Ling Yuxian's gaze was primarily fixed on Elder Qianyun, wanting to capture any changes in her expression.
Originally, she had been quite assured of the elders of the Imperial Immortal Palace. However, after witnessing Gu Changge's unfathomable nature, she began to grow suspicious and wary.
Although Elder Qianyun was an existence that had passed through three Heavenly Decline Tribulations, she might not pose any threat to Gu Changge.
It was very likely she was completely unaware of the mystery and peculiarity of her disciple.
Or perhaps, Elder Qianyun actually knew?
But was her own life already held in Gu Changge's grasp, like a clay bodhisattva crossing a river barely able to save itself, forcing her to maintain an appearance of knowing nothing?
After the council ended this time, Ling Yuxian thought for a moment and had Palace Lord Ling Qiuchang keep all the elders behind, then separately spoke with each elder about some matters.
Her original intention was to keep Elder Qianyun behind alone.
But doing so would be too obvious. Why would all other elders be allowed to leave, while only Elder Qianyun was kept?
If there were no issues with Gu Changge, then it would be fine. But if there were problems, it would undoubtedly make him suspicious and alert immediately.
If all elders were kept together, it would ultimately arouse less suspicion in him.
After her sister conveyed the intent for her to be wary of Gu Changge, even though Gu Changge explicitly stated he bore no malice towards the Imperial Immortal Palace, Ling Yuxian had already mentally classified Gu Changge as an unknown and dangerous formidable enemy.
In the vast hall, faint clouds and mist drifted.
Elder Qianyun stood in the hall with lowered eyes, unaware of what matter Palace Lord Ling Qiuchang wished to discuss.
All elders had been kept behind and were being spoken to individually.
"Elder Qianyun..."
Soon, however, a somewhat coldly alluring voice interrupted Elder Qianyun's thoughts.
She looked at Ling Yuxian, who had appeared before her, with a slightly stunned expression.
Palace Lord Ling Qiuchang's figure stood not far away, not approaching, as if allowing her to speak with Ling Yuxian alone.
Elder Qianyun was puzzled. Previously, Ling Yuxian had already sought her out once, inquiring about matters related to Gu Changge.
At that time, Elder Qianyun had answered flawlessly, not daring to show any abnormalities.
So why was she being sought out again today?
Ling Yuxian stared at Elder Qianyun, her eyes seemingly flowing with a purple halo, like a deep river of time.
"Elder Qianyun, there is no need to worry. The matters I wish to discuss with you today will not be known by others. I simply wish to ask you some things."
She spoke calmly.
Elder Qianyun was stunned. She actually felt an unprecedented, intense pressure from this junior, Ling Yuxian.
"Might I ask what you wish to know?"
She lowered her gaze and asked softly.
Ling Yuxian simply said, "Elder Qianyun, you should know what I wish to ask. On the territory of the Imperial Immortal Palace, we cannot tolerate outsiders acting recklessly. If you have encountered any danger or coercion, you need not worry. The Imperial Immortal Palace stands eternal, what kind of tribulations have we not encountered? What you fear are merely minor winds and light rain."
A wry smile rose in Elder Qianyun's heart. She understood Ling Yuxian's meaning.
But would speaking out truly be useful?
Although she was only a step away from the True Dao Realm, even an existence of the Ancestral Dao Realm would find it impossible to subdue her and control her life and death without her noticing.
"You are overthinking. I also don't know what you are talking about."
She still kept her gaze lowered, speaking softly.
Ling Qiuchang, not far away, frowned at this moment.
"In that case, Elder Qianyun, you may leave. Perhaps I truly am overthinking," Ling Yuxian said, glancing at Ling Qiuchang, signaling him to remain calm.
Elder Qianyun nodded, then left the hall.
Ling Yuxian watched her departing figure, her gaze suddenly turning profound. She murmured, "It seems matters are even more troublesome than I imagined. Elder Qianyun is indeed under coercion. It's not that she is unaware of her disciple's identity, or perhaps that person isn't her so-called disciple at all..."
"She actually understands, but is also helpless. Even in the current situation, she still dares not say anything."
Ling Qiuchang also understood Ling Yuxian's meaning now, his expression grave. "Little Ancestor, are you saying that Elder Qianyun's disciple has major issues, and even Elder Qianyun is coerced by him? Yet, in the hall earlier, he said he bore no malice towards our Imperial Immortal Palace?"
Now, Ling Qiuchang only had one thought: to nip the danger in the bud.
On the territory of the Imperial Immortal Palace, he did not believe the other party could cause any significant waves.
Ling Yuxian shook her head. "Matters are not as simple as you think."
If the other party lacked confidence, how would he dare to speak those words so openly in the hall?
Ling Yuxian told Ling Qiuchang not to act rashly for now, to avoid alerting the enemy. Before knowing the purpose behind the other party's appearance on Imperial Immortal Palace territory, all they could do was wait and observe.
Ling Qiuchang also understood, as he didn't want the Imperial Immortal Palace to antagonize such an unfathomable being of unknown origin without cause.
...
Moreover, it seemed Elder Qianyun's life was also under the other party's control.
Ling Qiuchang also did not want to lose a promising elder.
Currently, the Imperial Immortal Palace's influence was waning, the Prime-Origin Civilization's situation was chaotic, and an invisible great calamity was quietly spreading and enveloping everything.
In the following period, the atmosphere within the Imperial Immortal Palace underwent subtle changes.
The elders who had already learned the news continuously assembled and recalled their elite disciples.
Many disciples who were traveling and gaining experience outside were also summoned back, strictly forbidden from leaving, as if intending to seal the mountain and avoid the world during this period.
Many external forces and traditions speculated wildly about this, feeling that the Imperial Immortal Palace was planning to seal its mountain and avoid the tribulation even before the Immortal Chu Dynasty.
This move also threw many cultivators and beings unaware of the truth into panic.
After all, if such an ancient, long-standing superpower like the Imperial Immortal Palace was already making this choice, did it mean the Prime-Origin Civilization was truly about to face great chaos?
Within the Imperial Immortal Palace, Gu Changge seemed unaware of Ling Yuxian and the others' wariness and vigilance towards him. He remained like an ordinary disciple, sitting quietly in cultivation while waiting to join the effort to rescue the trapped Ancestor Master.
Jing Xiao, as usual, would seek him out to discuss the Dao and converse when she had free time, feeling their relationship was growing increasingly familiar and natural.
Ling Yuxian watched all this, but felt increasingly uneasy and worried in her heart.
She wondered if Gu Changge knew Jing Xiao's identity and background? Was that why he was intentionally or unintentionally drawing closer to her?
There were many young disciples in the Imperial Immortal Palace's current generation, and even more female disciples of stunning beauty. Why did Gu Changge specifically choose Jing Xiao?
Why was that?
Jing Xiao was simple-natured, at an age where feelings were just budding. Gu Changge possessed exceptional looks, noble and divine elegance. How could Jing Xiao resist his sweet words?
She had probably already blurted out many things to Gu Changge.
Thinking of this, Ling Yuxian felt uneasy again, thinking it necessary to warn Jing Xiao.
After Elder Qianyun left the council hall that day, she also worried whether Gu Changge would question her about anything afterward.
She felt somewhat apprehensive, but remembering that Ling Yuxian had kept all the elders, not her alone, she gradually set her mind at ease.
Gu Changge did not seem to think much of it, nor did he seem to care.