zhòng zhǎng lǎo mò rán ， liǎn shàng de biǎo qíng dōu shàn shàn de 。
众长老默然，脸上的表情都讪讪的。
The elders were silent, their faces showing a hint of embarrassment. They indeed hadn't thought that far ahead; everyone was just focused on how to get through the current crisis. The future prospects for their sect didn't even cross their minds.
tā men què shí méi yǒu nà me shēn móu yuǎn lǜ ， suǒ yǒu rén xiǎng de ， dōu shì rú hé dù guò yǎn qián de wēi jī ， zhì yú běn mén de qián jǐng rú hé ， tā men gēn běn jiù lái bù jí sī suǒ 。
他们确实没有那么深谋远虑，所有人想的，都是如何度过眼前的危机，至于本门的前景如何，他们根本就来不及思索。
However, as the saying goes, those who fail to plan for the distant future will surely face immediate worries.
rán ér sú huà shuō ， rén wú yuǎn lǜ bì yǒu jìn yōu 。
然而俗话说，人无远虑必有近忧。
The senior master's thoughts were correct. As the leading clan family in Nai Long Realm, they were indeed honored and respected. However, both openly and secretly, they had provoked many powerful enemies.
zhǎng mén shī xiōng de sī lǜ méi cuò ， běn mén zuò wèi nài lóng jiè pái míng dì yī de zōng mén jiā zú ， gù rán shì róng yào yǐ jí ， rán ér míng lǐ àn lǐ ， yě bù zhī dào zhāo rě le duō shǎo qiáng dí 。
掌门师兄的思虑没错，本门做为鼐龙界排名第一的宗门家族，固然是荣耀以极，然而明里暗里，也不知道招惹了多少强敌。
In the past, with the protection of the Supreme Elder, these threats could be ignored. But now that their sect was declining, troublemakers would likely emerge soon.
yǐ qián ， yǒu tài shàng zhǎng lǎo bì hù ， zhè xiē wēi xié zì rán kě yǐ bù yòng zài hū ， rán ér rú jīn běn mén shuāi luò ， jīn hòu tiào liáng xiǎo chǒu kǒng pà dū huì chū lái le 。
以前，有太上长老庇护，这些威胁自然可以不用在乎，然而如今本门衰落，今后跳梁小丑恐怕都会出来了。
For instance, if Old Devil Xue from Black Wind Valley learned about this, he wouldn't spare them.
bié de bù tí ， hēi fēng gǔ de xuē lǎo yāo ruò shì dé dào xiāo xī ， jiù jué méi yǒu jiāng běn mén fàng guò de dào lǐ 。
别的不提，黑风谷的薛老妖若是得到消息，就绝没有将本门放过的道理。
In other words, even if they managed to get through this crisis, more troubles were bound to follow. You can't escape your fate; the Sword Lake Palace might still face disintegration.
huàn jù huà shuō ， jí biàn néng jiāng yǎn qián de wēi jī dù guò ， kě jiē xià lái de mó nàn gèng duō ， duǒ dé le chū yī ， duǒ bù liǎo shí wǔ ， jiàn hú gōng kǒng pà yī jiù nán táo fēn bēng lí xī de xià chǎng lái zhe 。
换句话说，即便能将眼前的危机度过，可接下来的磨难更多，躲得了初一，躲不了十五，剑湖宫恐怕依旧难逃分崩离析的下场来着。
While such a result was undesirable, it was hard to deal with.
zhè zhǒng jié guǒ gù rán shì tā men bù yuàn jiàn dào de yí mù ， kě què nán yǐ yìng fù 。
这种结果固然是他们不愿见到的一幕，可却难以应付。
As the saying goes, "A tall tree attracts wind." Senior cultivators at the Spirit Dividing stage already had considerable strength, but protecting something as massive as the Sword Lake Palace required beings capable of withstanding tribulation.
