Chapter 184: Raising Venomous Insects |
Sect Master He Yuzhou sat high in the main seat, his expression serene, though his eyes held a trace of gravity deep within.
In the guest seat to his right sat a man who appeared to be in his thirties.
This person had a clean, refined face with eyes that carried a hint of indifference and detachment. He wore a uniquely patterned white brocade robe, with cloud-cradled pagoda designs embroidered in silver thread at the sleeves and hem. This was precisely the standard attire of Tianbao Upper Sect's core members.
This outfit alone represented supreme authority and backing within the Three Circuits and Fifty-One Prefectures.
He Yuzhou wore a smile as he spoke, "Special Envoy Zhao has traveled from afar to grace our humble sect. This He failed to welcome you properly. I hope the Special Envoy will forgive me."
Upon hearing this, Zhao Kang merely waved his hand casually, his posture relaxed as if he had long grown accustomed to such scenes. He said indifferently, "Sect Master He is too kind. This envoy's visit is merely by order. There's no need for excessive courtesy."
"I wonder what instructions Special Envoy Zhao brings on this visit?"
He Yuzhou probed without revealing his thoughts, though his mind was already churning with countless possibilities.
"Instructions is too strong a word."
He Yuzhou's heart suddenly tightened. So it really was about this matter!
However, his face revealed nothing as he nodded, "Tianbao Upper Sect's farsighted vision in gathering the strength of hundreds of sects to jointly resist the Demon Sect and cultivate talents, this grand endeavor, this He has indeed heard some whispers about it."
His tone was cautious, both indicating that he knew about it while not appearing overly eager, leaving the initiative to the other party.
Zhao Kang seemed satisfied with his response. He slowly straightened his posture somewhat and said, "Since Sect Master He is aware, that makes things easier. The Upper Sect's decision is made. They will select the most promising young disciples from the sects under their jurisdiction across the Three Circuits, Fifty-One Prefectures, and over a hundred sects, and concentrate them at Xuwang Mountain to be trained according to the standards used for Upper Sect disciples. The purpose is to counter the increasingly rampant Limitless Demon Sect, as well as to strengthen the future core forces of each sect."
He Yuzhou listened quietly without speaking, waiting for the other party to state the conditions.
He knew that the Upper Sect would never make a losing deal. Such a large-scale mobilization of elites from various sects must have its price and compensation.
Zhao Kang glanced at He Yuzhou and continued, "Of course, the Upper Sect also knows that cultivating talents is not easy for each sect and will not simply conscript them. Therefore, they have specially issued an incentive policy: for each disciple that a sect sends who ultimately passes the assessment and officially remains to cultivate at Xuwang Mountain, that disciple's sect will receive a reduction of five years' worth of tribute owed to the Upper Sect! If two can remain, then ten years will be exempted! And so on."
"Is this truly so!?"
Even with He Yuzhou's composed nature, upon hearing this condition, his heart shook violently and he couldn't help but ask.
Five years of tribute exemption!
What did this mean?
More than sixty percent of the Five Terraces Sect's annual output from the Earth Heart Milk cave had to be handed over to Tianbao Upper Sect.
If five years could be exempted, this enormous amount of resources remaining within the sect would be enough to raise the entire Five Terraces Sect's strength by a huge margin in a short time!
Cultivate more experts, acquire more divine weapons and precious medicines... Even suppressing Hanyu Valley, which had always been ahead of them, would no longer be an unattainable dream!
This temptation was too great!
"Would the Upper Sect's decree be false?"
Zhao Kang smiled faintly, unsurprised by He Yuzhou's reaction. However, he then changed his tone, "But Sect Master He must understand that this benefit only applies to disciples who ultimately 'remain.' Across the Three Circuits and Fifty-One Prefectures, over a hundred sects, geniuses gather like clouds. The competition will be far more intense than imagined. Although Xuwang Mountain's resources are abundant, they cannot be enjoyed by everyone. If your sect's disciples fail to pass the assessment and cannot remain at Xuwang Mountain, then... everything continues as usual, and nothing will change."
