Chapter 264 - 147: Shenxiao Wondrous Art, Profound School’s Divergent Paths

Chapter 264: Chapter 147: Shenxiao Wondrous Art, Profound School’s Divergent Paths

Today, he had received word that Chen Zonghe would be paying a visit, which was why he had made a point to wait in the hall. He was rather surprised upon seeing the man. His spiritual energy was abundant and his profound cultivation was complete—clear signs that he had reached the third stage, Great Perfection of the Nascent Soul. He hadn’t expected the man to have attained such a high level of cultivation.

In truth, Xuzhuang was unaware that Chen Zonghe had once had the opportunity to rise from the Law Enforcement Hall to the position of Dean, and eventually advance to the Upper Dharma Hall to wield authority in the sect.

After stepping down from his post, Chen Zonghe had been able to focus wholeheartedly on his cultivation. Coupled with the fact that the Chen Family was sparing no effort to nurture its clan members due to the war with the Celestial Fire Yang Clan, he had managed to reach the third stage—Great Perfection of the Nascent Soul—in recent years.

The two had long heard of each other but had never actually met. After they exchanged greetings, Xuzhuang invited Chen Zonghe to sit down. He didn’t beat around the bush, asking directly, "Venerable Zonghe, you have come to my hall today. I presume it’s to apply for Dao Soldiers for defense."

As a True Disciple, one of the Three Hall Elders, and the Jade Cauldron Hall Master, Xuzhuang was not someone just anyone could get an audience with. The only reason Chen Zonghe was able to come here today was that Xuzhuang was interested in learning more about the Chen Family’s application for Dao Soldiers and had tacitly approved his visit.

Chen Zonghe replied in a deep voice, "That is correct." He then took a scroll from his sleeve and presented it, saying, "This is a decree from the Upper Dharma Hall. The Upper Dharma Hall has already planned to dispatch a Steward to survey the Spirit Vein. To protect the sect’s property and ensure the Steward’s safety, I implore the Hall Master to quickly approve the deployment of Dao Soldiers."

The Jade Cauldron Hall was naturally aware of the Upper Dharma Hall’s decision. Xuzhuang did not take the decree, saying simply, "I can approve the deployment of Dao Soldiers. I’ve troubled you to come here today, Venerable, merely to ask about a few things."

Chen Zonghe replied, "Please speak, Hall Master."

Xuzhuang nodded slightly and asked, "In the Chen Family’s report, it was mentioned that the Yang Family might have the full backing of the Celestial Fire Sect. Is there any truth to this?"

Xuzhuang, of course, had no interest in playing power games. However, the Celestial Fire Sect was also a Profound Sect, one of the six major ones. If they were truly backing the conflict between the two clans, that was no small matter.

Besides, there was still unresolved history between the Yang Family and Xuzhuang. Xuzhuang might not care about it, but the other party certainly did.

Chen Zonghe understood this perfectly. After all, once the Yang Family and the Chen Family had completely fallen out, Yang Huai Venerable had publicly declared that if he ever encountered Yue Junlan or Xuzhuang outside the sect after they reached the Nascent Soul realm, he would kill them and refine their Nascent Souls to avenge his sons.

Moreover, his hatred for Xuzhuang was likely even greater than his feelings for Yue Junlan. After all, the one Yue Junlan had killed, Yang Hua, had only formed a Middle Grade Golden Core and was an ordinary talent with no hope of reaching the Primordial Spirit realm. The one Xuzhuang had killed, however, was Yang Lian, who possessed a proper Top-grade Golden Core and was the eldest son Yang Huai Venerable truly saw as his successor.

However, the Chen Family’s words were not baseless. Chen Zonghe sighed and replied, "For the Hall Master’s information, during the battles between the Yang Family and my Chen Family, the Celestial Fire Sect’s Six Yang Dao Soldiers have in fact repeatedly come to their aid. Yang Huai Venerable even acted personally once, severely injuring one of my clan’s elders."

"Oh?" A look of doubt crossed Xuzhuang’s face. ’Does the Celestial Fire Sect really dare to provoke Tai Su?’

Seeing Xuzhuang fall silent in thought, Chen Zonghe continued, "In my Chen Family’s view, the Celestial Fire Sect has shady dealings with the Demon Sect and is subtly provoking our own sect. They must have ulterior motives. Unfortunately, after my family reported this to the Three Halls, we did not receive a definite response from the sect."

Xuzhuang frowned and said, "Venerable, you say the Celestial Fire Sect has shady dealings with the Demon Sect. Do you have any proof?"

Chen Zonghe said, "Hall Master, surely you are aware that the Bone Sect dispatched its members to openly purchase fire essence from the Yang Family, and that this was tacitly approved by the Celestial Fire Sect?"

"Fire essence?" Xuzhuang tapped his fingers on the table, his gaze turning profound.

Although the three major sects and six great schools of the Profound Path were not exactly allies, none had ever been known to collude with the Demon Sect. News like this was unlikely to be a fabrication by Chen Zonghe. If it were true, then the Celestial Fire Sect might indeed be plotting something.

But at the end of the day, the Bone Sect was buying fire essence from the Yang Family. It was possible the Celestial Fire Sect simply couldn’t be bothered to interfere with a private transaction. At the very least, when the Chen Family reported this to the Three Halls, it seemed the matter hadn’t even made it onto the agenda.

Xuzhuang set the matter aside for the time being. He nodded and said, "The Jade Cauldron Hall can approve the Chen Family’s application for Dao Soldiers."

Upon hearing this, Chen Zonghe’s expression finally relaxed. He performed a salute and said, "Thank you, Hall Master."

Xuzhuang waved his hand. "It is merely my duty. If your application had not been in accordance with the rules, I would never have approved it." He then summoned a Daoist Child and said, "Please escort the Venerable to the Vice Hall Master to receive this hall’s decree."

Chen Zonghe thanked him once more before following the Daoist Child out of the room.

Xuzhuang sat in the distance, took a light sip of his tea, and set the cup down. He then mused, ’For truly major sect matters, the Upper Truth Hall would never sit idly by, so there’s no need for me to fret. As for Yang Huai Venerable...’

’This matter must be brought to the attention of my main body.’ Xuzhuang rose to his feet, flicked his robes, and strode out of the hall.