Preparations of the Qingxuan Sect

Xuanyangzi stroked the communication jade slip in his hand. The smile on his lips gradually faded, replaced by a thoughtful expression.

“The Myriad Laws Pavilion wants to sound us out. That’s actually a useful reminder. With the Seven Sects Grand Tournament approaching, who should our Azure Profound Sect send?”

A string of names flashed through his mind, as though he were flipping through a thick register of the sect’s disciples.

Li Xuanfeng, Mu Chenyu, Lin Xiaowan, Lu Chenyu, Yun Qingjue, Su Qingyuan…

These six were all core disciples of their respective peaks. The other sects had known of them for some time, and they were considered fairly well-known among the younger generation of Xuanzhou.

Of course, their current reputations were now completely out of step with their actual strength.

Then he thought of those two reckless troublemakers, Lin Mochen and Shi Jingxian, and Xuanyangzi couldn’t help shaking his head inwardly.

Those two wouldn’t do. They were far too reckless.

What if they got carried away during the tournament and lost control of themselves, beating another sect’s genius to death? That would be difficult to explain afterward.

After pondering for a moment, Xuanyangzi’s lips curved into a meaningful smile.

“You six, then.”

He raised his hand and sent out several communication talismans. They transformed into streaks of light and flew toward the various peaks.

The Seven Sects Grand Tournament had once been a matter of the utmost importance to the Azure Profound Sect, one that would determine the sect’s resource allocation for the next three years. But in Xuanyangzi’s eyes, it had now become nothing more than a minor event to be handled casually.

Still, since they intended to keep a low profile, they had to put on a proper show.

Before long, several figures descended one after another atop Violet Bamboo Peak. They respectfully saluted Xuanyangzi and Gu Changge.

“Disciple Li Xuanfeng greets Master.”

“Disciple Mu Chenyu greets the Sect Master.”

“Disciple Lin Xiaowan…”

“Disciple Lu Chenyu…”

“Disciple Yun Qingjue…”

“Disciple Su Qingyuan…”

The six stood together, their postures respectful and their bearing composed.

Xuanyangzi’s gaze swept over them. At that moment, all six were at the Core Formation Realm.

Li Xuanfeng was the strongest, at the late Core Formation Realm. His aura was slightly more powerful than that of the other five.

Mu Chenyu, Lin Xiaowan, and Lu Chenyu were at the middle Core Formation Realm.

Yun Qingjue and Su Qingyuan were somewhat weaker, at the early Core Formation Realm.

Each of them appeared to have a solid foundation and a steady aura. In previous years, such a lineup would have been considered quite impressive at the Seven Sects Grand Tournament, with a very good chance of breaking into the top four.

“Core Formation Realm?”

Xuanyangzi laughed inwardly.

If he hadn’t known their true cultivation levels already, he might actually have been fooled. Junior Brother Gu’s Unseeable Cultivation Technique truly was profound.

Every one of the six disciples before him had already stepped into the Celestial Human Realm in truth!

Li Xuanfeng had even reached the late Celestial Human Realm and was only a step away from the King Realm.

The others were all at the middle Celestial Human Realm, their auras perfectly rounded and abundant, their foundations incomparably solid.

After Core Formation came the Violet Palace Realm, followed by the Grotto-Heaven Realm, and only after that came the Celestial Human Realm.

“Good heavens. These youngsters are concealing three entire major realms.”

Core Formation against the Celestial Human Realm—if they truly fought…

Xuanyangzi couldn’t help imagining the scene.

Their opponent would strain until his face was red and his neck bulged, unleashing the ultimate technique of his life in a heaven-shaking attack.

Then Li Xuanfeng and the others would have to pretend to stumble backward two steps, putting on expressions that said, “How impressive! I can barely hold on!”

Just thinking about it felt downright wicked.

Xuanyangzi stroked his beard and laughed, his voice filled with undisguised praise.

