Chapter 279: The Best Master in the World
The ripples dissipated.
All the flowers turned to smoke and clouds and drifted away.
A shattered purple pearl floated before Chu Xingchen, but after a moment's hesitation, Chu Xingchen reached out and pointed at the pale purple pearl. A pale green barrier sealed it off.
After sealing it several times, Chu Xingchen finally put the purple pearl away.
He had no intention of studying this himself but planned to hand it directly to Bai Xuanling.
That woman's strength wasn't in the art of ten thousand flowers.
It was in a technique similar to Bai Qing's "Flower in the Mirror, Moon in the Water." The domain she opened would continuously and secretly pull at one's divine sense. Over time, if one didn't react in time, they might very well fall into her trap.
Moreover, every flower in the barrier emitted a strange energy that spread to the surrounding spiritual energy.
Once contaminated, it would form a medium, and the spiritual energy would be silently drained within the barrier.
At least when Chu Xingchen saw Wang Lin, this kid had fallen for the medium.
Thanks to Chen Baiqing's proper cultivation of the Great Bai Qing Method, Chu Xingchen could see through these amateurish tricks at a glance.
The significance of this pearl wasn't great. It wouldn't be suitable for Li Xingtian or Li Yingling either.
The only suitable person, Chen Baiqing, didn't lack for such things.
Mainly, this thing was also a time bomb, and no method might be secure enough.
Although Chu Xingchen believed Chen Baiqing had the means to subdue it, Bai Qing was still young. That matter could be dealt with later...
Previously, Wuxuan Guan had said they would distribute the benefits but never did. This pearl had some strange secrets to it.
It was neither object nor substance, neither human nor not human.
Taking it back to Bai Xuanling served two purposes: Bai Xuanling had plenty of means to experiment with it, and it could also be considered compensation for Wuxuan Guan's share.
As the pearls were collected, the illusionary barrier collapsed with a great crash.
At this moment, the valley was in a complete mess.
Chu Xingchen's figure flew toward Li Xingtian.
By now, Li Yingling had already put away the image-capturing pearl and punched Li Xingtian's shoulder.
"If you're weak, then train properly! Don't show off when you can't do anything! Thankfully, Master arrived in time!"
Chu Xingchen also flew over, glanced at Li Yingling in her full "big shijie" mode, chuckled softly, and joined in the pursuit with a smile.
"It's fine. At least he knew to call for Master, didn't he?"
Li Xingtian gave an embarrassed laugh, knowing his master was teasing him. He quickly said, "That's because I didn't want to trouble you... Besides, things weren't that exaggerated, were they? Besides, Tianyan Sect has already called for backup..."
Chu Xingchen chuckled lightly. "Hmph, the backup Tianyan Sect called for was me. Bai Xuanling was almost on her way here, and you still don't think it's exaggerated?"
Hearing this, Li Xingtian immediately cupped his hands in apology.
Chu Xingchen shot Li Yingling a "it's up to you" look.
After all, he wasn't afraid of his disciples coming to him for help; he was afraid they wouldn't come to him even when something was wrong.
When Chu Xingchen rushed over, he had been running as if his life depended on it, but he didn't say a word, precisely because he was afraid his disciples would be concerned.
Staying alive was what mattered most.
Li Yingling's emergency call this time was quite good. He should hold a grand assembly for the entire sect to discuss this matter afterward and then commend Li Yingling.
Li Yingling nodded to show she understood, then began to assert the authority of the big shijie.
Chu Xingchen's gaze turned toward Wang Lin's direction. The small team had regrouped, and all Tianyan Sect disciples were now in formation.
Wang Lin's face wore a smile. When he saw Chu Xingchen's gaze, he quickly cupped his hands and said, "Thank you for your support, senior."
Chu Xingchen gave a slight nod and said with a smile, "My disciple troubled you. I'll speak with Elder Bai later about your hard work and dedication."
Hearing this, Wang Lin's eyes lit up. From just these two simple sentences, Wang Lin knew that the master of this Li brother was definitely an intelligent and very experienced person.
For them, a single opportunity in good favor was worth more than spirit stones or elixirs.
Especially from a top-tier elder like Bai Xuanling.
Perhaps just a casual sentence or two could be worth who knew how many contributions.
"Thank you for your care, senior."
