Given the gravity of the situation, Shen Yunshen dared not make a decision lightly, so he said in a deep voice.
"All right!"
Zhao Ya lifted Bao Shan, instructing Tian Yixin and the others to quickly return to Azure Dragon Temple after cleaning up the battlefield, then hurried away with Shen Yunshen.
Before long, Zhao Ya and Shen Yunshen returned to Azure Dragon Temple, where they met Guan Xuejiang.
After listening to Zhao Ya’s account and Bao Shan’s supplementary information, Guan Xuejiang’s face was as dark as water, and he remained silent for a long time.
Shen Yunshen was a bit anxious.
"Elder, the situation is urgent; shouldn’t we make preparations in advance to deal with the war that might break out at any time?"
That’s right!
It’s war.
In the land Beyond the World, there are no nations, only sects.
The conflict between North Canglong and South Canglong is like a civil war between two split countries, the scale of which is no less than a war.
Guan Xuejiang sighed.
"Yun Shen, you don’t need to worry. I understand these principles well; preparations must be made, of course. I’m just pondering something."
"I spoke out of turn." Shen Yunshen realized his error and quickly apologized.
His earlier attitude was clearly blaming the elder, and luckily Guan Xuejiang had a good temper; else, such a remark could have caused trouble.
Guan Xuejiang waved his hand with a smile, "No worries, you’re doing it for our Azure Dragon Temple."
"Then, Elder, what are you pondering?" Zhao Ya asked at this moment.
"I am pondering that back in the day, Jingping Saint’s martial prowess was the best in the world; otherwise, he couldn’t have caused the division of the then flourishing Azure Dragon Temple merely as a disciple."
"Now twenty years have passed, and his power must have become even more unfathomable. If so, why didn’t he directly attack upon coming out of seclusion? Why entangle with underlings like Separation Tower, engaging in such petty acts?"
It must be said, as the elder, Guan Xuejiang might be too mild, but his insight was sufficient.
Having only these fragmented pieces of information, Guan Xuejiang directly grasped the key point.
Upon hearing his analysis, Shen Yunshen’s eyes brightened.
"Are you suggesting that this information is false?"
"That’s not quite it. The North Canglong has been dormant for twenty years, and although we have clashed occasionally, it was peaceful. Now they’re making such a big move; surely, they have something to rely on."
"I just estimate that Jingping Saint’s retreat this time wasn’t as smooth as imagined. Otherwise, given his character, he would have long attacked single-handedly, not resorted to such acts."
Shen Yunshen nodded, completely convinced.
"That’s the reasoning. So according to your thoughts, Elder..."
"Even so, we must not be careless, Ya!"
"Disciple is here!"
"You have done remarkably, but we need to trouble you again. Since Separation Tower is colluding with North Canglong intending to invade, we must not sit idly by; we should have a surprise for them."
At the last part of his words, a cold murderous intent flashed in Guan Xuejiang’s eyes.
No matter how mild his nature, Guan Xuejiang showed the decisiveness of a leader when faced with such matters.
"Disciple obeys."
Zhao Ya was also completely convinced.
Actually, what Guan Xuejiang said was also what Zhao Ya had in mind, more deeply felt than Shen Yunshen.
After all, he had "witnessed" Jingping Saint’s strength back in the day.
Therefore upon hearing the information from Bao Shan, Zhao Ya was puzzled.
How could such a formidable existence resort to these lowly tactics?
If it were Zhao Ya, he would have come to fight alone long ago.
So Zhao Ya also believed that there must be something wrong with Jingping Saint.
Meanwhile, Zhao Ya had another doubt.
How did Jingping Saint even cultivate to such extent?
Considering Zhao Ya’s talent is exceptional, bolstered with Golden Finger and personal persistence in training diligently day by day. Yet it was only at twenty-one that he reached such a level.
This is almost unrepeatable success.
Yet Jingping Saint was even more astonishing, defeating an elder enhanced with the Power of Azure Dragon in his thirties.
