"Profiteering and exploitation, the Great Families and Great Sects will sooner or later monopolize all benefits and legacies, becoming colossal entities, causing the ties of the Cultivation World to be severed, leaving the people in despair."

"This is a sign of the Heavenly Dao's decay; it appears prosperous, but the grand edifice is about to collapse. It's just a matter of time."

"Here it comes again, here it comes again, what's this about the grand edifice collapsing? Alarmist nonsense..." Elder Shen said impatiently, shaking his arms with pride:

"Look at this Qian Learning State Boundary, look at my Qian Taoist Sect, palatial pavilions soaring into the clouds, when has it not exuded the aura of celestial beings? Where could there be decay?"

Elder Zheng responded indifferently: "The facade is merely superficial, the clouds and fog hover in midair. The external splendor cannot conceal the rot of the human heart."

"You're still so..." Elder Shen spat out four words, "incomprehensible!"

He waved his hand, "I don't have idle time to debate these matters with you. The Dao Conference has important issues to settle, Elder Zheng, if you have time, lend a hand; if not, stop causing trouble here, or else..."

Elder Shen sneered, "I'm afraid your elder position won't last long..."

"No need." Elder Zheng directly threw a jade slip in front of Elder Shen, "I'm done!"

Elder Shen was stunned, "What did you say?"

Elder Zheng replied word by word, "I said, I'm done with this useless elder position in your Qian Taoist Sect!"

Elder Shen's face was ashen as he picked up the jade slip thrown by Elder Zheng, seeing the bold words "Resignation" on it, he immediately had a shocked expression, and said angrily with disbelief:

"Unbelievable, you... do you know how many cultivators outside are scrambling to join our Qian Taoist Sect, vying for a position, yet you... you..."

Elder Zheng laughed coldly, "Your Qian Taoist Sect is too grand a temple, I am but a small Buddha unworthy of it."

After speaking, he flicked his sleeves and left.

"Stop!"

Elder Shen immediately called out and then calmed his emotions, looking at Elder Zheng slowly, he said:

"Don't forget, my Qian Taoist Sect had made an agreement with your Zheng Family Ancestor. You may leave, but the formation techniques of your Zheng Family must be passed down."

Elder Zheng said solemnly, "The Ancestor only agreed to consider it. Whether to pass it or not is still up to me."

"Moreover, the Bagua Thunder Formation of my Zheng Family is extremely strong and upright, not tolerating any deceit; your Qian Taoist Sect's disciples don't have the mindset to learn it!"

"Ridiculous!" Elder Shen pointed at Elder Zheng, "Your Zheng Family should not be so arrogant. My Qian Taoist Sect is a giant in Qianxue, gathering the talents and geniuses from the Nine State, and you say my disciples are unworthy of learning? Who is worthy then?"

Elder Zheng sneered, "Heavenly Pride? Small-minded, forgetful of loyalty upon seeing profit, indulging in selfish desires, what does it matter if they possess Heavenly Grade Spiritual Roots? They're nothing but highly cultivated tumors."

"One day they will spread their poison across the world, causing the Heavenly Dao to become unbalanced and bring catastrophic disasters. Your Qian Taoist Sect will become a haven for breeding bandits! To such a Sect, I must respectfully decline to be involved!"

"Fine, fine," Elder Shen said angrily, "My Qian Taoist Sect is one of the Four Great Sects of Qianxue, with thriving influence. Losing you is but a negligible loss but as for your..."

Today's decision, you must never regret it!"

Elder Zheng gave Elder Shen a disdainful glance, without hesitation, flicked his sleeves and left.

Leaving Elder Shen alone in the grand hall, slamming the table in a fury.

Since becoming a True Transmission Elder of Qian Taoist Sect, no one had dared to disrespect him like this, nor had anyone discarded the revered elder position of Qian Taoist Sect so casually.

Elder Shen was extremely angry.

After a while, he suppressed his anger, composed himself, and called for the elders and instructors outside the hall to return and continue the meeting.

All the elders and instructors, seeing the mess inside the hall and Elder Shen's lingering angry face, dared not speak a word.

The meeting proceeded as usual.

After the meeting ended, Elder Shen compiled all matters into the jade slip, placed it in his sleeve, and went alone to the highest pavilion of the Qian Taoist Sect.

This pavilion was made of white jade bricks and glazed tiles, more magnificent and noble than the palatial buildings outside.

At the center of the pavilion sat an old man.

The old man had white hair and beard, dressed in a robe embroidered with gold, exuding an aura of immortality.

Elder Shen approached respectfully, handed over the jade slip, and whispered:

"Ancestor, everything has been settled, all sides have been arranged, the Dao Conference will proceed according to our plans without unexpected issues."

The old man closed his eyes and remained silent.

The high pavilion had become somewhat silent.

Elder Shen lowered his head, remained silent for a moment, then whispered: "That one named Zheng, he turned uncooperative and has resigned..."

The old man in the ornate robe suddenly opened his eyes, looking at Elder Shen, his eyes slightly narrowing.

Elder Shen felt the Ancestor's gaze weighing heavily, filled with authority and dissatisfaction, causing him to lower his head even further, and defended:

"This person is arrogant and cannot be restrained, so I occasionally use words to intimidate him, suppressing him slightly, unexpectedly..."

Unexpectedly, he really gave up his position, discarding a Four Great Sects elder position so easily.

The old man in the robe slightly furrowed his brows, after a moment spoke with indifference, "It's fine, those who can stay will stay, those who wish to leave cannot be retained."

"Ancestor," Elder Shen whispered, "it doesn't matter if this Zheng stays or leaves, but the formation techniques he carries..."

The old man silently looked at Elder Shen.

Elder Shen then said, "The Bagua Thunder Formation inheritance from the Zheng Family is rare in the cultivation world, even our Qian Taoist Sect, with its long history and deep formation heritage, has never possessed Thunder Dao Formation inheritance."

"This Thunder Formation, if it can be brought into the Formation Pavilion, will surely enhance the formation techniques in our Taoist Repository greatly."

"Ancestor, do you think we should find a way... to keep this Zheng?"

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