At this point, the people of the Azure Mountain Sacred Land finally stepped in. 

A Martial Saint approached the group, smiling genially. He glanced at Lu Changsheng, then at the thoroughly disheveled Elder Xue. 

"Fellow Daoists, this is all a misunderstanding," said the Azure Mountain Saint. "The business with the ranking is nothing more than disciples messing around. Hardly worth the two of you raising arms over.

"Besides, the Exchange Convention is nearly upon us, and a little clash of tempers among disciples is perfectly normal. Let them settle it at the convention so we don't destroy the harmony here. What do the two of you say?"

It was no surprise that a Martial Saint of the Azure Mountain Sacred Land was playing peacemaker. However, both the Great Snow Mountain and Heavenly River Sacred Lands knew their hosts had been watching the whole affair from the shadows, waiting...