15: Zhang Yizhi, shrewd and calculating

The Cloud Heaven Sect was drifting with Immortal Qi.

Within the solemn and majestic Sect Main Hall, eight figures sat in high positions, all wearing expressions of worry.

In the center of the hall, a white-haired old man spoke slowly.

"Fellow Disciples, the other Eight Great Sects have already established their new generation of Holy Sons and Holy Maidens."

"The grand era of the struggle for the Supreme Positions has likely arrived, yet our Cloud Heaven Sect has still not established a Saint."

"This is an urgent matter that must be resolved as soon as possible."

The atmosphere in the hall was heavy, and the others all looked troubled.

As one of the Nine Great Sects, the Cloud Heaven Sect was powerful, but it had run into issues with the most important selection of the Saint.

"There are now less than fifty years until the Nine Great Sects Competition; we must select a new generation Saint as soon as possible."

"Otherwise, our Cloud Heaven Sect will lose all Face."

A burly figure said in a deep voice.

"However, among the younger generation of Disciples in our Cloud Heaven Sect, although there are some with extraordinary talent, there is not a single person who can satisfy all of us."

Another kind-faced old man sighed; the Cloud Heaven Sect had three hundred thousand Disciples.

There were many excellent and stunning Disciples among them, but those who were truly dazzling were few and far between.

"My Yuanqi Peak's True Disciple, Shi Feiyu, can shoulder this heavy responsibility."

A thin Elder spoke up, but was quickly refuted by another.

"Hmph, although Shi Feiyu has good talent, his personality is too eccentric; I fear he is unfit for the position of Saint."

"He is not as good as the True Disciple of my Innate Peak, Xiao Qi. She grew up in the Sect from childhood, is peerlessly loyal, and her talent is beyond reproach."

"My Disciple Liu Sandao is a standout in the Dao of the Blade; he only needs three slashes to kill. He can be established as the Saint."

"My peak's True Disciple, Wang Yifan, also has excellent character and talent..."

The group discussed for an entire morning, yet they still hadn't reached any practical results.

For no other reason than that their group of True Disciples was too ordinary.

While not exactly ordinary, it could only be said that none of them had the ability to suppress an entire generation.

Even in their own era, they could not dominate a region.

Among these people, if any one was chosen, the others would simply not submit to him.

Just then, a lower-ranked Elder flashed into the hall.

"Reporting to the Elders, an incident has occurred within the Sect's jurisdiction, and I have come specifically to report it."

He was a newly promoted Elder, and his status within the Sect was far below the people in front of him.

"Elder Su, please proceed."

"The Sect received a report that last night, death-sworn Cultivators from Black Blood Mountain City appeared in Songyan City, a small city under our jurisdiction. Their cultivation was at the Mid-stage Foundation Establishment."

"He suddenly went on a killing spree, destroying large areas of buildings in the city and killing over a thousand commoners."

"He was later defeated by a young Prodigy in the Qi Refining Realm who called himself Zhang Yizhi. In the end, he swallowed a Soul Burst Pill and died by self-detonation."

"The City Lord of Songyan City is worried that Black Blood Mountain City will continue to send people to attack, and requests the Sect to dispatch Disciples to guard the city."

"So that's how it is. Then dispatch..."

An old man stroked his beard and was about to name a Disciple to be dispatched when he suddenly noticed the key point.

"Elder Su, say that again?"

The old man accidentally plucked out several beard hairs and stood up with a bang.

Elder Su did not dare to be negligent and repeated the entire message once more.

"Is the information reliable?"

"In reply to the Fifth Elder, there were many witnesses; the news is absolutely true."

"Do we know the person's physical appearance, cultivation, and age?"

"According to the Cultivators there, he is thin, his cultivation might not even be at the Late Stage Qi Refining, and his age is around sixteen or seventeen."

"How was his performance in battle?"

"At the beginning, he could only fight back passively and was at a disadvantage, but later he became evenly matched with the opponent."

"He even displayed a Cultivation Technique no inferior to the Profound Rank."

