Chapter 286: Chapter 151: Obtaining the Treasure

"Nie Shanshan will get her drop from the Sect Leader’s public reward—a legitimate way to motivate everyone. Your drop, however, I will grant to you in private. This way, we preserve both of your strengths, avoid needless internal strife, and ensure you both face Xiao Bieli in peak condition. We can’t let Cold Jade Valley size you up ahead of time; that would introduce too many unpredictable variables."

"Oh? A deal this good?"

Chen Qing was thrilled to hear this.

’Getting a drop of Three Hundred Years Earth Core Milk without having to clash with Nie Shanshan head-on... this is an incredible bargain!’

A thought occurred to him, and he asked, "So, Master Li, does this mean... if Senior Sister Nie defeats Xiao Bieli, I don’t have to do anything? But what if... what if Senior Sister Nie loses?"

A sharp glint flashed in Li Baichuan’s eyes. He said lightly, "That is when you will make your move. Regardless of the outcome of her fight with Xiao Bieli, if she is defeated, you must take the stage and face Xiao Bieli yourself! This is the price for this drop of Earth Core Milk."

’Getting a treasure without any infighting, and the only risk is having to step up if Nie Shanshan fails?’

For Chen Qing, the deal’s risks were manageable, and its rewards were enormous.

’No matter what, I should take this drop of Three Hundred Years Earth Core Milk first and worry about the rest later.’

He took a step forward and received the floating, warm Jade Bottle with both hands. In a solemn voice, he said, "I understand! Thank you for your careful arrangements, Master Li, and thank you for the Sect Leader’s generous gift!"

Li Baichuan had expected Chen Qing’s agreement and gave a slight nod. "Mm. The pure Primordial Power contained within this will be of great benefit for strengthening your foundation and breaking through bottlenecks. Refine and absorb it as soon as possible. Don’t delay your Cultivation."

He paused, then lowered his voice even more. "This matter was a private decision between the Sect Leader and myself. It should not be publicized, and you especially cannot let Nie Shanshan know that her drop is not the only one. Do you understand?"

Chen Qing nodded gravely. "I understand! No third person will ever know of this."

He was keenly aware of the stakes. If this leaked, it would not only ruin the Sect Leader’s plan but also likely offend both Nie Shanshan and Li Baichuan at the same time.

"You may go."

Li Baichuan waved his hand and closed his eyes again.

Chen Qing gave another deep bow. "I will take my leave."

’The old coot was actually being generous for once, procuring a priceless treasure for him.’

That afternoon, Chen Qing was fishing at Dingbo Lake when a disciple from the Internal Affairs Hall delivered an order from Sang Yanping, summoning him to the Council Hall.

After receiving the message, Chen Qing put away his fishing rod and went to the Internal Affairs Hall’s Council Hall.

Inside the Council Hall, the scent of sandalwood lingered as always.

Chen Qing clasped his fists in a salute to Sang Yanping, who was seated at the head of the hall. "Elder Sang."

Sang Yanping’s gaze swept over his face before he gave a slight nod. "Sit."

Chen Qing did as he was told, taking a seat on the lower left side and waiting for the others.

Before long, steady footsteps approached from a distance, and Nie Shanshan, the Head Disciple of the Gui Water Institute, strode in.

She glanced at Chen Qing, then saluted Sang Yanping. "Elder Sang."

She also took a seat, opposite Chen Qing.

Next, Li Wang and Li Lei arrived one after the other. They also saluted and took their seats.

Seeing that everyone had arrived, Sang Yanping didn’t waste words. He tapped a withered finger lightly on the table.

An Internal Affairs Hall Steward immediately brought in a tray, upon which twelve Cold Jade Small Bottles were neatly arranged.

Twelve drops!

Two more drops than last month!

Nie Shanshan looked at Chen Qing and smiled. "The usual split?"

She was, of course, referring to their usual arrangement: five drops each for her and Chen Qing, with Li Wang and Li Lei each taking one.

"I have no objection."

Chen Qing nodded, his expression calm.

Li Wang and Li Lei exchanged a look, each seeing a trace of resignation in the other’s eyes.

In the face of these two titans, Nie Shanshan and Chen Qing, they couldn’t even muster the thought of fighting for one more drop.

The two of them silently went forward and each took their single drop of Centennial Earth Core Milk.

Sang Yanping took it all in, a barely perceptible smile touching his lips.

’This spirit of ’competition’ is finally starting to take root,’ he thought. ’Even if it’s currently just between Nie and Chen, it’s still better than the stagnant pool of the past.’

He cleared his throat, and his voice, though not loud, carried clearly to everyone present:

"You should have received the news by now. In a little over a month, Sect Leader Leng of Cold Jade Valley will personally visit the Wutai Sect to discuss the crucial matter of a four-sect alliance to resist the demons. His disciple, Xiao Bieli, will also return to our gates to continue his ’Lifeng’!"

Sang Yanping swept his gaze across the four of them. "Yan Yaoyang’s previous defeat has already damaged the prestige of our Wutai Sect. This time, Xiao Bieli returns after months of Cultivation, and his Momentum is even greater! The Sect Leader has decreed that this battle concerns the honor of the Wutai Sect and our future standing in the alliance. We cannot afford to lose!"

He paused, then solemnly retrieved an even smaller Cold Jade Small Bottle from his robes.

It instantly drew everyone’s gaze.

"For this reason,"

Sang Yanping said in a deep voice, "the Sect Leader has decided to offer a treasured ’Three Hundred Years Earth Core Milk’ as an incentive! You all should know how precious this item is. Not only does it serve for Strengthening the Foundation and Nourishing the Essence, it can also reforge your very bones and sinews. It has an unimaginable, miraculous effect on breaking through bottlenecks and laying an unparalleled foundation!"

"Who wants this Three Hundred Years Earth Core Milk? Who has the courage and resolve to represent the Wutai Sect, fight Xiao Bieli, and win back our Sect’s honor?!"

The Jade Bottle seemed to possess a magical power. The immense aura it emanated made Li Wang’s and Li Lei’s breathing instantly turn heavy.

’The temptation is too great!’

But the moment they thought of Xiao Bieli’s unfathomable strength and Yan Yaoyang’s crushing defeat, the fire in their eyes was extinguished as if doused by a bucket of ice water.

Nie Shanshan took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing the excitement in her heart.

’She had waited for this moment for far too long!’

Without any hesitation, she rose abruptly and clasped her fists in a salute toward Sang Yanping.

"Elder Sang! I, Nie Shanshan, wish to represent the Sect in battle against Xiao Bieli! I will do my utmost to live up to the Sect Leader’s high hopes and the Sect’s teachings, and I will fight to win this glory for our Wutai Sect!"