Inside the Council Pavilion, everyone wore different expressions.
Influenced by Lü Zhenghai’s words, they naturally felt that Former Sect Leader Liu Xuan and the others were not having an easy time in the Merak Sacred Land.
Having just joined the Holy Land, they were targeted by people within, which led to Former Sect Leader Liu Xuan and his group participating in the suppression of the Earth Demons. It also caused them to miss the initial call for help.
This line of thinking made them more understanding of the actions of Liu Xuan and his group.
Yang Chan listened from the side, his expression much like everyone else’s. However, a strange light flickered deep in his eyes.
’Even if Liu Xuan and his group were sent to suppress the Earth Demons, they would have certainly left someone behind as a contact. Whether it was someone for the Cyan Yuan Sect or someone in the Merak Sacred Land, there should have been at least one person who could pass on messages. Therefore, even if Liu Xuan’s group didn’t know about the Cyan Yuan Sect’s call for help at first, they definitely would have found out later.’
’And how much time has passed since they found out?’
’We spent a good amount of time at the border, and that’s not even counting all the preparation time before that.’
’After we returned, another three months passed. For Former Sect Leader Liu Xuan to only just now hear the Cyan Yuan Sect’s call for help after all this time... I find that hilarious. And very, very interesting!’
However, some things didn’t need to be spelled out; those who understood, understood.
As for those who didn’t, there was no need for them to dwell on it.
"The factional divisions within the Merak Sacred Land are numerous, which was something we didn’t expect."
"The Merak Saintess only represents one of the branches within the Merak Sacred Land. We were targeted inside the Holy Land, and that’s why things turned out this way!"
"This time, Sect Leader Liu arranged for me to come here. Besides bringing back the complete ’Peng Demon Bone Marrow Cleansing Scripture’ for the Cyan Yuan Sect, I also brought a batch of Cultivation Resources."
"These were all prepared for everyone by Chiyu Peak. We hope the Cyan Yuan Sect can quickly get through this period of weakness."
As Lü Zhenghai spoke, he took out many bottles and jars. Most of them were elixirs that aided in the Inner Refining of the Six Viscera and Five Viscera—elixirs that everyone here could use.
"I’ve also brought quite a few Spirit Medicines to aid with External Cultivation. They’ve already been sent to the Medicine Hall, and I’ll have to trouble Pharmacist Yang and the others to refine them into elixirs for External Cultivation!"
"We also hope the Cyan Yuan Sect will be able to overcome this period of weakness!"
Lü Zhenghai said with a look of utmost sincerity.
At that moment, it was impossible to tell if his feelings were real or feigned.
Some people are so good at hiding their intentions that you can’t read them, while others appear so earnest that you can’t tell if they’re truly sincere.
"Sect Leader Liu did want to make a trip to the Cyan Yuan Sect, but right now, he is the only one guarding Chiyu Peak in the Merak Sacred Land. He’s also the only Bone Marrow Cleansing Grandmaster on Chiyu Peak. If he were to leave at a time like this, I’m afraid someone would stir up trouble!"
"To be on the safe side, Sect Leader Liu had me return instead. On the way, he instructed me to clearly explain the situation in the Merak Sacred Land to all of you."
"We all came from the Cyan Yuan Sect. Naturally, we won’t forget our origins. We will remember our roots!"
The more Lü Zhenghai spoke, the more sincere he appeared, looking for all the world like he had the Cyan Yuan Sect’s best interests at heart.
"I never expected it would be like this for you in the Merak Sacred Land. We had thought the Merak Sacred Land was a place like a paradise."
"It can’t be easy for Sect Leader Liu and the rest of you, facing such immense pressure!"
Gu An said with a sigh, as if he completely agreed.
"You shouldn’t have brought these Cultivation Resources out. You should have left them in the Merak Sacred Land to develop Chiyu Peak. After all, only when Chiyu Peak has developed will the Cyan Yuan Sect have a true backer!"
