Great Mountains.

It's said that some old fossils in closed seclusion were awakened by the Twelve Members.

Some of them can nearly be traced back to the Near Ancient Era!" Recalling previous rumors, Dongfang Qing spoke with an air of mystery.

"The Near Ancient Era? That was more than thirty thousand years ago. How did these fossils survive?" Qi Xiu asked, astonished.

"By use of the self-sealing method! A technique that extends life but sacrifices all external perception, even thought capabilities.

Some Human Clan's True Venerables who feel unable to pass the Primordial Spirit Tribulation seal themselves in this way, entering a petrified state.

They wait for the right opportunity to unseal themselves.

However, this type of True Venerable is very rare, as those who achieve the Primordial Spirit Great Path hold pride.

As beings who stand at the pinnacle of the Dao, they do not allow themselves to linger in such a way," Dongfang Qing explained.

"So these elders in the Dao Alliance's secluded ranks..."

"They voluntarily abandoned the pride of being Primordial Spirit True Honors, sealing themselves away, only to be unsealed at a crucial moment as a trump card for the Dao Alliance." Speaking of these fossilized elders, Dongfang Qing also showed a touch of respect.

Though the self-sealing method allowed the Primordial Spirit True Honors to avoid impending tribulations,

the sensation of being mired in endless void was undoubtedly uncomfortable.

These elders willingly placed their future and will upon the Dao Alliance for its greater foundation.

Thus, these elders who endured endless solitude deserve the respect of every human.

"Even the foundation from the Near Ancient Era has been activated, indicating the Dao Alliance's sheer determination to pacify the Hundred Thousand Great Mountains." Hearing Dongfang Qing's account, Qi Xiu also sensed the Dao Alliance's resolve in eradicating the Hundred Thousand Great Mountains.

"In that case, I should also make the journey. After all, if I don't go now, I might not see this so-called Hundred Thousand Great Mountains again."

The rare grand event made Qi Xiu's heart itch with curiosity.

Curiosity is a fundamental, primitive thought that even Primordial Spirit True Honors cannot suppress.

This time, the infiltration of Central Earth's domain by Demon Ancestors and Demon Lords, seizing divine objects and assassinating True Honors, has thoroughly angered the massive entity that is the Dao Alliance, thereby instigating the most thorough cleansing.

It's a fierce battle and an opportunity.

As Dongfang Qing said earlier, the Human Dao's divine marvels are growing increasingly vibrant, and even those of us who are Primordial Spirit True Honors feel the enhancement of Human Dao's power.

The eradication of the Hundred Thousand Great Mountains will be the grandest battle between the human race and demons.

If I can gain enough enhancement from the battle, it will undoubtedly benefit my future path to the Primordial Spirit Great Path.

"Yes, here's the summons from the Dao Alliance. When the day arrives, this summons will guide you to the assembly point, and then you can follow along."

Dongfang Qing took out two jade slips, black as ink yet emerald as jade when held to sunlight, and handed them to Qi Xiu.

Upon receiving the two summon slips and examining them, Qi Xiu's face immediately turned perplexed.

On one, it read: For the Attention of the Hunyuan Myriad Laws True Monarch!

And on the other, it boldly stated: For the Attention of the Mystic Yellow True Monarch!

Suspiciously glancing at the smiling Dongfang Qing, Qi Xiu squinted his eyes and asked:

"You produced these summons so effortlessly; surely you had already registered me and then came to persuade me to go.

And what about these two summons slips?"

"Since you've decided to go, when it's time to gain benefits for the Primordial Sect, shouldn't we also bring your old folks at the Shenxiao Sect? I'm just preparing in advance." With a sly smile, Dongfang Qing's eyes twinkled with cunning.

Hearing Dongfang Qing's words, Qi Xiu chuckled helplessly, patting his forehead.

I nearly forgot; this Sect Master is known as the Old Fox.

Looks like I'll be doing some hard work for him this time around.

...