When Zhang Guan Yu came to see him, Tong Chen wasn’t surprised at all. Don’t even mention how uncertain these times were, with his ability, there was little in the sect that escaped his perception, especially with how little he had to do every day. Looking at the future was basically his only pastime if he wasn’t cultivating.

“Someone came to see you.” He didn’t want to waste any time so he didn’t even wait for the Sect Master to explain himself.

Zhang Guan Yu nodded and walked closer, his expression solemn. “Yes. He brought some news from the border region.” Although he still wasn’t sure how exactly that had gone down, it didn’t seem to matter much. “I feel that … we are now at the turning point and I’m afraid to do the wrong thing.”

He might not have the Black Warrior’s ability but every cultivator gained a certain sense of intuition over the years. Even though his level hadn’t been the highest among his martial siblings back then, his intuition had always been keen. Sometimes, he had wondered if this was why his Master had designated him as the heir to take over the sect later on. With what had happened during this time, it didn’t seem impossible.

Tong Chen gave a faint hum. “We might be but there is never just one point to turn things around.”

Zhang Guan Yu sighed in response. It wasn’t that the Black Warrior was wrong. He definitely understood that much but right now, the hundreds of possibilities that the future usually offered seemed rather unimportant. “I just want to save the sect.” All these years, everything he had done was only for this goal: To preserve the place his Master had given so much for. If he failed to do that, then he had failed his Master as well and that was something he couldn’t accept.

“I only see two possible options: To send more people to the border region and join in the battle there or keep everyone here to be prepared in case they attack the sect itself. Both seems … possible for sure.” He raised his brows and shook his head, uncertain what to think. “With Feng Bai Xiao being behind all this, I genuinely can’t tell. You’d think that we’d know what he actually wants but I don’t think we can trust anything we’ve seen or heard so far. If it’s him … anything is possible.”

Tong Chen listened quietly and finally inclined his head. “There are no certainties but you don’t want to risk everything for nothing. I understand that. But have talked about this: The future depends on everyone’s choices, yours included. The more people there are, the less certain the outcome is.

“If you send someone, it will inevitably change the reaction of the other side. What if they need everyone to deal with the new number of people? What if this lets them know that the sect is now unguarded and they send people here because of that? There are too many possibilities to see, even for me. Even if I were to look at them, I couldn’t possibly tell you what the final truth will be.”

His ability was good to have in normal times but in situations as complicated as these … it was nearly worthless. There was no way to take in everything and make the perfect choice. If that worked, then Feng Bai Xiao’s first action would have been to come to this place and try to kill him. Otherwise, wouldn’t his whole plan have been for naught?

Zhang Guan Yu could only sigh again. He raised his hand and held his forehead, closing his eyes before opening them again and looking at the sky. “Heaven, if the Teng Yong Sect falls in my hands, I’ll never be able to look into my Master’s eyes.”

Tong Chen could only smile faintly. “If the Teng Yong Sect falls, I am afraid you won’t get to see him again.” The old Sect Master had ascended and he doubted that Zhang Guan Yu would have that chance if the sect would meet its demise. No, knowing him, he would rather perish with everyone else.

Zhang Guan Yu nodded. Indeed. If the sect fell, he would never ascend and never get to see his Master. There would be nothing to answer for. “Then what should I do? I’m afraid to do the wrong thing. What … would you do in my place?”

Tong Chen shook his head. “I’m not. But you have been made Sect Master for a reason so I believe that whatever you decide on will be the right choice. Your Master didn’t make that decision lightly back then and as long as you remember what this was for, you will be able to make up your mind. I am sure of it.”

Zhang Guan Yu kept quiet and finally picked up the jade pendant hanging from his belt that signified his position as the Sect Master. This had been given to him by his Master that day, surprising not just him but his senior martial brothers and sisters as well. Even though it hadn’t been clear who would inherit the title, nobody had thought that it would be he who had often shown a rather lackadaisical attitude toward cultivation and lagged behind in both talent and level.

Even though the others hadn’t said a word about it, he knew they had doubted this choice. His direct seniors, as well as all the Elders. He knew his Master had been questioned about it but he had persisted in his choice. When Zhang Guan Yu tried to give back the pendant, wanting to reject the position, he had also refused to accept it.

Back then, he had told him that he couldn’t give it back and could only pass it on. If he didn’t want to hold this position any longer, then he could hand it over to whoever he deemed worthy but he’d need to make that decision on his own.

Maybe … maybe that time had come now.