What Do You Think Our Sect Is Lacking

Bai Xuanling had to admit that she had underestimated someone in the end.

Her eyes swept over Chu Xingchen, sizing him up. This kid was truly something!

In the world of cultivation, the most essential qualities were the ability to read people, a blackened heart, and a thick skin.

Chu Xingchen had mastered all of them—undoubtedly a rare talent.

And he was exceptionally good at adjusting his approach based on who he was dealing with.

Her little Xie Lingyu’s loss wasn’t unjustified. Anyone who came here would end up shedding a layer of skin.

Once he confirmed she wasn’t here to pick a fight, he immediately turned the tables and started making demands of her.

His goal was simple—to squeeze every last drop from her before she left.

On the first day at noon, he had been the picture of refinement, personally cooking to welcome her.

Li Yingling was in charge of warming up the atmosphere, and she was quite charming—sweet-talking and obedient.

She was also extremely sociable, calling her "sister" in a way that genuinely softened Bai Xuanling’s heart.

Bai Xuanling quite liked her. If Xie Lingyu’s temperament could lean a bit more toward Li Yingling’s, she might have been more to her master’s liking.

Chen Baiqing, that little sweetheart, seemed even more attentive. No matter what Bai Xuanling said, the girl’s eager, admiring gaze would lock onto her.

She didn’t speak, yet it felt like she had said everything.

She wasn’t flattering, yet Bai Xuanling felt inexplicably pleased.

The birthday girl, Lin Luoyu, was rather quiet, speaking little, but she had a clean and bright demeanor with pure eyes.

She was pleasant to be around.

As for the young man named Cui Hao…

Hmm… something was a bit off about him.

Not commenting was the greatest respect she could pay him.

At first, the meal had been quite enjoyable, making Bai Xuanling feel that although this sect was absurdly small, it was also incredibly warm.

In short, it was comfortable.

But that comfort didn’t last long.

That very afternoon, Chu Xingchen started playing the pity card, saying their sect’s protective mountain barrier was utterly useless.

His disciples were too weak in cultivation and too young in age, so the barrier was of utmost importance. He hoped she could offer just a little guidance.

Before Bai Xuanling could even respond—agree or not—

Li Yingling’s eager eyes were already fixed on her.

She didn’t speak, yet it felt like she had said everything—Kind person, please?

Chen Baiqing, meanwhile, gently tugged at her sleeve, looking at Bai Xuanling with hopeful eyes.

With such an expectant expression, who could resist?

Fine. For Xie Lingyu’s sake.

Bai Xuanling couldn’t help but smile faintly, reaching out to pat Chen Baiqing’s little head.

Chen Baiqing’s smile was lovely—very much like Xie Lingyu’s when she was young.

A mere mountain barrier wasn’t a big deal. It wasn’t like they needed something extravagant.

A simple upgrade, just enough to block cultivators around the Nascent Soul stage, would suffice.

This small expense? Bai Xuanling would cover it!

Given this kid’s unorthodox alchemy techniques, the sect was probably broke anyway.

Better to avoid the embarrassment of rumors spreading that they couldn’t even afford a decent barrier.

She couldn’t bear that shame!

That same afternoon, Chu Xingchen witnessed what a true powerhouse looked like…

At high noon, when the old barrier should have been carefully dismantled—

Bai Xuanling merely raised her hand slightly, and all the embedded formation bases were effortlessly pulled out.

Easier than plucking toothpicks.

A few high-grade Black Profound Formation Bases, which clearly cost a fortune, were scanned by her gaze before being precisely embedded into the formation.

Then came a dazzling display—various materials transformed into streaks of light, scattering across the sect’s surroundings.

Bai Xuanling looked lazily on as a shimmering golden barrier swiftly enveloped the mountain gate.

Truly a Tribulation Transcension expert. In just a few moments—

Chu Xingchen gazed at the brand-new barrier with satisfaction.

Bai Xuanling watched his awestruck expression and chuckled lightly, tossing him a square jade token:

"Here. The barrier’s control jade. Channel your divine sense into it, and you’ll understand how to operate it."

Chu Xingchen caught the token with an emotional expression. "Thank you, sister!"

Bai Xuanling waved him off and turned to leave.

A trivial matter. Consider it a small reward for a sect that suited her tastes.

She had assumed that after rebuilding the barrier, this kid would quiet down for a few days.

But no—that very evening, he came knocking again, thick-skinned as ever.

This time, he brought a personally modified Qi Refining and Spirit Nourishing Art.

She had to admit, the kid did have some talent.

The modifications he made to the art were quite fitting for Cui Hao.

But his understanding of cultivation techniques and the Dao was still somewhat immature.

After some thought, Bai Xuanling decided to personally refine the Qi Refining and Spirit Nourishing Art.

Since it was based on the original framework, there was little risk of cultivation deviation.

The kid’s version was a bit too conservative, lacking a competitive edge. In Bai Xuanling’s opinion, a bolder approach wouldn’t hurt.

Thus, under her expert revisions—

The Blazing Heaven’s Golden Dao Heart Sutra officially entered Version 1.1.

And its cultivation scope was expanded all the way to the Nascent Soul stage.

Chu Xingchen also studied Bai Xuanling’s revisions carefully.

No doubt about it—a Tribulation Transcension expert was on another level. The changes were meticulous yet daring.

It also gave Chu Xingchen a deeper understanding of the art.

Satisfied, he offered a few polite compliments before happily taking the revised sutra and leaving.

Bai Xuanling silently looked up at the moon.

Why did it feel like…

She was raising an entire sect from scratch again?

The next morning—

Chu Xingchen asked Bai Xuanling if their sect’s Spirit Gathering Formation could be improved.

After careful inspection, Bai Xuanling gave a two-word answer: "It can’t."

The formation was already high-quality, one of the rare few that didn’t require spirit stones to operate.

Its efficiency in gathering and absorbing spiritual energy was also excellent.

This was already a top-tier formation—no need for reckless modifications.

Lest they end up worse off.

Chu Xingchen wasn’t disappointed.

Once the matter was settled, he invited Bai Xuanling to join their sect’s barbecue gathering.

That afternoon—

Bai Xuanling found herself enjoying the warm atmosphere of the sect.

But when the barbecue ended and she was leisurely sitting on a stone chair by the pond—

Chu Xingchen appeared again, wearing that familiar smile as he took a seat on the opposite stone chair.

Bai Xuanling didn’t even need to think—she knew this kid had another favor to ask. She chose her words carefully:

"Young man, many things are best handled on your own without troubling others."

Chu Xingchen ignored the subtext entirely, his face and tone utterly sincere:

"Sister, your foresight is unparalleled. You must know our sect is in dire need of revival and requires the help of a peerless genius like you…"

Bai Xuanling snorted coldly, eyeing him with amusement.

Chu Xingchen immediately switched tactics:

"Xie Lingyu and I are close. Her sister is my sister…"

Bai Xuanling took a deep breath. "Get to the point."

Chu Xingchen looked innocent. "Sister, don’t you think… our sect is missing something?"

Missing something?

Bai Xuanling could only think of one thing this sect lacked—a sense of shame.

Not everyone could be a sect leader.

Only those with no shame could expand their sect’s prospects.

She glanced at him. "Just say it outright!"

"Sister, our sect is missing a spirit herb field!"