The scent of sandalwood permeated the meeting room of the Deep Blue. From the incense burner on the Buddha altar, wisps of white mist rose, enveloping the ancient, battered statue in a haze. Within the silence, the aura of nirvana lingered melancholically.
Taihua sat at the end of the long table, elegantly sipping a cup of hot tea while scanning through a document in her hand.
"After all these years, it seems the President is still a sentimental person."
Someone said coldly, "Though you don't believe in Buddhism, traces of Buddha linger everywhere. Perhaps you still haven't forgotten that chaotic era, when it was a Buddhist temple that took in the young, orphaned you."
This person was an elderly man with hair and beard as white as snow. His features were strikingly handsome with an almost Heavenly Person-like grace. He wore a black robe embroidered with intricate golden patterns, and on his back, he carried a Sword Box, appearing as though he belonged to an ancient era.
Lin Dong raised his hand and knocked on the table, speaking gently, "Though you are a senior, I must warn you not to show disrespect to the President again. Otherwise, I will kill you right here."
In his eyes, a blizzard seemed to swirl, faintly glimmering with a resplendent golden hue.
As one of the Vice Presidents of the Ether Association, he naturally possessed a portion of the Heavenly Person's Wedge's power.
Han Jing narrowed her eyes, sharply sensing the sudden tension in the air.
Meanwhile, Ye Dao Saint kept his head lowered, quietly polishing the long blade in his hands, maintaining a somber silence.
The Profound Yin Saint turned a deaf ear to everything, pretending not to hear a word.
The only young person present was Ying Changsheng.
Seated in the farthest corner of the meeting room, he listened in and observed the expressions of the prominent figures. He found it all very amusing.
"Bai Feng, have you forgotten who you are? If not for my late husband's agreement back then, do you think you were even qualified to step into the Heavenly Destiny Pavilion? Besides, Ancestors of the kind slumbering in your body—I've killed more of them than I can count."
After finishing the document, Taihua lifted her phoenix-shaped eyes, suffused with a murderous edge. "Do you wish to die?"
"I have never forgotten my brother's kindness."
Bai Feng remained silent for a moment before speaking, "I am Bai Feng, a member of the Bai family. I am human."
Taihua scoffed coldly. "Good that you remember. Don't think that joining the Bai Ze Clan erases your identity."
"I merely recall vaguely my brother's dying wish. In his lifetime, my brother spearheaded the Mirror Image Plan with the intent of preventing humanity from destroying the Order. While the Ether Association under your leadership has temporarily maintained stability, there is no doubt that it will collapse the moment you pass away."
Bai Feng spoke in a deep tone, "Are you truly certain you haven't betrayed my brother's final wishes?"
Taihua narrowed her eyes, a cold glint flashing through her pupils.
"Pooling all the resources of the Order World, we've produced only one Thunder. Yet, she herself doesn't appear to have a strong desire to protect the Order. Her resolve is shaky, and there's no guarantee that she can ultimately achieve full integration. If, in the end, she merely becomes another symbiotic vessel like us, it would essentially constitute a failure."
Without expression, Bai Feng said, "This generation of Omega is generally too weak. As it stands, only the Crown Prince and Thunder have reached the Heavenly Person Realm. But even that is far from sufficient."
Taihua said indifferently, "The incompetence of the younger generation has nothing to do with me."
The Strategy Group's senior members understood the implications of her words.
Of all human-developed Breathing Techniques, the core lies in the Heavenly Person Realm.
Those who master this power are called Heavenly Persons, wielders of a combat strength far superior to Evolvers.
After all, there exists a natural restraint between the two.
Beyond that, Heavenly Persons hold a significant advantage.
When utilizing this realm, they can tap into the power of the Heavenly Person's Wedge.
But, of course, that requires the President's approval.
The problem is there are far too few qualified to master the Heavenly Person Realm.
Currently, the numbers are so sparse as to constitute a complete break in continuity.
This generation of Omega has only two practitioners of Heavenly Person's Breathing, and the future is bleak.
Once the President passes away, the two Vice Presidents' grasp of the Heavenly Person Realm will still be woefully inadequate.
Even if the Wedge is handed down, the gap would remain insurmountable.
Should a Supreme-Level Ancient God Clan arise at that point...
Or a super Evolver like the King of Qing... ɴᴇᴡ ɴᴏᴠᴇʟ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀʀᴇ ᴘᴜʙʟɪsʜᴇᴅ ᴏɴ 𝕟𝕠𝕧𝕖𝕝⁂𝙛𝙞𝙧𝙚⁂𝔫𝔢𝔱
The collapse of the Order World would be inevitable.
The existence of the Lishan Tiyan Pavilion is akin to being humanity's observer and overseer.
Though they carry an air of arrogance...
They are absolutely fair and impartial.
"Are you implying I've failed to properly manage the Order World?"
Taihua spoke calmly, "I'm well aware of the current state of affairs, which is why I've lifted restrictions on the Evolvers' power."
At these words, the high-ranking members collectively tensed, recalling the scene when the King of Qing defied Heaven's Punishment and reopened the Evolution Path.
"As the President-in-waiting, Thunder is both a Heavenly Person and an Evolver. Her ascension will mark the beginning of a grand new era. At that time, the dichotomy between the Judgement Court and the Night Watchers will be reshaped. Before my death, I will rebuild two special departments. One will consist of Heavenly Persons, tasked with maintaining the balance of Order."
She paused momentarily. "The other will consist of Evolvers, preserving the traditions of the Catastrophes."
This plan would undoubtedly plunge the Ascenders' world into fierce competition.
Survival of the fittest; the weak would be eliminated.
Yet no one objected. After all, the pursuit of this path had always been about power.
Without hesitation, Bai Feng rejected, "No. We can tolerate the existence of Evolvers, but actively creating them is unacceptable. We cannot gamble with the lives of the young. Otherwise, how would we be any different from Qing?"
Suddenly, the high-ranking members seemed to realize something, their expressions subtly changing.