The assembly was filled only with underlings, and Feng Zikang descending from the sky would have garnered no attention whatsoever. All one could hear was one of the elders chattering away incessantly, while the surrounding crowd kept peppering him with questions.

"Uncle Guan! Tell us, what exactly is the purpose behind the convergence of the Three Teachings and the Nine Streams at Tianzhu Mountain this time?"

Below them was a throng of cultivators. Although all were dressed in luxurious robes and appeared to be the figures of authority within their respective sects, the news of the Three Teachings and the Nine Streams gathering in the mountains made them sweat with anxiety, ready to believe any rumor.

The old man addressed as Uncle Guan closed his eyes and took a leisurely puff from his pipe. "What's the rush! Old Guan naturally knows the inside story; I'll tell you all about it slowly."

It turned out these people were from the immortal cultivation sects. Hearing that the Three Teachings and the Nine Streams were converging here for an unknown major event, they had originally intended to draw closer to flatter the powerful figures. Who knew that the Three Teachings and the Nine Streams had completely sealed off the entire Tianzhu Mountain domain? They couldn't even get close.

Some tried to sneak in, only to be unceremoniously tossed out by the watching child attendants.

Their curiosity about what the Three Teachings and the Nine Streams were discussing grew ever stronger. After all, such a meeting hadn't occurred in centuries. If the Three Teachings and the Nine Streams were convening, it could only signify a major shift in the world; knowing about it early would surely bring benefits.

"Could it be about the recent rebellion in the Southern Barbarian territories, and they're deciding how to respond?"

"Nonsense! Such trivial matters wouldn't concern us, let alone the attention of the Three Teachings and the Nine Streams. Why bother gathering here to discuss it?"

In truth, it wasn't that no one guessed the real reason. They simply were unwilling to believe that the gathering of the Three Teachings and the Nine Streams was merely for the sake of a mortal war.

The young man who had spoken out received a sharp rap on the head from Uncle Guan's tobacco pipe. Rubbing his head, he let out a sheepish chuckle, feeling his own speculation was rather absurd.

Feng Zikang secretly smiled. Most of the sects that flocked here were lower or mid-tier. The higher-ranking sects were more concerned with preserving their dignity; even if they wanted to gather intelligence, they wouldn't cluster at the foot of the mountain like this.

However, the major discussions of the Three Teachings and the Nine Streams were indeed related to the looming Great Tribulation, which naturally had a direct bearing on these cultivators. It was a pity that the secrets of heaven could not be revealed; even once the discussions concluded, the results would not be disclosed to ordinary cultivation sects.

Feng Zikang watched as Uncle Guan once again leaned on his age to lecture the young man. With a slight smile, knowing their conversation held little value, he summoned his sword light and swiftly flew back toward the mountain.

"Hey!"

Just as he ascended, a flurry of gray shadow danced directly in front of him, blocking his path.

Feng Zikang was startled. Squinting, he saw it was Uncle Guan, the one who had been holding court in the crowd earlier. This elder’s cultivation seemed higher than the others, perhaps around the late Foundation Establishment stage.

"Senior, may I ask why you are blocking my way?"

Feng Zikang knew that among these lower-tier sects, seniority mattered little. His status as the third-generation disciple of the Military Strategists of Dragon Tiger Mountain was surely higher, so he didn't bother with excessive politeness, simply addressing him as an elder senior.

Actually, the moment Feng Zikang landed his sword light, Old Uncle Guan had already noticed the young man. He had listened to a couple of sentences with an expression of pure curiosity, but then a trace of mocking contempt had crossed his face, which greatly displeased Uncle Guan. When he saw the youth turn to leave and then soar into the air, his anger flared, and he instantly intercepted him.

"Impudent brat! Don't you know the rules down here at Tianzhu Mountain?" he demanded, his eyes wide with indignation.

Feng Zikang paused. "I'm afraid I don't know what rules you speak of?"

Tianzhu Mountain was originally a desolate place; what rules could there be? If there were rules, the attendant children who greeted them surely would have mentioned them.

"Hmph!"

Uncle Guan snorted coldly. "This Tianzhu Mountain is where the seniors of the Three Teachings and the Nine Streams are deliberating important matters. As members of the cultivation world, we must show respect by absolutely not flying on our swords. I didn't say anything when you first descended, but you insist on doing it again and again—how can this be tolerated!"

Feng Zikang smiled faintly. "I see; it's a matter of custom. However—"

"Stop your sophistry!"

Uncle Guan's face darkened. "Young man, you must be humble and admit your mistake! Since you've erred, why aren't you quickly sheathing your sword and apologizing instead of nagging on!"

He glared menacingly, arrogantly claiming authority as the self-appointed leader at the foot of the mountain. The crowd below let out a wave of clamor.

They feared the might of the Three Teachings and the Nine Streams, naturally daring not to challenge their authority lightly. Since Uncle Guan had announced this rule, no one had dared to violate it.

To see an unremarkable-looking young man riding his flying sword directly above them—how could they endure it?

