Chapter 1164: Chapter 1164: Scheming
"By the way, I reported to the Sect Leader before coming. He felt this matter was significant and asked me to tell you to meet him for a conversation afterward."
As Elder Dugu spoke, he pointed at the ground underfoot:
"Look, the Teleportation Array is right under my feet. Come up when you’re ready!"
With that, he and Guoguo’s figures flickered and disappeared from the Spirit Array in mid-air.
Yang Yan took a moment to rest in place, and after healing Lin Zimu, he explained the follow-up matters and let the Ten Swords accompany Lin Zimu back to the sect.
As for himself, he flew into the Teleportation Array, directly reaching the Sect Master Hall.
However, when Yang Yan arrived at the other side of the Teleportation Array inside the Sect Master Hall, he raised his head to see Sect Leader Lin An and Elder Dugu already seated and waiting.
As for Guoguo, who had come with Elder Dugu, she was not present in the hall at the moment.
But since the Sect Leader wished to have a private conversation with him, it was not surprising for unrelated personnel to leave.
"Disciple Yang Yan greets..."
Yang Yan was about to salute Lin An, but the latter gently supported him with a soft palm.
Then, he heard him say, "No need, no need. In terms of seniority, I should be the one saluting you!"
Elder Dugu also slowly said, "Since there are only the three of us here, why not temporarily put aside the unnecessary formalities and have an equal conversation to discuss matters?"
This remark cleverly resolved the awkwardness, and Yang Yan and Sect Leader Lin An exchanged smiles.
Without further ado, Yang Yan walked to the seat reserved for him and sat down.
Indeed, it made sense.
Among the three of them, one was the current Sect Leader of the Ancient Abyss Sect, another a disciple of the Ancestral Master with the Celestial Flood Dragon Saint Body, and the last, a Level 3 Spirit Array Master.
Indeed, each had their own reasons to be proud.
Putting these three together, it was tough to determine who was superior or inferior.
Treating each other equally was best to avoid future awkwardness.
"Yang Yan, do you know why I summoned you here?"
Sect Leader Lin An was the first to speak.
Yang Yan was momentarily surprised and looked somewhat unexpectedly at Lin An.
It seemed this Ancient Abyss Sect wasn’t as unconventional as he thought, using such an old-fashioned opening.
Though he thought this, Yang Yan still cooperated and replied, "I guess it might be because of the Ten Swords?"
"Correct." Lin An nodded with a smile and responded, "Are you really decided on sending them away?"
It was indeed because of this matter.
Yang Yan sighed, looked at Lin An, and asked with a slight smile, "I wonder what concerns the Sect Leader has?"
After a while, Lin An spoke in a deep voice, "I remember I promised that as long as they remained in the Ancient Abyss Sect, they would have ample resources and..."
"Ample resources and protection." Yang Yan filled in the latter part of Lin An’s sentence, which had suddenly paused and gone unsaid.
No wonder Lin An hesitated slightly, seemingly unable to articulate it.
Just now, he learned from Elder Dugu about the Ten Swords being ambushed.
Offering protection under such circumstances was indeed quite embarrassing.
"We certainly remember," Yang Yan softly said, breaking the awkwardness first. "We also naturally trust Sect Leader Lin An’s promise, and moreover... we never said we would depart from the Ancient Abyss Sect!"
Elder Dugu also chimed in, "Before returning to the sect, Grandmaster Yang indeed had already arranged it so."
"Imagine if we could successfully place the Ten Swords into various sects as eyes and leverage them to provide resources and protection, why wouldn’t we do it?"
"Moreover, their relationship with Yang Yan is beyond question, so there would be no worries at all."
Seeing Elder Dugu’s inclination toward Yang Yan, Sect Leader Lin An couldn’t quite maintain his composure.
He furrowed his brows slightly, looking hesitantly at Elder Dugu: "Elder Dugu, you—hmph! Could it be that you also don’t trust the Sect Leader, don’t trust the Ancient Abyss Sect?"
Unlike Yang Yan and Elder Dugu, as the Sect Leader, he bore the responsibility of the entire Ancient Abyss Sect’s interests.
Thus, whatever plans he made that involved sect interests would be considered thoroughly.
Progress through stability was best.
Such a large investment of risk was something he dared not even think about, and if a regular person proposed it, he would have refused outright.
But the person making this decision was Yang Yan.
And judging by Dugu’s words, the Ten Swords were under Yang Yan’s direct control, so even if he wanted them to act on tasks, he’d need Yang Yan’s consent.
This made it quite troubling.
"It is precisely because I trust the Ancient Abyss Sect that I am reassured to distribute the Ten Swords." Yang Yan calmly replied.
The next moment, however, he suddenly became serious and said in a deep voice, "The Sect Leader wants the Ten Swords to remain in the Ancient Abyss Sect to strengthen the sect, I can understand."
"But ultimately, riches bring misfortune. If the Ten Swords stay within the sect, they will invite trouble, just like today."
"Facing the same risks and encountering the same challenges, I believe rather than centralized strength, distributing the Ten Swords outside the sect would be better. Casting a wide net, in the end, would yield returns far exceeding that of a solitary strong position at a cost!"
"Keeping them in the sect is certainly safe, but in the end, it will only result in temporary prosperity on an unprecedented scale, which could provoke repression from the other nine sects."
"On the other hand, sending them outside and letting the other sects cultivate them while building an intelligence network."
"When we finally reel in the power, we’ll undoubtedly have control of the situation, and unifying the Wandering Dragon Star would be within reach!"
Upon hearing Yang Yan speak so eloquently, not only Sect Leader Lin An but even Elder Dugu was momentarily lost.
Initially, Elder Dugu only intended to set up eyes within various sects to understand the dynamics of their upper ranks.
But he did not expect that Yang Yan’s ambition and strategy would far surpass his own.
He actually intended to unify the Wandering Dragon Star!
If he hadn’t heard these words from Yang Yan’s mouth, he would’ve wanted to curse at the one uttering such mad ambitions.
"Boy, weigh yourself carefully. See what you’re made of before you speak."
Yet even so, with Yang Yan’s strategy and resources, the unification of the Wandering Dragon Star... It might actually be possible!
Thus, his evaluation of Yang Yan came down to one phrase—
This young man is no ordinary fish in a pond; his future holds limitless potential!
While Sect Leader Lin An and Elder Dugu were momentarily stunned, a sudden burst of laughter came from beneath the seat.
"Haha, such a bold young man! As expected of my disciple Zongming!"
An immortal-like elder, clad in flowing robes, slowly stepped out from the Void, looking at Yang Yan with eyes full of mirth.
Who else could it be but Zongming?
"Greetings to the Ancestral Master!"
"Greetings, Master!"
Upon seeing this elder, Yang Yan, Lin An, and Elder Dugu promptly bowed in salute.
How did a properly arranged meeting manage to disturb the secluded Ancestral Master?
Everyone’s heart was filled with surprise, fearing the wrath of this elder.
Seeing the curious glances, Zongming chuckled a few times and explained:
"Zongming’s true body is still in tight seclusion; I am but an external avatar of his. However, I can fully represent his will."
Sect Leader Lin An, who had initially felt relieved, immediately became serious.
Regardless of whether it was the real body or an external incarnation, its appearance at this moment signified that something particularly important had occurred.
