Chong Ming stared at him blankly, the doubts in his eyes quickly fading away.
She naturally knew that there were special metal threads inside Spirit Vein's body.
At that moment, as she looked at the cut, her doubts quickly subsided.
"I understand." She still had many questions in her mind, but at this moment, knowing that Zhang Rongfang was indeed not Spirit Vein was enough.
The two talked for a long time before Chong Ming left with his men.
Meanwhile, Heavenly Treasure Palace, a discussion and deliberation about Zhang Ying was taking place.
The only people who can truly be called high-ranking members of the Heavenly Treasure Palace are the Grand Master, the Third Palace Lord, Twelve Hall Masters.
In reality, although Heavenly Treasure Palace is the ancestral temple, it is actually managed by three Palace Masters.
Rather than the Grand Master.
Grand Master Yue Dewen was truly responsible for on a daily basis was the twelve Upright Official of the various provinces.
Heavenly Treasure Palace was merely one part of its operations. Its priority was not significantly different from that of other provinces and regions.
The three Palace Masters could only consult with the palace master on important matters.
At this moment, sitting upright in the Three Pure Ones Hall Heavenly Treasure Palace were the three Palace Masters and the Twelve Hall Masters.
The three Palace Masters are Lin Qinghong, Fang Zhiyun, and Xie Ling.
The three sat upright on three lotus-shaped Prayer Mat, with four Hall Master sitting behind each of them.
Each of these Hall Master represents a number of interest groups in the lower levels of the Heavenly Treasure Palace.
Lin Qinghong is now over eighty years old, but he looks only about sixty. He is a pure Wen Xiu and is now in the late stage of the Refining Spirit. He has Super Grade Spirit Vein Expert from the Snow Rainbow Pavilion protecting him.
But Xie Ling and Fang Zhiyun are different.
Both of them started as Martial Cultivator practitioners but later switched to Civilian Skill. Now, one of them is a Super Grade martial artist, at the Nascent Soul Late Stage.
The other martial arts skill is also of the Super Grade, but the Civilian Skill has reached the early stage of the Refining Spirit.
In the entire Heavenly Treasure Palace, there were only two people who Refining Spirit.
Therefore, Fang Zhiyun actually has the highest overall cultivation level among the three.
At this moment, he waited for a Daoist priest to hold a golden bell and gently strike it three times before waving to signal the unrelated people to leave.
Beside the majestic Statue of the Cold Stone Heavenly Lord Venerable, which is over ten meters tall, a group of people stood silently, waiting for Fang Zhiyun to speak.
"I have gathered you all here today because I have just received some news from the Eastern Sect."
He paused to observe the reactions of the crowd.
After three breaths of silence.
He then continued.
"This news concerns a Spirit Envoy of the Golden Wing Tower, and also the current stance of our Great Dao Sect."
Upon hearing this, the other two Palace Master's expressions immediately hardened, realizing the scale and importance of this gathering.
"Lao Fang, just say what you have to say. We're all on the same side here," Xie Ling said weakly, rubbing the age spots on her face.
Lin Qinghong also stared intently at Fang Zhiyun, her brows slightly furrowed.
He was also very curious about what could possibly affect the entire sect's stance.
Fang Zhiyun explained Zhang Ying's dual identity to everyone without hesitation.
Not long after he finished speaking, Xie Ling immediately spoke up.
"Putting aside Zhang Ying's age, since he is Spirit Envoy of the Golden Wing Tower, he must have a lot of information about the Golden Wing Tower. The Western Sect will never let him go."
If we protect him, we'll be going against the Western Sect, and we'll inevitably be dragged into it.
"A 35-year-old Golden Core at the Ninth Grade is indeed incredibly talented, but that's not enough to make us interfere in the internal struggles of Buddhist School." Lin Qinghong nodded in agreement.
Fang Zhiyun had long anticipated this outcome, and upon hearing this, he sighed inwardly.
