Inside a side hall of the sect, the Great Elder and the Second Elder gathered together.
The Second Elder sat on a stone stool, gazing outside as though trying to see through layer upon layer of barriers. After a long while, he withdrew his gaze and spoke softly.
"Elder Jiang Yan slew the Battle Saint Ape and returned in triumph, giving the sect's morale quite a boost. Before long, the Fourth Elder's faction will likely submit to Elder Jiang. Li Longzi also seems to have joined forces with him. With that, Elder Jiang has established quite a presence within the sect and gained no small measure of authority."
"Regarding this matter, do you think we should...?"
As his words fell, the Second Elder's intention to suppress Jiang Yan was already clear.
Within the sect, the Supreme stood above all others, but he did not usually attend to its affairs. The sect's authority remained in the hands of its elders. Among them, the Great Elder and the Second Elder formed their own faction, holding the greatest share of power.
After the Fourth Elder's death, the two elders' authority had grown by the day. But if Jiang Yan gathered the forces the Fourth Elder had left behind, with Li Longzi assisting him, he would wield considerable power within the sect. Even if he could not rival the Great Elder's faction, he would still have a voice that carried weight.
Upon hearing the Second Elder's words, the Great Elder lowered his eyelids, his tone calm and unruffled.
"Put such thoughts out of your mind. You must understand that the elders of our sect have always held differing views. That is perfectly normal."
"Elder Jiang and the Fourth Elder were kindred spirits. Now that he has avenged the Fourth Elder, it is only natural