390: Chapter 390 Gathering Information

Half a month passed in the blink of an eye.

The gains from those storage rings of Yuling Valley had already been inventoried and settled by the Dao Seeking Sect.

Among them, besides two heaven-rank magic treasures, there were also three saint-grade pills and several golden Talismans; five scrolls of saint-grade divine abilities had already been sent to the Divine Ability Pavilion, and those Essence Spirits of various forms were also properly settled and tamed within the Sect's spiritual lands.

As for Spirit Stones, it went without saying. Their own Dao Seeking Sect had never lacked such things since its founding.

However... Chen Xuan really couldn't say for sure whether Yuling Valley's foundation was considered abundant or shabby.

Ultimately, there weren't enough reference points for comparison.

Aside from the heaven-rank magic treasures distributed to Mu Wanqing and the others, Chen Xuan bestowed the remaining one upon Xie Xingyao; that great blood-colored saber was given to Xu Mo to use.

Xie Xingyao and Xiao Yun's natural talent wasn't actually bad; it was only because of how dazzling Mu Wanqing and the others were that they appeared somewhat low-key.

As the saying goes, comparing goods makes you want to throw them away, and comparing people just makes you miserable.

In reality, among all the Disciples of the Dao Seeking Sect, the cultivation progress of these two had long since surpassed the ordinary Disciples by a large margin. Previously, when they participated in the Prodigy Assembly hosted by the Cloud Sea Sect, they also successfully secured an excellent second-place result.

With their strength, they originally had a chance to contend for first place, but since their Dao Seeking Sect never lacked such empty fame, they simply yielded the top spot to the Prodigy of the Yin Shen Sect—this way, they could also take the opportunity to squeeze a few more jars of good wine out of that kid Qin Tianxing.

Why not do such a thing that kills two birds with one stone?

When everyone's Realm is sufficient in the future, the Sect will also move toward establishing peaks and appointing masters, and the two will be of significant help to the Sect then.

During a previous chat with Qin Tianxing, Chen Xuan had also discussed this matter. The Yin Shen Sect allowed the establishment of peaks at the Soul Emergence Stage, but he planned for the Dao Seeking Sect to require the Integration Realm before peaks could be established, setting up nine peaks in total.

Within the Sect, whoever is the first to Breakthrough to the Integration Realm will be the first Peak Master.

Just then, a white dress fluttered at the entrance of the main hall like drifting clouds, her figure light and untainted by dust.

The woman moved with graceful steps, slowly entering the hall and bowing respectfully to Chen Xuan at the head:

"Sect Master!"

Chen Xuan nodded slightly, his tone indifferent: "How is the information you were inquiring about?"

Qi Yue lowered her head, her tone steady: "Reporting to the Sect Master, with the assistance of the Elders of the Tianque Sect, your subordinate has fortunately fulfilled the mission."

Chen Xuan signaled for her to continue.

Only then did Qi Yue slowly explain: "The Medicine Hut is located deep within the Hundred Thousand Mountains of the Southern Province. It has been living in seclusion since five hundred years ago, always disdaining contact with various outside major forces."

"But for some unknown reason, the Medicine Venerable suddenly changed his style. Not only did he actively dispatch Disciples to travel around and make connections with forces, but if anyone sought him for Alchemy, as long as they prepared the medicinal ingredients, he would not refuse anyone—of course, this treatment is limited to first-rate forces."

"In just five short centuries, the Medicine Hut has already risen to become the most influential force in the entire world, second only to the Great Love Immortal Venerable."

Five hundred years ago... Chen Xuan's eyebrows twitched slightly as he followed up: "Five hundred years ago, did any earth-shattering changes occur on the Nine Provinces Continent?"

Qi Yue shook her head gently: "I haven't heard of any major events on the surface; however, as for secret rumors hidden in the shadows of other provinces, I wouldn't dare to make a definitive conclusion."

After all, it had only been half a month, so the intelligence that could be gathered was naturally limited, and Chen Xuan was quite understanding of this.

