51: Chapter 51: A Supreme Foundation Stirs Up Trouble; Elder Chu Makes No Secret of Protecting His Own.

The news that Li Siwen (Li Shiwen) had tested for a Perfect Foundation on the spirit measuring stone was like a boulder thrown into a calm lake; the ripples it stirred up were far beyond imagination, sweeping through the entire Xuanjian Sect with astonishing speed!

It spread from the Utility Area to the Outer Sect, then to the Inner Sect, and even reached the ears of certain Elders in seclusion.

The meaning represented by the four words "Perfect Foundation," for the vast majority of Cultivators, existed only in ancient legends and sporadic records in Sect classics.

Now that it had actually appeared in a Disciple who had just been promoted to the Outer Sect, the sensational effect it caused can be imagined!

Almost everyone's first reaction was disbelief, but multiple sources of information corroborated it, especially since many Disciples were present and witnessed the golden light that pierced the sky, leaving no room for doubt.

What followed was unprecedented curiosity and attention toward the name "Li Shiwen."

Along with the news of the "Perfect Foundation" came the news that she had aggressively challenged the Chu family's direct descendant, Chu Youcai, on the spot, and set a life-and-death duel for three days later!

This pushed the already explosive topic to a climax!

"Genius girl with a Perfect Foundation" vs. "The Sect's wicked young master with a deep background"!

This dramatic conflict instantly ignited the gossip souls and anticipation of all Disciples.

"Have you heard? That Li Shiwen tested for the legendary Perfect Foundation!"

"Heard? I was there! That golden light made my eyes ache!"

"Early stage of Marrow Cleansing challenging Chu Youcai at the Perfection of Marrow Cleansing? And set a life-and-death duel? That fierce?"

"It's a Perfect Foundation! Crossing ranks to challenge might not be impossible!"

"Chu Youcai is no pushover. With the Chu family's resources, he will definitely be training desperately for these three days!"

"Now there's a good show to watch! I must go see the arena battle in three days!"

"Let's go together! Let's see just how powerful a Perfect Foundation really is!"

Throughout the Sect, during tea breaks and in between Cultivation, almost everyone was discussing this matter.

The heat was unprecedented, and all eyes were upon it.

Inside the Outer Sect Affairs Hall, the deacon responsible for the assessment stood respectfully below, reporting the day's situation in detail to the figures with deep auras sitting above.

Sitting in the center was the Outer Sect Grand Deacon, Liu Qing.

He had a resolute face and was imposing without being angry. He was responsible for managing many specific affairs of the Outer Sect and held significant power, though his status was ultimately limited to the Outer Sect.

After listening to the report, Liu Qing's eyes flickered, and he pondered in silence.

The other Elder deacons in the hall also discussed it, their expressions full of shock and excitement.

"Perfect Foundation... If this is true, it is a sign of great prosperity for our Xuanjian Sect! We should immediately report it to the Sect and let the Sect Leader decide!" an Elder stroked his beard and sighed.

"This girl is decisive and sharp. She challenged Chu Youcai on the spot; she certainly has courage. It's just... this Chu Youcai is, after all, a direct descendant of the Chu family. This matter may be difficult to resolve peacefully." Another Elder said with a hint of worry in his tone.

Liu Qing was about to speak to discuss how to handle and report this matter.

Suddenly, a Disciple hurried into the hall, respectfully handed over a Jade Slip, and whispered: "Grand Deacon Liu, a decree has arrived from the Grand Elder in the Inner Sect."

"Grand Elder?" Liu Qing's expression tightened, and he immediately took the Jade Slip. The hall instantly fell silent, and all eyes focused on that Jade Slip.

Liu Qing probed with his Divine Sense. The information in the Jade Slip was simple, with only a few words. The tone was calm but carried unquestionable weight.

"Hearing that an Outer Sect Disciple has shown an anomaly, but the matter of the Foundation is illusory and hard to determine, so one should not jump to conclusions. Private disputes between juniors do not require excessive intervention from the Sect. Everything shall be discussed after the arena battle in three days."

At the signature, there was a faint but supreme mark of pressure—Chu Tianxing!

Seeing this name and mark, all the Elders in the hall, including Liu Qing, felt their breathing hitch slightly!

