Turns Out, I’m In A Villain Clan! Chapter 451 Heaven Sword Sect Splitting?

As turmoil gradually engulfed the Desolate Heaven Empire, in a distant place, utter pandemonium had erupted.

The Heaven Sword Sect was once renowned for its peaceful atmosphere.

It was a sect where blades were honed through strict discipline instead of greed, and conflicts resolved via honorable duels rather than rival groups and heated arguments.

That version of the Heaven Sword Sect was gone forever.

Following the conclusion of the battle against the Demonic Forces, the sect had subtly yet clearly fractured.

A rift in their solidarity had already formed when Elder Han and his Anti-Sect Leader group started advocating for Tian Yuheng's removal.

The division intensified as increasing numbers of disciples picked factions between the Bai Clan and the Li-Zhao Alliance.

Inner halls turned into contested territories. Tension hung heavy in the training areas, almost palpable on the air.

Reverence for the sect as a whole had vanished.

Disciples now prioritized a person's alliance over their shared status as sect members.

The reason was plain to see.

The Heaven Sword Sect's cultivation technique—formerly lauded for its elegance and strength—had become outdated.

Even the method exclusive to Core Disciples, whispered to be Earth Grade, seemed inferior next to the High Earth-Grade cultivation techniques freely shared by the Bai Clan and the Li-Zhao Alliance.

The gap was vast.

One path promised steadiness, legacy, and prestige.

The alternative delivered raw might.

Swift and dominating might.

Confronted with this dilemma, numerous disciples pondered a taboo thought:

Why bother striving to become a Core Disciple?

True, the sect still supplied pills.

True, it offered extra sword arts and legacy scrolls.

Yet for the majority of disciples, these benefits fell short now.

Not when peers of similar age—previously outmatched—were surging through realms just by aligning with the "correct" group.

Outer Disciples were practicing a cultivation technique far superior to what Core Disciples used.

Thus, bitterness took root and spread.

That bitterness found its champion.

Elder Han!

His group expanded steadily, despite the momentum dip after Lu Xiangyuan's defeat by Bai Zihan.

Regardless, their faction had grown formidable, wielding unchallenged sway.

After the war concluded, Elder Han and his supporters ceased concealing their animosity.

They defied the sect leader's directives openly.

Disregarded Tian Yuheng's command.

And ridiculed his principles.

His sway had diminished.

Esteem for him had eroded.

***

Members who had aligned with or shown interest in the Anti-Sect Leader faction

assembled.

Elders.

Core Disciples.

Inner Disciples.

Even Outer Disciples pressed close to the entrances, stretching to overhear.

In the midst of it all, Elder Han positioned himself with hands folded behind, his words resounding distinctly in the chamber.

"Stability and history?"

A chill chuckle escaped him.

"Sect Leader Tian talks of stability and history like they'll boost our

cultivation!"

Whispers spread among the gathering.

Elder Han pivoted, his eyes scanning the disciples before him.

"How many of you advanced during the war?"

Quiet fell.

"And how many have seen others—disciples from rival clans—overtake you since the war's close?"

The quiet deepened.

"That's no accident," Elder Han pressed on, tone cutting. "That's decay!"

He lifted a finger.

"Our Heaven Sword Sect ranks among the elite in the Desolate Heaven

Empire!"

His tone swelled.

"But what are we doing?"

"We lower our heads."

"We offer courteous grins."

"We grip obsolete methods and label it pride!"

His gaze sharpened.

"Meanwhile, the Bai Clan hands out High Earth-Grade cultivation techniques like worthless trash."

Anger surged through the room.

"Is that power?"

"No!"

"Is that pride?"

"No!"

Elder Han's voice turned low and biting.

"It's decline."

The whispers burst into clamor.

"Tian Yuheng just knows how to fawn over the Bai Clan! He can't even obtain

the cultivation technique they're giving away for nothing!"

Shocked intakes of breath resounded.

Some disciples balled their hands into fists.

Others agreed with nods.

Elder Han extended his arms wide.

"We are the Heaven Sword Sect!"

"Swords don't bow!"

"Swords don't plead!"

"If the Bai Clan wants to tower over us, they ought to dread us!"

Not seek our goodwill.

Not earn our pleasantries.

But tremble before the Heaven Sword Sect's resurgence!

His speech set the chamber ablaze.

"We must command! We must ascend beyond all others!"

Cheers thundered from the space.

Wild and fervent.

Elder Han never referenced the Li-Zhao Alliance once.

He avoided any talk of backing.

