Sakura Country.
Kyushu Island.
The East Ying Shrine.
Chizuru Ginshiro looked at the white-haired woman behind her and swallowed hard:
"Master... Master..."
"I have prepared everything as you instructed."
"But... but are we really... really going to risk everything like this?"
"I always feel that getting entangled in this infinitely chaotic Kyushu Island might not end well!"
"Not to mention, if we are betrayed or caught in a pincer attack, our Shrine Official organization..."
The white-haired woman's face was obscured by a thin veil, making her true features unclear.
However, judging from her fair and smooth skin, it could be inferred that the white-haired woman was definitely not unattractive...
Upon hearing Chizuru Ginshiro's question, the white-haired woman did not answer directly. Instead, she cast her gaze towards a deeper distance:
"Ginshiro, can you see what lies beyond that mist?"
In the deepest part of the East Ying Shrine, there was a layer of mist that was not particularly dense.
But that mist was so mysterious and strange that even though it seemed to be clearly visible, it was impossible to peer through it to fathom what lay hidden behind it.
Chizuru Ginshiro was momentarily stunned by the question but could only honestly reply:
"Reporting to Master, this disciple cannot see through this thin mist..."
"However, doesn't there seem to be no inevitable connection between the two?"
The white-haired woman smiled:
"Everything is connected, let alone things that are so close to each other..."
"We cannot predict the future, but we can make our choices to the best of our ability."
"This is even more true at this critical juncture of life and death."
"If we do not strive with all our might, we will only be eliminated by the world."
Chizuru Ginshiro was completely dumbfounded and did not know how to respond.
The white-haired woman continued to smile:
"Perhaps you think that our Shrine Official organization has always been hidden behind the scenes, silently observing everything in Sakura Country."
"Watching its dynasties change, its powers rise and fall, the winds and clouds gather, its myriad of flaws..."
"We have always been in an absolute and transcendent state, never truly involving ourselves."
"How many generations of Sakura Country's reign have passed, yet we remain ourselves..."
"Do you think that this time, we can still choose to remain aloof and safely weather the crisis?"
Chizuru Ginshiro swallowed and hesitated for a moment before speaking:
"Isn't it...?"
"As long as we don't make a move, no one will trouble us."
"And with this transcendent status, we can still influence the next ruler of Sakura Country to a considerable extent, and continue to enjoy the benefits of supporting a rising power."
"Even if we fail, unless it's a desperate gamble, our status will not be significantly affected..."
"Even due to the recognition and worship of us among the people of Sakura, our status might even be elevated."
"Doesn't this seem better than the current situation no matter how you look at it?"
"And... and..."
At this point, Chizuru Ginshiro couldn't help but pause in fear, looking tentatively at the white-haired woman.
The white-haired woman waved her hand dismissively:
"Speak freely..."
"Will I really fly into a rage because of your different opinion?"
"Within our organization, we emphasize inclusivity and drawing on the strengths of all. Any thoughts can be expressed freely."
Chizuru Ginshiro then mustered her courage and continued:
"Also, Master, I think you might have chosen the wrong direction from the beginning..."
"In the nearly ten years since you officially took charge of our organization, our external strategies have undergone earth-shattering changes."
"Not to mention the dangerous act of frequently engaging with foreign powers and extending olive branches to different factions, essentially playing with multiple parties."
"Just targeting the current Emperor alone is something that could lead to utter ruin if not handled carefully."
"Most importantly, even if we succeed in such endeavors, the rewards are far from commensurate with the risks involved..."
"No matter who ultimately rules these lands, won't we still be behind the scenes?"
"Are we going to give up this extremely transcendent status, voluntarily descend from the altar, and degenerate into mortals?"
"If that's the case, no matter how great the material gains or how vast the earthly power, destruction would only mean turning into a pile of dust..."
"We have witnessed this countless times. Why must we repeat their mistakes?"
Facing Chizuru Ginshiro's string of questions, the white-haired woman couldn't help but burst into laughter:
"Good! Very good! Excellent!"
"I have truly not cultivated you in vain. You indeed possess extraordinary insight and vision..."
"To recognize this level indicates that you have the ability to lead a group independently."
"At least in normal circumstances, you won't lead your group to destruction."
"But this time, it is far from a normal situation!"
As she spoke, the white-haired woman gently patted Chizuru Ginshiro's shoulder:
"Come, follow me to... a place."
Chizuru Ginshiro dared not delay. She quickly stood up and followed the white-haired woman at a brisk pace:
"Yes! Master!"
The two walked through a narrow corridor,绕过 a series of formations, lifted an endless mist, and stirred up a series of vein patterns, finally arriving outside a small, dark, and dilapidated door.
When the white-haired woman saw this small door, her expression suddenly became gentle and longing, as if she had suddenly recalled a beautiful memory.
But this expression only lasted for less than a second before it transformed into a chilling, murderous coldness.
This suffocatingly strong killing intent startled Chizuru Ginshiro beside her.
If she hadn't known that the white-haired woman could kill her without any complexity, she would have thought that her dear Master had brought her to a secluded corner to secretly assassinate her!
The white-haired woman noticed Chizuru Ginshiro's shiver and realized she had lost her composure. She quickly adjusted her state and returned to her previous dignified and graceful appearance with a mysterious smile.
Then, she gently placed her hand on the small door and injected a portion of her divine soul into it.
Creak, creak, creak!
The small door immediately emitted a decaying sound, characteristic of old, dilapidated wooden objects, and swayed open, revealing itself to the two.