A Small Matter

A faint smile played on Li Wensong's lips as he strolled closer, as if the solemn Celestial Master Manor were merely his own backyard.

"Brother Shundao, judging from your appearance, you've had a bit of a slap in the face?" Li Wensong stopped and looked at Zhang Shundao with a teasing expression.

Zhang Shundao was taken aback at first, then looked surprised and asked in a low voice, "Brother Song? What brings you here? Did the sect leader send you to help me?"

"Brother Lu is so busy, he doesn't have time for such a small matter." Li Wensong shook his head. "I came here myself. I guessed you probably couldn't handle your senior brother by yourself, so I came to see if I could help."

Zhang Shundao, "How did you know I was going to win over Senior Brother? And even knew I was going to recruit him into the Eternal Night Sect?"

Upon hearing this, Li Wensong chuckled softly, as if he had heard an amusing joke, "You, do you even need to ask? It's something you can guess with a little thought."

He took a step closer, his gaze lingering intently on the large array shimmering with azure light, his tone leisurely.

"In terms of cultivation strength, you are ultimately a step behind Li Muchen and the others. In terms of the resources and foundation you bring to the sect, although the power behind you is not weak, it is currently far less prominent than theirs. So why did Brother Lu insist on having you join the Eternal Night Sect so early?"

Zhang Shundao had already considered this point, and now he gave a wry smile, gesturing for Li Wensong to continue.

"Brother Lu is a master strategist who sees ten steps ahead for every one he takes. He has already planned everything. The fact that he keeps you by his side means he has other plans."

Li Wensong spoke eloquently, "Now you've rushed to the Celestial Master Manor, and your senior brother is the one in charge of this place. Isn't all of this obvious? The Eternal Night Sect needs to expand again recently, and needs truly powerful individuals who can keep the situation in check to join."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Shundao instantly realized something and shook his head with a sigh.

No wonder Lu Qing'an announced in public that he was hiring!

They probably already have control over everything, even what happens at auctions!

Li Wensong revealed an extremely confident smile.

"As for why I know you can't handle it, hehe, I'm the Eternal Night Sect's number one pawn. This kind of thing has always been my forte. Someone like you, who only knows how to confront head-on, will only get the cold shoulder in front of your senior brother."

Zhang Shundao an awkward smile.

He definitely overestimated himself.

"Brother Song, you're truly awesome!" Zhang Shundao, after holding back for a long time, could only give a thumbs up in the end. "You really are the number one pawn, there's no comparison!"

He grasped at a straw, quickly stepping aside. "Brother Song, you've come at the perfect time! My senior brother, that stubborn old man, insists I provide proof. Go and deal with him!"

Li Wensong looked towards Zhang Tianshi's direction.

At this moment, the ripples of the great formation rippled slightly, and an old and majestic figure appeared at the edge of the formation.

Zhang Tianshi frowned, his eyes, which had seen the vicissitudes of life, fixed intently on Li Wensong.

From the moment Li Wensong appeared, he felt an unprecedented pressure.

It wasn't an absolute suppression in terms of cultivation level, but rather an unfathomable depth in terms of temperament.

What shocked him even more was that his junior brother, who was usually arrogant and had a fiery temper, was actually so respectful when facing someone whose cultivation was much weaker than theirs.

Still calling him Brother Song?

A storm raged within Zhang Tianshi's heart.

His junior brother was one of the strongest in the Nine Directions and Ten Domains. Looking across the world, there were very few people he would willingly call "brother".

This guy called Brother Song probably holds a much higher position in the Eternal Night Sect than Shun Dao!

In the world of cultivation, status is never entirely equivalent to cultivation level.

Li Wensong felt the scrutinizing gaze, but his expression remained unchanged. Instead, he gently cupped his hands and took the initiative to speak, "Fellow Daoist, I have long admired your name. The Celestial Master Manor's Mansion lineage is truly authentic; meeting you today, I can confirm your extraordinary bearing."

Although Zhang Tianshi was wary, he couldn't be impolite, so he gave a simple bow and said stiffly, "Are you also from the Eternal Night Sect? Since you know that my Celestial Master Manor is extraordinary, you should know that we will never easily merge into the Eternal Night Sect."

Looking at the biting mountain wind around them, Li Wensong laughed and said, "The wind is strong on this mountaintop. It would be a bit of a mood killer for the two of us to be talking here in this windy spot. Fellow Daoist, why don't you invite me inside for a seat, and we can brew some tea and discuss the Dao?"

Zhang Tianshi was about to refuse out of habit, but when his gaze met Li Wensong's calm, unwavering eyes, the "no" that was on the tip of his tongue inexplicably slipped back down.

He turned and glared at Zhang Shundao, coldly saying, "You can come in, but he can't!"

Zhang Shundao was about to sneak in with them when he heard this, he stopped in his tracks, and rolled his eyes in grievance.

Li Wensong gave him a reassuring look, a slight smile playing on his lips, "Good brother, wait here for me a moment. I'll be out before the tea gets cold."

After saying this, Li Wensong, guided by Zhang Tianshi, leisurely walked into the thick fog.

Zhang Shundao squatted alone outside the formation, looking at the surging sea of clouds, his heart filled with unease.

Brother Song, you have no idea how tough it is to deal with my senior brother in a short time!

However.

A stick of incense burned in the blink of an eye.

Before he could finish circling around, the large array of light in front of him unexpectedly parted, creating an opening.

Zhang Shundao suddenly looked up and saw that his senior brother, who had just been icy and ready to betray his own family, was now beaming, even somewhat... fawning?

"Brother Song! Slow down, watch your step!"

Zhang Shundao rubbed his eyes, wondering if he was hallucinating.

The eldest disciple, Zhang Tianshi, was standing half-turned, like a guiding child, carefully accompanying Li Wensong and personally escorting him out of the formation.

"Brother Song, your words just now were truly enlightening, like a resounding bell, they have enlightened this old Daoist!" Zhang Tianshi excitedly patted his chest and assured him, "Don't worry, I'll start compiling the roster of the Daoist temple right away. When your sect recruits, I will not only go there immediately, but I will also bring everyone from the entire Celestial Master's Mansion Daoist Sanctuary!"

Li Wensong nodded slightly, and like an elder looking after a younger person, patted Zhang Tianshi on the shoulder affectionately. "Alright, then hurry up and make all the preparations. From now on, we're all good brothers of Eternal Night. I'll put in a good word for you with Brother Lu."

Zhang Tianshi was beaming with joy. "Absolutely! Absolutely! It is an honor for our Celestial Master Manor's Mansion to serve Sect Master Lu!"

Zhang Shundao stood there, his mouth agape, wide enough to fit a duck egg.

Holy crap?!

Is that all?

From the moment they went in to the moment they came out, it probably only took the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, right?

Where did that stubborn senior brother who would rather die than submit go?

Where did that stubborn fool who viewed the Eternal Night Sect as a monstrous threat go?

Seeing his senior brother's eager-to-prostrate-boss attitude, Zhang Shundao felt his entire worldview shattered.