This cannot simply be explained by talent.
Unless Jingping Saint had another fortuitous encounter, or perhaps... his cultivation method was flawed.
This guess arose because when Zhao Ya was browsing materials in the Library, he encountered scraps related to the division war years ago.
It seemed that the division battle was due to conflicts in cultivation philosophy.
But there was no more detailed explanation.
South Canglong seemed to keep this matter closely guarded, even to the point that Guo Luming was reluctant to discuss it.
Zhao Ya could only speculate, but the specific nature of the philosophical dispute that could lead to such a civil strife remains unknown.
Upon receiving the elder’s command, all of South Canglong became busy.
Especially after hearing that Separation Tower was colluding with North Canglong to stage an invasion, everyone was filled with righteous indignation.
Even Xia Jiye’s old allies put aside their grudges temporarily and worked together.
Because they all understood that the previous conflicts were internal; Xia Jiye had gone too far, leading to his death.
But the conflict with North Canglong was real and uncompromising.
Even failure means death.
So they were rare in their cooperation.
And as the commander, Zhao Ya was extraordinarily busy.
But fortunately, with Shen Yunshen supporting him, and Zhao Ya’s previous accumulated prestige, measures were implemented smoothly.
On the top floor of the Library, Guan Xuejiang and Guo Luming stood by the window watching the Azure Dragon Temple below.
From time to time, disciples were seen passing briskly, their faces filled with excitement and tension.
"You truly are slacking. Shouldn’t you, as the elder, be overseeing and commanding now? Instead, you’re here drinking wine," Guo Luming said helplessly.
Guan Xuejiang chuckled, happily draining the jar of wine, then leisurely said.
"Isn’t it because we have Ya managing things? This young fellow is doing quite well; even if I were managing, I wouldn’t be as effective. Thus, it’s only right to give way to ability."
"Lazy is lazy; don’t make excuses," Guo Luming jokingly scolded, then handed another jar of wine to Guan Xuejiang.
Guan Xuejiang looked at Guo Luming in surprise.
"What are you looking at? Drink,"
Guan Xuejiang chuckled, taking the jar, removing its seal, and took a large gulp.
"Good wine!" Guan Xuejiang complimented.
At this point, Guo Luming looked at the view outside the window, contently saying, "With Jingping Saint coming out of seclusion this time, I estimate he has completely healed his past internal injuries, and possibly further improved his skills. How do you plan to respond to this?"
"How else to respond? Naturally, we’ll meet soldiers with generals and water with earth," Guan Xuejiang replied calmly.
Saying this, he turned to glance at Guo Luming, then continued with a smile: "Senior Brother, could it be you’re worried about me?"
Unexpectedly, Guo Luming seriously nodded to this.
"Yes."
Guan Xuejiang was taken aback, then smiled: "Fear not, Senior Brother, I have my limits."
"Also estimating that Jingping Saint is now in the process of stabilizing his powers; he won’t come anytime soon."
Despite saying so, the worry on Guo Luming’s face did not dissipate.
He hesitated briefly and then said suddenly, "What if I..."
However, before he could finish, Guan Xuejiang interrupted him.
"Senior Brother, I know what you want to say, but ever since Master gave me the position of the elder, I anticipated a day like this."
"This is my duty as the elder, even as my Senior Brother, you can’t replace me in this."
"The Library is the cornerstone of our Azure Dragon Temple, with you guarding it, I am reassured; as for the rest, don’t concern yourself with it."
Guan Xuejiang knew what Guo Luming wanted to say, but he didn’t wait for him to finish and directly refused.
Guo Luming fell silent.
Guan Xuejiang laughed, "Moreover, it may not be that I’m so far inferior to Jingping Saint. Back then, Master disrupted his True Power, perhaps he’s not fully recovered yet."
"Furthermore... if it comes to it, I still have the Power of Azure Dragon as my ally, which does not mean a sure defeat against him."