Yuan Lingzi's voice was aged. "All this fanfare is merely to gather popularity and momentum and build an immortal city that rakes in gold by the day. Petty cleverness, nothing fit for the grand stage. How could the true Great Dao lie amid mere timber, bricks, and stone?"
True Lord Yunmiao's gaze was sinister. "You are right, Master. He is nothing but a homeless cur. Away from Great Jin, his Dao path is greatly diminished. Building a city? Holding a ceremony? Laughable! What use are these outward trappings? He is still just a shortsighted demonic thug."
"But he is on good terms with the Vajra Zen Sect. That old bald donkey Hui'an seems to think highly of him," another person said worriedly.
Yuan Lingzi offered no assessment of the Vajra Zen Sect. Instead, he earnestly counseled Yunmiao. "Do not let him unsettle your thoughts. Visit Great Jin more often, and be sure to maintain your connection with the Qing Household. As for Qing Chen, someone will deal with him."
Across the Gouwu Sea, spies from every faction were as numerous as carp crossing a river, and secret reports flew between the various powers.
"Qing Chen's arrogance blots out the heavens, but excessive rigidity breaks easily. This is no sign of lasting success."
"Jianzhou City? What a grand undertaking! Unfortunately, the Gouwu Sea is not Great Jin after all. It is merely a land of exile, a buffer zone."
"Mystic Yin Island is swallowing its anger, and the Blissful Union Tower's stance is ambiguous... There is bound to be a fine show on the day of the Nascent Soul Ceremony!"
"He is merely bluffing. Without the nourishment of Great Jin fortune, he is merely putting on a show to conceal his greatly diminished combat strength. Let us see how much longer