Zhang Yan listened to Zhou Chongju’s words and immediately understood that this True Master Qin was a woman with an exceedingly strong desire for control. His Senior Brother Zhou, being refined and quiet, coupled with having his own opinions, would surely struggle to tolerate her temperament after injuring his Dao Foundation.
Thinking of this, a thought stirred within him as he pondered, "Senior Brother Zhou often interacts with the Sect Leader, and combined with the fact that disciples from all the institutes require elixir pills from the Elixir Cauldron Institute, if he has the intention of seeking revenge, he definitely wouldn’t be sitting idle waiting. Having been in the sect for over two hundred years, he must have laid down numerous pieces on the chessboard, exactly like how the current news he’s receiving—such information would be impossible to grasp so clearly for anyone else."
No wonder disciples from Linglang Cave Heaven never come to the Elixir Cauldron Institute for elixir pills. It must be True Master Qin who knows Zhou Chongju’s arrangements and thus prevents him from extending his hand here.
Now this matter seems fraught with peril, but thinking of it simply, so long as Zhou Chongju bows his head to True Master Qin, it seems to be resolvable.
Yet Zhang Yan observed Zhou Chongju’s expression, and it seemed things weren’t so straightforward. Otherwise, given that Zhang Yan represents his hope for revenge, compared to this matter, losing some face wouldn’t be too difficult to endure.
There must be other reasons involved.
Zhang Yan contemplated in his heart, "What is Senior Brother Zhou so cautious about?"
Zhou Chongju spoke deeply and said, "Over these years, although my cultivation within the Mingcang Sect cannot compare to several other True Masters, I do not live completely under others’ noses. If bowing down in defeat meant only losing face, then I wouldn’t mind it so much, since there are alternative paths available. However, once I reconcile with Qin Yu, the Sect Leader will surely not tolerate me, and you will be placed in even greater jeopardy."
Zhang Yan understood then. Zhou Chongju’s mastery of the Elixir Cauldron Institute was not only because of his exceptional alchemy skill, but also due to his seniority and his neutrality in internal factions, even though he was closest to the Sect Leader. However, once he reconciled with True Master Qin, with her having elder support above and peer alliances beyond, while Zhou Chongju himself controlled seventy percent of the sect’s elixir pills supply, wouldn’t the question then become—who was truly the Sect Leader?
After thinking it through, Zhang Yan murmured, "Senior Brother, could it be that True Master Qin’s actions also contain considerations for her disciple?"
Zhou Chongju froze, then rose and walked a few steps before suddenly turning back and saying, "Junior Brother, your analysis is indeed sharp—this possibility is very high. I’ve heard that she is very fond of this disciple of hers. Based on my understanding of her, she might well harbor the intention of accomplishing this matter. Yet, there is no chance she would lower herself to submit to me, so she deliberately directs her efforts at you. Once I admit defeat, the matter between you and her disciple would naturally fall into place. Alas, how did I not think of this earlier?"
Slapping the chair’s armrest, he exclaimed, "Had I thought of this a few days ago, I wouldn’t be so passive now."
Zhang Yan smiled faintly and said, "I am connected to the Zhou Family, so even if it were True Master Qin, she likely would not dare to intervene recklessly."
Zhou Chongju nodded and said, "Indeed. The Zhou Family is powerful, and most of its influence lies within the Yuxiao Sect—its strength is no lesser than our Mingcang Sect. However, back then I didn’t reveal the truth about Qin Yu, or else, given her temper, it would’ve only ruined the matter..."
As he reached this point, he noticed Zhang Yan sitting there casually with a smile on his face, as if he didn’t take the matter seriously at all. Zhou Chongju’s expression shifted sharply as he asked, "Junior Brother, have you thought of a plan?"
Zhang Yan nodded lightly and said, "Indeed, I have a solution—not only to cleanse the supposed suspicion surrounding me but also to quell the circulating rumors. And if it succeeds, it might even bring us immense benefits."
Upon hearing this, Zhou Chongju’s expression became slightly uplifted, and he eagerly asked, "What’s your idea?"
With a smile and a deliberate gesture of respect, Zhang Yan said, "Senior Brother, given your extensive network of information, why don’t you first share with me the current situation regarding the Three Pools and its connection to our Mingcang Sect?"
Zhou Chongju did not understand why Zhang Yan brought up this matter but assumed there must be a reason behind it. After thinking for a moment, he sat back down and said, "Although Bixue Pond has detained more than four hundred disciples of our sect, Luo Mengze also knows not to push too far. Thus, he sent a letter to the Sect Leader stating he is willing to compete with Mingcang Sect in a contest to determine the ownership of the Three Pools. He intends to set up an array within the Nandang Swamp, naming it the ’Four Symbols God-Slaying Formation.’ If our sect can break this grand formation, he will release all the disciples and surrender the land of the Three Pools to us."
Zhang Yan smiled faintly and interjected, "Did Luo Mengze also say that if Mingcang Sect is defeated, he would equally release the disciples and hand over the land of the Three Pools but would require two years to prepare?"
Zhou Chongju sneered coldly and said, "Luo Mengze is cunning and deceitful. Two years later? By then, the internal strife in Water Country would have settled—we might not be able to do anything about them anymore."
While speaking, Zhou Chongju shook his head but suddenly seemed to realize something. His gaze sharpened as he looked abruptly at Zhang Yan and exclaimed in surprise, "Junior Brother, where did you learn of this news? Even I just learned of it not long ago from the Sect Leader. Not even the other True Masters are aware—the Sect Leader would never tell you this directly!"