He paused, his tone carrying a meaningful undertone, "Of course, once they remain, the benefits are not merely tribute exemption. The disciples themselves will receive vigorous cultivation from the Upper Sect, and their future achievements will be limitless. Whether or not they return to their sects in the future, they will surely benefit their home sect. Sect Master He can weigh the pros and cons and consider this carefully."
After speaking, Zhao Kang stood up, straightened his robe, and said, "The message has been delivered. This envoy still needs to make a trip to Hanyu Valley and won't linger."
He Yuzhou immediately collected his thoughts, suppressed the turmoil in his heart, and also stood up to urge him to stay, "Special Envoy Zhao has worked hard. Since it's already late, why not rest at our humble sect for the night and let this He fulfill the duties of a proper host?"
Zhao Kang declined flatly, "Sect Master He's kind intentions are appreciated, but sect affairs are numerous and I cannot delay."
His words made it clear that he had little interest in deepening relations with what was supposedly one of the four major sects of Yunlin Prefecture.
With that, he gave a slight nod and quickly walked outside, accompanied by a Five Terraces Sect elder.
He Yuzhou stood in place, watching Zhao Kang leave. The smile on his face gradually faded as he fell into deep contemplation.
Sang Yanping asked in a low voice, "Sect Master, regarding what Special Envoy Zhao mentioned..."
He Yuzhou slowly nodded, "The Upper Sect's move, ostensibly to concentrate the elite talents of a hundred sects to resist the Demon Sect and cultivate new blood, but in reality... it's probably not that simple."
Sang Yanping pondered, "However, five years of tribute exemption is an enormous temptation, and if our sect's disciples can truly remain, the benefits would be substantial."
"Precisely."
He Yuzhou paced to the window, gazing at the distant lake, "This matter is currently just a notification. When exactly it will be implemented and how selections will be made, the Upper Sect has not yet clarified. We shouldn't act too early, but we also need to prepare in advance."
Sang Yanping nodded in agreement, "What Sect Master says is absolutely right. Why not observe the situation quietly first and see how Hanyu Valley, Xuanjia Gate, and other sects respond? At the same time, we can secretly note which disciples under our sect have the potential to attempt this Xuwang Mountain gathering."
He Yuzhou turned around, a gleam flashing in his eyes, "Yes, this matter concerns the sect's future and cannot be rushed. First prepare secretly, and after the Upper Sect clarifies the details, we'll make our decision."
"Yes." Sang Yanping bowed in acknowledgment.
Chen Qing arrived at the rear courtyard of Qingmu Courtyard.
The courtyard was as quiet as ever, with only the gurgling sound of tea being brewed in the small clay stove on the stone table and a trace of exceptionally clear tea fragrance mixed with the faint pure scent of snow water, permeating the air.
Li Baichuan sat on a stone bench, focused on watching the ancient clay pot on the stove fire, white steam rising from the spout.
"Disciple pays respects to Master Li."
Chen Qing stepped forward and respectfully cupped his fists.
Li Baichuan didn't even lift his eyelids, merely nodding slightly.
He extended his withered hand, lifted the clay pot, and poured boiling water into two white porcelain cups.
Instantly, the tea fragrance intensified.
"Your timing is perfect."
Only then did Li Baichuan raise his eyes, his gaze sweeping over Chen Qing, "This old man's tea has just finished brewing. I used snow collected from plum blossoms in the twelfth month."
As he spoke, he pushed one of the cups to the opposite side of the stone table.
"Thank you, Master Li."
Chen Qing didn't immediately touch the steaming cup of tea. Instead, he first took out a wooden box from his robe.
He opened the wooden box, revealing the peculiarly shaped blood lingzhi with dense silver patterns inside.
