Has the Elegant Ancestor Manifested

The intense friction and conflict between the Incense God System and traditional local factions were entirely within Chen Yi's expectations.

This was a clash of two different ideologies.

For the Incense Gods to revitalize their fortunes, they must focus on the people's welfare, while traditional factions, needing resources for cultivation, resort to monopolization!

On a micro level, there is no right or wrong—only differing stances. After all, this is the world of cultivation. The strong must have privileges; otherwise, what's the point of becoming powerful?

If cultivation isn't about achieving freedom and unrestrained living, then who would even bother cultivating?

But from a macro perspective, the traditional factions hinder the development of the Purple Star Immortal Realm. Their influence must be weakened, and their transcendent privileges abolished!

For the Purple Star Continent to ascend, relying solely on the strength of those at the pyramid's peak is useless. A weak foundation means an inflated overall level!

Take the simplest example: Chen Yi currently possesses 121 Chaos Avatars, which can merge into 13 three-star Chaos Avatars equivalent to Golden Immortal combat power. So, does that make the Purple Star Continent a Golden Immortal-level world?

The answer is no. The disparity is too severe. It's like averaging the wealth of a trillionaire and a hundred million unemployed—the numbers look impressive, with a per capita worth of millions, but in reality?

One person's prosperity is meaningless. True prosperity is shared by all!

The era where traditional factions monopolized resources by clinging to their established domains is over. The Incense System is a sharp scalpel, cutting through the rotten exterior, reclaiming the plate, and expanding it to benefit all living beings!

Any stubborn elements attempting to obstruct the tide of reform will be crushed. As the chief architect and commander, Chen Yi has both the means and the strength. He opts for a conciliatory approach to maintain stability, but if they refuse the courtesy, they’ll face the spear!

"Huo Hai, 1,001st-generation sect master of the Carefree Sect, mid-stage Nascent Soul cultivation. Logically, a sect leader of your level has no right to question my decisions. But out of respect for Chen Lingxiu, I’ll answer your question."

As soon as the words fell, Huo Hai felt the suffocating pressure, like a python coiling around him, vanish instantly. His purplish complexion gradually returned to normal.

He coughed dryly, shrinking back as he cautiously looked at Chen Yi. "G-Great One, I was just... blinded by anger earlier. My words were thoughtless. Please, with your magnanimity, treat me like a passing fart..."

Everyone in the Purple Star Continent knew that the Calamity-Suppressing Venerable wasn’t known for his generosity. Cursing him in secret was one thing, but getting caught in the act... Death might not be certain, but suffering was guaranteed.

A sincere apology might lessen the punishment, but continued defiance would lead to a fate worse than death!

Chen Yi shook his head slightly. "I much preferred your earlier, unyielding attitude. Go back to that. Don’t be afraid—out of respect for Chen Lingxiu, I won’t pursue this."

Hearing this, Huo Hai’s heart stirred, and he instinctively glanced at the ancestral tablet of his sect’s revered founder, Lingxiu.

What’s going on?

The Calamity-Suppressing Venerable was notoriously domineering, never sparing face for anyone. Even contemporaries suffered under his tyranny, yet Lingxiu, who had ascended long ago, was now just a fading legend. Why would the Venerable mention her twice and even defer to her?

Could it be...

Has the Lingxiu Ancestor returned and manifested her power?

Is the Calamity-Suppressing Venerable avoiding direct confrontation, temporarily yielding to her might?

Highly possible!

With this thought, Huo Hai straightened his back and spoke firmly, "May I ask, Great Venerable, why does the newly appointed seventh-rank City God of Sinking Star Pass dare to seize the foundation my Carefree Sect has painstakingly built over generations, every inch soaked in the blood and sweat of our ancestors?"

"I understand your strategic vision—to release resources, benefit the lower strata, and elevate fortunes. A noble cause, and my Carefree Sect would gladly contribute. But to strip us of our ancestral heritage with a mere decree—isn’t that too much?!"

"If I let our ancestral legacy perish in my hands, how could I ever face our forebears in the afterlife?!"

Chen Yi replied indifferently, "Lofty words. But for years, your Carefree Sect has occupied the most fertile land in this region. What contributions have you made to local development? Have the lives of the people improved under your rule? Has the local fortune ever seen an upturn?"

"Uh..." The three soul-crushing questions left Huo Hai speechless.

I was just making a point—why take it so seriously?

Contributions to local development?

The Carefree Sect can barely sustain itself—how could we care about others?

Chen Yi continued, "If not for the Heavenly Dao’s ascension forcibly raising the environment’s carrying capacity, do you know how many lives would have starved in this region every year?"

"Remember, the population is the foundation of fortune, and fortune determines the upper limit of the world’s productivity!"

"After all these years, the local fortune remains stagnant. The Heavenly Dao’s support is already stretched thin. Maybe you should reflect—why hasn’t fortune risen? Have you ever truly governed with diligence?"

"Great One, your reprimand is justified, but..." Huo Hai’s face flushed red. "If we surrender our ancestral lands, how will my Carefree Sect disciples survive?"

Before Chen Yi could respond, a seemingly insignificant elder of the Carefree Sect, standing like a bystander in the hall, suddenly grasped the situation and declared resolutely, "Sect Master, why can’t you see it?!"

"The Great One’s meaning is clear—clinging to our ancestral legacy is unsustainable. The plate is too small, barely keeping us from starvation!"

"But if we yield it, we’ll receive preferential treatment. Moreover, with the City God’s vast network, the plate will expand, fortunes will rise, and productivity will soar. In the end, we’ll gain even more!"

"The tide of the new era is unstoppable. Only by riding its waves can we reach the crest. This is a once-in-a-millennium opportunity. Our Carefree Sect has declined for too long—we can’t afford to cling to old ways!"

"Sect Master, I urge you to decree reform. I, Luo Wutian, volunteer to lead the charge and negotiate with the City God of Sinking Star Pass at once!"

Hearing this, Chen Yi couldn’t help but take a second look at this seemingly ordinary elder. With interest, he remarked, "Your awareness is commendable. You might even qualify as the 1,002nd-generation sect master of the Carefree Sect."

Huo Hai felt as if struck by lightning.

Damn, this is aimed at me!

The Calamity-Suppressing Venerable really holds grudges. I should’ve known he wouldn’t let me off so easily—he was setting me up all along!

But the position of Carefree Sect’s master isn’t just for anyone!

Even if you, Great Venerable, can depose me, so what?

An outsider will always be an outsider. You have no idea how much I’ve sacrificed for the Carefree Sect!

Even if I’m demoted to a menial disciple, I’ll still have the sect master under my thumb—just you wait and see!

And just as he predicted, Luo Wutian didn’t dare covet the sect master’s seat. He knew his limits—even with the Venerable’s backing, he’d never command respect. Better to pledge loyalty outright.

"I am honored by the Esteemed One's favor, but Luo Wutian is of limited talent and shallow knowledge, truly unfit for such great responsibility. I must respectfully..."

Luo Wutian was speaking when his words suddenly trailed off.

For in his peripheral vision, he caught sight of the Tribulation-Sovereign raising his palm to summon forth a divine idol.