184: statement

On the other side, within the territory of the Yin Shen Sect.

At a high cliff point on Grotto Peak, Qin Tianxing stood with his hands behind his back, his gaze falling on Li Pingan below, who was currently tempering his physique. After taking the Body Refining Pill bestowed by his Revered Master, he had been sitting cross-legged ever since. His originally dark skin now glowed with a faint blackish-red hue, as if flames were flowing beneath the texture of his flesh.

Li Pingan's brow furrowed from time to time, his teeth clenched tight, and an expression of extreme pain occasionally flashed across his face. However, the martial aura surrounding him was rising steadily at a pace visible to the naked eye, causing even the surrounding air to tremble slightly from the agitation.

"As expected of my Foster Father's Personal Disciple, this talent is truly one in ten thousand."

Qin Tianxing could not help but praise him.

With his discernment, he could naturally see that Li Pingan was currently at a critical stage of absorbing the pill's effects. According to this momentum, when the youth woke from his Cultivation, he would likely Breakthrough to the Fourth Level of Martial Dao in one fell swoop.

That would be equivalent to the combat power of a first-layer Nascent Soul Cultivator.

Though the Realm wasn't high, how old was he? How long had it been since he stepped onto the path of cultivation? His future achievements were simply unimaginable.

"Boss!"

Wang Er's figure quietly appeared at the edge of the cliff.

Qin Tianxing raised his hand to stop him from speaking further, his tone calm: "Go and tell that kid Zhu Yang to prepare a few Meridian Refining Pills from the storehouse."

Taking Meridian Refining Pills after tempering the physique is most effective for expanding and nourishing the Meridians and enhancing blood Qi.

Wang Er was stunned upon hearing this, a look of surprise appearing on his face: "Boss? Are you talking about the Grade 7 Meridian Refining Pills?" His tone carried a hint of confusion,

"You aren't planning to give them to Senior Chen's Disciple, are you? Wouldn't this be... a bit inappropriate?"

Qin Tianxing turned around, his gaze sweeping over Wang Er, his voice deepening: "There are no Cultivators in our Sect who specialize in the path of Body Refining. Those few batches of Meridian Refining Pills have been sitting in the storehouse for so many years; rather than letting them gather dust, it's better to let them fulfill their intended value."

After he finished speaking, he saw that his subordinate hadn't moved at all, but was instead looking at him with a face full of disappointment.

This left Qin Tianxing somewhat bewildered; could it be that this kid hadn't seen the light even after following him for so many years?

"Boss, vision—where is your vision?" Wang Er shook his head slightly, his tone carrying a hint of frustration that Qin was not living up to expectations. "As early as this morning, I already sent Zhu Yang to prepare the Grade 8 Heavenly Dust Meridian-Activating Pill."

He paused and added: "Not only that, I also prepared a Heart-Calming Pill for that Young Master Xie, to make it easier for him to stabilize his mental state during seclusion.

As for that Fairy Qiyue, I've also prepared some high-grade spiritual fruits, as well as our Yin Shen Sect's treasured divine saliva wine. She is, after all, Senior Chen's Personal Maid; we cannot be lax in our etiquette."

Finally, Wang Er looked at Qin Tianxing, his tone becoming more emphatic: "Boss, can you please pay a bit more attention to matters concerning Senior Chen's Disciple!"

He had one more sentence he didn't say, but both of them knew it in their hearts. Given Senior Chen's unfathomable depth, any small reward he might give in return would make these expenditures worth it.

If they could eat another one of those immortal peaches, they would come out way ahead.

Qin Tianxing fell silent for a moment upon hearing this, then suddenly looked up at Wang Er: "I truly didn't expect that one day, the person who would compete with me for the Great Dao would be a kid like you."

Just then!

Another subordinate, Sun Tian, came rushing up.

"Boss! The Sect Master wants you to go to the Sect Master's Hall immediately. Also... people from the Haotian Sect and the Cloud Sea Sect are waiting in the hall."

The smile on Qin Tianxing's face vanished instantly, his brow furrowing slightly as he made some guesses in his heart. He then flickered away, heading straight for the Sect Master's Hall.

Wang Er remained on the cliff, rubbing his chin and muttering to himself: "What is the Haotian Sect doing here at a time like this? Could it be because Yu Tianxiang was slain by Senior Chen?"

Meanwhile, inside the Sect Master's Hall of the Yin Shen Sect.

Sect Master Qin Chen sat upright upon the Sect Master's throne, his black robe embroidered with dark gold patterns. Below him on both sides sat the Grand Elder, the Second Elder, and several other high-ranking Sect members.

