172: Forced calm

Qin Chen reached out and grasped at the air. The moment his fingertips touched the scroll, his pupils suddenly contracted, and he even unconsciously lightened his breathing.

"This... this is... a High Grade God-Tier Divine Ability?!" Qin Chen's voice carried an uncontrollable tremor. His previous slight doubts about Qin Tianxing had long been cast to the winds, replaced by overwhelming shock and wild joy.

"Our Yin Shen Sect has stood for several hundred years, yet we only possess half of a damaged Medium Grade Heaven Rank Divine Ability. Today, we... we actually obtained a complete High Grade God-Tier Divine Ability!"

He was so stirred that the Spiritual Qi around him became slightly disordered due to his agitated emotions. Such a tremendous Opportunity was enough to elevate the Yin Shen Sect's foundation to a new level, even giving hope of surpassing the other three Sects within a few decades.

No wonder Qin Tianxing had just said it "concerns the Sect's rise and fall." Looking at it now, that wasn't an exaggeration.

The Grand Elder beside him had long lost his previous angry expression, leaving only a face full of confusion and barely restrained curiosity, his eyes glued to that golden scroll.

This was the first time he had ever seen the Sect Master so beside himself.

Qin Chen stared for a full half-cup of tea's time before reluctantly shifting his gaze from the scroll. Looking at Qin Tianxing, his eyes were filled with delight, and even his address unconsciously became more intimate: "Tianxing! How on earth did you obtain such a treasure? Did you perhaps find an ancient Legacy within the Lesser Exquisite Grotto-Heaven?"

Qin Tianxing then gave a rough account of the events within the Lesser Exquisite Grotto-Heaven, of course, with some omissions and modifications.

"Sect Master, regarding that Dao Seeking Sect, my suggestion is to only befriend them, and absolutely not harbor any unnecessary thoughts. A true powerhouse cannot be controlled; befriending them will bring greater benefits."

The Grand Elder's expression grew increasingly grave as he listened. Before Qin Tianxing's words even finished landing, he snorted heavily, "Elder Qin's words are far too discouraging to our own morale! Just because you obtained a scroll of Divine Ability, you want to be so accommodating to an unknown Dao Seeking Sect?"

"In my view, since that Dao Seeking Sect holds such a treasure and has the 'powerhouse' you speak of, we should bring them under the banner of our Yin Shen Sect. Either make that powerhouse submit, or seize the Divine Ability and take in their Disciples. Only then can we firmly grasp this Opportunity. How can we allow outsiders to take advantage?"

He grew more agitated as he spoke, stepping forward to look at Qin Chen: "Sect Master! Elder Qin's actions are truly risky! Abandoning the Heavenly Selection Grand Ceremony was already like cutting off our own arm. Now we're supposed to 'befriend' an unfamiliar Sect? If they harbor ill intentions, or if the so-called 'powerhouse' is not as formidable as claimed, wouldn't our Yin Shen Sect suffer a double loss?"

Qin Chen's brow furrowed slightly as he fell into deep thought.

The Grand Elder's words were not without reason. The Yin Shen Sect had stood firm in the Flame Continent for hundreds of years, not by constant retreat, but by assessing the situation with firmness and seizing opportunities.

Yet, the Yin Shen Sect's current strength was also largely thanks to Qin Tianxing's repeated discernment of talent over the years, which had allowed the Sect to befriend countless powerhouses.

He raised his eyes to look at Qin Tianxing. Though the other kept his gaze lowered, his expression remained steady, showing not a hint of panic. Such certainty was definitely not a momentary impulse.

After a long while, Qin Chen slowly spoke, "Grand Elder, I understand your concerns, but I trust Tianxing's judgment."

He carefully put away the scroll, his gaze sweeping over the three people in the hall. "Since that Dao Seeking Sect has the foundation to produce a High Grade God-Tier Divine Ability and the 'uncontrollable' powerhouse Tianxing speaks of, forcing suppression would only backfire."

"Rather than making an enemy for temporary gain, it's better to forge a good relationship! If they are truly as Tianxing says, this connection will surely become an asset to our Yin Shen Sect in the future."

The Grand Elder was stunned for several seconds. A God-Tier Divine Ability... that scroll earlier was actually a God-Tier Divine Ability.

