Yu Lu Ming's appearance caused an uproar in the Lu Shan Sect.
He was the new Celestial Master of Longhu Mountain, the head of the current Taoist lineage, and no one in the Xuanmen world held more authority than him!
Even the ordinary officials and dignitaries, who did not understand the status rules of the Xuanmen world, now realized that Lin Zi Tong, whom they had underestimated, had connections and a background far beyond their imagination!
She had single-handedly invited the direct descendants of most of the prominent sects, and even the head of the Taoist lineage, Yu Lu Ming!
This was what they called having no connections?!
Silence fell upon the Lu Shan Sect's courtyard.
Yu Lu Ming greeted Cao Gao Chi and then ignored him, walking directly towards Yan Shou Yi and Lin Zi Tong.
Cao Gao Chi breathed a slight sigh of relief.
If Yuan Hong could previously stand on equal footing with Yuan Jian Xin, and Qian Kang Ping with Zhao Cheng Xiang, then upon seeing Yu Lu Ming now, a genuine difference in status existed between them.
Regardless of Cao Gao Chi's previous status, he had to kneel and pay respects to the Celestial Master. This rule did not apply to others, but for Cao Gao Chi of Longhu Mountain, it was a rule!
He had been worried that by supporting Lu Xin, he would incur Yu Lu Ming's displeasure and reprimand, but now it seemed Yu Lu Ming did not care at all.
It was fortunate he had wisely chosen to switch sides in time.
Being ignored was the greatest form of tolerance. If Yu Lu Ming had been angry and expelled Cao Gao Chi and the Liu Ren Guan directly from Longhu Mountain, Cao Gao Chi would have had no grounds for complaint.
Yu Lu Ming and Liu Yi Ren approached Yan Shou Yi and Lin Zi Tong. They cupped their fists and said, "We meet again."
Yan Shou Yi returned the gesture, "I didn't expect to meet under such circumstances."
"The Xuanmen world is one family. As the head of the Taoist lineage, I naturally cannot stand by and watch the Lu Shan Sect fall into the hands of villains," Yu Lu Ming said, casting a cold glance at Lu Xin.
In the span of one month, Yu Lu Ming had transformed from a young Taoist acolyte into a true Celestial Master.
His demeanor was no longer immature, his eyes had become profound, and his every move exuded the presence of a Celestial Master. The invisible pressure he emitted made people like Cao Gao Chi instinctively lower their heads.
Of course, this pressure did not affect Yan Shou Yi and the others, as in Yu Lu Ming's eyes, Yan Shou Yi was his friend.
Liu Yi Ren had also changed significantly. Compared to her youthful appearance when she first entered Longhu Mountain, Liu Yi Ren was now more mature, seemingly having become Yu Lu Ming's right-hand woman.
Seeing both Yan Shou Yi and Lin Zi Tong, Liu Yi Ren should have felt awkward, but she didn't seem to mind, greeting them generously.
"Zi Tong, Shou Yi, long time no see," she said with a smile.
Yan Shou Yi looked at Lin Zi Tong, who found it amusing and rolled her eyes at him, "She doesn't care, why should you? Greet her openly."
Although she said that, Yan Shou Yi was the center of the vortex between Lin Zi Tong and Liu Yi Ren. He, the center of the vortex, was quite timid, as a woman's jealousy was something even ten oxen couldn't stop.
Fortunately, Lin Zi Tong was not a petty person. Her teasing of Yan Shou Yi served as a mood enhancer among the three, eliciting a soft, bell-like laugh from Liu Yi Ren.
Yan Shou Yi's awkwardness was dispelled. He suddenly remembered Liu Yi Ren's past life as Princess Wen Yan and thought that after this matter was resolved, he should inform Liu Yi Ren that General Qing Jiang had already departed.
As everyone engaged in warm conversation and greetings, the control of the Lu Shan Sect courtyard had subtly shifted to Lin Zi Tong's hands.
It was Lin Zi Tong who was receiving and hosting the guests, and all the attendees showed her great respect. In contrast, Lu Xin, who had meticulously dressed up, became an unnoticed supporting character, like a green leaf beside a sacred lotus.
To express his stance, Cao Gao Chi quietly turned to Lu Xin and her group.
"Lu Xin... alas! Take care of yourself."
Cao Gao Chi opened his mouth but did not finish his sentence, yet his meaning was clear.
Sister, I'm leaving too. Don't persist. Hurry up and hand over the sect leader position to Lin Zi Tong, lest we all lose face later!
Cao Gao Chi hailed from the prestigious Longhu Mountain of the Taoist lineage. Even among the esteemed guests invited by Lu Xin, his status was quite special.
Since even he was defecting, the others' hearts pounded with apprehension.
Lu Xin's expression had become calm, for she knew the tide had turned. With the arrival of Yu Lu Ming, Lin Zi Tong had no more trump cards.
From now on, no more surprises would occur.
The decisive factor for the Lu Shan Sect leader position would be how Lu Xin responded next.
If she also had trump cards and could contend with Lin Zi Tong, the sect leader position would still be hers.
But...
Was that even possible?
Lin Zi Tong had even invited the current Celestial Master!
The sect leaders of the smaller factions aligned with Lu Xin did not believe she had a chance to turn the tables.
To put it blasphemously, for Lu Xin to have a chance, she would have to resurrect the former Celestial Master Zhang Yin and have Zhang Yin support her succession as the Lu Shan Sect leader.
Otherwise, there was no greater asset in this world than Yu Lu Ming!
Yan Shou Yi and the others stood together, their atmosphere harmonious and exceptionally united. In contrast, Lu Xin's faction was fraught with individual anxiety and somber expressions.
Lu Xin took a deep breath.
She said lightly, "Anyone else who wishes to leave, you may go now."
Was this a decision to... give up completely?
Everyone's hearts tightened, and they hung their heads in dejection.
They had ultimately chosen the wrong side!
In the inner hall, the remaining representatives of a few major sects felt relieved; they had finally found a reason to leave.
The group stood up, walked out of the inner hall, cupped their fists in a salute to Lu Xin, and said with apologetic tones, "Fellow Daoist Lu Xin, take care of yourself."
After speaking, they cupped their fists towards Lin Zi Tong and bowed to Yu Lu Ming. They felt too embarrassed to linger in the Lu Shan Sect courtyard and quietly left with their heads bowed.
Lin Zi Tong had not invited their higher-ranking sects, so it was inconvenient for them to immediately switch allegiance like Yuan Hong and the others.
Leaving at this moment was to save face for Lu Xin and their own sects. Otherwise, outsiders would perceive them as turncoats, swayed by any wind.
As for having chosen the wrong side earlier, they could slowly resolve any past grievances after Lin Zi Tong succeeded as the Lu Shan Sect leader.
With the departure of several important representatives, Lu Xin's faction's morale plummeted instantly.
The sect leaders of the smaller factions exchanged nervous glances, their hearts filled with panic.
They exchanged glances, seemingly seeking each other's thoughts. Everyone wanted to switch sides temporarily, but no one dared to be the first to change their expression.
At this moment, Lu Xin spoke again to the leaders of the smaller factions, "If you wish to leave, you may go as well."
With Lu Xin's words, the leaders of several smaller factions suddenly found their excuse.
They stopped paying attention to Lu Xin, forcing awkward smiles as they nodded and bowed to Lin Zi Tong, "Sect Leader Lin, we were blind before, and we have offended you greatly. Please be magnanimous and do not hold it against us..."
They abandoned Lu Xin just as unhesitatingly as they had betrayed Lin Zi Tong before.