Eternal Life: I Can Control My Essence Qi-Chapter 228 - 179: Storm and Tempest (Part 2)

Old Peng’s expression changed as he heard this, and he gravely said:

"Yu Wen Tai has not appeared for several months, and all sorts of rumors are flying around. Celestial Treasure Tower has long become a huge vortex."

"And now, a sudden decision to convene the Celestial Treasure Conference... The Association Leader must be very careful."

"Mm."

Zhang Yao nodded slightly, saying:

"Don’t worry, we have always been advancing and retreating together with Fuhai Sect, no matter how turbulent this storm, it won’t capsize the big ship."

"Even if things become unmanageable, I have more than enough to protect myself. Just remember to stay alert."

The Five Elements Secret Realm has yet to open up, regardless of how intense this conflict may erupt, the Four Major Golden Core Powers will not personally intervene.

He anticipated the worst scenario would be a war breaking out among various second-tier powers, and Zhang Yao himself was fearless, while also prepared to temporarily abandon the foundation on Fang Continent.

"I understand."

Peng Yue Xian solemnly nodded.

After giving a few more instructions, Zhang Yao hurriedly left the Water Mansion, maneuvering the Escape Light to break open the surface of the river, heading towards Qian Province.

After several hours of escape flight:

Zhang Yao arrived at Qian Province. Just as he stepped into the Celestial Treasure Tower Headquarters, he was immediately escorted upstairs by a steward.

"Lord Qingxu, please wait a moment."

The leading steward respectfully said:

"Nineteen owners have not arrived yet, only twelve are currently here."

"Chief Steward Jin said that the Celestial Treasure Conference will begin immediately once all the owners have arrived."

"Oh?"

Zhang Yao squinted his eyes, his expression slightly shifting:

"So, it’s this ’Chief Steward Jin’ who is currently in charge within your Celestial Treasure Tower?"

The route-leading steward’s face changed, smiling apologetically:

"Forgive me, Lord Qingxu, I’m just someone managing the floors, and really don’t know much..."

Seeing his apprehensive and fearful demeanor, Zhang Yao smiled and didn’t pursue further questioning.

Before long:

Under the steward’s lead, they rode the elevator all the way to the top floor, the three hundred and fifty-first level.

This level was specifically set aside for conducting the Celestial Treasure Conference. Inside the expansive floor, there was only one enormous council hall.

"We’ve arrived, Lord Qingxu, please make yourself comfortable."

After bowing, the steward quickly retreated, as if unwilling to linger even a moment longer.

Following the corridor, Zhang Yao had barely taken a few steps when he sensed a multitude of Foundation Establishment auras; turning a corner, his view abruptly broadened.

Outside the gigantic council hall, numerous Foundation Establishment masters were scattered around, clustered in threes and twos, whispering among themselves, roughly numbering around fifty or sixty.

"My goodness!"

Zhang Yao secretly marveled:

"It seems that most of the Foundation Establishment masters affiliated with Celestial Treasure Tower have arrived!"

Among various powers within the Da Li Territory, those affiliated with Celestial Treasure Tower have the highest number of Foundation Establishment masters, numbering seventy to eighty.

Currently, aside from those stationed at high-level sub-towers, anyone who could attend has likely come, though they can only wait here for fate’s proclamation.

The true decision-makers of Celestial Treasure Tower await inside the council hall.

"Lord Qingxu has arrived!"

"It’s Lord Qingxu of Haihe Association!"

"Greetings to Lord Qingxu!"

Zhang Yao’s arrival immediately attracted attention, with many stepping forward to salute.

Zhang Yao returned the greetings one by one, exchanged polite words, then quickly proceeded through the door into the council hall.

In an instant, the council hall door automatically closed, transforming extreme movement into extreme quiet.

The low murmurs outside vanished completely under the array’s isolation, leaving only the pin-drop silence within the council hall.

Many eyes swept over, and upon recognizing the visitor’s identity, most automatically withdrew their gaze.

"Qingxu, over here!"

A voice called out proactively via Divine Thought.

Zhang Yao glanced over, noticing three figures huddled in the corner, he immediately felt a slight movement in his heart and stepped forward.

"Lord Qingxu!"

"Qingxu, you’ve come."

Three Foundation Establishment experts rose to greet, Zhang Yao reciprocated one by one:

"Elder Cen, Lord Bai, Lord Liang."

The three before him each held distinct identities, but their commonality was belonging to Fuhai Sect.

