289: Thank you, Master.

Within the Dao Seeking Sect, Spiritual Qi permeated the quiet room.

Chen Xuan looked at the System prompt, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes.

This kid Ye Hao just broke through to the Nascent Soul Realm a few days ago, and he's already reached the Nascent Soul Second Layer? Furthermore, there are occasional notifications of people's devout worship; could it be that he stumbled upon some massive Opportunity while out on his travels?

Chen Xuan tapped his fingertips on the table, thinking to himself: It seems that letting Disciples go out for experience occasionally is indeed the right move.

The path of cultivation shouldn't just be about working behind closed doors; tempering the heart in the Mortal World and seeking the Dao in dangerous places are often more effective at breaking through than sitting in bitter meditation. At least, that's how it was written in the novels he read in his past life.

Moreover, with Communication Talismans in hand within the Sect, he could rush to his Disciples' aid at any time if they encountered trouble; if they ran into a peril even he couldn't resolve, he could simply teleport them back.

The only requirement was that one Disciple must always remain to guard the Sect, just in case.

Hmm~

A figure instantly appeared in Chen Xuan's mind: That girl Shu Shichan would be quite suitable.

The young girl's head was filled with thoughts of developing various poisons... oh no, Medicinal Pills. Messing with those bottles and jars in the Sect seemed to give her a strange sense of accomplishment. As for exploring Secret Realms or traveling, she had absolutely no interest, which saved him a lot of worry.

Just as Chen Xuan was planning this, a weak, somewhat charmingly naive, and crisp voice drifted in from outside the quiet room: "Revered Master~"

Before the voice had even faded, a slender figure walked in.

The newcomer wore a light yellow ruqun with delicate white plum patterns embroidered on the hem, appearing like dancing fireflies as she moved.

She wore her hair in a double-tufted bun adorned with two small pearl flowers. Her skin was as fair and delicate as congealed fat, her eyes curved like crescent moons, her nose small and pert, and her lips a natural rosy pink. In particular, the tiny tear-drop mole under her left eye added a touch of playfulness to her sweet appearance.

One look at her would fill anyone's heart with joy.

It was the Founding Senior Disciple who had just finished her seclusion, Mu Wanqing.

She took a few steps toward Chen Xuan, standing slightly on her tiptoes. She gently grabbed Chen Xuan's sleeve and shook it lightly, her voice as soft and sweet as if it were soaked in honey:

"Revered Master, I've been in seclusion for three months this time, and I've reached the Golden Core Sixth Layer!"

"But now it feels like I've hit a Bottleneck, and my cultivation base can't progress even a bit more. I've thought about it, and I urgently need to go out for some experience. Perhaps I can find an Opportunity to break through!"

Hearing this, Chen Xuan suddenly chuckled and said calmly, "Is your Revered Master really that easy to fool?"

"You heard about your Third Junior Brother's situation and want to use the same excuse to go out and play?" He looked up at Mu Wanqing, a teasing glint in his eyes.

"Do you know what Realm your other Junior Brothers and sisters are at now?"

Upon hearing this, Mu Wanqing tilted her small face up as if it were only natural. She blinked her lively large eyes and answered crisply, "Revered Master, Little Junior Sister only just broke through to the Golden Core Realm a few days ago! I'm already at the Golden Core Sixth Layer!"

"As the Eldest Disciple, instead of comparing yourself to the outstanding members of your generation, you're comparing your Realm to your Little Junior Sister who just reached the Golden Core? Do you have no ambition?" Chen Xuan shook his head, somewhat speechless.

"We're all Disciples who joined Revered Master's Sect because our ancestral graves were practically smoking with luck; why can't we compare?"

While speaking with righteous indignation, Mu Wanqing didn't forget to throw in a bit of flattery.

"Then your Little Junior Sister can already refine eighth-grade elixirs. What about you?"

"For real?"

Mu Wanqing was so shocked that she instantly covered her small mouth. Her large eyes widened, and her face was full of disbelief.

She already knew how precious eighth-grade elixirs were; even the renowned Senior Qin of the Yin Shen Sect didn't have many in stock. The Junior Brothers and sisters her Revered Master had picked for her were truly none of them simple!

