A Pawn's Passage

The power structure of the Daoist Order bore many similarities to that of ordinary society, yet it was fundamentally different due to cultivation. Everything for ordinary people stemmed from having authority. If they lost that authority, they would have no real power of their own. No matter how great they once were, once they fell from grace, they would be at the mercy of the jailers.

But the Daoists were different. Even if the Great Sage lost the authority conferred by the Daoist Order, they still had the cultivation of an Immortal. They themselves bore immense power, which was a form of authority. If they truly broke away from the Daoist Order, they could immediately rally a following of their own. As such, many political maneuvers and stratagems used in ordinary power struggles were not effective within the Daoist Order.

It was akin to fractured fiefdoms in times of chaos. One’s military strength would define one’s authority. The idea of seizing power with a single imperial edict was unrealistic. Thus, those power plays might have some influence, but they were rarely decisive.

Similarly, power struggles within the Daoist Order were exceptionally brutal. Since merely taking one’s authority was not enough to eliminate a rival, physically destroying them became the better option. After all, those who carried lethal weapons would naturally develop a will to kill. With so many Daoists having mastered deadly techniques, if they were not put to use, then what was the point of learning them?

Thus, Qi Xuansu’s journey had been filled with clashing blades, bloodshed, life-and-death struggles, and frequent extermination of entire households. By contrast, the power struggles among ordinary people seemed almost gentle and affectionate.

In theory, a power structure should resemble a stable pyramid, narrow at the top and broad at the base. But such widespread killing would severely undermine that stability. Yet again, the existence of Immortals defied this logic. They were like towering pillars that could hold up vast systems on their own. Ordinary people had to decentralize due to limited capacity, but Immortals had boundless energy. They could even create multiple incarnations of themselves. The only reason they delegated authority was to make time for their pursuit of higher cultivation. If it really came to it, they could revert to a system like the Lingshan Witch Cult, overseeing the world from above as “gods.”

Thus, underpinned by these towering pillars, the Daoist Order’s structure remained extraordinarily stable.

It was precisely this unique environment of elimination that offered opportunities to the young. As long as a young person had a solid cultivation and background, they would definitely rise to prominence, with fewer systemic barriers holding them back.

Qi Xuansu had become a third-rank Deputy Hall Master. Though he did not yet wield real authority, his position made one thing clear to everyone—he had the cultivation, connections, and competence to be here. This meant a bright future awaited him.

Outliers like Wang Danqing were rare. More people actually wanted to forge ties with Qi Xuansu, but simply could not find the opportunity. After all, he had returned to Jade Capital aboard the Imperial Preceptor’s personal flying ship and landed directly in the Purple Mansion. Ordinary folks had no clue where he was, and even if they did, they could not get inside. By the time they confirmed his whereabouts, he was already preparing to board the Heavenly Preceptor’s flying ship departing Jade Capital.

The usual method of currying favor was through wine, women, and wealth.

Qi Xuansu only ever showed mild interest in wine, women, and wealth. Back then, he had refused 200,000 Taiping coins from Old Master Gao, so he certainly would not be tempted now. He understood early on that all these things would amount to mere numbers as long as he ascended to the upper echelons of the Daoist Order.

Gong Jiaojun led Qi Xuansu out of Kunlun Paradise and toward Sage Donghua’s residence within the Ziwei Hall. Along the way, they encountered many beautiful female Daoists, not because Sage Donghua had a particular liking for such things, but simply because where power and wealth gathered, beauty was naturally drawn. Since Ziwei Hall controlled personnel appointments, these beautiful women were like moths to a flame—impossible to stop.

Upon seeing Qi Xuansu, these beautiful Daoist priestesses were surprised. When they noticed Gong Jiaojun’s subtle deference toward Qi Xuansu, they stepped forward to greet him one by one. Once they learned of Qi Xuansu’s identity from Gong Jiaojun, they became even more enthusiastic, their gazes coy and lingering on him without the slightest pretense of modesty.

Qi Xuansu naturally understood that these seemingly unshakable beauties were neither aloof nor modest. They simply did not deem ordinary men worthy of their attention. Each of them was biding her time for the right value, unwilling to lower her standards.

If Qi Xuansu were still a seventh-rank Kunlun-stage Xiantian Being, they would not have spared him a second glance. But now, he was the promising Deputy Hall Master Qi of Ziwei Hall. Some of them likely wanted to profit from associating with him, while others viewed him as a long-term investment, a way to alter the course of their own fates.

Qi Xuansu had no doubt that if he so much as hinted at interest, within ten days—or even by that very night—he could engage in dual cultivation.

Of course, if he actually did so, he would be facing the full wrath of Zhang Yuelu the next morning. More likely, given her decisive nature, she would not even wait till morning to be at his door with a sword, exacting vengeance and cutting all ties with him.