hái shì nà jù yán yǔ ， shù dà zhāo fēng ， fēn shén qī xiū shì de shí lì yǐ suàn bù sú ， rán ér jiàn hú gōng zhè yàng de páng rán dà wù ， zhì shǎo dù jié jí bié de cún zài cái néng bì hù 。
还是那句言语，树大招风，分神期修士的实力已算不俗，然而剑湖宫这样的庞然大物，至少渡劫级别的存在才能庇护。
But both senior masters were gone, and the fate of the Grand Elder was unknown. Where could they find a tribulation-stage cultivator to protect them? Asking for help from Lin Xuan, the young master, seemed like a last resort.
kě liǎng wèi shī shū dōu yǐ jīng yǔn luò ， dà zhǎng lǎo yě shēng sǐ wèi bǔ ， jiàn hú gōng rú jīn dào nǎ ér qù xún zhǎo dù jié qī xiū shì de bì hù ， nán bù chéng qù yāng qiú nà lín xiǎo zi me ？
可两位师叔都已经陨落，大长老也生死未卜，剑湖宫如今到哪儿去寻找渡劫期修士的庇护，难不成去央求那林小子么？
Wait... Lin Xuan?
děng děng ……， lín xiǎo zi ？
等等……，林小子？
Following this line of thought, some quick-witted elders realized that there was indeed an old monster at the tribulation stage right before their eyes.
zhòng zhǎng lǎo shùn zhe zhè tiáo xiàn cāi cè ， yǐ jīng yǒu nǎo jīn zhuǎn dé kuài de rén fǎn yìng guò lái le 。
众长老顺着这条线猜测，已经有脑筋转得快的人反应过来了。
And his strength was formidable; he far surpassed others of the same rank.
dù jié jí bié de lǎo guài wù ， yǎn qián què shí yǒu yí gè xiàn chéng de 。
渡劫级别的老怪物，眼前确实有一个现成的。
If the Sword Lake Palace became附属 to Cloud Concealment Sect, it would face many constraints and inconveniences. But in times of crisis, like when dealing with Old Devil Xue, Lin Xuan couldn't ignore them out of principle or reason.
ér qiě shí lì bù sú ， yuǎn yuǎn shèng guò tóng jiē cún zài xǔ duō 。
而且实力不俗，远远胜过同阶存在许多。
No matter his reluctance, he had to provide protection for their sect, taking on these difficulties one by one.
ruò shì jiàn hú gōng chéng wéi yún yǐn zōng de fù shǔ shì lì ， gù rán huì yǒu zhū duō chè zhǒu yǔ bù biàn zhī chù ， rán ér yù jiàn wēi jī ， bǐ rú shuō xuē lǎo yāo nà yàng de lǎo guài wù ， yú qíng yú lǐ ， zhè lín xiǎo zi dōu bù kě néng shì ruò wú dǔ 。
若是剑湖宫成为云隐宗的附属势力，固然会有诸多掣肘与不便之处，然而遇见危机，比如说薛老妖那样的老怪物，于情于理，这林小子都不可能视若无睹。
Thus, even though the Supreme Elders were all gone, they could still stand firm in Nai Long Realm. No petty people would take advantage of their situation.
bù guǎn tā yuàn bù yuàn yì ， dōu bì xū wèi běn mén tí gōng bì hù ， jiāng zhè xiē kùn nán xiǎn zǔ yī yī jiē xià lái de 。
不管他愿不愿意，都必须为本门提供庇护，将这些困难险阻一一接下来的。
Thinking about it this way, relying on Cloud Concealment Sect wasn't necessarily a bad thing; from a long-term perspective, it might be more beneficial than harmful.
rú cǐ yī lái ， běn mén de tài shàng zhǎng lǎo suī jǐn jiē yǔn luò ， dàn què yī rán néng gòu zài nài lóng jiè lì zú ， jué méi yǒu xiāo xiǎo zhī bèi néng chèn rén zhī wēi 。
如此一来，本门的太上长老虽尽皆陨落，但却依然能够在鼐龙界立足，绝没有宵小之辈能趁人之危。
After clearly understanding this point, the Spirit Dividing cultivators present were filled with admiration for the senior master. He had thought so far ahead and taken such bold risks that it was truly impressive.
