Time slipped by, and several more months soon passed.
Ever since Yu Sande had gained Xue Shaohua's protection, he had all but severed contact with the Immortal Ship Auction, staying in his own Cave Abode to cultivate in seclusion.
He now knew that the waters ran deep on Ye Tianming's side and refused to show himself lightly. Even though he knew they sold all manner of resources needed at the Heaven Tier, and their repeated invitations were meant to tempt him, he held firm.
In fact, he avoided not only the Immortal Ship Auction but also moving about within his own sect or appearing before others.
He knew perfectly well that Li Chilian, one of the Grand Elders, did not think much of him. The Sect Master's Li family faction and the neutral elders in the Elders' Council likewise harbored doubts about his advancement. Even the position of Grand Elder, which should have followed as naturally as water flowing into a channel, had yet to be granted to him.
Elder Han and the others had opposed him all along and certainly would not pass up any chance to strike at him.
Though Xue Shaohua kept them firmly suppressed, and the bonds between fellow sect members still remained, so they might not report him to the Heavenly Dao Alliance, it would hardly be surprising if they confronted him on other fronts and diminished his influence as a newly advanced Heaven Tier cultivator.
One day, in the Secret Chamber of the Yu Household's residence, a Household Servant dressed in fine robes entered, his brows lowered and eyes downcast, his manner exceedingly humble. He reported to Yu Sande, "Grand Elder, we have received the latest news. Elder Han has sent someone to contact the Heavenly Dao Alliance to discuss Lei Zhengming taking up