171: Explanation

The mountain ranges stretched like crouching tigers, with clouds and mist swirling among the peaks, making the verdant mountains appear even more profound.

Among them, one main peak stood exceptionally tall and straight, piercing through the clouds like a moon surrounded by stars, towering above all other peaks. The Yin Shen Sect's mountain gate was built against this mountain, hidden within the spiritual beauty of heaven and earth.

On Grotto Peak, pine winds rustled incessantly. Qin Tianxing led Li Pingan and Xie Xingchen to a secluded courtyard surrounded by green bamboo. Ancient stones were scattered throughout the yard, with a few orchids growing beneath the steps, exuding an elegant sense of seclusion from the world.

"You may Cultivate here with peace of mind," Qin Tianxing turned to look at the two, his tone steady. "I have already sent someone to inquire about your Revered Master's whereabouts, so rest assured." He paused, then added, "With Brother Chen's cultivation base, he is certainly not one to encounter danger easily. You need not worry too much."

Li Pingan cupped his hands and replied, "Thank you for your concern, Senior. Our Revered Master possesses immense Divine Abilities and has never required us Disciples to worry about him."

Xie Xingchen merely nodded slightly.

Xie Xingchen, standing to the side, only gave a slight nod. Having joined the Dao Seeking Sect for a short time, he was not yet very familiar with that Revered Master. However, seeing Senior Brother Li so confident, his anxious heart quietly settled by half. Since even Senior Brother trusted him, it seemed the Revered Master was truly unharmed.

Seeing the two looking composed, Qin Tianxing couldn't help but smile. "It seems I worried unnecessarily." He then instructed, "Each of you return to your rooms to Cultivate. On this Grotto Peak, if you need cultivation resources, just speak up. However, remember, unless necessary, try not to leave this peak."

"Thank you for your generous treatment, Senior." Li Pingan cupped his hands again in thanks, his manners thorough.

Qin Tianxing nodded slightly and was about to turn and leave when Wang Er hurriedly arrived from the mountain path, his steps swift with the wind. Upon reaching them, he lowered his voice and said, "Boss, the Sect Master wants you to go to the Sect Main Hall immediately."

"Understood." Qin Tianxing's expression remained unchanged, but he had long anticipated this in his heart.

In previous years, upon returning from the Lesser Exquisite Grotto-Heaven, the four Prodigies were always first brought to the Sect Main Hall, where the Sect Master personally arranged their disposition. Today, he had directly taken Li Pingan and the other back to his own Grotto Peak, which was already overstepping the rules.

The two rode the wind toward the Sect Main Hall. Wang Er couldn't help but exclaim, "Boss, this time the Void Shattering Abyss was truly perilous! To be honest, at that moment, I thought I was going to meet my end there."

Upon hearing this, Qin Tianxing narrowed his eyes slightly, the scene within the Void Shattering Abyss involuntarily surfacing in his mind.

As they neared the Profound Realm's exit, that terrifying force suddenly erupted and attacked. At that moment, a trace of despair flashed through his heart, feeling he might not escape this calamity. Yet, who would have thought that his Adoptive Father would suddenly intervene, forcefully withstanding that attack powerful enough to severely injure him.

Even now, recalling that scene, Qin Tianxing still felt his mind shaken.

He had originally thought his Adoptive Father's cultivation was merely nearing the Deity Transformation Realm, but now it seemed he might have already broken through to the Integration Realm, or even higher!

Thinking back to when they first met at Qionglu Hall, and that astonishing Luck he had inadvertently glimpsed, Qin Tianxing felt a surge of excitement difficult to suppress: he sensed that the storms of this Profound Realm were already brewing, and he had glimpsed the opportunity ahead of time. Perhaps in a few years, a new Heavenly Venerate would emerge in this world.

Inside the Sect Main Hall, sandalwood incense wafted gently, and the coiled Dragon carved beams on the hall's ceiling gleamed with an ancient luster under the candlelight.

