Qi Xuansu said, “What does forming cliques and carving out territories have to do with me?”0

Sun Hewu explained, “As you just mentioned, many people don’t have their roots here. They have their eyes on the position of Deputy Palace Master and Palace Master. Recently, it’s been widely rumored that after your term as Chief Deputy Beichen Hall Master ends, you will likely enter the Golden Tower Council. Since there can only be 36 Omniscient Sages but no fixed number for Great Sages, an old Omniscient Sage can easily move to become a Great Sage, while you take their slot. By then, you will be more than qualified to take the Wanxiang Daoist Palace Master position. Since you’re taking someone else’s position, how could they not resent you?”0

Qi Xuansu said pointedly, “Elder Sun, you are the top Deputy Palace Master, second only to the Great Sage. There are also eight Deputy Palace Masters.”0

Sun Hewu said, “When you first came to the Upper Palace, you were only a fourth-rank Jijiu Daoist, not even a superintendent. But now, you are a second-rank Taiyi Daoist, the Chief Deputy of the Three Great Halls, only one step away from the Golden Tower Council. You’ve grown over the years. Likewise, the personnel within the Wanxiang Daoist Palace have changed...0