391: Chapter 391 A Show of Force

Time flew by, and four months passed quietly.

[Congratulations to the Host's Eldest Disciple, Mu Wanqing, for breaking through to the Nascent Soul Fifth Layer. Reward: 12,500 reputation points.]

[Congratulations to the Host's second Disciple, Li Pingan, for breaking through to the Martial Dao Fifth Layer. Reward: 150,000 reputation points.]

[Congratulations to the Host's third Disciple, Ye Hao, for breaking through to the Soul Emergence First Layer. Reward: 15,700 reputation points.]

[Congratulations to the Host's fourth Disciple, Xiao Lingxian, for breaking through to the Nascent Soul Sixth Layer. Reward: 13,300 reputation points.]

[Congratulations to the Host's fifth Disciple, Xie Xingchen, for breaking through to the Nascent Soul Sixth Layer. Reward: 13,300 reputation points.]

[Congratulations to the Host's sixth Disciple, Shu Shichan, for breaking through to the Golden Core Sixth Layer. Reward: 7,000 reputation points.]

[Congratulations to the Host's seventh Disciple, Yun Xuanxuan, for breaking through to the Soul Emergence Stage Ninth Layer. Reward: 25,000 reputation points.]

After four months of secluded cultivation, combined with the powerful support of the Medicinal Pills refined by the Jade-Faced Poison Immortal, the strength of the Dao Seeking Sect's Core Disciples had all undergone a qualitative leap.

As for Chen Xuan himself, he also spent over a hundred thousand reputation points to successfully break through to the Mahayana Second Layer.

In the main hall, Mu Wanqing and the others stood in an orderly line, bowing together to Chen Xuan at the head of the hall, their voices respectful and loud:

"Greetings, Revered Master!"

After the greeting, Mu Wanqing, dressed in a yellow dress, immediately broke into a smile. She moved with light, graceful steps, pattering over to Chen Xuan's side: "Revered Master, I haven't dared to slack off at all lately, and I've finally broken through to the Nascent Soul Fifth Layer! I even pinched my nose and forced myself to swallow those strange Medicinal Pills sent by Little Junior Sister. You must keep all of this in mind."

Chen Xuan glanced at her sideways: "Just say what's on your mind, don't beat around the bush."

The Dao Seeking Sect currently only had these few Core Disciples. Usually, there weren't many formalities when they interacted, and after the formal greeting, they were even more casual.

Having her thoughts seen through, a trace of embarrassment flashed across Mu Wanqing's Face as she muttered, "Revered Master, your mount Bai Ze is so majestic. Could you... could you reward me by letting me ride it for a day?"

So, she had set her sights on Bai Ze.

Hearing this, Chen Xuan praised, "Not bad. To break through from the Golden Core Realm all the way to the Nascent Soul Sixth Layer in just four months—one layer higher than I expected—shows that you truly put your heart into this seclusion."

"It is indeed appropriate to give you some reward."

Mu Wanqing's eyes lit up upon hearing this.

Chen Xuan then changed his tone, "However, Bai Ze cannot be lent."

After saying that, he casually took out two Flat Peaches and sent them flying toward Mu Wanqing.

Her watery apricot eyes blinked, and she immediately reached out to tug at Chen Xuan's sleeve, pouting slightly as she gave it a gentle shake: "Revered Master, you... I'm tired of eating these peaches."

"If you're like this, I won't have the motivation for future seclusions."

"If you lack motivation, I'll have Shichan refine a few batches of Heart-Calming Pills for you."

Upon hearing this, Mu Wanqing immediately clutched her stomach, feeling as if her internal world had begun to shake violently.

"Revered Master, when my father was an official, he always said that if you want a horse to run, you have to give it grass! The way of managing people shouldn't be just about suppression; one must also give appropriate rewards to make them follow with unwavering loyalty."

Yun Xuanxuan smiled slightly as she watched this scene.

The atmosphere of the Dao Seeking Sect was something she had never seen before. Even between ordinary Disciples and Elders, there was no scheming or intrigue.

Chen Xuan raised an eyebrow and countered, "So, you're saying you're practicing for my sake? Do you really want to be an Eldest Disciple who hides behind her Junior Brothers and Junior Sisters?"

"When you get bullied while out adventuring, are you just going to drop your Junior Brother's name?"

Mu Wanqing stole a glance at Yun Xuanxuan: "It would be a pity not to use Little Junior Sister's cultivation base to bully others."

Seeing this, Chen Xuan feigned contemplation for a moment, then let out a fake sigh:

"Fine, fine."

