146 - Divine Mastering Dragon System

Chapter 145: Connections "I'll explain it to you later." Just as Fu Zhi was filled with confusion, a secret voice transmission reached her ears. Xiang Shi Yan seemed to know what puzzled her. She passed by without a glance, her appearance betraying nothing of the clandestine exchange between them. Fu Zhi gave a subtle nod and nudged Fu Xiao, who was still chattering, "Your senior sister is waiting for us. Let's take our seats first." Fu Zhi had a clear understanding of her role. She was merely a figurehead; her presence was of little consequence. Having been missing for more than an hour, Mu Hua had only sent the similarly idle Fu Xiao to find her while she herself had already begun talks with the head of Yu Cang Mountain. The envoy from Tianji Sect was primarily here to meet Li Huai. The sect leader hadn’t made a grand affair of it by summoning all the elders, though he hadn't restricted them either. Presently, Li Huai was the only elder in the hall, which was a sign of respect from the others. Any important matters would naturally await the sect leader’s summons—after the accidental death of Elder Jingwu in Qingyuan City, the influence of the sect leader’s faction had reached new heights. Xiang Shi Yan was unfazed by formalities and strolled into the council hall. She saw Li Huai seated at the head of the room, while Mu Hua, who was speaking on his right, paused and looked toward them as their footsteps interrupted her. Within the ranks of Tianji Sect, although Fu Zhi had the most distinguished status on the surface—and her seniority far surpassed that of Li Huai and Xiang Shi Yan—when it came to deliberations, the actual core was Fu Zhi’s capable senior disciple nephew. Similarly hailing from the main branch, Mu Hua’s ability to manage affairs was indeed something worth learning from for Hua Yi. Hua Yi had initially planned to come in and listen to why the envoy from Tianji Sect had traveled such a great distance to be here. Naturally, her irritating junior brother followed, but before they could step over the threshold, both were halted by the entrance's barrier, bumping their noses for good measure. Li Huai’s expression was solemn; he had been focused on listening to Mu Hua’s account. Hearing that visitors had arrived, he glanced up and was inevitably surprised. It was rare for Xiang Shi Yan to emerge from seclusion, usually lasting over ten years. Her early emergence indeed surprised him. However, she had yet to make a breakthrough, leaving Li Huai feeling a tinge of regret. Mu Hua rose and paid respects to Xiang Shi Yan and the others: "Little Martial Aunt, Elder Xiang." She moved to give up the seat to her left, but Fu Xiao discreetly pinched the elbow of the blind woman beside her. Fu Zhi immediately lifted her hand in a profound manner, making a downward gesture to signal Mu Hua to remain seated. Xiang Shi Yan took a seat to Li Huai's right, using her eyes to subtly inquire with her brother. Li Huai raised an eyebrow slightly, casting a glance toward the Tianji Sect trio, signaling her to ask on her own. Before Xiang Shi Yan could question further, Mu Hua spoke with composure, "It's been a while since I've inquired. How have you been, Elder Xiang?" Her words seemed to carry a hidden implication, her gaze deep with meaning. Xiang Shi Yan pondered for a moment before nodding and asking, "What business brings the Tianji envoy here?" "We came today not in pursuit of anything else. Does Sect Leader Li and Elder Xiang still remember the Green Spot Forest and Sea on the southwestern border?" At these words, both couldn’t help but frown. The so-called border referred to the contact zone between human and demon territories. The demon domain was vast, surrounding the extensive coastal region known as Shenzhou inhabited by cultivators. However, most of this area was separated by impassable chasms, which was the main reason conflicts between the two races were presently concentrated in the northeast. The Green Spot Forest and Sea was one such chasm—an endless expanse of dense forest rich in spiritual energy, where spirit beasts thrived fiercely under its blessing. Its peculiar ecosystem harbored many unique beast species, with flying feather beasts being especially diverse. Direct flight, even with top-tier flying vessels, couldn't guarantee passage without damage. Cultivators above the Nascent Soul stage might traverse it from above, but crossing it by land was a life-threatening ordeal, not to mention the treacherous gorge in the forest's center and the exceptionally powerful beast packs therein. Why the forest was named remains a mystery, but the origins of the Resentful Soul Gorge are well known. In the ancient times, it was a battlefield marred by endless conflict for centuries. Countless cultivators perished until one mighty figure realized the Dao amidst the battle, halting it with a single sword swing. The resulting gorge absorbed lingering celestial energy, entrapping the restless spirits of fallen cultivators within. Though most souls are suppressed deep within the gorge, crossing it remains perilous. Aside from black market opportunists risking it for ancient relics, few venture this way. The backbone of both races consists of cultivators in the Foundation Establishment, Golden Core, and Nascent Soul stages. Transferring power across the forest is difficult, essentially rendering it a frontline in the standoff, with little strategic benefit. The Green Spot Forest, though, remains the border. Neither side willingly cedes it to the other’s control; over time, it’s