zhè yàng xiǎng xiǎng ， běn mén yī fù yú yún yǐn zōng ， yě bù suàn shén me huài chù ， cóng cháng yuǎn kǎo lǜ shèn zhì kě yǐ shuō lì dà yú bì de 。
这样想想，本门依附于云隐宗，也不算什么坏处，从长远考虑甚至可以说利大于弊的。
However, while they agreed, there was still some doubt in their minds. The senior master's decision to align with Cloud Concealment Sect was driven by necessity, but once made, it would add many constraints to the Sword Lake Palace. If things went wrong, they might regret it too late.
jiāng zhè yì diǎn xiǎng qīng chǔ ， zài chǎng de fēn shén qī chú le pèi fú hái shì pèi fú ， bù kuì shì dà shī xiōng ， néng gòu xiǎng dào rú cǐ cháng yuǎn de dì bù ， huǒ zhōng qǔ lì dào zhè ge chéng dù ， yě suàn shì lìng rén tàn wéi guān zhǐ le 。
将这一点想清楚，在场的分神期除了佩服还是佩服，不愧是大师兄，能够想到如此长远的地步，火中取栗到这个程度，也算是令人叹为观止了。
With this thought, a cultivator raised his concerns.
rán ér huà shì zhè me shuō ， dàn yào shuō yì diǎn yí lǜ yě wú ， nà kěn dìng shì piàn rén de 。
然而话是这么说，但要说一点疑虑也无，那肯定是骗人的。
But the old man with a refined demeanor remained calm and even showed disdain: "Hmph. You know all of this, yet what better solution do you have? Everyone here is welcome to propose other options; we can discuss them."
shī xiōng ràng běn mén yī fù yú yún yǐn zōng gù rán shì xíng shì suǒ pò ， kě yí dàn zhè me zuò le ， yě jiù wèi jiàn hú gōng píng tiān le xǔ duō shù fù ， ruò shì nòng jiǎ chéng zhēn ， dào shí hòu kě jiù huǐ zhī wǎn yǐ ， lián kū dōu lái bù jí 。
师兄让本门依附于云隐宗固然是形势所迫，可一旦这么做了，也就为剑湖宫平添了许多束缚，若是弄假成真，到时候可就悔之晚矣，连哭都来不及。
"Y-y-you..."
xiǎng dào zhè lǐ ， zì rán yǒu xiū shì tí chū le xīn zhōng de yí lǜ 。
想到这里，自然有修士提出了心中的疑虑。
The cultivator who had raised doubts was speechless. He could see that the senior master's plan had some flaws, but asking him for a better idea would be unreasonable. Moreover, his words made sense—being at the Spirit Dividing stage, he understood that everything had pros and cons.
rán ér nà xiān fēng dào gǔ de lǎo zhě ， liǎn shàng de biǎo qíng yī jiù shì píng jìng yǐ jí ， shèn zhì dài zhe jǐ fēn bù xiè zhī yì ：“ hēng ， nǐ shuō de zhè xiē ， lǎo fū yòu qǐ huì bù xiǎo de ， dàn shì jiān zhī shì ， qǐ huì yǒu shí quán shí měi yī shuō ， rú jīn běn mén miàn lín zhe zuì dà de wēi jī ， zhè yǐ jīng shì wǒ suǒ néng xiǎng chū lái de zuì hǎo de zhǔ yì ， nǐ ruò yǒu yí lǜ ， bù fáng shuō chū bié de jué zé ， gè wèi shī xiōng dì dōu zài cǐ chù ， dà jiā kě yǐ cān kǎo yī èr 。”
然而那仙风道骨的老者，脸上的表情依旧是平静以极，甚至带着几分不屑之意：“哼，你说的这些，老夫又岂会不晓得，但世间之事，岂会有十全十美一说，如今本门面临着最大的危机，这已经是我所能想出来的最好的主意，你若有疑虑，不妨说出别的抉择，各位师兄弟都在此处，大家可以参考一二。”
Others shared similar expressions of disagreement, unable to come up with better solutions after much discussion. After a while, it was the old man who spoke again:
“ sòng ……”
“送……”
"I did this out of necessity, but bearing humiliation can bring rewards. Remember, the Grand Elder is just missing; maybe one day he'll return."