“Looks like none of you have slacked off during this time. Your cultivation has advanced steadily, and you’ve done a good job concealing your auras.”

At his words, all six wore carefully measured smiles, each showing just the right amount of modest pride at having been praised.

“Thank you for the compliment, Sect Master. We would never dare become complacent.”

Their acting was truly impeccable.

Xuanyangzi’s gaze swept over the six of them, and the amusement in his eyes deepened. With a teasing smile, he said, “Not bad, not bad. Looks like you’ve all inherited your masters’ true teachings.”

He deliberately drew out the words “true teachings,” making their meaning especially suggestive.

The six disciples’ expressions did not change. Not even their eyes flickered.

They bowed in unison and replied solemnly, their voices ringing out:

“The Sect Master is wise! Our meager abilities are entirely thanks to the Sect Master’s excellent leadership!”

Their tones were sincere and their attitudes upright, as if they were stating an unshakable truth of heaven and earth.

Xuanyangzi was momentarily stunned by that soft but pointed retort, then couldn’t help stroking his beard and laughing heartily.

“Good! Very good! What excellent leadership indeed! Still, a master may lead you through the door, but cultivation depends on the individual. It’s your own comprehension that matters most!”

Xuanyangzi cleared his throat and grew slightly more serious.

“I summoned you here today for an important matter. The Seven Sects Grand Tournament will be held at Burning Heaven Palace in half a month. I’ve decided that the six of you will represent our Azure Profound Sect.”

“Your disciples obey!” the six replied.

Xuanyangzi nodded, then turned his gaze to Li Xuanfeng.

“Xuanfeng, you’re the senior disciple. You’ll lead the team this time. You’re currently at the late Core Formation Realm, which should make you one of the strongest competitors among all the participating disciples.”

He paused, seemingly weighing his words.

“However, you don’t need to fight too hard in this tournament. Our Azure Profound Sect has sufficient resources these days, so the exact ranking isn’t all that important.”

Li Xuanfeng was extremely perceptive and immediately understood his master’s meaning. He respectfully replied, “This disciple understands. I will certainly give my all. However, I will also act within my limits and never force matters, lest I damage my foundation and fail the sect’s efforts to nurture me.”

Xuanyangzi’s face lit up with delight.

Just look at that—that was the good disciple he had taught. How sensible!

“Good. I’m glad you understand.”

Xuanyangzi nodded in satisfaction, then seemed to suddenly remember something.

“By the way, I don’t have particularly high expectations for you in this tournament. Our Azure Profound Sect has never been fond of competing with others. As long as you can obtain…”

He rubbed his chin and put on an expression of serious contemplation, his gaze sweeping over the six disciples’ faces before he finally made his decision.

“Fourth place. That ranking is just right—not too high and not too low. It won’t attract too much attention or invite unnecessary trouble, nor will it make our Azure Profound Sect appear so weak that we lose face. What do you think?”

The six disciples maintained perfect control over their expressions, revealing not the slightest trace of surprise.

“The Sect Master is wise! Fourth place is just right! We will do everything in our power to secure fourth place for the sect!”

Their voices were forceful and filled with determination, as though taking fourth place were an extraordinarily difficult and glorious mission.

Only they knew that, with their current strength, even deliberately securing fourth place would require exceptional acting skills and precise control over the match.

It would be far more difficult than taking first place.

Looking at the six “award-winning actors” before him, Xuanyangzi felt the unease he had experienced over choosing the participants vanish completely.

In its place was a pleasant anticipation of the show to come.

“All right. Go and make your preparations. Remember: safety comes first, and rankings come second.”

With that final reminder, Xuanyangzi waved his hand.

“Your disciples respectfully take their leave!”

The six bowed once more, then transformed into six streaks of light and flew toward their respective peaks.

Yet in Xuanyangzi’s eyes, their flying speed was practically turtle-paced compared to their true cultivation levels.

Clearly, they were still diligently playing the roles of Core Condensation Realm cultivators.