The affairs of the world were like games of chess, each new game often taking an unexpected turn.
Of these two, one had attained the position of Deputy Hall Vice Lord of Tianshu Hall, wielding real authority and ranking among its foremost members;
the other had taken the helm of the General Affairs Hall outright, becoming its First Deputy Hall Master and controlling its finances.
Xu Jiuling concurrently held the position of Hall Master of the General Affairs Hall;
but in accordance with Qing Chen's wishes, he never interfered in its affairs;
instead, he primarily managed affairs across the nearly five hundred thousand li of sea surrounding Earth Pass Island on Qing Chen's behalf.
At that moment, both men were filled with joy at the strength of their backer, Qing Chen;
it was as though they could already see their own futures unfolding like splendid brocade.
Several hundred li from the two men stood a mountain peak;
though hardly towering, it was still several hundred zhang high.
Named Songhe Peak, it was the site of the cave abodes Qing Chen had allotted to the Dian Cang Sect's two True Persons-Songshan True Person and Spirit Crane True Person.
Inside a hall atop Songhe Peak;
Songshan True Person and Spirit Crane True Person faced a female disciple, their expressions grave and their words earnest.
The disciple was Gu Zhiruo, who resembled a white lotus, though she could not conceal the trace of worry between her brows.
Pointing at the image in a water mirror of the endlessly churning Blood-Colored Cloud Vortex above Qing Chen's cave abode, Songshan True Person said sternly:
"Zhiruo, take a good look! Qing Chen's demonic might towers to the heavens. Now, even Elder Yuji may not be his match.
As you attend him, you must do your utmost