Although everyone already knew that the Second Young Master and the Grand Elder were at odds, in the past when they encountered each other, they would still put on a show of civility. But over the past year, the relationship between the two sides had grown increasingly tense.
The reason was simple: the Grand Elder was the Young Master Zi Donglai's maternal grandfather. His daughter, Gongsun Yu, was Zi Donglai's birth mother. With this connection, Gongsun Liang naturally threw his full weight behind Zi Donglai's bid for succession, patiently waiting for the day he would become the master of Purple Star.
Zi Wuji's mother, on the other hand, was merely a woman from a minor family within Purple Star. How could she possibly compare to Zi Donglai's lineage? And so, Gongsun Liang had always looked down on Zi Wuji.
Ever since, nearly two years ago, when Zi Long and Zi Donglai had departed Purple Star together and had yet to return, a fierce struggle for power had erupted within the Purple Star Palace, undercurrents surging ominously beneath the surface.
Particularly over the past year, Zi Wuji had been operating in the shadows, winning over a number of powerful cultivators. Gongsun Liang had likewise been making frequent moves of his own. The conflict between the two sides was nearly impossible to conceal any longer.
These maneuvers on both sides had caused the many powerful cultivators of Purple Star to split into three clearly defined factions. The first consisted of warriors who were won over by Zi Wuji and willing to serve him. The second was led by Gongsun Liang, who — taking advantage of both the Star Master and the Young Master being absent — had been making sweeping moves. His ambitions were self-evident. As for the remaining warriors, they simply watched and waited, unmoved by either side, willing only to await Zi Long's return.
Since the two were covert rivals, Gongsun Liang naturally had no desire to acknowledge Zi Wuji.
Zi Wuji furrowed his brow, a hint of displeasure crossing his face. After all, he was the Second Young Master of Purple Star. For Gongsun Liang to show him absolutely no face in front of so many powerful cultivators — it truly made it hard for him to save his own.
"Gongsun Liang, how dare you!" Ji Jun, who had been standing behind Zi Wuji, suddenly barked in a deep voice. "The Second Young Master asked you a question — why don't you answer?"
A predatory gleam flashed in Gongsun Liang's eyes. He looked coldly down at Ji Jun below, squinting slightly as he said, "Now who is being presumptuous? I am the Grand Elder of Purple Star. With the Master absent from the palace, everything here is under my charge. Who do you think you are, that you dare shout at me?"
Ji Jun laughed coldly. "Gongsun Liang, don't think no one knows what you're plotting. When the tiger is away, the monkey claims to be king. When the Master returns, let's see how long your arrogance lasts."
"Who are you calling a monkey?" When had Gongsun Liang ever been publicly insulted like this? Rage surged through him as he glared down at Ji Jun.
"You know perfectly well who I mean." Ji Jun sneered repeatedly.
"You're asking for death!" Gongsun Liang flew into a towering rage. His Sacred Energy surged violently around him, and it seemed as though the very next instant he would strike at Ji Jun.
Everyone's expression changed dramatically.
"Grand Elder, please calm your anger!" Zi Wuji suddenly stepped forward, placing himself in front of Ji Jun. He cupped his fists slightly toward the figure in the air and said, "Elder Ji speaks his mind without filtering. If he has caused any offense, Wuji apologizes on his behalf. I hope the Grand Elder will not hold it against him."
"Hmph." Gongsun Liang snorted coldly, neither agreeing nor disagreeing.
Zi Wuji chuckled lightly. "Now is not the time for internal strife. Our priority should be finding the person who broke into the Purple Star Palace. We still don't know what they're after. If they harbor ill intentions, it could be quite troublesome. Don't you agree, Grand Elder?"
Gongsun Liang naturally knew this was not the time for confrontation. A Void King, second-level powerhouse had suddenly appeared in the Purple Star Palace, and this had put him in a foul mood as well. He said nothing more for the moment.
Zi Wuji continued, "Father is absent, and my elder brother is by Father's side attending to him. The Purple Star Palace is like a dragon without a head. Although Wuji wishes to share Father's burdens, my strength is too meager — I'm afraid I'm incapable of doing so. Since the Grand Elder is managing all affairs within the palace, then I must trouble the Grand Elder with the matter of finding this person. Please, Grand Elder, you must find this thief and tear him to pieces, as a warning to others. Otherwise, what face would our Purple Star have left!"
Gongsun Liang furrowed his brow. He said in a deep voice, "The Second Young Master need not say more about this. I will handle it properly. You should return now."
"Wuji takes his leave!" Zi Wuji nodded with a smile and departed calmly with Ji Jun.
After he had gone, Gongsun Liang barked his orders: "All of you, go find that person! Don't overlook any clue. That person absolutely hasn't gone far — they've merely concealed their aura with some kind of secret technique. If you find them, do not engage them alone! Send word to me immediately and I will arrive as soon as possible!"
"Yes!" The crowd acknowledged in unison and dispersed.
In an instant, the Purple Star Palace was abuzz with voices. Powerful cultivators soared through the air in every direction, and wave after wave of powerful spiritual senses swept through every corner of the palace. The scene was a spectacle of activity.
"Second Young Master, why did you show that old brute such restraint?" Ji Jun asked on the way back, his face dark with indignation.
A cold smile appeared on Zi Wuji's face. He gave a soft hum and said, "Now is not the time to tear off his mask. Let that old fool strut about for a while longer."
Ji Jun furrowed his brow. Hearing this, he chose not to argue further.
"However... this intruder who suddenly appeared has actually done me a great favor." Zi Wuji smiled faintly. "No matter who this person is, I ought to thank them properly."
Ji Jun furrowed his brow, pondered for a moment, and said, "You mean to say, he diverted that old brute's attention for you?"
"That's only part of it." Zi Wuji smiled faintly. "The intruder is extremely powerful — to exchange a blow with Gongsun Liang and leave calmly, they must also be a second-level Void King powerhouse. If Gongsun Liang wants to find them, it won't be easy. Think about it, Elder Ji — if he can't find them, where will that leave his reputation?"
"Exactly!" Delight flashed in Ji Jun's eyes. "If he can't find the person, that old brute will lose all face! Ha ha ha — no wonder you were so eager to withdraw just now. So that was the reason!"
"Why else do you think I was being so agreeable?" Zi Wuji tapped his fingers lightly against his head. "Although this situation is troublesome, if handled properly, it's a golden opportunity to build prestige. But... who could it be? To dare break into our Purple Star Palace. In this star domain, second-level Void King powerhouses are few and far between — every one of them is a famous and formidable figure. They would never stoop to skulking about like common thieves."