nà tí chū yí lǜ de xiū shì tīng le ， bù yóu de zhāng kǒu jié shé ， tā kě yǐ tīng chū dà shī xiōng suǒ tí de zhè ge jì cè ， yǒu yī xiē bù tuǒ ， dàn yào ràng tā xiǎng chū gèng hǎo de zhǔ yì ， nà míng xiǎn shì qiǎng rén suǒ nán le ， ér qiě shī xiōng zhī yán zài lǐ ， tā shēn wèi fēn shén qī ， yòu qǐ huì bù dǒng de fán shì yǒu lì jiù yǒu bì ， jué méi yǒu shí quán shí měi de dào lǐ 。
那提出疑虑的修士听了，不由得张口结舌，他可以听出大师兄所提的这个计策，有一些不妥，但要让他想出更好的主意，那明显是强人所难了，而且师兄之言在理，他身为分神期，又岂会不懂得凡事有利就有弊，绝没有十全十美的道理。
This wasn't empty talk. The others' faces showed hope as well. Tribulation-stage cultivators rarely fell to their deaths, let alone later-stage beings. Even if they faced a terrible crisis, survival was always possible.
qí tā rén de 「★ méng méng yīng ★ wén zì 」 biǎo qíng yě dōu xiāng chà fǎng fú ， tǎo lùn le bàn tiān yě dōu xiǎng bú dào gèng hǎo de jiě jué zhī cè ， guò le piàn kè ， hái shì nà xiān fēng dào gǔ de lǎo zhě kāi kǒu le ：
其他人的「★萌萌桜★文字」表情也都相差仿佛，讨论了半天也都想不到更好的解决之策，过了片刻，还是那仙风道骨的老者开口了：
Thus, while there were no updates on Venerable Thousand Swords, everyone believed that the Grand Elder would return one day.
“ lǎo fū zhè me zuò ， yě shì bù dé yǐ ， dàn rěn rǔ fù zhòng shì yǒu huí bào dì ， dà jiā bú yào wàng jì ， dà zhǎng lǎo tā lǎo rén jiā zhǐ shì shī zōng ér yǐ ， shuō bù dìng nǎ yī tiān jiù huì huí dào zhè lǐ 。”
“老夫这么做，也是不得已，但忍辱负重是有回报地，大家不要忘记，大长老他老人家只是失踪而已，说不定哪一天就会回到这里。”
With this in mind, their gloom lifted. If the Grand Elder returned, their situation would fundamentally change, and Cloud Concealment Sect might have to submit.
lǎo zhě zhè huà ， kě bú shì xū yǔ ， qí tā rén tīng le ， liǎn shàng yě lù chū jǐ fēn xī yì ， dù jié jí bié de lǎo guài wù ， yǐ hěn nán yǔn luò ， gèng bú yào shuō hòu qī zhè yàng de cún zài le ， jí biàn yù shàng shén me kě pà de wēi jī ， bǎo mìng zǒng yě méi yǒu wèn tí 。
老者这话，可不是虚语，其他人听了，脸上也露出几分希翼，渡劫级别的老怪物，已很难陨落，更不要说后期这样的存在了，即便遇上什么可怕的危机，保命总也没有问题。
Given this, why not bear some humiliation for now?
suǒ yǐ wàn jiàn zūn zhě xiàn zài suī háo wú xiāo xī ， dàn tā men yǒu xiāng xìn dà zhǎng lǎo zǒng yǒu yī tiān huì huí dào zhè lǐ 。
所以万剑尊者现在虽毫无消息，但他们有相信大长老总有一天会回到这里。
After pondering this, they all felt at peace.
