The Grey-robed Old Ancestor chuckled. "The Qin and Ye families aren't even on the same level. There'll be plenty of opportunities. As for Ye Chen beating you, don't tell Qin Xiao about it. If you do, the Qin Family will simply think our Nangong Family is incompetent!"
Nangong Baixue asked, "But what if we don't say anything, and the Ye Family goes around boasting about it?"
The Grey-robed Old Ancestor scoffed, "Impossible! The Ye Family Old Ancestors aren't idiots. If this incident gets out, the Qin Family will definitely intervene!"
Just then, Nangong Beiqiu frowned, asking, "Old Ancestor, has the Ye Family found some powerful backer? This time, when I entered their estate, I distinctly felt the Ye Family had changed."
The Grey-robed Old Ancestor pondered for a moment. "It's highly probable! That power within Ye Chen's body, which even the Ye Family Old Ancestors couldn't resolve, must have been dealt with by a powerful expert!"
Nangong Baixue's face was icy. "That damned waste Ye Chen, to actually stumble upon such a fortunate opportunity!" Her fists clenched, her chest heaving with rage. She genuinely wished she could kill Ye Chen on the spot!
The Grey-robed Old Ancestor sighed. "The affairs of this world are often predetermined by fate. Between you and Ye Chen, the karma has run its course, now completely severed. However, the Ye Family has now paved its own path to ruin. Baixue, rest assured, the Ye Family is destined for destruction! As for that Ye Beichen, I did indeed share some history with him in an ancient secret realm. But now, he simply stood by and watched as Ye Chen issued the annulment letter! From this day forward, any goodwill between us is utterly severed!"
Nangong Baixue frowned. "Old Ancestor, you really shouldn't have arranged that engagement between me and that old coot back then."
The Grey-robed Old Ancestor's face darkened. "That incident truly was my fault. Back then, after we barely escaped from that ancient secret realm, overjoyed, we started discussing the family's young geniuses. Without a second thought, we sealed your engagement."
Nangong Baixue pouted, clearly disgruntled. "Even if that waste Ye Chen can cultivate again, he's still nothing compared to my husband Qin Xiao... No, comparing that trash to Qin Xiao is an insult to my husband!"
The Grey-robed Old Ancestor nodded, looking at Nangong Baixue with endless expectation in his eyes. "Baixue, the future of our Nangong Family now rests entirely on your shoulders. Don't worry too much about Ye Chen and the Ye Family; Ye Chen is doomed, and the Ye Family is certainly headed for destruction! Your task now is to firmly secure Qin Xiao and establish a strong foothold within the Supreme Profound Sect."
Nangong Baixue nodded. "Understood, Old Ancestor."
Just then, the transmission jade slip in Nangong Baixue's storage ring vibrated subtly. She took out the transmission jade slip and infused it with spirit energy. A middle-aged man's voice slowly transmitted, "Baixue, how did the annulment at the Ye Family go?" It was none other than Pill Saint Yunyang, Nangong Baixue's master.
Nangong Baixue hesitated slightly, then replied, "Master, it has been handled."
Pill Saint Yunyang said indifferently, "Good. Return to the sect as soon as possible then. For the next three months, I will be putting you through special training!"
Nangong Baixue was taken aback. "Special training? Master, is something happening?"
Pill Saint Yunyang chuckled. "The centennial Pill Refining Exchange Conference is set to begin in three months. This time, it will be held at the Grand Dao Sect's Pill Peak, and I will be taking you there."
The Grand Dao Sect, Pill Peak! Hearing the name of the Grand Dao Sect, Nangong Baixue's heart instantly tightened. Ye Chen was also at the Grand Dao Sect! What a shame, that waste couldn't even refine pills. Otherwise, she would have crushed Ye Chen beneath her heel! What a pity.
Pill Saint Yunyang continued, "Baixue, return to the sect within three days."
Nangong Baixue nodded. "Yes, Master!"
Putting away the transmission jade slip, Nangong Baixue informed her Old Ancestor and father.
The Grey-robed Old Ancestor's eyes clouded with thought. "Such a coincidence?"
Nangong Baixue revealed a look of utter disgust. "Old Ancestor, I truly don't want to see that waste ever again; he makes me sick! If I absolutely must see him, I hope it's the corpse of that waste, Ye Chen."
