"I see… so Lulu is in the Ninth Heaven…" Yuan murmured after hearing about her situation from Senior Bai. Though it pained him to know she was struggling, it wasn't unexpected, as she had been sent to a place far beyond her current abilities. Yet, if she could overcome those challenges and push past her limits, he knew she would emerge far stronger than before.
"Falling behind the others isn't her only hardship," Senior Bai continued. "She also has to endure the mockery and disdain of her fellow disciples. Even though I warned her beforehand, she still chose to face the challenge. I can't constantly shield her since there's only so much favoritism I can show a single disciple, but I make sure nothing goes too far."
"That's a given," Yuan nodded in agreement. "As much as I care for Lulu, I can understand the other disciples' frustration. They worked hard to earn their place in the sect, while she entered through connections despite lacking the same abilities. For that, I owe you my gratitude, Senior Bai—thank you for looking after her."
Senior Bai laughed out loud, "Considering our relationship, this is the least I can do. And as I already told her, connection is as important as talent in the cultivation world, so don't overthink it too much."
"Anyway, let's continue to the others. About Li Jinxi, I haven't received much news from her, but according to what I've heard from others, she's been making waves in Heaven's Sect."
"Heaven's Sect?" Yuan found the name familiar but couldn't recall where he had heard it from.
"It's one of the top three sects in the Ninth Heaven, overseen by the Tian Family—the Heavenly Son's family," said Senior Bai. "Not only does it gather the most talented cultivators, but its environment is also among the harshest and most demanding. Even so, Li Jinxi has been making a name for herself there, astonishing everyone with her overwhelming talent."
"In fact, I heard that she even caught the attention of the Tian Family in the short time that she's been there. I knew she was talented before, but she still managed to surpass my expectations. She's quite similar to you in that way, Yuan." Senior Bai chuckled.
"I'm more surprised that she agreed to join a sect," Yuan said with a smile. "She's the type to wander."
"You know her very well. Indeed, she initially planned to wander the Nine Heavens alone, but I managed to convince her to join a sect. After all, I didn't want her to waste her potential."
Senior Bai continued to discuss the other members and how each of them was adjusting to their new environments. "As for Wang Xiuying, I heard that she—" Senior Bai suddenly stopped speaking and reached into his pocket to retrieve a communication jade slip.
"Give me a moment," he said as he listened to the message he'd just received.
As he did, Senior Bai's expression darkened, and he let out a heavy sigh. A few moments later, he put the communication jade slip away and sighed once more.
"What's wrong?" Yuan asked.
"I just received word that someone clashed with the Second Squad of Heaven's Mandate, and not only did that person kill thousands of their soldiers, but even forced them to retreat," Senior Bai explained, his tone filled with disbelief and concern.
Yuan's body stiffened at this news.
"If this news is true, it would explain our sudden drop in karma," Senior Bai continued. "Someone from the Celestial Overlords must have clashed with Heaven's Mandate, and that conflict triggered the decline."
"With that said, it still doesn't make any sense!" Senior Bai slammed the table in frustration. "How can a single person force the entire Second Squad to retreat? Even if all of the Celestial Overlords worked together, they still wouldn't be able to achieve such a feat, let alone the rest of the members! This is something that would only be feasible by a Cultivation God, but we don't have such a powerhouse in the faction!"
"..."
Yuan remained silent as Senior Bai expressed his frustration, cold sweat soaking his back.
"So, what happens now?" Yuan eventually asked.
"There's nothing we can do until we confirm the information," Senior Bai replied. "However, if it turns out to be true, Heaven's Mandate will likely make the first move."
"Sorry, but I have to leave now."
Yuan nodded, "No worries. Let's continue once everything has calmed down."
After saying their goodbyes, Senior Bai left, and Yuan returned to the Myriad of Techniques.
"Did you speak with Master Bai?" Zhu Yuying asked him.
"Yes, I did."
"Then did you ask about the situation? I hope it's nothing too serious."
Yuan wore a bitter smile on his face as he responded, "It'll sort itself out. If not, I'll do something about it."
"You will?" Zhu Yuying stared at him with wide eyes. He nodded, "Anyway, I'll be leaving now."
"Alright. Don't forget to visit me at Gates of Heaven when you have the chance."
"Of course."
With that, Yuan left the Myriad of Techniques. Zhu Yuying also decided to end her work there and left shortly after.
Meanwhile, after returning to the Celestial Overlords' headquarters, Senior Bai went straight into a meeting with the other Celestial Overlords and Overlords present.
"So, has everyone heard the news about Heaven's Mandate?" Qiang Qing Yun was the first to speak once everyone had gathered.
"Of course, but it's an outrageous rumor and pure nonsense," said one of the other Celestial Overlords, a handsome man with long, dark green hair. "Besides a Cultivation God, who is capable of forcing the Second Squad to retreat? They're the Celestial Emperor's third most powerful force with over ten thousand God Ascension experts in their formation!" "Right? Nobody is stupid enough to believe such nonsense," someone else remarked.
"Ignoring whether it's even possible, if we consider our current situation, doesn't it make sense?" someone suddenly spoke up. "I can't imagine any other scenario that would cause our karma to plummet so drastically."
The room fell silent at these words.