"Back then, Cold Jade Valley was already the hegemon of Yunlin, its foundation profound. He Yuzhou, for his part, was a prodigy of heaven-blessed talent and unfathomable strength. He was also a man of great ambition, single-mindedly driven to lead the Wutai Sect to surpass Cold Jade Valley and become the foremost power in Yunlin. Unfortunately, the disparity between the two sects’ foundations was considerable. Leng Qianqiu’s methods, disposition, and power were all unparalleled. Though He Yuzhou was strong, the Wutai Sect as a whole struggled to compete with Cold Jade Valley. One could say the two have been rivals, fighting for the better part of their lives."

He paused. "What’s truly impressive is that He Yuzhou isn’t just a martial arts prodigy; he also excels at strategy, planning, and administration! Since taking the helm of the Wutai Sect, he has governed with a firm hand, revitalizing the sect and making it more prosperous. Under his leadership, the Wutai Sect’s reputation and influence have been growing steadily! If Leng Qianqiu wants to form an alliance, her greatest rival—the one she most wants to suppress—is precisely this He Yuzhou, and this ascendant Wutai Sect!"

"Although He Yuzhou seems to have been lying low and biding his time these last few years, Leng Qianqiu would never underestimate the Wutai Sect’s foundation and potential. Xiao Bieli’s visit to the Wutai Sect is meant to completely break their backbone, leaving He Yuzhou with no leverage at the negotiating table to challenge her for the position of Alliance Leader!"

Jin Poyue nodded again and again, realization dawning on him. "So that’s how it is! This Leng Qianqiu is a meticulous strategist, carefully planning every move. Suppressing the Three Sects was to establish her might, while her special ’focus’ on the Wutai Sect is to completely crush He Yuzhou, the biggest wildcard! This woman... is truly formidable!"

He looked at Shi Kaishan, his tone shifting as he asked, "Brother Shi, since you’ve seen through Leng Qianqiu’s intentions, what are your thoughts on this four-sect alliance?"

Upon hearing this, Shi Kaishan’s fists clenched unconsciously. "An alliance? If it’s to fight the Infinite Demon Sect... I would support it wholeheartedly!"

His voice grew deep. "The feud between my Xuanjia Sect and the Demon Sect is irreconcilable! If the four-sect alliance can work together to eradicate the Demon Sect, I would not hesitate to commit the full strength of the Xuanjia Sect!"

Jin Poyue nodded in understanding. He was well aware of Shi Kaishan’s bitter hatred for the Demon Sect.

Not only had his beloved wife died at the hands of the Demon Sect, but one of his own elders, Zuo Feng, had coveted their Demon Skills. He betrayed the Xuanjia Sect, murdered his sect brothers, and defected to the enemy.

A sharp glint flashed in Jin Poyue’s eyes as he asked the most sensitive question. "A noble sentiment, Brother Shi! So... in this four-sect alliance, who should hold the title of Alliance Leader?"

Shi Kaishan raised his wine cup but did not drink.

The air seemed to freeze.

’To claim he had no designs on the position of Alliance Leader would be an absolute lie.’

....

「Qixia Manor, Jingxin Hall.」

Deep within the hall, a massive red sandalwood screen divided the space.

Behind the screen, the silhouette of a cross-legged figure was barely visible. Their aura was as still and deep as an abyss, as if they had become one with the Quiet Chamber itself.

Feng Shuhao stood respectfully before the screen, his arms at his sides, having just finished delivering a detailed report of the intelligence gathered by their spies.

He described Xiao Bieli’s domineering display before the gates of the Wutai Sect, how Yan Yaoyang had been so cleanly and decisively defeated, and Xiao Bieli’s parting promise to return.

"In my opinion,"

Feng Shuhao’s voice was low, laced with a subtle gravity. "I’m afraid the Wutai Sect’s younger generation truly has no one who can stand up to Xiao Bieli. Yan Yaoyang was their most prominent champion, yet he was defeated so quickly."

From behind the screen, the voice of Qixia Manor’s Great Manor Master drifted out slowly. "Since Cold Jade Valley and the Wutai Sect want to fight, let them."

The voice paused, seeming to carry an ineffable, profound meaning. "For us, this is not necessarily a bad thing."

Feng Shuhao’s heart jolted at the words.

He knew that in recent years his master had become increasingly reclusive, biding his time and hiding his strength. He prioritized stability above all else and rarely involved himself in the conflicts of the outside world.

His master’s words clearly showed he was happy to see Cold Jade Valley continue to suppress the Wutai Sect and blunt its momentum. Qixia Manor could then profit from their conflict and secure a more advantageous position in the future landscape of Yunlin.

However, when he recalled his own recent defeat at Xiao Bieli’s hands on the Qixia Manor’s Martial Arts Arena—in full view of everyone—Feng Shuhao felt a surge of stifled resentment.

’I wasn’t without the strength to put up a fight!’

’I still had an ace up my sleeve I hadn’t even used!’

’If Master hadn’t strictly ordered me to hold back against Xiao Bieli, forbidding me from using my full power or revealing my true trump cards, I could have given him a real fight. The outcome... would have been far from certain!’

The voice from behind the screen sounded again. "Are you resentful of me?"

Feng Shuhao immediately bowed with clasped fists, a hint of panic in his voice. "I wouldn’t dare!"

"You wouldn’t dare. That doesn’t mean you don’t feel it."

The person behind the screen snorted. "I had you conserve your strength, hold back against Xiao Bieli, and forbid you from using your full power for your own good. A blade that is too sharp is easily broken. The time is not yet right; revealing your hand now would only invite disaster. You... will understand in time."

The Great Manor Master had said these words many times before.

Though Feng Shuhao’s heart was filled with a thousand questions and stifled frustrations, he could only force them down.

He could not question his master’s authority and profound foresight.

"Yes. I will follow Master’s teachings." Feng Shuhao lowered his head even further.

"Enough. You are dismissed. Focus on your cultivation. Once you reach the Astral Force realm, what threat will Xiao Bieli be?" The Great Manor Master behind the screen seemed unwilling to say more, giving a faint wave of his hand.

"I will take my leave." Feng Shuhao bowed deeply once more. Suppressing the storm of emotions in his heart, he turned and left Jingxin Hall.

Absolute silence returned to Jingxin Hall.

’Still too young. He doesn’t understand the importance of holding back.’

Behind the screen, the silhouette of the seated figure stirred slightly.

Then, a peculiar energy began to circulate within the room.

The air, originally warmed by sandalwood incense and a brazier fueled by Earth Fire, suddenly became bone-chillingly cold, so cold it felt as if the very moisture in the air would turn to frost.

A thin layer of ice crystals even began to creep silently across the floor.

Yet, at the same time as this extreme cold permeated the room, an incredibly faint wisp of black smoke began to seep out from the body of the figure behind the screen.

....