Divine Emperor Demon Emperor

Chapter 427: Chapter 427: The 2 Women’s Seclusion

The two stalks of Spirit Grass that Puzhu had sought out were called Purifying Essence and Marrow Grass. In the Central Domain, disciples from many great families and major powers used it to temper their bodies, making them tougher and better suited for cultivation.

Of course, the Purifying Essence and Marrow Grass was in no way comparable to the Divine Ape Demon Core. The grass merely tempered the body, whereas the Divine Ape Demon Core had directly reconstructed Lin Yun’s flesh and meridians.

Lu Bingning and Lan Xi’s faces lit up with joy at Puzhu’s words. Ever since Lin Yun had used the Divine Ape Demon Core, the gap in their cultivation levels had only grown wider.

As Lin Yun’s women, neither of them wanted to be left too far behind by him, so they were naturally overjoyed to hear that Puzhu would perform the Purification of Essence and Marrow for them the very next day.

”Alright, with this Purification of Essence and Marrow, you should strive to break through to the Second Layer of the Primordial Ocean Realm in one go. Go and prepare. Tomorrow, you will enter seclusion,” Puzhu said to the two women with a smile.

Upon hearing this, the two women gave Puzhu a respectful bow before running out of the courtyard and hurrying toward Lin Yun’s.

Lin Yun was practicing a Martial Skill in his courtyard when he saw Lu Bingning and Lan Xi come running in, looking frantic. His first thought was that Gong Lingqi and Chang Jing had gone after them again.

After asking a few questions, Lin Yun learned that Elder Puzhu had returned to the palace. The two women would be entering seclusion the next day and had come specifically to let him know.

Sitting on a stone bench in the courtyard, Lin Yun smiled and said to the two women, ”It seems Elder Puzhu really went to great lengths. This is great. The Purifying Essence and Marrow Grass will be very useful for you. You must seize this opportunity during your seclusion.”

”We just don’t want to fall too far behind you,” Lu Bingning replied.

”Yeah, look at you, you’re already at the Seventh Layer of the Primordial Ocean Realm, while we’re only at the First Layer. If we don’t work harder, I’m afraid we won’t be worthy of you in the future,” Lan Xi added with a smile.

Hearing their words, Lin Yun laughed heartily. ’These two silly girls. Even if my strength becomes immense, they’ll always be my women. Besides, I’ll definitely find some Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures to help them improve their cultivation in the future.’

After they chatted for a while, it became clear that what the two women were most worried about was Lin Yun’s safety after they entered seclusion. Now that Gong Lingqi and Chang Jing were dead set on dealing with Lin Yun, the two women couldn’t help but worry.

He reassured them that inside Flawless Palace, Gong Lingqi and Chang Jing wouldn’t dare try to kill him so openly. Plus, he wasn’t a fool, so they didn’t need to worry about his safety at all.

The two women stayed with Lin Yun until evening before reluctantly leaving. This time in seclusion, judging by Puzhu’s demeanor, would likely last at least a month.

Lin Yun escorted the two women all the way back to Elder Puzhu’s residence, partly because he was worried for their safety, and partly because he wanted to pay the Elder a visit.

After telling the women to get some rest, Lin Yun found Elder Puzhu, and the two sat down in the main hall. Looking at Lin Yun, Puzhu nodded with a smile and said, ”You’re now the Palace Master’s disciple and a Core Disciple of Flawless Palace. It seems I really didn’t misjudge you.”

”Elder Puzhu, you flatter me,” Lin Yun replied with a smile.

After a few moments of small talk, Puzhu’s expression turned serious. He looked at Lin Yun and said with some gravity, ”I imagine you have some understanding of the struggles between the Ten Core Disciples by now. I’ve also heard you’ve clashed with Gong Lingqi and Chang Jing. From now on, you must be careful in Flawless Palace.”

”Yes, I’ve long been prepared for that,” Lin Yun said. ”Since I’m already stuck in this quagmire, I certainly won’t be afraid of those two.”

After he finished speaking, Lin Yun paused for a moment before looking at Puzhu. ”Actually, I came today because there’s something I wanted to ask you, Elder Puzhu.”

”You want to ask if I have pledged allegiance to any of the Core Disciples, right?” Puzhu burst out laughing at Lin Yun’s words.

”I haven’t pledged allegiance to anyone. And there’s something else I can tell you. Not all of the Main Seat Elders are involved in the conflict between the Ten Core Disciples. I know for a fact that at least five of them have remained on the sidelines...” Puzhu said slowly.

According to Puzhu, among the twenty Main Seat Elders, some did not participate in the Core Disciples’ struggle.

As Main Seat Elders, if they themselves did not want to get involved, there was nothing the Core Disciples could do. After all, the Main Seat Elders were all powerhouses at the Celestial Spirit Realm.

As for those Main Seat Elders who did participate, they probably had their own agendas, hoping to gain some benefits from the Core Disciples’ conflict.

After hearing this, Lin Yun nodded slightly. It seemed that the conflict between the Ten Core Disciples had always been kept within a controllable range by Luo Feng and the others.

”What a bunch of cunning old foxes,” Lin Yun muttered to himself.

Hearing Lin Yun’s words, Puzhu started to laugh. ”You kid, I don’t know whether to call you smart or stupid. To put it bluntly, the conflict among the Ten Core Disciples is a last resort for the Palace Master and the Supreme Elders.”

”Think about it. As esteemed Core Disciples, each of their masters is a Supreme Elder. But this generation in Flawless Palace has yet to produce a true Demon Fiend, which has led to a situation where no one is willing to submit to anyone else.”

”Without a Demon Fiend who can command the respect of all, conflict is inevitable. The reason they’ve given the Core Disciples free rein to compete is, frankly, just an expedient measure on the part of the Palace Master and the Supreme Elders.”

Hearing Puzhu’s explanation, Lin Yun quickly understood what he meant.

’Thinking about it that way, if Luo Feng and the Supreme Elders forbade conflict among the Core Disciples, things might seem peaceful on the surface, but the plotting in the shadows would become a chaotic mess. At that point, events would spiral out of control.’

’Moreover, Luo Feng and the Six Supreme Elders are the pillars of Flawless Palace, and the Core Disciples are their own apprentices. It’s only natural for them to be biased. Under these circumstances, non-intervention becomes the best choice.’

’With no Demon Fiend emerging and the stability of Flawless Palace at stake, Luo Feng and the others could only turn a blind eye and let these Core Disciples fight it out.’

’As long as the situation remains manageable, this kind of conflict isn’t necessarily a bad thing. The winner takes all, and the loser is cast out. On reflection, this was probably the best solution.’

From Puzhu, Lin Yun learned a great deal about the Ten Core Disciples. Many things he hadn’t been able to understand suddenly clicked into place thanks to the Elder’s explanation.

They talked for a little over an hour. Seeing it was getting late, Lin Yun rose to take his leave. As he was about to go, Puzhu offered a final piece of advice.

”There has always been a bottom line in the conflicts between Core Disciples. As for what that bottom line is, I trust you already know. So in the future, think things through more. After all, life in Flawless Palace isn’t like the life-and-death struggles outside.”

Upon hearing this, Lin Yun bowed to Puzhu and took his leave.

(Twelfth update! Please add this to your library, vote with your Monthly Passes, leave a recommendation, and send a donation!)