The Grey-robed Old Ancestor said in a low voice, "Don't dwell on such things for now. Ye Chen is already on a path to certain death. For these three months, follow your master and diligently study the Path of Alchemy! Then, go to the Grand Dao Sect and astound the other geniuses."
Nangong Baixue nodded. "Understood, Old Ancestor!"
Shortly after, Nangong Baixue left the family, taking a teleportation array to the Supreme Profound Sect.
***
Grand Dao Sect. On Azure Mystery Peak. The Sect Master, clad in grey robes, descended with a flourish.
"Where are they? Why aren't they back yet?" Both Lu Xuan's and Ji Fuyao's cave dwellings were empty. The Sect Master knew Ji Fuyao had taken a sect mission and left. But Lu Xuan? What was he doing? The Sect Master truly couldn't fathom what a mere Qi Refining cultivator was doing running around outside the sect. It had been almost a month. Fortunately, in the Grand Dao Hall, both Lu Xuan's and Ji Fuyao's soul tablets remained undisturbed. This at least confirmed they were safe.
The Sect Master came to the thatched hut and looked inside. There were many neatly arranged bowls and chopsticks. Seeing these, he felt a surge of irritation. A cultivator who couldn't even achieve abstinence from grain—what kind of cultivation was that? Eating some spirit beast meat or the like was acceptable, but Lu Xuan eating every day? Who could tolerate that? The key was, he was leading Ji Fuyao astray.
With this thought, the Sect Master let out a deep sigh. However, because of Ji Fuyao, the Cangxuan Old Ancestor had already ordered him not to interfere with Lu Xuan's affairs. So, he couldn't use this matter to lecture Lu Xuan anymore.
The Sect Master shook his head, preparing to leave Azure Mystery Peak. Suddenly, outside Azure Mystery Peak, a brilliant divine light shot skyward, flying towards the peak. The Sect Master swept his divine sense out and was instantly stunned. Lu Xuan was back! Ji Fuyao was back too! They had actually returned together! The Sect Master frowned slightly, muttering, "That Lu Xuan, he wouldn't have gone looking for Ji Fuyao, would he?" Wait a minute. Who was that other young man?
Boom! A moment later, Lu Xuan, Ji Fuyao, and Ye Chen landed on Azure Mystery Peak. Seeing the Sect Master, Lu Xuan was a little surprised. The Sect Master tried to probe Lu Xuan's cultivation but found it blocked by some power. His face twitched. Did this Lu Xuan actually come to enjoy this feeling of concealing his cultivation?
He then turned his gaze to Ji Fuyao, asking with some surprise, "Hmm? Fuyao, your cultivation has actually broken through to Profound Venerate Stage One!"
Ji Fuyao smiled faintly. "I gained some opportunities during my recent travels and training."
The Sect Master nodded continuously, highly pleased. "Excellent, excellent. This time, your aura is somewhat internalized and restrained; it seems you've gained quite a lot." Standing beside them, Ye Chen observed the Sect Master. He was a little stunned. Was the Sect Master merely a Saint King Realm cultivator? Judging by the Sect Master's attitude, he seemed to favor Senior Sister more. The Sect Master was rather dismissive of his master!
At this point, the Sect Master looked at Lu Xuan, very puzzled. "What have you been doing for the past month?"
Lu Xuan replied casually, "I just went for a stroll outside, enjoyed the scenery and such."
The Sect Master's face was a massive question mark. "???" After a moment of silence, the Sect Master said in a low voice, "Lu Xuan, you're only at the Qi Refining realm. When you have nothing to do, don't just wander around recklessly. The Southern Wilds are vast and dangerous; with your cultivation, you're at risk wherever you go."
"Got it," Lu Xuan said.
Ye Chen's face twitched. What the hell? My Master is a top-tier powerhouse in the Southern Wilds! Master's strength completely transcends my understanding! But the Sect Master doesn't even know? In that moment, Ye Chen finally understood why Lu Xuan had been ridiculed and slandered by the Grand Dao Sect and many major powers for so many years. Master is just too low-key! He's clearly so powerful, yet he refuses to display his cultivation! Indeed. Master's realm is simply too high, beyond my comprehension.
