Demon Sword Sect’s Undercover
Chapter 619 - 619 618 Impending Storm 3

619: Chapter 618 Impending Storm 3 619: Chapter 618 Impending Storm 3 Lan Re glanced over upon hearing this, a familiar figure that, even after decades, remained clear; strictly speaking, there was a significant bond between them, with the life-and-death reliance they shared back in Yinling, as well as the fortuitous encounters that followed.

It was just that for some inexplicable reasons, they had drifted apart over time.

There was an awkwardness that always persisted between them, an unease they couldn’t let go of, the result of their youthful naivety.

Unfortunately, there was no longer any chance for explanations.

In her gaze, the person appeared somewhat sneaky, covered with a cloak over their head, giving off a sleazy feeling just like when they first met.

Their realm seemed ambiguous, unstable, but this person’s abilities had little to do with their realm; what they liked most was to play the fool to catch the wise.

The two weren’t sure if they should greet the person, worried it might seem abrupt.

Decades had passed; was this person still the same, doing as they pleased, completely disregarding the rules of cultivation as that shameless rascal they remembered?

They hesitated, yet their gaze remained on the figure caught at the street corner.

The person was extremely perceptive, and their lingering look was immediately noticed, prompting the figure to boldly approach.

Caught a little off guard, the two women watched as the man drew near, sniffing the air like a ruffian,

“So fragrant, so fragrant.

It’s been many years.

I’ve missed you two sisters dearly.”

Seeing this person reaching out with hands and feet, seemingly ready to take advantage, the faint awkwardness in the hearts of the two women dissipated.

In the face of time, what did their youthful ignorance matter anymore?

Lan Ting swatted the hand reaching toward her waist aside and said with feigned annoyance, “Senior Brother, show some respect.

This is not a brothel, and we sisters are not courtesans soliciting mirth by leaning on a railing.”

Lan Re’s elegant brows lifted with a smile, “Senior Brother, what brings you here?

Are you on official business?

I’ve heard that you recently got promoted to a high position in Yujing and have been quite pleased with yourself…”

Hou Niao chuckled.

His current persona was precisely that of a ruffian, a role he embodied naturally.

Of course, stumbling upon old acquaintances in a foreign place was also real, as were the two beautiful fairies, and their even more beautiful Master.

“I was called to manage some affairs in Pingliang State, just passing time, really.

It’s lucky I’ve run into you two sisters.

Are you here for a particular reason?

Did you come with your Master?”

The two women looked at each other, sure enough, he was still that toad lusting after the swan—after all these years, he was still obsessed with their Master.

The three chatted amiably, and the two women could sense that the Quanzhen Sect disciple before them hadn’t changed much since they first met him.

His simplicity and forthrightness hid a disarming sincerity that required no circuitous words or scheming.

They mostly talked about the changes in the Anhe Daoist over the years, something that had greatly affected them.

Naturally, it was also of greatest concern to Hou Niao, being a true-blooded son of Anhe; the Three Rivers Prefecture was close to each of their hearts.

“So are you saying it’s essentially de facto partition?

But a Daoist tradition inherited for thousands of years must be difficult to divide clearly, right?

It’s not like a mundane family splitting property, where the land goes to one and the cattle to another, the father to the eldest and the mother to the next…”

Lan Re sighed, “The division of Daoist lineage is both simple and complex.

In truth, it doesn’t really lie in the division of territories or the resources of the lineage; such things are traceable.

Since there’s a quantity to consider, there must be procedures for division.

For instance, as for the teachings of the Daoist lineage, there’s no need for division; no one can be short of them.

Spirit Stones, artifacts, materials, etc., just split them evenly, even the most important Pocket Worlds of the lineage—one for each side—without much dispute.”

Hou Niao shook his head, a wry smile on his face, “Perhaps the thought is, sooner or later, to take the other side’s share as well?”

Lan Re nodded, “Anhe Daoist has indeed split into two, but it won’t be this way forever.

When it will merge back into one depends on the competition between Shan Sect and Wu Sect.

This won’t take long; the day of reckoning will come.”

Lan Ting added, “Some things can’t be divided, like the position of True Inheritor of Anhe Daoist.”

Hou Niao looked surprised, “The True Disciple of Anhe Daoist hasn’t been decided yet?”

Lan Re shook her head, “If Wu Sect hadn’t interfered, positions like True Disciple would have been secured long ago; it wouldn’t have dragged on till now.

But with the lineage split, hearts in turmoil, Anhe Daoist is no longer stable.

The hesitation endangers the position of True Disciple, with both sides harboring malice towards the other’s candidates, the competition fierce, skullduggery beneath the surface.”

Hou Niao, always curious about these matters, asked, “At Shan Sect Quanzhen, many factors determine the position of True Inheritor.

Is it important to have backing in Anhe Daoist too?”

Lan Re, with time on her hands, went into detail, “Of course, which Daoist lineage is different?

Without a powerful faction behind you, why would others support your ascension?

Normally, in Anhe Daoist, the competition for the True Inheritor begins two or three decades in advance.

The current delay is only because those at the top are tripping up each other, unwilling to accept the others’ candidates.”

Lan Re’s eyebrows knitted, “Anhe Daoist is not considered a major force on the Jinxiu Continent; recognized True Inheritor positions number only five, exactly matching the five Nascent Transformation ancestors within the sect, each nominating one.

There shouldn’t be much to quarrel over.

But now the situation has changed.

Of the five Nascent Transformation ancestors, three are in South An, and we from North An have two, each side reluctant to give in, highly antagonistic.

If we try to promote a True Disciple, South An will surely obstruct with a barrage of trials and difficulties; the same goes for our side—when they push a candidate, we will nitpick and won’t rest until we’ve sabotaged them, each side dragging the other down.”

Hou Niao laughed, “In that case, neither side will achieve its goal.

But as far as I see, the struggle for the final True Inheritor position in Anhe Daoist will still belong to the Nascent Transformation ancestors—each ancestor, one spot.

Nothing more.

By the way, does your Master have a good chance?”

Lan Re didn’t conceal, “From North An, we have two Nascent Transformation ancestors: Master An and Master Xiao.

Most likely, our Master will eventually be nominated by Master An because, among her peers, none surpass her strength, and her surname is An, after all.

As for Master Xiao, his thoughts are beyond our ken…”

Hou Niao, seeing she seemed to hesitate on certain points, should not have inquired, but he couldn’t help himself, “What’s the issue with Master Xiao?”

Lan Re shook her head, “Nothing, it’s just that Master Xiao is a very peculiar person in Anhe Daoist.

During the internal division, we all thought another Master would support independence, but surprisingly, he ended up joining Wu Sect, and it was Master Xiao who abruptly sided with us.

So everyone is somewhat puzzled about him…”