Chapter 1601: Big Matters Minimized, Small Matters Nullified

Leaving the main hall, Zhong Chen transformed into a streak of light and sped off, disappearing into the horizon.

"Husband, Zhong Chen is indeed problematic. He is very likely a hidden operative left by Junior Sister Situ," Fang Yue said solemnly, watching Zhong Chen disappear into the distance.

Back then, to compete for the position of Moon Palace Mistress, she and Du Xu collaborated to eliminate Situ Mei. Situ Mei self-destructed her body, leaving no Nascent Soul behind. Afterward, Fang Yue initiated a thorough purge, removing all disciples loyal to Situ Mei. Zhong Chen had no prior connection with Situ Mei and belonged to Fang Yue's faction. Given his clean background, Fang Yue had not suspected him.

When Situ Mei reappeared under the guise of Zhang Wuchen, Fang Yue and Du Xu dispatched people to apprehend her, while also secretly investigating other suspicious individuals. It was certain that Situ Mei still had accomplices within the Sun-Moon Palace. Fang Yue and Situ Mei were fellow disciples and knew each other well. Through their investigation, they discovered three Nascent Soul stage elders who might have secretly colluded with Situ Mei, and Zhong Chen was one of them.

Zhong Chen's record was clean; ostensibly, he had no connection to Situ Mei.

The Sun-Moon Palace sent out a large number of personnel to apprehend Situ Mei. Zhong Chen volunteered to search for her in the Myriad Ghosts Sea Domain. He only returned to the Sun-Moon Palace after Situ Mei appeared in the Central Plains cultivation world. At that time, Zhong Chen seemed relatively normal.

However, after news suddenly spread in the South Sea cultivation world that the Azure Lotus Immortals might be descendants of core disciples of the Zhenhai Sect, Zhong Chen came to them to report some clues he had found, which further confirmed that the Azure Lotus Immortals were indeed Zhenhai Sect descendants. His timing was suspicious; he chose to report this only now, not earlier or later.

"If we spare his life, will he honestly reveal Junior Sister Situ's whereabouts?" Du Xu asked, frowning, a thoughtful expression on his face.

"Would he believe that we'd spare his life? Even if he did, based on my understanding of Junior Sister Situ, she wouldn't have a fixed residence, let alone tell Zhong Chen about it," Fang Yue said with a serious tone. Then, her tone shifted, "These are just my suspicions. But if they're true, we could use him to track down Junior Sister Situ's whereabouts."

"Why would Junior Sister Situ want to stir up trouble between our Sun-Moon Palace and the Wang family? Is this true, or merely a rumor? If it's a rumor, she could have simply claimed that the Wang family obtained the Murong family's Heaven-grade secret realm; that would have drawn the attention of many forces. Why involve the Wang family?" Du Xu asked, bewildered. Situ Mei held a grudge against them, so plotting against the Sun-Moon Palace was not surprising, but why plot against the Wang family?

"It's hard to say. Perhaps the Wang family did something to harm her. She always seeks revenge. She posed as Lin Yuzong's wife for centuries and showed no hesitation when she betrayed him, let alone the Wang family. It's better to believe it than to dismiss it. We should also spread the word that it was Junior Sister Situ who advocated for the destruction of the Zhenhai Sect and personally led people into its headquarters. We should do our best to reduce the Wang family's animosity towards us. In these troubled times, there's no need for us to clash fiercely with the Wang family," Fang Yue said slowly, emphasizing that the truth about the Zhenhai Sect's demise must be made public to ease relations between the Sun-Moon Palace and the Wang family.

"This great tribulation might not necessarily be an invasion by foreign races. It could also be a conflict among the major forces of the East Earthen Realm, or perhaps an elder aiming to unify the entire East Earthen Realm," Du Xu boldly speculated.

Fang Yue snorted. "Who cares! We'll cross that bridge when we come to it. In the cultivation world, strength is paramount. My master entrusted me with the position of Palace Mistress, and I absolutely cannot betray her expectations. The Sun-Moon Palace must not be destroyed on my watch, or I will be its sinner." She had grown up in the Sun-Moon Palace; it was her home, and she would never allow it to be annihilated by anyone.

At the Myriad Swords Sect's Myriad Swords Hall, Baili Yi sat in the main seat, flanked by a dozen elders, each with a very solemn expression. "You've all heard the news, haven't you? The Azure Lotus Immortals might be descendants of core disciples of the Zhenhai Sect. Share your opinions," Baili Yi asked in a deep voice. This news was too shocking and could significantly impact the South Sea cultivation world's situation.