Naturally, Qi Xuansu had no such intentions. He was extremely fastidious and selective when it came to relationships, perhaps because he lacked them growing up. As an orphan, few had ever truly cared about him. Once someone did, he would remember it for life and repay them handsomely. That was how he felt toward Madam Qi, and now toward Zhang Yuelu as well. He had sworn never to do anything that would betray Zhang Yuelu.

In the world of fame and fortune, such a stance might seem naive, but for Qi Xuansu, it was a matter of principle. If he abandoned even that, he truly did not know what part of himself would remain.

Qi Xuansu was neither so noble as to devote his life entirely to the future of the Daoist Order nor so debased as to forsake everything for fame and wealth. He constantly sought a balance between the two. As a result, he sometimes appeared conflicted. Who in this world could truly live without restraints, even if they all shout about freedom?

Physical desires meant little to cultivators, especially a Martial Arts Practitioner who had complete command over every part of the body. Thus, they could control lust easily. Qi Xuansu even possessed the Longevity Stone Heart, making him a stone-cold person in every literal sense. Without emotional bonds, his carnal desires were minimal. Ordinary women could not seduce him.

What was harder to forsake were the desires of the heart—adoration by crowds, universal reverence, a name etched in history, the ability to decide life and death with a word, to stir clouds with one hand and rain with the other. Who could truly resist the temptation of power?

To Qi Xuansu, having these female Daoists flirt with him would not affect his physique, but psychologically, it was fascinating. Those aloof beauties who once ignored him were now eager to throw themselves at his feet, akin to proud phoenixes becoming docile little canaries. The emotional satisfaction from this dramatic contrast far outweighed any physical pleasure.

Even Immortals were not completely immune to worldly ways. One might be an insignificant Immortal with only a few scattered disciples while watching another Immortal dominate dynastic changes, control the fate of thousands, and be revered by generations to come. Could the heart truly remain calm without a trace of comparison?

For strength cultivators, it was likely impossible. Thus, one would begin to be competitive, falling into the arena of profit and gain.

Everyone understood the principle, but in the end, no one could truly transcend it.

Feeling a deep resonance within, Qi Xuansu followed Gong Jiaojun to Sage Donghua’s residence.

As a male secretary, Gong Jiaojun did not need to avoid propriety concerns. In addition to assisting Sage Donghua with official affairs, he also helped manage the Omniscient Sage’s daily living. Thus, he was familiar with the residence and carried himself like Sage Donghua’s butler, even personally retrieving a robe to hand to Qi Xuansu.

Sage Donghua would not have Qi Xuansu wear his old clothes, so this was a brand-new robe. Due to the great difference in rank, Qi Xuansu could not wear Sage Donghua’s formal attire either. This was a casual robe.

Qi Xuansu politely declined assistance from the nearby attendants and changed by himself.

This was the advantage of uniform standards. Most Daoists shared similar height and build, so the robe fit Qi Xuansu quite well. But it would not have worked on someone physically atypical like Wang Danqing.

Only then did Gong Jiaojun explain, “This is a treasure called the Youyi Cloud Robe, gifted to the Hall Master. But the Hall Master didn’t like this bluish-gray color, so he never wore it.”

Qi Xuansu was startled and wanted to take it off. “It’s too valuable.”

Gong Jiaojun immediately stopped him. “Don’t worry. This was the Hall Master’s instruction. One must not decline a gift from an elder. If you refuse it, would that not be denying the Hall Master’s seniority?”

That was a heavy remark.

Qi Xuansu had no choice but to reply, “I wouldn’t dare.”

“So, please accept it. It’s just a treasure, after all,” Gong Jiaojun said with a smile.

Qi Xuansu remembered that Zhang Yuelu owned a Taiyi Cloud Robe, which she often wore. This was a Youyi Cloud Robe, which made him wonder if there was such a thing as a Tianzhen Cloud Robe.

Qi Xuansu originally intended to personally thank Sage Donghua, but Gong Jiaojun said the Hall Master had other arrangements. After a moment of thought, Qi Xuansu realized that Sage Donghua was likely handling Wang Danqing’s situation, so he did not insist. Since his leave had already been approved, he departed the Ziwei Hall and headed for Biyou Palace.

Strictly speaking, Zixiao Palace referred to the residence of the Grand Master. Broadly, it included Biyou Palace, Bajing Palace, and Yuxu Palace, all enclosed within a single compound with a gate bearing a plaque written, Zixiao Palace. Entry to the Zixiao Palace required a special pass. Since Qi Xuansu lacked such a token, he was stopped at the gate by Spirit Guards. He had no choice but to contact Zhang Yuelu and wait outside for her to escort him in.