Demon Sword Sect’s Undercover
Chapter 629 - 629 628 The Target of All Arrows

629: Chapter 628: The Target of All Arrows 629: Chapter 628: The Target of All Arrows The first Golden Jade Book was cast, and in the blink of an eye, the miniature landscape underwent a transformation: the water turned greener, the mountains lusher, and faintly, the entire scene seemed to take on some spiritual quality.

This was the essence contained within the Golden Jade Book somehow resonating with the intrinsic laws of the Pocket World, leading to environmental changes that were a delight to witness.

Of course, such transformations were superficial, mere form without substance, and temporary…

They only altered some aspects, and as the Pocket World continued its natural course, it would eventually return to its original trajectory.

This was the limitation of Tongtian Realm cultivators, not just at their level, but even Golden Core Upper Cultivators couldn’t fundamentally change this because what they had learned so far hadn’t touched upon the rules of the Great Dao.

They were limited to superficial effects, a matter determined by their Realm.

To truly alter the natural course of the Pocket World, one needs to start from the Nascent Transformation Master level, which is entirely different realm of existence.

As a competition among cultivators, it provided a most fitting occasion, fair and just, without causing any ill will.

Dozens of breaths later, the influence of the cultivator’s Golden Jade Book faded into the invisible, and the landscape returned to its original state.

The powerful intrinsic laws of the world easily dissipated the influence the cultivator had exerted through the Golden Jade Book…

The degree of influence, the strength of the effects, and the duration of impact…

These factors combined to become the standards for assessing a cultivator’s ability to imprint upon the Golden Jade Book, with no room for deception.

With the first to set a precedent, the second followed.

Everyone’s performance was observed by all, and the strengths and weaknesses of each were clear at a glance.

It gradually became apparent who truly had potential and who was merely making up the numbers.

Hou Niao also cast her Golden Jade Book, essentially following the seating arrangement, with no one rushing or intentionally avoiding their turn.

Everyone had to face this test, sooner or later.

Her performance was outstanding, befitting the most promising contender for the True Disciple of the whole Anhe Daoist Sect.

The impact she had on the Pocket World made the landscape seem revitalized, and it lasted for a full half-hour before things gradually returned to normal.

Among the present cultivators, her performance was unmatched, eliciting repeated nods of approval from the Golden Core elders from the An clan’s platform.

In the North An lineage, Hou Niao was recognized as a True Disciple candidate.

She was powerful, had strong backing, and was as beautiful as a Heavenly Immortal; most believed she deserved one of the True Disciple slots.

Thus, when she made her move, the standard she set became the benchmark for others who aspired to fulfill their wishes.

At the very least, they should perform on par with her with the Golden Jade Book, right?

With such a mindset, many cultivators experienced agitation, but individual strength wouldn’t change just because they worried.

There are many ways to conduct assessments—none absolutely fair—but this method was less likely to cause discontent.

As each took their turn, the measure of strength was laid bare in this competition, and along with it, the unusual identities of the participants were revealed.

There were cultivators from outside the Anhe Daoist Sect who took part, not just one but several.

Previously, this was undetectable, but under the influence of the Golden Jade Book, some things couldn’t stay hidden.

Most Anhe Daoists were astonished to discover that many foreign cultivators had infiltrated their ranks, originating mostly from other Daoist Sects, including the Wu Sect and others from further afield, such as the Qi Sect, Chu Sect, and Zhou Sect, among others.

Grievances began to surface.

For the lower-tier cultivators, they couldn’t understand why such a precious opportunity was being shared with outsiders.

Crucially though, these outsiders were all exceptional, with deep foundations, consistent with their intention to come here: no fierce dragon crosses a river without cause.

Soon, the process was halfway through, with half the participants having cast their Golden Jade Book.

Among them, three individuals surpassed Hou Niao in terms of outward impact.

Without exception, all were visitors from the Outer Path.

The atmosphere began to shift subtly, tinged with anxiety over precious resources being claimed by outsiders.

However, this anxiety created a solidarity that made even the schism between North and South Anhe seem irrelevant.

All Anhe cultivators began to unite against external parties.

Hou Niao sighed inwardly; in such circumstances, even with Xiao Zhen’s support, securing a True Inheritor position in the Anhe Daoist Sect wouldn’t be easy.

The Anhe Daoists present couldn’t help but shift their attention to the unfamiliar faces around them.

Once they communicated with each other, the outsiders were obvious and could no longer hide.

Like the Daoists at the few cases around him, they all turned their gazes toward him,

“Who are you?

Which Daoist Sect are you from?

Who invited you?

What makes you think you’re qualified to come here and steal what belongs to others?”

Hou Niao was somewhat embarrassed.

The Anhe Daoists weren’t the enemy, but precisely because of this, he did not know how to respond.

He deflected, “I am one of the Anhe people.

I participated in the Anhe Wishing Ceremony decades ago; therefore, by law, I am entitled to my share as an Anhe member.”

It was a tenuous rationale but barely acceptable.

The Anhe Wishing Ceremony was the only means of communication between the Anhe Daoist Sect and Outer Space.

If what he said was true, at least in the eyes of those in Outer Space, he indeed had the right to be here.

“Everything you’ve said is true?

Then why didn’t you stay with the Anhe Daoist Sect, instead choosing to join another Daoist lineage?

That’s betrayal.”

Hou Niao smiled bitterly, “Couldn’t fake that, could I?

Otherwise, I wouldn’t have received your invitation; as for why I didn’t stay with the Anhe Daoist Sect, it’s not because of me, but because the Anhe Daoist Sect didn’t value me.

But now, seems like the Anhe Daoist Sect is giving me another chance?”

A Daoist persisted, “You still haven’t said which Daoist lineage you’re from.”

Hou Niao smiled, “Shan Sect Quanzhen.”

A few Daoists fell silent, and after a while, one muttered, “The Shan Sect has indeed helped us, that’s a fact.

But it doesn’t mean you should seize our opportunities.”

Hou Niao retorted sharply, “You are right.

But that is if you can keep your own opportunities.

If you can’t guard them, the Shan Sect will continue to help.

Listen, I’m not here to steal your chance; I’m here to take the opportunity that the Wu Sect is trying to snatch from you.

Those aren’t the same thing.”

The conversation fell out of harmony, with neither side willing to yield, making Hou Niao recognize more clearly the challenges he would face if he tried to gain from the Anhe Daoist Sect.

The Nascent Transformation ancestor could indeed make many decisions, but if his decision encountered resistance from the lower-tier cultivators, then even a Master would have to consider whether it was worth proceeding.

The situation was more complex than he had imagined, and, for the moment, he couldn’t see a way to solve this problem.