"Previously, thank you Master Li for taking action to resolve trouble for this disciple. This item was obtained by chance in the Ten Thousand Poisons Marsh and may be of some use to Master Li. It's a small token of my appreciation."
This was precisely the silver-patterned blood lingzhi that was nearly twenty years old!
Chen Qing understood in his heart that the more benefits he offered now, the more returns he would receive in the future.
Li Baichuan's gaze fell on the silver-patterned blood lingzhi, and a trace of satisfaction appeared in his expression. He thought to himself: This boy is becoming increasingly sensible.
Both had an unspoken understanding about the Golden Sand Fortress incident and neither mentioned it.
Seeing him accept it, Chen Qing only then picked up that cup of tea.
The tea liquid was clear and bright with a piercing fragrance. He carefully tasted a sip, and a pure cold sensation accompanied the tea fragrance, penetrating straight to his dantian.
"Good tea." Chen Qing praised sincerely.
Li Baichuan drank his tea casually, looking at him deeply, "Your breakthrough to embracing elixir strength seemed to flow naturally and smoothly?"
As expected, he saw through it!
"I was fortunate enough to break through!"
Chen Qing set down his teacup and changed the subject, "Master Li, today a special envoy from Tianbao Upper Sect arrived at our sect with quite a grand display. This disciple only heard about it after emerging from seclusion."
"Oh?"
Li Baichuan's tone was flat, "I didn't know earlier, but now I do."
Chen Qing looked at him and continued speaking frankly, "Master Li, is the matter that brought the Upper Sect's special envoy this time the rumor from some days ago about mobilizing geniuses from a hundred sects to be concentrated and cultivated at Xuwang Mountain?"
"If this old man's guess is correct, it should be that matter."
Li Baichuan's tone still held no ripples.
Chen Qing's brows furrowed slightly as he asked the doubt in his heart, "Is it truly to concentrate resources, cultivate talents, strengthen their own power, and resist the Demon Sect?"
He always felt that such a behemoth's actions would never be this simple and pure.
That old fox Li Baichuan surely knew some details.
"How deep are Tianbao Upper Sect's foundations? The resources of three entire circuits are coordinated by them. Every divine technique, secret manual, and sect-protecting scripture among them, which wouldn't make people's eyes red with envy? How could such a behemoth's methods be simple?"
Li Baichuan snorted with laughter, set down his teacup, and looked at Chen Qing, "You boy are quite cautious indeed."
"Resist the Demon Sect? What truly determines victory or defeat has always been the combat power at the top and the torrent of core forces. Cultivating you tender sprouts requires massive resources, and distant water can't quench present thirst. While there is certainly consideration of this aspect, it's definitely not all."
He changed his tone and suddenly asked, "Have you ever heard that beyond the Southwest Eight Circuits, there is a sect called 'Gu Sect'?"
Chen Qing's heart stirred as he tentatively said, "Master Li's meaning is... the Upper Sect's move is actually raising venomous insects? Placing the geniuses of a hundred sects in an environment like Xuwang Mountain, making them compete with each other, ultimately tempering a group of the strongest elite disciples?"
"Raising venomous insects?"
Li Baichuan smiled meaningfully, "You think too highly of you so-called 'geniuses of a hundred sects.' In the eyes of the truly lofty Tianbao Upper Sect, people like you don't even qualify as 'insects.'"
He paused, his voice flat but cold, "At most, you're just feed thrown to the 'insects.'"
"The true 'insects' are Tianbao Upper Sect's core disciples and thousand-year aristocratic family children who have been cultivated since childhood and are arrogant and proud. They are the ones who need to be motivated, whipped, and need to break through in competition. They are the main characters."
Chen Qing's heart shook as he completely understood.
So this so-called mobilization and cultivation was nothing more than feed for Tianbao Upper Sect's venomous insect raising.
These sect geniuses were nothing more than whetstones used to sharpen the truly "heaven's favored children."
This Tianbao Upper Sect truly had grand ambitions!
