Inside the Imperial Study Room, an enduring silence suddenly descended.

Ji Chengtian's right hand held a brush made from Snow Wolf hair, suspended in midair. Even as ink dripped from the tip, staining the memorials, he paid no attention.

"If Qing Yu is eliminated, then your next target would be me."

Finally, the brush fell, and Ji Chengtian spoke coldly.

"But you are tempted nonetheless. Haha..." Elder Shiming laughed, mocking and sneering.

With his experience, how could he not see Ji Chengtian's temptation?

In fact, this required no sight; from the moment Ji Chengtian colluded with him, it already represented Ji Chengtian's hostility towards Qing Yu.

The world is only so large. The cake of interests had long been divided, and newcomers wishing to claim a piece had to snatch it from those who were there first.

Qing Yu, being a newcomer, rose to his current position in just a few years, and the pieces of cake he claimed couldn't be counted. At his peak, the power of the True Martial Dao Jun, while not dominating the world, was such that no one dared provoke him, except for a few.

However, if Qing Yu showed any weakness, then those hyenas hiding their claws and fangs would fix their greedy gaze on him, waiting for the right moment to strike.

"You may leave." Ji Chengtian closed the memorial and said with a frown.

"Then let's hope—Qing Yu truly is as I've predicted..."

Elder Shiming pulled up the hood of his cloak and vanished from the Imperial Study Room with a mysterious smile.

He already got the answer he wanted, but to hope it comes true, further probing was needed.

························

Early May.

Due to the upheaval at the Great Zen Temple Dharma Assembly, the Taoist sect had been launching active offensives against the Buddhist temples with unceasing intensity.

Although Xinyuan left behind a backup plan, not truly trapped in the Pure Land unable to escape, with Shi Jue's power alone, it wasn't enough for Xinyuan, the strongest, to exert full strength.

Therefore, during this period, although the Buddhist sect was also actively counterattacking, the combat power at the Divinity Realm and above remained extremely low-key, refraining from instigating a major divine battle.

All this seemed to confirm the rumor that the Xinyuan Abbot of the Great Zen Temple was truly unable to leave the Pure Land, marking an unprecedentedly weak period for the Buddhist sect.

Though Wula, a Supreme, was present, the Taoist sect had the True Martial Dao Jun, did it not?

As the conflict between Buddhism and Daoism intensified, another Taoist hermit emerged from seclusion, joining the worldly disputes.

Yet, this Taoist hermit did not engage in the Buddhist-Daoist contention; instead, he headed straight to the Zhenwu Sect.

"Having been secluded in cultivation for a century, Hua Yang, the 'Immortal Hermit' from Five-Ring Mountain, has come to pay respects, saying he is here for Kucha, who is being held captive by the Zhenwu Sect."

By the side of Taiyuan Pond, Xuanzhen combed Qing Yu's white hair while speaking.

"Kucha is also a reclusive cultivator. It is natural for him to have associations with Hua Yang." Qing Yu said.

"However, Kucha and Hua Yang merely have some dealings. There is another person who is even closer to Hua Yang, a partner on their Daoist path."

"Who?"

"Daoist Feng Yun."

"Daoist Feng Yun..." Qing Yu squinted slightly.

Daoist Feng Yun, younger brother to Heavenly Master Zhang, had no part in matters of Dragon Tiger Mountain and had secluded himself years ago. Yet, for the sake of Dragon Tiger Mountain, he returned to the world and got involved in the grudge between Dragon Tiger Mountain and Qing Yu.

After the battle at Tianmiao Peak, Daoist Feng Yun aided Heavenly Master Zhang's escape and was killed by Qing Yu.

With this in mind, Hua Yang's visit must not be solely for Kucha.

'Furthermore, coming now of all times, could there be something more?' Qing Yu gently combed through his hair, pondering.

"Have Xuanfeng receive Hua Yang, intimidate him a bit, and let him stay for a few days to see what happens." Qing Yu said.

"Alright."

························

"Did the Sect Leader truly say that?" Xuanfeng looked at the female crown in front of him, deep in thought.

"As Senior Sister Xuanzhen stated, that is what the Sect Leader said." The female crown from Su Nu Peak confirmed.

"Alright."

Xuanfeng nodded, then went to meet the figure ascending the mountain path.

"Is it Daoist Hua Yang? I am Xuanfeng, greetings." Xuanfeng bowed in greeting to the newcomer.

"Daoist Xuanfeng, greetings from Hua Yang." Daoist Hua Yang also bowed in greeting.

In terms of seniority, Daoist Hua Yang should be a generation above Xuanfeng, being contemporaries with his master who died from Deviation. Not to mention, Daoist Hua Yang was of the Divinity Realm, while Xuanfeng was only at the True Pill Realm.

But Xuanfeng had a famous Daoist Master nephew who dominated the world, and if Hua Yang weren't a Divinity Realm warrior, he wouldn't even have the right to be a peer of Xuanfeng.

It was only because Lord Qingyu valued seniority, consistently addressing all as 'senior,' that many in the Taoist sect need not bow before Lord Qingyu.

"Daoist Hua Yang, this way please, I'll first take you to meet Daoist Kucha." Xuanfeng led the way with a gesture.

"Thank you for the trouble."

The two walked side by side, and after a few steps, Hua Yang casually asked, "Is the Daoist Master in seclusion?"

"Indeed," Xuanfeng nodded, "The Daoist Master has always been indifferent to mundane affairs, focused solely on the Dao. Though I am a master uncle in name, my dedication to the path is far inferior to the Daoist Master. See, all mundane matters have fallen to me. Hahaha!"

As he spoke, Xuanfeng laughed heartily but with a hint of bitterness, yet his laughter was full of immense self-satisfaction.

After all, who wouldn't be proud to have a Daoist Master in the family?

Hua Yang laughed along, but his smile felt somewhat forced, lacking genuine joy.

"Detached from worldly affairs, focused solely on the Dao? Then whose strong and powerful hand has unified the Taoist sect, making all paths obey without question?"

Hua Yang internally mocked as they walked, following Xuanfeng to Taiji Square.

He then saw a statue kneeling with its head lowered. It was so lifelike, it seemed like a living person. Even the exposed profile displayed immense hatred and despair.

It was as if a living person had been sealed within the statue.

In fact, that was indeed the case.

"Daoist Hua Yang, behold, this is our sect's traitor, Xuan Guang, punished by the Daoist Master. This person went insane and betrayed Master Xuan, causing the tragic death of Senior Brother Xuanfa, and later defected to the Southern Border as a traitor to his people. His crimes were unforgivable, and the Daoist Master's punishment is for him to kneel here, never to rise until his body turns to dust."

Xuanfeng pointed at the statue and introduced it with a smile.

"The Daoist Master said, if any other unrepentant criminal appears in the future, this will be their punishment. Daoist, if you visit again, you'll surely see more statues."

Xuanfeng smiled as if introducing a famous landmark, but in Hua Yang's eyes, it was undoubtedly a form of intimidation.

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