Chapter 254: Chapter 254: Debating the Dao in the Inner Sect! Strange Occurrences!

After Han Li spoke in a cryptic manner, he took his leave.

Qi Ping watched Han Li’s departing figure and fell into deep thought.

Although Han Li’s words were cryptic, they carried a fierce and murderous aura!

It implied that since Qi Ping obtained the qualification to trade for rare resources by taking someone’s original share, he might be targeted, or even killed!

The senior brother mentioned by Han Li was very likely killed by the vested interests within the Cyan Origin Sect.

"If that’s the case, isn’t it like killing off the future pillars of the Sect?"

How is this different from the ancient army killing its core generals?

"Why does the Cyan Origin Sect always like to do things that undermine its own foundation?"

Even though there were previous sect wars of which Qi Ping wasn’t aware of the inside story, allowing the Immortal Alliance to produce blood food and helping them deal with the Bee Daoist’s clone were real incidents.

Therefore, Qi Ping didn’t doubt the authenticity of these things.

Moreover, Qi Ping had witnessed Loose Cultivators devouring each other for resources, and in times of scarcity, cannibalism was not uncommon, let alone killing a fellow disciple deemed a backbone.

"But how long can such self-destructive practices last? Have they truly reached the point of cutting trees just for profit without care for future shade?"

Though absurd, it did seem like something a Cultivator would do.

Besides the fierce competition Han Li mentioned about sect resources, he also subtly hinted at sect faction issues.

Currently, the upper echelons of the Cyan Origin Sect are divided into three factions. If Qi Ping wants to settle down and ensure his safety, he must choose a suitable faction.

With faction protection, Qi Ping’s safety would be somewhat secured, granting him the qualification to compete for Golden Core resources, greatly increasing his chances of achieving it due to his talent!

However, not choosing any faction would be the most dangerous, just like Han Li’s deceased senior brother.

To stand within a faction, aside from acceptance and recognition, one must also sign contracts and make a Heavenly Dao Oath to qualify.

According to Han Li, if not for his senior brother’s stubbornness in refusing to choose a faction, he wouldn’t have met such an end.

"Indeed, no good bread comes for free; there’s always a corresponding price to pay..."

"Sigh!"

Thinking of this, Qi Ping couldn’t help but sigh. Although his talent was decent, it was far from enough to warrant someone breaking the rules for him.

Yet Qi Ping could never make such contracts or oaths. Without even needing to delve into details, he could imagine the harsh conditions.

He had read many texts and knew well the consequences of making a Heavenly Dao Oath; such promises mustn’t be made lightly!

"So, in faction choosing, I’ll have to disappoint Brother Han..."

Qi Ping decided not to align with any faction, just like Han Li’s senior brother, as making a Heavenly Dao Oath would be self-sabotaging for him!

"However... the danger might not necessarily be directed at me!"

Thinking this, Qi Ping’s lips curled into a smile.

His foundation was solid and strong, he was proficient in various Magic techniques, could arrange a six-in-one super combination Killing Array, and had a terrifying number of Wind Blade Bees...

Qi Ping had a good impression of Han Li, whose appearance wasn’t outstanding but whose demeanor was. Han Li’s final reminder greatly increased Qi Ping’s appreciation for him.

However, Qi Ping didn’t take Han Li’s words at face value and planned to further understand the internal workings of the Cyan Origin Sect before deciding his next steps.

So Qi Ping temporarily settled in the Seventh Immortal Mansion in the inner region of the Cyan Origin Sect.

In the following period, Qi Ping researched the Cyan Origin Sect’s rules and various information while communicating with other inner disciples of the Sect.

...

With the spread of the news about Qi Ping’s four top-grade talents and his midstream pillar assessment by the Heart-Questioning Mirror, many Sect inner disciples visited him almost daily.

Among them were talented late-stage Foundation Establishment disciples, as well as late-stage Qi Refining and Qi Refining Perfection ones.

Some came to extend olive branches, some to flatter Qi Ping, and others merely to discuss the Dao with him.

No matter their purpose or status, Qi Ping welcomed them and engaged in friendly exchanges.

These exchanges lasted for nearly two months!

After interacting with many Cyan Origin Sect disciples, Qi Ping finally had a relatively clear understanding of the Sect.

Overall, the situation aligned with Han Li’s description, but Qi Ping learned more details, gossip, and taboos.

Beyond this information, the most surprising gain for Qi Ping was discussing the Dao with other inner disciples!

Some Cyan Origin Sect inner disciples were deeply devoted to Immortal Cultivation, gaining unique insights into realm cultivation, Dao Heart, the True Meaning of Law... and more!

After in-depth exchanges, Qi Ping realized he had a deeper comprehension of Immortal Dao Cultivation!

Having witnessed others’ Paths of Cultivation, Qi Ping became more steadfast in his own path, with a stronger and more consolidated Dao Heart.

"If there’s a chance, these exchanges on the Dao could continue in the future!"

This endeavor not only enriched Qi Ping’s cultivation insights but also introduced him to many friends who shared confidential information about the Cyan Origin Sect.

One of them was actually Lin Qingshu, the green-clad woman Qi Ping met in Qingshi County, whose dedication to cultivation and insight into Sword Intent impressed Qi Ping greatly and yielded him much.

These individuals were willing to befriend Qi Ping and provide much-needed information due to his talents and the Heart-Questioning Mirror evaluation but more so due to his deep understanding and vast cultivation knowledge!

This profited them immensely!

Because compared to Qi Ping’s gains, theirs were even greater! Driven by gratitude, they freely shared their knowledge with him!

Qi Ping didn’t care who gained more from these exchanges, as overall, his gains were vast enough, whether in terms of information gathering or cultivation understanding!

"Just for these discussions on the Dao, my time at Cyan Origin Sect has been highly rewarding!"

With this thought, Qi Ping became even more eager to explore the knowledge within the Sect’s Cultivation Technique Pavilion.

However, after two months, the Sect’s upper echelon had yet to provide the resources and identity benefits tied to his "mainstay" evaluation.

"Strange..."

This left Qi Ping puzzled and somewhat impatient, as he couldn’t wait indefinitely...