My uncle told me that the topics discussed by the higher-ups during this alliance meeting were what he shared with me.
Although my uncle had not left the mountain for many years, most of the high-ranking officials in the Dao Alliance had interacted with him when they were younger. Furthermore, after the battle with the Black Demon Palace, my uncle had drawn all the attention to himself.
All the factions believed that my uncle had a relationship with the three major powers. That was why my uncle could attend these meetings and learn about the core contents of the high-level discussions. Moreover, these contents were top secrets within the Dao Alliance, which would not be publicly announced and would only be secretly implemented after the alliance meeting.
He was telling me now because he wanted to gather the three major powers again through me, and finally, in coordination with the Dao Alliance, annihilate the Black Demon Sect in Bachuan. While this point might be difficult to implement, I agreed with it wholeheartedly and planned to try to communicate with these factions after I returned.
Seeing that I had agreed, my uncle nodded. Then, his tone shifted, and he spoke to me seriously, "Little Qin! In the last battle with the Black Demon Palace, I took all the credit for you. Do you resent me for it?"
Hearing my uncle speak like this, I was stunned for a moment. Then, I frowned and shook my head, "Uncle, what are you saying? You did that to protect me, to prevent me from attracting too much attention. Besides, these so-called merits and attention don't bring any monetary rewards or substantial benefits. They are merely vanity. On the contrary, by taking all the credit, you have undoubtedly become a thorn in the side of those evil cults and demons, and they will regard you as a mortal enemy."
I spoke truthfully. I understood why my uncle had done that back then. It was all for me, to draw the fire of those evil cults, to guard against open attacks as well as hidden arrows.
Hearing my answer, my uncle nodded, "It's great that you think this way. Now, I just wish for you all to grow up quickly. After all, you and Xiao Mo possess infinite potential. I truly wish to see the day when you can stand on your own. By then, this old man will have some respite."
My uncle's eyes flickered with anticipation and hope for me. I had seen this same look in my master's eyes. And my uncle, like my master, was a venerable elder.
"Uncle, I will work hard. Moreover, I have already touched the threshold of a breakthrough. I believe that with just one more opportunity, I can reach the peak cultivation of Xuan Dan."
Upon hearing this, my uncle's eyes suddenly widened, revealing an expression of disbelief, "You, you've touched the threshold of Xuan Dan peak? This, this quickly?"
"Yes, that's right, and it's very clear..." I told my uncle about challenging Shaolin's Great Compassion Mantra and entering a strange state.
After listening, my uncle took a deep breath. Then, he started laughing heartily, "Old fool, old fool, you really took on a good disciple. Xiao Mo, if your master in heaven knew that you could touch the threshold of Xuan Dan peak in such a short time, would he laugh himself awake? Back then, when your master and I followed your grand-master and started learning the Dao at thirteen, it took us over ten years to reach your current realm. You, kid, have achieved this cultivation in less than two years since you started. It's like riding a rocket. Comparing people, it's incomparable, hahaha..."
My uncle was very happy. Seeing my uncle laughing so unrestrainedly, I thought of my master again. I wondered how he was doing down there...
At this moment, Old Mo came out from the inner room, yawning, "Ah! Master, what are you so happy about?"
Seeing Old Mo come out, my uncle smiled and said, "Xiao Mo, you need to work harder. Otherwise, the gap in cultivation will become wider and wider between you and Xiao Qin."
Hearing this, Old Mo glared at me, "Master, Qin Ze is a freak. Don't you remember he broke through while sleeping last time? But! I, the Son of Light, the Nameless Garden Arbitrator, the Urban Demon Exorcist, Mo, won't be left too far behind by him."
After saying that, the kid even waved his hands at my uncle and me, looking like a spirited youth. But this kid's talent was truly strong. It's not that he was stronger than me, but he was definitely not much weaker. Like me, he was someone naturally suited for this path.
My uncle felt a headache coming on and rolled his eyes. I was used to it. I invited him over for morning tea. After chatting for a while, I also told Old Mo about what my uncle had just told me. Old Mo became excited again. It seemed that in this kid's dictionary, there was no danger, only passionate battles.
Seeing that it was getting late and Chen Yao still hadn't woken up, I asked if we should wake her. The challenge match was to begin around ten o'clock. It turned out that Chen Yao hadn't returned last night and had slept at Xia Qiuqi's place. With everyone present, the three of us finally left the courtyard for the restaurant. It was past eight o'clock, and many people were dining. Almost everyone was talking about one thing: the challenge match. My uncle had warned us not to go up and steal the show, so both Old Mo and I felt that it had nothing to do with us. We were just going to watch the excitement.
After we finished breakfast and arrived at the main square, we found that the viewing stands had already been set up, and by this time, two to three hundred people had gathered. There were disciples from various factions, especially the younger generation, who were ready to step onto the stage and test their skills. Many of the good seats in the front rows had already been occupied. We found a spot at the back with an excellent view and sat down. Now, we were just waiting for the challenge match to begin...