Chapter 126: Shifting Focus
"They were born into privilege. Good fathers, good grandfathers to back them. Not like us, who had to claw our way up. Senior Sister Quincy and Senior Brother Lowell don't know what it's like to count every spirit stone. Even a few more scraps going to the Ice Profound Sect could cost us our chance at Foundation Establishment. The rest of us don't have the standing to speak up. But you, Senior Brother Leo—you're different. You're the one who beat Lowell. If you take a stand when it matters, we'll back you. And with you being the one who got Senior Sister Vera's team out of that cave, who's going to brush you off?" Solon's voice was low, his words quick.
"Exactly. When the time comes, just say the word. We're with you." Gale and Ivy, two other loose cultivators, nodded in agreement.
"I'm sure Senior Sister Vera and Senior Brother Lowell will divide things fairly." Leo kept his tone neutral. He wasn't about to jump in now, not when Lowell's attention had just shifted to Monty and his people. Getting in the middle of the leadership struggle would only make things worse for himself. Besides, among the dozen or so Ginseng plants, a few were too young to be used for anything. Worthless to the others. That was his opening.
Solon, Gale, and Ivy exchanged disappointed looks.
With the Ice Profound Sect disciples joining them, the group now numbered over fifty. They could split into two teams—one stationed outside the cave, the other to draw out and kill the snakes in the cold pond.
"Senior Brother Lowell, let's go see how fierce these snakes really are. I haven't had a good fight since we got here."
With Vera leading the way, Quincy and the others entered the cave, her voice bright with excitement. Lowell followed close behind, as always.
"Wonderful. I'd like to see what Senior Sister Quincy and Fellow Daoist Lowell are capable of. Junior Brother Wood, you're not as strong—you'd just get in the way. Take some men and stay outside. Too many of us inside and we won't have room to move." Monty's eyes flickered. He shot a meaningful look at Wood, another core disciple of the Ice Profound Sect.
"Understood. I'll wait here for Senior Sister Quincy and the others to return triumphant." Wood, who had been silent until now, nodded.
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"Senior Brother Lowell and Senior Sister Quincy are more than capable. I'd just be dead weight. I'll stay too." Leo had caught the look Monty gave Wood. His voice was calm as he stepped back.
"Ah, right. I'm not much use either. And after all those fights, I'm still worn out. I'll rest up here and be ready to serve when Senior Brother Lowell, Senior Sister Quincy, and Senior Sister Vera return." Solon's eyes darted; he slid back smoothly.
"It seems Senior Brother Lowell and Senior Sister Quincy treat their juniors well. Even when it comes to gathering Purple Ginseng and fighting demon beasts, they let everyone speak their mind." Monty smiled faintly.
Lowell's face tightened. He didn't like Monty, and the implication was clear—he couldn't even control his own people. Meanwhile, Wood, a core disciple, followed Monty without question. The comparison stung.
"You seem very concerned about Palace affairs, Fellow Daoist Monty. But you're not one of us. The Palace can manage its own matters. Senior Brother Lowell and Senior Sister Quincy know what they're doing." Leo's voice was flat. Lowell was no weakling—Leo kept his distance mainly because of his Foundation Establishment father. Whatever Monty's background, he was from the Ice Profound Sect. None of Leo's business. So when Monty's words carried a barb, Leo saw no reason to hold back.
Monty's eyes flashed with a brief, sharp anger. "You—"
"Senior Sister Quincy, Senior Brother Lowell. Before you arrived, we fought the snakes in the cold pond for an entire day. I'm exhausted. I'll rest here as well. Besides, someone needs to guard the cave. We learned that lesson the hard way—we were trapped inside before. Oh, and I left a top-grade spirit net inside to hold the snakes back. Senior Brother Lowell, if you find it, would you mind bringing it back?" Vera hesitated, then spoke up. She remembered how Leo had seen the danger and left the cave before anyone else. He wasn't the type to stir up trouble for no reason. Seeing the tension between Lowell and Monty, she decided to step in.
"That works. If Junior Sister Vera is tired, the others must be as well. I'll go with Senior Sister Quincy and see these snakes for myself. And that net—I'll bring it back if I see it." Lowell watched Monty bristle at Leo's words and felt a surge of satisfaction. Leo had beaten him, sure. He'd settle that score. But Monty, showing up and throwing himself at Quincy from the moment he arrived? That was something else. He hadn't had a way to get under Monty's skin—until Leo opened his mouth.
Lowell's easy. Leo read the look Lowell shot him. Whatever his reasons, Monty's appearance wasn't entirely without value. Vera's reaction, though—that caught him off guard.
Quincy shot Leo a glance and snorted softly. Every other disciple who crossed her path was eager to show off, to prove themselves. The ordinary ones, she didn't notice. But Leo had beaten Lowell. And there was something about him—sharp, different from the others. She'd thought he would come along, show his skills. Instead, he'd stepped back. He was polite enough, but he treated her the same as everyone else. It made her wonder. Fine. One person doesn't make a difference.
Quincy, Lowell, and Monty each led a group into the cave.
Vera and Wood stayed outside with the rest.
Vera scanned the area, then sat down next to Leo, who had settled into a quiet spot to meditate. Her voice was low. "Did you see something again?"
She knew Leo had given his reasons. But a man as measured as him didn't pick a fight with someone like Monty over nothing.