Chapter 150: Fostering Cooperation Between Both Sects. The Mystery of the Dragon Ridge Township Incident.

Guo Xiaomei and Xiu Yulan took the lead, guiding their guests on a tour of the sect.

With its vast size, they couldn't cover everything in just one day, so they focused on showing the visitors key locations like the Dragon Vein Spirit Pool and Serpent's Spire.

Following directives from the first matriarch, they subtly hinted at and showcased the power disparity between the two sects, ensuring the White Serpent Sect didn't get any silly ideas.

This is so boring... Yang Wei yawned.

Without even realizing it, the afternoon had grown tired.

Gu Yen stopped and suggested, "Perhaps, it's time my back rests a bit." Being the eldest physically, her words carried a lot of weight.

Many disciples halted, murmuring about their fatigue.

"Yeah, I'm tired too..."

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"I feel like I've been walking for ages."

"This is why I don't like visits from other sects, we're always the ones that suffer these hospitality nonsense."

Some were angry, some were tired, and others were just less concerned.

A good example was Lu Lin who looked quite down.

"Lady Lin, is everything alright? Are you also tired?" one of her followers asked.

Fanning herself with a folding fan, she tried to keep up her proud demeanor as she said, as if a simple endurance trek would weaken her... this is child's play. Hmph!" she kept her proud, arrogant smile ever-present.

"Amazing as always, my lady!"

All her followers stared at her admirably.

Gu Zhi flexed her thin, wrinkled biceps and declared, "I'm not tired at all! I want to see more of what this sect has to offer!"

Guo Xiaomei turned to Gu Zhi and suggested, "Perhaps it's best to rest. Tomorrow, some of the disciples of both sects could pair up and explore together."

Sun Yurong smiled and agreed, "That sounds like a good idea. It'll create more opportunities for cooperation."

Gu Yen weakly smiled at Deng Rulan and reminded her, "Make sure things stay under control. I expect you to discretely handle any disputes that arise."

Deng Rulan respectfully bowed her head and replied, "Yes, Chief Elder."

"Alright, good luck!"

With that, Gu Yen, leaning on her support stick, joined the departing peak chiefs and elders. Gu Zhi, still nursing her weak back, struggled to walk with her walking stick, groaning heavily with each step.

...

As the elders walked along the different path, an uncomfortable silence escorted them, and Gu Zhi's constant groaning simply made it awkward. Finally, Gu Zhi couldn't take it anymore and complained, "When are we getting to that Golden Palace thing? My back is killing me. Isn't there some kind of transportation array we can use?"

Xiu Yulan adjusted her hair bangs and replied, "If you can bear with us for just a few more minutes, we should be there. Transportation arrays can't reach the Golden Palace because it's out of sync with space."

Gu Zhi yawned, unimpressed. "I hope you don't expect me to be impressed by such parlor tricks."

Out of sync with space?! That must be a high-level technique!

Xiu Yulan shot Gu Zhi an exasperated side-eye and muttered, "Sure."

Walking beside Sun Yurong, Guo Xiaomei struggled to find her voice.

Shortly after, Sun Yurong noticed her hesitation and asked, "Is there something you'd like to say?"

Guo Xiaomei took a deep breath and apologized, "I just want to apologize for what I said earlier. I know I went too far..."

Sun Yurong kept a subtle smile on her face as she listened. Then, she gently inquired, "Do you know why most of those girls are dual cultivating?"

Guo Xiaomei admitted, "Not really..."

Sun Yurong explained, "Exactly. So why judge them for it? Those girls have suffered a lot in their lifetimes, especially at the hands of men. I don't blame them if that's the path they've chosen..."

Guo Xiaomei was left speechless, shocked by Sun Yurong's words.

Sun Yurong continued, "To keep it short, neither I nor any other higher-up in the White Serpent Sect have forced them to abduct or dual cultivate with men. It was their own free will, and we won't deprive them of it. After all, the men who scarred them for life didn't spare their will."

With that, Sun Yurong walked ahead, leaving Guo Xiaomei standing there in surprise.

It was then and there Guo Xiaomei realized it.

She's a victim of the Dragon Ridge Township Incident, isn't she... They all are...