Chapter 467: Chapter 177 - Zhou Qing, Tell Me Your Choice (6k)_3
Especially since both families look to Taiqing Sect as their leader, although the favors owed by Hou Mountain to any of the Three Sects are essentially the same.
However—
Seeing Zhou Qing not respond, Cao Zhengyang turned around and quietly looked at him, saying, "Do you think that your Senior Uncle is despicable? After all, this can be considered another form of backstabbing."
Zhou Qing remained silent and did not answer.
Cao Zhengyang chuckled softly and said, "There are no unbreakable alliances, they’re merely bound by interests. You are now considered a prominent figure among the younger generation of the Eastern Domain. Do you believe that their determination to kill you is no less than that of Cangyan Daoist Palace and Phecda Sect?"
In any place, interests always come first. Many seemingly stable relationships are actually built upon this foundation.
Upon hearing this, Zhou Qing’s expression changed instantly.
Cao Zhengyang said, "We did indeed save their two sects—that is a favor—but no matter how great the favor, it will dissipate in an instant when faced with more tempting interests."
Over the years, he had seen too many examples of cold human relationships and the fickleness of the world; in absolute interests, so-called favors are utterly insignificant.
"Now, because we face a common enemy, we are bound together. But what will happen after the extermination of Cangyan Daoist Palace and Phecda Sect?"
As he spoke, a hint of deep meaning flickered in Cao Zhengyang’s eyes as he looked at Zhou Qing.
Zhou Qing frowned slightly.
Cao Zhengyang continued, "By then, the Five Sects will become Three Sects. Which of the Three Sects will be the strongest?"
"Will it be Golden Thunder Sect, which has already experienced internal rebellion, or Cyan Feather Immortal Sect, which has suffered nearly half of its forces?" Cao Zhengyang pressed further.
Zhou Qing’s expression grew grave; there was no need to say it—it would definitely be Taiqing Sect.
Taiqing Sect’s overall strength had barely diminished, especially since the senior brother had become the first among the younger generation to advance to the Divinity Transformation Realm.
Next would be the second senior sister and... himself, this rising star with growing prominence.
By then, in the eyes of Golden Thunder Sect and Cyan Feather Immortal Sect, Taiqing Sect would be the greatest threat they face.
One could even say that Taiqing Sect would become the second Cangyan Daoist Palace!
Seeing that Zhou Qing seemed to understand something, Cao Zhengyang said, "This is survival balance, and it is also human nature. Even relatives can draw knives against each other due to interests, let alone a trivial favor."
Cao Zhengyang spoke with deep emotion. After years of struggling in the world of cultivation, he had witnessed too many betrayals and enmities caused by interests, deeply understanding how fragile human nature is in the face of interests.
At this moment, Zhou Qing suddenly felt incredibly naive, and was even vaguely saddened.
The beautiful beliefs he had held steadfastly for so long were instantly shattered by this cruel reality.
Cao Zhengyang sighed lightly, "You usually focus only on cultivating or fighting. You might not have noticed that many times, when the people from Golden Thunder Sect and Cyan Feather Immortal Sect discovered our Taiqing Sect members being surrounded and attacked, they would silently retreat, even when they had the obvious advantage in numbers."
"After all, some balances require sacrifices to maintain a relatively fair position again."
Cao Zhengyang wanted Zhou Qing to understand that among these major sects, everyone was secretly maintaining a subtle balance, sometimes even at the expense of others, just to prevent any one force from becoming too strong.
"If I told you that during the tragic death of Luo Xue at Spirit Skull Mountain, Lei Lie from Golden Thunder Sect and Zhu He from Cyan Feather Immortal Sect were actually observing from the shadows, would you believe it?"
Cao Zhengyang looked at Zhou Qing and continued to speak slowly.
Zhou Qing suddenly raised his head, his eyes filled with disbelief.
Cao Zhengyang said, "You have oversimplified human nature. Both of them had initially comprehended the realm, and they were ranked third and fourth on Cangyan Daoist Palace’s must-kill list. If they had acted, they could have completely defeated Sima Demoness."
"But they didn’t act; they watched Luo Xue die and Du Kui severely injured. Do you know why they did that?"
Zhou Qing’s hands clutched tightly, making cracking sounds.
Cao Zhengyang walked over, patted Zhou Qing on the shoulder, and said, "I want to show you the most beautiful side of this world, but some things, though I don’t teach you, don’t mean they don’t exist."
"Just like Qian Dafu in Lingyun Mansion. When you see things as too perfect, it backfires and you receive a fatal blow from him."
Seeing Zhou Qing struggle, Cao Zhengyang felt a pang of sympathy but knew that true strength required surviving deception and bloodshed.
Especially... as the future successor of Taiqing Sect!
"We might be forced to continue this war due to interference from the imperial capital, but you know, Golden Thunder Sect and Cyan Feather Immortal Sect actually prefer dragging it out until everyone is half-dead—that is the new balance."
After all, no one wants one family to dominate!
Zhou Qing remained silent, not saying a word. His heart was heavier than ever, as if a huge stone pressed down on his chest, making it hard to breathe.
Time passed, and Zhou Qing suddenly looked up at Cao Zhengyang, forcibly suppressing his discomfort, and calmly asked, "What is the second method?"
Seeing Zhou Qing’s calm gaze, Cao Zhengyang showed a look of appreciation.
This was the mental resilience a strong person should have. The words he said to Zhou Qing today, although leaning towards the darker side of human nature, were also a form of metamorphosis for Zhou Qing.
His strength was undeniable, but if his mental fortitude kept pace, he would undoubtedly become a formidable figure in the future.