Seeing Jin Yue’s darkened expression, others assumed something had happened at Yunhua Sect. “What happened at Yunhua Sect?”

“Nothing happened to Yunhua Sect—we’re the ones with a problem!” Jin Yue slapped the flying letter onto the table and cast his gaze over everyone. “Who is the new sect leader of Yuxiao Sect?”

“The previous sect leader was preparing to break through to the Out-of-Body Stage and resigned at the beginning of the year. The new sect leader seems to be his junior martial brother?” The Hall Master of the Administrative Hall recalled that Yuxiao Sect had established a shop in Yong City. “Could it be that the shop in Yong City caused some trouble?”

This shop had been operating in Yong City for quite a few years. It was said that the profits had always been good, and when rogue cultivators with high cultivation levels went there to cause trouble, it was Yunhua Sect who helped resolve the issues. How could things have become unpleasant now?

Liuguang Sect oversaw many subordinate sects. To strictly manage their words and actions, each sect was assigned a peak master or steward with status within the sect to supervise them. This kind of bullying behavior based on one’s backing was something almost no one dared to do anymore.

“Yunhua Sect sent a letter saying that after the new sect leader of Yuxiao Sect’s younger brother arrived in Yong City, he oppressed the local common people and molested Yunhua Sect’s direct disciples.” Jin Yue could barely bring himself to continue. “They’re demanding that Yuxiao Sect’s new sect leader personally go to Yunhua Sect to apologize. If this matter isn’t handled properly, Yuxiao Sect should replace their sect leader. If one can’t even manage their own family members, how can they manage an entire sect?”

“Zhong Xi.” Jin Yue turned to look at the young peak master below who hadn’t said a single word from beginning to end. “From now on, Yuxiao Sect will be under your management.”

The young peak master respectfully clasped his hands toward the sect leader, his expression showing no change whatsoever. Only his sword-like eyebrows and starry eyes appeared somewhat distant. “Master, this disciple’s mental state has been unstable recently and has no energy to manage this matter.”

Jin Yue seemed to think of something and sighed. “Never mind then.”

The young peak master fell silent again. He lowered his head to look at his own fair palm, like a statue devoid of emotion.

“Sect Leader, I don’t know if Yunhua Sect sent this letter only to us, or…” The Administrative Hall Master’s expression was somewhat awkward.

“Given Sect Leader Heng Yan’s character, he will certainly inform all ten major sects of this matter to demonstrate his impartial handling.” If it weren’t for this, Jin Yue’s expression wouldn’t look so terrible after seeing the flying letter. Thinking of this, he arranged for another peak master to accompany Yuxiao Sect’s sect leader to Yunhua Sect to apologize. Although strictly speaking, this matter had nothing to do with Liuguang Sect’s inner sect, they had maintained friendly relations with Yunhua Sect for nearly a thousand years—how could they allow such an incident to create a rift?

Jin Yue’s speculation was correct. After the other sects received Yunhua Sect’s flying letters, they all replied to demonstrate their impartiality, but privately they investigated Yuxiao Sect’s affairs thoroughly. This new Yuxiao Sect leader Zhou Cang had decent cultivation and a good temperament. The only questionable thing was that he had raised his younger brother like a son, spoiling him until he was lawless.

Originally, Zhou Cang had been working in Yuxiao Sect’s inner sect, watching over this useless brother every day, so the other party hadn’t had the opportunity to cause major disasters. This time, under the pretext of “inspecting the shop,” he went to Yong City and provoked Yunhua Sect, even suggesting that two of their direct disciples become his concubines.

Even though Yunhua Sect ranked toward the bottom among the ten major sects, they were still a major sect that had stood unshaken in Lingyou Realm for many years. Where did the younger brother of a Yuxiao Sect leader, who depended on Liuguang Sect, get the audacity to demand that direct disciples become his concubines? He must have been spoiled brainless at home, not knowing how high the heavens were or how deep the earth was.

