Envy

Liu Zhijian took Jiang Xiaoyu up the mountain, and as usual, they first went to the Ancestral Hall to pay their respects to the Ancestral Master and the Sect Leader.

Li Chengxuan was able to sense Liu Zhijian's location and condition through the [Two Worlds Pearl]. In fact, since Liu Zhijian had broken through to the Middle Qi Refining and his cultivation had improved, he was not surprised at all by Liu Zhijian's safe return.

Liu Zhijian recounted his trip in detail, including the fence-sitting attitude of the Dong Household Little Dragon Mountain and the undisguised hostility of the South Sea Dragon Clan.

Li Chengxuan listened with a calm expression, nodded and smiled, "Surviving between the Immortal Alliance and the Dragon Clan is the only way for the Dong Household Little Dragon Mountain to survive, so it's not surprising."

"Or rather, the Immortal Alliance and the Dragon Clan needed such a lubricant and buffer, which is why the Dong Household came into being."

"As for the South Sea Dragon genus..."

Li Chengxuan paused for a moment, then sighed, "Supreme Mystery Mountain has existed since High Antiquity, and the entanglements of grudges, affections, and karma have accumulated to a terrifying degree. It's not surprising that the South Sea Dragons are hostile."

"But having a lot of debt isn't a problem, so there's no need to worry too much."

"You can settle your karmic debts when you have achieved a certain level of cultivation in the future."

Liu Zhijian nodded, "This disciple understands."

"Now that you've risen to prominence in the Southern Edge Continent, you've greatly enhanced the sect's reputation." Although Li Chengxuan was used to keeping a low profile, he understood the principle that in a world of great competition, fame and power should not be bestowed upon others. He smiled and instructed, "Chunning has been stimulated and is currently focusing on her cultivation."

"Although Xiao Hu is diligent, he has not yet attained enlightenment and is not capable of managing the General Affairs Hall."

"You should go and oversee things for a while, so you can gain some experience and prevent frequent visits from disturbing my cultivation."

Liu Zhijian wasn't good at these kinds of social interactions, but since his master had given the order, he could only agree despite his reluctance, "Disciple obeys."

Liu Zhijian's act of forcing back the [Foundation Establishment] Dragon Prince and shaking down the ancient secret realm has made him quite the sensation.

Not only did Supreme Mystery Mountain's reputation grow daily, but even the Old Method Azure Cloud Sect had disliked after landing in Southern Reach suddenly became quite popular.

Liu Zhijian has clearly become a representative figure of the new generation of the Old Method in Southern Reach.

If it weren't for the decline of the Old Method and the fact that the various schools of thought had become accustomed to keeping a low profile...

Even if there were geniuses like Xue Changling from Rosy Clouds Resting Mountain, only a few people knew about them, and no one's achievements could compare to those of Liu Zhijian.

Who knows, some busybodies might put together a group like the Four Beauties of the Immortal Alliance or the Ten Heroes of Southern Reach.

General Affairs Hall.

Liu Zhijian saw off the elders of the Azure Cloud Sect and sighed.

A few days ago, Xue Yang from Rosy Clouds Resting Mountain came to formally express his apologies.

Today, Elder Qiao Yunbai of the Azure Cloud Sect came because the inside story of Hua Chunning's attack has already spread.

And the accuracy of the information was astonishing.

Not only did they reveal that the leader of the Bandit Cultivator was a member of the Xue Household of Rosy Clouds Resting Mountain, but they also spread the details of Duanmu Ren's cultivation of the [High Shaman] lineage and his use of the [Ding Fire] Law Artifact to force back the [Foundation Establishment] of the Azure Cloud Sect.

The Azure Cloud Sect has determined that the person who spread the news called himself the Daoist Lightless, whose origins are unknown, and who witnessed the entire process from a hidden location that day.

The purpose of spreading this message is to disrupt the situation in Southern Reach and strengthen the forces of the Bandit Cultivator.

After all, it was truly shocking that Rosy Clouds Resting Mountain and Azure Cloud Sect had joined forces to attack and kill disciples of Supreme Mystery Mountain.

Liu Zhijian now understood his master's good intentions in ordering him to take over the General Affairs Hall.

As the sect leader, the master naturally couldn't easily express his opinion.

As the parties involved, Hua Chunning and Duanmu Ren should stay away from the vortex.

Only he, the senior disciple who had just returned from his travels and whose reputation had soared, was the right person to step forward.

