295: Chapter 295 Different Voices in Tianyin Mountain Sow the Seeds of Hidden Dangers for the Hehuan Sect

"The Clan Chief... she has truly gone mad!"

Mo Feng's voice was hoarse, his teeth clenched.

"To go to such lengths for a boy from an outside race! A Dao Protector? Hmph! Does she still see us old ministers who have worked tirelessly for the clan for years? Does she still respect the rules of our ancestors?!"

Beside him, an Elder in grey robes with a withered face but sharp eyes, named "Kumu," was in charge of some of the clan's punishments and discipline.

This person was known in Tianyin Mountain for being rigid and harsh; at this moment, he stroked a few sparse whiskers and said in a gloomy voice: "Brother Mo Feng is absolutely right."

"That Xu Ruyu, even if he has some clever tricks and some luck, is an outsider after all."

"For the Clan Chief to elevate him so highly, even lowering her status to act as his Dao Protector—how are the diligent, pure-blooded, excellent Disciples of our clan supposed to handle this? If this continues, the clan will cease to be a clan!"

Another slightly plump Elder, with a smiling face but cold light flickering in his eyes, was named "Smiling Fox" Hu Yong.

He was responsible for some of the external trade and intelligence work in Tianyin Mountain; he slowly opened his mouth and said: "What the two Elders say is reasonable."

"However, the Clan Chief and the Supreme Elder have firm attitudes, and there is even the decree of Ancestor Tianhu. On the surface, we cannot touch him."

"Are we just going to watch him ride on our heads? Watch that slut Qingli use this favorable wind to grow her power even more?"

Mo Feng growled, his fists clenching with a cracking sound.

His biggest worry was Lady Qingli.

With Xu Ruyu gaining power, Lady Qingli's status in the clan would naturally rise, and his faction would be completely suppressed.

Elder Kumu's eyes flashed with a hint of ruthlessness: "We cannot touch him on the surface, but in the shadows... there may not be no Opportunity."

"That Xu Ruyu will eventually need to Cultivate and go out. His Hehuan Sect also has some restless Disciples..."

"Smiling Fox" Hu Yong added with a smile: "As far as I know, when Xu Ruyu was passing the trials, he offended quite a few 'people'."

"The spirit testing stone was destroyed. Although the Supreme Elder said it wasn't his fault, could the 'Xingyun Hall' lineage that guards the sacred object have no grudges in their hearts?"

"The Illusory Moon Well's energy went out of control. Although the artifact spirit managed a Breakthrough, several Elders who were maintaining the Formation at the time and almost suffered backlash all sustained hidden injuries. Could they have no resentment?"

"And there is that Taihu Forbidden Array; he changed the control method. Although it is easier to use, wouldn't the Disciples and Elders who were proficient in the old control methods seem incompetent?"

"And even... in the battle soul blood crystal, those 'Yao Race' he killed, who knows if there are some clan members who have some lingering sentiments or different thoughts about certain ancient Yao Race branches?"

With every sentence he spoke, Mo Feng and Kumu's eyes grew brighter.

"Elder Hu, you mean..." Mo Feng's breathing was a bit rapid.

"My meaning is," Hu Yong's smile remained unchanged, but there was no smile in his eyes, "This Xu Ruyu, who seems to have boundless glory, has actually, unknowingly, touched the interests of many people, bruised the pride of many, and perhaps... even unintentionally formed some 'Karma' that he himself is unaware of."

"The Clan Chief and the Supreme Elder can suppress opposition on the surface, but they cannot suppress the resentment and dissatisfaction deep in people's hearts."

Elder Kumu said gloomily: "What we need to do is not to take action personally."

"But... to let these 'resentments' and 'dissatisfaction' ferment at the right time and in the right way."

"For example, some 'small frictions' between Hehuan Sect Disciples and clan Disciples; for example, some 'minor injustices' in the distribution of Cultivation resources; for example, some rumors about Xu Ruyu being 'arrogant due to favor' and 'intending to control the Taihu Clan'; or even... when he or his Disciples leave the range of Tianyin Mountain, some 'accidents'..."

The three looked at each other, seeing coldness and tacit understanding in each other's eyes.

"This matter needs long-term planning. We must be careful and cautious, not leaving any handles." Mo Feng lowered his voice, "The Clan Chief is protecting him, we cannot act rashly for now."

"But water drips through stone; as long as the seed is planted, there will come a day when it sprouts."

"At that time, public anger will be hard to defy, and even if the Clan Chief wants to protect him, she will have to weigh the consequences!"

"Exactly." Kumu and Hu Yong nodded.

Similar scenes were happening, either openly or secretly, in some inconspicuous corners of the Tianyin Mountains.

The Clan Chief's earth-shattering decision of "Dao Protector" was like a giant stone thrown into a deep pool, stirring up not just surface ripples, but also surging undercurrents and whirlpools in the deep water.

Xu Ruyu's arrival completed the Taihu Clan's Legacy and brought new possibilities, but it was also like a stone thrown into a calm lake, completely stirring up the factional struggles, interest entanglements, and conflicts between new and old concepts that already existed within this ancient clan.

He gained supreme protection and courtesy, but he also invisibly became the focal point of many contradictions and jealousy.

Inside Qixia Valley, Xu Ruyu stood in the newly built "Cloud Gazing Pavilion," gazing at the distant mist-shrouded peaks and the faint eaves of the Moon Fox Palace.

A cool breeze brushed his face, bringing the fragrance of plants and trees.

Lady Qingli quietly came to his side, handing him a cup of Spirit Tea, her beautiful eyes filled with worry: "Xiao Yuer, the matter of the Clan Chief acting as Dao Protector... is certainly a great thing, but the tree that stands above the forest will be destroyed by the wind."

"These days, I have vaguely heard some bad rumors."

"You... must be careful in everything."

Xu Ruyu took the teacup, sipped it lightly, his gaze calm: "Sister Qingli, I understand. How can one have the best of both worlds in this world?"

"Since I have chosen this path and received this Opportunity, I naturally must bear the wind and rain that come with it."

"Don't worry, I have my own sense of measure."

He looked into the distance, his eyes clear and firm.

The Dao Protector brings not only safety but also pressure and trials.

And the covetousness and hostility in the shadows, perhaps, are also among the tribulations he must face on this extraordinary path.

The status of the Taihu Clan Chief's Dao Protector is like a double-edged sword; it is both the strongest shield and potentially the sharpest spear.

The future of the Tianyin Mountains is destined to not be peaceful.