Chapter 694 278: Returning to the Sect (Part 2)

"Yes!"

Deng Ziheng, Chen Qing, Huang Mei, and the others responded in unison.

Everyone understood that although the Demon Sect forces entrenched on Black Profound Island had been uprooted, this battle had caused the relationship between the Celestial Treasure Upper Sect and Yanzi Dock to completely deteriorate.

The undercurrents in the Thousand Reefs Sea Region had yet to subside.

Leaving Deng Ziheng, an expert of the True Essence Realm, to hold down the fort would both deter those itching to make a move and allow them to respond to any unexpected incidents.

Afterward, the group returned to the Celestial Treasure Upper Sect's stronghold in Dongji City for a short rest.

About the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, a disciple hurried to Huang Mei's side and whispered a report.

Upon hearing this, Huang Mei turned to Luo Zhixian and said respectfully, "Peak Master Luo, Elder Gu Sitong, the ancestor of the Gu Family, requests an audience."

An imperceptible gleam flashed in Luo Zhixian's eyes as he said calmly, "Bring him in."

"Yes." Huang Mei acknowledged the order and hurried away.

Before long, she returned, leading in Gu Sitong, a man with a white beard and hair, his face covered by a fine layer of white hair.

Gu Sitong entered the hall, cupped his fists, and said, "Peak Master Luo, it has been many years. Your bearing is even more impressive than in the past."

Luo Zhixian looked at the man who was the Stabilizing Needle for the Noble Family that had dominated Dongji for a millennium. He gave a slight nod and replied, "Brother Gu, you are as vigorous as ever, your imposing presence undiminished by the years."

Gu Sitong smiled but said nothing.

Seeing this, Luo Zhixian waved a hand at Chen Qing, Deng Ziheng, and the others. "You may leave us."

"Yes, sir."

Chen Qing, Deng Ziheng, Huang Mei, He Shuang, and Luo Qianjue all bowed and prepared to exit the hall.

Just as Chen Qing was about to step over the threshold, Gu Sitong suddenly spoke up. "Chen Xiaoyou, please wait a moment."

Chen Qing stopped, turned to Gu Sitong, and cupped his fists. "What can I do for you, Elder Gu?"

Gu Sitong took an azure Jade Box from his sleeve, offered it to Chen Qing, and said with a smile, "I hear you enjoy fishing at the Emerald Waves Pool in your spare time as a pleasant and edifying pastime. I have here a Secret Technique for fishing that I acquired in my early years. It's just gathering dust, so I'll give it to you today. Perhaps it can be of some help."

Intrigued, Chen Qing did not immediately take it, instead asking cautiously, "Elder Gu, this is..."

Gu Sitong waved his hand, signaling him not to refuse. "This technique is called the Star Vortex Dragon-Attracting Technique. It's said to be the unique Secret Technique of a legendary figure from several hundred years ago known as the 'Tide-Playing Fisherman Immortal,' who roamed freely across the Inner and Outer Seas. Later, through a fortuitous turn of events, it came into my Gu Family's possession."

Although Chen Qing had never heard of the Star Vortex Dragon-Attracting Technique, the title "Tide-Playing Fisherman Immortal" alone suggested it was nothing ordinary.

Seeing that Gu Sitong's words were sincere and not feigned, he accepted the Jade Box. "Thank you for this generous gift, Elder Gu!"

Gu Sitong chuckled. "It's no trouble. It is of no use to my Gu Family anyway. I can only hope it will regain its former glory in your hands, young friend."

He wasn't lying. The Cultivation requirements for the Star Vortex Dragon-Attracting Technique were incredibly demanding, requiring immense control over one's Heart and Spirit. Furthermore, its primary use was for fishing exotic members of the Aquatic Race, offering limited improvement to one's combat strength. As such, very few of the Gu Family's disciples bothered to study it.

After thanking him again, Chen Qing cradled the Jade Box and left the main hall with Deng Ziheng and the others.

After returning to the quiet room arranged for True Disciples at the Sect's garrison, Chen Qing closed the door and gently opened the Jade Box.

Inside was a thin, ancient Booklet with yellowed pages.

Written on the cover in archaic brushstrokes were five words—Star Vortex Dragon-Attracting Technique.

Chen Qing took a deep breath, picked up the seemingly ordinary Booklet, and began to flip through its pages.

At the same time, a line of golden text appeared in his mind.

[Star Vortex Dragon-Attracting Technique (entry-level): 0/2000]

Chen Qing was stunned. 'The points required to reach the entry-level for the Star Vortex Dragon-Attracting Technique are the same as for Unparalleled Martial Arts like the True Martial Seal and the True Martial Demon-Vibrating Spear?'

He recalled that the last auxiliary Secret Technique requiring two thousand points for the entry-level was the Gui Cang Concealment Technique that Li Lao Deng had given him.

Chen Qing began to make a mental comparison.

Compared to the Spirit-Attracting Fishing Technique he had previously practiced, the Star Vortex Dragon-Attracting Technique was undoubtedly far more profound and esoteric.

Not only did it have an almost fatal attraction for Treasure Fish with unawakened intelligence, but the Secret Technique's summary even mentioned that if cultivated to the Great Success stage, there was a chance of luring Treasure Fish and other members of the Aquatic Race who possessed diluted Dragon Race bloodlines and had already awakened their intelligence!

'Extremely valuable…'

Chen Qing closed the Booklet, having already made his judgment on the Star Vortex Dragon-Attracting Technique.

Although a Secret Technique like this couldn't directly increase his combat strength, its rarity and unique properties determined its value.

For Gu Sitong to give him such a technique was an incredibly generous gesture.

He knew perfectly well that Gu Sitong's motives were not as simple as he had claimed.

This generous gift was, in essence, an investment—a subtle attempt to build a connection and win him over.

As a True Disciple of the Celestial Treasure Upper Sect, he was already a prime target for investment by various factions, representing future potential and influence.

And now, he had added another layer to his status: disciple of Luo Zhixian.

In the eyes of Gu Sitong and the Gu Family, investing in Chen Qing was equivalent to investing in the favor of Luo Zhixian's lineage. It was a gesture of goodwill toward a terrifyingly powerful Grandmaster and, by extension, the core of the Sect's True Inheritance.

Located in Dongji City, a vortex where various powers converged, the Gu Family, as the reigning Local Bully, had to maintain its nominal allegiance to the Celestial Treasure Upper Sect while also maneuvering between the Cloud Water Upper Sect, overseas powers, and the potential threat of the Demon Sect. Hedging their bets and cultivating widespread goodwill was their path to survival.

'Looks like my title as a True Disciple, combined with my master's golden reputation, is quite useful after all.' A faint smile touched Chen Qing's lips.

With the Star Vortex Dragon-Attracting Technique, the Fish King in the Emerald Waves Pool no longer seemed like an unattainable dream.

He even began to think of somewhere further—the far more mysterious and unpredictable Sinking Flood Dragon Abyss.