Sage Hill, Moon-Covering Sect.
Incense smoke filled the main hall. The sect leader of the Hidden Moon Sect sat upright on the throne, gazing at the sparse disciples below him, and sighed deeply:
"Our sect has suffered from suppression from various quarters in recent years, resulting in a severe shortage of talent. It seems we will have no chance in the once-in-a-century selection of sages again. Everyone, please focus on your cultivation..."
As he spoke, the Sect Master of the Hidden Moon Sect couldn't help but let out a long sigh. His lonely figure and hunched back revealed a hint of helplessness. Suddenly, a disciple below the stage stood up and said indignantly:
"Sect Master, are we just going to keep suppressing our anger and let the Flying Flower Sect ride roughshod over us?"
"Otherwise what? Ever since we broke ties with this old man, the Flying Flower Sect has had no scruples whatsoever. The faint affection we had in the past has long since vanished with the wind. Now we can only rely on ourselves..."
"This disciple is so unwilling! It's also my fault for being so mediocre, unable to bring glory to the sect. Alas, how I hate it!"
As he spoke, the disciple gritted his teeth and threw a punch into the air, producing a series of whistling sounds. The other disciples looked at each other, their eyes filled with lingering sorrow, their faces ashen. Who could have imagined that the sect that was once ranked fourth in Saint Hill would fall to such a state?
Seeing this, the Sect Master of the Hidden Moon Sect had no choice but to muster his strength and say in a loud voice:
"You all need not belittle yourselves. Feng shui is ever-changing, and fortunes rise and fall. Nothing is immutable. My master, who is also your grandmaster, once prophesied that I would take in a disciple destined by heaven, and from then on, the Hidden Moon Sect would soar to great heights, unmatched by anyone!"
"Otherwise, why would I have delayed everyone and struggled to hold on until now? I would have disbanded the sect long ago..."
Everyone's eyes lit up; their previously disheartened hearts were rekindled with a spark of hope, bringing warmth and a glimmer of strength. However, another disciple spoke at an inopportune moment:
“Master, you’ve said this so many times, I’m sick of it. So many years have passed, and we haven’t seen the disciple that our grandmaster predicted. Besides, now that we have orders from the Flying Flower Sect and the True Martial Hall, who would dare to join our sect?”
Without the addition of new disciples, our master's prophecy will probably never come true. Let's be realistic and think about how to attract some fresh blood. If we keep dragging this out, the Hidden Moon Sect might disintegrate on its own without your permission..."
The Sect Master of the Hidden Moon Sect stiffened, clearly stung by what his disciple had said. He remained silent for a long while, while the disciples at his feet began to whisper among themselves. One of them said with concern:
"This is already the third time we've moved. If our sect moves again, even if the True Martial Hall of the Flying Flower Sect rescinds the order, there probably won't be many new members left to find..."
"If Master disregards his personal pride and takes the initiative to plead with the Flying Flower Sect Master, perhaps he can show leniency out of consideration for our past relationship!"
...
The sect leader of the Hidden Moon Sect grew increasingly grim, unable to find a way to refute them. He knew that his disciples' words were absolutely true, reflecting the sect's current state. He had been clinging to this belief, deeply trusting his master's words, but he didn't know how long it would take for that day to arrive. He was nearing his breaking point. Now, as sect leader, he had lost all authority in front of his disciples. If it weren't for the suppression of his cultivation level, it was questionable whether he could even be sitting here today…
Seeing that their sect leader remained silent, with an expression that seemed to confirm what everyone had said, the disciples below the stage became even angrier. They were like the ones in the right during an argument, eager to pour out all the grievances they had accumulated. Their tone gradually became less respectful and more accusatory!
"If you ask me, let's stop waiting for Master's promises and just disband here. The sect is barely able to feed itself right now, so expecting to make any further progress in cultivation is simply a pipe dream. If we stay here any longer, who knows when we'll be able to face the tribulation and climb the mountain!"
"I don't know what Master is wasting his breath on here. After all, they are destined to be together. What's wrong with bowing his head and admitting his mistake? As long as the Flying Flower Sect gives the order, it won't be long before our sect can return to fourth place. If the True Martial Hall doesn't hold a grudge, we might even be able to enter the top three. Sigh..."
"What kind of time is this? Are you trying to save face and not care about the lives of us disciples?!"
...
"Shut up! Enough! I have long since severed all ties with the Flying Flower Sect and will never bow down to admit my mistakes again. Besides, I have done nothing wrong; I just need some patience!"
Faced with mounting criticism, the Sect Master of the Hidden Moon Sect could no longer contain himself. He immediately stood up and roared, startling the disciples. However, after hearing his words, they were filled with uncontrollable rage. One disciple, his neck red from holding his hand, questioned him sharply:
"Forgive my rudeness, Master, but please wake up from our grandmaster's illusory prophecy. You should know better than anyone the current state of the sect. It's not something that one or two disciples can solve. First, you need to recognize reality and wake up before there's anything left. If you continue to indulge in the vague prophecy, then the Hidden Moon Sect will be completely destroyed!"
"If it weren't for the century-old bond between our sect, we wouldn't be here, watching helplessly as our sect declines day by day. Master, wake up! No one can turn the tide; we can only rely on ourselves!"
“Even though the sect has moved three times, there are still dozens of Zhenwu Hall disciples at the foot of the mountain. Don’t you understand? The Yanyue Sect has been completely blocked by the Zhenwu Hall and Feihua Sect, cutting off the way to recruit new members from the root. The disciple you predicted would turn the tide is just wishful thinking, because that disciple can’t find our sect at all. Even if he does find it, he can’t get in unless he falls from the sky!”
At this point, everyone in the hall couldn't help but sigh. Although they already knew the actual situation, it was still hard to accept to hear it out loud. The oppressive feeling that made it hard to breathe was like a boulder pressing on everyone's heart. Even the Sect Master of the Hidden Moon Sect could only sigh.
Nowadays, many newcomers who have climbed the mountain to reach Sage Hill cannot even get close to the gate of the Hidden Moon Sect...
Join the Hidden Moon Sect? What a joke!
Moreover, the Hidden Moon Sect doesn't possess the allure to make them risk offending the number one sect and join at all costs. The ancestor's prophecy has truly led to a dead end. If such a disciple truly exists, he could only appear out of thin air. The Hidden Moon Sect Master shook his head helplessly, his face haggard, and said:
"Perhaps, indeed, I was just being delusional. Alas, otherwise the Hidden Moon Sect would have ended here..."
The disciples were all immersed in grief and depression. The sect leader's words were clear: the Hidden Moon Sect was coming to an end. But before he could finish speaking, a black hole more than ten feet in diameter suddenly appeared silently above their heads. Amid the terrified screams of the disciples, one person carrying another fell from the sky and landed squarely on the Hidden Moon Sect sect leader's seat!
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