Yan Yaoyang’s gaze swept over everyone. Seeing no immediate objections, he asked again in a deep voice, "Fellow disciples, do you have any objections?"

The hall fell silent.

Just then, Chen Qing spoke up calmly, "Senior Brother Yan is right. I have no objections."

His voice was steady, betraying no hint of reluctance.

A thought struck Li Wang.

In his experience, Chen Qing was a low-key person who disliked conflict.

But he only ever passed on empty fame. When it came to tangible benefits, this junior brother of his was incredibly shrewd.

’How could he have no objections?!’

Yan Yaoyang was clearly pleased with Chen Qing’s agreement. He nodded and said, "Junior Brother Chen is a reasonable man."

Saying no more, his gaze shifted to the Jade Bottles on the tray before Elder Sang Yanping, and he strode forward.

"In that case, of these seven drops of Centennial Earth Core Milk, I will take two, and Senior Sister Nie will take two."

His voice was laced with confidence. "If any of you believe you’re stronger than me, you are free to challenge me at any time. The victor is entitled to more."

With that, he reached out, took two of the Jade Bottles, and tucked them away. He gave Sang Yanping a slight bow with his fists clasped. "I will take my leave."

Then, he strode out of the Council Hall.

The tension in the hall eased slightly.

Nie Shanshan looked at the five remaining Jade Bottles, then at the silent Chen Qing, Li Lei, and Li Wang. Her brow furrowed delicately as she asked softly, "Well... shall we stick to the rotation I proposed earlier for the distribution?"

Li Lei stepped forward and clasped his fists. "Senior Sister Nie, please don’t trouble yourself. What Senior Brother Yan said, while domineering, had a point. Your strength is far superior to ours, so you should naturally take two drops. Junior Brother Chen, Junior Brother Li, and I will each take one."

His expression was composed; he had clearly accepted the situation.

Within the Sect, strength was paramount. That was the law of survival.

Nie Shanshan was silent for a moment before finally nodding. "Very well, then."

She too stepped forward and took two Jade Bottles. After bowing to Sang Yanping, she gave a slight nod to Chen Qing and the other two before also leaving the Council Hall.

Li Lei, Chen Qing, and Li Wang each stepped forward and silently collected their single drop of Centennial Earth Core Milk.

"Junior Brothers, I have other matters to attend to, so I must be going."

Li Lei clasped his fists toward Chen Qing and Li Wang without another word and turned to leave.

In the vast Council Hall, only Chen Qing and Li Wang were left, along with Sang Yanping, who sat at the head of the hall with his eyes closed, seemingly resting.

Li Wang said, "Junior Brother Chen, we should go too."

Chen Qing nodded. The two of them secured their Centennial Earth Core Milk and left the Council Hall.

On their way out, Li Wang lowered his voice and asked, "Junior Brother Chen, why did you agree with Yan Yaoyang back there? If the four of us had insisted on Senior Sister Nie’s rotation method, he wouldn’t have just walked away with an extra drop for free, and been so arrogant about it."

Chen Qing carefully stored the Jade Bottle containing the Earth Core Milk, then met Li Wang’s gaze calmly. He asked in return, "Brother Li, don’t you find it odd? The Sect hasn’t distributed any Centennial Earth Core Milk for months. Why summon the five of us today and suddenly produce seven drops?"

Li Wang froze. Then, a flash of insight struck him, and he blurted out, "Is it because of... Xiao Bieli of Cold Jade Valley?!"

"Exactly."

Chen Qing nodded, lowering his voice even further. "Xiao Bieli’s ’Lifeng’ journey has shaken all of Yunlin. He’s been unstoppable. As the leader of the Five Heroes, with an Astral Force master secretly protecting him, the Cold Jade Valley has placed immense hope in him. After challenging the prodigies of the Xuanjia Sect and Qixia Manor, where do you think he’ll go next?"

Li Wang gasped, understanding in an instant. "The Wutai Sect! He’s bound to challenge us! This Centennial Earth Core Milk is a ’sweetener’ from the Sect. The higher-ups want us to improve our strength quickly, but more than that... they want to pick the best from our group to face Xiao Bieli’s challenge!"

"Precisely."

Chen Qing nodded, his expression unreadable. "Win, and the Sect will reward you handsomely with riches and glory. But if you lose..."

He paused. "You become a brilliant stepping stone on Xiao Bieli’s ’Lifeng’ path, helping his momentum reach its absolute peak as he strives for the Astral Force realm. Senior Brother Yan was so eager to show his strength and fight for resources because he likely saw this as well. He considers himself the most outstanding disciple in the Wutai Sect and naturally covets the chance to be its champion."

’Nie Shanshan was hesitant, probably because she wanted to conserve her strength, or maybe she wasn’t confident she could defeat Xiao Bieli.’

’This Centennial Earth Core Milk doesn’t come without strings attached.’

Li Wang nodded slightly. "This is going to be quite a show. I wonder what chances our dear Senior Brother Yan has against the ascendant Xiao Bieli."

Chen Qing remained noncommittal, simply patting Li Wang on the shoulder. "Let’s go, Brother Li. Improving our own strength is all that matters."

...

「Deep within the Internal Affairs Hall, in an even more secluded study.」

Sang Yanping stood respectfully before the main seat, having just finished reporting everything that had transpired in the Council Hall to Sect Leader He Yuzhou—the five Chief Disciples’ conversations, their choices, and the final distribution.

He Yuzhou, seated in the main chair, nodded slightly after hearing Sang Yanping’s report. "...They’re perceptive. With this distribution, it seems everyone got what they deserved."

His tone was flat, betraying no emotion.

"Your judgment is wise, Sect Leader."

Sang Yanping responded, then added, "Then it seems that when Xiao Bieli arrives, the one to face his challenge will be Yan Yaoyang, the Chief Disciple of the Geng Metal Institute."

He Yuzhou raised his eyes, his profound gaze landing on Sang Yanping. "And what of his progress?"

Sang Yanping immediately replied, "Sect Leader, according to Junior Brother Tan of the Geng Metal Institute, Yan Yaoyang has been focused on his cultivation ever since returning from Qixia Manor, and his progress has been rapid. His Geng Metal True Qi has grown increasingly pure and condensed. He has already reached Main Meridian Great Perfection for his tenth Orthodox Meridian and is only a single step away from breaking through to the eleventh. With the help of the Centennial Earth Core Milk, I believe he will achieve his breakthrough very soon."