"Currently, in the Lingxiao Pavilion, the Grand Elder and the Fourth and Fifth Elders have united, with the Grand Elder leading the way. The Second and Third Elders form another faction. The former aims to replace the Master, while the latter seeks to protect the Master. However, the Grand Elder's side has a stronger force, and the Second and Third Elders have suffered many losses in the open and covert struggles over the years."
After hearing Li Yuntian's words, Yang Kai immediately understood.
With the elders not getting along, the younger generation naturally engages in conflicts as well. The feud between Su Mu and Wei Zhuang probably stems from this.
Zhao Hu sneered, "It's just that the tiger hasn't come out of the mountain, so the monkey is acting like the king. If the Master really reappears, what are the Grand Elder and the others but mere pawns?"
Li Yuntian glared at Zhao Hu and said, "Don't talk behind their backs. We, the younger disciples, should not speak ill of our elders, even if we don't like their actions."
Zhao Hu stuck out his tongue and whispered, "Aren't you thinking the same thing?"
Li Yuntian replied, "But I won't say it."
At the Contribution Hall, Xia Ningshang rushed in. Old Meng smiled at her and said, "Disciple, you've come to visit me again today? Yes, such filial piety is very comforting to me."
Xia Ningshang said urgently, "Master, something terrible has happened."
"What is it?" Meng Wuya was somewhat puzzled; he had never seen his disciple so flustered before.
Xia Ningshang quickly recounted the events of the day involving Yang Kai and Wei Zhuang.
After listening, Meng Wuya's face turned grim. "You say Yang Kai has already reached the third level of the Kaiyuan Realm? And he defeated Wei Zhuang?"
"Yes!" Xia Ningshang nodded repeatedly, thinking to herself that she had helped him break through.
"It seems he had a significant encounter in the Blackwind Mountain. He remained silent until now, but when he spoke, it was astonishing. His cultivation speed is very fast," Meng Wuya said, slightly surprised.
"Master, stop marveling and quickly think of a way to save him," Xia Ningshang urged.
Meng Wuya was taken aback and looked at his disciple with a strange expression. "Disciple, why are you so anxious?"
Xia Ningshang was taken aback and stammered, "Am I?"
"Yes, you are very anxious now," Meng Wuya nodded. He knew his disciple was pure and simple, and no one understood her better than he did. Over the years, the Lingxiao Pavilion had not lacked outstanding male disciples who admired and pursued her, but she had always treated them coldly and kept her distance. Today, she was seeking help for someone who was only at the third level of the Kaiyuan Realm, which was clearly unusual.
Xia Ningshang said, "I just don't want his cultivation path to be stifled just as it's showing promise."
"Are you very familiar with him?" Meng Wuya immediately became wary.
"Not really, but I've been observing him for two years. Master, you know I work in the Dark Hall, responsible for the area where he lives," Xia Ningshang said honestly. She then pleaded, "Master, please think of a way to save him. He has offended the Grand Elder, and without the help of a high-ranking person, he will surely be in grave danger. The Second Elder may not care about his life or death, but you are that high-ranking person!"
Meng Wuya's face showed satisfaction. Flattery never fails, especially when it comes from his beloved disciple.
After a moment of pride, Meng Wuya frowned and said, "Disciple, it's not good for me to interfere. After all, this is an internal matter of the Lingxiao Pavilion. I'm just a caretaker; it wouldn't be appropriate for me to get involved."
This was true. Although he had a good impression of Yang Kai, he, as an outsider, could not easily interfere in the Lingxiao Pavilion's affairs.
Xia Ningshang did not respond but stared at Meng Wuya with her watery eyes. Even though a veil separated them, Meng Wuya could see her puffed-up little face.
He couldn't bear this look and immediately put on a pained expression. "Oh, my dear, please don't be so stubborn. Even if I don't take action, the Second Elder will surely have a plan. Yang Kai was involved because of Su Mu. If the Second Elder doesn't help him, how will he win the hearts of the people in the future?"
"What if?" Xia Ningshang asked, puffed up.
"There shouldn't be a 'what if'," Meng Wuya was also uncertain. After all, in high-level struggles, sacrificing a few insignificant disciples was quite normal.
"Hmph!" Xia Ningshang turned and sat on a chair nearby, sulking. "If you don't help him, I won't be able to go to the place where the Nine Yin gather. My disciple's strength will probably stop here!"
Hearing this, Meng Wuya was shocked and hurriedly came out from behind the counter, bending over in front of Xia Ningshang, lowering his posture like a servant. "What do you mean by that?"
Xia Ningshang turned her head and remained silent.
Meng Wuya quickly turned and walked back to Xia Ningshang. "Tell me, why can't you go there if you don't help him?"
"Since you don't care about his life or death, don't care about mine either. Master, you are such a heartless and unfeeling person!"
These words were like a sharp arrow, piercing Meng Wuya's heart, making him feel as if he had been struck by lightning, his heart shattered into countless pieces.
"My dear, my dear, can we talk this out? I'm an old man, I can't withstand your torment."
This was not the attitude of a master to a disciple but rather to an ancestor.
Xia Ningshang finally turned her head and stared at Meng Wuya, speaking softly, "He cultivates Yang attribute martial techniques, and the Yang Yuan Qi in his body is extremely pure!"
"Five times purer than the person you found last time!" Xia Ningshang answered.
"Have you tested him?" Meng Wuya asked eagerly.
"Yes!"
"If that's the case, he really can't have anything happen to him!" Meng Wuya suddenly straightened his back, thought for a moment, and then walked out.
He paused at the door and turned to look at Xia Ningshang. "Disciple, do you reject him?"
"No!" Xia Ningshang slowly shook her head.
"Do you like him?"
"Not exactly, I just don't dislike him," Xia Ningshang's face turned red from the question.
"Good, good, good. You know what you have to do if you want to go there, but you must promise your master that you won't fall for him, and then I will save him!"
"Master, what are you saying!" Xia Ningshang was very embarrassed. "I haven't even spoken to him."
This made Xia Ningshang feel guilty, and she couldn't help but think of the awkwardness of the previous night.
"It's not that I want to cut off your affection, but... this small place is not where you belong. There is no one here who can capture your heart. One day, you will reach a height that no one can reach. You will live for hundreds, even thousands of years, while the person you love will grow old and die before your eyes. I don't want you to suffer that pain. Remember, at the peak of martial arts, there is loneliness, isolation, and the chill of being at the top!"