Chapter 44: The Peace Sect, I Have a Senior

Once the old man finished his account regarding the person in the mist, the plain-faced woman wearing only a simple plain hairpin paused her weaving. Her thin lips parted slightly, and she instructed, "Just do as he says."

"The more frantic they become, the easier it is to leave a trail."

Thinking of another matter, the woman asked, "The Chu family has already discovered it?"

The old man replied, "Indeed! Recently, the Chu family has dispatched quite a few scouts to keep watch near the Wang residence. Furthermore, a Golden Core elder of the Chu family has been personally keeping an eye on Wang Sheng. He followed him all the way to the northern district just now and is currently hiding right outside the courtyard."

"It seems the Chu clan has realized that he is the one plotting behind the scenes. I estimate a conflict between the two families will break out very soon."

A corner of the woman's mouth curved upward. "It appears the Chu clan has some clever individuals."

"Find a way to fan the flames between the two families. If necessary, you can let Wang Sheng die at the hands of the Chu clan. I want to plunge Fengyang County into utter chaos. Only through absolute chaos can my Peace Sect find an opportunity, rapidly accumulate strength, and infiltrate every family and major sect to lay the foundation for our uprising a decade from now."

Pausing for a moment, the woman thought for a short while and continued, "As for the old Daoist Xuanming, an enemy's enemy is a friend; find a way to tip him off."

"Since the Qiuzhen Taoist Temple suspects that Wang Sheng is the mastermind behind the scenes, deliver the evidence to them. At the same time, let them know that the death of Xuanye is related to Wang Sheng."

"Let Chang'anzi know about this as well. Young people are hot-headed, and in the heat of anger, they will surely do many interesting things."

"By then, with us adding fuel to the fire, this Fengyang County will descend into even greater chaos. This will benefit both my cultivation and the Peace Sect."

"Rest assured, Protector. The conversation my subordinate had with the Wang family youth just now should have been overheard by that Golden Core from the Chu family. I expect the news will soon reach the ears of old Daoist Xuanming."

"Everything else can be left to me. I will surely devote my utmost loyalty to the Sacred Cult until my dying breath."

The old man did not stay long. Having received his orders, he departed swiftly.

Inside the house, the woman stood up and walked to the door.

She raised her head to gaze into the distance toward Floating Cloud Mountain, her expression complex. After a long while, she spoke faintly, "Elder brother, you used to say that the Qiuzhen Taoist Temple is merely a minor Taoist lineage, mediocre and unremarkable, and would not easily become embroiled in the vortex."

"You said you hoped Changning would live a carefree life of peace and joy, growing old in seclusion on Floating Cloud Mountain."

"Yet times have changed, and the Qiuzhen Taoist Temple is no longer what it used to be. It is on the rise, and I'm afraid your wishes will go unfulfilled."

"Today, for your sake, I will lend the Qiuzhen Taoist Temple a hand. I only hope that after you break the seal, you won't be too ungrateful to your little sister."

At the end of her words, the corners of the woman's lips turned up in an amused smile. A hint of cunning flashed deep within her indifferent gaze.

"Only through great chaos comes great governance; only through great destruction comes great establishment."

"A new order is built upon the old, and towering architecture rises proudly from the ruins."

---

The next day, the morning sun rose.

The Daoists of the Qiuzhen Temple emerged from the Xianlin Pavilion and, just like the other Taoist lineages, headed straight for the Hutian Palace.

It was also on this day that many people set out, leaving the city to rush to Floating Cloud Mountain to challenge the old Daoist Xuanming.

Some wanted to see if he possessed genuine talent and learning, some wanted to check if his reputation was well-deserved, some just wanted to watch the spectacle, while others harbored wishful thinking, believing the old Daoist Xuanming might be injured and hoping to snatch a quick victory to achieve overnight fame.

Even more speculated that the Qiuzhen Temple possessed superior foundation-building techniques and advanced Taoist arts; otherwise, how could the old Daoist Xuanming have defeated Chu Yunfei? Driven by greed, these people hoped to fish in troubled waters when others issued challenges and sneak into the Qiuzhen Temple to search for treasures.

However, these individuals stopped right at the city gates. Some turned toward the Chu residence, some turned back home, some entered wine shops to drink, and others headed to the Hutian Palace to watch the Daoist Yuan Grand Assembly.

This was all because the Chu residence had beaten them to it, erecting a notice at the city gates: *Those who wish to challenge Qiuzhen must first pass through the Chu gates; those who wish to fight Xuanming must first face the Overlord Fist. Chu Yunfei awaits your challenge.*

It was exceedingly chuunibyou, and thoroughly domineering!

It successfully provoked the anger and fighting spirit of some young people while making others flinch and back down in discouragement.

Yet, continuous speculations persisted among the crowd.

