Chongming stared at him blankly, all sorts of suspicion in her eyes quickly faded away.
She naturally knew that the Spiritual Veins contained those special tal threads.
And at this mont... she looked at the opened wound, and her doubts quickly settled down in her heart.
"I understand now....." She still had many questions in her heart, but at this mont, as long as she knew Zhang Rongfang was indeed not Spiritual Veins, that was enough.
The two conversed for a long ti, and only then did Chongming leave with her people.
anwhile inside the Celestial Treasure Palace, a discussion and conference about Zhang Ying were taking place.
*
*
*
The only true high-ranking figures in the Celestial Treasure Palace are the Sect Leader, three Palace Masters, and twelve Hall Masters.
Actually, although the Celestial Treasure Palace is an Ancestral Court, it’s truly managed by the three Palace Masters.
Not by the Sect Leader.
On usual days, Sect Leader Yue Dewen is responsible for the Twelve Great Justices of the various provinces.
The Celestial Treasure Palace is just a part of his responsibilities. Its priority is not much different compared to the other provincial areas.
Only during major events do the three Palace Masters report to him.
At this mont, sitting in the Three Pure Ones Hall of the Celestial Treasure Palace are the three Palace Masters and twelve Hall Masters.
The three Palace Masters are Lin Qinghong, Fang Zhiyun, and Xie Ling.
The three are seated on three lotus seats, with four Hall Masters seated behind each of them.
Each of these Hall Masters represents various interest groups within the Celestial Treasure Palace.
Lin Qinghong has already surpassed eighty years of age but looks around sixty in appearance. He is a pure Literary Cultivator, currently at Late-stage Refining God, with a Super Grade Spiritual Veins expert from Snow Rainbow Pavilion escorting him.
But Xie Ling and Fang Zhiyun are different.
Both originated as Martial Cultivators before switching to Cultivation of Literature, now one has Super Grade martial skills at Late-stage Nascent Soul.
The other also has Super Grade martial skills but is at the Early-stage Refining God in Cultivation of Literature.
In the entire Celestial Treasure Palace, only they are at the Refining God stage.
Therefore, Fang Zhiyun has the highest overall cultivation among the three.
At this mont, he waits for a daoist holding a golden bell to ring it thrice before waving his hand to signal unrelated personnel to leave.
Beside the Cold Stone Celestial Venerable’s majestic statue standing over ten ters tall, a group of people remain silent, waiting for Fang Zhiyun to speak.
"Today’s assembly is because I just received a piece of news from the Eastern Sect."
He pauses to observe the crowd’s reaction.
After three silent breaths.
He continues.
"This news involves a spiritual envoy from the Golden Wing Pavilion, and concerns our current stance within the Great Dao Teaching."
With these words, the faces of the other two Palace Masters slightly tense, recognizing the importance of this assembly.
"Old Fang, speak plainly. We’re all insiders here." Xie Ling rubbed the age spots on his face weakly.
Lin Qinghong also fixed his gaze on Fang Zhiyun, slightly frowning.
He was also curious about what could affect the stance of the entire sect.
Fang Zhiyun imdiately didn’t delay, explaining Zhang Ying’s dual identity to everyone.
Shortly after, he finished explaining, and Xie Ling imdiately spoke.
"Regardless of Zhang Ying’s age, since this person is a spiritual envoy of the Golden Wing Pavilion, they must possess considerable information about the Pavilion, and the Western Sect will definitely not let him go.
Trying to protect him is going against the Western Sect, inevitably dragging us into it."
"A thirty-five-year-old Ninth Grade Golden Core.... indeed a remarkable talent, but not enough for us to interfere in the internal conflict within Buddhism." Lin Qinghong nodded in agreent.
Fang Zhiyun had anticipated this result, and upon hearing this, he sighed inwardly.
"Moreover, protecting him is easy to handle. Because Zhang Ying has a rather unusual trait," he said solemnly.
"What’s unusual?" Lin Qinghong looked at him with curiosity.
"He knows no martial arts from the Golden Wing Pavilion nor from the Eastern Sect. Since his inception, he has always been a devout follower of our Great Dao Teaching!" Fang Zhiyun answered earnestly.
"Thus," his eyes scanned, "I suspect this person has a profound yearning for Dao, not having allegiance to Buddhist powers like the Eastern Sect, and with such talent...."
"Knows no Eastern Sect martial arts??" Lin Qinghong was astonished.
"Then how did he beco a spiritual envoy?"
"...I don’t know about that... but to my knowledge, this person hates evil and is kind-hearted, exceptionally talented.
From his exceptional talent, yet not learning any Buddhist martial arts, it is evident.
Furthermore, this person traveled from Wushan to Great Capital seeking Dao, showing sincerity."
Fang Zhiyun spoke earnestly.
"Such a sincere person, if we refuse him, it would be a disaster not to accept a heavenly gift. Not welcoming tily opportunities will surely result in adversity."
The Hall Masters heard this and began whispering among themselves.
Lin Qinghong and Xie Ling also showed thoughtful expressions.
"But at this mont, it’s not like before." Xie Ling slowly shook his head, "The Eastern Sect is swaying precariously, already at risk of collapse at any mont. The Western Sect is rely acting opportunistically.
During such sensitive tis, we absolutely cannot touch even the edges."
"Indeed, for who knows what thoughts lie in the Eastern Sect, perhaps they deliberately sent this person to infiltrate our Ancestral Court, aiming to drag us into the turmoil." Lin Qinghong also voiced his thoughts.
Most Hall Masters agreed with this view, nodding continuously.
People tend to avoid harm and pursue benefits.
