Besides, the Cultivation Realm had always muddled through three years in tatters, then patched itself up for another three. So long as there was relative peace, too much interference from a Divine Venerable could invite even greater calamity. That was why Body Integration Cultivators so rarely intervened in worldly affairs.
Gu Wufang was persuaded by this measured argument. After all... on closer thought, what good would come of letting the news out? None. It would cause panic and tarnish the Five Major Sects' reputations. Chishan had come from Bitter Crossing Temple, and the Blissful Union Sect would draw everyone's attention too. But if Chishan failed at "Demon Deliverance," the consequences...
"What were they thinking? How did they come up with such a... inventive solution?" Were they mad? They were gambling a gifted disciple's life on a mere possibility!
Cheng Wei, on the other hand, took it easily. "Perhaps they're making the best of the circumstances, or simply going with the flow. We'll know when the time comes. You needn't worry so much, martial nephew. The Cultivation Realm has existed for ages. All those demons and Evil Cultivators haven't managed to destroy it, so clearly it's tenacious."
Rather than fret over tomorrow's causes and consequences, it was better to focus on the present.
"...You're really optimistic."
"It isn't optimism. Since Old Lotus of Bitter Crossing Temple dared let him go, he must have prepared a plan that covers both possibilities." Whether that plan would prove useful was another matter.
Gu Wufang: ...Still far too optimistic.
But no matter how anxious Gu Wufang felt, he would not bring the matter into the open. The Five Sects Assembly was nearing its end, with part of the awards ceremony still to come. Yonglu Mountain had made quite a splash, after all. Watching the tender