*So, did the moderately unlucky lot and the worst lot point to different sources of danger, possibly two separate groups working independently?*

*Did they even know about each other's existence?*

*Lei Jun thought about this, and some ideas began to form in his mind.*

"Master, this disciple will enter that book's starry sky once again and try to gather some news."

Lei Jun looked at Yuan Mobai and said, "The Seven Luminaries Member may not have told the whole truth, we need to confirm further."

Yuan Mobai said, "Very well,"

Lei Jun would never really verify this with the other six people.

While their identities remained unconfirmed, it was best to avoid revealing his own information.

*He was only pretending to make a show, so it would be easier to explain things to Yuan Mobai later on.*

"The main peak in the western stretch of Great Southern Mountain, Lonely City Ridge, most likely did have enemies using information about the Celestial Master Robe to set a trap against our sect's people."

Lei Jun said, "Aside from that, I've heard something about the eastern segment's main peak, Chaoyang Peak. There's allegedly a very fierce great demon roaming there, but the report hasn't been confirmed."

*As for the worst lot, if Yuan Mobai went himself, who could say what would happen?*

*But if Lei Jun ran straight into Chaoyang Peak, even with Yuan Mobai at his side, it would still be a death sentence—Yuan Mobai wouldn't be able to protect him.*

*Why was it so perilous there? Lei Jun still didn't know, so he'd use the "great demon" story as a reason to inform Yuan Mobai for now.*

*He'd search for more information through other channels about Chaoyang Peak on the Great Southern Mountain eastern segment later.*

"Master, this disciple has an idea..." Lei Jun said gingerly, choosing his words.

Yuan Mobai's smile faded, his expression grew much more serious, "Are you thinking of making West and East fight each other?"

Lei Jun nodded slightly.

Yuan Mobai said, "That's very risky,"

Lei Jun said, "The prominent clans and our sect's legacy have become more and more hostile toward each other. Never mind Bodhi Temple, which was already destroyed—even our sect has been openly and secretly targeted many times."

"Earlier, Jinzhou Ye Clan and Suzhou Chu Clan directly intervened in the conflict with Li Wai. Now, at Great Southern Mountain, someone wants to set up an ambush."

"This disciple believes our sect has always been responding passively, and it's wearing us out. We should give our enemies something else to worry about—only then can our sect break away and catch a breath."

He said slowly, "Our sect is currently at a low point and needs time to recover. We should avoid direct confrontation and let others do the dirty work. After all, Jinzhou Ye Clan and Youzhou Lin Clan have always favored using others to fight their battles. Maybe we can turn their own tactics against them..."

Yuan Mobai didn't dismiss Lei Jun's suggestion, he just asked, "How can you make sure the person from the Seven Luminaries who gave you this information isn't one of the enemies we'll face this time?"

Lei Jun said, "I don't have absolute confidence, but I'm fairly certain this person is from the imperial family of Tang Court."

*The imperial family of Tang Court wanted to use the power of the sect's sacred land to keep the prominent clans in check.*

*But for Celestial Master Mansion, right now wasn't the time.*

*The imperial family was hoping to sharpen this blunt knife first, and only then leverage its power for bigger plans.*

*Otherwise, the Empress would've never traveled to Dragon Tiger Mountain just to show support for the Celestial Master Mansion back then.*

"You can't go, it's got to be me again,"

Yuan Mobai was usually mild, but considering how he once risked leaving the Altar of Wanfa Sect to ambush the Jiangzhou Lin Clan Elder at Xianliu Palace, it was clear he had a daring side.

Lei Jun said, "This disciple will go with you, Master,"

*Judging by the neutral lot, if they visited Great Southern Mountain or traveled deeper into the Southern Wildernes, as long as they avoided Lonely City Ridge and Chaoyang Peak, they should be basically safe.*

*The master and apprentice discussed their plans a while longer and then began to make preparations.*

*Including Tang Xiaotang, everyone else in the mansion was kept out of the loop.*

Lei Jun and Yuan Mobai reported only the bare minimum that they would travel together down south to search for the Celestial Master Robe.

Tang Xiaotang did have a bit of an urge to go with them, but in the end, she was persuaded by Lei Jun and Yuan Mobai.

With Edict Hall relatively quiet these days, Lei Jun could leave for a while without concern—he just left some disciples in charge.

*The master and disciple wasted no time and departed immediately from Dragon Tiger Mountain.*

*They didn't head straight south. First, they toured the branch sects of the Daoist Talismans line like the Purple Cloud Sect, Tianxu Sect, and Yuhang School.*

*Their movements were unpredictable, making it hard for anyone to track them down.*

*But one day, after leaving a certain place, the master and disciple suddenly vanished, and for a long time didn't return to Dragon Tiger Mountain Ancestral Court.*

*Back at Celestial Master Mansion, there was no panic—it seemed like everyone knew Lei Jun and his master had other plans arranged.*

*All this, as word spread, reached the ears of those who were watching for news.*

Amidst the mountains of Southern Wildernes...

"Mother, Yuan Mobai and Lei Jun have been out of contact for a while now."

Ye Lingxi, the true-born daughter of Jinzhou Ye Clan, stood behind her mother Ye Han, "If they really came to Great Southern Mountain, they'd have arrived by now."

Ye Han replied coolly, "Be patient and wait for more news. This is just a casual attempt—if we miss them, so be it."

Ye Lingxi bowed her head, "Yes,"

Ye Han said, "Don't lose touch with Golden City Stronghold, but keep your guard up all the same,"

Ye Lingxi answered, "I understand, Mother,"

*They and Golden City Stronghold shared a common enemy—Celestial Master Mansion.*

*But that didn't make them close allies.*

*If anything, dealing with people from a place like Golden City Stronghold, the Witchcraft Ghost Path Sacred Land, you always had to watch your back.*

*For Ghost Tao experts, when it came to their evil souls and walking corpses, all that mattered was quality, not origin.*

*If outstanding materials turned up to refine evil souls and corpses, they'd never pass up the opportunity.*

*Still, Ye Han reached out to the Golden City Stronghold's powerful figures.*

*For one, this was the Southern Wildernes, and they were the locals.*

*And to deal with Celestial Master Mansion, both sides had reason to cooperate—for now, at least.*

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