The geniuses of a hundred sects were only worthy of being feed for raising venomous insects!?
Chen Qing's face remained impassive, but a cold smile arose in his heart.
Today's whetstone might one day shatter that self-righteous blade!
Li Baichuan said indifferently, "This matter is still early. Actually mobilizing everything isn't that simple."
Chen Qing cupped his fists, "This disciple understands. Thank you Master Li for clearing up my confusion."
Afterward, the two chatted idly for a few sentences before Li Baichuan waved his hand saying he was tired, and Chen Qing respectfully cupped his fists and departed.
The storm stirred by Tianbao Upper Sect's special envoy was like a stone thrown into a lake. Although it stirred up layers of ripples, it quickly gradually subsided.
The Sect Master and various elders understood clearly that the Xuwang Mountain plan involved extensive ramifications and definitely couldn't be settled in a day or two. The specific selection methods all required long periods of deliberation and negotiation.
After the disciples under the sect discussed it heatedly for a few days and saw no more news emerge, their attention gradually shifted away.
Chen Qing calmed his mind and continued diligently cultivating in his small courtyard.
At this moment, he was focused on the Eight Desolations Mountain-Suppressing Formula, attempting to also refine and transform the Kunti true qi in his dantian into Kunti True Aura.
Because his Qingmu true qi had already been tempered into Qingmu True Aura, the originally merged true qi had already separated.
As long as he broke through the Eight Desolations Mountain-Suppressing Formula to the fifth layer, he could directly merge the Qingmu True Aura with the Kunti True Aura. At that time, the power would definitely not be as simple as one plus one, and his strength would inevitably leap forward again.
Just as his mind was immersed in circulating his true qi, a knocking sound came from outside the courtyard.
Chen Qing opened the door to find a Gengjin Courtyard disciple standing outside.
"Senior Brother Chen, this junior is Mao Yu, a Gengjin Courtyard disciple."
The Gengjin Courtyard disciple respectfully cupped his fists, "By order of Senior Brother, Xuanjia Gate's Shi Ziyi and Fang Rui have come to visit. Senior Brother is hosting a small gathering at Meiyu Pavilion at Dingbo Lake and specially invites Senior Brother Chen and several other chief disciples to come and chat."
Chen Qing's thoughts stirred slightly. Yan Yaoyang had been in close contact with the two from Xuanjia Gate recently, running around together for Pacification Guard merit missions. This gathering was most likely related to this.
"Alright, I understand."
Chen Qing nodded in acknowledgment.
In the afternoon, when Chen Qing arrived at Meiyu Pavilion, he saw that Nie Shanshan, Li Lei, Li Wang, Yan Yaoyang, as well as Xuanjia Gate's Shi Ziyi and Fang Rui were all already present, casually chatting while drinking tea.
Outside the pavilion, green waves rippled gently and a refreshing breeze blew, making it quite an elegant place.
"Junior Brother Chen, you've arrived."
Yan Yaoyang saw Chen Qing arrive and stood up with a smile to greet him.
Chen Qing's cultivation had now reached new realm, and with his Guiyuan Aura Concealment Art reaching great achievement, his aura was perfectly rounded and restrained. No one present could see that he had already broken through.
"Senior Brother Yan, everyone."
Chen Qing cupped his fists and looked around. His gaze paused briefly on Nie Shanshan, noticing her aura was more refined and condensed than when they last met. Although she hadn't successfully broken through, that attempt at breaking through had clearly benefited her greatly, tempering her foundation even more solidly.
After everyone returned the greeting, they sat down again.
As the organizer, Yan Yaoyang smiled bitterly and spoke first, "Troubling Senior Brother Shi and Junior Brother Fang to come from afar, and gathering all the senior and junior brothers for this small gathering, firstly it's because we haven't met in a long time and wanted to connect and foster feelings. Secondly, I also wanted to exchange cultivation insights."
