"Under heaven, there are countless Daoist sects. Some are righteous, some wicked, and each follows a different path in pursuit of immortality. Leaving aside the wicked paths, even among the righteous ways, there are different affiliations. They may appear harmonious, but in truth, they stand needle to needle against one another. Not to mention the many inheritances of strange origin and unfathomable background. As for the Demon Sect, whose actions are secretive and elusive, it is even harder to gauge."
In a side chamber of the Council of State Affairs, Qiu Yan listened as Daoist Flying Tiger, disguised as an ordinary scholar, explained the situation. No one knew what method this man had used, but he had hidden all traces of his Outer Dao aura. Even Qiu Yan could not detect it face-to-face. Otherwise, he would never have allowed a Daoist to enter such a vital place within the Central Pivot.
Qiu Yan nodded slightly, then asked, "So, the Pill-Appraisal Assembly cannot be held?"
Flying Tiger directly shook his head. "Quite the opposite. Most Daoist sects and immortal schools agree to hold the Pill-Appraisal Assembly. They simply refuse to be controlled by the imperial court. They wish to cast off the Marquis's proposal and hold it elsewhere, rather than come to the Imperial City."
"The so-called desire to escape the imperial court's control is merely an excuse. They want to use this as a breach through which to expand their own influence. That is nothing unusual. People have private desires, and what cultivators seek is an even greater selfishness—long life and enduring sight. They seek to break free of mortal shackles, so how could they easily comply with my wishes?" Qiu Yan nodded, showing no surprise.
"Does the Marquis have some plan in mind?" Flying Tiger appeared to be seeking