The Celestial Lotus Sect was arranged to stay in Lingxi Valley, a very spacious and tranquil place with a deep pool at the center.

The wooden buildings in the valley are simplistic and clean, quite suitable for Buddhist Disciples.

When Xuan Ye brought Jin Xiang and others back to Lingxi Valley, the disciples of the Celestial Lotus Sect had already settled in.

Xuan Ye’s room is a lodge beside the pool, and one can see the clear water upon opening the window.

The group arrived in Xuan Ye’s room with somber faces.

Once here, they no longer concealed their emotions. Only Jin Xiang remained calm, without visible joy or anger.

The Elders did not mind Jin Xiang; although her power was formidable, she was still considered junior in the Celestial Lotus Sect and not in a position to speak.

An Elder couldn’t help but voice his dissatisfaction: "First Seat, why did we let Gao Xuan go!"

Another Elder echoed, "Just now, when Jin Xiang made her move, it was the best opportunity—why didn’t we act?"

Xuan Ye glanced at them: "For what reason? Did you see Gao Xuan’s weakness?"

The two Elders were slightly unconvinced, and one said, "No matter how strong Gao Xuan’s power is, it’s only comparable to Jin Xiang. The First Seat could have activated the Celestial Lotus Treasure Mirror and surely sealed Gao Xuan."

Xuan Ye sneered: "What if it can’t seal him?"

The Elder was stunned: "How could it not? The Celestial Lotus Treasure Mirror is an Earth Artifact; it can even seal Earth Immortals."

"If you’re so capable, take the Celestial Lotus Treasure Mirror and go find Gao Xuan yourself."

Xuan Ye didn’t like these Elders; they lacked ability but had many opinions.

Their key skill was talking, but when required to do something, they achieved nothing.

Indeed, the Elder had a somewhat unnatural expression: "The Celestial Lotus Treasure Mirror is the First Seat’s ultimate treasure; how can a humble monk wield it?"

Xuan Ye was too lazy to explain and said, "You all disperse. Make sure to restrain the disciples and definitely do not provoke Gao Xuan."

Several Elders were full of resentment, "Are we just letting Gao Xuan go like this?"

"The revenge for our Northern Province comrades will not be sought?"

"Put this matter aside for now, and discuss it later when other sect allies arrive."

Xuan Ye waved his sleeve, dismissing the Elders and leaving only Jin Xiang.

Xuan Ye was silent for a while, then asked Jin Xiang: "What do you think?"

"Unfathomable."

Jin Xiang shook her head slightly: "Gao Xuan probably practiced some Golden Body Secret Techniques; I saw his physical power is formidable, no less than mine."

"Indeed."

Xuan Ye sighed; he realized something was wrong earlier. Gao Xuan coped too calmly and didn’t even use any Divine Artifact.

The moon-white gauze robe imbued with the Five Elements Wheel of Reincarnation didn’t exert its true power.

Gao Xuan suppressed Jin Xiang purely with his own power. His other Divine Techniques did not show.

Clearly, Gao Xuan must be hiding a lot of power. Given this, a life-and-death clash with Gao Xuan is something a wise person wouldn’t engage in.

At this point, Xuan Ye was actually no longer interested in avenging Northern Province comrades. However, as the head of Eastern Province Buddhism, he must give an account to other Buddhist Sects.

Xuan Ye found this matter quite troublesome.

He told Jin Xiang: "The Dragon Elephant Sect has a supreme treasure called the Dragon Elephant Demon-Slaying Pestle. This treasure can increase a cultivator’s power tenfold. If you obtain this treasure, can you confidently crush Gao Xuan?"

"Tenfold power?"

Jin Xiang pondered; with today’s combat situation, if her power increased tenfold, she could certainly crush Gao Xuan.

The problem is, with numerous laws restricting in the Cyan Celestial Realm, how is it possible to suddenly amplify power tenfold?

Besides, the Vajra Power King Scripture allows her to control all her power. Suddenly increasing power tenfold, can her body and Divine Soul withstand such immense power?

Jin Xiang was already at the peak of the Cyan Celestial Realm, and even a slight power increase was a huge breakthrough.

A tenfold power increase was unimaginable to her, and she dared not casually assure Xuan Ye.

Xuan Ye understood Jin Xiang’s concerns and said: "The Dragon Elephant Demon-Slaying Pestle is a Buddhist Court’s Divine Artifact and possesses supreme power. Your Vajra Power King’s physique can bear the power of the Dragon Elephant Demon-Slaying Pestle.

"As a Buddhist supreme treasure, it will not harm your foundation. The main concern is whether you can control such formidable power!"

Xuan Ye sighed: "The Profound Mirror from the Dragon Elephant Sect is stingy, and he may not lend us this supreme treasure."

While Xuan Ye was the nominal head of Buddhism, many sects respected him.

However, when it comes to sect heritage treasures, even his authority as First Seat is hard to leverage.

Not to mention different sects having varied intentions; even within the Celestial Lotus Sect, each Elder has their own factional alignment, fighting fiercely with one another.

Buddhism faces few enemies in the Eastern Province; normally everything goes smoothly with everyone happily united.

When facing real trouble, then the complex internal relationships of Buddhism come to light, making it hard for him to have everyone obediently follow orders.

These things are complex; Jin Xiang, a cultivation zealot, pays little attention to them.

Xuan Ye said a few simple words to Jin Xiang and then sent her down to rest.

He sat alone in the tranquil room, gazing at the azure water and thinking of the East Sea Dragon Race.

Ao Dongcheng is incredibly patient and shrewd, even more than an ancient turtle. He is a terrifying adversary.

That kind can still live on—it seems he’ll live for millions more years without issue.

Teaming up with the East Sea Dragon Race is akin to seeking skin from the tiger.

Xuan Ye calculated the strengths and various secret treasures of Buddhism, but could not conceive a certain way to defeat Gao Xuan. The more he thought, the more exhausted he became, ending in a long sigh...

This Celestial Dragon Assembly, he originally wanted Jin Xiang to claim the championship, greatly boosting the prestige of Buddhism.

Unexpectedly, upon arriving at Celestial Dragon Island, they suffered a setback by Gao Xuan.