Each Harboring Ghostly Intentions

Ling Fei listened, secretly astonished, and gained a deeper understanding of Xu Jiankong: the top disciple of Shu Mountain wasn't just a cultivation-obsessed fool! His demeanor suggested a straightforward person, yet he was surprisingly cunning. With this thought, Ling Fei's admiration for Xu Jiankong turned into contempt. He cursed inwardly: Trying to curry favor so quickly. Just like Xiang Hui and his disciples, all the same trash. Oh yes, your Shu Mountain has connections with the Overseas Independent Cultivators. Emei did invite many overseas peers to their three sword duels, but that was ages ago, eight hundred years if not a thousand. Bringing up these ancient matters to build connections... it's just... if we're going by that logic, all the Daoist Sects originated from the Chan and Jie Sects, so those rogue cultivators are technically disciples of our Kunlun.

Zhou Qing opened his mouth and spoke a string of half-truths: "So you're a Shu Mountain disciple! The name Shu Mountain is thunderous even overseas! Changmei Ancestor's might once shook the world, who doesn't know of him! I am a disciple of the Heavenly Dao Sect from overseas. Our Heavenly Dao Sect has lived in seclusion overseas since the Qin Dynasty, staying out of worldly affairs, but we are aware of Shu Mountain's fame."

Zhou Qing showered them with flattery, but inwardly he thought: Why am I so fated with Shu Mountain? First, that old ghost Ling Yun died at the hands of a Shu Mountain disciple, then the one who killed and stole the sword was also a Shu Mountain disciple, the one who ambushed me in the Monster Alliance was also a Shu Mountain disciple, and now another Shu Mountain disciple. Is Shu Mountain targeting me? Anyway, they haven't seen my true face, so I can say whatever I want. Back in the Qin Dynasty, Daoism, Confucianism, Legalism, Mohism, and the Hundred Schools of Thought were in contention, sects were incredibly chaotic, who would even know if the Heavenly Dao Sect existed? I've successfully established my own sect. Heh heh! I never thought I'd become a sect founder.

Zhou Qing deliberately didn't mention he was the sect leader, wanting to appear profound and unfathomable.

Ling Fei, however, frowned as he listened. It wasn't that he doubted Zhou Qing's words, but rather that he felt uncomfortable hearing Zhou Qing praise Shu Mountain so highly. After all, his own Kunlun was the foremost sect! Unless one had truly reached the realm of "Taishang Wangqing" (Supreme Forgetfulness) by severing emotions and desires, cultivators highly valued their sect's reputation.

Xu Jiankong was naturally delighted to hear Zhou Qing speak so highly of his sect. "So you're a disciple of the Heavenly Dao Sect! The Heavenly Dao Sect's Daoist magic is profound; I've heard my seniors mention it many times. I never expected to meet someone like you, Daoist friend Zhou. It truly makes us disciples feel ashamed!" Xu Jiankong had no idea that the Heavenly Dao Sect was Zhou Qing's own creation. He was merely following suit and returning the flattery. In reality, unless Shu Mountain's elders were immortals who could see the past and future, how would they know of a sect like the Heavenly Dao Sect? However, they couldn't very well say, "I don't know your sect; perhaps it's small and not well-known!" So they could only speak off the cuff. This almost made Zhou Qing laugh himself to death in secret.

This Xu Jiankong, with his outwardly righteous appearance, is utterly shameless! Ling Fei watched the two of them exchanging effusive compliments, their words impenetrable, almost to the point of calling each other brothers. Anxious, he stepped forward without regard for propriety and said, "So you are True Person Zhou of the Heavenly Dao Sect. I am Ling Fei of Kunlun. I've heard my Master mention the Heavenly Dao Sect lineage; it flourished for a time during the Qin Dynasty. Unfortunately, all its members were reclusive, transcendent individuals who valued neither fame nor profit and retreated overseas. Otherwise, their reputation today would be no less than that of our Kunlun." Ling Fei's words were neither servile nor overbearing. They carried a double meaning, subtly highlighting Kunlun's status, indirectly flattering Zhou Qing, and proving far more sophisticated than Xu Jiankong.

Ling Fei actually had his own agenda. He had been removed from his position as leader of the Dragon Group, which he felt was unjust. However, given the magnitude of the incident, he couldn't entirely shirk responsibility. He was still a member of the Dragon Group, and if he could uncover the truth behind the matter, he would have grounds to regain his position. Xiang Hui was arrogant and overbearing; he was bound to make mistakes. When Xiang Hui committed a minor error, Ling Fei's family could pull some strings with the higher-ups, and the position of leader would be his again.

But uncovering the truth was easier said than done. Ling Fei had heard that the opponent was a Demonic Dao expert, incredibly brutal and powerful, who had even killed Old Taoist Chen Kong, who had long since entered the Spirit Transmutation Realm, on the spot. He was no match for such an opponent. Yet, his Master's attitude was peculiar; not only did he refuse to come out of seclusion, but he seemed to be meditating on some Daoist technique. He lacked manpower. If he could win over this expert before him, and have his sister invite their Senior Brother for help, with two Spirit Transmutation Realm experts plus himself, their chances of success would be much greater. This was because Demonic Dao experts were generally solitary and arrogant, preferring to work alone and rarely gathering together. Three against one, their odds of victory were quite high. If Zhou Qing knew his thoughts, he would surely burst out laughing. This was purely inviting a wolf into the sheepfold!

Xu Jiankong also had his own plans. In modern society, the situation was incredibly delicate. The civilization of cultivation had long since declined, exiting the mainstream of the era. New civilizations and concepts were emerging endlessly. Under the impact of new ideas, both indigenous and Western, the thinking of the older generation of cultivators appeared outdated. They had all retreated into seclusion to cultivate, and under normal circumstances, they would not emerge. Worldly affairs were entirely managed by the younger disciples. It could be said that the younger generation of disciples were the pillars of the major sects, while the older generation of experts were merely nuclear weapons, serving a deterrent purpose.

Xu Jiankong had grown up in Shu Mountain since childhood, naturally prioritizing Shu Mountain's interests. As a leading figure among Shu Mountain's new generation of disciples, the Senior Brother, Xu Jiankong surveyed the entire Daoist world in China. Among the younger generation of disciples, only Kunlun was able to suppress Shu Mountain, because Kunlun's Yi Yunzi had reached the Spirit Transmutation Realm! Although Shu Mountain had many disciples, most were still in the Qi Induction Stage - Mid Phase. Xiang Hui, while decent and cunning, lacked cultivation. Now that he had become the leader of the Dragon Group, he had to deal with many matters, people, and monsters. Although the Dragon Group had hundreds of disciples, on average, Shu Mountain disciples were only about ten. Disciples from other sects had their own ulterior motives, waiting for Shu Mountain to fall into misfortune. When executing missions, not hindering the progress was already good enough. How could they wholeheartedly assist?

With low cultivation, executing missions and dealing with powerful monsters was bound to be difficult. If they weren't careful, they would tarnish Shu Mountain's reputation. This was no trivial matter. This was also why Xu Jiankong wanted to win over Zhou Qing. With a Spirit Transmutation Realm expert like Zhou Qing, things would be much smoother.

Furthermore, Zhou Qing was an Overseas Independent Cultivator. Establishing a connection with him would bring subtle benefits.

For a time, all three were plotting their own schemes. Zhou Qing was completely unaware that upon his appearance, he had become a coveted prize in the eyes of two major sects.