become a no-man’s land. For those of lesser cultivation, crossing is daunting, but occasionally high-level cultivators traverse the area. Some dare to retrieve relics from antiquity, resulting in rare resources being sold in local black markets, attracting a top-tier clientele. Overall, it’s a quite peculiar place, but... Xiang Shi Yan tapped her fingers idly on the armrest. In the original story, this place was hardly mentioned; it was merely alluded to when the protagonist traveled through it on a covert mission and purchased items from the black market. The events in Qingyuan City were similarly outside the original storyline, but those were aligned with Xiang Shi Yan’s adjustments. The Green Spot Forest, however, was unrelated to her, and altering the plot so significantly was noteworthy. Besides her, only... "Tianji Sect has recently divined changes in the southwest. We soon received reports of unusual beast activity along the forest's border. One of our elders investigated..." Mu Hua instinctively licked her dry lips, "Signs of demon cultivator activity were observed near the demon side of the forest." Four years ago, during the demon turmoil in Qingyuan City, young talents from Tainxu Sect attending the Hidden Dragon List ranking were slaughtered, along with a resident elder, implicating the Yu Cang Mountain demons. These were instigated by demon rebels dissatisfied with the Demon Emperor’s rule and driven to band like brigands at the border. Reportedly, the demons that infiltrated Qingyuan City to assassinate Bai Jing Huan flew over the Green Spot Forest, thus entering Shenzhou undetected. Following this, Tianji Sect and other sects strengthened surveillance over the forest. Though the Demon Emperor swiftly quelled the rebellion in the forest, eradicating it entirely was difficult. Some rebels fled deeper into the forest, and pursuing them bore its own risks, potentially costing lives, leading decision-makers to let them perish on their own. Li Huai remarked lightly, "They’re likely merely destitute fugitives driven into the forest then; nothing significant." Xiang Shi Yan glanced at her feigning innocence senior brother, suspecting his thoughts were elsewhere. Indeed, the rebels were inconsequential, but the perturbation among beasts on the human-borderside carried serious implications. Regardless of connections to the rebels, it boded ill. Movements may just be on the outskirts now, unable to denote everything, but any hidden agendas could wreak considerable havoc. More so, Tianji Sect seeking aid suggested they likely had more solid evidence withheld. Shenzhou's southwestern region falls within Tianji Sect’s domain, hosting several sects beholden to its command. Though any issue might not directly affect Yu Cang Mountain, adverse impacts would primarily afflict Tianji Sect alone. With known concealment from Tianji Sect, why would Yu Cang Mountain extend assistance unreciprocated? Moreover, the incident four years prior dealt a significant blow to Yu Cang Mountain, costing them three sect pillars. No absolute goodwill lingers between their ties. Xiang Shi Yan couldn’t help but sigh. Before becoming an idealistic coalition surrounding Qin Miao, the Thirteen Seats of the Immortal Sects frequently faltered in their opposition to Xuan Jiu’s demon regime, often due to personal gains overshadowing foresight. Not to mention, if Tianji Sect, guarding the southwest, faltered, it would breach Shenzhou’s defensively watched boundary. Though the natural barriers rendered crossing difficult, possible paths for maneuvering remained numerous, contingent upon the strategic worth versus attrition. Yet, without Mu Hua revealing more, Xiang Shi Yan was at a loss. She lifted her gaze across, noticing the young woman smiling subtly and winking at her. Though initially excused as simultaneous invasions, preventing timely aid, those informed in Tianji Sect knew they had been recalled from the city upon Tianji’s orders, to guard the sect. Tianji Sect witnessing but not assisting was indeed factual. As for why they had to do it this way... most people wouldn’t question it. If Lord Tianji indicated it, there was surely a reason. Whether this reason needed to be known to them was up to Lord Tianji’s discretion. Mu Hua happened to know more than the others in Tianji Sect. In recent years, their grandmaster's health had been declining. Outwardly, it wasn't noticeable, but in truth, she was nearing the end of her time, not knowing when she might pass on. For the last twenty-plus years, disciples and followers had vigilantly stayed by her door each night. Lord Tianji hadn’t appointed a successor, so caution was paramount in all matters. That night, when Xiang Shi Yan visited, it was Mu Hua and the third elder who were on duty at Tianji Sect’s entrance. Over the past four years, Tianji Sect had borne the brunt of criticism for neglecting defenses. The Hidden Dragon List deliberations were forced to halt, and it's uncertain if the conference scheduled for the year after next could take place. Moreover, they bore the resentment of the Tainxu Sect, Yu Cang Mountain, and even the Bai family of Huaihai City, three stalwarts. The losses Tianji Sect suffered in these few short years were more apparent to Mu Hua, who managed the affairs, than anyone else. This favor couldn't remain unsettled forever, could it? Receiving the implicit plea from Mu Hua’s eyes, Xiang Shi Yan, having no other recourse, reluctantly turned to Li Huai. "Senior Brother, I believe this matter is of utmost importance." 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