niàn jí zhì cǐ ， zhòng rén xīn zhōng de yù mèn zì rán shì yī sǎo ér qù ， ruò shì dà zhǎng lǎo qù ér fù fǎn ， běn mén de chǔ jìng jiāng huì yǒu gēn běn xìng gǎi biàn ， fǎn kè wéi zhǔ ， yún yǐn zōng nà shí hòu kǒng pà yě bù dé bù dī tóu fú shū 。
念及至此，众人心中的郁闷自然是一扫而去，若是大长老去而复返，本门的处境将会有根本xìng改变，反客为主，云隐宗那时候恐怕也不得不低头服输。
Thus, the discussion ended. They understood the situation and recognized their position. The senior master's proposal faced no opposition or objections anymore.
jì rán rú cǐ ， nà xiàn zài xiān rěn rǔ fù zhòng yī fān yòu yǒu hé bù kě ne ？
既然如此，那现在先忍辱负重一番又有何不可呢？
Those who adapt to circumstances are wise.
zhòng rén xiǎng dào cǐ chù ， yí gè gè jiē xīn píng qì hé 。
众人想到此处，一个个皆心平气和。
At least in the current situation, it was the best solution.
yú shì ， zhè chǎng tǎo lùn yě jiù dào cǐ wéi zhǐ le ， zhòng rén yǐ míng bái liǎo shì qíng de shǐ mò ， yě rèn qīng le tā men de chǔ jìng shì shén me ， duì yú zhǎng mén shī xiōng de tí yì ， dāng rán yě jiù bú huì zài yǒu fǎn duì yǔ yì yì le 。
于是，这场讨论也就到此为止了，众人已明白了事情的始末，也认清了他们的处境是什么，对于掌门师兄的提议，当然也就不会再有反对与异议了。
---
shí shí wù zhě wéi jùn jié 。
识时务者为俊杰。
The day passed uneventfully.
zhì shǎo jiù mù qián de qíng kuàng lái shuō ， zhè yǐ jīng shì zuì hǎo de jiě jué zhī cè 。
至少就目前的情况来说，这已经是最好的解决之策。
On the second day, Lin Xuan transformed into a streak of light and flew back to the Sword Lake Palace.
yī tiān jiù zhè me píng dàn de guò qù le 。
一天就这么平淡的过去了。
As a strategist, he knew what the old man's intentions were. While his strength wasn't discussed, Lin Xuan had every confidence in his ability to play mind games.
dì èr tiān ， lín xuān huà zuò yī dào jīng hóng ， chóng xīn fēi xiàng le jiàn hú gōng 。
第二天，林轩化作一道惊虹，重新飞向了剑湖宫。
The choice to align with Cloud Concealment Sect was driven by necessity, but it might also be an attempt to "rest under a big tree." The Sword Lake Palace, without its support, would need him to provide protection. This strategy was indeed clever.
suàn rén zhě ， rén yì suàn zhī ， yǐ lín xuān de cōng míng cái zhì ， nà lǎo zhě cǐ jǔ ， jiū jìng dǎ dī shén me zhǔ yì ， tā yòu qǐ huì bù qīng chǔ 。
算人者，人亦算之，以林轩的聪明才智，那老者此举，究竟打的什么主意，他又岂会不清楚。
But that didn't matter; if someone tried to outsmart him, they might end up tricking themselves instead.
shí lì zàn qiě bù tí ， wán xīn jī ， lín xuān kě shì hěn yǒu xìn xīn dì 。
实力暂且不提，玩心机，林轩可是很有信心地。
After all, the initiative remained in his hands. Such an outcome was beneficial for both Cloud Concealment Sect and himself.
duì fāng xuǎn zé guī fù yún yǐn zōng ， gù rán shì xíng shì suǒ bī ， dàn dǎ dī wèi bì bú shì dà shù dǐ xià hǎo chéng liáng de dào lǐ 。
对方选择归附云隐宗，固然是形势所逼，但打的未必不是大树底下好乘凉的道理。
With the Sword Lake Palace's allegiance, their sect could rise to prominence quickly, becoming the leading clan family in Nai Long Realm.