Gu An’s gaze swept over the elixirs on the table.
If it weren’t for Yang Chan, a Pharmacist with extreme talent in Alchemy, he might have actually valued these elixirs, especially those Five Revolutions Nourishing Organ Pills, which were extremely rare.
But now, he had not only obtained Top Quality Five Revolutions Nourishing Organ Pills from Yang Chan, but also elixirs like the Essence Condensing and Organ Refining Pill, an elixir for the Inner Refining Five Viscera Level.
He had tried them, and using the two in combination produced naturally excellent results.
Unlike Gu An, the other Cyan Yuan Sect Elders were a bit anxious. These elixirs were of great use to them.
Although Gu An had distributed some of the elixirs refined by Yang Chan to these Elders—mostly elixirs for the Inner Refining Six Viscera Level—with so many people, the number of elixirs each person received was naturally small.
Naturally, they placed great importance on the elixirs Lü Zhenghai had presented.
"The Cyan Yuan Sect is our root. If the root cannot grow strong, then we have no future!"
"Sect Leader Gu, there is no need to refuse. Please accept them!"
"We will send more elixirs in the future to help the Cyan Yuan Sect recover its former strength, and perhaps even advance further!"
Lü Zhenghai said with a smile, not taking back the elixirs.
He had come on this trip specifically to deliver these elixirs and to ease the relationship between the two sides.
While interacting with Gu An and the others, he could feel a sense of distance between them, something that hadn’t existed before.
Previously, when the two of them were Hall Masters of the Cyan Yuan Sect, although their relationship wasn’t particularly harmonious, they were both contributing to the growth of the Sect. Their goals were the same; only their methods differed.
But now things were different. This was a fundamental change.
’Ever since going to the Merak Sacred Land, although I am still a person of the Cyan Yuan Sect, my purpose is now more aligned with the Cyan Yuan Sect within the Merak Sacred Land, not the Cyan Yuan Sect in the Great Zhou Imperial Dynasty.’
’There is a huge difference between the two, a difference brought about by experience, status, and position.’
When he had previously seen that Gu An didn’t intend to accept, his heart had skipped a beat. However, seeing the looks in the eyes of the Elders, Hall Masters, and others, he felt much more at ease.
’As for why Gu An is so calm, it must have something to do with Yang Chan sitting beside him.’
’Gu An is an expert at the Inner Refining Five Viscera Level. For him to be so composed at a time like this, it must be because Yang Chan can refine elixirs at the level of the Five Revolutions Nourishing Organ Pill. And the Pill Formation Success Rate must not be low, either, meaning Gu An doesn’t lack elixirs. That’s the only explanation.’
"Alright, then on behalf of the Cyan Yuan Sect, I thank Sect Leader Liu and Hall Master Lü for their support."
Gu An did not refuse a second time.
Refusing once was just to show his dissatisfaction. When Lü Zhenghai offered again, he was giving him a way to back down gracefully, so of course he didn’t continue to refuse.
There was no need to. The Cyan Yuan Sect was now one of the Merak Sacred Land’s Affiliated Forces. Unless the Cyan Yuan Sect wanted to betray the Merak Sacred Land, this reality would not change for the time being.
Besides, he too would be going to the Merak Sacred Land in the future, and he might end up just like Lü Zhenghai.
However, he was currently the Sect Leader of the Cyan Yuan Sect. There were certain attitudes he had to display. This was his responsibility as Sect Leader, and it was also how he should fight for the Cyan Yuan Sect’s interests.
A person must do what their position requires. This was exactly what Gu An was doing at this moment.
Sure enough, seeing this, Lü Zhenghai simply smiled and nodded.
’The Sect Leader of the Cyan Yuan Sect needs to act like a Sect Leader.’
’Face is something you earn for yourself, not something given by others. If you don’t even care about your own face, why would anyone else give you any? Gu An’s actions were him earning his own face.’