Xuan Yan paused for a moment and then continued, "But Chang Qing is different!"
"His combat power, talent, and ability—how many throughout history can compare to him?"
"Our Taoism is willing to forsake our foundations to gamble on the future, so why not choose the strongest person?"
He looked at everyone, speaking in a slightly grave tone:
"Can you be certain that the disciple chosen by Taoism will definitely become an emperor? Will definitely be stronger than Chang Qing?"
"If not, then our Taoism will be utterly defeated, and our foundation will be destroyed, never to recover."
"But Su Changqing, I dare assert that even if he cannot become an emperor, his achievements will certainly not be less than those of the Great Emperor!"
The people in the hall wanted to speak but hesitated, wanting to refute but unsure of where to start.
They had witnessed the strength and terror of Su Changqing firsthand.
They didn’t know the situation among the ten thousand races in the outer domain, but just among the human race, Su Changqing was indeed the most likely person to become an emperor.
Yet... they still couldn’t get past that internal hurdle.
After all, Su Changqing was not truly a person of Taoism.
"You are wrong; Chang Qing’s connections with Taoism run deeper than you imagine."
Xuan Yan seemed to see through the thoughts of everyone present and said:
"Chang Qing has the supreme heritage of the Daoist Venerable and possesses the power of emptiness."
"Now, I have also made Chang Qing the Vice Sect Leader of Taoism, and am willing to sacrifice an Emperor’s Weapon to help him merge with the power of time."
"With all these, Chang Qing already bears indelible marks of Taoism."
He looked towards the elegant pavilion deep within the Profound Pure Sect and said softly:
"I bet that Chang Qing will become an emperor in the future and lead Taoism to glory."
"I have never even considered the foundation issues you worry about."
"If Chang Qing becomes an emperor, would it be difficult for him to forge another Emperor’s Weapon for Taoism?"
"For the human race to win, Taoism will once again be renowned for generations, its legacy eternal."
"Even if the human race loses, with Chang Qing’s abilities, he can still make Taoism famous throughout the world and go down in history!"
Xuan Yan revealed his deepest thoughts.
Inviting Chang Qing to Taoism this time, although meant to reorganize Taoism,
was more about binding the entire Taoism to Chang Qing’s war chariot!
Do you really think the title of Vice Sect Leader was given arbitrarily?
It was meant to make the connection between Chang Qing and Taoism more inseparable.
As for the Source of Law, now it is nothing more than an investment.
In the decisive battle, if the continent wins, Taoism will follow Chang Qing and reap abundant rewards.
Reputation, resources, even an Emperor’s Weapon, will all be available by then.
But if we lose, Taoism will also not suffer a loss.
If the human race is annihilated in the future, why would Taoism care about so much now?
It would be better to invest in an invincible strongman, follow in his wake, and leave the supreme name of Taoism among the ten thousand races in the outer domain, recorded in history!
Xuan Yan, having cultivated the Tao for several thousand years, is not devoid of his own calculations.
For Taoism, investing in Su Changqing is beneficial with no harm.
Of course, all of this is based on Su Changqing’s virtuous character.
If Su Changqing were a treacherous, fickle person,
no matter how talented the other party is, Xuan Yan would not consider it.
But after some time of contact, Xuan Yan dares to assert!
Once Chang Qing rises to power, with his character, he certainly will not mistreat those who have helped him.
This is Xuan Yan’s greatest confidence!
...
Meanwhile, in the grand hall.
The previously resolute and determined people wavered after listening to Xuan Yan’s words.
As prosperity looms, the major powers are all planning for the future.
Investing in prodigies had long been common in the past great ages.
But what Taoism intends to do now is even more thorough.
That is, to stake the present and future of Taoism entirely on Su Changqing.
If Su Changqing dies midway, Taoism will suffer utter defeat.
But if Su Changqing reaches the peak, Taoism, which is now helping in times of need, will soar to prominence and be remembered for generations!
The immense risk is accompanied by an irresistible temptation.
At this moment, everyone was deep in thought, making a difficult choice.
Only after quite some time did Xuan Yi let out a long sigh.
He looked at Xuan Yan, and with a wry smile, said, "Uncle Master truly is a good persuader."
"I must admit, even I am moved by your proposal."
Upon hearing this, Xuan Yan smiled, "I am not anyone’s persuader, just choosing a better path for Taoism."
Xuan Yi nodded, the hesitation in his eyes dissipated, replaced by firm resolve,
"Alright!"
"Since Uncle Master trusts Su Changqing so much, then let Taoism take a gamble!"
"Proclaim to the world the recognition of Su Changqing as the Vice Sect Leader of the Profound Pure Sect."
