She lifted her head slightly, her voice growing even softer and sweeter. "My name is Lianxing, sir. If you need anything while in the manor, or simply wish for someone to talk with... you... you may call for me at any time."

With that, she gave a hurried bow, turned, and departed, leaving behind the alluring sight of her slender, retreating figure.

Chen Qing’s expression remained calm and placid, as if he hadn’t even heard her soft, suggestive words. He stepped into the main hall.

Instantly, he felt dozens of gazes converge upon him.

The hall was already filled with people, the air alive with the clinking of cups and the melodious sounds of strings and flutes.

The most exceptional talents of Yunlin Prefecture’s younger generation—the "Five Heroes and Seven Talents"—had nearly all gathered here.

As Chen Qing’s gaze swept across the room, he saw many familiar faces.

Nie Shanshan and Yan Yaoyang of his own Wutai Sect were already present.

Today, Nie Shanshan wore an aqua-blue gown and was as coolly aloof as ever, while Yan Yaoyang was dressed in the attire of the Geng Metal Institute, his demeanor calm and steady.

From Cold Jade Valley, Xiao Bieli was dressed in a moon-white robe, his expression stern. His aura seemed even more restrained and profound than before. Seated beside him was Ye Qingyi, still as radiant and enchanting as ever, only the look she gave Chen Qing was somewhat complex.

Fang Rui and Shi Ziyi of the Xuanjia Sect had arrived as well, both dressed in martial attire and exuding a valiant air.

Though he wasn’t familiar with the remaining few, each possessed an extraordinary bearing and a brilliant gaze, clearly all masters with profound Cultivation.

The moment Chen Qing walked in, the hall fell silent for an instant.

Curiosity, appraisal, scrutiny, wariness... all manner of gazes landed on him.

Among them, a male and a female disciple from Cold Jade Valley stood behind Xiao Bieli, the hostility in their eyes barely concealed.

"Junior Brother Chen, over here!" Yan Yaoyang was the first to stand and greet him.

Chen Qing walked over, his expression serene.

Yan Yaoyang introduced them in a low voice. "Junior Brother, those two over there are Han Dang and Feng Yun of Cold Jade Valley. Both are members of the Seven Talents and are devoted followers of Xiao Bieli."

"Besides the four main sects, that man over there is Jiang Bai, the sole disciple of Qi Lingxiao, the ’Wind-Splitting Whip.’"

At that moment, Jiang Bai was laughing and conversing with Xiao Bieli, not the least bit intimidated in the presence of Cold Jade Valley’s most outstanding disciple.

Chen Qing nodded slightly. He had heard of this Qi Lingxiao as well. The man was said to be from a Southwest Major Sect but had relocated to Yunlin Prefecture for some reason. His strength was unfathomable, yet he was unwilling to be bound by any major sect. He had even flatly refused a recruitment offer from Cold Jade Valley, focusing solely on teaching his one and only disciple.

Jiang Bai’s ability to rank among the Seven Talents spoke volumes about his strength.

Meanwhile, Feng Shuhao of Qixia Manor glanced at Chen Qing, a flicker of recognition in his eyes as he recalled their chance encounter in the Ten Thousand Poison Swamp.

Chen Qing recognized him as well. Their eyes met for a moment before they both looked away.

Xiao Bieli, seated with the members from Cold Jade Valley, naturally saw Chen Qing as well.

His gaze lingered on Chen Qing for an instant, a flicker of complex emotion in his eyes, but his expression quickly returned to one of calm.

’Master was right. A temporary victory or defeat means nothing.’

’The one who laughs last is the real winner.’

’I must take a longer view.’

The people in the hall had subtly broken off into several small cliques. The group from Cold Jade Valley was the largest and had the most powerful presence.

The Wutai Sect and Xuanjia Sect, being on closer terms, gathered in one spot. The two from Qixia Manor kept to themselves, while Jiang Bai seemed to be able to exchange a few words with every group, appearing completely at ease.

The crowd conversed in hushed, pleasant tones.

When Nie Shanshan saw Chen Qing sit down, she spoke softly, "Junior Brother Chen, you’ve been in seclusion at the Sect lately. Have you heard the talk from the outside world?"

Chen Qing looked at her. "What talk? Is it about the Celestial Treasure Upper Sect clashing with the Demon Sect?"

"That’s the matter."

Yan Yaoyang took a deep breath and said slowly, "Rumor has it that experts from the Celestial Treasure Upper Sect and the Infinite Demon Sect have clashed several times, and an Astral Force expert has even fallen! The news is already causing a huge stir in the major prefectures near the Celestial Treasure Upper Sect’s borders."

He paused, his voice dropping even lower, his eyes flashing with excitement and disbelief. "Even wilder rumors say that the Celestial Treasure Upper Sect intends to select the most elite young disciples from its subordinate Three Paths, Fifty-One Mansions, and Hundred Sects. They plan to gather them at Xu Wang Mountain and train them to the same standards as an Upper Sect True Disciple, all to counter the increasingly rampant Infinite Demon Sect!"

Even with Chen Qing’s typically unshakable composure, he felt a jolt upon hearing this news.

’The Celestial Treasure Upper Sect is going to gather geniuses from the Hundred Sects for centralized training?’

’The Celestial Treasure Upper Sect is a colossus that rules over the Three Paths, with a foundation far deeper than anyone could possibly imagine.’

’Each of its Fifty-One Mansions has sects like the Wutai Sect that pay tribute year after year. The accumulation of resources has reached a horrifying level.’

’It was very likely that the annual tribute from the Wutai Sect included treasures like 500-year-old, or even older, Earth Core Milk. The same would be true for the other sects.’

’Add to that the treasured lands, mineral veins, and vast troves of gold and silver that the Celestial Treasure Upper Sect controlled directly... The resources it could mobilize were simply beyond measure!’

’If this were true, what a staggering amount of resources would be gathered at Xu Wang Mountain?’

’It was enough to drive any genius into a frenzy!’

However, Chen Qing also realized that implementing this plan would be anything but simple.

’The Celestial Treasure Upper Sect is rife with internal factions; could they even reach a consensus?’

’Would the sects of the various prefectures be willing to simply hand over the future pillars they had worked so hard to cultivate?’

’The political maneuvering involved, the balance of power between the local sects and the Upper Sect—the complexity was beyond imagination.’

But Chen Qing knew this rumor wasn’t baseless.

Policies of this magnitude, ones that could affect the entire landscape, were often preceded by rumors spread through various channels. This was done partly to test the reactions of all parties, and partly to give those below time to prepare and maneuver in advance.

Nie Shanshan’s delicate brows furrowed as well. She said softly, "Geniuses from the Hundred Sects all vying for the top spot... The resources are certainly tempting, but the intensity of the competition will likely be..."

Though she was a top talent in Yunlin Prefecture, she couldn’t help but feel a hint of pressure at the thought of competing against hundreds of her most outstanding peers from across the Three Paths.

"This is indeed astonishing."

Chen Qing nodded slowly, his voice calm once more. "If it really happens, it will undoubtedly be a critical move against the Demon Sect, as well as an opportunity beyond imagination."

"I wonder if the news is true or not. If only it were..."

Yan Yaoyang took another deep breath, a keen light flickering in his eyes as he unconsciously clenched his fists.

Chen Qing could sense it clearly.

’This Senior Brother Yan desperately wanted to advance.’

....

....