Demon Sword Sect's Undercover-Chapter 512 - 511: The Position of the True Inheritor 3

"Thirteen hundred top-grade Spirit Stones—I’ve been managing the treasury of Sikong Mansion for decades, and I’ve seldom seen such a large expenditure. Usually, it’s a collective action, but for one person to use so much, heh..."

Judge Wan didn’t immediately start writing; instead, he looked at him meaningfully.

What did that laugh mean? Hou Niao didn’t know, but he knew that Judge Wan, nicknamed Wan Yidao, was ruthless when it came to budget reimbursements—a clean cut through everything, no leniency; hence, the previous four Golden Core cultivators each had two hundred Spirit Stones slashed by him. This Judge, as the main authority, would have a much sharper blade than the others.

"The underground forces in Jianye knew I was in a hurry, so they made a huge demand. You also know the market—it was like asking for blood money. Everyone has heard the news by now; two of their men couldn’t escape—one died, the other was crippled...

The mansion gave me too little time and didn’t allow me to contact any other spies. What do you think?"

Judge Wan slightly smiled but unexpectedly changed the subject, "Hou Niao, I’ve also heard about your situation. You did splendidly over the Lizhi Sea, single-handedly clashing with groups of cultivators from the Southeast, several of which were their true core disciples. Such skill is indeed stunning. So, what are your thoughts about the future?"

Hou Niao didn’t quite understand why this Judge suddenly started taking an interest in him.

He could only respond with grandiosity, "Being in Sikong Mansion, of course, the most important thing is to serve the Quanzhen Sect and serve Shangguan diligently, completing every task, uniting colleagues, respecting masters, and for the Jinxiu Continent..."

Judge Wan raised his hand to stop him, "Save the formal speech for the ceremonies. We don’t need to talk about that in private; I mean, in terms of cultivation, don’t you have any thoughts?"

Hou Niao felt a stir inside, "Disciple doesn’t quite understand your meaning?"

Judge Wan gently coaxed, "For instance, aren’t you at all tempted by the status of a True Disciple? Even those disciples of mediocre talent are eager to try; how much more so for a distinguished disciple like you?"

Hou Niao sighed, "Not to hide from you, Uncle Master, I’ve thought about it, how could I not have? But after a conversation with Li Biejia, it left me somewhat hesitant; you know my situation, having no one to rely on within the sect, it seems better to recognize the difficulty and retreat than to make a rash move."

Judge Wan gave a cold smile, "Talking about retreat without even trying, that’s not like you. As for Li Chuping, he knows not the plight of the hungry, for he has obtained the Outer Space Spiritual Green himself but advises others it’s no big deal, a typical hypocrite."

Hou Niao hesitated slightly, "Concerning the internal struggle for true inheritance, I am completely confused. The intricacies are unclear; I don’t even know where to begin."

Judge Wan smiled, "You don’t know, but I do!"

Hou Niao stood up and bowed, "Please enlighten me, Uncle Master."

Judge Wan took a sip of tea, "I’m the kind of person who can’t stand the factions within the sect, the entanglement of interests, the cunning and conniving; unfortunately, due to limited abilities, I haven’t managed to secure a true inheritance in our generation, which I regret deeply.

But you are different—you stand out from the crowd, clearly capable; some people don’t see your potential either due to their shortsightedness or deliberately so, intending to suppress outstanding disciples like you, preventing you from emerging and threatening the status of those who are designated as true inheritors. Otherwise, how could your achievements possibly go unnoticed within the sect?

It’s not that they can’t see, but that they choose not to see."

"Within the Quanzhen Sect, there are currently nine True Disciples, each with a significant background; none are ordinary individuals,"

"At Sikong Mansion, our lineage includes Sun Kaiyu and Li Shulun. Among them, Sun Kaiyu is a disciple directly under Mansion Master Xu, the master, and Li Shulun, related to Li Chuping, is backed by Master Zong. So, I said aligning with Li Chuping would be futile because the Li family’s connections are already extended, and that refers to Li Shulun."

Hou Niao listened quietly; he did not understand what Judge Wan meant. As a fully mature individual, he was well aware that Li Chuping’s obstruction might not have been malicious, and Judge Wan’s support could not necessarily be considered good. The friends and foes in the Cultivation World are not so simply defined. For him, listening was harmless; regardless of the intentions, he would only follow his heart.

Judge Wan continued without pause, "Situ Mansion also has two True Disciples, Wei Gu and Fang Zhonghui, backed by Master Yan and Master Yang. These were candidates predetermined long ago by Situ Mansion, assessed over many years, with countless battle achievements, and strong capabilities—they are the direct heirs of Situ Mansion. How could their support be easily swayed?"

Hearing this, Hou Niao began to understand. Although the Quanzhen Sect internally also divided into the Integration Faction and the Demon-Entering Faction, such distinctions were not meant for public display; the Quanzhen Sect would not acknowledge them as doing so would be tantamount to self-castration, creating chaos from within.

Therefore, on the surface, it was still primarily based on the structure of the three mansions, a system everyone within the sect could accept.

Judge Wan rattled off like listing treasures, "Sima Mansion has three True Disciples: Lin Xiaoxian, Zu Yong, and Lu Guimeng, with the backing of Nascent Transformation Masters Master Shi, Master Luo, and Master Jiang.

"They are fundamentally from the Integration Faction. Just by ideology alone, they are incompatible with you, including in the realm of Sword Dao cultivation. Considering your actions on the Lizhi Sea, in their eyes, you appear arrogant and unaware of the bigger picture. Do you think you have any chance with them?"

Caught up in his narration, Judge Wan’s tone inadvertently carried a hint of resentment, possibly linked to his own experiences back in the Tongtian Realm.

"These masters, with their powerful clan backgrounds, just monopolize the paths to the Upper Realm within the Quanzhen Sect. It’s said that obtaining the Spirit Green from Outer Space is of little use; but who really knows the insider details? These beneficiaries won’t speak up, and how could others guess their secrets?

"There are also two other spots, respectively held by Duan Wuqian of Prince Manor and Wu Weijiang of King Wucheng Manor. As far as I know, you don’t get along well with Prince Manor?"

Hou Niao felt somewhat gloomy; he had thoroughly offended Prince Manor, and King Wucheng Manor might not be any better. Though on the Lizhi Sea he had notably assisted King Wucheng Manor, considering his slightly awkward relationship with Wu Weijiang’s two concubines, it was difficult to say how matters stood there.

This wasn’t mere speculation, as ever since his return to Jade Capital, King Wucheng Manor had never visited to express thanks; he didn’t think a distinguished manor would be so petty, but if those two women from the Dugu Family had played any role, then it was a different story!

Xiao Qiang, this woman—every encounter with her inevitably led to some incident, dragging him into inexplicable troubles.

Disaster comes from women, as the ancients truthfully said.

Seeing Hou Niao there, looking as gloomy as a frost-stricken eggplant, Judge Wan couldn’t help but chuckle,

"See what I mean? Everyone who learns of this secrecy ends up as disheartened as you. Even if you lick the gutter and cling to their thighs for thirty years, you might not achieve anything!

"But heaven never seals off all exits; apart from these nine in the Shan Sect, there are still four Nascent Elders who have yet to state their position."