"Besides, it's actually quite easy for us to protect people. Because this Zhang Ying has something rather special about him," he said in a deep voice.
"What's so special about it?" Lin Qinghong looked at the other person, somewhat curious.
"He doesn't know any of the Golden Wing Tower's martial arts, nor any of the Eastern Sect's martial arts. From birth, he has always been a follower of my Great Dao Sect!" Fang Zhiyun.
"Therefore," he said, his eyes scanning the area, "I suspect this person has a very deep yearning for the Eastern Sect and no affiliation with Buddhist School forces like the Eastern Sect, coupled with his exceptional talent."
"Doesn't know Eastern Sect martial arts??" Lin Qinghong was shocked.
"Then how did he become Spirit Envoy?"
"Well, I don't know either. But as far as I know, this person hates evil, is kind-hearted, and has extraordinary talent."
This can be seen from the fact that despite his talent, he has not learned Buddhist School martial arts.
Moreover, this person traveled a great distance from Wu Mountain to Great Capital, which shows his sincerity.
Fang Zhiyun.
"If we were to turn away such a sincere person, wouldn't that be tantamount to refusing a gift from Heaven and incurring its wrath? Failing to welcome the opportune moment will surely bring disaster."
Upon hearing this, the Hall Master began to discuss it in hushed tones.
Lin Qinghong and Xie Ling also looked thoughtful.
"But things are different now." Xie Ling slowly shook her head. "The Eastern Sect is in dire straits and could collapse at any moment. The Western Sect is merely going with the flow."
During such a sensitive period, we absolutely cannot touch the line in the slightest.
"Indeed, after all, who knows what the Eastern Sect is thinking? Maybe they deliberately sent this person to infiltrate my ancestral court in order to drag us into this vortex," Lin Qinghong added.
Most of the Hall Master agreed with this statement and nodded in agreement.
Humans are naturally inclined to seek advantage and avoid harm.
Fang Zhiyun sighed inwardly. Indeed, protecting Zhang Ying would not benefit anyone present.
However, if the Great Dao Sect actually does this, there is indeed a risk of being drawn into the mess.
If we were to get involved, everyone present would be in danger.
It's harmful and offers no benefit, so naturally no one will agree with it.
Fang Zhiyun had already prepared a solution to this.
"Actually, it would be beneficial for us to take on a disciple with amazing talent in the future. Although the benefits are still far off and not very visible."
But what if that Zhang Ying were to hide its identity and change its status?
He looked around at the crowd.
"This person's martial arts skills show no trace of the Eastern Sect, and no one can tell which side he belongs to."
Even if the Western Sect comes knocking, we can openly claim that this person was trained by us from childhood, only later sent to the Golden Wing Tower as an undercover agent.
"It's impossible to keep this from the Western Sect." Xie Ling shook her head.
"As long as they can't get real evidence against us, everything will be fine," Fang Zhiyun.
Although the Great Dao Sect maintains a peaceful demeanor towards the outside world, its true strength actually comes from the support of the Ling Ting.
No matter what Western Sect did, he wouldn't dare to lay a hand on them.
Just like the Eastern Sect back then, which represented supreme imperial power and no one could govern it.
"I disagree," Lin Qinghong objected. "Furthermore, I suggest we immediately verify Zhang Ying's Civilian Skill. He's at the Ninth Grade of the Golden Core stage and is only thirty-five years old. Let's verify that first, and then we can discuss other matters."
"Whether or not we conduct an inspection is not important. Eastern Sect wouldn't risk offending us over something like this."
"The main problem is that this matter offers us very little benefit, and is more harmful than helpful. If this person has ulterior motives, we'll just be asking for trouble," Xie Ling objected.
"This matter concerns the sect's stance. A genius like Zhang Ying, who is skilled in both literature and martial arts, cannot be decided by just the people around us."
"Since you all object, then I request to exercise my annual extra decision-making power and submit it to the Grand Master for a decision," Fang Zhiyun in a deep voice.
Each Palace Master has one additional decision-making right each year.
