Taihao Sect, Purple Bamboo Mountain Daoist School.
At Jueqiu Pavilion, a Daoist Nun with a kind countenance was playing a game of chess with a Ruya Daoist whose Daoist bun was tied high.
After a long moment, the Daoist Nun’s expression shifted. As her fingers turned to place a piece, just as it was about to settle on the board, the Ruya Daoist suddenly laughed heartily, waved his horsetail whisk, and disrupted the board, saying, "Sister Qingyao is brilliant. Let’s call this game a draw."
The Daoist Nun didn’t seem angry but showed faint helplessness in her eyes and said, "Senior Brother, with you disarranging the board every time, how can there ever be a victor?"
The Ruya Daoist remained indifferent, his words layered with meaning as he said, "Those who play chess are ultimately confined by the board. Sister, if you can step out of this chess game and open your heart, you’ll find boundless horizons."
The Daoist Nun frowned slightly upon hearing this, saying, "Are you still fixated on that Zhi Ancestral Carcass, Senior Brother?"
The Ruya Daoist straightened his back and admitted frankly, "Indeed."
The Daoist Nun sighed, "The Ancestor’s rules state that no disciple of the Taihao Sect may take the Zhi Ancestral Carcass without cause. Have you forgotten, Senior Brother?"
The Ruya Daoist’s gaze flickered as he said, "But if someone else retrieves it first, and I then take it, that wouldn’t be breaking sect rules."
The Daoist Nun shook her head and said in a grave tone, "That would mean you deliberately let that Demon in. Clearly, your intentions are dubious from the start."
The Ruya Daoist, however, laughed heartily and said, "Sister, you jest. I didn’t invite him in; he willingly walked into the trap. What has that to do with me?"
The Daoist Nun sighed softly, "The Demon’s heavenly tribulation is imminent. If he doesn’t come to claim that carcass, he’ll find it hard to avoid this catastrophe. Would Senior Brother really be unaware of this?"
The Ruya Daoist chuckled darkly, saying, "This is also an act of desperation, Sister. Among the Ten Sects, all have outstanding disciples. Our Taihao Sect cannot lag behind. Only by doing our utmost to cultivate talents can we shine in the Sixteen Sects Sword Competition. My disciple is a once-in-a-century prodigy—how can I afford to let him down? Naturally, I must provide him with the best external medicine."
The Daoist Nun nodded slowly and said, "Senior Brother, you’ve truly poured your heart into this disciple."
The Ruya Daoist rose then, bowing deeply toward the Daoist Nun, and said, "Unfortunately, that Old Demon likely understands my intentions. Once he emerges, his other avatars will surely arrive to assist him. With my strength alone, I am not confident I can overcome his two Nascent Soul Avatars. I must ask for your help, Sister."
The Daoist Nun hurriedly stood up and supported the Ruya Daoist, saying, "Senior Brother, you mustn’t act this way."
Despite her lengthy attempts at persuasion, the Daoist remained kneeling. Knowing her Senior Brother’s thick-skinned yet ruthless nature, the Daoist Nun could only sigh helplessly and said, "Enough, enough. A Demon is a Demon—if it must be eliminated, so be it. But I do have one condition."
The Ruya Daoist, delighted to hear her agreement, immediately said, "Please say it, Sister." ʀᴇᴀᴅ ʟᴀᴛᴇsᴛ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀᴛ novᴇlfire.net
The Daoist Nun said solemnly, "If the Zhi Ancestral Carcass ends up in someone else’s hands, I won’t involve myself."
The Ruya Daoist mused silently, "Although this Demon only sent a Xuan Guang Avatar into the mountain, he is still quite capable. Moreover, apart from him, no one knows where the Zhi Ancestral Carcass is buried. But I’ve made my plans—whoever takes the Zhi Ancestral Carcass can be identified then. If it truly isn’t the Old Demon who claims it, Sister’s involvement won’t be necessary after all."
With this thought, he straightened his posture and said, "Very well, if the item is in someone else’s possession, Sister can remain uninvolved."
The Daoist Nun glanced at him and shook her head slightly. She understood that if the Zhi Ancestral Carcass really ended up in someone else’s hands, her Senior Brother, thick-skinned and ruthless as he was, would likely find an excuse to forcibly take it. Though she disapproved of such conduct, she had no intention of stopping him.
Meanwhile, at Qingcun Mountain, after discussions between the Yan Clan and Shi Family disciples concluded, they parted ways, and the surrounding Loose Cultivators also dispersed.
The Xu brothers left the valley with the crowd, flying on clouds. Mid-way, Xu Yanfu suddenly said, "Brother, we can’t let those Yan Clan members trouble Li Daoist. We need to warn him so he can prepare in advance."
Xu Yan Kuang nodded and agreed, "You’re right, Younger Brother. That Li Daoist saved our lives; this debt of gratitude cannot go unpaid. Even if it means offending the Yan Clan, we cannot compromise our sense of justice."
Xu Yanfu chuckled and said, "Brother, who do you think would win if the Yan Clan folks fought against Li Daoist?"
Xu Yan Kuang thought for a moment and said, "That green-clothed man moves as he pleases, and none can stop him. Li Daoist, however, can stand evenly matched against him. Among the Yan Clan disciples, aside from Lady Yan, who has some skill, the rest are mere fillers. How could they possibly win?"
Xu Yanfu replied with ease, "Exactly. With Yan Yuqin already dead, the Yan Clan disciples are all riddled with fear and unease. Returning ultimately leads to their doom. Seeking trouble with Li Daoist might just be their desperation play. Sending a favor their way costs us nothing."