Bai Zihan went to Heaven Sword Sect, and it caused a commotion like always.
But mixed amidst the admiration and envy, there were also so who seed to be observing him.
Well, Bai Zihan wasn't too surprised; it wasn't anything new. Though, it did seem like the number of people observing him was certainly higher than usual.
(Sothing must have happened!)
Bai Zihan called for Kong Zhanghong through the Transmission Talisman, and Kong Zhanghong imdiately appeared before Bai Zihan.
As always, Kong Zhanghong ca prepared with all the information that was needed.
Bai Zihan read the information.
"Hmmm... Looks like the Anti-Sect Leader Faction is making a lot of moves."
Kong Zhanghong nodded gravely, his expression reflecting the weight of the situation.
The Anti-Sect Leader Faction had been growing bolder with each passing week. Their actions were no longer confined to quiet whispers or subtle alliances- they were openly consolidating influence among the outer sect elders and, more importantly, among the affiliated clans.
In recent months, they had succeeded in roping in the support of several influential clans under the guise of "restoring the sect's dignity."
Their propaganda painted Sect Leader Tian Yuheng as a coward who lacked decisiveness and vision-unworthy of leading the prestigious Heaven Sword Sect.
The incident with Shen Liang had beco one of their favorite weapons. They claid Tian Yuheng's failure to protect Shen Liang, one of the sect's most promising geniuses and Shen Clan's future, proved his incompetence. The fact that Shen Liang had ended up crippled after scheming against Bai Zihan was being spun into failure by the Sect Leader-an example of the Sect Leader's negligence and favoritism toward the Bai Clan.
Everyone knew the truth.
They had seen the evidence that Shen Liang was the one who used unscrupulous ans to make it seem like Bai Zihan was doing sothing bad.
But facts rarely mattered when politics were involved.
Bai Zihan's reputation for causing chaos wherever he went only made it easier for the faction to twist the story.
The Anti-Sect Leader Faction exploited this image masterfully.
They spread rumors that it could easily have been their disciples-their children-who might fall prey to Bai Zihan's ruthless nature next.
This was especially effective since Heaven Sword Sect nurtured a lot of disciples with big backgrounds, with many hoping for the sect to protect them.
However, if even a person like Shen Liang wasn't protected, then how could they guarantee theirs?
The propaganda went even further.
They began insinuating that Sect Leader Tian Yuheng was nothing more than a puppet of the Bai Clan, controlled from the shadows by Bai Tianheng himself. After all, it was no secret that Bai Tianheng and Tian Yuheng were pretty good friends.
While Bai Clan had never interfered with Heaven Sword Sect, the Anti-Sect Leader Faction obviously didn't care about the truth and spun it to their liking. As Bai Zihan was reading through the information, a faint, amused smile curved his lips.
"How cute," he muttered softly.
The tactics were simple but effective.
With the Bai Clan being the strongest clan, as much as there were allies, there were also enemies.
The Anti-Sect Leader Faction was making use of that fact to get as many allies as they could by roping in those who have a bad relationship with the Bai Clan. And it was highly successful considering that Shen Clan was working with the Anti-Sect Leader Faction once again.
(They should have approached Li and Zhao Clan as well. Don't know whether they agreed to help the Anti-Sect Leader Faction.)
Bai Zihan thought.
Everyone knew about the enmity between Bai Clan and Li-Zhao Clan. There was no way that soone like the Anti-Sect Leader could miss this chance. Even though Li-Zhao Clan influence in Heaven Sword Sect is basically Zero, it could change if Li-Zhao Clan were to invest in them.
But there was no such information in the scroll given by Kong Zhanghong. Probably because the spy planted by Kong Zhanghong in the Anti-Sect Leader Faction was of lower position, or this was done in utmost secrecy.
Well, if those two got involved as well, then the allies of the Anti-Sect Leader Faction should far surpass that of the Sect Leader's faction.
And it seed like disciples weren't spared either, since in the sect, those who sided with the Anti-Sect Leader Faction were given more attention and resources-clear favoritism.
Those disciples clearly showed vast improvent, which made other disciples also align with the Anti-Sect Leader Faction.
Inside and outside, both were advantageous to the Anti-Sect Leader Faction at
the mont.
"What about Elder Han?"
Bai Zihan asked, seeing no information about the Anti-Sect Leader's leader.