A plump, gray-haired old man sat on the Sect Master's seat. Though his face appeared amiable, his brow held a hint of authority. This was Qin Chen, the Sect Master of the Yin Shen Sect.

Beside him stood a tall, upright man with a stern face and an imposing aura—the Sect's Grand Elder.

Qin Tianxing entered the hall with Wang Er, bowing in salute. "Your subordinate pays respects to the Sect Master!"

Qin Chen raised his hand, his voice gentle. "No need for formalities. You have worked hard on this journey to the Lesser Exquisite Grotto-Heaven."

As soon as he finished speaking, the Grand Elder beside him said sternly, "Elder Qin, what are the Aptitude and Realm of the Prodigies brought back this time? Why didn't you bring them to the hall first, but instead arranged for them on your own?"

Within the Sect, Qin Tianxing held the position of Second Elder, and he had long been at odds with this Grand Elder, their grievances deep-rooted.

Hearing the other's questioning now, he simply acted as if he hadn't heard, turning to Qin Chen with a solemn tone. "Reporting to the Sect Master, the individuals brought back this time are extraordinary, concerning the future rise or fall and survival of our Yin Shen Sect. Therefore, I took the liberty to settle them properly first before reporting to you."

"Concerning the Yin Shen Sect's rise or fall?" Upon hearing this, Qin Chen showed a trace of surprise on his face, his originally calm gaze instantly turning sharp.

The Grand Elder beside him sneered. "Has Elder Qin gone mad from staying in the Lesser Exquisite Grotto-Heaven? I'd like to hear what kind of 'Prodigies' you brought back that could affect our Yin Shen Sect's survival?"

Qin Tianxing continued to ignore the Grand Elder's mockery, speaking only to Qin Chen. "Sect Master, I have an item I'd like you to examine."

Qin Chen narrowed his eyes slightly. Weren't they discussing the matter of the four Prodigies? Why bring up an item now?

"No hurry. First, tell me about those four Prodigies. What Realm are they in now? And what is their Aptitude? So we can assign them Revered Masters early and guide them carefully."

Qin Tianxing took a deep breath and spoke slowly. "Reporting to the Sect Master, the people brought back from the Lesser Exquisite Grotto-Heaven this time do not belong to our Yin Shen Sect. Moreover, I took the liberty to reach an agreement with the other three Sects. For the next two Heavenly Selection Grand Ceremonies, our Yin Shen Sect voluntarily gives up the qualification to recruit Prodigies."

"What did you say?!"

Upon hearing this, Qin Chen suddenly roared angrily, his originally seated body "springing" to his feet, his plump face full of shock and fury.

The Grand Elder beside him was also stunned, his eyes filled with disbelief. Had Qin Tianxing's brain been kicked by a donkey?

Recovering, he immediately rebuked angrily. "Elder Qin! Do you know what foolish thing you've done? Without Prodigies to replenish fresh blood, what will our Yin Shen Sect use to contend with other Sects in the future? What will we use to protect this mountain gate and foundation?"

He then turned to Qin Chen, his tone urgent. "Sect Master! I believe Elder Qin's actions this time have caused great loss to the Sect, his intentions unfathomable! He should be immediately stripped of his Elder position, and then we should send someone to bring the four brought back from the Lesser Exquisite Grotto-Heaven to the hall, brand them with Slave Seals, and make an example of them!"

After the initial shock, Qin Chen's anger gradually subsided. He stared at Qin Tianxing for a moment, his brow slightly furrowed.

Qin Tianxing had always acted steadily, and his judgment of people was among the most accurate in the Sect. Without a monumental reason, he would never do something so self-sabotaging.

"Tianxing," Qin Chen's voice softened somewhat. "You have always acted with discretion and possess unique insight. Tell me, why did you make such a decision this time?"

Without saying more, Qin Tianxing raised his hand and waved. A spiritual light flew from his sleeve, and a scroll emitting a faint golden glow slowly unfurled, hovering in mid-air and drifting toward Qin Chen.

"The Sect Master will understand upon seeing it." Qin Tianxing said softly.