In other words, when the three people cannot reach an agreement, they can request that the Grand Master make a decision personally.
However, this power can only be used once a year.
"Such a trivial matter, why bother with the decision-making power? And alarm the Grand Master?" Lin Qinghong said with dissatisfaction. "The sect Grand Master is busy with countless affairs of state, and may not even see this matter."
"If the Grand Master replies with permission, then keep this person."
If the reply is not accepted, or there is no reply.
Fang Zhiyun for a moment.
"Then they expelled Zhang Ying."
***"Thirty-five years old?"
Yue Dewen looked at the application documents on the table in front of him and slowly picked his teeth with a toothpick.
He crossed his legs, leaned back in the rattan chair, his chest and breasts exposed, wearing a gray mandarin jacket and shorts that looked like rags.
He had no children in his life, except for Zhang Qingzhi, whom he adopted as a child and raised as his son.
It's a pity that they seem to have been mistreated as they grew up.
"Thirty-five years old, Golden Core, Ninth Grade, and he even crippled an External Medicine Super Grade. Look at how much he's bragging. Tsk tsk tsk." Yue Dewen shook his head and exclaimed in admiration.
This is a farmhouse courtyard outside the Heavenly Treasure Palace.
Yue Dewen usually spends most of his free time here, leisurely enjoying his days fishing, playing cards and chess, occasionally going out for a spring outing, chatting and fighting with friends. His life couldn't be more pleasant.
"When I was thirty-five, I was only at the Super Grade Foundation Establishment, right? I hadn't even formed my Core Formation yet, and he's already at the Golden Core?" Yue Dewen sighed.
"The Eastern Sect, having dominated the world for so long, will surely find some good talents," an Azure Elder voice replied from the surrounding area.
They could only hear voices, but not see anyone.
"That's true, but he's only at the Ninth Grade at thirty-five, so his martial arts are a bit late. Fortunately, the Golden Core should be able to increase his physical limits, so he should still be able to advance." Yue Dewen nodded.
"So what are your plans? Fang Zhiyun also said that the Heavenly Maiden asked for a favor from the Parting Sorrow Hall. He almost died there back then. If it weren't for the Eastern Sect's help, he definitely wouldn't be alive now." The old man asked in a deep voice.
"As for me..." Yue Dewen stroked his chin. "The favor is a separate matter. I'll secretly save that little girl's life in a while, and that'll repay the debt, won't it?"
As for Zhang Ying, this favor is far from enough to gain the favor of my entire sect. I don't want to lose sight of the bigger picture and incur His Majesty's suspicion.
"That's right, no one gets up early for nothing, which perfectly suits your character," the old man mocked.
"That's right, that's right, you really know me well, hahaha!" Yue Dewen said smugly.
The two immediately dropped the matter, and Yue Dewen casually tossed the document aside.
He stood up and stretched his arms and legs.
"Let's go fishing. Anyone want to have another match?!"
"Heh, you defeated opponent, you still dare to challenge me?" the old man said disdainfully.
Stepping out of the courtyard, Yue Dewen casually took a set of ordinary blue Daoist robes from a hook outside the wall, draped them over his shoulders, and strode away.
"Huh? Where are you going?" the old man asked in surprise. "That's not the fishing direction."
Yue Dewen waved his hand without turning his head.
"The information says that kid reached the Ninth Grade Golden Core at thirty-five, without any major sects providing concentrated training; it's all thanks to his talent. I'm a little skeptical, so I'll go see for myself."
"Take a look for yourself?"
"Heh, just because others can't tell my age doesn't mean I, Lao Yue, am no good," Yue Dewen said dismissively.
"I bet that kid is already fifty-three. He's just saying it backwards on purpose. It's okay, it's okay. Go to your usual spot and wait for me. I'll be right there. It'll only take a quick pee."
As one of the most renowned medical experts in the entire Great Ling Realm, he naturally wouldn't rely on crude methods like palpating bones to determine age.