After a few breaths’ time, Daoist Chongling shook his head.

"Lord Shen, all of this is, in essence, just a power struggle," Daoist Chongling said.

Shen Bai asked in surprise, "A power struggle?"

Daoist Chongling slowed his pace slightly. "The Great Zhou Country has three princes."

The fact that the Great Zhou Country had three princes was common knowledge.

But now, Daoist Chongling had brought it up again, which made Shen Bai frown.

Although they were both traveling at speed, for men like Shen Bai and Daoist Chongling, dividing their attention was the simplest thing in the world.

Shen Bai mulled over Daoist Chongling’s words and suddenly grasped the key point. "You mean it’s a power struggle, but with the Emperor still on the throne, how can they fight?"

All power struggles only ever begin after something happens to the Emperor.

The Emperor of the Great Zhou Country was no fool. No matter how cunning the three Princes were, they were no match for the Emperor. It would be impossible for them to pull something like this right under his nose.

Daoist Chongling turned his head and said seriously, "But if Your Majesty allows it, then everything falls into place."

The Emperor allows it?

Shen Bai stroked his chin and fell into thought.

If the Emperor allowed it, the conflict between the three Princes would be brought out into the open. And once it was in the open, many things would be revealed, like the receding tide exposing the seabed.

"According to what you’re saying, Daoist, the Third Prince is using this opportunity to build his influence and carve out a piece of power for himself," Shen Bai said.

Daoist Chongling nodded. "Correct. Some secrets are best kept between us. Lord Shen, you must not spread this outside."

Shen Bai said, "Please continue, Daoist. I’ve always been good at keeping secrets."

After organizing his thoughts, Daoist Chongling said, "Back when the Great Zhou Country was founded, it was born from a storm of bloodshed and strife."

"Though the dynasty is now in turmoil, as long as the Emperor who rose to power through terror remains on the throne, no one dares to act recklessly. Everyone in the Great Zhou Country fears his methods."

"Unfortunately, in his early years, the Emperor was secretly wounded by other nations. He sustained an extremely severe internal injury, and countless master physicians have been utterly helpless to treat it."

"Because of this, the Dukes are all waiting. Waiting for the day the Emperor passes away."

This was the first time Shen Bai had heard this secret. As Daoist Chongling elaborated, an image began to form in his mind.

In the image, the Emperor sat upon his throne. Behind him was a mountain of corpses in a sea of blood, and before him were figures prostrating on the ground.

Suddenly, the Emperor coughed, a look of exhaustion on his face, and the prostrate figures began to stir.

Suspicion, excitement, an eagerness to act, yet they forced themselves to hold back.

They were all waiting for the being on the throne to finally turn to dust and vanish.

Shen Bai mused, "The Third Prince’s participation in the internal examination assessment was likely sanctioned by the Emperor as well."

Just now, while Daoist Chongling was explaining, Shen Bai had been analyzing the situation himself.

’Without the Emperor’s approval, how could a top enforcer agency like the Observatory possibly let the Third Prince get involved?’

’The Third Prince’s involvement also indirectly shows that the Emperor’s injury has likely worsened again.’

"The situation seems to be getting worse and worse," Shen Bai said.

Daoist Chongling gazed at the mountains and rivers in the distance. "In times of chaos, there are both advantages and disadvantages. The various Dukes will rise to contend for control of the realm, and foreign nations will be watching from the sidelines. It is an age that forges heroes, but no matter what, it is always the common people who suffer."

Shen Bai very much agreed with Daoist Chongling’s sentiment.

Circumstances do indeed make heroes, but how many can actually become one?

It is the common people who suffer the most.

If the Emperor were to pass away, war, famine, and suffering would follow like a shadow.

Daoist Chongling formed a Technique with his fingers and said, "Fortunately, even when that time comes, the chaos won’t erupt all at once. Perhaps His Majesty has other plans in place. No one can say for sure. We can only do everything in our power to protect a corner of peace in this environment."

Shen Bai nodded and said no more.

In fact, though the two were talking, they were drawing ever closer to the Celestial Purity Daoist Temple.

As for what came next, Shen Bai decided to think about it later.

For now, he would focus on resolving the matter at the Celestial Purity Daoist Temple.

After that, the two changed the subject, chatting as they continued toward the Celestial Purity Daoist Temple.

...

Their journey was uneventful.

Just as Liu Wufeng had said, although the Celestial Purity Daoist Temple only had nine disciples left, two of them—Daoist Chongling and the Chang Mei Daoist—were no weaker than Elder Mu. The other seven disciples, while slightly weaker, were not far behind.

And just as Liu Wufeng had predicted, the Wild Taoist Sect and the Wild Buddha Sect truly did not dare to cause trouble for Shen Bai along the way.

Upon reaching their destination, Shen Bai looked up at the mountain peak piercing the clouds and narrowed his eyes.

"What a fine mountain. If I were to ever live in seclusion, I would also choose such a picturesque place," Shen Bai remarked.

Daoist Chongling shook his head. "Lord Shen, you are in the prime of your youth. Why would you think of seclusion? If you did, I’m afraid every prodigy in Fenglin State would laugh their heads off."

Shen Bai laughed heartily. "It’s not my intention to compete with them for anything. I walk my own path."

The two followed the man-made stone steps all the way up, finally arriving at a massive but old Daoist temple.

Daoist Chongling stood at the entrance and gestured for Shen Bai to enter. "Lord Shen, please."

Shen Bai looked up, examining it for a moment before turning slightly and walking through the main gate of the Celestial Purity Daoist Temple.