"Boy! Get down here now!"

"Whose disciple is this? So utterly lacking in manners!"

Feng Zikang couldn't help but smile wryly. Of course, he didn't need to pay attention to these people. He said calmly, "Thank you for the lesson, Uncle Guan, but I must enter the mountain now. Otherwise, once the evening banquet is over, there won't be any food for me."

"What?" Uncle Guan's eyes bulged. He burst into loud laughter, tears and snot streaming down his face. "Did you hear what he just said? He said he wants to enter the mountain?"

"Pah!"

Uncle Guan spat. "Who do you think you are? At such a young age, you think you can enter Tianzhu Mountain where the Three Teachings and the Nine Streams deliberate on grand affairs? Are you Feng Zikang, currently the foremost youth of the Righteous Path? If not, then obediently come down here!"

He stretched out his hand, which transformed into a shadowy black claw, snatching toward Feng Zikang as if to yank him down to the earth.

Feng Zikang gave a slight smile and flicked his sleeve, effortlessly scattering the black mist. Uncle Guan felt as though a heavy hammer had struck his chest, stumbling back several paces. Just as he was about to shout a curse, he saw Feng Zikang transform into a streak of white light and fly directly into the shimmering barrier that enveloped Tianzhu Mountain.

He was utterly shocked, his face turning deathly pale. He himself had tasted the power of this barrier—a mere touch felt like being struck by lightning and thrown back. This young man... how could this young man fly through so smoothly?

As he stood there trembling in fear, a faint voice echoed near his ear, "Thank you for your concern, Uncle Guan. I am indeed Feng Zikang of the Military Strategists of Dragon Tiger Mountain, the foremost youth of the Righteous Path, and so on. It truly is an exaggeration of your part, Uncle Guan!"

"Ah!"

Cold sweat broke out on Uncle Guan’s forehead, his legs gave way, and he tumbled to the ground, his face ashen.

A crowd of people rushed around him in a scramble. "Uncle Guan! Uncle Guan! Are you alright?"

He struggled to his feet, staring toward the direction of Tianzhu Mountain, cold sweat slicking his back. "I'm fine, I'm fine... just a momentary lapse, just a momentary lapse..."

Feng Zikang returned to the mountain to find Yuan Buhuan waiting for him in his guest quarters, his brow deeply furrowed, appearing preoccupied.

"Sect Master!"

He stepped forward to pay his respects. Yuan Buhuan nodded with relief upon seeing him return, but his face still held a clear hint of displeasure.

"Sect Master, what troubles you?"

Feng Zikang observed his demeanor. He could tell that Yuan Buhuan's bearing before and after this trip was vastly different; he had clearly encountered something unpleasant.

"Sigh!"

Yuan Buhuan shook his head. "Short-sightedness! One cannot speak of ice to summer insects! Some old fools are truly senile!"

It turned out that regarding this Great Tribulation, Yuan Buhuan was ambitious and wanted to achieve something significant. With the Three Teachings having made their stance clear—they were resolutely supporting the Tang Dynasty—this gathering at Zhuzhu Mountain was surely intended to persuade the Nine Streams to follow suit.

Yuan Buhuan's idea was to align with Heaven and man. By uniting the Nine Streams to support Wu Ji, they could borrow the momentum of Heaven's will to expand the power of the Nine Streams and the Military Strategists, truly becoming a major sect capable of contending with the Three Teachings!

The Mohists, Syncretists, Yin-Yang School, and Legalists implicitly agreed with this idea, offering no objection. This initial alliance was gradually taking shape.

The Logicians and the Farmers still held a wait-and-see attitude. However, the Farmers generally avoided worldly conflicts. As long as Yuan Buhuan could rely on personal connections to secure their aid in rescuing people, he didn't need to forcefully drag them into the alliance. Although the Logicians' stance was ambiguous, they weren't impossible to win over.

As for the remaining streams, they hadn't even bothered to attend this meeting. They were always marginalized, and no one paid them any mind.

But the most infuriating were the Diplomats.

They had openly declared their intention to oppose the Military Strategists of Dragon Tiger Mountain, even going so far as to align with the Three Teachings of Confucianism, Buddhism, and Taoism!

"Even the Logicians have been swayed by him! These old men really are muddled! The Diplomats only know how to scheme; what good are they? If our Nine Streams unite, why should we fear the Three Teachings? If we switch the ruling dynasty, the power of the Nine Streams will surge, and eventually, we can suppress the Three Teachings. What's wrong with that?"

Yuan Buhuan cursed, his stout face flushed red.

A cold glint flashed in Feng Zikang's eyes. He had deep-seated grudges with the Diplomats. Leng Jinchan, whose arm he severed, Zhang Qi, whom he felled, and Yan Fengqi, whom he wounded—they were all his enemies.

The strength of the Military Strategists of Dragon Tiger Mountain clearly surpassed that of the Diplomats, especially after his Master Ye Tiansheng displayed his might and severely wounded Yan Fengqi, which kept the Diplomats from causing trouble. However, encountering them again today was indeed an instance of enemies meeting on a narrow road.