What? A dignified Mid-stage Foundation Establishment was defeated by a young Prodigy in the Late Stage Qi Refining and even forced to self-detonate?

Wasn't this exactly the candidate for Saint that their Cloud Heaven Sect had been longing for?

"Quick, I will head to Songyan City immediately."

A hot-tempered Elder stood up decisively, but just as he was about to leave, he was stopped by a female Elder.

This female Elder looked mature and attractive, with a hot figure and a pair of long, snow-white legs. Her jade feet inside her boots were fragrant.

A pleasant scent wafted from her pale purple hair, and the mature aura surrounding her whole body was irresistible.

"Seventh Elder, calm down. If this young Prodigy truly defeated a Mid-stage Foundation Establishment while in the Qi Refining Realm, even if you go, it will be useless."

"Although he only defeated one of those Foundation Establishment evil Cultivators from Black Blood Mountain City who were force-grown using external forces, it was still a genuine Mid-stage Foundation Establishment."

"Since he has such combat power and talent, he is likely the descendant of some hidden power; your going would be to no avail."

"Sigh..."

Hearing this, the Seventh Elder could only let out a sigh.

That's true; a peerless Prodigy with such ability is indeed a highly sought-after prize.

What a fine prospect.

But facing a Prodigy who could defeat a strong enemy across a major Realm, it would be a lie to say they weren't tempted; even if there was only a sliver of a chance, they wanted to fight for it.

Otherwise, before long, when the Holy Sons and Holy Maidens of the other eight Sects grow up, wouldn't the younger generation of our Cloud Heaven Sect all be hung up and beaten?

At that time, we would truly have no Face left at all.

"In my opinion, how about this: on one hand, dispatch an Elder to Songyan City to investigate this incident under the guise of guarding it."

"On the other hand, inquire with the Disciples sent out to represent the Sect in recruiting, to see if they have recruited this youth named Zhang Yizhi."

"If this Zhang Yizhi truly belongs to our Sect, then it is heaven's blessing upon us."

"Excellent, excellent. Elder Su, quickly do as Elder Gu said."

"Yes."

Not long after, Elder Su joyfully brought a female Disciple into the hall; it appeared she was just an Inner Sect Disciple who had recently reached Foundation Establishment.

The Yuntian Hall, the most important place in the Cloud Heaven Sect, and also the symbol of the Cloud Heaven Sect, the council chamber.

Emerald jade pillars, glazed white jade floors.

As Mu Qingyue stepped inside, a surging wave of Spiritual Qi washed over her. In an instant, under the washing of the massive Spiritual Qi, her cultivation improved at a visible rate.

And this was just without actively cultivating; if she could Cultivate here for a long time, she was confident she could break through to the Late Stage Foundation Establishment within ten years.

Mu Qingyue's expression froze; she had heard long ago that a high-grade Spiritual Vein might be buried beneath the Yuntian Hall.

While thinking, Mu Qingyue had already reached the center of the hall.

She looked up, and her delicate body suddenly shook violently.

Eight Nascent Soul Elders sitting in the high seats—who wouldn't be dazed seeing that?

One must know that a Nascent Soul True Lord is a strategic-level force of a Sect, each serving as a stabilizing pillar.

"Inner Sect Disc...iple Mu... Qingyue pays respects to all the Elders."

Mu Qingyue bowed stumblingly.

"No need for such ceremony. Elder Su should have told you; quickly recount everything you know."

"Indeed, this matter concerns the future trend of our Sect!"

At this moment, the eight Elders were all feeling excited, but they were all suppressing their joy, putting on the appearance of high-level experts.

But that was a peerless Prodigy who could challenge across major Realms, the future Saint of the Cloud Heaven Sect.

However, Mu Qingyue was puzzled; why was this youth named Zhang Yizhi so highly regarded by these eight high-level Elders before her?

If not for Qin Dong's presence in Huangxuan City, she probably would have forgotten this ordinary youth named Zhang Yizhi.

Could it be that he committed some crime?

