Within the Guardian of Rectitude Palace, Zhang Yu watched Tao Dingfu steer his vessel away, then withdrew his gaze.
He had long since made his judgment. Since the Origin Capital Sect had come to summon its so-called disciples abroad, it would certainly not seek out only Senior Brother Yuan; it would surely look for the rest of their fellow disciples as well.
Tao Dingfu had never encountered anyone from the sect before, likely because he had been temporarily staying at White Truth Mountain, and in a place as important to Celestial Xia as Jade Capital. Even if the sect had wished to find him, it would not have been easy. Without a Profound Venerable stepping forward, they would have had no chance to reach him at all.
But now that Tao Dingfu was heading to Eastern Court to deliver a message, the sect might very well seek him out at this time. If Tao Dingfu came under attack, Zhang Yu would naturally lend him a hand.
What followed was indeed as he had expected. Someone from the sect intercepted him midway. Although that person's cultivation was comparable to Tao Dingfu's, even faintly exceeding his by a sliver, he was suppressed by Tao Dingfu from beginning to end and ultimately retreated in defeat.
This outcome was not surprising. In Zhang Yu's view, it was not that the sect's visitor lacked experience in battle, but rather that he had likely faced only one style of combat in the past. Once confronted with another, he found it difficult to adapt.
In present-day Celestial Xia, after the barriers between sects and schools had been broken down, exchanges between them far exceeded those of the past. Even true cultivators of the Mystic Profound Realm could interact with all manner of fellow cultivators.
That went without