The Sect Master extended a wisp of his divine sense to observe Ye Chen. A moment later, he was utterly stunned. Ye Chen's body was flawless and pure, his Dao Foundation practically perfect. He was only sixteen years old, yet he was already at Mid-stage Profound Emperor, and his cultivation foundation was incredibly solid. A mysterious aura emanated from Ye Chen, an aura the Sect Master found himself unable to discern. Where did this genius come from?
The Sect Master looked at Ji Fuyao. "Fuyao, is this the genius you brought back?"
Lu Xuan paused, dumbfounded. What the hell? Shouldn't he be asking me? Ji Fuyao smiled sweetly. "Sect Master, this is my Master's newly accepted disciple."
The Sect Master frowned, looking at Lu Xuan with a hint of disbelief. "What? You took on a disciple, Lu Xuan?"
"That's right," Lu Xuan affirmed.
Ye Chen slowly stepped forward, bowing respectfully to the Sect Master. "Greetings, Sect Master. My name is Ye Chen, and I am Master's second disciple."
The Sect Master simply uttered a long "Oh." He absolutely didn't believe Lu Xuan had brought him back. After all, Lu Xuan was just at the Qi Refining realm. What could he possibly use to attract such a genius? He had just briefly probed Ye Chen and had initially concluded that this young man's cultivation talent was comparable to Ji Fuyao's! Such a genius wouldn't be swayed to become Lu Xuan's disciple, even if Lu Xuan offered all of Azure Mystery Peak's deepest treasures. So, there had to be more to the story. Suddenly, a light bulb went off in the Sect Master's mind. This time, after Ji Fuyao left, Lu Xuan also left. Ji Fuyao had ties to the Fuyao Dynasty, but she didn't want to expose them. So, she had Lu Xuan leave the sect as well. In truth, this Ye Chen must be closely connected to Ji Fuyao; upon their return, he merely pretended to become Lu Xuan's disciple, claiming to be his apprentice. Having pieced this together, the Sect Master found it all too logical. No wonder that Lu Xuan ran out of the sect! No wonder Ji Fuyao evaded that Saint realm protector's pursuit! So, Ji Fuyao must have gone to find this genius herself. The Sect Master smiled faintly. It couldn't be anyone else! He had immediately deduced the entire chain of events. However, since Ji Fuyao claimed Lu Xuan had brought him back, he wouldn't expose her. Now the Grand Dao Sect had another genius disciple. This was a good thing! As for Lu Xuan, he was just providing cover for Ji Fuyao!
The Sect Master said with a smile, "Lu Xuan, you've done well! Bringing back a genius disciple this time. Later, have Ye Chen go to the Grand Dao Hall to find Elder Mu, get his cultivation talent tested, and then collect his Grand Dao Sect identity token."
Ye Chen glanced at Lu Xuan, who nodded. "Go in a bit."
The Sect Master looked at Ji Fuyao with great satisfaction. "Excellent, excellent." Ji Fuyao's beautiful eyes subtly furrowed; she didn't quite understand what the Sect Master meant by "excellent."
The Sect Master patted Lu Xuan's shoulder. "Lu Xuan, the Cangxuan Old Ancestor said he won't let me interfere with your affairs anymore. So, feel free to do as you please in the Grand Dao Sect."
Lu Xuan asked, "I can go wherever I want?"
The Sect Master replied, "Do as you please. Whatever you want to do, do it. After all, you're only at the Qi Refining realm; even if you stir up trouble, how much trouble can you possibly stir up?"
Lu Xuan: "..." A moment of silence. Lu Xuan shrugged. "Never mind. I'm the kind of person who prefers to stay on Azure Mystery Peak."
The Sect Master smiled faintly, convinced he had seen through Lu Xuan's true nature. A lazybones. If he could sit, he wouldn't stand. If he could lie down, he wouldn't sit. Even during intimate moments, Lu Xuan would probably say, "You come up, do it yourself." No ambition. Just wanted to slack off. However, with Ji Fuyao bringing back such a peerless genius this time, the Sect Master was in a wonderfully good mood. He smiled at Ye Chen and said, "All right, I'll be waiting for you in the Grand Dao Hall. Your Senior Sister even caused a resonance with our Grand Dao Sect's supreme treasure, the Grand Dao Bell. I'm eager to see just how far your cultivation talent will reach!"