Since the Li Clan was collaborating with the Eternal Immortal Sect, they naturally had to report it to their direct superiors.
"Hahaha! I never expected the Li Clan would secure the assistance of the Eternal Immortal Sect. This is excellent!"
After laughing heartily, Commander Wu Neng spoke warmly to Li Chang'an.
"Chang'an, this official did not intentionally exclude you earlier. It is simply that the entire court knows of the Li Clan's unwavering loyalty.
That Mountain of Esoteric Stratagems is no ordinary place. If members of the Li Clan were to perish in vain during the investigation, my heart would not be at ease."
The representatives of the three major powers wore strange expressions.
Decades had passed, yet the total number of words Wu Neng had spoken to Li Chang'an in all that time did not amount to as many as he had spoken today alone.
"Chang'an understands. I thank the Lord Commander for his concern." Li Chang'an cupped his hands and bowed.
Wu Neng waved his hand.
"Since that is the case, the four of your factions should discuss this thoroughly.
Locating the headquarters of the Mountain of Esoteric Stratagems was not easy; there must be no mistakes."
"Yes!"
The group dispersed.
However, once the meeting concluded, the other three paid no attention to Li Chang'an.
Li Chang'an caught a glimpse of the dissatisfaction in their eyes; he simply listened to the rough outline of the plan before politely excusing himself.
"Hmph, the Li Clan is truly greedy. They have even set their sights on the Mountain of Esoteric Stratagems—a place we have spent years searching for—and brought in outside help to carve up the benefits with us!"
Heavenly Lord Ning An narrowed his eyes slightly.
"The Eternal Immortal Sect... that hidden power occupying the Westfall Prefecture with a legacy of eighty thousand years.
They have existed for so long, yet are they not still suppressed by the Human Emperor.
The Lord Commander is truly absurd. Our very existence is meant to suppress these hidden powers, yet he actually allowed the Eternal Immortal Sect to join us."
Zhangsun Buhuo shook his head.
"The Li Clan cooperating with a hidden power is actually quite ordinary.
The matter of the Three Corpses is far from trivial; anyone would want to get involved.
I imagine that over the years, hidden powers have approached you two for cooperation as well.
As for the Commander, he will not care who helps us.
As long as the Mountain of Esoteric Stratagems is taken down, the benefits he receives will not be diminished in the slightest."
"We still need to work together with full effort."
Fang Yunyu's expression was grave.
"If we truly uncover Mahayana secrets or opportunities for Body Integration from the Three Corpses..."
The three exchanged a glance.
For years, their bitter search for the Three Corpses had been for nothing but these two things.
Every faction hoped to produce more experts or obtain the foundation of a mighty power.
It had been fine when the Li Clan showed no interest all these years, but now that they had brought along the Eternal Immortal Sect, it was no different from fighting over food at the same table.
Heavenly Lord Ning An snorted coldly.
"The Eternal Immortal Sect has been active in the world for three hundred years. They had best not let us find any evidence of their crimes, or we will make them pay a heavy price!"
.....
Eternal Immortal Sect.
Sect Master He Hao held two sound transmission stones in his hand.
Heavenly Lord Ning An had sent a message proposing secret cooperation with him.
The Zhangsun Clan, meanwhile, was attempting to arrange a marriage alliance with the Eternal Immortal Sect.
Li Chuyuan, who was in the middle of asking his Master for guidance, saw the two transmission stones and looked puzzled.
"Master, are these sound transmission stones from the Zhangsun Clan and the Heavenly Monarch Dao Sanctuary?
Rumor has it that for the past ten thousand years, they have been the three strongest powers standing openly in the mortal world.
They are also members of the Immortal Suppression Department. How could they..."
He remembered clearly that when his Master visited the Li family, he had promised to help the Li family stand as equals against these three powers.
"How could the affairs of the world ever be so simple?"
He Hao noticed the confusion in Li Chuyuan's eyes and smiled.
"For powers like ours that possess Body Integration experts, no one knows what hidden trump cards the others hold, and everyone desires to ascend to a higher level.
The three major powers cooperate with one another, yet not a single one of them is willing to let a partner they have worked with for years rise even a foot higher than themselves.
Such are the affairs of the world, and such are the people of the world; it is merely human nature."
Li Chuyuan furrowed his brows.
Having stayed by his Master's side in the Eternal Immortal Sect all these years, his horizons had indeed been broadened.
"Disciple understands. Master's cooperation with the Li Clan is merely a stepping stone.
While Master intends to stand as an equal against the three major powers, you can also cooperate with them in secret at the same time."
Hearing this, He Hao frowned slightly and waved his hand.
"Go down and cultivate; these are major affairs you need not concern yourself with.
You are nearly eighty years old now. If you can break through to the Nine-Nine Nascent Soul before you reach one hundred, then, given your aptitude, stepping into the Void Refining realm in the future will not be an issue."
"Yes, this disciple understands!"
After withdrawing.
Li Chuyuan sat cross-legged, but his mind was restless.
He frowned incessantly, yet there was also a glint of joy in his eyes.
"Master is using my Li Clan as a stepping stone to join the struggle for the Three Corpses, while simultaneously holding secret talks with the two major powers.
He did not hide such a major event from me. I suppose I ought to send a message to report this to the clan... but what if this is a test from Master?"
Taking a deep breath, Li Chuyuan closed his eyes to compose his mind for cultivation, letting out a long sigh.
"Occupying only the Azure Cloud Prefecture, they ultimately lack a Body Integration expert.
Their vision and realm are inferior to the Master's, and they are still being played in the palm of these Body Integration forces.
Why should I wade into this muddy water?
With my aptitude, entering the Void Refining realm and seeking a path to Body Integration is the true way."