He paused, his tone carrying some bitterness, "I imagine everyone has heard that not long ago I attempted to break through to True Aura... and failed."
The atmosphere in the pavilion became slightly tense.
Shi Ziyi spoke up, his tone also carrying emotion, "Breaking through the barrier to True Aura is indeed extremely difficult. Junior Brother Yan need not be discouraged."
His words also came from personal experience, because his attempt to break through had also been unsuccessful.
Li Wang couldn't help but look at Shi Ziyi upon hearing this and asked, "Senior Brother Shi, you also..."
He didn't finish his words, but the meaning was clear.
Shi Ziyi nodded frankly, confirming the guess, "Yes, I also wasn't able to succeed in one go."
The expressions of the several people present varied.
Li Lei showed regret on his face, deeply understanding the difficulty of breaking through and empathizing with the situations of Yan and Shi.
Li Wang secretly breathed a sigh of relief while also feeling pressure mounting. Among those present, his cultivation was the lowest. If someone took a step into True Aura first, the gap between them would be drastically widened. That invisible competitive pressure was suffocating.
Fang Rui's eyes flickered as he secretly resolved to cultivate even faster. He had now opened eleven primary meridians and was just one step away from perfection, urgently hoping to qualify for attempting to break through to True Aura soon.
Chen Qing's expression was calm, without much turbulence in his heart.
He deeply understood that without the blessing of his Heaven Rewards Diligence fate pattern, he too would probably be unable to escape the fate of multiple attempts or even failure.
Nie Shanshan said softly, her tone gentle yet carrying firmness, "If you don't succeed once, just treat it as accumulating experience and tempering your own true qi and spirit. Next time when preparations are complete, your chances will naturally be greater."
She had considerable insight into this.
"What Senior Sister Nie says is absolutely right."
Shi Ziyi nodded in agreement, "I've also heard that Hanyu Valley's Xiao Bieli also wasn't able to succeed. Supposedly at the final moment, he was just that tiny bit short."
Upon hearing this, everyone nodded.
Breaking through major realms was no easy matter. Being hasty and rash might instead damage one's foundation. Natural progression was the right principle.
At this time, Shi Ziyi turned his gaze to Chen Qing, who had been quietly drinking tea, and asked, "Junior Brother Chen, your cultivation progress has always been swift. I imagine the time when you attempt to break through is also not far off?"
As soon as these words were spoken, all the gazes in the pavilion instantly focused on Chen Qing.
In terms of actual combat ability, Chen Qing was undoubtedly the outstanding figure among the current young generation of Yunlin Prefecture. His record of consecutively defeating Xiao Bieli and Chen Lin was astonishing.
But whether he could be the first to break through to True Aura was another matter entirely. This concerned root bones, accumulation, opportunities, and even momentary comprehension. Strong combat ability didn't completely equal fast breakthroughs.
Whoever could first step into True Aura would undergo earth-shaking changes in status and strength.
Feeling everyone's attention, Chen Qing set down his teacup, his expression calm, and responded vaguely, "Yes, I still need some time to accumulate. Soon."
He didn't give a clear answer. There was no need to expose his cultivation level at this gathering.
Nie Shanshan looked at Chen Qing, her cherry lips parting slightly as if she wanted to ask something, but ultimately just let her eyes wander before swallowing her words.
She vaguely felt that Chen Qing's aura seemed even more deep and unfathomable than before, but specifically how, she couldn't quite articulate.
Seeing the topic pause, Yan Yaoyang took a deep breath and moved to today's other main topic, "There's another matter I'd like to discuss with all the senior and junior brothers, which is regarding Pacification Guard merits. Now that the merit tokens have been distributed more widely, quite a few late-stage embracing elixir junior brothers in the sect already possess tokens."
"Senior Brother Shi, Junior Brother Fang, and I have discussed whether we could form teams to act together? We could look after each other, be more efficient, and also accept some team missions with richer rewards."