"At the same time, I will join with the elders and assist in the fusion of the forces of time for him!"
Xuan Yan and Xuan Qingzi exchanged a smile upon hearing this, both feeling relieved at heart.
However, Xuan Yi paused before speaking:
"But the Source of Law must be acquired by a true disciple of Taoism, otherwise it cannot convince the masses!"
"I will assign an elder at the King realm in front of the Exquisite Tower."
"Su Changqing does not need to defeat the opponent; as long as he can sustain ten rounds through the Taoist techniques, he will be considered victorious!"
Xuan Yi’s thinking was simple.
Taoism had given its all and could not become a wedding dress for others.
Su Changqing already held the position of Vice Sect Leader of the Profound Pure Sect.
Yet his skills did not embody the essence of Taoism at all, how could he be considered a disciple of Taoism?
Once Su Changqing has mastered the Taoist techniques, with the title of Vice Sect Leader, he would then be a legitimate Taoist heir!
This step, like Xuan Yan making Su Changqing the Vice Sect Leader, serves the same purpose.
It is all to deepen the close connection between Su Changqing and Taoism.
Since they have chosen to bet on Su Changqing, it is necessary to imprint the Taoist label on him.
This is not calculation, but a Sect Leader’s consideration of the bigger picture for the entire Taoism sect.
This requirement is not excessive, but Xuan Yan furrowed his brows.
Su Changqing is very strong; based on his combat strength, he could more than hold his own in ten rounds against an elder in the King realm.
If it were a head-to-head fight, most kings indeed would find it difficult to defeat him.
But if the stipulation is to rely only on Taoist techniques, it becomes challenging.
Su Changqing has not practiced Taoist secret techniques; how could he comprehend them to such a degree in a short time?
The literary forum is just around the corner, and Su Changqing cannot remain long in Taoism, having only a little over ten days.
Could it be expected that Changqing masters Taoist techniques capable of challenging a King realm opponent within a fortnight?
It seems impossible no matter how one thinks about it.
"This matter..."
Xuan Yan pondered for a moment, just about to discuss it further with Xuan Yi.
Yet before he could finish speaking, Xuan Qingzi chuckled softly and said:
"Alright, I will accept this task on behalf of Changqing."
Xuan Yan was unaware of Su Changqing’s terrifying comprehension, but Xuan Qingzi understood it clearly at heart.
A period of just over ten days would be enough for Changqing.
"Are you sure?"
Xuan Yan looked at Xuan Qingzi in confusion.
Upon hearing this, Xuan Qingzi smiled and glanced towards the depths of the Profound Pure Sect,
"The truly terrifying thing about Changqing is his comprehension!"
...
In the Profound Pure Sect, within the library.
"Taoist techniques are indeed profound."
Su Changqing held a simple, ancient secret technique in his hands, his eyes occasionally flashing with an enlightened expression, absorbed in reading.
But after a moment, he put down the book in his hands, murmuring with a slight frown,
"These techniques may be profound, but they seem to be lacking something."
In the past few days, Su Changqing has also perused many Taoist secret skills.
Though his gains were considerable, he had yet to find what he desired.
These Taoist secret skills are strong, but nowhere near the tier of inheritance like that of the Daoist Venerable.
The Heaven and Earth Divine Body of the Martial Ancestor, the Heaven-Opening Axe.
The only aperture of the Spiritual Emperor, the Chaos Pearl.
Cyan Lotus Creation Method, its true form.
These heritages, with their formidable layers, far surpass the Taoist Divine Techniques housed here.
The Spiritual Emperor is one of the Daoist Venerable’s three incarnations and should have left behind three supreme inheritances.
The only aperture Chaos Pearl has been obtained, but the inheritance of ’time and space’ spoken of by the Daoist Venerable, where is it?
With this puzzle in mind, Su Changqing started combing through the vast library.
However, as time passed and he had flipped through all the secret techniques, he still did not find what he sought.
"Could it be that the Daoist Venerable’s heritage truly isn’t within Taoism?"
Su Changqing wondered in his heart, casually picking up a book beside him.
This location didn’t house Divine Techniques or secret skills.
Instead, it contained some of the most basic and commonly seen, yet scarcely deeply practiced, ordinary books in Taoism.
What was recorded inside wasn’t even Divine Techniques or techniques, but...martial arts.
They were what those who had not yet cultivated would use to strengthen their bodies.
If not for preserving the complete heritage, these rudimentary ’martial arts’ would have long been cleared out.
However, this simple ’martial arts’ book made Su Changqing pause, his eyes lighting up after he flipped through it.
"Taiji...Boxing!"