Oh?

Chen Qing’s interest was piqued.

’Sang Yanping is summoning all the Chief Disciples?’

’This must be for something important.’

A thought instantly crossed his mind... ’Could this be related to Xiao Bieli, the one who’s been causing such a stir recently?’

"Understood."

Chen Qing acknowledged, then said to Luo Xinyi, "Watch over the institute."

"Yes, Senior Brother! Don’t worry!" Luo Xinyi nodded firmly.

Without further delay, Chen Qing turned and headed toward the Internal Affairs Hall.

When he stepped into the solemn Council Hall of the Internal Affairs Hall, Li Wang, Nie Shanshan, Li Lei, and Yan Yaoyang were already seated.

"Junior Brother Chen, over here!"

Upon seeing Chen Qing, Li Wang immediately waved him over with a smile, gesturing to the empty seat beside him.

His position in the Li Fire Institute was stable now, and his mood had brightened considerably.

Nie Shanshan also turned her head slightly and acknowledged him with a nod. "Junior Brother Chen."

Li Lei clasped his fist and said in a deep voice, "Junior Brother Chen."

Because of the loan, the relationship between the two of them and Chen Qing had gained a subtle layer of closeness and trust, going beyond a simple sect-mate friendship.

Yan Yaoyang merely glanced up at Chen Qing and gave a faint nod by way of greeting.

He had just returned from his wedding at Qixia Manor and was in high spirits, flush with success.

His father-in-law, He Yueting, was none other than the Second Manor Master of Qixia Manor, an expert in the Astral Force Realm.

For a genius like Yan Yaoyang, having a father-in-law who was an Astral Force expert, along with the vast network of connections that came with him, was like adding wings to a tiger.

Chen Qing returned their greetings one by one and sat down next to Li Wang.

"Elder Sang has gathered us, most likely because of Xiao Bieli from Cold Jade Valley."

Li Wang initiated the conversation, his gaze sweeping over to Nie Shanshan. "Senior Sister Nie is the best-informed. Has there been... any new movement from Xiao Bieli?"

Nie Shanshan set down her teacup, her voice calm. "Yes. Just yesterday, he went to the Xuanjia Sect. On their Martial Arts Arena, he exchanged a hundred moves with Shi Ziyi, the ’Broken Mountain Saber,’ and ultimately won."

"Shi Ziyi?!"

Li Wang sucked in a sharp breath. "He’s one of the top figures of the Xuanjia Sect’s younger generation, one of the Seven Talents! I heard he’s opened Nine Orthodox Meridians and has mastered the True Inheritance of the Mountain-Cleaving Saber Technique!"

"Didn’t he already challenge Fang Rui? Now he’s challenged Shi Ziyi of the Xuanjia Sect too?"

Li Lei’s expression also grew grave. "Shi Ziyi’s foundation is solid, and his Saber Technique is fierce and powerful. My master once said he had the potential to break through to the Astral Force Realm. For Xiao Bieli to defeat him... it seems the rumors about him opening Eleven Orthodox Meridians are true. His strength is likely infinitely close to the threshold of the Astral Force Realm."

Yan Yaoyang snorted coldly and interjected, "It’s more than that. I’ve heard that Xiao Bieli has received the deepest True Inheritance from Sect Leader Leng in Cold Jade Valley. He is simultaneously practicing two of Cold Jade Valley’s Core Heart Methods, the ’Langyue True Qi’ and the ’Profound Ice True Qi.’ As long as he succeeds, he’ll be given the secret transmission for fusing these two types of True Qi."

"Shi Ziyi’s defeat was not unjust."

"Langyue True Qi? Profound Ice True Qi?"

Nie Shanshan’s fine brows furrowed slightly. "He succeeded?"

Yan Yaoyang said slowly, "He shouldn’t have succeeded yet, he’s just attempting it. But Sect Leader Leng has high hopes for him."

Clearly, the two of them were aware that Xiao Bieli was cultivating two Heart Methods simultaneously.

But Chen Qing’s heart suddenly leaped in his chest!

’Cultivating two types of True Qi at the same time?’

Li Baichuan’s words about the missing general principles of the *True Insights of Primordial Five Elements True Astral* instantly echoed in his mind.

’It seems Sect Leader Leng Qianqiu of Cold Jade Valley also cultivated two Heart Methods at the same time and managed to fuse them.’

’So, Cold Jade Valley has a Secret Technique that allows two types of True Qi to coexist, or even to begin fusing?’

’This is an incredibly important clue in my search for a method of Five Elements Fusion!’

His face remained impassive, but his mind was racing.

Just as the atmosphere in the hall grew heavier with the news of Xiao Bieli, a side door opened, and Elder Sang Yanping walked in slowly.

His expression was stern as his gaze swept over the five Chief Disciples present.

"You’re all here."

Sang Yanping sat in the main seat and, without any pleasantries, went straight to the point. "I have summoned you because the Sect Leader has issued an order."

The five of them immediately straightened their backs and listened intently.

"The demonic aura has not yet been quelled, and the Prefecture City is producing a new generation of brilliant talents."

Sang Yanping’s voice was deep and steady. "The future of the Sect rests on your shoulders. To help you increase your strength and solidify your foundations as quickly as possible, the Sect Leader has issued a special decree: starting this month, a portion of ’Centennial Earth Core Milk’ will be allocated each month for the five of you to use in your Cultivation. The hope is that this will accelerate the opening of your Main Meridians, consolidate your foundations, and allow you to become pillars of the Sect sooner!"

