Teng Qingshan felt a knot tighten in his stomach. This was the very issue that had always troubled him the most. Whether looking at the internal martial arts legacies from his previous life or the great sects across the land in this life, the immense importance placed on a sect was undeniable. Concepts like, 'A teacher for a day is a father for life,' and 'Betraying a sect earns the scorn of the world,' were deeply ingrained in people's hearts.

To fight for a sect, to die for a sect!

Many families had members belonging to the same sect for generations; some children were branded with the sect's mark the moment they were born! Across the Nine Provinces, sects were akin to the nations of his past life! A sect traitor was equivalent to a national traitor! For Teng Qingshan to establish his own school was essentially building a new state within his existing one.

No matter how well Zhuge Yuanhong treated Teng Qingshan, how could he possibly agree?

"Master," Teng Qingshan took a deep breath, carefully organizing his words. "There are two things I desire most in this life. First, for my family and loved ones to live happily and safely. Second, I wish to make the Internal Martial Arts lineage flourish, spreading it across the entire Nine Provinces, ensuring my lineage thrives forever in this land!"

"Therefore, establishing my own sect is something I must do." This was his dream, his goal!

If he couldn't realize this aspiration, all his efforts would be meaningless.

"Continue," Zhuge Yuanhong simply listened.

"The Guiyuan Sect has shown great kindness to me and to my Teng Family Village," Teng Qingshan stated solemnly. "However, I have always intended to see my Internal Martial Arts lineage expand and prosper. This has caused me great distress, struggling with how to handle the relationship between the sect I wish to create and the Guiyuan Sect. But—upon encountering the Heavenly God Palace, an idea took root in my mind."

Zhuge Yuanhong’s brow furrowed slightly.

"I was thinking that the sect I create and the Guiyuan Sect could stand as equals, merging into one grand organization. Just as the Heavenly God Palace commands factions like the Snow Lotus Sect, Heavenly God Mountain, Sword Sect, and Myriad Beast Valley—our organization could also have two primary branches in the future. One branch would be the Guiyuan Sect, and the other would be the sect I establish. Both existing side-by-side!" Teng Qingshan laid out his thoughts.

In truth, the moment Teng Qingshan mentioned the Heavenly God Palace, Zhuge Yuanhong grasped his meaning.

"You..."

Zhuge Yuanhong started to speak, then let out a sigh.

How he had longed for Teng Qingshan to strive for the rise of the Guiyuan Sect, for his 'Internal Martial Arts lineage' to become an integral part of Guiyuan Sect—everything belonging solely to Guiyuan Sect! To elevate Guiyuan Sect’s status to rival that of the 'Mani Temple.' But even before speaking, Zhuge Yuanhong knew it was impossible!

Across the Nine Provinces, which peerless genius lacked ambition? Which one lacked a dream?

Emperor Yu unified the Nine Provinces and left behind the Yu Emperor Gate, establishing the complete Daoist lineage.

The Qinling Heavenly Emperor also unified the Nine Provinces and left behind the Ying Clan.

The Poetic Sword Immortal, 'Li Taibai,' was a free spirit who would never serve another sect.

The founder of the Buddhist School, Patriarch Shakyamuni, created the Buddhist lineage, the 'Mani Temple.'

None of these four supreme powerhouses ever served another sect. It was precisely because of their dreams that these figures of transcendental genius achieved accomplishments worthy of reverence. Teng Qingshan stepped into the Void Realm at the young age of twenty-one, creating the Internal Martial Arts lineage, distinct from both Buddhism and Daoism!

How could such an individual be content to dedicate everything to the Guiyuan Sect? After all, Teng Qingshan had not grown up within Guiyuan Sect; his time there had been relatively short.

"Alas..." Another sigh escaped him. Zhuge Yuanhong didn't know how to begin.

"Master—" Teng Qingshan also struggled with how to proceed.

The pinnacle of the Internal Martial Arts methods from his past life was the Grandmaster realm. Teng Qingshan vividly remembered the exhilaration when he first created the 'Earth Element Fist' on the great plains. At that moment, he knew he had discovered a higher level of cultivation method for the Internal Martial Arts lineage. Step by step... the 'Fire Element Fist,' the 'Water Element Fist,' and so on.