"In reply to the Elders, there is indeed such a person. He also passed the test of the dao inquiry stone and should be on his way to the Cloud Heaven Sect right now."

"And his cultivation?"

Mu Qingyue recalled for a moment and continued to answer.

"A month and a half ago, it was at the third level of the Qi Refining Realm."

"As for his appearance, he is quite thin and weak."

Hiss... everything matches.

A month and a half—if he is someone with exceptional natural talent, breaking through to the Late Stage Qi Refining is not a problem at all!

Isn't this exactly the destined Saint of our Cloud Heaven Sect?

"Quick, pass on my orders to custom-make the Saint's exclusive robes overnight."

"The most expensive Materials must be inlaid, and the red carpet for the Saint's investiture must be made of silk!"

In secret, the voice transmission channels of several Elders were practically sparking with excitement.

Some time ago, when the Cloud Heaven Sect was invited to other Sects to attend their Holy Son and Holy Maiden investiture ceremonies, they received no small amount of sarcasm.

Now that it was finally their turn to invest a Saint, shouldn't they be a bit more solemn to gain some Face for their Sect?

The Elders were all feeling fervent, already regarding the youth named Zhang Yizhi as the future Saint.

"Alright, you may withdraw. Go to the Contribution Pavilion to collect three months' worth of cultivation resources."

"This Disciple thanks the Elders."

There is no time to lose; we need to quickly send someone to bring him back.

"Yes, yes, yes, I want to go."

After Mu Qingyue left, Gu Nishang glanced at the many Elders beside her who were already beyond excited.

"I say, you lot are truly regressing as you age."

"Gu Nishang, what kind of talk is that? Could it be that such a prospect cannot become the Saint?"

Soon, someone retorted.

However, Gu Nishang only gave a faint laugh.

"This matter must absolutely not be rushed. As I see it, this is also this kid's Opportunity."

"What do you mean by that?"

Gu Nishang swept a disdainful glance over the Elders present.

"Have any of you ever heard of the Dauntless Dao Heart?"

Dauntless Dao Heart?

What is dauntlessness? It is an existence that dares to battle heaven and earth, dominating everything.

When two Nascent Souls battle, as long as one of them possesses the Dauntless Dao Heart, they will surely be able to defeat or even slay the other Nascent Soul.

The Dauntless Dao Heart moves forward with indomitable will, leading directly to the Great Dao.

This type of Nascent Soul is honored as an Invincible Nascent Soul, the absolute peak among Nascent Souls and a focal figure in the historical struggles for Supreme Positions.

"I'm sure everyone knows the reputation of Black Blood Mountain City. Since this boy dares to offend Black Blood Mountain City, he must have his own plans."

"After all, it's not like those of us here don't know the purpose for which our Nine Sects keep Black Blood Mountain City."

"Could it be that this kid is tempering his Dauntless Dao Heart through battles with the experts of Black Blood Mountain City?"

True, ordinary people who offend Black Blood Mountain City are all filled with fear, living in constant anxiety.

Besides tempering a Dauntless Dao Heart or being framed by others, who would dare to risk death by offending Black Blood Mountain City?

"Furthermore, it can also give us more time to examine this Zhang Yizhi's level."

"To avoid making a huge blunder when the time comes."

"So that's it. I didn't expect this Zhang Yizhi to have such a scheme; he truly is deeply calculating."

Suddenly, the Elders finally showed expressions of realization. So that was it; if that was the case, then everything made sense!

At this moment, they all had to admire the cleverness and wisdom of the Second Elder, Gu Nishang.

"Then let's do that. Immediately send people to fully block certain parts of the news."

"In one month, notify the other eight Sects to come and attend our Saint's investiture ceremony."

An Elder raised a hand to ask: "But what if he suddenly changes his mind and doesn't want to join our Cloud Heaven Sect?"

"Doesn't want to? Hehe, then it won't be up to him."

Immediately, the entire Yuntian Hall was filled with "jie jie jie" strange laughter, sounding like some sort of criminal den.