The Taichu Peak compound in the Divine Temple.
Each of Tianli Sect's Five Peaks had its own compound on the first level of the Divine Temple, where it handled the peak's affairs.
The Taichu Peak compound was usually quiet. Taichu Peak had few members and controlled few businesses, so there weren't many people around. Today, however, it was different.
Taichu Peak's warriors stood guard inside and outside the compound, one post every five paces and a sentry every ten. The place looked several degrees more imposing than usual.
The main hall was even more heavily guarded, to keep anyone from barging in.
But the guards kept exchanging glances and whispering. Unease showed on every face.
"Do you think Taichu Peak will improve once Fang Mo takes over as peak master?"
"Improve? He'll be lucky if he can take over without a hitch. And you're talking about improving? Think about it. Even Uncle-Master Ling struggled to keep those people at Taichu Peak in line. Fang Mo just joined Taichu Peak. How could he possibly manage it?"
"I don't know about that. Fang Mo defeated True Person Mo of Yuxiao Peak and even stood up to a Venerable. If he takes charge of Taichu Peak, he'll surely do better than those others, right?"
"So what? He's still an outsider. Just watch! I doubt any of those True Persons will come to the meeting. Then we'll have quite a show!"
Ever since word of Ling Cangyan's fall had spread, all of Taichu Peak had been thrown into chaos. While Ling Cangyan was still around, he had at least been able to force all the factions into line and maintain a superficial balance.
But as soon as he fell, those True Persons—arrogant and unwilling to yield to anyone—splintered into several factions.
Just then, two