The difference between apprentices and ancestors

"Currently, in the Lingxiao Pavilion, the First Elder has allied with the Fourth and Fifth Elders, with the First Elder as their leader, while the Second and Third Elders form a separate faction. The former seeks to usurp the position of Sect Master, while the latter is dedicated to defending the current Sect Master. However, the First Elder's side holds greater power, and over the years, the Second and Third Elders have suffered numerous losses in both overt and covert conflicts."

Upon hearing this, Yang Kai immediately understood the situation.

When the elders are at odds, it is inevitable that the younger generation will also clash. The grudge between Su Mu and Wei Zhuang likely stems from this discord.

Zhao Hu sneered, "It's nothing more than a case of the tiger leaving the mountain, allowing the monkeys to reign supreme. If the Sect Master were to truly reappear, what would the First Elder amount to?"

Li Yuntian glared at Zhao Hu and said, "Don't speak ill of the elders behind their backs. As disciples, we should refrain from criticizing our elders, even if we disapprove of their actions."

Zhao Hu stuck out his tongue and whispered, "But you think the same, don't you?"

Li Yuntian replied, "Yes, but I wouldn't say it aloud."

At the Contribution Hall, Xia Ningchang hurriedly rushed in. Old Man Meng greeted her with a smile, "Disciple, have you come to visit your master again today? Ah, such filial piety brings me great comfort."

Xia Ningchang, however, was anxious, "Master, something terrible has happened."

"What is it?" Meng Wuya was puzzled, having never seen his disciple so flustered before.

Xia Ningchang quickly recounted the day's events, detailing the conflict between Yang Kai and Wei Zhuang.

Upon hearing this, Meng Wuya's face darkened. "So, Yang Kai has already reached the Third Stage of the Kaiyuan Realm? And he defeated Wei Zhuang?"

"Yes!" Xia Ningchang nodded repeatedly, thinking to herself that his recent breakthrough was thanks to her help.

"It seems the fortuitous encounter he had in Black Wind Mountain was quite extraordinary. His progress in cultivation is astonishingly rapid," Meng Wuya mused, visibly surprised.

"Master, this is no time for marveling. You need to think of a way to rescue him," Xia Ningchang urged.

Meng Wuya was taken aback, looking at his disciple with a strange expression, "Disciple, why are you so worried?"

Xia Ningchang was startled and hesitated, "Am I?"

"Indeed, you seem quite tense right now," Meng Wuya nodded. He knew his disciple well—pure of heart and mind, she had always kept her distance from the many talented male disciples who admired her in the Lingxiao Pavilion. But now, she was pleading on behalf of a mere Third Stage Kaiyuan disciple, which was rather unusual.

Xia Ningchang explained, "I just don't want his path of cultivation to be cut short now that he's showing such promise."

"Are you well acquainted with him?" Meng Wuya's suspicion grew.

"Not really… But I've been observing him for two years. You know I work in the Dark Hall, and I'm responsible for the area where he resides," Xia Ningchang replied truthfully, then pleaded again, "Master, you must find a way to save him. He has offended the First Elder, and without powerful assistance, he's likely doomed. The Second Elder may not intervene on his behalf. You are the one who can save him!"

Meng Wuya was clearly enjoying the praise, especially since it came from his beloved disciple. After a moment of smugness, he frowned, "Disciple, it's not appropriate for me to intervene. This is an internal matter of the Lingxiao Pavilion, and as an outsider, it wouldn't be proper for me to meddle."

This was indeed true. Although Meng Wuya had a favorable impression of Yang Kai, it would be unseemly for him, an outsider, to interfere in the pavilion's affairs.

Xia Ningchang remained silent, but her large, watery eyes, filled with determination, bore into Meng Wuya, her displeasure evident despite the veil she wore.

Meng Wuya couldn't stand that look, and with a pained expression, he relented, "Ah, my dear disciple, please don't be stubborn. Moreover, even if I don't intervene, the Second Elder is bound to take action. Yang Kai was drawn into this because of Su Mu; the Second Elder won't stand by idly. How else could he win over people's hearts in the future?"

"But what if?" Xia Ningchang asked, still pouting.

"There shouldn't be a 'what if'," Meng Wuya replied, though a hint of doubt crept into his voice. After all, in high-level power struggles, it wasn't uncommon for a few insignificant disciples to be sacrificed.

"Hmph!" Xia Ningchang turned away in a huff, seating herself on a nearby chair, clearly displeased. "If you won't help him, then I won't be able to visit the Nine Yin Convergence Ground. My cultivation will likely be stunted for life!"

This statement shocked Meng Wuya, who hurriedly shuffled over to her side, hunching over in a posture of utmost humility. "Disciple, what do you mean by that?"

Xia Ningchang turned her head away, refusing to speak.

Meng Wuya hastily circled around to face her again, "Tell me, why would you be unable to go there if I don't help him?"

"If you won't save him, then don't bother with me either. Master, you're so heartless!" Xia Ningchang's words struck Meng Wuya like a dagger, leaving him visibly shaken.

"My dear disciple, let's discuss this calmly, shall we? I'm too old to handle such emotional turmoil," Meng Wuya pleaded, his tone full of deference.

This wasn't the attitude one would normally take with a disciple—it was more like how one would speak to an ancestor.

Finally, Xia Ningchang turned to face him, fixing Meng Wuya with a determined gaze. "He practices a Yang-attributed martial art, and the Yang energy within him is incredibly pure!"

"Yang energy? How pure?" Meng Wuya's expression grew serious.

"At least five times purer than the last person you found!" Xia Ningchang answered.

"You tested it yourself?" Meng Wuya urgently confirmed.

"Yes!"

"If that's the case, then he absolutely must not come to harm!" Meng Wuya suddenly stood up straight, contemplating for a moment before striding toward the door.

He paused at the threshold, turning back to ask, "Disciple, do you dislike him?"

"No, I don't dislike him," Xia Ningchang softly replied, shaking her head.

"Then you like him?"

"Not exactly, I just don't find him unpleasant," Xia Ningchang blushed as she was questioned.

"Alright, alright. You know what you must do if you wish to visit that place. But you must promise me not to develop feelings for him, only then will I help him!"

"Master, what are you talking about!" Xia Ningchang blushed deeply, feeling flustered. "I haven't even spoken to him before."

Her words, however, carried a hint of guilt, as memories of a certain awkward night resurfaced in her mind.

"It's not that I wish to sever your ties to love, but… This small place isn't where you belong. There's no one here who is worthy of your affection. One day, you will reach heights that no one else can attain. You'll live for hundreds, maybe even thousands of years, while those you love will wither away before you. I don't want you to suffer that pain. Remember, the pinnacle of martial arts is a lonely, solitary place, cold and desolate!"