The Vajra Zen Sect had also undergone considerable changes over the past few years.
Chan Master Hui'an had stepped down as sect head and relinquished the official rank and Immortal Post the Immortal Dynasty had bestowed on him.
The former Alliance Leader of the Golden Scale Alliance had fallen silent for several years after his defeat on Golden Scale Island.
Outsiders all thought his spirit had been blunted and he had shut himself away. In truth, he had sat in austere meditation in the mountains behind his Sect for five full years.
Five years later, Hui'an passed the position of sect head to his Personal Disciple Wuchen. Taking only an old kasaya and a string of red sandalwood Buddhist prayer beads, he left the Vajra Zen Sect alone to wander the world.
Some said he had lost heart and no longer had the face to lead the Sect after losing to Qing Chen.
Others said that after the battle on Golden Scale Island, he had finally seen through the trappings of status and worldly affairs, and wished to sever his old karmic ties and cultivate his Buddhist heart anew.
When Qing Chen heard the news, he merely smiled faintly.
If Hui'an could truly emerge from that defeat and cleanse himself, he might prove somewhat harder to deal with than before.
Buddhist cultivators had always been like this. Once they truly agreed to let go, they might instead advance another step in their state of mind.
But that was all. At least Hui'an would not be causing the Demon Lotus Sect any more trouble in the short term.
And Wuchen, the Vajra Zen Sect's new head, was far gentler than Hui'an and better understood the tides of circumstance.
His first act upon taking office was to send over a box of