Chu Tianxing! Grand Elder of the Xuanjian Sect!

His status was noble, second only to the Sect Leader!

His power within the Sect was deeply rooted, and his influence was even greater than the Sect Leader Xiao Zhuoyue in some aspects!

He was also Chu Youcai's great-grandfather!

This seemingly calm, even "official" decree had an obvious bias!

He didn't need to come to this "small place" like the Outer Sect in person, nor did he need to argue with anyone.

Just one sentence was enough to instantly change the direction of the entire Outer Sect Affairs Hall's resolution!

Liu Qing held the Jade Slip and was silent for a moment.

He could feel the subtle gazes cast by the other Elders in the hall.

Finally, he slowly put down the Jade Slip, his face returned to calm, and he spoke in a steady voice: "Since the Grand Elder has issued a decree, we shall naturally comply."

He scanned the crowd: "The matter of Li Shiwen shall be shelved for now, and her treatment shall be maintained at the standard level for a newly promoted Outer Sect Disciple. Everything will be decided after the result of her arena battle in three days."

"As for the arena battle..." Liu Qing paused and added: "Although it is a private grievance, since it is being held on the Sect's arena, it must follow the rules. At that time, I will personally be there to oversee the battle to ensure fairness and prevent any malicious maiming or destroying of one's Foundation."

His words not only complied with Chu Tianxing's decree, not giving Li Shiwen special treatment, but also secretly indicated that he would hold the bottom line to prevent the Chu family from playing dirty.

The Elders in the hall nodded in agreement, and no one had any further objections.

No one dared to easily defy Chu Tianxing's will.

After the meeting dispersed, Liu Qing sat quietly for a moment, his brows slightly furrowed.

He took out another Jade Slip, imprinted a few words with his Divine Thought, and flicked his finger.

The Jade Slip turned into a stream of light and flew silently toward the main peak.

This was not to defy Chu Tianxing's decree, but to follow procedure and report the matter completely to Sect Leader Xiao Zhuoyue.

This naturally included the spirit measuring anomaly, the Disciple's challenge, and... the decree of Grand Elder Chu Tianxing.

Meanwhile, on the Sect's main peak.

Sect Leader Xiao Zhuoyue, even before Liu Qing's Jade Slip arrived, had already learned everything that happened in the Outer Sect through other channels, including the decree from Chu Tianxing.

He stood before the window of the hall, looking toward the Outer Sect, his eyes deep, his fingertips unconsciously tapping on the window lattice.

"Perfect Foundation... That old guy Chu Tianxing, he doesn't even bother to hide his partiality..." He muttered to himself, the corners of his mouth curling into a meaningful, yet slightly helpless arc.

He pondered for a moment, took out a special Jade Slip, imprinted it with his Divine Thought, the aura on it instantly becoming elusive, and flicked his finger.

The Jade Slip traveled through space silently and appeared directly in the quiet room of Outer Sect Grand Deacon Liu Qing.

The information in the Jade Slip was also simple: "Understood. In this battle, ensure both are unharmed. If necessary, you may intervene. No need to make a scene."

Just as the entire Sect was in an uproar due to the "Perfect Foundation" and the "life-and-death duel," and the highest authorities were clashing through the air...

One of the core protagonists of the event, Li Siwen, was unaware of the storms and rain outside.

Chen Yaojia's quiet courtyard seemed to have become an isolated paradise.

Inside the room, the ambiguous atmosphere had climbed to the peak.

Li Siwen lay on the soft bed, Chen Yaojia lay on top of him, their bodies closely pressed together, their eyes meeting, their breathing intertwined, both could feel the other's accelerating heartbeat and gradually rising body temperature.

Chen Yaojia's pretty face was flushed, her beautiful eyes shimmering with water, carrying shyness, confusion, and a hint of bold temptation.

She looked at the delicate and exquisite "female" face close at hand beneath her, feeling the softness and warmth coming from the other's body, her emotions complex and indescribable.

Li Siwen's eyes also gradually became deep, his arm embracing Chen Yaojia's waist tightening slightly.

The air was filled with a silent invitation and dangerous temptation.

"Shiwen..." Chen Yaojia's voice carried a hint of trembling and hoarseness, her red lips parted slightly, and she slowly lowered her head...