Chen Xuan said solemnly, "Now that you know the gap, why aren't you hurrying back to your seclusion? As for traveling, wait until you break through to the Soul Emergence Stage."

The surprise on Mu Wanqing's face instantly froze. Her expression slumped, and she muttered with a pout, "Revered Master, Junior Sister Spirit Immortal also wants to go out for experience. Why don't you be lenient and let us go out together to see the world?"

"Oh? Is that so?"

Chen Xuan raised an eyebrow and made a move to stand up. "Then shall I call her over for a confrontation? If you dare to deceive your Revered Master, I'll send you to your Little Junior Sister's Danyun Hall for a few days of 'further study'."

"Revered Master, wait!"

Mu Wanqing was so scared that she quickly grabbed Chen Xuan's arm. At the thought of those "Medicinal Pills" in her Little Junior Sister's Danyun Hall with their strange colors and pungent smells, she couldn't help but shudder, her shoulders trembling slightly.

Hadn't she been working so hard in seclusion just to avoid having to consume those bizarre things?

The young girl instantly put on a miserable face, her tone full of grievance:

"Revered Master, I know I was wrong... but I really can't settle down for seclusion anymore. I urgently need to go down the mountain to temper my heart. Perhaps once my state of mind opens up, the Bottleneck will naturally break?"

Chen Xuan wasn't surprised by her coquettish and cowardly appearance.

Although this girl was a Cultivator at the Golden Core Sixth Layer, her actual age was only seventeen. As the only daughter of the Vice Minister's Residence, she had been pampered since childhood. It was normal for her to have a flighty personality and be unable to endure the boredom of bitter cultivation.

Seeing that her Revered Master remained unmoved, the expectation on Mu Wanqing's face gradually faded. Her face slumped, and she could only reluctantly let go of his sleeve, whispering:

"Then... this Disciple will take her leave."

As she spoke, she turned toward the door, her small figure looking quite dejected.

Just as she was about to step through the door curtain of the quiet room, Chen Xuan's calm voice suddenly came from behind: "Near the Heavenly Tribulation Continent, there is an Ancient Secret Realm about to open."

Mu Wanqing's footsteps came to a sudden halt. She spun around instantly, her previously dull eyes suddenly lighting up.

She looked at Chen Xuan, her small face full of urgency and anticipation. Her expression seemed to say, "Revered Master, I will definitely not fail my mission! Any treasures found in the Secret Realm will definitely be given to you as a sign of filial piety!" The tear-drop mole at the corner of her eye became even more lively with the movement of her features.

Chen Xuan, however, continued slowly, "The opening date of the Secret Realm will be in three months at the earliest, or six months at the latest."

"Ah?"

"Revered Master, if I have to wait three months, why did you specifically mention it..."

Chen Xuan ignored her complaints and continued solemnly, "When the time comes, you, Spirit Immortal, and Xie Xingchen will go together. For the remaining time, stay in the Sect and Cultivate well, and hurry to raise your Realm.

I expect every Sect with even a bit of strength near the Heavenly Tribulation Continent will be thinking of getting a share of the Secret Realm. When the time comes, don't you dare lose face for my Dao Seeking Sect."

"This Disciple obeys!"

Mu Wanqing immediately put away her small emotions and bowed respectfully to Chen Xuan. Although she was still somewhat reluctant in her heart, she always took her Revered Master's instructions to heart.

After bowing, she turned again, intending to take her leave.

"Three days!"

Chen Xuan suddenly gave a light snort.

Mu Wanqing's footsteps paused. Thinking her Revered Master had other instructions, she turned back in confusion.

Chen Xuan looked up at her and said solemnly, "I'll give you three days. You are restricted to the Flame Continent. The Rain God Continent is currently a battlefield for the Yao Race's armies, and dark undercurrents are surging everywhere. After three days, return to the Sect immediately to continue your seclusion and strive for an early Breakthrough to the Soul Emergence Stage."

"Really?!"

Mu Wanqing's face instantly broke into a wide smile, her previous disappointment swept away. Her eyes curved like moons as she rushed to Chen Xuan and gave him a deep bow:

"This Disciple obeys! Thank you, Revered Master!"