Some believed the Qiuzhen Temple had submitted to the Chu clan; others thought the Qiuzhen Temple had merely formed an alliance with the Chu clan, arguing that if they had submitted, there would be no need to sacrifice their own rising prodigy's reputation.

Some believed Xuanming had forged a superior Dao foundation, and the Chu clan valued him, wishing to invest in him early on. Others suspected that there might have been a wager between Chu Yunfei and the old Daoist Xuanming before their fight, and since Xuanming won, Chu Yunfei was willing to honor the bet and voluntarily stand guard in front of the Qiuzhen Temple.

All kinds of discussions emerged endlessly, with arguments refusing to settle.

By noon, the county city had become even livelier because of this matter.

Chu Yunfei was fighting for real.

With a single punch each, he knocked down every single challenger.

He was truly standing up for the Qiuzhen Temple.

After injuring the last challenger, Chu Yunfei stood before the gates with a brilliant smile.

He had already learned clearly from the Daoists at the Xianlin Pavilion that Zhenren Xuanming preferred tranquility. Knowing how to repay a kindness, he certainly could not allow these worthless rabble to disturb the Zhenren's peace.

---

Xuanyang paid no heed to any of this.

He spurred his horse onward, rushing toward the Qiuzhen Temple.

Hidden Dao Peak, Scripture Repository Pavilion.

Xuanming was well aware of Xuanyang's purpose in coming, knowing full well that he was deeply concerned for his safety.

While feeling a sense of heartwarming gratification, he raised a hand to pour a cup of tea for Xuanyang, saying gently, "You have endured a long and dusty journey, Junior Brother; you've worked hard."

"Thank you, Senior Brother."

Xuanyang accepted the teacup and slowly moistened his throat.

Despite his deep anxiety, the moment he stepped into the Scripture Repository Pavilion, all his panic temporarily melted away.

Wherever his Senior Brother resided, there was always a special kind of presence that would involuntarily calm one's mind, as if all anxieties could be soothed and every problem resolved.

By the time the cup of tea was drained, Xuantong and Xuanyu, having received Xuanming's voice transmission, arrived just in time. Xuanyang could no longer hold it in and poured out everything happening in Fengyang County, detail by detail.

The rampant rumors.

The predicament of the Qiuzhen Temple.

The rising fame of Chang'anzi.

The performance of the disciples.

When he finished speaking, Xuanming offered him another cup of tea.

Xuanyang felt bitter at heart, yet too intimidated to refuse. He could only accept the teacup, continue sipping slowly with a bitter expression, and wait for his Senior Brother's decision.

Xuanming raised an eyebrow. Chang'anzi winning first place in the Daoist debate contest was somewhat beyond his expectations, and Chu Yunfei blocking all the challengers on his behalf was likewise unexpected. However, Xuanming did not speak immediately; instead, he looked toward Xuantong.

The latter understood instantly. Teaming up with Xuanyu—one taking the lead in narrating, the other supplementing—they recounted the entire event of Chu Yunfei challenging Xuanming.

Once Xuanyang fully understood the details, Xuanming finally spoke:

"Ever since Chang'anzi participated in the Daoist Yuan Assembly and Chu Yunfei entered the Qiuzhen Temple to issue a challenge, the matter of the superior foundation-building technique could not remain hidden for long."

"A blessing is no misfortune, a misfortune is unavoidable."

"Perhaps my Qiuzhen Temple must undergo this trial in order to break out of the cocoon, transform into a butterfly, and ascend to become a major Taoist sect."

Seeing that the anxiety on the faces of Xuantong and the other two did not subside, Xuanming added, "There is no need to worry too much about this. Our Qiuzhen Temple is not as simple as it appears on the surface. As long as Golden Core Zhenrens do not step in, this poor Daoist has nothing to fear."

"As for Golden Core Zhenrens..." He paused for a moment before continuing, "Such beings are mostly holders of superior Dao foundations and will likely not deign to act. Should there truly be an exception, this poor Daoist will simply invite a senior to intervene."

"As long as we deter the Golden Core realm, our Qiuzhen Temple will have successfully weathered this tribulation, and our fortunes will surely turn for the better."

Xuantong was dumbfounded, and Xuanyu was startled.

Curious, Xuanyang asked directly, "Senior Brother, since when did our Qiuzhen Temple have an elder senior?"

Taking a slow sip of tea, Xuanming explained in an unhurried tone, "This senior is an esteemed grand-uncle of mine, and also an old acquaintance of our founding master."

"Two years ago, shortly after I entered the Dao, he arrived at Floating Cloud Mountain and has lived in seclusion here ever since, diligently instructing me."

"This is precisely one of the reasons why I achieved the realm of Zhenren in a mere two years. It's just that his senior is not fond of being disturbed, which is why I didn't let you all know."