He was warm and enthusiastic. Within the Xuanjia Sect, Du Lingchuan held Chen Qing in high regard, and he was happy to befriend this rising star of the Wutai Sect.

"Brother Shi, you flatter me. Elder Du is too kind, and I am unworthy of such praise."

Chen Qing cupped his fist in return, his demeanor neither servile nor arrogant.

Li Wang also greeted everyone in turn.

Fang Rui, however, stared openly at Chen Qing, his eyes filled with intense curiosity and a barely perceptible hint of rivalry.

A spot among Yunlin Prefecture’s Seven Talents had become vacant for various reasons. Lately, rumors had been swirling that Chen Qing, chief disciple of the Wutai Sect’s Cyan Wood Institute, would be the one to fill it. As one of the top rising stars of the Xuanjia Sect, it was only natural for Fang Rui to feel competitive.

Meanwhile, Chang Xing’s gaze, even more subtle, lingered on Chen Qing.

After an exchange of pleasantries, they all sat down. Shi Ziyi was the first to speak. "Senior Sister Nie, we heard on the road that with Xiao Bieli’s return, you will be representing the Wutai Sect to fight him. Do you feel confident about your chances?"

He was direct, and it was clear the Xuanjia Sect was also paying close attention to the battle between the two sects.

Nie Shanshan remained perfectly calm. "The outcome is not yet decided, so how can we speak of confidence?" she replied serenely. "I can only do my best. Senior Brother Xiao’s strength is extraordinary. I will naturally go all out and strive to live up to the trust the sect has placed in me."

Shi Ziyi hesitated for a moment before saying in a grave tone, "Xiao Bieli’s strength is formidable. Senior Sister Nie, you must be careful."

The Xuanjia Sect disciples’ expressions turned grave, the memory of Xiao Bieli arriving at their sect to issue his challenge still fresh and unsettling.

Nie Shanshan cupped her fist and said, "Thank you for the warning. I will be careful."

Her reply was flawless.

The members of the Xuanjia Sect exchanged a look. Nie Shanshan’s composure clearly indicated she wasn’t entirely without confidence, which only made them more eager to witness the coming clash of titans.

After all, the Xuanjia Sect disciples had experienced Xiao Bieli’s prowess firsthand.

’We’re in for a good show tomorrow.’

Fang Rui watched from the side with a cold gaze, a smirk playing on his lips. He clearly believed that no one from the likes of the Wutai Sect would be a match for Xiao Bieli.

Though his voice was low, how could anyone present fail to hear it?

Hearing this, Li Wang and the other Wutai Sect disciples furrowed their brows.

Chang Xing shot Fang Rui a glare. "Junior Brother Fang, don’t make divisive comments."

"Got it."

Fang Rui nodded and said no more.

The group chatted for a while longer, sharing anecdotes from the Yunlin Martial World and Cultivation Insights from their respective sects. The atmosphere became quite amicable.

At this moment, Fang Rui suddenly proposed, "I’ve long heard that Dingbo Lake is Yunlin’s greatest lake, its nighttime beauty unmatched in the entire prefecture. Since we’ve come all this way, I was wondering if our esteemed brothers and sisters would grant us the pleasure of a boat tour tonight? It would be a wonderful chance to take in the scenery of your sect’s hallowed grounds."

His eyes sparkled with anticipation.

The other disciples from the Xuanjia Sect immediately voiced their agreement.

Nie Shanshan thought for a moment before smiling in agreement. "Junior Brother Fang is absolutely right. The night scenery of Dingbo Lake is truly a sight to behold. On a beautiful night like this, it’s the perfect time to show you all around. Junior Brother Li, Junior Brother Chen, what are your thoughts?"

Li Wang naturally had no objections, and Chen Qing simply nodded. "We’ll follow your arrangements, Senior Sister Nie."

As the host, Nie Shanshan immediately summoned a disciple to arrange for a spacious and elegant Treasure Ship.

Everyone boarded the vessel, which then pushed off from the shore. The Treasure Ship cut through the calm lake surface, sailing slowly toward its deep center.

The night deepened. A bright moon hung in the sky, its pure radiance spilling onto the lake and shattering into a million specks of silver light.

Islands in the distance were hazy, like strokes of ink. The water nearby rippled, reflecting the vast expanse of stars and the lanterns on the ship. The scene was tranquil and magnificent.

A cool breeze drifted by, carrying the fresh scent of the water and sweeping away the clamor of the day.

On the bow deck, the group leaned against the railing, gazing into the distance while chatting and laughing.

Nie Shanshan and Shi Ziyi stood slightly ahead of the others, discussing in low tones their sects’ perspectives on how to handle the pressure from Cold Jade Valley.

Li Wang, meanwhile, was engaged in an animated conversation with several other Xuanjia Sect disciples, telling them about the legends of Dingbo Lake and the notable sights of the Wutai Sect.

Chen Qing stood by the ship’s rail, gazing at the distant haze and enjoying a moment of tranquility.

Behind him, Nie Shanshan and Shi Ziyi murmured to each other, while Li Wang chatted and laughed with the other Xuanjia Sect disciples. Fang Rui, in contrast, seemed somewhat distracted, his eyes occasionally glancing in a specific direction.

A faint, refreshing fragrance drew near. Chen Qing glanced to the side to see Chang Xing, the tall, cool-tempered female disciple from the Xuanjia Sect, had come to stand beside him. She stood shoulder to shoulder with him, her gaze also fixed on the deep expanse of the lake.

"It seems Brother Chen prefers solitude?" Chang Xing’s voice was as clear as a mountain spring.

Chen Qing pulled his gaze from the distance and turned to her. "It’s merely a habit. The beauty of Dingbo Lake at night is best appreciated in quiet contemplation." 𝒻𝑟ℯℯ𝑤𝑒𝑏𝑛𝘰𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝒸𝑜𝘮

A faint smile touched Chang Xing’s lips. "My master, Elder Du Lingchuan, has often spoken of Brother Chen since his last visit. He says you possess extraordinary talent and a steady temperament, making you a rare luminary among the Wutai Sect’s younger generation. Now that I’ve met you, I see you truly live up to your reputation."

Her eyes were clear, filled with undisguised curiosity.

’She had done some research on him in private. This chief disciple of the Cyan Wood Institute, whose reputation was soaring in Yunlin Prefecture, was unlike so many other young geniuses who became arrogant or lost themselves in worldly pleasures after finding early success. He kept a low profile, showed no interest in women, and his dedication to Cultivation was almost ascetic. Such discipline was exceedingly rare among the Core Disciples of the major sects.’

"Elder Du is too generous with his praise. I am truly unworthy."

Chen Qing smiled. "Elder Du is a kind and chivalrous man, and I’m grateful for his care. As Elder Du’s prized student, Junior Sister Chang must be one of the Xuanjia Sect’s finest as well. A pleasure to meet you."

Chang Xing blinked, her lovely eyes fixed on Chen Qing. "I’ve heard that Brother Chen spends most of his time in seclusion, cultivating without cease. I truly admire such dedication. I was wondering, what do you do for leisure, aside from your Cultivation?"

"The path of the Martial Arts is long, so I dare not slacken my efforts."

Chen Qing’s reply remained brief and pragmatic. "In my scant leisure time, I do little more than fish by the lake or sit quietly with a book."