Wang Lin quickly cupped his hands again, sincerely grateful.
***
In the inn.
Zhang Miaoyu was feeling somewhat irritated. In the past, she had been an absolute top-tier force in their operations, directly under Li Yingling's command.
She always took on the toughest challenges.
Now, just after entering Zhongzhou, she was being told that her strength was insufficient and that she should stay in the inn because the mission was too dangerous.
Zhang Miaoyu wanted to argue, but couldn't find the words.
With so many Nascent Soul cultivators from Tianyan Sect—one of the Eighteen Immortal Sects of Zhongzhou—present, she probably couldn't even withstand a single attack from them.
If she had to say she was useful, all she could do was cheer.
But this huge difference made Zhang Miaoyu deeply realize one thing—she and Li Yingling were not on the same path.
Li Yingling's talent and background far surpassed hers by too much.
The fact that she could still follow Li Yingling now was purely because she was shameless enough.
As time passed, Zhang Miaoyu's mood grew increasingly despondent.
Perhaps after the mission was completed, Li Yingling wouldn't come back for her?
This was also a good opportunity to break free from her.
After all, in Zhongzhou, she might just be an expendable person.
Who would need a wild cultivator at the Golden Core stage when one could command Tianyan Sect disciples?
Zhang Miaoyu raised her head and slapped her cheeks hard.
Just wait a bit longer!
If she doesn't come back, then she doesn't come back...
Hasn't she cultivated to the Golden Core stage through her own efforts?
All meetings must end. Just treat this encounter as a beautiful one.
Zhang Miaoyu forced a smile, then her face drooped again.
But...
Before Zhang Miaoyu could think more, the door was pushed open.
She looked up in surprise and saw her team leader standing beside a handsome youth with a beaming smile.
Behind them were Li Xingtian and the group of Tianyan Sect disciples.
Zhang Miaoyu naturally understood that Chu Xingchen's identity was far from simple because she had never seen Li Yingling smile like this before.
She quickly stood up and looked first at the person she trusted most: "Team Leader..."
Everyone walked into the room.
Li Yingling pointed to Zhang Miaoyu and introduced her to her master: "This is a good companion I met on my journey—Zhang Miaoyu."
"Miaoyu, this is my master, and also the Sect Leader of our sect!"
Chu Xingchen nodded slightly and said with a smile:
"My eldest disciple has always been a handful. Thank you for taking care of her."
Zhang Miaoyu quickly shook her head. "It was the team leader who took care of me... The team leader is very capable."
Seeing Zhang Miaoyu looking a bit tense, Chu Xingchen chuckled and teased his eldest disciple:
"She used to be quite mischievous. I was quite worried about her and thought it would be good enough if she could take care of herself."
Li Yingling said unhappily, "Master, who do you think you're talking about!"
Zhang Miaoyu looked at her team leader, who seemed like a different person, but didn't feel unfamiliar. Instead, she felt that both Li Yingling and Chu Xingchen felt closer now.
Chu Xingchen casually coaxed, "Alright, alright, you're the best."
"Master, you see our sect doesn't have many members..." Li Yingling also looked a bit nervous as she said, "Do you think Zhang Miaoyu could..."
Master had always been selective when taking disciples. In terms of talent alone, Zhang Miaoyu definitely didn't meet the threshold for Master to take her as a disciple.
However, Master had also taken Ning Qianqian and Ning Kun. Although they were external hires, they were essentially part of the sect now.
It was just... I don't know if Master would be willing to take Zhang Miaoyu in.
After all, only our master could decide whether to accept new disciples into the sect.
Although Master was impeccable to everyone, it was normal not to spoil them in such matters.
Li Yingling was even prepared to be questioned by her master afterward.
Chu Xingchen's gaze fell on Zhang Miaoyu. After observing her for a moment, he said with a smile:
"Your Golden Core cultivation is quite solid. We're short on a guest elder in the outer sect. I wonder..."
Zhang Miaoyu quickly nodded. "I'm willing... I'm willing to stay by the team leader's side!"
Li Yingling also looked at her master with moved eyes. The sect was so small; there was no real distinction between inner and outer sects.
From the sect's establishment to now, she had never seen any outer sect.
Master was clearly creating an outer sect on the spot for her sake.
Truly the best master in the world!
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