Chapter 704 - 281: Fish King (2)

"It is!"

Shen Xiuyong smiled. "Now, in the four prefectures surrounding the Ten Thousand Poison Swamp, the Sect Leader is the second publicly known master in the True Essence Realm! With this, even if those scoundrels from the Demon Sect want to stir up trouble in the four prefectures again, they’ll have to think twice!"

Chen Qing nodded slightly.

He Yuzhou’s breakthrough to the True Essence Realm was indeed a shot in the arm for the Wutai Sect, capable of deterring many would-be troublemakers.

’But I know in my heart that the Wutai Sect’s greatest Stabilizing Needle is probably that mysterious and unfathomable Li Lao Deng, who lives in seclusion in the Cyan Wood Institute.’

However, this matter was of great importance, so he naturally wouldn’t speak of it to outsiders.

The group chatted for a while longer, catching up on their recent situations and the latest news within the Sect.

Just then, the sound of light footsteps came from outside.

Everyone looked toward the sound and saw a figure with a refined and otherworldly air, dressed in an elegant long skirt, walk in. It was Ruan Lingxiu.

When she saw Shen Xiuyong on the bed, her delicate brows furrowed slightly, and her tone was filled with concern. "Xiuyong, I heard you were injured as soon as I returned to the mountain. What happened? Is it serious?"

Shen Xiuyong’s smile widened when he saw Ruan Lingxiu, and he briefly recounted the story of the ambush.

After listening, Ruan Lingxiu nodded slightly. Her beautiful eyes turned to Chen Qing and Qiao Hongyun, and she gave them a nod in greeting before her expression turned somewhat grave. "The Demon Sect has been very active recently, and their arrogance is growing. It seems they are colluding with other powers behind the scenes, and their ambitions are not small. You all must be extra careful when you’re away from the Sect from now on. Unless it’s absolutely necessary, try to travel in groups."

Qiao Hongyun nodded in agreement. Then, as if remembering something, he asked, "Lingxiu, when I was coming back, I heard many disciples talking about the ’Dubhe Pavilion.’ I heard the Sect has established this new body and that it wields great authority. What’s that all about?"

Hearing this, Ruan Lingxiu’s expression became serious. She explained, "Since you asked, I’ll tell you about it. Due to the recent instability and the frequent moves by the Demon Sect and the powers behind it, the Sect Leader and the four Vein Masters have jointly decided to re-establish the Dubhe Pavilion to respond to the changing situation and centralize the Sect’s power."

She paused, her tone solemn. "This pavilion is now the Sect’s highest center of power, coordinating all of the Sect’s manpower and resources to handle the crisis. From this day forward, all major Sect decisions must first be discussed by those in the Earth Balance Position and the Human Position within the Dubhe Pavilion to formulate a strategy. The final ruling will then be made jointly by the five core high-ranking members in the Dubhe Position. Throughout the Sect, all resource allocation and personnel deployment must comply with the pavilion’s decisions."

Shen Xiuyong and Qiao Hongyun’s expressions turned grim as they listened.

’It seems now that this Dubhe Pavilion is the very core of the Sect’s core.’

After a few more words, Chen Qing rose to take his leave and departed.

Once Chen Qing’s back had disappeared beyond the courtyard gate, Ruan Lingxiu withdrew her gaze and let it fall on Shen Xiuyong. She said softly, "Xiuyong, that martial nephew of yours is becoming more and more remarkable."

Leaning back on the bed, Shen Xiuyong sighed with emotion. "Indeed. Who could have imagined that the young man who came from Yunlin Prefecture back then could leap up to become a True Inheritance disciple of the Sect in such a short time? Even thinking back on it now, it feels like a dream."

Qiao Hongyun, who was at the side, also nodded heavily, feeling the same way.

Ruan Lingxiu, however, let out a soft sigh, a trace of worry flashing in her eyes. "That is also what I’m worried about. The more extraordinary his talent and the faster his progress, the more attention he will attract, and even... resentment."

She paused, lowering her voice. "You should have heard as well. Among the current True Inheritance disciples, all of them, except for him, have been given positions in the Dubhe Pavilion and enjoy a greater share of resources. He alone was excluded because his Cultivation has not yet reached the True Essence Realm. The internal competition within the Sect has become severe recently, and there are quite a few who are eyeing his seat as the tenth True Inheritance disciple hungrily."

Upon hearing this, Qiao Hongyun’s brow furrowed involuntarily.

’The tree wishes for stillness, but the wind will not cease.’ Although Chen Qing had been promoted to a True Inheritance disciple, his situation didn’t seem to have stabilized because of it. On the contrary, this position might attract even more open and hidden attacks.

Shen Xiuyong was silent for a moment before letting out a small laugh. "Don’t worry. I know my martial nephew best. He has a steady temperament and is by no means a reckless person. Want to make him suffer a loss? Heh, not easy."

...

Over the next few days, Chen Qing visited Shen Xiuyong one more time. Seeing that his complexion had improved and his injuries were stable, he felt relieved.

After chatting for a while, Chen Qing saw that the sun was perfect that day, so he picked up his bamboo fishing rod and basket and went to Emerald Waves Pool again.

Emerald Waves Pool was even livelier than usual today. The warm sunlight scattered across the clear, mirror-like surface of the pool, creating shimmering golden ripples.

Weeping willows swayed by the pool’s edge, where many disciples and Stewards were already fishing, enjoying the rare moment of leisure.

Chen Qing found an excellent spot by observing an area where the water was deep in color and undercurrents surged.

He didn’t rush to cast his line. Instead, he unhurriedly took out some specially made bait. With a flick of his wrist, he precisely cast it into the water ahead of him. This was the "Star Vortex Attraction" ground-baiting technique recorded in the Star Vortex Dragon-Attracting Technique. As the bait hit the water, it faintly formed a tiny vortex, emitting a unique ripple of energy as it slowly sank and dispersed.

Then, he readied his fishing gear, hooked a Treasure Insect onto the hook, and slowly lowered the line into the water, letting its aura merge with that of the ground bait he had cast.

’This Secret Technique really is extraordinary!’

Chen Qing could clearly feel his Heart and Spirit forging a wondrous connection with that area of water through the fishing line and hook. The slightest movements beneath the surface, even the ripples created by some swimming Treasure Fish, were several times clearer than before.

In less than the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, the float suddenly plunged, the force swift and powerful!