"He has been in seclusion, and it looks like the task is being carried out by his followers," Kong Zhanghong answered.
"Mmmm..."
Bai Zihan didn't think Elder Han would be cultivating when his faction was making such huge moves.
Him being in seclusion was probably a bluff in order for him to do things in
secret.
Like forming a secret alliance with the Li-Zhao Clan.
There was no way to be certain right now but it was sothing that he had to
keep in his mind.
As Bai Zihan flipped through the remaining reports, his gaze suddenly
hardened.
His tone dropped.
"What is this about Chu Ziyan being defeated by... Lu Xiangyuan?"
Kong Zhanghong visibly gulped.
Even without looking up, he could feel Bai Zihan's displeasure.
It was understandable since his fiancée-Chu Ziyan-had been defeated by
soone.
"That... it's true," Kong Zhanghong said carefully.
"Lu Xiangyuan returned from five years of seclusion just last month. During that ti, he advanced to the peak of the Spirit Severing Realm. His strength now surpasses many elders. He's also one of the most talented disciples who openly supports the Anti-Sect Leader Faction."
He hesitated before continuing.
"His father, Lu Teng, holds a senior elder position in the sect. It's likely that Lu Xiangyuan's challenge against Miss Chu wasn't random. The Chu Clan's alliance with the Bai Clan made her a political target."
Bai Zihan's expression didn't change, but the temperature in the room seed
to drop.
Kong Zhanghong pressed on.
"Defeating her publicly increases the Anti-Sect Leader Faction's influence
within the sect especially among the disciples."
He swallowed.
"And... It appears Luo Xiangyuan's next target is Bai Xinyue."
Silence fell.
Heaven Sword Sect had long been influenced by Bai Xinyue's presence-her
talent, her achievents, her overwhelming prestige.
If she fell too... then Lu Xiangyuan, and by extension, the Anti-Sect Leader Faction, would control nearly all influence among the sect's disciples.
"It seems," Bai Zihan said at last, his tone almost lazy but his eyes cold as winter
steel, "they want him to secure dominance over the disciples before he ascends
to Elder rank."
Kong Zhanghong nodded uneasily.
Lu Xiangyuan being the Peak Spirit Severing Realm, likely to defeat Bai Xinyue
as well.
After all, while Bai Xinyue might be able to defeat an average Cultvaitor above her Realm, it was a different case if it was also a genius like Lu Xiangyuan.
He not only has experience and more ti to master Techniques, his biggest advantage was his higher Cultivation Realm.
Although obviously, Bai Xinyue or Chu Ziyan or for that matter, their master doesn't get involved in Sect Politics.
But anyone with eyes can see that their master, Elder Qinglan, though neutral,
is inclined to the Sect Leader who is her Senior Brother. When the ti cos, obviously she could very well help the Sect leader.
And it was very important since she is a very influential person. Not to ntion, her two students, Bai Xinyue and Chu Ziyan are role models for many disciples of Heaven Sword Sect, especially girls.
After the Dragon and Phoenix Competition, their influence only got bigger in
the Heaven Sword Sect.
So, by having a fellow disciple, even though way older than them, the Anti-Sect Leader Faction seed to want to curb their influence.
As Bai Zihan kept reading, the report ntioned several similar cases that had
occurred in the weeks before the duel between Chu Ziyan and Lu Xiangyuan. It looked like the Anti-Sect Leader Faction had been deliberately using its disciples to challenge and defeat those associated with the Sect Leader's side, especially the influential disciples.
Their intention was clear-prove their dominance within the younger
generation, both in strength and influence.
Each victory they secured tightened their grip on the sect's internal atmosphere, slowly turning the balance of power in their favor.
And now, with Chu Ziyan's defeat, their next and biggest target was obvious-
Bai Xinyue.
Her defeat would not only shatter the image of Heaven Sword Sect's most admired disciple..
It was a calculated move.
They weren't just aiming to suppress his sister.
They were sending a ssage-to him, to Bai Clan, and to anyone who stood on
the Sect Leader's side.
A quiet chuckle escaped his lips, cold and sharp.
"So that's their play... interesting."
His gaze darkened, a glint of killing intent flickering in his eyes.
"They want to use my sister as a stepping stone to rise?"
He placed the report down slowly, the smile fading. "Well, let's go and see what he got!"
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