Chu Xingchen walked toward the conference hall of the temporary hub with a reasonably relaxed gait.
On the surface, Eastern Divine Continent had already been scoured—most organizations connected to evil cultivators and demons had been thoroughly purged. Even the few fish that slipped through the net were small fry judged to be useless, and they could be left to see where these minnows swam.
However, in any organization even remotely respectable, the cross-realm ritual array that Donggua had mentioned could be found. But none were complete, and they were all extremely similar—offering little in the way of useful reference.
The arrays appeared far too frequently, almost as if Xu Linglong was deliberately reminding him again and again—you have no choice but to investigate, but none of it matters.
Chu Xingchen was well aware of this, but his state of mind wasn't affected in the slightest.
After all, he was constantly broadcasting his own status to Xu Linglong—I'm a wreck right now. One kick and the whole thing collapses. And if I collapse, there might not be anyone left in this world who can actually stop you.
There won't be another True Immortal cultivator. This is your best chance. Come and kill me at any cost.
What, don't you dare?
Whenever Chu Xingchen was feeling disgusted, his usual strategy was to disgust right back—to dance right in front of Xu Linglong's face.
As for the great formation, Chu Xingchen now had the Heavenly Dao Map and took time every day to record the state of the spirit veins and water veins.
If Xu Linglong actually began the experiment and diverted spirit veins, this map would be what ended Xu Linglong's life.
Also, if Xu Linglong really couldn't resist and moved against him, with Tribulation Transcendence cultivation now, even if he couldn't win, escaping with someone covering him wouldn't be hard.
But this time, once they made their move, the Celestial Demons would have no chance to flee. The vast heavens and earth would have no place left for them.
The fully prepared Eighteen Immortal Sects had woven the entire Five Continents and Myriad Regions into a spider's web.
All they waited for was the faintest tremor on that web.
For now, in Chu Xingchen's calculation, the initiative was still firmly in his hands.
Even the current investigation, now that he had the Heavenly Dao Map, could be considered a smokescreen.
Chu Xingchen stepped into the conference hall. His gaze swept around, and he found Xu Jin, Daoist Yuyang, and Yunxiao already there. Naturally, his eyes then landed on Chen Baiqing, who sat to Ye Antao's left, holding a jade token.
Chen Baiqing looked up, but couldn't detect a trace of surprise in her master's expression—as if he'd already known she was here. It seemed her arrangements had been recognized by Master.
She stood and bowed respectfully:
"Master, is everything well?"
No matter how frustrated she was inside about Master's recklessness, in front of outsiders she had to give Master full face. Whatever Master said, she as his disciple would naturally follow orders.
Chu Xingchen nodded slightly, his gaze lingering for a moment—seeming to notice some changes in his little cotton-padded jacket's expression. It seemed she'd discovered his recent exploits in Eastern Divine Continent.
"Passable. But I didn't expect you to arrive so quickly."
"Master sent a letter. Bai Qing came as soon as she saw it."
"A letter?"
"Probably dictated by Shiniang."
Chu Xingchen's expression cleared at this. After he'd left Tianyan Sect, Lingyu must have sent a letter to Yingling and the others under his name. This little cotton-padded jacket had probably seen through that it wasn't his handwriting.
And Lingyu likely hadn't been able to hold back the determined Bai Qing, who had then rushed here.
Having figured this out, Chu Xingchen merely nodded.
After all, from either Lingyu's or Bai Qing's perspective, they were both just doing what they thought was right. Viewing everything solely through their own lens—that was a bit much to ask.
Lingyu wanted stability, to keep Chu Xingchen from being distracted. Bai Qing came all the way back from Southern Zhanbu Continent out of concern for Master.
They were just doing good.
Chu Xingchen's lips curved in a slight smile as he walked forward:
"If you came all the way here, you won't be able to convince your Senior Sister in the future. Don't say I didn't give you the chance—I'm only letting you be a good junior sister."
Chen Baiqing lowered her head slightly: "Naturally, everything revolves around Master. Since Master needs me, everything else can wait."
Daoist Yuyang shook his head slightly, unable to hide his envy.
Back when Bai Qing had worked under him, her work had been so good it left him with nothing to do.
Now this single line—"everything revolves around Master"—was enough to make anyone profoundly envious.
Xu Jin glanced sideways. He'd heard some news from Southern Zhanbu Continent. Though these words sounded like a fine show of respect for one's master, the truth was that Chen Baiqing being here wasn't quite right.
Having read Chen Baiqing's thirty-plus years of mission reports, Xu Jin understood all too well that behind Chu Xingchen's third disciple's harmless exterior lay meticulous thinking and ruthless decisiveness.
"Alright, alright…" Chu Xingchen sighed lightly. "Since you're here, give me a briefing on your Senior Sister's situation."
With that, Chu Xingchen turned to leave.
Though his performance had been heroic, his little cotton-padded jacket still didn't know exactly how far his cultivation had recovered.
Since Bai Qing had come, she'd probably watched his staged battle too.
Chen Baiqing bowed to everyone around her once more, then quickly followed her master's footsteps.
Chu Xingchen led Chen Baiqing out of the conference hall.
Chen Baiqing kept close behind. The Qingtian Treasure Ring activated, enveloping her and Master in a formation—ensuring no one could eavesdrop.
She looked up at Master's slowly walking figure. The words she'd prepared earlier—like "Master sent everyone away because he thinks we'll mess things up," or "Master is tired of Bai Qing, that's why he sent me away"—
But looking at Master's back, just as it had been in those old days, these words wouldn't come out.
Because she'd always known the answer—Master had never looked down on anyone.
Maybe Master had it rough too. Maybe Master just didn't want everyone to worry. Maybe Master simply felt these things were things he had to do.
Excuses in defense of Chu Xingchen began flooding Chen Baiqing's mind.
After walking a bit, Chen Baiqing still hadn't said a word—just silently following her master, wanting to say something but unable to.
Chu Xingchen's steps slowed to a stop. He turned his head slightly toward Bai Qing:
"Why aren't you talking to Master? Could it be that little Bai Qing is really angry?"
Chen Baiqing turned her head slightly, struggling with her words for a while before answering:
"Of course I'm angry. Master said he wouldn't treat Bai Qing like a child anymore, but when something happens, Master won't let Bai Qing participate. Master doesn't keep his word."
"I don't believe it. Little Bai Qing would never bear to be angry at me."
Chen Baiqing had been through so much. She could stand on her own for many things. She'd always thought her heart was cold—no compassion, no sentiment.
But when facing Chu Xingchen…
Even though she was angry inside, even though she was upset, even though she wanted Master to know he was wrong…
All the feelings in her heart transformed these emotions into a sense of being wronged.
Perhaps toward the most important person in your heart…
Being wronged was the biggest tantrum.
Chen Baiqing couldn't help pressing her lips together, her eyes reddening slightly—like she was about to cry as a child:
"Master just loves bullying me."
Chu Xingchen quickly turned around, walked up to Chen Baiqing, and smiled gently:
"You still say you're not a child? That little expression is the same as when you were little."
"If you don't cry, Master will secretly take you to buy candy later."
"Just like before."
"Only for you. Nobody else gets any."
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