Why Can't It Be Me When Everyone Wants It?

Perhaps unwilling to let the standoff drag on until it became impossible to mend, an elderly man in a gray robe at the same table gave two dry coughs and awkwardly changed the subject.

"Everyone, today is a joyous occasion. Let's not dwell on such unpleasant matters."

"Speaking of which, have you heard about the trouble that broke out in the Sumeru Sect a few days ago?"

Sure enough, his words caught the attention of the others at the table.

The Eight Hundred Miles of Linked Clouds lay on the border between the Heavenly Court and the Sumeru Sect, under neither side's jurisdiction.

But that did not mean the cultivators and demons here ignored the movements of the two factions.

If anything, they watched for the slightest rustle of wind or grass more closely than those in the factions' heartlands.

After all, incense offerings were scarce across the Nine Provinces. No one knew whether either side would reach out and claim this place next.

"Do you mean that ape demon serving the Sumeru Sect's newly emerged Buddha Son?"

"Exactly!"

The gray-robed cultivator looked grave. He lifted his cup and took a small sip.

"I heard that ape demon made a declaration."

"Within a month, it intends to bring three territories rich in incense offerings under the Buddha Son's control."

"The Eight Hundred Miles of Linked Clouds may be remote, but there's a good chance that White Ape has already set its sights on us!"

"What makes you say that?"

The gray-robed cultivator sighed and said heavily, "Think about it. The Heavenly Court and the Sumeru Sect have divided the lands between them. Even counting every last one, there are only a few dozen unclaimed territories along their border."

"The territories among them with thriving incense offerings have long since had