Still, the intent rang clear.

Elder Han condemned Tian Yuheng for bootlicking the Bai Clan—yet he mirrored the act.

He ranted about toppling the Bai Clan, about surpassing them, but ultimately, he'd just turn into a pawn for the Li-Zhao Alliance.

No real distinction existed, no matter his veneer of justice or grand visions.

Tian Yuheng caught every utterance from Elder Han via his informants embedded within.

Elder Han was aware and appeared indifferent now.

Tian Yuheng recognized this.

Growing numbers were starting to side with him.

Tian Yuheng heard the full account in quiet as it concluded.

The closing phrases lingered in his thoughts.

Bootlicking the Bai Clan.

He breathed out deliberately.

Not from rage.

From weariness.

The Heaven Sword Sect's primary hall lay deserted at this time.

Incense smoldered faintly. Sword stands aligned precisely, steadfast observers to a sect lost to its own reflection.

"So we've reached this point..."

Tian Yuheng whispered.

He'd foreseen it. Naturally.

The Desolate Heaven Empire was inching toward a split between two powers—

the Bai Clan and the Li-Zhao Alliance.

He'd be naive to ignore Elder Han's ties to the Li-Zhao Alliance.

Elder Han wasn't naive.

He steered clear of declaring open betrayal.

Avoided naming Li or Zhao.

Yet each phrase steered toward a single aim.

Climb higher. Seize control.

Instill fear in the Bai Clan.

Appealing and bold rhetoric.

But reality was much grimmer.

As a sect, Heaven Sword couldn't publicly pledge to one side or the other.

Switching their cultivation technique wholesale would strip their essence? Yet legacy and essence paled against might. Countless clans and sects had ditched their founding methods for the Heavenly Mandate Assimilation Art.

Tian Yuheng shut his eyes.

If things persisted like this, he'd forfeit more than his role.

He'd forfeit his existence.

And far worse—he'd forfeit the sect.

Should Elder Han seize the Heaven Sword Sect, it would essentially become

yet another servant to the Li and Zhao Clans.

After a prolonged pause, Tian Yuheng rose. "Seems I can't hold onto ancient ways."

He stepped into the private room and triggered a hidden array.

Ethereal glows danced over the surfaces, sealing the area utterly.

Only then did he produce a jade slip.

His thumb lingered for a few moments.

Then—

He dispatched the communication.

Distant, inside the Bai Clan.

Bai Tianheng picked up the message amid scanning family documents.

The instant he detected Tian Yuheng's tone, his forehead creased.

"Tian Yuheng?"

He triggered the slip.

Tian Yuheng's voice filled the air, steady yet laced with fatigue.

"Bai Tianheng... No need for idle talk. The Heaven Sword Sect is ripping apart at the seams."

Bai Tianheng's face grew stern.

"Elder Han?"

"Yes!"

A short hush ensued.

Then Tian Yuheng continued, more measured.

"The Heaven Sword Sect can't pledge allegiance to the Bai Clan!"

Bai Tianheng stayed silent.

He paused.

"But as a Sect Leader cornered on all sides, I request this."

Tian Yuheng's voice softened.

"Could it be arranged—for me and my sect—to practice the High Earth-Grade

technique in your possession?"

The request lingered thickly.

Bai Tianheng reclined.

His fingers drummed softly on the rest.

Another thought echoed in his head.

If it's a trusted ally, no point handing over the technique.

Bai Zihan had warned that—and Bai Tianheng grasped the reason.

Practitioners of the inferior form would forever lag behind those using the superior.

Tian Yuheng earned his trust.

And the Heaven Sword Sect was one he'd drawn knowledge from himself.

Bai Tianheng didn't reply right away.

After all, despite the downsides, the technique's potency and proven outcomes were irrefutable.

"Is it truly that bad?" Bai Tianheng inquired.

A wry grin tinged Tian Yuheng's reply.

"Yes! To begin with, why share such a mighty cultivation

technique with outsiders? Without that, I could've handled Elder Han on my own..." Tian Yuheng veered into grumbling.

In truth, while Elder Han bore primary blame, the Bai Clan's bold outreach—and the spread of such potent

techniques—had hastened the chaos. "Enough, enough. Cease the whining," Bai Tianheng cut in at last.

He'd wavered over the dangers, but Tian Yuheng's desperation made denial pointless.

"I'll forward it to you," Bai Tianheng stated evenly.

"Instruct it to anyone you choose."

Then, following a quick break—

"Even Elder Han!"