"Master Lv..."

A middle-aged Taoist nearby asked softly, "What should we do now?"

The elderly Taoist was none other than Elder Lü Jinduan from the Pure Yang Palace, another Sacred Land of the Taoist Sect, who had once visited the Celestial Master Mansion.

Elder Lü did not answer the middle-aged Taoist's question; instead, he sighed softly, "Such a pity, such a pity. Alas, alas!"

The disciples from Pure Yang Palace behind him all wore slightly complicated expressions.

Their purpose for this visit was not something that could be openly discussed.

If Elder Lü were asked whom he wished to win the battle between the Li Clan and the outsiders at the Celestial Master Mansion today, his answer would be... the Li Clan. This was not because Elder Lü was friendly towards the Li Clan. On the contrary, he valued someone from the other side: Tang Xiaotang, the most dazzling person on Dragon Tiger Mountain at that moment. It was precisely because Elder Lü Jinduan valued Tang Xiaotang that he wished for the Li Clan's victory.

If the Li Clan were victorious, securing Dragon Tiger Mountain, Tang Xiaotang would be forced to leave. That would be the moment for me to offer assistance and establish a favorable connection. Perhaps then, there might be a future chance for that Daughter of Pure Yang to return to the correct path... and join the Pure Yang Palace.

Even though she had practiced with the Taoist Talisman Sect for many years and her foundation was already set, Lü Jinduan still hoped that one day he could welcome Tang Xiaotang into the Pure Yang Palace.

As long as she comes, everything else can be negotiated. Any other issues can be addressed gradually.

However, the sudden return of the Celestial Master's Sword to Dragon Tiger Mountain, now in Tang Xiaotang's possession, had thwarted Lü Jinduan's plans. The current situation at the Celestial Master Mansion was, contrary to his hopes, gradually tilting in favor of those outside the Li Clan. The more brilliantly Tang Xiaotang performed, the deeper Elder Lü's regret became as he watched.

Offering help now isn't impossible, of course, and could still foster a good connection. But it's no longer a matter of adding flowers to brocade versus sending charcoal in snowy weather; it's a question of whether any real opportunity remains. If those outside the Li Clan win today's internal conflict at the Celestial Master Mansion and the Li Clan flees, then even if I offer magnificent aid, Tang Xiaotang would, at best, express her gratitude. She would never consider switching her allegiance.

Elder Lü could not possibly intervene personally to help the Li Clan and attack those of other surnames. All he could do was secretly hope the Li Clan would find its own strength. But now... alas!

Elder Lü sighed once again.

"Master, why not lend a hand anyway and build a good rapport? The future is still too uncertain to predict," the middle-aged Taoist suggested. "We just need to be careful and act as if we've just arrived to provide support. We must ensure no one realizes we've been here for some time."

Lü Jinduan had indeed considered this. He had not yet made a decision because he needed to carefully weigh the potential repercussions.

Every family has its own troubles.

Previously, during the conflict in the Western Regions, Elder Huang of the Pure Yang Palace had gone to assist. He played an indispensable role in quelling the demon scourge there. Furthermore, if not for the combined efforts of Elder Huang and the Empress at the time, the late Emperor Zhang Qilong might not have survived long enough to return to the capital; he could have perished directly in the Western Regions. The price for their efforts was Elder Huang's injury. Since returning to the mountain, he has been recuperating. Consequently, the major and minor affairs of the Taoist Dan Ding Sect fell to Lü Jinduan and others to manage.

The battle in the Western Regions had not only injured Elder Huang; other members of the Pure Yang Palace had also suffered significant losses. Thus, in recent years, the Pure Yang Palace had maintained a low profile, quietly recuperating and rebuilding its strength. Lü Jinduan's current journey south was a rare departure from the mountains for him in many years.

If he could persuade Tang Xiaotang to join the Pure Yang Palace, then wading into these troubled waters would be worthwhile. Otherwise, merely forging an uncertain future connection would require more careful consideration. The opposite of a favorable bond is negative karma. The laws of cause and effect aren't solely about good fortune; the Li Clan's affairs involve more than just themselves.

"The world situation is currently chaotic and complex. One wrong step, and the consequences are unforeseeable," Lü Jinduan lamented.

The Pure Yang Palace disciples behind him understood why their elder voiced such sentiments. The fate of Bodhi Temple, one of the Four Sacred Grounds of the Buddhist Sect, was essentially sealed: destruction. Perhaps a few might escape, but overall, this venerable Sacred Land of the Zen Martial Arts lineage was facing a calamitous end. The Pure Yang Palace's relationship with the Buddhist Sect was not particularly harmonious. However, witnessing the annihilation of Bodhi Temple, Elder Lü and the others couldn't help but feel a degree of complex emotion.

"By the way, has it been confirmed?" Lü Jinduan suddenly asked. "Are the Xiao Family Siblings both in the East Sea?"

The middle-aged Taoist behind him composed himself. "Master, it's confirmed. They are indeed accompanying the Empress. Furthermore, Layman Chu Yu, the Moon Chamber Master from the Suzhou Chu Clan, has appeared in Wu Yue. He is assisting the Great Tang in their campaign against Prince Wu, which has caused quite a stir in the South."

Lü Jinduan gazed into the distance, towards the location of an elder from the Suzhou Chu Clan. The Moon Chamber Master might be acting on his own accord, not necessarily representing the Suzhou Chu Clan. The Suzhou Chu Clan often hedges its bets; that's not surprising. Only when Elder Chu personally intervenes does it truly reflect the stance of the majority of the Chu Clan. The Xiao Clan from Longwai, however, is different... The demonic chaos in the Western Regions had profound repercussions. Among the top-tier powers, the Xiao Clan from Longwai—once one of the Five Clans and Seven Families—was undoubtedly the most affected. Not only did their clan chief at the time perish, but their upper echelons also suffered devastating losses, nearly gutting the clan. To put it bluntly, the Xiao Clan from Longwai could be removed from the ranks of the Five Clans and Seven Families at any moment due to this. With most of their elders gone, only a few young members are now shouldering the clan's burdens. And it seems these young people have made a different choice. The ancient and prominent Xiao Clan from Longwai has shifted its allegiance, throwing its full support behind the Tang Imperial Court, a commitment far more complete than that of Xin Zhou's Li Family. From what I currently understand, three siblings of the Xiao Family are now leading their clan. Apart from the eldest brother, the new clan chief who remains in their ancestral lands in Guanlong, the second brother and the youngest sister are accompanying the Empress to the East Sea to suppress the demonic upheaval.

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.