"Strange?"
Nü Tu asked in surprise, "What is strange?"
Xu Changqing said gravely, "The Dragon-Seeking Lineage did not expand its influence sooner or later, yet chose precisely the time when Water Qi was dwindling and the Defiled-Earth God had emerged to loosen its rules and summon forces from every side."
"This move is far too deliberate."
Nü Tu fell into thought. "You mean..."
"I suspect the people of the Dragon-Seeking Lineage are far from as simple as they appear."
Xu Changqing's tone grew increasingly certain. "Either they are hidden agents of the Yellow Springs Alliance, deliberately gathering all factions to search for the Mystic Iron Token, intending to use the Nether River's power to achieve some unspeakable purpose."
"Or they are outsiders with ulterior motives. This gathering may seem to be for resolving the Water Qi crisis, but in truth, they have other schemes."
Nü Tu froze. "Outsiders?"
Xu Changqing glanced at Lu Chenyuan in the distance. "People from beyond this realm."
At first, he had thought the exposure of the Heavenly Origin Realm had been caused by his eldest senior sister.
But upon further thought, he realized matters were not so simple.
For instance, Senior Brother Zhu was from the Yellow-Mystic Realm.
What did that mean?
It meant the Heavenly Origin Realm had long since been infiltrated!
Nü Tu lowered her eyes. "You mean the Dragon-Seeking Lineage appears to be protecting the underground Spirit Veins of the Heavenly Origin Realm, but is actually acting for selfish desires."
"Those led by Master Lu harbor unspeakable intentions."
Xu Changqing instructed, "Remember this: in the Dragon-Seeking Lineage from now on, you must be extremely cautious. Secretly watch the movements of every core member."
"Especially Lu Chenyuan. If anything unusual happens, inform me immediately."
Nü Tu hurriedly nodded. "Understood. I will keep watch