"The reason I invited all of the esteemed sect leaders here today is not for anything else, but rather because I have captured the daughter of Prince of Ruyang, Zhao Min, who was the one behind the ambush at Bright Summit a few days ago. I have already sent a message to the Prince of Ruyang that I will exchange Zhao Min for the captured disciples and elders of the various sects."
Upon hearing this, the shadows on the faces of the sect leaders finally cleared a bit.
Li Xiu then continued, with a hint of meaning in his words, "But I fear that this exchange of hostages will not be so smooth and simple, and it is inevitable that there will be a fierce battle. I will have to ask the esteemed sect leaders to lead your disciples to assist us at that time."
Seeing Li Xiu's gaze sweep over him, Abbot Monk Kongwen quickly began to perform a Buddhist salute and said with a respectful and grateful tone,
"Amitabha, what Master Li said is right. Since it is to rescue the disciples of our sects, we of Shaolin will certainly do our best and spare no effort. We are grateful to Master Li for his chivalrous spirit and Shaolin disciples will remember this kindness for a hundred years and repay it in the future!"
Song Yuanqiao and the other sect leaders followed closely behind Monk Kongwen, also repeatedly stating that they would do their best and not spare any effort, expressing their gratitude and appreciation.
Li Xiu raised his fist in a salute, stopping the unanimous agreement.
"Good! It couldn't be better this way!"
Although his words were full of joy, Li Xiu's face showed a hint of worry and unease, which was quite noticeable. After this shout, he fell silent for a while, causing everyone to look at him.
"I don't know if Master Li has any difficulties. If you do, please speak up and we, the two elders of Mount Hua, will do our best to help and go through fire and water for you!"
"Yes! Yes!"
Seeing Li Xiu's worried expression, the two elders of Mount Hua jumped out without thinking, their faces full of flattery and greeting, one speaking smoothly and the other stuttering along behind.
Song Yuanqiao and the other people also realized in this gap that perhaps the real purpose of Li Xiu's summoning of the five sects was yet to come, and they looked at the two elders of Mount Hua with contempt, feeling that they were just trying to curry favor and had no brains.
When someone picked up the conversation and asked the reason, Li Xiu continued with a worried expression.
"If the five sects join forces with my Ming Cult, we will definitely be a powerful force, able to easily sweep away the Yuan soldiers. But our sects often have friction and differences, and if we all act on our own, it will be difficult to fully utilize our strength and may also affect the rescue of the elders and disciples of each sect.
"Therefore... "
Li Xiu looked around the hall and paused before continuing, "Therefore, I think we should choose a leader to temporarily lead all forces, in order to better gather our strength and arrange our forces for the battle."
Upon hearing this, the faces of those in the hall showed both approval and reluctance.
Everyone present was not foolish, and Li Xiu's intention was as clear as day, but it was also not possible to openly reject it. This was indeed reasonable and beneficial for the rescue, and now it was the five sects that needed the Ming Cult and had to rely on it.
So just like that, you're giving up the position of Alliance Master? Who would be willing to be inferior to others, let alone the Ming Cult that they almost exterminated just a few months ago?
Guan Neng sneered and secretly cursed their wolf-like ambition. How could the five major righteous sects allow the Demon Sect to suppress them? He clasped his fist and said to Song Yuanqiao, "Master Li's proposal is really good, really good. I wonder if Senior Zhang Zhenren is here with Master Song."
Li Xiu watched as a sinister light flashed in Guan Neng's eyes. He leaned closer to the main seat and watched coldly. He wanted to see how this matter would develop. The position of Alliance Master may go to someone other than him.
Guan Neng was somewhat self-aware. He knew that with his strength and prestige, he could not sit on the position of Alliance Master. However, he would not allow the position to fall into the hands of the demonic people of the Demon Sect.
He Zudao, following behind Guan Neng, also spoke up.
"This matter concerns the lives of my second brother and the disciples of Wudang, as well as the elder disciples of each sect. My master has descended from the mountain, despite his advanced age, in order to participate in this discussion. However, due to his age, he will not be able to participate in the pre-war arrangements, so he will arrive in a few days."
Song Yuanqiao did not show much interest in the position of Alliance Master. He simply answered in a casual manner.
Kongwen's expression remained unchanged, without any fluctuation. However, he was secretly disdainful. What a waste of time and how old is he? It's probably because Zhang Sanfeng is too lazy to participate in these unpleasant matters that he's coming late.
Kongwen was also disdainful of Guan Neng's flattery. He could barely acknowledge that Zhang Sanfeng is high in martial arts and respected. However, in the martial arts world, Zhang Sanfeng is not really held in high esteem.
Several decades ago, the name of Zhang Sanfeng was indeed famous, but it was also a name associated with violence. He rarely fought with people and when he did, it often resulted in death. The strong and powerful martial artists who fell to his hand were countless.
It was only in recent years that Zhang Sanfeng had not come out of the mountain and his violent reputation gradually disappeared. He gradually became the benevolent and kind-eyed Wudang ancestor, Zhang Zhenren, in the minds of the younger generations in the martial arts world.
"Amitabha, Zhang Zhenren is indeed the best candidate for the position of Alliance Master. However, Zhang Zhenren is far away and the preparation for the war is pressing and urgent. It may not be appropriate."
"In my humble opinion, it would be better to appoint Master Li as the Alliance Master. The rescue of the disciples of each sect is most reliant on Master Li, and placing the war at the foot of Bright Summit is also the most familiar to the Ming Cult. I believe that Master Li can better plan and arrange for the disciples."
Kongwen's eyes flashed with determination. Shaolin is not what it used to be, and the position of Alliance Master could not fall into his hands.
He would rather have people say that the righteous sects are temporarily weak and have fallen under the Demon Sect, than have people say that Shaolin is weaker than Wudang!
"Yes, yes, Master Li's martial arts are the best in the world, the Ming Sect is powerful, and it is time for the position of Alliance Master to be held by Master Li. What do you say?"
Seeing that someone had already nominated Li Xiu, the two old men of Mount Hua jumped out and praised him recklessly, regardless of whether it was true or not.
"It's okay, it's okay!"
He Zudao also followed up and said, pretending to be neutral. Guan Neng's face turned black, but Song Yuanqiao's expression did not show any obvious dissatisfaction.
Li Xiu observed the expressions of the crowd and already had plans in his mind. If he wanted to control the six sects in the future, it would probably not take much effort to control the Mount Hua Sect, He Zudao could also be controlled, and he could deal with the Shaolin and Wudang sects later. The real problem was this Guan Neng of Kongtong Sect, who was a tough and ruthless person.
Perhaps in the chaos of war a month later, he would have to get rid of him in the same way as Zhou Zhiruo did, after all, in the chaos of war, it is better to strike when the enemy is unaware.
Through this exchange of words, Li Xiu had seen what he wanted to see, so there was no need to continue arguing.
Li Xiu slowly stood up, his majestic figure standing tall like a pillar supporting the sky and a golden beam spanning the sea, intimidating and causing everyone's momentum to weaken.
He suddenly clasped his fists and a gust of wind swept through the hall from his sleeves, his voice loud and clear like a bell, capturing everyone's attention.