It was then that his resolve hardened: to make the Internal Martial Arts lineage spread across countless ages.

"Qingshan," Zhuge Yuanhong looked at him.

Teng Qingshan listened intently: "Master, please speak."

"This matter involves too much, too much," Zhuge Yuanhong said gravely. "Though I am the Sect Master of Guiyuan Sect, I cannot make this decision alone. I will return to Guiyuan Sect immediately today and summon all Elders, Protectors, Commanders, and the heads of some of our key internal families to convene, so we may discuss this matter thoroughly."

This decision concerned the future of Guiyuan Sect; Zhuge Yuanhong lacked the sole authority to decide.

"Master, I understand," Teng Qingshan nodded.

"Mmm," Zhuge Yuanhong nodded, saying no more, and turned to leave.

Teng Qingshan watched the retreating figure of Zhuge Yuanhong, sighed inwardly, and couldn't help but turn his gaze toward the training grounds. There, vibrant youths were shouting "Hah!" as they practiced the Xingyiquan forms. Looking at them, Teng Qingshan vaguely saw a future where his Internal Martial Arts lineage flourished.

As these thoughts took hold, a surge of heroism rose in his heart, and he murmured silently, "In this life, I must reach the peak of the Internal Arts! And pass the Internal Martial Arts lineage down through a thousand ages."

April sixteenth, evening, Guiyuan Sect in Jiangning Prefecture.

"Old Man Ji, you came too?" A white-haired, deeply wrinkled old man in black robes walked over with a chuckle. Ji Hong, his arm missing yet appearing robust, walked over with a smile. "The Sect Master sent a summons, how could I not come? But, Old Man Wang, weren't you long retired, living out your days? Did the Sect Master invite you as well?"

"Yes, I found it strange too. I have less than ten years left before my natural end; I could die any day. Why would he invite me?" the wrinkled old man named Wang wondered aloud, perplexed.

The two walked together toward the main hall of Guiyuan Sect.

Ascending the steps, they entered the hall, which was already bustling.

"Haha, Senior Brother Ji Hong!"

"Uncle Wang Gan, you old fellow are here too."

A chorus of ancient voices echoed from various parts of the hall. More and more people gathered—not only the current Elders, Protectors, Black Armored Army Commanders, and Dragon Ridge Army Commanders, but also many from the older generations. Many had stepped down from Elder positions to manage their own affairs—old men over a hundred years old, all of them present.

"Qinghu, there are so many seniors here today," Zhuge Yun whispered.

"Yes, very many, all seniors with very high seniority," Teng Qinghu also couldn't help but exclaim. As Commanders of the Black Armored Army, the two of them were seated in the back section of the hall today. Currently, thirty-six people filled the hall, the vast majority being white-haired elders with one foot already nearing the coffin.

"Haha, it's rare for us to meet like this! I never thought that before I die, I would see our Guiyuan Sect become one of the Seven Great Sects of the Nine Provinces. Haha, even if I die, when I meet our past ancestors underground, I can hold my head high."

"Indeed! And why wouldn't we? Look who our Guiyuan Sect has produced—the peerless genius 'Teng Qingshan,' younger than the Four Great Supremes in history! When I heard about the battle at Great Yan Mountain, I clapped my hands and praised him at home, saying that if he survived that trial, his future would be limitless. See? Was I wrong?"

The hall was in a cheerful uproar. Everyone was discussing the recent events. These old timers were clearly overjoyed and excited that Guiyuan Sect had risen to become one of the Seven Great Sects of the Nine Provinces.

Suddenly—

"The Sect Master is here."

The entire hall quickly quieted. Zhuge Yuanhong, wearing a loose, pale cyan robe with his long hair flowing, walked in and directly took his seat in the main position.

"Sect Master, what is the matter that required our presence?"

"Haha, is it because we've become one of the Seven Great Sects of the Nine Provinces, and you plan to rebuild and expand Guiyuan Sect?" these old men began asking with smiles.

Zhuge Yuanhong looked at those present—elders who were pillars of Guiyuan Sect when he was just born. He took a deep breath and spoke, "Esteemed sirs!"

