Chapter 105: Deliberations on the Merger of the Three Mountains

Convincing a stubborn person is difficult; even when presented with undeniable facts, they refuse to believe, often insisting, “Sometimes what you see is not necessarily the truth.”

However, awakening a shrewd and ambitious leader requires but a single sentence.

Yang Xin’s words struck like a thunderclap, detonating in Zuo Lengchan’s mind.

Mount Song encompasses both Mount Taishi and Mount Shaoshi. The Song Sect is situated on the Shengguan Peak of Mount Taishi, while the Shaolin Temple lies at the foot of Mount Shaoshi. There is an old saying: “One mountain cannot harbor two tigers.” Yet, Mount Song is an exception. Over the years, the Song Sect and Shaolin Temple have coexisted peacefully, while the Song Sect, almost mad with ambition, has been single-mindedly aiming to unify the Five Sacred Mountains’ sects—never once considering Shaolin’s stance. Surely, Shaolin has been covertly fanning the flames behind the scenes…

Cold sweat soaked Zuo Lengchan’s clothes as if he had just been pulled from water.

“Your guidance is humbly accepted!” Zuo Lengchan bowed respectfully, suddenly grasping Yang Xin’s true intention: Yang Xin sought revenge against Shaolin!

Months ago, with the spread of the Evil-Repelling Sword Manual, the intricate saga of the Huashan Sect’s sword energy dispute had set the martial world abuzz. A once-forgotten sword technique, once shelved and deemed useless, had led to the decline of the once-mighty Huashan Sect over a decade ago. The very thought of such a strategy sent chills down one’s spine.

Zuo Lengchan also recalled that whenever there was conflict with the Sun Moon Cult, the Five Sacred Mountain Sword Sects were always the first to charge forward, while Shaolin and Wudang remained in the rear. Ten years ago, it was Huashan at the forefront; now, it seemed the Song Sect’s turn had come. Zuo Lengchan’s mind stirred with suspicion: the righteous and evil battles appeared to be instigated by Shaolin, using the Five Mountain Sword Sects as pawns to chip away at both the Sun Moon Cult and the Five Mountain Sword Sects themselves, ensuring Shaolin’s perpetual dominance.

“Phew,” Zuo Lengchan exhaled deeply, a shadow crossing his face.

“Zuo, how shall I address you?” Yang Xin smiled.

Zuo Lengchan’s breath caught. Looking at Yang Xin’s smiling face was like staring into a bloodthirsty maw ready to devour him and the Song Sect whole. He understood well that titles would decide initiative and control.

Zuo Lengchan realized Yang Xin was clearly pulling the Song Sect and the Hengshan Sect into an alliance—planning a union of sects. The Hengshan and Taishan Sects were obviously dismissed, discarded by Yang Xin’s design. How he wished Yang Xin would also overlook his Song Sect…

Zuo Lengchan clenched and unclenched his teeth and fists, powerless. The Song Sect was no match for Yang Xin. Initially, Zuo Lengchan had hoped to struggle using the Frost Heavenly Fist technique, but the appearance of the space teleportation technique—an immortal art—left no room for resistance.

Finally, forcibly calming his inner turmoil, he asked slowly, “May I inquire, Master Uncle, what is your plan?”

“Have a look,” Yang Xin waved his hand, and a stack of unification plans appeared before the assembly, each person taking one to examine.

Strictly speaking, the Five Mountain Unification was really a Three Mountain Unification. Yang Xin had long schemed this. Only by defying fate could one harvest fortune points. This infuriating treasure distribution system had no progress bar—everything depended on Yang Xin’s own estimation. He felt scattered attempts to change fate were too slow, so he chose to centralize the effort.

The so-called Three Mountain Unification Plan borrowed the hierarchical system from immortal sects: outer disciples, inner disciples, and true successors. The Song Sect, Hengshan Sect, and Huashan Sect would unify into the Three Mountain Sect. The former sects would be renamed Song Hall, Hengshan Hall, and Huashan Hall, respectively. Their original lineages and traditions would remain unchanged.

The biggest challenge was disciple selection. After unification, recruitment would be unified, and Yang Xin had devised a comprehensive, fair, and transparent selection process, drawing reference from immortal world novels.

Zuo Lengchan and the others studied Yang Xin’s plan carefully. While amazed, they also breathed a sigh of relief; it seemed they had not lost much. The three sects would still operate as before, merely unified in name.

“Master Uncle, after the Three Mountain Unification, what about the position of Sect Leader?” Zuo Lengchan asked cautiously.

To him, the sect leader’s seat was undoubtedly Yang Xin’s. Yue Buqun pricked up his ears instantly, while Liu Zhengfeng showed indifference, seemingly more devoted to music than worldly concerns.

“No need to look at me. I am not the leader; I won’t be in this realm much longer. The Sect Leader will be elected every four years. Before the election, each of your Halls will nominate a candidate internally, then compete in a contest to determine the leader,” Yang Xin said calmly. Fairness and reason mattered little to him—after four years, he would be gone from this realm.

Zuo Lengchan’s eyes brightened. “If I can’t defeat Yang Xin, surely I can defeat Yue Buqun?” He listened carefully and noted Yang Xin’s phrase, “this realm,” confirming in his heart that Yang Xin was indeed an immortal.

If not an immortal, how could he open a space teleportation portal? How could Ding Mian, Lu Bai, and Fei Bin, whose bodies had been halved, be brought back to life? Their lower halves were missing—yet Yang Xin had somehow restored their broken bodies.

Moreover, according to Yue Hou, Yang Xin had also revived Chi Baicheng, who had been beheaded. Could it be that from now on, one could live recklessly, as long as Yang Xin’s aid was given within fifteen minutes after death, death would be averted?

Zuo Lengchan’s eyes gleamed brighter with each thought. The Three Mountain Unification might not be such a bad thing after all. Besides, there would be contests for the leadership—he still had a chance. As for having a Master Uncle looming over him, he thought, immortals like Yang Xin would never stoop to lies.

“Master Uncle, I raise no objections to your wisdom,” Zuo Lengchan said, cupping his hands respectfully.

“Old Yue, any objections?” Yang Xin asked Yue Buqun.

“No objections. I will obey your orders, Master Uncle,” Yue Buqun replied respectfully, secretly thinking, “Master Uncle is clearly paving the way for himself. Zuo Lengchan, do you really think mastering the Frost Heavenly Fist allows you to challenge me for the Sect Leader position? How naive. You should study the Three-Part Return to Vital Energy technique.”

Yue Buqun had once deliberately held back while sparring with Lao Denuo, who practiced Frost Heavenly Fist, and found the Three-Part Return to Vital Energy technique to be a strong counter. He was confident.

“I am forever indebted to you for saving my life. I will follow your lead in all things, Master Uncle,” Liu Zhengfeng said hastily.

Not only Yang Xin but everyone present clearly sensed Liu Zhengfeng’s lack of interest in the Sect Leader position, shaking their heads in disbelief. “A mere wanderer of the martial world who ignores cultivation to indulge in music—truly ridiculous.”

“Disciple Liu, though you are enamored with music, you cannot neglect martial arts. Traveling the martial world demands outstanding skills—who knows when you might be cut down?” Yang Xin shook his head and, with a wave of his hand, tossed out an ancient zither.

Liu Zhengfeng hastily caught it, looking at Yang Xin with a puzzled expression. “What is this?”