"Squabbling and petty squabbles, worldly affairs are complicated..." Liu Zhijian had recently broadened his horizons considerably. The infighting between the two families of the Azure Cloud Sect and the internal strife among the various factions of Rosy Clouds Resting Mountain were clearly no different from ordinary mortals, lacking any semblance of the Manifestation of immortals. He shook his head and asked, "Xiao Hu, go and call Junior Sister Hua and Duanmu to the General Affairs Hall."

A moment later.

Hua Chunning and Duanmu Ren have arrived.

Hua Chunning was able to successfully enter the Daoist path thanks to Liu Zhijian.

Therefore, Hua Chunning has always respected her senior brother.

Duanmu Ren knew Liu Zhijian's background; back on Earth, he was just a fisherman from the bottom of society. Although he put on a good show, deep down he probably didn't hold him in any contempt.

Things are different now.

Liu Zhijian is undoubtedly the leading figure of the new generation of the Old Method in the Southern Edge Continent, and is recognized by all parties as Child of Fate.

At Supreme Mystery Mountain, he was highly regarded by the sect leader.

In the context of Earth's officialdom, this would be equivalent to being handpicked as a successor!

Duanmu Ren had no choice but to straighten his posture and greet him respectfully.

Liu Zhijian didn't care about such formalities and said directly, "Rosy Clouds Resting Mountain and Azure Cloud Sect have both sent generous gifts to express their apologies."

"I've already asked my master; the Spirit Stone will be confiscated to maintain the sect's great formation."

"The rest of the Daoist scriptures, Law Artifact, elixirs, etc., you each get half."

"Do you have any objections to this allocation?!"

Hua Chunning replied, "Senior brother has made the arrangements; I have no objections."

Duanmu Ren's heart stirred. He still felt lingering fear when he recalled the sect leader's reprimand, so he said, "I don't need the pills. I'll donate them to the sect willingly."

"After all, pills are related to cultivation, so we should indeed be careful..." Liu Zhijian nodded slightly, pondered for a moment, and said, "Junior Sister Hua, take the pills to the market to sell, and then give them to Junior Brother Duanmu in the form of Spirit Stone."

Hua Chunning nodded in agreement.

Liu Zhijian, having grown accustomed to his status as the senior disciple, began to show concern for the two's cultivation.

Although I cannot guide their cultivation, I have just broken through to the Middle Stage of Qi Refining and have some insights to share.

At that moment, a sobbing sound came from outside the hall.

Jiang Xiaoyu, who was taking a nap in the side hall, stumbled in, rubbing her eyes, and threw herself into Liu Zhijian's arms, bursting into tears. "Master, I dreamt that you abandoned me again and went fishing!"

The solemn atmosphere in the General Affairs Hall was instantly swept away.

Liu Zhijian patted Jiang Xiaoyu's head and gently comforted him, "It's just a dream, Master is right here."

"Oh right, it was a dream, hehe..." Jiang Xiaoyu's crying stopped abruptly, her eyes filled with tears as she laughed happily again.

Hua Chunning doted on Jiang Xiaoyu the most, and pretended to be angry, saying, "You Xiaoyu, I spoil you so much, why have you never dreamed of me?"

Jiang Xiaoyu panicked immediately and quickly said, "I also dreamed about Senior Sister Hua last month..."

Hua Chunning turned her head away. "I don't believe it."

Hu Yueqiu, who was standing to the side, remained silent but smiled.

Although Duanmu Ren was not used to this kind of atmosphere, he did not want to spoil the mood and put on the professional smile he wore when comforting the masses.

Jiang Xiaoyu wasn't stupid. She looked around, then turned and threw herself into Liu Zhijian's arms, crying and complaining, "Master, look at them, they're all laughing at me!"

Liu Zhijian wasn't good at comforting children, so he could only try to reassure them. "Actually, they're not laughing at you, they're envious of you."

"Envious of me?!" Jiang Xiaoyu believed her and looked up at her with surprise and anticipation, asking, "Really?"

"Of course!" Liu Zhijian could only bite the bullet and continue making up, "They all envy you, that you can cry when you want to cry and laugh when you want to laugh."

Jiang Xiaoyu was a little confused and asked with a puzzled look, "Isn't everyone like that?"

"Of course not." Liu Zhijian paused for a moment, then slowly shook his head and said, "It's not like that for adults. They can't cry when they want to cry, and they can't laugh when they want to laugh."

"Even when you want to cry, you have to smile."