Shi Ziyi immediately echoed, "That's right. On our Xuanjia Gate side, besides Junior Brother Fang and myself, there are also three junior brothers with considerable strength willing to join."
Clearly they had already coordinated beforehand.
Upon hearing this, Li Wang's eyes immediately lit up, and he expressed his position at once, "This method is excellent! I'm willing to join!"
He was just worrying about the low efficiency and high risk of completing missions alone. Being able to team up with the chief disciples was undoubtedly an excellent opportunity.
Li Lei pondered briefly and also nodded, "Count me in."
After obtaining his merit token, he had browsed the exchangeable items. The Condensing True Aura Pills held enormous attraction for him too. Teaming up was undoubtedly a way to accumulate merits faster.
Nie Shanshan began to contemplate.
Although her temperament was cool and aloof, she also knew the importance of cultivation resources.
This breakthrough failure made her realize even more that having an additional channel to obtain resources was definitely not a bad thing. She finally said softly, "I'll join too."
Finally, all gazes once again turned to Chen Qing.
Yan Yaoyang smiled, "Junior Brother Chen, what about you? If you join, our team's strength will definitely increase greatly!"
Chen Qing smiled slightly and shook his head, "Thank you for Senior Brother Yan's kind intentions, but recently I still need to quietly consolidate my cultivation and delve into techniques. I temporarily cannot divide my attention. As for the team matter, let me see in a while."
Li Wang wanted to persuade further, "Junior Brother Chen, there are many good things in the merit exchange list. It would be a shame to miss out..."
Chen Qing still declined politely, "I understand. After I finish matters at hand, if you senior and junior brothers haven't filled all positions yet, I'll come and trouble you then."
Seeing his mind was made up and his reasons sufficient, everyone stopped trying to persuade him.
After all, cultivation was a personal matter and couldn't be forced.
Next, the group chatted casually, exchanging cultivation experiences and interesting stories from the prefecture. The atmosphere in the pavilion gradually became relaxed and harmonious.
However, just at this moment, a Gengjin Courtyard disciple hurried to the outside of the pavilion and cupped his fists toward Yan Yaoyang, "Senior Brother Yan, just now Senior Sister He received news. They say... they say Feng Shuhao has broken through to True Aura!"
"What?!"
"Is this true!?"
"Feng Shuhao broke through?!"
The words exploded like thunder, and the pavilion instantly fell silent.
He Lanxin was the daughter of Qixia Manor's Second Manor Lord. The news she obtained was unlikely to be false.
Hiss...
A collective sound of sharp intakes of breath rang out in the pavilion.
Everyone looked at each other, their faces without exception filled with shock and disbelief.
Nie Shanshan's beautiful eyes widened as her hand holding the teacup trembled slightly, spilling a few drops of water without her noticing.
She had just experienced failure and deeply understood the difficulty involved. Feng Shuhao could actually succeed in one attempt?
Li Lei opened his mouth, unable to speak for a long time, only repeatedly murmuring, "It's actually him... who broke through first..."
Li Wang was directly stunned on the spot, left only with enormous pressure and a trace of bewilderment.
Feng Shuhao had actually taken that step?!
Shi Ziyi and Fang Rui exchanged glances, both seeing the shock and gravity in each other's eyes.
Xuanjia Gate and Qixia Manor were both in Yunlin Prefecture, competing yet cooperating with each other. Feng Shuhao's breakthrough first would undoubtedly completely change the landscape of the younger generation.
Yan Yaoyang slowly sat back on the stone bench. The shock on his face slowly faded, replaced by an extremely complex emotion, containing both astonishment and disbelief.
He had attempted to break through and failed, yet Feng Shuhao succeeded?
Chen Qing also narrowed his eyes slightly, surprised in his heart.
It seemed this prodigy of Qixia Manor had other unknown opportunities.
The pavilion fell silent for a moment, with only the sound of wind blowing across the lake surface and the several people's somewhat heavy breathing.