The hall immediately fell silent. Everyone noticed the unusual expression on the Sect Master's face.

"Our Guiyuan Sect has just annihilated Green Lake Island and occupied the entirety of Yangzhou Prefecture," Zhuge Yuanhong's voice echoed through the hall. "I believe you are all aware that in achieving this step, Qingshan made monumental contributions!"

Just as the elders were about to chime in with agreement, Zhuge Yuanhong continued, "However—you must all know that Qingshan stepped into the Void Realm at only twenty-one years of age, making him an absolutely peerless figure since the heavens opened and the earth formed in the Nine Provinces, his brilliance comparable to the Four Great Supremes."

"Currently, the Nine Provinces is dominated by the Daoist and Buddhist lineages," Zhuge Yuanhong stated solemnly. "And Qingshan has created a completely different lineage—the Internal Martial Arts lineage!"

The hall erupted into an uproar.

"Is this true?"

"A third lineage outside of Buddhism and Daoism?" This news was utterly shocking.

Zhuge Yuanhong continued in a low tone, "However, Qingshan has always held a strong desire: to make his Internal Martial Arts lineage prosper. Therefore, he is certain to establish his own sect! I have summoned all of you here because I need you to discuss how Guiyuan Sect should respond to Qingshan establishing his own sect!"

Silence!

A complete stillness descended. The previously jovial elders were all struck dumb.

"Establishing a sect?" Immediately, an elder whose teeth were nearly all gone stood up, his voice sharp. "Sect Master, this absolutely cannot happen! If Teng Qingshan wants to establish a sect, where will he get the land? Where will he get the manpower? Naturally, he intends to divide Yangzhou Prefecture. If it starts with dividing Yangzhou today, I fear it will swallow Guiyuan Sect in the future."

"Exactly, Sect Master," another person stood up, his eyes red with urgency. "We cannot become the sinners of Guiyuan Sect!"

"Sect Master, this must not be allowed. This will harm our Guiyuan Sect."

One elder after another rose to their feet.

Zhuge Yuanhong sat silently on the Sect Master's seat, listening to the words of these elders without uttering a sound.

"That Teng Qingshan, surely he won't forget old affections," someone began, only to be immediately cursed: "Forget old affections? Even if he keeps some affection for Guiyuan Sect to survive, what about his successors? Once his sect grows powerful, swallowing us will become inevitable."

Bang!

That black-robed, silver-haired elder, whose face was a tapestry of wrinkles and age spots, shoved his chair away and abruptly knelt in the main hall, raising his head to roar hoarsely, "Our Guiyuan Sect ancestors—generation after generation of talented individuals built this foundation! Now we have reached the pinnacle, possessing all of Yangzhou. Sect Master—please, do not let the hard work of all our ancestors be in vain! Otherwise, when we die and meet our ancestors underground, how shall we face them?" As he spoke, the old man wept torrentially.

"Sect Master..."

The elders, one after another, cried out in grief, or were consumed by extreme anger.

In short, not a single elder present agreed to the proposal.

The younger generation, like Zhuge Yun and Teng Qinghu, dared not speak at all.

Zhuge Yuanhong sat high on the Sect Master’s throne, listening to the words of the multitude of elders below him, remaining silent. After a long pause...

"Esteemed sirs," he finally spoke.

The entire hall instantly quieted; all the Elders turned their gaze toward the Sect Master, 'Zhuge Yuanhong.'

Zhuge Yuanhong sighed deeply. "Qingshan’s contribution to the current state of Guiyuan Sect is undeniable; this cannot be misrepresented. I am here... only to state that we now have two paths."

"Path One: We refuse to allow Teng Qingshan to establish his own sect. In that case, Teng Qingshan will leave Guiyuan Sect and establish his sect independently! At that time, how can Guiyuan Sect, without the aid of a Void Realm expert, hold onto Yangzhou? We will become a piece of meat between the jaws of wolves; the consequences, I do not need to elaborate."

"Path Two: We agree to Teng Qingshan establishing his sect."

"There are two paths, sirs, choose wisely." Zhuge Yuanhong's voice echoed in the hall, and everyone fell silent.