Yunhua Sect was such a peaceful sect—for this Nascent Soul cultivator named Zhou Xing to provoke them to anger was truly an accomplishment.

The reactions and thoughts of all the major sects were similar, which also meant that before the matter was even resolved, they had already taken the stance that Yunhua Sect was in the right. If Yuxiao Sect hadn’t done anything particularly bad over these years, in their reply letters, they probably would have added a few words of condemnation as well.

The one having the hardest time was Zhou Cang, who had just become sect leader. He had thought his younger brother had finally matured, but unexpectedly, in a flash, he went out and caused trouble. Causing trouble was one thing, but he had provoked Yunhua Sect and declared he would take a direct disciple of a Yunhua Sect peak master as a concubine. Even though he treated his brother like his own son, Zhou Cang couldn’t help but want to ask his useless brother just how shameless he had to be to say such things.

Zhou Cang didn’t dare think too much. He prepared generous gifts and hurriedly rushed to Yunhua Sect, following behind Liuguang Sect’s peak master.

As soon as they entered Yong City’s territory, two direct disciples from Yunhua Sect came to greet them. He had met the disciple with Core Formation cultivation before, but the other disciple with early Foundation Establishment cultivation was unfamiliar. However, both treated them very kindly and didn’t transfer their anger toward them because of Zhou Xing’s mistake, which made Liuguang Sect’s Peak Master Song He feel much better.

“We respectfully welcome Peak Master Song He and Sect Leader Zhou Cang. This junior is Cheng Yi, the eldest disciple of Yunhua Sect’s Qiyue Peak, and this is my junior martial sister Kong Hou.” Cheng Yi bowed to the two of them.

“You two martial nephews need not be so courteous. We must trouble you two martial nephews to lead the way.” Song He had heard of Cheng Yi’s reputation. It was said he was one of the more talented disciples among Yunhua Sect’s younger generation. He smiled at Cheng Yi and then directed his gaze toward the young girl beside him. The little girl was only fourteen or fifteen years old with distinguished features. A few days ago, news had come that the female disciple with five spiritual roots that Yunhua Sect recruited had successfully established her foundation. Could this be her?

“Peak Master, you’re too kind.” While Song He was looking at Kong Hou, Kong Hou was actually secretly sizing them up as well. She had long heard that Liuguang Sect was extremely formidable with experts everywhere. When they had detained that Nascent Soul cultivator this time, she had thought that Liuguang Sect and Yuxiao Sect would be aggressive and overbearing. She hadn’t expected their attitude to be so proper and amiable, causing all the various plans she had spent an entire night thinking up to die stillborn.

Weren’t all the story books written this way—major sects were high and mighty, looking down their noses at people? When encountering such matters, it was often about confrontation, and whoever had greater momentum would gain the upper hand. She had specifically come with her eldest senior martial brother today with the intention of getting to know the opposition in advance. But unexpectedly… it was like this?

“Is this martial nephew the newly accepted direct disciple of your esteemed sect?” Song He took out a magical artifact with an exquisite design. “Yunhua Sect and our Liuguang Sect have been on good terms for many years. It wouldn’t be inappropriate for you to call me martial uncle. I don’t have anything good to give you while traveling, so take this to play with—don’t disdain it.”

No provocation, and there was even a gift for her?

Kong Hou glanced at her eldest senior martial brother. Seeing he had no objection, she accepted this greeting gift and bowed to Song He. When she turned and saw that the Nascent Soul cultivator’s elder brother was also preparing to reach for his storage pouch, Kong Hou quickly said, “It’s getting late. Please, seniors, come with us.”

Taking someone’s gift made one beholden, eating someone’s food made one soft-mouthed. Accepting Liuguang Sect’s peak master’s gift was acceptable, but Sect Leader Zhou Cang’s things absolutely could not be accepted at this moment.

They still had to deal with his brother later—better to avoid any awkwardness.

**Author’s Note:** Sorry, I have a cold and fever today and really can’t write much more. Please forgive me. See you tomorrow.