Fang Zhiyun sighed inwardly; indeed, protecting Zhang Ying was of no benefit to anyone present.
However, if the Great Dao Teaching actually went through with it, there was indeed a risk of getting entangled.
If truly entangled, everyone present would be in danger.
Harmful with no benefit, naturally no one agreed.
For this, Fang Zhiyun had long devised a strategy.
"Actually, if we could recruit a disciple with astonishing talent, it would be beneficial to us in the future. Although the benefits seem far away, barely visible.
But... what if we have that Zhang Ying change his na and identity?"
He glanced around at everyone present.
"This person has no trace of Eastern Sect in his skills; no one can tell which side he’s really from.
Even if the Western Sect cos knocking, we can openly claim that he was nurtured by us since childhood, only later sent into the Golden Wing Pavilion as an undercover agent."
"This won’t fool the Western Sect." Xie Ling shook her head.
"As long as they don’t have concrete evidence against us, everything will be fine." Fang Zhiyun said earnestly.
Though the Great Dao Teaching appears peaceful externally, its true foundation is actually supported by the Spirit Court.
No matter how bold, the Western Sect wouldn’t dare make a move against them.
Just like with the Eastern Sect before, representing supre imperial power, untouchable by anyone.
"I disagree." Lin Qinghong objected, "Moreover, I suggest we imdiately verify Zhang Ying’s martial arts and cultivation achievents—Ninth Grade Golden Core, and only thirty-five years old... Verify first, then discuss other matters."
"Verifying or not verifying doesn’t actually matter; the Eastern Sect won’t go so far to offend us over this.
The main point is that the benefits to us are minuscule, harmful with no advantage, and if this person harbors ulterior motives, it’s trouble made for nothing." Xie Ling objected.
"This matter concerns the sect’s stance, Zhang Ying, a genius in both martial and literary cultivation, cannot be decided lightly by just us.
Since you all disagree, then I apply to use my additional annual authority to seek the Sect Leader’s decision." Fang Zhiyun said gravely.
Every Palace Master has an extra decision-making authority once a year.
When three parties can’t reach a consensus, one can apply for the Sect Leader to personally decide.
But this authority can only be used once a year.
"Such a minor matter, and you want to use your decision authority? Trouble the Sect Leader?" Lin Qinghong said displeased. "The Sect Leader manages endless affairs daily; he might not even notice this."
"If the Sect Leader responds with permission, then we keep this person.
If the response is disallowing or no response."
Fang Zhiyun paused.
"Then expel Zhang Ying."
*
*
*
"Thirty-five years old?"
Yue Dewen looked at the application docunt on the desk in front of him, using a toothpick to slowly pick his teeth.
He crossed his legs comfortably, leaning back in a wicker chair, chest exposed, wearing a gray tunic and shorts like a rag.
In his lifeti, he had no offspring, and only Zhang Qingzhi, whom he had raised since childhood, was treated as a son.
Unfortunately, he seed to have grown up spoiled.
"Thirty-five, Golden Core, Ninth Grade, and they crippled a Super Grade External dicine, look at this boast. Tsk tsk tsk." Yue Dewen shook his head, praising.
This was in a small farmhouse outside the Celestial Treasure Palace.
Yue Dewen usually resided here in his leisure ti, living leisurely, fishing, playing cards, chess, occasionally going for strolls, eting friends for bragging and fighting, life couldn’t be more carefree.
"When I was thirty-five, I was just a Super Grade Foundation Establishnt, hadn’t even ford a core, and he’s already reached Golden Core?" Yue Dewen lanted.
"Well, the Eastern Sect, with its long-standing dominance, surely found good talent." A hoarse voice comnted from around.
Only the voice was heard, no figure was seen.
"That’s true, but thirty-five and only Ninth Grade, a bit late for martial prowess. Fortunately, the Golden Core should enhance physical limits, potentially for a breakthrough." Yue Dewen nodded.
"So, what’s your plan? Fang Zhiyun ntioned that the Celestial Maiden brought up the Lihen Hall favor; he almost died there back then, wouldn’t have survived without the Eastern Sect’s intervention," the old voice asked seriously.
"...," Yue Dewen stroked his chin, "The favor is separate; I’ll secretly save that little girl soti, isn’t that repaynt?
As for this Zhang Ying, this favor isn’t enough to sway my entire sect; I don’t want to incur major losses and arouse His Majesty’s suspicion."
"Quite right, no benefit, no haste, totally your character," the old voice mocked.
"Indeed, indeed, you know well, hahahaha!" Yue Dewen grew proud.
The two imdiately dropped the subject; Yue Dewen casually tossed the docunt aside.
Getting up, he stretched his limbs.
"Let’s go, fishing ti. Dare for another round?"
"Heh, you defeated, dare to speak of battle?" the old voice scorned.
Leaving the small yard, Yue Dewen casually took down a plain blue Taoist robe from a hook outside the wall, draping it over himself, and strode off.
"Hey? Where are you going?" the old voice asked, surprised. "That direction doesn’t lead to the fishing spot."
Yue Dewen waved his hand without turning back.
"The docunts said that lad at thirty-five is Ninth Grade Golden Core, without major sect resource focus, entirely depending on talent. I find it hard to believe, going to see for myself."
"See for yourself?"
"Heh, others might not discern age, doesn’t an I, Old Yue, can’t." Yue Dewen scoffed.
"I bet that lad is fifty-three already, deliberately misstated age, no worries, you go to the old place and wait for . I’ll be there soon, just the ti for a quick dash."
As one of the few great dical minds in the Great Spirit, he naturally wouldn’t rely on crude thods like bone-touching for age estimation.
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