jiàn hú gōng shī qù le kào shān ， xiǎng yào ràng zì jǐ wèi tā men tí gōng bì hù ， zhè huǒ zhōng qǔ lì de zhǔ yì ， dǎ dé què rán qiǎo miào yǐ jí 。
剑湖宫失去了靠山，想要让自己为他们提供庇护，这火中取栗的主意，打得确然巧妙以极。
Compared to this benefit, taking some risks wasn't worth worrying about.
bù guò nà yòu yǒu shén me guān xì ， xiǎng yào suàn jì zì jǐ ， xiǎo xīn zuì hòu què jiāng zì jǐ gěi kēng jìn qù 。
不过那又有什么关系，想要算计自己，小心最后却将自己给坑进去。
Having seen through the other party's intentions, Lin Xuan was confident. He didn't fear any hidden motives and flew towards the Sword Lake Palace.
bì jìng zhǔ dòng quán hái zài zì jǐ de shǒu lǐ ， zhè yàng de jié jú ， bù lùn duì yún yǐn zōng ， hái shì duì zì jǐ ， dōu shì lì dà yú bì 。
毕竟主动权还在自己的手里，这样的结局，不论对云隐宗，还是对自己，都是利大于弊。
Not long after, he saw a group of cultivators, but they weren't setting up an ambush; these cultivators bowed to him in greeting.
dé jiàn hú gōng yī fù ， běn mén shuō yī fēi chōng tiān yě bù wèi guò ， mǎ shàng jiù néng chéng wéi nài lóng jiè pái míng dì yī de zōng mén jiā zú 。
得剑湖宫依附，本门说一飞冲天也不为过，马上就能成为鼐龙界排名第一的宗门家族。
Leading them were the Spirit Dividing cultivators from yesterday, their faces now full of smiles, showing utmost respect. They seemed to treat Lin Xuan as if he were the Supreme Elder of the Sword Lake Palace.
yǔ zhè yàng de hǎo chù xiāng bǐ ， mào diǎn fēng xiǎn gēn běn jiù bù zhí yī tí 。
与这样的好处相比，冒点风险根本就不值一提。
This was expected.
jì rán jiāng duì fāng de yòng xīn kàn pò ， lín xuān zì rán shì xiǎn de xìn xīn shí zú ， tā yě gēn běn bù dān xīn duì fāng huì bié yǒu qǐ tú ， jiù zhè yàng ， lín xuān xiàng jiàn hú gōng fēi qù 。
既然将对方的用心看破，林轩自然是显得信心十足，他也根本不担心对方会别有企图，就这样，林轩像剑湖宫飞去。
Having understood the situation and knowing what the senior master intended, they wouldn't oppose him. Since they had decided to bear humiliation, this superficial respect wasn't significant.
"..."
The elders were silent, their faces showing a hint of embarrassment. They indeed hadn't thought that far ahead; everyone was just focused on how to get through the current crisis. The future prospects for their sect didn't even cross their minds.
However, as the saying goes, those who fail to plan for the distant future will surely face immediate worries.
The senior master's thoughts were correct. As the leading clan family in Nai Long Realm, they were indeed honored and respected. However, both openly and secretly, they had provoked many powerful enemies.
In the past, with the protection of the Supreme Elder, these threats could be ignored. But now that their sect was declining, troublemakers would likely emerge soon.
For instance, if Old Devil Xue from Black Wind Valley learned about this, he wouldn't spare them.
In other words, even if they managed to get through this crisis, more troubles were bound to follow. You can't escape your fate; the Sword Lake Palace might still face disintegration.
While such a result was undesirable, it was hard to deal with.
As the saying goes, "A tall tree attracts wind." Senior cultivators at the Spirit Dividing stage already had considerable strength, but protecting something as massive as the Sword Lake Palace required beings capable of withstanding tribulation.
But both senior masters were gone, and the fate of the Grand Elder was unknown. Where could they find a tribulation-stage cultivator to protect them? Asking for help from Lin Xuan, the young master, seemed like a last resort.
Wait... Lin Xuan?
