Chen Shuangbai is not only Foundation Establishment cultivator but also a powerful figure within the sect. Therefore, his travels would naturally not be shabby.
Not long after.
A dragon-drawn chariot came to greet them from outside the palace.
The carriage was basically the same as the one used on the last trip, but it was made more solemn to match the status of the deputy head of the Evil Hunting Hall.
The two azure dragons that serve as their mounts are not true dragons, but azure snakes that have hybridized with dragons. They were cultivated by the Jade Spring Sect using special methods. They look no different from azure dragons, but in reality, they are still snakes and do not possess the Orthodox God of dragons.
Chen Shuangbai didn't bring many people with him, only the young Daoist disciple.
The dragon-shaped chariot was jet black with faint dark gold patterns flowing around it, exuding a solemn and composed aura. The interior was quite spacious, simply furnished with only a fixed jade table and two rows of seats covered with black animal hides.
Most of the sect's carriages and related affairs were managed by a department called the Carriage and Horse Office under the Expenditure Hall.
Chen Shuangbai's current status is quite prestigious, so since this dragon carriage has been delivered, it naturally comes with a driver.
"Let's go to Cloud Flow Mountain."
Chen Shuangbai said calmly.
The coachman gently flicked the reins, and the dragon-shaped chariot shuddered slightly, transforming into a streak of azure light as it sped off towards the northwest.
Two azure dragons weaved through the clouds, their wheels grinding against the mist, producing a deep, rumbling sound that drew the attention of many disciples below. However, due to the carriage's incredible speed, they could only catch a glimpse of azure light.
A small Spirit Stone vein has recently been discovered in Cloud Flow Mountain. The vein is not large and the quality is not very good, but it is already considered extremely valuable to the two lineages. If managed well, it can support two or three generations of disciples to cultivate in peace.
However, this place is in a rather peculiar location, situated in the ambiguous area between the spheres of influence of the Azure Cliff Monastery and the Green Pine Sect. Originally, considering that they belonged to the same sect, the two sects agreed to jointly mine the land and share the profits equally.
But for some unknown reason, a fierce conflict suddenly broke out a month ago, with each side gathering their disciples to confront each other, and even several small-scale battles occurred, resulting in casualties.
There were also those within the two lineages who were inclined to a peaceful resolution. Seeing that mediation was ineffective, they had no choice but to report the conflict to the Jade Spring Sect, which ultimately fell to the Evil Hunting Hall, which needed to deal with all sorts of "troublesome matters."
Once inside the dragon-drawn carriage, Chen Shuangbai closed her eyes, as if resting.
The young Daoist sat silently to the side. Seeing his composed demeanor, he opened his mouth as if to ask something, but then held back. Finally, he spoke, "Chen Tang, you intend to resolve the conflict between the Qingya and Lvsong lineages first, is that right?"
Chen Shuangbai then slowly opened her eyes and nodded slightly.
Seeing that he had finally spoken, the young Daoist breathed a sigh of relief. His eyes darted around slightly as he said, "You don't know this, but these two lineages have always disliked each other. Now that this has happened, things might be even more difficult..."
The young Daoist was a servant of Luo Tao, and his dispatch was naturally at Luo Tao's behest.
He briefly explained the two lineages, and Chen Shuangbai nodded and agreed from time to time.
Simply put, the old grudge between the two families actually stems from years ago when they fought over a seedling with the potential to be a top-tier cultivator with both earth and wood Spirit Root. The fight was quite unpleasant, and the child was eventually snatched away by the Green Pine Sect, a fact that the Azure Cliff Monastery has always held a grudge against.
With old grudges already laid bare, and now this matter of interests at stake, how could they not cause a scene?
These things were not written on the Jade Slip.
This shows that many key details in what follows are often hidden very deeply.
The young Daoist seemed eager to see how Chen Shuangbai would handle the situation, but Chen Shuangbai didn't say anything directly. Instead, he closed his eyes again, leaving only the words, "You'll know when the time comes."
Cloud Flow Mountain.
The mountain here is high and shrouded in clouds and mist, which, when viewed from a distance, looks like clouds flowing along the mountainside, hence the name.
The dragon-shaped chariot descended from the sky, its front bearing the bright and dazzling emblem of the Evil Hunting Hall, clearly announcing the identity of the newcomer.
Both lineages clearly knew that the sect would send someone, and thus had already dispatched people to guard this place. One person from each side stepped forward, bowed, and said, " The Jade Spring Dharma Lineage and the Azure Cliff Monastery ( Green Pine Sect ) greet the envoy of our sect."
The car door slid open silently, Chen Shuangbai stepped out slowly.
The spiritual pressure exerted by the Foundation Establishment cultivators was somewhat restrained, but it still made these Qi Refining cultivators tremble with fear.
These two lineages were not particularly prosperous, so neither had any Foundation Establishment cultivators. The highest level of those in charge was only the Late Qi Refining Stage. When Chen Shuangbai Foundation Establishment cultivator was suppressed, their expressions changed slightly.
With his pine-frost-colored robes draped over his body, coupled with his demeanor and bearing, Chen Shuangbai possessed a unique elegance. Seeing how young he looked, the leaders of the two lineages couldn't help but feel a sense of unease.
"My name is Chen Shuangbai, and I am the deputy head of the Evil Hunting Hall. I have come to deal with your affairs."
"Greetings, Master Chen Shangxiu!"
The two bowed deeply once more.
Having learned in advance that someone from our sect would be coming, the two sects had temporarily built a palace here, intending for Chen Shuangbai to stay and rest. However, Chen Shuangbai raised her hand to stop her. Although her tone was gentle, the spiritual pressure belonging to Foundation Establishment cultivator on her body had not dissipated.
"Since this matter has already escalated to our sect, I have come today to resolve it."
"I ask you, where are the rules and regulations of this sect?"
His tone remained calm, but when the two looked at him, they saw a glint of light in his clear black and white eyes, and an immense pressure... settled in the hearts of the two leaders.
Both of them stiffened, and fine beads of sweat instantly appeared on their foreheads.
The disciples following behind were also terrified and even forgot to breathe for a moment.
"Please calm down, Your Excellency! We... we were momentarily confused, blinded by self-interest, and violated the sect rules. We deserve to die! But... but there was a reason for it; it was indeed the Green Pine Sect..."
The old Daoist priest from Azure Cliff Monastery broke out in a cold sweat as he offered this explanation.
The middle-aged Daoist priest from Green Pine Temple immediately retorted, " Old Daoist Mu, you're talking nonsense..."
That's enough.
Chen Shuangbai's two casual words only increased the pressure on the two of them.
"Are you supposed to stand here and argue and shirk responsibility like common scoundrels before the laws of our sect?"
The two were speechless, and could only lower their heads, avoiding eye contact.
"Fellow disciples fighting each other, engaging in private duels and causing injury, regardless of the reason, is a grave taboo and a violation of the sect's ironclad rules."
Chen Shuangbai finally spoke again, his voice steady, yet each word like a stone striking the ground, "In this matter, both your factions are guilty, beyond dispute."
"We acknowledge our guilt and repentance to the Emperor."
No matter what they said, they couldn't lie in the face of the sect's rules and regulations; they could only honestly confess their crimes.
"Now that you have confessed to your crime, you should accept the punishment."