However, it was certain that something major must have happened five hundred years ago that completely influenced the Medicine Venerable, causing him to change his previous Sect style and start actively befriending the outside world—or rather, being forced to befriend the outside world.

Chen Xuan pondered for a moment, and suddenly had an epiphany.

The guixu immortal ferry boat... No wonder the Medicine Hut has frequently befriended various forces in recent years; it is highly likely for the purpose of secretly inquiring about certain hidden news. It's just that after five hundred years, they still have no clue, and the appearance of the guixu immortal ferry boat this time is undoubtedly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for the Medicine Venerable.

As for exactly what news the other party is looking for... Chen Xuan's thoughts shifted, and he immediately asked:

"What was the Medicine Venerable's cultivation journey like, and when did he Breakthrough the Tribulation Transcendence Realm to ascend to the position of Heavenly Venerable?"

Although Qi Yue couldn't guess the Sect Master's thoughts, she still respectfully replied truthfully: "Reporting to the Sect Master, the Medicine Venerable attained the Dao of Heavenly Venerable eight hundred years ago. With his peerless talent, he cultivated for only a little over two hundred years before successfully ascending to the position of Heavenly Venerable."

Attaining the Dao of Heavenly Venerable in two hundred years, and since then, his cultivation base has remained stagnant.

Could it be that his deliberate attempts to befriend the outside world are because his cultivation base has encountered a Bottleneck?

Chen Xuan pondered briefly and spoke again: "Is there any news from the Tiangong Pavilion side?"

Qi Yue continued her report: "Tiangong Pavilion is located in the southern part of Huangji Prefecture. Within the Sect, aside from the Heavenly Venerable Mogong, the four main peaks are supreme. Your subordinate has conducted various investigations, but aside from this publicly known information, no other hidden clues were found."

"If I had to mention something, Tiangong Pavilion used to be at odds with the Divine Puppet Heavenly Venerable, and the two often arranged battles in the Outer Heavens. However, after the Divine Puppet Heavenly Venerable unexpectedly perished five hundred years ago, no more unusual rumors regarding Tiangong Pavilion have appeared."

Chen Xuan nodded: "I see. You've worked hard on this trip."

"Sharing the Sect Master's burdens is exactly what I desire," Qi Yue said with a faint smile.

"What is the situation in the Rain God Continent like now?"

"Since the Sect Master laid down that great array, the Rain God Continent has been free from Yao Race harassment, but the current situation remains very chaotic."

"Previously, the Yao Race's massive invasion wiped out many forces and scared away a large number of Sects. Now, many Cultivators, learning that the Rain God Continent is safe, have rushed back only to find their own mountain gates already occupied by others, leading to constant conflicts."

"However, that Peak Master Chu said that these are all grievances of the mountains; as long as both sides do not harm the common people at the foot of the mountains, they are left to fight."

"If things really get too out of hand, the Tianque Sect will also send people to clean up the situation and teach them some rules."

Speaking of this, Qi Yue seemed to remember something and continued with interest:

"To be honest with the Sect Master, I also went to mediate a wave of grievances."

"Oh?"

Chen Xuan looked at her, waiting for the rest.

"This was also thanks to the Sect Master's reputation. At the ruins of the Chusheng Sect, two second-rate forces were fighting over that auspicious site. I only had to report that I was from the Dao Seeking Sect, and both sides immediately stopped, even asking me to mediate and provide a fair judgment."

It seems that my Dao Seeking Sect's prestige in the Rain God Continent is indeed quite good.

It wasn't in vain after the previous life-and-death struggle!

Chen Xuan nodded slightly and commented indifferently: "With the Chusheng Sect destroyed and the Five Elders Gate ruined, the Tianque Sect is now the sole dominant power in the Rain God Continent."

"Who has the Tianque Sect chosen as their Sect Master now?"

"Master Qing Xuan," Qi Yue answered softly.

After chatting for a while and once Qi Yue had left, Chen Xuan took out two message talismans made of golden material that could transmit across provinces and sent responses to the Tiangong Pavilion and the Medicine Hut respectively.