No wonder the Sect Master had acted so unusually.

He still wanted to argue, but Qin Chen raised a hand to cut him off: "This matter is settled. The spots for the Heavenly Selection Grand Ceremony will be handled according to Tianxing's agreement with the other three Sects. As for the people from the Dao Seeking Sect, let them stay peacefully at Grotto Peak. Provide all necessary resources without the slightest neglect."

Finished, he looked at Qin Tianxing, his eyes showing a bit more approval: "Tianxing, you've done well. This scroll of Divine Ability is a great Opportunity for our Yin Shen Sect. The Sect's future Legacy may very well depend on it. You may return now and continue looking after those guests."

"Yes, Sect Master!" Qin Tianxing took his leave, simultaneously breathing a sigh of relief.

Wang Er followed closely behind him. Just after stepping out of the main hall's vicinity, he lowered his voice and sighed, "Boss, I was sweating bullets back there in the hall. I thought the Sect Master would listen to the Grand Elder and reject your proposal."

Hearing this, the corner of Qin Tianxing's mouth lifted in a faint smile:

"If the Sect Master were truly short-sighted and only concerned with immediate gains and losses, why would I, Qin Tianxing, have spent decades of my time here? I would have sought another place long ago."

Wang Er listened, nodding as if suddenly enlightened.

Qin Tianxing continued, "Send someone to inquire about Brother Chen's whereabouts, and also find out why the Void Shattering Abyss underwent such a change."

"Yes, Boss!"

...The next day!

The next morning, as the first light of dawn barely broke and the thin mist had yet to disperse, Chen Xuan was already standing in the courtyard, having summoned Mu Wanqing and Xiao Lingxian before him.

Yesterday, after chatting with City Lord Shu for several hours and with Mr. Zhao and Sun Qian persuading from the side, that City Lord finally relented, promising to seriously consider his request to take Shu Shichan as his Disciple.

"Revered Master, this Disciple regrets it!" As soon as Mu Wanqing saw Chen Xuan, her small face fell and she pouted. Her usually lively eyes were now filled with utter despair, and even her tone carried a sense of dejection. "This Disciple would rather grit my teeth and Breakthrough to the Golden Core Realm within a month than eat any more Medicinal Pills!"

Chen Xuan was slightly taken aback. Could the effects of that bowl of heart-focusing pills really be that exaggerated? Even the normally lively and energetic Mu Wanqing had been worn down to such a state.

Even the usually aloof Xiao Lingxian couldn't help but feel a slight stir.

Since entering the Sect, this was the first time she had seen her normally vibrant Eldest Senior Sister appear so listless. She immediately secretly warned herself: in the future, she must never easily try the pills refined by Junior Sister, especially the so-called 'heart-focusing pill'.

Seeing this, Chen Xuan couldn't help but chuckle: "It seems we've finally found something that can rein you in. In the future, if you slack off in your cultivation, I'll have you test pills for Junior Sister. That should save you from always thinking about being lazy."

"Revered Master! How can you do this?"

Mu Wanqing immediately widened her almond-shaped eyes, her face full of astonishment. The sense of aversion that had just faded from her throat seemed to surge up again. But before she could muster a rebuttal, a strange sense of peace suddenly washed over her heart, quietly suppressing that bit of shock and anger.

Clearly, the effects of the heart-focusing pill were still at work.

She reached out and gently tugged on Chen Xuan's sleeve. It should have been a scene of urgent pleading, yet her tone was abnormally calm: "Revered Master, you can't treat me like this. I am your Founding Senior Disciple, after all."

"This Disciple's talent may not compare to Junior Brother and the others, but I have never slacked off in my cultivation."

Chen Xuan looked at the Yellow-Skirts Girl before him, feeling a strange sense of dissonance. Her expression should have been agitated, wronged, yet it was as if someone had pressed an 'emotional brake button.' Even her tone carried a forced, calm peace.

It seemed the pills refined by that girl Shu Shichan were truly potent in their effects. As expected of the Myriad Medicines Exquisite Physique.

Unwilling to tease his Disciple further, Chen Xuan changed the subject, his expression gradually turning serious: "Alright, enough joking. I called you two here today because there's a serious matter to discuss."