"The current Lingxiao Pavilion has the Grand Elder allied with the Fourth and Fifth Elders, with the Grand Elder calling the shots. The Second Elder and the Third Elder form a separate faction—the former wants to replace the Sect Leader, while the latter aims to support him. It's just that the Grand Elder's side holds greater strength, and the Second and Third Elders have suffered quite a few losses in their struggles over the years."
After hearing Li Yuntian's explanation, Yang Kai immediately understood.
If the elders were at odds with each other, the younger generation would naturally clash as well. That was probably how the grudge between Su Mu and Wei Zhuang had come about.
Zhao Hu sneered, "They're nothing but monkeys playing king while the tiger's away. If the Sect Leader really showed up again, what would the Grand Elder and his lot amount to?"
Li Yuntian shot Zhao Hu a glare. "Watch your mouth behind their backs. As junior disciples, we shouldn't speak ill of our elders, even if we can't stand their methods."
Zhao Hu stuck out his tongue and muttered softly, "Aren't you thinking the same thing?"
Li Yuntian replied, "Sure, but I wouldn't say it out loud."
At the Contribution Hall, Xia Ningshang rushed in in a hurry. Old Man Meng smiled and looked at her. "Disciple, have you come to visit your master again today? My, such filial devotion—it warms this old man's heart."
"Master, something terrible has happened!" Xia Ningshang said urgently.
"What is it?" Meng Wuya was puzzled; he had never seen his disciple this flustered before.
Xia Ningshang quickly recounted the entire conflict between Yang Kai's group and Wei Zhuang from earlier that day.
After listening, Meng Wuya's expression turned grim. "You're telling me that kid Yang Kai has already reached Kaiyuan Realm Stage Three? And he defeated Wei Zhuang?"
"That's right!" Xia Ningshang nodded repeatedly, thinking to herself that his breakthrough had been with her help.
"It seems whatever fortune he stumbled upon in Black Wind Mountain last time was no small matter. The quiet ones always make the biggest splash—his cultivation speed is astonishing," Meng Wuya remarked with mild surprise.
"Master, stop marveling and think of a way to save him!" Xia Ningshang urged.
Meng Wuya froze, then stared at his disciple with a strange look on his face. "Disciple, why are you so worked up?"
Xia Ningshang faltered. "Am I?"
"Yes, you definitely are." Meng Wuya nodded. His disciple was pure of heart and simple in thought—no one knew her better than he did. Over the years, plenty of outstanding male disciples at Lingxiao Pavilion had admired and pursued her, yet she had always kept them all at a polite distance without exception. Now she was going out of her way to plead for someone who was merely at Kaiyuan Realm Stage Three. That was decidedly unusual.
"I just don't want his cultivation path to be cut short right when it's finally taking off," Xia Ningshang said.
"You know him well?" Meng Wuya's guard went up immediately.
"Not really, but I've been watching him for two years. Master, you know I work shifts at the Dark Hall—the area I'm responsible for is where he lives," Xia Ningshang answered honestly. Then she pleaded, "Master, please think of a way to save him! He's offended the Grand Elder this time. Without someone powerful stepping in, he's doomed. The Second Elder might not care whether he lives or dies—but Master, you are that powerful person!"
Meng Wuya basked in the flattery with visible enjoyment. Flattery never missed its mark, let alone when it came from his own precious disciple.
After basking in it for a moment, Meng Wuya furrowed his brows again. "Disciple, this isn't something your master can easily interfere with. You see, this is ultimately Lingxiao Pavilion's internal affair. I'm merely a caretaker—stepping in wouldn't look right, now would it?"
This was the truth. While his impression of Yang Kai was favorable enough, he was an outsider, after all—how could he justify meddling in Lingxiao Pavilion's affairs?
Xia Ningshang said nothing in reply. She simply stared at Meng Wuya with her large, glistening eyes. Even behind the veil, Meng Wuya could see her little face puffed up in a pout.