"We have investigated the Wang family's background. Their ancestors established the family in the Eastern Barren Lands, and it remained stagnant for centuries. Later, frequent wars in the Eastern Barren Lands allowed the Wang family to rise. They then moved to the Coral Sea Domain in the South Sea for development, and eventually relocated to the Crimson Moon Sea Domain. Everyone knows what happened next: the Azure Lotus Immortals formed their Nascent Souls and became famous after a single battle in the South Sea. Before forming their Nascent Souls, they were obscure. They likely inherited the Zhenhai Sect's legacy and cultivated its primary cultivation technique," Dai Ren slowly explained. He was closest to the Wang family and thus had significant say. When the Sun-Moon Palace destroyed the Zhenhai Sect and partitioned its territory with other major forces, the Myriad Swords Sect received no benefits.

"Master Senior Brother, whether or not the Azure Lotus Immortals cultivate the Zhenhai Sect's primary technique, we must protect them. The Wang family has no conflict of interest with us; a powerful Wang family would benefit our Myriad Swords Sect. Furthermore, even if the Azure Lotus Immortals are not Zhenhai Sect descendants, we should treat them as such. Using this as a pretext, reclaiming a portion of the Zhenhai Sect's territory would also be beneficial." "Indeed! The Zhenhai Sect's territory is considerable. Even reclaiming a fifth of it would be enough for us to establish two more sub-branches and support thousands of disciples without issue." In the cultivation world, self-interest comes first. Regardless of whether the Azure Lotus Immortals are Zhenhai Sect descendants, the Myriad Swords Sect intends to protect the Wang family. They could even use the pretext of defending the Wang family to reclaim a portion of the Zhenhai Sect's former territory.

"We cannot protect the Wang family for free. The Zhenhai Sect ruins must be handed over to us. That island possesses a fifth-tier spiritual vein, which is rare in the entire South Sea cultivation world. Cultivating on a fifth-tier spiritual vein can significantly accelerate our cultivation speed." "Exactly. And the Zhenhai Sect's treasured cultivation techniques and secret manuals are the most valuable items."

Baili Yi looked at Li Rui and Nangong Fu and asked, "Nephew Li, Niece Nangong, what are your thoughts?" Li Rui and Nangong Fu knew the Azure Lotus Immortals, having met them during their travels in the Eastern Barren Lands. Li Rui and Nangong Fu's master was Baili Yi's junior brother, so by seniority, even after reaching the Nascent Soul stage, they still had to address Baili Yi as "Palace Master Senior Uncle."

"The great tribulation is approaching, and it's too early to discuss these matters. Neither territory nor the Zhenhai Sect headquarters will significantly impact our Myriad Swords Sect's strength. I believe we should immediately send someone to clarify this news, stating that it's a rumor. We should ask Senior Uncle Dai to visit the Wang family and reassure them. As long as the Wang family aligns with our Myriad Swords Sect, we will fully protect them. After the tribulation ends, if the Wang family is weak, we can claim the Zhenhai Sect headquarters as a condition for our protection. If the Wang family grows strong, we will visit to congratulate them and support their reconstruction of the Zhenhai Sect, maximizing our benefits," Li Rui expounded, his analysis clear and methodical.

"My husband is right; it's too early to demand territory now. However, one thing is certain: as long as the Wang family does not collude with our Myriad Swords Sect's opposing forces, we will fully protect them," Nangong Fu agreed.

Baili Yi nodded with satisfaction. "Well said. If the Sun-Moon Palace intends to move against the Wang family, our Myriad Swords Sect must protect them. Junior Brother Dai, please make a trip to the Wang family and proceed as Nephew Li suggested. Hmph, the Sun-Moon Palace, along with the Four Seas Sect, the Shen family, and the Divine Weapons Palace, divided the Zhenhai Sect's territory back then, but they didn't give us a single island." "Yes, Master Senior Brother (Master Senior Uncle)," Dai Ren and the others stood up and said in unison.

Soon after, the Myriad Swords Sect publicly refuted the news that the Azure Lotus Immortals were Zhenhai Sect descendants, stating it was a deliberate attempt to incite internal strife in the South Sea cultivation world. Not long after, the Sun-Moon Palace also announced that Situ Mei had personally led the attack on the Zhenhai Sect headquarters and was the prime culprit in its destruction.

Under the influence of the great tribulation, no major force wished to provoke conflict; the Eastern Barren Lands served as a vivid example. Both the Sun-Moon Palace and the Myriad Swords Sect dispatched numerous personnel to apprehend those spreading rumors. With these two major factions publicly addressing the issue, no one naturally doubted the truth of their statements. The matter quickly subsided, and all major forces turned their attention to the Eastern Barren Lands, observing the ongoing conflict between its human and demon races.