"How about this: if you perform well during this Secret Realm trial, I will let you ride Bai Ze for a day."

Mu Wanqing's eyes instantly lit up, her Face full of surprise as she hurriedly asked, "Revered Master, are you serious?"

"Of course I am," Chen Xuan nodded in response.

"Then let's set off quickly! If we're late, the Secret Realm might already be open," Mu Wanqing said while gently tugging at Chen Xuan's sleeve, urging him.

Chen Xuan raised his hand and waved it: "No rush."

"Hmm?"

"Someone will come to pick us up."

Just as he finished speaking, a series of hurried footsteps came from outside the hall. Xiao Yun rushed in, bowed, and reported, "Sect Master, the Northern Pavilion Master of the Tiangong Pavilion has arrived."

Chen Xuan said in a deep voice, "Let's go, they're here."

He turned and instructed Qi Yue to take good care of the Sect, then led several Core Disciples as they took to the air, flying straight out of the Dao Seeking Sect.

Looking into the distance, a flying boat shimmering with a cold silver light was suspended amidst the sea of clouds. On the deck stood a woman in fluttering robes with an ethereal aura—it was none other than Dongfang Li.

Indeed, Chen Xuan had ultimately chosen to ally with the Tiangong Pavilion for this Secret Realm appointment.

Chen Xuan and his group stepped through the air, their figures landing steadily on the flying boat's deck.

"Peak Master Chen."

Dongfang Li stepped forward first and nodded slightly. "To be honest, when I heard that the Medicine Hut had also sent an invitation to Peak Master Chen, I thought you would choose them and decline my Tiangong Pavilion. I had even thought that if we met in the Secret Realm, I would need to ask for your care. I didn't expect Peak Master Chen to make this choice in the end."

Chen Xuan also cupped his hands in return: "Pavilion Revered Master Dongfang, sorry to keep you waiting."

"I am merely speaking the truth. The final decision to ally was made after our Sect Master and the Elders discussed it."

After a few simple pleasantries, Dongfang Li stepped aside and gestured: "Sect Master Chen, everyone, please come into the inner cabin to rest."

As soon as the group entered the cabin, several sharp gazes shot toward them. The two leaders had deep and extraordinary auras, likely being Elders or other Pavilion Revered Masters of the Tiangong Pavilion.

Chen Xuan He glanced at it discreetly.. One was thin with a fair Face and a short three-strand beard, looking very refined in his brocade blue Daoist robe, but a hint of hard-to-conceal arrogance was hidden deep in his eyes.

The other was a middle-aged man with a resolute Face and thick lips, giving off a vibe that he was angry even when expressionless.

Dongfang Li introduced them: "Peak Master Chen, these two are our Tiangong Pavilion's Southern Pavilion Master, Pavilion Master Shen, and Eastern Pavilion Master, Gu Yunshen."

Pavilion Master Shen and Gu Yunshen only nodded slightly, their eyes repeatedly scanning Chen Xuan, the Man in White Robes, and the several young men and women behind him.

However, aside from their appearances, they couldn't see through the cultivation base or aura of any of them at all—but this wasn't surprising. In a large Sect, there were countless Talismans, Divine Abilities, Cultivation Techniques, and Magic Treasures that could conceal one's aura.

Even if they couldn't see through them, the resentment in their hearts remained significant.

In their view, given the Tiangong Pavilion's status, allying with a Dao Seeking Sect that had only recently emerged was already giving them enough Face. Now, having a Pavilion Revered Master personally come to receive them was simply making a mountain out of a molehill.

Pavilion Master Shen spoke first with a fake smile, "Peak Master Chen, this Secret Realm is exceptionally dangerous, and with the guixu immortal ferry boat appearing, all factions are sending out their elites. For your noble Sect to only send Your Excellency alone seems a bit too conceited, doesn't it?"

Chen Xuan's expression was calm as he smiled slightly, offering no further explanation: "Fellow Daoist, if you have something to say, feel free to speak plainly."

Gu Yunshen followed up in a sarcastic tone, "Alliances are usually about being well-matched and showing sincerity. My Tiangong Pavilion places great importance on this Secret Realm, but your noble Sect's arrangement seems... as if you haven't taken this alliance to heart."

Dongfang Li's Face darkened, and she immediately interrupted sharply: "Enough!"

"Allying with the Dao Seeking Sect was the Pavilion Revered Master's personal decision. If you have any objections, you can send word back to the pavilion to report to the Pavilion Revered Master; there is no need to say more here."

She had never liked those convoluted ways of speaking and always preferred to be direct.

(Wishing everyone a Happy New Year!)