Chapter 190: Sect Politics, Chief Elder Sun’s Machinations and her Calculated Compassion.

Blue Steam Mountain.

Sun Yuying moved as if she were a body without a soul. Her typically bright purple eyes were now dull, and her expression appeared emotionless, as if she had experienced something so profound that it had frozen her emotions.

And in a way, she had.

Her encounter with the Divine Mother Sword Array, left her in this mentally frozen state.

She aimlessly walked along the paths of the area, and several female disciples from the White Serpent Sect stared at her with curious eyes, wondering why a disciple from the Dragon Blossom Sect was present.

"What's she doing here?"

"I don't know... but didn't that Grandmaster, what's her name, Li-, Ling Meiyan, I think? Didn't she say no one from the Dragon Blossom Sect would come here without permission?"

"Maybe she had permission?"

"I... don't think so."

On the other hand, Sun Yurong was taking her usual stroll around Blue Steam Mountain, checking on the disciples and ensuring none strayed beyond their designated area. Only Elders and certain Star Disciples had that privilege.

Deng Rulan walked beside her, expressing concerns, "Chief Elder Sun, we still haven't found Yang Mi and Wu Mingyu. While Yang Mi might have opted out of the trip, Mingyu was seen on the Lotus Blossom Ark when we arrived, but she's been missing ever since we settled here."

Sun Yurong sighed, looking away briefly.

Well, she has a point. Yang Wei's a lousy person to team up with... he hasn't even dropped by to check on me or bothered to ask how I'm handling making sure Lady White Serpent doesn't withdraw from the peace talks. It's like he couldn't care less, not about me or even the whole sect politics...

It's the first time a man has seen me and totally brushed me off. Sigh~ so strange... It's almost as if my charms are getting old.

After a moment of silence, she reassured Deng Rulan, "Don't worry too much about it. I'm sure Mingyu is fine. She probably found a secluded spot to cultivate after we arrived here." She raised a finger, recalling, "Besides, Mingyu never really engaged with others in the sect. She was always focused on her cultivation to become the best disciple she could be. It's probably the same scenario now."

"I-, I, I see... that's fine then."

Sun Yurong nodded thoughtfully as she examined the girl again.

So, this is one of Yulan's disciples then...

Nothing about her seemed familiar. She was only staring because she was trying to figure out what to do next.

Sensing Sun Yurong's dilemma, Deng Rulan suggested, "Maybe I should take her back to the Inflow Spire and voice some complaints. If they restrict our sect members, they should be held to the same standards.

This woman wandering here shows a lack of respect for the rules they set." She was clearly irritated by the lack of freedom the Dragon Blossom Sect afforded them, all because the First Matriarch didn't trust them.

"Actually, let's not do that," said Sun Yurong, her smile gentle.

Deng Rulan didn't dare question a chief elder's decision. Though many feared Gu Zhi for her terrifying demeanor, Deng Rulan knew maturity meant recognizing that Sun Yurong was even scarier. She couldn't stand the unsettling look in Sun Yurong's red eyes and her ever-calm smile. There were too many mysteries surrounding Sun Yurong, even from their time in Dragon Ridge Township.

"So, what should we do with her?" Deng Rulan asked widely, avoiding direct eye contact with Sun Yurong.

Sun Yurong replied, "Take her to one of the available abodes and nurse her back to health. When she wakes up, summon me."

Deng Rulan nodded respectfully. But then, Sun Yurong's demeanor shifted, becoming more intimidating, almost cold-blooded. "Remember," she spoke coldly, "You must call me first. Not Gu Zhi, not Gu Yen, not Chen Yuxi... me, first."

It sounded like a threat to Deng Rulan, especially given Sun Yurong's formidable Core Formation realm aura was already leaking out bit by bit. She nodded slowly, feeling the pressure, and picked up Sun Yuying, cradling her in her arms.

Sun Yurong giggled. "Good. I'll continue my stroll. Just focus on taking care of the girl and getting her name."

"Yes, Chief Elder," Deng Rulan replied hastily, leaving immediately.

The white-haired chief elder continued her walk.

This could be a good advantage, in a small way at least. That little girl has given us a chance to showcase our sect in a more positive light. If we take care of her and nurse her back to health, we'll come across as compassionate... word spreads like wildfire in a sect this size, so if we do one good deed, we can let rumors exaggerate our other acts of kindness and paint us in a better light.

Still, I don't feel great about using one of Yulan's disciples as a pawn in my plans... she's done a lot to support me and my daughters.

Sun Yurong nodded a little, she was glad everything was going as planned.