Wei Buyu and Chen Fan descended on a mountain peak in the Spring Autumn Sect as a wind so cold blew that Chen Fan felt it in his bones.
Drawing in a sharp breath of cold air, he looked at Wei Buyu's back and expressed his gratitude, "Many thanks to Senior for saving my life."
Wei Buyu waved his hand, looking at the sea of clouds. He softly asked, “What are your opinions on Duan Jingtian?”
Chen Fan’s gaze shone, surprised by the unexpected question. He realized that Wei Buyu sought to understand his perspective and replied, “Strength allows one to violate the rules.”
“Strength allows one to violate the rules?”
Wei Buyu’s gaze seemed to flicker briefly. He turned around and looked at Chen Fan and expressionlessly said, “Hoho, Duan Jingtian's actions may breach the rules, but they remain within acceptable bounds. His abilities justify pushing the limits of Dragon Mountain Blessed Land's training.
“Among this generation of young disciples, he has brought immense glory to our sect. His strength and accomplishments warrant such deviations from the rules.
“He stands atop the younger generation of the Spring Autumn Sect!
“Moreover, he possesses extraordinary talent, advancing rapidly in cultivation. He is on his way to becoming an almighty Divine Nascent realm expert, making him our sect’s leader, and his potential wouldn’t stop at the Divine Nascent realm.”
Though Wei Buyu had opposed Duan Jingtian earlier, he now showered him with praises.
A hint of doubt appeared in the depths of Chen Fan’s eyes. “Since Senior looks upon Duan Jingtian so favorably, why did you save me and offend Duan Jingtian in the process?”
“Because our paths diverge,” Wei Buyu said plainly.
Chen Fan's pupils contracted at this revelation.
Their paths diverge—what did that mean?
Sensing Chen Fan's confusion, Wei Buyu said, “How much do you know about the inner workings of our sect?”
Chen Fan shook his head.
He was only an outer sect disciple and had been in the limelight for less than half a year. Accustomed to life at the sect's periphery, he had no insights into its internal dynamics.
Wei Buyu whispered, “Our sect is not unified; it's divided into three major factions. The most powerful is the faction led by our current Sect Leader, followed by the High Elder's faction, and a neutral group that doesn’t like the internal strife.”
Chen Fan was surprised by the extent of factional disputes within the Spring Autumn Sect.
Yet, upon reflection, it seemed a common occurrence, even in his smaller Chen Clan.
“Duan Jingtian is in the Sect Leader’s faction?” Chen Fan probed.
Wei Buyu nodded in response. “That’s right. To be precise, he is the current Sect Leader’s successor.”
Chen Fan finally understood the situation.
Duan Jingtian aligned with the Sect Leader's faction, while Wei Buyu had thwarted Duan Jingtian's attempt to harm Chen Fan, positioning himself against them.
Had Wei Buyu belonged to the neutral faction, he wouldn’t have gotten into this mess, so he had to be from the High Elder's faction.
However, Chen Fan still had doubts. “Senior, although Duan Jingtian is arrogant and overbearing, from what you said earlier, you seem to think rather highly of him. Why does such a remarkable figure still face intense factional struggles within the sect?”
“This matter goes back to many years ago.”
Wei Buyu's gaze shifted to the drifting clouds. With a nostalgic expression, he narrated, “The conflicts in the Spring Autumn Sect primarily revolve around the current Sect Leader and the High Elder.
“In the past, they were fellow disciples, both personal disciples of the previous Sect Leader. Possessing exceptional talents, they stood as the absolute pride of our sect. However...”
Wei Buyu paused abruptly, diverting the conversation. “Forget it. There are some things you still aren’t qualified to know about. All you need to know is that the High Elder and the Sect Leader share a relationship akin to water and fire.
“Our sect boasts a thousand-year history in the Great Chu Empire, ranked among the top thirty sects.
“Among the four great sects in Qingyang Mountain Range, only our Spring Autumn Sect has two Divine Nascent Realm powerhouses overseeing us, suppressing the other three great sects. Alas, internal strife undermines our potential. Otherwise...
“I shall not speak too much about such matters. I'll provide more details on the Spring Autumn Sect's internal dynamics later. After all, you're one of us now.”
The corners of Chen Fan’s lips twitched, cursing in his heart.
You're not even asking for my opinion? Just pulling me into this mess!
“Nowadays, the Sect Leader’s faction has been growing stronger due to Duan Jingtian. Also, some neutral elders are wavering and leaning toward the Sect Leader’s faction.
“Duan Jingtian’s talents, the Sect Leader’s vigorous nurturing, and the Ice Jade Snow Lotus that should have been yours will all contribute to increase his cultivation by leaps and bounds. He might not even need three years to advance to the Divine Nascent realm.
“I’m afraid the entire Spring Autumn Sect will face a major cleansing then, with those from the High Elder’s faction bearing the brunt.
“Duan Jingtian didn’t make things difficult for you because you killed one of his Heaven’s Alliance members and challenged his prestige. I’m afraid he has long been eyeing your Ice Jade Snow Lotus. A single Ice Jade Snow Lotus could save him about a year of cultivation, shortening his time to advance to the Divine Nascent realm.
“The reason he caused such a commotion was twofold: first, to find a pretext to take the Ice Jade Snow Lotus, and second, to decisively suppress you.”
Chen Fan’s gaze shone at those words.
I’m not even a threat to Duan Jingtian now!
Wei Buyu glanced at Chen Fan and chuckled. “What? You think you pose no threat to him, and Duan Jingtian didn’t have to go to such great lengths?”
“You’re looking down on yourself too much and overestimating Duan Jingtian.”
Wei Buyu said, “With the talents you’ve shown so far, though not an immediate threat, what about in the future? He may be the Sect Leader's chosen successor, but he's still just that—an heir. All exceptional geniuses nurtured by the sect aspire to become its leader eventually.
“Furthermore, your conflicts with the Heaven's Alliance are well-known, making it impossible for him to bring you to his side. Consequently, the High Elder's faction will naturally draw you in, making you a significant threat to him. Hence...”
Chen Fan finally understood the situation he was in after listening to Wei Buyu's detailed explanation.
Perhaps he didn’t intend to join the struggles between the factions in the sect, but Duan Jingtian couldn’t let anyone who could threaten him live.
However, even if Chen Fan didn’t want to join in, he could not stay out of it.
Wei Buyu's intervention had already aligned him with the High Elder's faction, willingly or not.
He did not have the choice nor the power to refuse!