Chapter 1572: Various Forces Discuss the Great Calamity

Centuries ago, the Demon, Barbarian, and Sea tribes united against the Human tribe. Wu Yao’er rose to prominence after severely injuring Chen Ang, one of the Five Immortals of the Overseas. When the Azure Lotus Immortals joined the battle, she was gravely wounded by True Master Taihao; had she not escaped quickly, she would have lost her life.

True Master Taihao was evenly matched against Shi Po of the Ice Ape tribe, so Wu Yao’er could only brood in silence. If she were to truly encounter True Master Taihao, she would be unwilling to fight him to the death. It wasn't that she didn't dare, but that she was unwilling. The main reason True Master Taihao could gravely injure Wu Yao’er was her underestimation of him; she hadn't expected his physical body to be exceptionally powerful, nearly costing her her life.

"It's a pity the Azure Lotus Immortals aren't here; otherwise, I would have liked to spar with them again," Jiao Mingzhu stretched, her voluptuous figure fully revealed. She had led the pursuit of the Azure Lotus Immortals and severely wounded them back then, but the Sea tribe’s vanguard encountered and engaged True Monarch Myriad Poisons, which saved the Azure Lotus Immortals from certain death.

"These are old stories now. We can represent the Barbarian and Sea tribes. Immortal Wu, Fellow Daoist Ao, who will represent the Demon tribe?" Yan Guang's curious gaze quickly scanned Wu Yao’er and Ao Xin. A tribe only has one voice externally. Previously, Ao Qing was the Demon tribe's representative, and even Yan Guang and Jiao Mingzhu would show him deference. However, after Ao Qing accepted the Human tribe’s invitation to eliminate Zhou Sihong in the Buried Immortal Sea, he disappeared, and many voices emerged within the Demon tribe.

"Naturally, it will be me. Immortal Wu is merely here to observe the commotion," Ao Xin stepped forward, his voice brimming with confidence. Wu Yao’er nodded in tacit agreement. The Flood Dragon tribe and the Black Phoenix tribe are the leaders of the South Sea Demon race, and intermarriage between them is frequent. Wu Yao’er and Ao Xin attending the Dao Discussion Assembly together might indicate that high-ranking demons wish to arrange a match between them. Yan Guang and Jiao Mingzhu didn't dwell on it.

"You must have heard! The Human tribe's Nascent Soul stage diviners have predicted a great tribulation for the East Glimmer Realm. The Humans inviting us this time is likely an attempt to mend relations with us," Jiao Mingzhu said slowly, her clear phoenix eyes darting about, lost in thought.

"A great tribulation? Divination is profound and mysterious; it may not be true. There have been errors before. Whether the tribulation is real or false, if they want to mend relations, the Human tribe must show sincerity," Yan Guang said with disdain. Among the four tribes—Human, Demon, Sea, and Barbarian—the Barbarian tribe has the weakest overall strength. Regardless of gender, Barbarians are immensely strong, but their reproduction is difficult. Humans reproduce the fastest, making them the most powerful tribe in the East Glimmer Realm.

Ao Xin nodded, "The Ten Great Families and the Ten Great Sects of the South Sea have all sent representatives to the Dao Discussion Assembly. We'll see what price they offer. A great tribulation in the East Glimmer Realm might not be a bad opportunity for our tribes and for us personally. There's a saying among Humans that I like: 'Heroes emerge in troubled times.' If the world isn't in chaos, and we want to rise, we must first overcome the Human tribe. Back then, Sword Sovereign Four Seasons wanted to exterminate the East Barren Demon race and seize the entire East Barren. If not for our assistance, coupled with internal conflicts within the Human tribe, the East Barren might already be Human territory."

