"Master is too kind," Lei Jun said. "I tread on thin ice, fearing any oversight. Please continue to instruct me, Master."

Liang Chen laughed. "You are too modest. Yuan Zhen should be envious to have a disciple like you."

Speaking of which, his tone shifted slightly. "However, there is an account here..." He pointed at the scroll. "Was a batch of superior Xianliu Ink not sent to the Ancestral Courtyard of the Sect but temporarily diverted here?"

"Indeed, Master, with your permission," Lei Jun said, unperturbed. "That was Tang Xiaotang who had come by earlier and temporarily diverted it. I inquired about its use, but Tang only said it was useful for her cultivation. I too had doubts, so I previously reported it to the Ancestral Courtyard of the Sect."

Liang Chen nodded slightly. "I see."

The situation with Tang Xiaotang was rather unique. To be strict, she had neither undergone the Transcension Ritual nor the Talisman-bestowed Ceremony. If one were to strictly adhere to the Sect's traditions and rules, she would still hold the status of a Tao Boy. Earlier, this was because the previous Celestial Master, Li Qingfeng, had been in seclusion for a long time. After Celestial Master Li Qingfeng passed away, the situation remained the same, which was due to Tang Xiaotang's eighth-grader syndrome flaring up.

But in fact, from the day she set foot on Dragon Tiger Mountain, her treatment never followed the rules. According to her current cultivation realm and strength, she is actually equivalent to the youngest High Merit Elder of Dragon Tiger Mountain. Aside from not having a vote in the High Merit Pavilion, her current treatment and authority are basically on par with those of the High Merit Elders. One of the High Merit Elder's privileges is that they can temporarily divert some of the Celestial Master Mansion's supplies anytime and anywhere, as long as it doesn't specifically clash with others' needs. Therefore, after Tang Xiaotang arrived at Xianliu Palace, her temporary interception and diversion of a batch of high-quality Xianliu Ink was an act tacitly approved by everyone on Dragon Tiger Mountain, even if it wasn't completely in line with the official rules.

However, although Xianliu Ink is superior Talisman Ink, what help could it provide to an Upper Three Heavens Cultivator in their cultivation?

"As for Shi-nephew Tang, it's naturally no problem," Liang Chen nodded, then casually asked, "Apart from Xianliu Ink, did Shi-nephew Tang divert anything else?"

Lei Jun shook his head. "To my knowledge, nothing else from Xianliu Palace."

"Shi-nephew Tang has always done as she pleases and hasn't returned to the mountain since she left," Liang Chen said. He smiled as he spoke, but his eyes fixed on Lei Jun.

Upon hearing this, Lei Jun showed a surprised and bewildered expression. "Did Tang go looking for the Celestial Master's Sword again? Then, what use could Xianliu Ink have for her?"

"This I do not know either." Liang Chen shook his head, showing no indication of the answer. "Shi-nephew Tang's talent and intelligence are indeed beyond question, but her social conduct is... alas!" He looked at Lei Jun, a smile tinged with regret on his face. "If only Shi-nephew Tang were as steady as you, Lei."

"Master flatters me," Lei Jun said. "I truly cannot accept such praise."

Liang Chen stood up. "Alright, I must hurry to the next branch mansion for inspection, so I'll take my leave. Continue your good work here at Xianliu Palace."

"Yes, I shall heed Master's teachings," Lei Jun said.

Liang Chen left Xianliu Palace and descended Xianliu Mountain, journeying among the mountains. He halted his steps, turned back to look, and fell into contemplation.

"Uncle Liang, about Lei..." A young man appeared beside Liang Chen, joining him in surveying the distant Xianliu Palace. The young man was Li Zhusheng, a disciple from a collateral branch of the Li Clan, but with exceptional talent in cultivation, he had become a disciple of Elder Yao Yuan.

Liang Chen said, "After Tang Xiaotang diverted a batch of Xianliu Ink, her whereabouts became unknown."

Li Zhusheng asked, "Is she... really trying to break through to the Eight Layered Heaven Divine Court Realm?"

"Even if that is not the case, there must be a significant reason," Liang Chen said. "I received a message from Zhengxuan, stating that Tang Xiaotang suddenly ceased her pursuit of the Celestial Master's Sword and returned to Dragon Tiger Mountain. By that time, the conflict at Poyang Lake had already been settled, so she wouldn't have returned for the Lin Clan of Jiangzhou. Xu Yuanzhen had earlier conducted a ritual at the Altar of Wanfa Sect, which also seems to be related to the Celestial Master's Sword. Tang Xiaotang's return to the mountain could be for the Celestial Master's Sword, or she might have gained some insight during her travels and intends to seek a breakthrough in her cultivation realm. But whatever the reason, it should not be taken lightly..."

After a long silence, Li Zhusheng sighed softly. "With Xu Yuanzhen already like that, and now with Tang Xiaotang..."

Liang Chen also remained silent. If, before the complete breakdown in relations with Li Wai, Tang Xiaotang, as the pride of the Celestial Master Mansion, could have benefited the Li Clan, the situation was now different. The Li Clan had also tried to win over that young, heaven-gifted woman. However, it was clear she was closer to Xu Yuanzhen. Xu Yuanzhen, after all, was Celestial Master Li Qingfeng's direct disciple. Tang Xiaotang had claimed for over a decade that she wanted to become a True Inheritance disciple of the Celestial Master. However, in reality, she hadn't even met Li Qingfeng face to face. She was brought to the mountain and initiated into the Tao by Xu Yuanzhen, and afterward, her cultivation was largely self-taught. If it weren't for Xu Yuanzhen's own insistence on never taking disciples, Tang Xiaotang would actually be considered her eldest disciple. Despite her usual declarations that she would one day surpass Xu Yuanzhen, even Liang Chen knew that on Dragon Tiger Mountain, Xu Yuanzhen was the person with whom Tang Xiaotang shared the deepest bond.

Speaking of which, it seems there was another person like that…

"Is that Lei trustworthy?" Li Zhusheng gently inquired.

"Not entirely, but we must not probe too deeply either," Liang Chen said. "The focus now is on Xu Yuanzhen and Tang Xiaotang. It is not wise to stir up irrelevant issues. Unless absolutely necessary, we should not involve Yuan Zhen and his disciples in this. If they can remain neutral, that would be the best outcome."

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