Centennial Earth Core Milk!

The words rang in their ears like a clap of thunder!

Even the most composed of them, Nie Shanshan, had a bright light flash in her eyes for an instant.

Centennial Earth Core Milk!

This was nothing like the atomized, ordinary Earth Core Milk vapor in the Quiet Chambers of Langya Pavilion.

This was an essence of heaven and earth from the depths of the Earth’s Core Milk Spring in Dingbo Lake, which took a hundred years of sedimentation and refinement to form a single drop!

The energy it contained was incomparably pure. Not only could it greatly accelerate the accumulation of True Qi, but it could also fundamentally refine one’s True Qi, increasing its purity and vitality, removing impurities, and stabilizing one’s foundation.

Such a treasure was typically only enjoyed by the Sect Leader himself or by Elders who had rendered extraordinary service to the Sect. And now, several drops were to be given to the five of them every month!

A Steward from behind Elder Sang stepped forward carrying a Cold Jade Tray. On the tray sat seven exquisite Jade Bottles.

The Jade Bottles were smooth and warm to the touch, and one could faintly sense the astonishing fluctuations of energy contained within. The mouths of the bottles were sealed with a special material, obviously to prevent the essence from dissipating.

Seven drops of Centennial Earth Core Milk lay quietly on the Cold Jade Tray.

The five of them stared at the seven Jade Bottles with burning eyes, each with their own thoughts.

Li Wang knew how important this Centennial Earth Core Milk was for him, but he knew even better that it would be difficult for him to fight for a larger share.

His lips moved as if he wanted to say something to vie for it, but after looking at the others, he ultimately swallowed his words.

After all, he was the weakest of the five.

Li Lei’s eyes were fervent. The Centennial Earth Core Milk was crucial for him to stabilize his Seventh Orthodox Meridian and break through to the Late Stage.

Chen Qing, however, furrowed his brow slightly. ’How are they going to divide seven drops of Centennial Earth Core Milk among five people?’

Ripples of emotion also appeared in Nie Shanshan’s eyes, but she quickly suppressed them.

She was the first to break the silence, her voice clear and calm. "Elder Sang, we disciples are endlessly grateful for the Sect Leader’s generous gift. But with seven drops of Earth Core Milk for five people, how are they to be distributed?"

Elder Sang shook his head slightly. "This is what the Sect Leader has allocated. The amount each month is not fixed. You all... will decide amongst yourselves."

With that said, nothing more needed to be added.

The Sect’s resources were limited, so of course, they were first supplied to the mainstays like the Sect Leader and meritorious Elders.

What remained was the kindling meant to sustain the Sect’s future.

Even the Elders had to achieve merits to receive more. As for the disciples, if they wanted opportunities, they could only fight for them themselves.

Nie Shanshan glanced at the others and said, "In my opinion, to avoid hurting the harmony between us, we should establish a procedure. We can take turns receiving an extra drop each month in a set order. Everyone gets a share, and it’s evenly distributed in the long run. This seems the most fair and stable method. What do my fellow junior brothers think?"

As her voice fell, Li Wang was the first to nod in agreement. "Senior Sister Nie is absolutely right. This method is fair. I agree."

He was the weakest among the five. If the distribution were based on strength, he would only receive the smallest share each month.

Li Lei also expressed his agreement.

Nie Shanshan’s proposal was indeed the best way to maintain superficial harmony, and he had no objection to it.

Chen Qing nodded, indicating his agreement.

When Nie Shanshan proposed the "taking turns" solution, Yan Yaoyang’s brow furrowed sharply.

After Chen Qing also voiced his approval, he finally broke his silence.

He leaned forward slightly, his sharp gaze sweeping over Nie Shanshan and Chen Qing. "Senior Sister Nie, forgive me, but I cannot agree with this method!"

Everyone’s gaze in the hall instantly focused on him.

Yan Yaoyang met their gazes. "The Centennial Earth Core Milk—how precious is it? It is a gift from the Sect Leader, meant to help the future pillars of our Wutai Sect accelerate their climb to the peak of Martial Arts! How can it be divided up like common merchants splitting profits, with everyone getting an equal share and taking turns?"

His gaze swept over Li Wang, and though he didn’t say it outright, his meaning was unmistakable: "Such treasures should go to the virtuous and the powerful!"

"It should naturally be distributed according to strength! Those who are stronger and have greater potential should receive more resources. Only then can they break through faster and truly represent the Sect, facing the great struggles to come! If we follow Senior Sister Nie’s method, wouldn’t we be letting a pearl be covered in dust and wasting the Sect’s precious treasure?"

Letting a pearl be covered in dust and wasting the Sect’s precious treasure!?

Li Wang’s face instantly turned ugly, but he didn’t dare to retort.

Li Lei’s brows knitted, clearly displeased with Yan Yaoyang’s words.

Nie Shanshan remained silent.

If they went by what Yan Yaoyang said, she and he would receive the largest shares, which would be a good thing for her.

Chen Qing watched Yan Yaoyang calmly, thinking to himself: ’Just as I expected. This Chief Disciple of the Geng Metal Institute clearly prefers a ’winner-take-all’ rule.’

And this was also what the Sect hoped to see.

Because of Yan Yaoyang’s blunt objection, the atmosphere in the hall instantly became delicate.

Sang Yanping sat in the main seat, his face devoid of expression, like an outsider. He simply watched the silent clash over resource allocation and the ranking of Chief Disciples unfold before him, awaiting the final outcome.