The subsequent sect affairs Wang Wei had to deal with was regarding the Sea. The Dao Opening Sect has begun to openly compete for resources in the sea–along with many other factions who copied them. However, two people were unhappy with this change: the Sea Race, since they did not want anyone near their territory.

Secondly, it's the loose cultivators. Under the sea used to be a place where the major sects and clans did not have much control or reach; it was a place for high-level loose cultivators to compete and gather resources. However, the Dao Opening Sect's paw now reached the sea, encroaching on their territories.

The Loose Cultivator Alliance even sent them a letter condemning their actions and trying to talk them out of doing this. Wang Wei even guessed they were trying to force an alliance with the Sea race to block other factions from setting foot under the sea.

'The sea is a place full of resources. Although most of it is water and Yin attributes, it's still a place deserving of attention,' thought Wang Wei before ordering the sect to concentrate their efforts on developing the sea. He even set up a team of Immortals to travel deep under the sea to see if there were any unknown secrets.

'I need to know if there are more things related to the Old Ones underneath the sea.' Wang Wei remembered Yi Liancheng since the latter was one of the most bizarre encounters he had in his cultivation journey.

'I should probably send an Insurgent. Maybe even ask Sword One to supervise the situation. But it's too dangerous. She's the sect's foundation, so nothing can happen to her.'

Although Sword One now has Eternal Emperor strength, the undersea exploration might involve Cthulhu and the Old Gods. Although Wang Wei did not know exactly how powerful that creature was, something told him even Paragons could not deal with it.

Of course, there is also the possibility it is a [Taboo] not for its strength but for something completely different similar to science and technology.

Wang Wei waved his hand, and a few seconds later, a projection appeared before him. He isolated the sound to prevent the elders from listening.

"I thought you weren't talking to me for a year?"

"I will, but only after this time."

"I believe you," said Wu Hong casually. "What is it this time?"

"I forgot to ask you whether you know about one of the taboos, Cthulhu."

"The Old Gods?"

"Yes." Wang Wei explained in detail what happened to him with Yi Liancheng. Yesterday, he focused more on the devil race and the invaders from foreign world communities.

"You really are a magnet for trouble," commented Wu Hong before frowning.

She dug into her memories. She only knew about the Old Gods because Wang Wei told him about some myths and legends from Earth. As for the taboo, she only had one encounter.

"I've once met a Fiendgod with a similar aura as Yi Liancheng, most likely another follower," uttered Wu Hong. "I fought with him, but he was unkillable. So, I had to seal it. Besides that, I have no other knowledge about this particular taboo."

Despite her strength and experience, she did not know about all 13 Taboos. After all, the Chaos Universe is vast beyond comprehension. Although Paragons and Fiendgods are considered the rulers of Heaven and Earth, that's only on the surface. There are simply too many mysteries, unknown, and forbidden things in the universe.

Wang Wei nodded in agreement. He did not think because he could kill Yi Liancheng meant, he could do the same for all followers of the Old God. Most likely, the higher their cultivation, the scarier and more dangerous they are.

"Alright, thank you. And starting now, I will stop speaking to you."

"Sure you are."

Wang Wei ended the communication as he thought about how to deal with this sea exploration. He frowned for a few minutes before suddenly remembering the mercenary squad he had met. 'Right. I just need to pay some loose cultivator mercenary squad to supervise this meeting.'

Although Insurgent Loose Cultivators were rare, they still existed. Some are willing to take any risks after asking for an exorbitant price. Nevertheless, no matter how much they asked for, it was nothing compared to a sect that existed for billions of years and accumulated generational wealth.

Wang Wei found this solution satisfying, so he signed an order for someone to execute it.

Then, he continued his review. He took a document discussing the sect's alliance with Origin Pill Dao Sect.

Long ago, after infiltrating the sect, he told Lou Cheng he could ally with the sect. Although it took some time, the alliance became true–but both sides agreed to keep it on the down-low.

The Dao Opening Sect did not want other factions to know their political influence had exponentially increased with the alliance. Meanwhile, sect master Ye Lao wished to use the sect's power to fight against Fu Caiyun, and he succeeded as Lou Cheng became the next sect master and seemed to have complete control, sidelining Fu Caiyun.

'Lou Cheng, huh?' thought Wang Wei with squinting eyes. This person has always been an unknown variable because of his relationship with the Flame Emperor. So, Wang Wei has his Fate Shadow Guard closely watching him.

Nevertheless, since Lou Cheng received the Flame Emperor's inheritance. Despite having a reputation even better than Fu Caiyun and Yan Liling due to his sudden talent increase, he rarely showed himself outside of the sect, focusing on pill refining.

If not for the few occasions he appeared to fight political battles with Fu Caiyun in the early stages of his ascension to the position of sect master, Lou Cheng's presence in the world would have been even more transparent.

'I know some of the chess pieces and move of everyone in the game,' thought Wang Wei, thinking about the seven moons, Maitreya, and many people in Limbo–including the Human Emperor. 'However, I'm clueless about the Flame Emperor.

'Does he want to deal with the Seven Moons, or is he planning something else?'

So far, he only knows Lou Cheng is the Flame Emperor's chess piece, but he does not know what he wants to do.

'So far, Lou Cheng has shown no sign of wanting to participate in the final battle. Does that mean the Flame Emperor does not need a Great Emperor, or he has an alternative method of proving the Dao?'

Wang Wei pondered for a few minutes before moving on. If Flame Emperor has another goal, he cannot think of anything now. However, if the latter has an alternate method for proving the Dao, it must be related to pill refining. So, he engraved some of his ideas and guesses before sending them to Wang Ju and the Fate Shadow Guard headquarters.

Wang Wei picked another issue to supervise. It was also about another alliance but from the Origin Rune Palace.

'What is Wu Ming doing?;historical

He met Wu Ming during the Spirit Road Trial when the latter found the inheritance of his ancestor–a talented Array Master in the Ancient Emperor Era. However, despite the fact his ancestors had immense hatred for the Origin Rune Palace, Wu Ming joined them and even became their Palace Master. And now, he was asking for an alliance.

'I can't believe the weak and thin boy I met before is now the ruler of an ancient Emperor Lineage. This guy is not simple.' Wang Wei applauded him simply because no one in the Palace discovered his connection to his ancestor. Of course, there is the possibility Emperor Haiyuan removed all evidence of Wu Ming's ancestor, so the Origin Rune Palace had no hatred for him in the first place. After all, what he did was too shameful. With his status, he would not want anyone to know–especially not his legacy.

'Although I can roughly guess his intention, let's wait and see.' Wang Wei agreed to a primary secret alliance and see how things develop from now on. He also tasked his spies in the Origin Rune Palace to keep their eyes on him and send him more information.

Finally, he dealt with the internal affairs of the sect. Most things ran smoothly. After all, an institution like the Dao Opening Sect has been operating for so long that it now formed its own system. As the sect master, his job is to ensure no significant problem occurs in the system.

So, everything was fine regarding the sect's resources acquisition and distribution, disciples recruitment and training, and elder's internal and external duties.

The only issue that warranted his attention, no, his gaze, was some people from the sectarian side refused to accept the situation and became restless again after the sect acquired some talented individuals. However, Wang Wei did not have to do anything as the leaders of the sectarian faction themselves swiftly dealt with these restless people.

So, everything was peaceful.