Kui Long was petty but not foolish or brainless.
Within the Holy Hall, to rashly initiate a fight was absolutely not a wise decision. What's more, Saint Master Shen Chong had an obviously good relationship with Jing Yan. If he attacked directly, he would give the Saint Master a chance to intervene and possibly use the opportunity to punish him, even to the extent of stripping him of his position as Hall Master.
As for why Kui Long specifically targeted Jing Yan, there were some little-known factors involved.
Although Kui Long was vengeful, he generally did not make enemies all around. Otherwise, how could he have held the position of the Third Hall Master for so many years?
In fact, Kui Long had a very close relationship with the Alchemy Dao Family of the Wan Family. One of his wives was the daughter of an Old Clan Leader of the Wan Family.