In the guest seats, people from the Haotian Sect and the Cloud Sea Sect sat on opposite sides. Leading the Haotian Sect was a lean-faced Daoist dressed in gray robes.

As Qin Tianxing stepped into the hall, the eyes of everyone inside turned toward him.

"Subordinate Qin Tianxing pays respects to the Sect Master." Qin Tianxing walked quickly to the center of the hall and cupped his hands in greeting to Qin Chen.

Qin Chen raised his hand, his tone peaceful. "Tianxing, there's no particularly big matter for calling you here this time; it's just that these people want to ask you a few questions." He paused and added in a heavy tone:

"You needn't worry, just cooperate and answer. On our own territory, we still need to show some courtesy."

This was to remind Qin Tianxing that in his own Sect, he didn't need to worry about the other party acting out.

At a time like this, even the Grand Elder, who had always been at odds with Qin Tianxing, merely stroked his beard in silence without saying a single extra word.

Matters within one's own Sect, no matter how much they were disputed, were internal conflicts; they absolutely could not let outsiders see them as a joke.

Qin Tianxing understood clearly and looked up at Daoist Yun Luo. "I wonder what the Fellow Daoist from the Haotian Sect wishes to ask?"

That Daoist Yun Luo of the Haotian Sect looked at the stubble-faced and weathered yet upright Qin Tianxing and cupped his hands: "Greetings, Fellow Daoist Qin."

"I am disturbing you today because I wish to inquire about something. Why is it that Elder Yu of my Haotian Sect, who went to the Lesser Exquisite Grotto-Heaven along with you, has yet to return?"

Hearing this, Qin Tianxing feigned a moment of surprise, then smiled: "Fellow Daoist, that is a strange question. When we went to the Lesser Exquisite Grotto-Heaven, each Sect acted independently. How would I know Elder Yu's whereabouts?"

"Perhaps he encountered some Void Beast in the Void Shattering Abyss; one can never be sure."

Daoist Yun Luo let out a cold laugh and continued: "I have naturally considered the possibility you mentioned, Fellow Daoist Qin. However, I heard that at the Heavenly Selection Grand Ceremony, Elder Yu once had a small dispute with Fellow Daoist Qin. Furthermore, it was over a Disciple with excellent talent, correct?"

The Third Elder of the Yunhai Sect spoke up at the right time: "I am merely speaking the truth; I hope the members of the Yin Shen Sect will not take offense."

Only then did Qin Tianxing understand; it seemed the Cloud Sea Sect had long since established deep personal ties with the Haotian Sect.

"Indeed, there was a dispute with Elder Yu at that time, but we later resolved it through consultation and did not damage our harmony."

"I have heard of that as well."

Daoist Yun Luo took up the conversation, his tone becoming increasingly blunt: "But from this trip to the Lesser Exquisite Grotto-Heaven, your Yin Shen Sect and the Cloud Sea Sect both brought back satisfactory Prodigy Disciples.

Only my Haotian Sect gained nothing and even lost four Elders, including Elder Yu. Fellow Daoist Qin, don't you think this matter is a bit inappropriate?"

He leaned forward, his gaze fixed on Qin Tianxing: "Why is it that specifically the four, including Elder Yu, who had a dispute with you, have lost all contact? You should know that with the cultivation base of those four, there was simply no one in the Lesser Exquisite Grotto-Heaven who could threaten them!

Fellow Daoist Qin, can you give me a proper explanation today?"

"Presumptuous!"

The Grand Elder slammed his hand onto the armrest of his chair and interjected angrily: "Daoist Yun Luo, what is the meaning of this? Do you think our Yin Shen Sect played tricks behind the scenes?"

Qin Chen also said in a deep voice: "Daoist Yun Luo, I had Tianxing come to cooperate with your questioning as a gesture of hospitality as the host. But you had better be clear about what you are saying."

The gazes of the other Elders also became sharp in an instant.

The atmosphere in the hall suddenly became extremely tense, with daggers drawn.

Seeing this, the Third Elder of the Yunhai Sect realized things were going south and hurriedly frowned, wanting to speak up and dissuade Daoist Yun Luo.

Even if they were to turn on them, they had to wait until they left the Yin Shen Sect! Now that they had reached a deadlock on the other party's turf, once the Yin Shen Sect was truly enraged, they might not even be able to walk out of this hall.

Qin Tianxing smiled, his tone so calm that no emotion could be heard: "The facts are exactly as I've said. What kind of explanation does Fellow Daoist want? If you want the Yin Shen Sect to give an account simply because of a 'coincidence,' then I'm afraid I cannot provide one."