Foremost, Elder Cen was a veteran elder of Fuhai Sect, possessing late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivation, also one of Celestial Treasure Tower’s six chief stewards, part of the ’Seven-Seated Conference’, truly high-ranking within Celestial Treasure Tower.

The other two, Lord Bai and Lord Liang, were the leaders of ’Yuan Valley Bai Clan’ and ’Dongliu Alliance’, respectively.

Under Fuhai Sect’s domain, the ’Dongliu Alliance’, ’Yuan Valley Bai Clan’ and ’Haihe Association’ were three prominent subsidiary powers, among which Haihe Association, established most recently, had slightly stronger influence than Dongliu Alliance.

In recent years:

Zhang Yao has wielded power over Haihe Association, using platforms like grand auctions to network with numerous counterparts of Foundation Establishment strongholds.

Since they all strive under Fuhai Sect’s mantle, they were natural allies, their relations naturally closer than other Foundation Establishment strongholds.

"Elder Cen, what exactly happened?"

Just as he sat down, Zhang Yao resorted to Divine Thought, eagerly inquiring.

Throughout the council hall, the small groups of Foundation Establishment strongholds conversed privately within Divine Thought enclosures, resulting in such tranquility.

"Younger Brother Qingxu just arrived, probably unaware."

Elder Cen’s expression darkened, slowly spoke:

"Yu Wen Tai’s disappearance has been confirmed, we’re uncertain if he’s dead or encountered some mishap forcing departure."

"Either way, the current situation is Lingyang Sect securing a crucial position, gaining a significant edge within the Seven-Seated Conference, compelling us to convene the Celestial Treasure Conference..."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Yao instantly understood.

Within the Seven-Seated Conference, the four Golden Core powers each possessed one seat, while Celestial Treasure Tower held three seats.

This delicate arrangement ensured Celestial Treasure Tower remained within the grasp of the Four Major Golden Core Powers, while guaranteeing Yu Wen Tai enjoyed immense power and status.

Ordinarily, unless Fuhai Sect, Lingyang Sect, and the four powers reached consensus, Yu Wen Tai, often making final decisions, held sway with three seats and the greatest voice.

Despite any Seven-Seated Conference member possessing the authority to refute resolutions or call for the Celestial Treasure Conference, this remained a nominal power, practically unused.

Because the presence of the Seven-Seated Conference effectively disenfranchised a dozen small shareholders, while granting Yu Wen Tai enormous power, it also further ensured the Four Major Golden Core Powers’ interests.

This was the true reason why the Celestial Treasure Conference had never been convened over past decades.

Yet this system, unequivocally, was designed around Yu Wen Tai, with his sudden disappearance equating to the collapse of the ’Seven-Seated Conference’ system.

"Lingyang Sect..."

Zhang Yao frowned, asking:

"Please elaborate, Elder Cen, how did Lingyang Sect achieve their advantage?"

Elder Cen snorted angrily, cursing:

"It’s all that vile woman stirring up trouble..."

Earlier this morning:

Li Shuixian suddenly announced that she would exercise the Tower Master’s duties and conduct the Seven-Seated Conference.

Initially, Elder Cen and others disregarded her, barely acknowledging her existence, as she lacked any token and no rightful authority.

Unexpectedly, Li Shuixian secured the backing of Lingyang Sect’s representative ’Chief Steward Jin’, along with support from two other chief stewards under Yu Wen Tai, suddenly amplifying her power.

This forced Elder Cen and others to convene the Seven-Seated Conference, the outcome catching them entirely off guard:

During the meeting, Li Shuixian declared that Yu Wen Tai, having found opportunity, would retreat for twenty years to attempt breakthrough to Golden Core Realm, temporarily abandoning his role as Tower Master.

Li Shuixian proposed that Lingyang Sect’s Chief Steward Jin be appointed the new Celestial Treasure Tower Master, immediately urging a vote without pause.

The vote’s outcome was predestined—

Elder Cen and his party strongly opposed, but Chief Steward Jin garnered support from Li Shuixian and two other stewards, effectively dominating four votes out of seven, achieving vast advantage.

Naturally, Elder Cen and his party were intolerant of this outcome, promptly announcing refusal to comply and demand the Celestial Treasure Conference.

Backing Elder Cen were the other three major Golden Core powers; Chief Steward Jin dared not provoke an outright feud, ultimately consenting to their demands:

At this very moment:

The imminent Celestial Treasure Conference incited another heated contest between both sides.

The victor would decide Celestial Treasure Tower’s future ownership.