"Indeed! It depends on who offers more. In the Immortal-Demon War over four thousand years ago, the Human tribe heavily bribed us to fight the Demon race. After sealing the passage, they turned their backs on us in less than five thousand years. This time, it might be the same. The Human tribe is too cunning," Jiao Mingzhu scoffed. She had always disliked Humans, who had broken their word many times. The Sea tribe had also deceived Humans, and even Demons, but Jiao Mingzhu conveniently ignored that. In her eyes, Humans were simply not good.

Yan Guang smiled without speaking. Ao Xin and Wu Yao’er exchanged glances, their expressions varied.

As night fell, the marketplace was brightly lit, bustling with people, vibrant and lively. In the northwest corner of the marketplace stood a Qing-colored pavilion with carved beams and painted pillars. The three golden characters "Immortal Welcome Pavilion" shone brightly on its plaque, drawing attention.

On the seventh floor of the Immortal Welcome Pavilion, Wang Qingling and over thirty Nascent Soul cultivators gathered. These cultivators came from either cultivation families or major cultivation sects; Nascent Soul cultivators from minor sects or families were not invited to their gathering. Wang Qingling and Guang Dongren's presence there spoke volumes.

"Thank you, fellow Daoists, for traveling thousands of miles to attend the Dao Discussion Assembly. On behalf of our Eastern family, I toast you all." Dongfang Liang stood up, raised his wine cup, and toasted the cultivators. The cultivators dared not be slow, standing up and raising their cups in return. Dongfang Liang sat down, and the other cultivators followed suit.

"Fellow Daoists, you must have heard about the great tribulation, haven't you?" Dongfang Liang asked sternly, his tone severe.

"We have, but divination is profound and mysterious; it may not be true," Shen Wenbin said skeptically. True Master Xuanyuan was a renowned diviner in the South Sea. He had divined for the Shen family, stating that their luck was strong but would experience a low period. However, True Master Xuanyuan did not specify the duration of this low period. In recent years, the Shen family had suffered heavy losses, with the old aging and the young not yet mature, leading to a talent gap. Many external forces believed the Shen family would cede its position among the Ten Great Cultivation Families to the Wang family. Shen family disciples, and Shen Wenbin himself, were unwilling to accept this outcome. The Ten Great Cultivation Families was merely a nominal title, one the Shen family didn't particularly care for. However, behind this nominal title were tangible benefits, which the Shen family valued greatly. The South Sea's cultivation resources were limited. If the Shen family weakened, it would undoubtedly attract the covetous gazes of other forces. While it wouldn't lead to immediate extermination, over time, it was difficult to guarantee that the Shen family wouldn't vanish into the river of history, forgotten by the world, just like the Murong family, existing only in ancient texts.

"I have a different opinion. Since it's a great tribulation, it's better to believe it exists than not, just in case it's true!" Wang Qingling offered a differing view. True Master Tianyue had used divination to locate Huang Yuxu's hiding place, allowing the Wang family to eliminate a major threat in its infancy. Wang Qingling naturally believed in divination. Immortal Cai Lian was currently residing on Azure Lotus Island, so Wang Qingling had no reason to doubt divination, though she couldn't openly deny it.

"If it's false, wouldn't we have wasted our efforts?" Shen Wenbin frowned. He had also received news that the Human tribe intended to mend relations with the other tribes. The Shen family was already in decline, relying on past resources. If the Human tribe eased relations with other tribes, there would be no short-term conflicts. Without conflicts, there would be fewer opportunities for profit. They would only earn a small amount of cultivation resources by selling spirit grains and herbs, forcing the Shen family to continue depleting its reserves.

"Indeed! Divination can sometimes be unreliable. However, what Fellow Daoist Dongfang and Immortal Wang said also makes sense. How about we limit conflicts to cultivators below the Nascent Soul stage?" Ouyang Shengtao proposed a compromise, suggesting both sides take a step back.

"We've always limited conflicts to cultivators below the Nascent Soul stage. How many truly abide by this rule?" Dongfang Liang asked in a deep voice, his gaze sweeping over the cultivators.