Following this line of thought, some quick-witted elders realized that there was indeed an old monster at the tribulation stage right before their eyes.
And his strength was formidable; he far surpassed others of the same rank.
If the Sword Lake Palace became附属 to Cloud Concealment Sect, it would face many constraints and inconveniences. But in times of crisis, like when dealing with Old Devil Xue, Lin Xuan couldn't ignore them out of principle or reason.
No matter his reluctance, he had to provide protection for their sect, taking on these difficulties one by one.
Thus, even though the Supreme Elders were all gone, they could still stand firm in Nai Long Realm. No petty people would take advantage of their situation.
Thinking about it this way, relying on Cloud Concealment Sect wasn't necessarily a bad thing; from a long-term perspective, it might be more beneficial than harmful.
After clearly understanding this point, the Spirit Dividing cultivators present were filled with admiration for the senior master. He had thought so far ahead and taken such bold risks that it was truly impressive.
However, while they agreed, there was still some doubt in their minds. The senior master's decision to align with Cloud Concealment Sect was driven by necessity, but once made, it would add many constraints to the Sword Lake Palace. If things went wrong, they might regret it too late.
With this thought, a cultivator raised his concerns.
But the old man with a refined demeanor remained calm and even showed disdain: "Hmph. You know all of this, yet what better solution do you have? Everyone here is welcome to propose other options; we can discuss them."
"Y-y-you..."
The cultivator who had raised doubts was speechless. He could see that the senior master's plan had some flaws, but asking him for a better idea would be unreasonable. Moreover, his words made sense—being at the Spirit Dividing stage, he understood that everything had pros and cons.
Others shared similar expressions of disagreement, unable to come up with better solutions after much discussion. After a while, it was the old man who spoke again:
"I did this out of necessity, but bearing humiliation can bring rewards. Remember, the Grand Elder is just missing; maybe one day he'll return."
This wasn't empty talk. The others' faces showed hope as well. Tribulation-stage cultivators rarely fell to their deaths, let alone later-stage beings. Even if they faced a terrible crisis, survival was always possible.
Thus, while there were no updates on Venerable Thousand Swords, everyone believed that the Grand Elder would return one day.
With this in mind, their gloom lifted. If the Grand Elder returned, their situation would fundamentally change, and Cloud Concealment Sect might have to submit.
Given this, why not bear some humiliation for now?
After pondering this, they all felt at peace.
Thus, the discussion ended. They understood the situation and recognized their position. The senior master's proposal faced no opposition or objections anymore.
Those who adapt to circumstances are wise.
At least in the current situation, it was the best solution.
---
The day passed uneventfully.
On the second day, Lin Xuan transformed into a streak of light and flew back to the Sword Lake Palace.
As a strategist, he knew what the old man's intentions were. While his strength wasn't discussed, Lin Xuan had every confidence in his ability to play mind games.
The choice to align with Cloud Concealment Sect was driven by necessity, but it might also be an attempt to "rest under a big tree." The Sword Lake Palace, without its support, would need him to provide protection. This strategy was indeed clever.
But that didn't matter; if someone tried to outsmart him, they might end up tricking themselves instead.
After all, the initiative remained in his hands. Such an outcome was beneficial for both Cloud Concealment Sect and himself.
With the Sword Lake Palace's allegiance, their sect could rise to prominence quickly, becoming the leading clan family in Nai Long Realm.
Compared to this benefit, taking some risks wasn't worth worrying about.
Having seen through the other party's intentions, Lin Xuan was confident. He didn't fear any hidden motives and flew towards the Sword Lake Palace.
Not long after, he saw a group of cultivators, but they weren't setting up an ambush; these cultivators bowed to him in greeting.
Leading them were the Spirit Dividing cultivators from yesterday, their faces now full of smiles, showing utmost respect. They seemed to treat Lin Xuan as if he were the Supreme Elder of the Sword Lake Palace.
This was expected.
Having understood the situation and knowing what the senior master intended, they wouldn't oppose him. Since they had decided to bear humiliation, this superficial respect wasn't significant.