"Sect Master, in my view, they aren't trying to side with the Three Teachings.

Feng Zikang smiled coldly. Having dealt with the Diplomats many times, he could easily understand their true motivations.

"They don't care about righteousness at all; what they care about is who will lead the Nine Streams alliance after it's formed! If you, Master, take the lead in wooing them, naturally the Military Strategists will be in charge. They are unwilling to accept that; they truly want to forge their own path!"

"Ah!"

Yuan Buhuan slapped his forehead and nodded in agreement. "I was so angry I became confused! I never considered that the Diplomats are inherently like this. Now I understand!"

He wasn't a fool either. Once Feng Zikang pointed out the truth, he knew exactly what to do. His demeanor became confident, and a smile returned to his face.

The Diplomats only valued profit; concepts like the Great Dao were meaningless trash to them!

Since that was the case, prescribing the right remedy was not impossible.

A hint of cold calculation appeared in Yuan Buhuan's eyes.

Feng Zikang watched silently. He had long known that this seemingly simple and weak-mannered Sect Master was no ordinary person. To reach this position, he must possess some extraordinary abilities.

There were still two days before the Tianzhu Mountain Convention officially began.

The thoughts of the Nine Streams were now mostly clarified.

However, the Three Teachings—Confucianism, Buddhism, and Taoism—remained inscrutable about their true intentions. Feng Zikang was more concerned about this.

The three families of the Righteous Path unhesitatingly chose to support the Tang court. Aside from their established vested interests, was there any other reason?

The Great Tribulation was clear: Wu Zhou replacing the Tang Dynasty was the will of Heaven.

Wu Ji contained the character 'Wu' (martial), and if the state name established later was Zhou, it would align with the prophecy and seize the mandate of Heaven. Surely the leaders of the ancient Three Teachings weren't trying to defy Heaven?

Those who defy Heaven perish. The Three Teachings were long-established, and their leaders were certainly not fools. What exactly drove them to this decision?

In these past few days, the Three Teachings remained tight-lipped, insisting on revealing their plans only during the formal deliberations. Yuan Buhuan tried to sound them out indirectly but gained no insight.

"Zikang, what do you think they are planning?"

Throughout this period, Yuan Buhuan not only praised Feng Zikang's strength but also viewed his analysis and strategy with newfound respect. This teenager seemed as calculating as an ancient cultivator of several centuries, yet crucially, he lacked that dull sense of stagnation. The sharp, progressive spirit of the Military Strategists resided in him.

Feng Zikang frowned as well.

He had no solid idea what calculations the Three Teachings were making.

Logically, if they wanted to preserve the Tang court, they should be trying to persuade the various houses of the Nine Streams now, or at least win over a few of them.

The Diplomats were clearly waiting for the Three Teachings to make an offer, but after waiting fruitlessly, they reluctantly joined the Nine Streams alliance. If the Confucian, Buddhist, and Taoist families had offered some price, the Diplomats might not have been unwilling to switch sides.

"Sect Master, I actually have a new thought."

Feng Zikang pondered for a moment before laying out the insights from his analysis over the past few days to Yuan Buhuan.

"Oh? Tell me about it!"

Yuan Buhuan's eyes brightened, and he listened attentively.

Feng Zikang stood up and paced slightly. "The actions of the Three Teachings—Confucianism, Buddhism, and Taoism—are quite strange. They don't look like they are wholeheartedly dedicated to the Tang Dynasty. It’s as if they have another agenda."

"In my view, they probably aren't concerned with the mortal world for this. They are likely concerned with something intrinsically linked to this world..."

Feng Zikang's expression grew solemn, his gaze firm.

"Or perhaps, something related to this Tribulation!"

"Heavens!"

Yuan Buhuan slammed the table and jumped up.

"It's possible! That might indeed be the reason. Could it be that they have actually obtained that thing?"

His face turned pale, and the hope that had been in his eyes vanished, replaced by a deep, profound terror.

Feng Zikang's expression shifted slightly. Anything that could terrify Yuan Buhuan to this extent must be extraordinary. If the Three Teachings had obtained this object, that would explain why they were abandoning the competition for the mortal realm. But why would they choose the side that opposes Heaven's will?

Could that object be...?

"Sect Master, what is this 'thing' you speak of?"

Feng Zikang kept reminding himself to remain composed and not ask, but an overwhelming curiosity forced the question out.

Yuan Buhuan slowly sat back down, his expression gradually returning to calm, but the fear in his eyes never truly subsided.

"Zikang!"

He began to speak slowly, his tone detached, as if suppressing intense emotion.

"Have you ever heard of the battle two thousand years ago, when the world was in chaos, and Zhou Wu rose up to overthrow the Yin, establishing the Zhou Dynasty that lasted eight hundred years?"

Feng Zikang's face also changed. Yuan Buhuan ignored him and continued speaking.

"The world calls this the Battle of Conquering Yin. But we cultivators of the world have another name for it..."