The Hidden Dragon in the Abyss

The 37th Sect Gathering concluded smoothly and successfully.

Though some had feared awkward silences, Bai Xuanling played along with the atmosphere quite well.

She drank quite a bit too. When she noticed Chen Baiqing’s eager, puppy-eyed gaze, she handed her a chopstick to let her taste a drop.

This move earned her an extremely reproachful look from Li Yingling.

Bai Xuanling promptly admitted her mistake and punished herself with two extra cups.

By the time the gathering ended, Bai Xuanling’s expression suggested she still hadn’t had her fill.

Chu Xingchen couldn’t help but think…

She seemed a bit like a lonely old woman…

…………

Bai Xuanling had been here for over ten days now.

The sect had been completely revitalized—new buildings erected, missing facilities nearly all replenished.

Even the paths felt smoother to walk on.

A few adorable little spirit fish had been released into the pond, subtly improving the sect’s feng shui.

Of course, none of these were major changes, but sometimes it’s the small refinements that capture the essence.

Naturally, most of this was accomplished under Bai Xuanling’s direction, with Chu Xingchen and others doing the manual labor.

Bai Xuanling found it rather amusing, watching the group clumsily put things together.

At first, Bai Xuanling had carried an air of aloof authority, as if she were some untouchable figure.

But once everyone got to know her, they realized she was actually quite approachable.

Her words sometimes carried the same playful tone as their master’s.

Often, she would simply stand somewhere, leisurely watching her disciples train.

Before they knew it, the sect had grown accustomed to Bai Xuanling’s presence.

She neither lectured nor gave orders.

If you encountered a problem you didn’t understand,

she would explain it in far greater detail than even the eldest senior sister.

The eldest sister’s explanations always felt like she assumed you already knew—just a quick reminder.

Lin Luoyu, for one, had taken quite a liking to Bai Xuanling.

By the stone table near the pond, Chu Xingchen gently poured Bai Xuanling a cup of tea.

Bai Xuanling picked up the scalding tea and drank it without even blowing on it.

Mortal tea lacked spiritual energy, but it made up for it with a touch of worldly flavor.

At this point, Bai Xuanling couldn’t say which was better.

"Senior, the pills you commissioned me to refine." Chu Xingchen placed six bottles of pills on the stone table.

In the blink of an eye, the six bottles—personally refined by Chu Xingchen—vanished without a trace, as if they had never been there.

Bai Xuanling set her cup back in front of Chu Xingchen, signaling for a refill:

"Consider this payment for your hard work over the past few days. No objections, I hope?"

Chu Xingchen frowned slightly and retorted:

"What ‘payment’? It’s only right for a younger brother to give his elder sister a few gifts."

As Chu Xingchen refilled her cup halfway, Bai Xuanling gave a slight nod:

"You really know how to sweet-talk."

Chu Xingchen poured himself a cup as well: "Are you planning to leave?"

"This place is too small—I might accidentally crush it if I roll over in my sleep." Bai Xuanling mused. "The same goes for you. This place is too small for you too."

"After spending a few days here, I’ve gotten a sense of you all. This little pond hides a few shallow dragons. You, in particular, seem to carry some luck on your shoulders."

"Who knows where you found these disciples—they’d be considered top-tier even in the Tianyan Sect…"

Bai Xuanling paused mid-sentence, then shook her head with a laugh:

"Sometimes I fall into this bad habit—rambling on without realizing it. Little Lingyu never liked that about me."

Chu Xingchen shook his head slightly and smiled:

"That just means you approve of me. Otherwise, you wouldn’t bother saying so much. I know what’s good for me—you’re giving me guidance."

Bai Xuanling nodded in satisfaction. Say what you will, but this kid knew how to read the room.

"What the world lacks isn’t geniuses, but opportunities." Bai Xuanling raised her hand slightly, placing a translucent spirit jade on the table.

"To use your words, consider this an investment." Bai Xuanling chuckled, as if recalling something. "This is the first time I’ve ever invested in such a small sect."

Every sect was ultimately tangled in webs of interests—especially the Eighteen Immortal Sects of the Central Continent, whose influence extended subtly across every region and faction.

Even a remote place like the Xuanwu Kingdom had a tiny, inconspicuous informant in Yuzhou City.

Naturally, they would also support sects that showed potential.

Chu Xingchen didn’t hesitate, decisively reaching out to grasp the token-like spirit jade.

It felt warm and smooth to the touch, its quality impeccable.

Upon closer inspection, the characters "Tianyan" on the jade seemed to have formed naturally.

Chu Xingchen asked: "This is…?"

"The Tianyan Token. It’s only useful in the Central Continent." Bai Xuanling chuckled. "You’ll understand its purpose once you get there."

Chu Xingchen pocketed it first before speaking again:

"Where I’m from, nothing’s more annoying than people who don’t explain things clearly and just make you guess."

"You…" Bai Xuanling narrowed her eyes, then couldn’t help but laugh. "Its main function is to make those who can’t afford to offend the Tianyan Sect… step aside for you."

This kid’s charm lay in moments like these.

Chu Xingchen nodded in understanding: "So it’s the legendary—‘Fellow Daoist, do me a solid’ token?"

"Hahaha…" Bai Xuanling laughed and nodded. "You always have such a way with words. That’s about right."

"Many thanks, Senior!" Chu Xingchen clasped his hands in gratitude, then turned serious again.

"Senior, about my pill refining…"

Bai Xuanling’s smile froze, her expression instantly neutral. "I can’t help you there. You’ll have to find someone else."

Chu Xingchen sighed deeply. Even a Tribulation Transcension expert couldn’t think of a solution…

Might as well switch to artifact forging.

Bai Xuanling stood up and offered some consolation:

"You can keep refining pills in your spare time. I have a feeling I’ll burn through these quickly—I’ll come to you for restocks when I need them."

"I suspect your usage differs greatly from what I had in mind."

"Kid, don’t be too clever for your own good."

Bai Xuanling studied Chu Xingchen for a moment, as if wanting to say something, but ultimately held back.

Whether the youngsters were mutually willing wasn’t her business to meddle in.

She liked this kid—he wasn’t some clueless fool.

If Little Lingyu really ended up with him in the future, at least she wouldn’t suffer from his inexperience.

Whether it worked out or not, she’d leave it to the kids themselves.

Besides, though this sect was small, it was like a hidden dragon in the abyss.

Not a single one of them was simple.

Could the sect master’s talk of the world’s cyclical destiny hold some truth?

Perhaps only time would tell.

Was it this person who encountered the Tianyan Sect, or the Tianyan Sect that encountered him?

But so be it.

If the heavens and earth shifted, and the Tianyan Sect was dragged down…

then the Tianyan Sect had only itself to blame for being useless.

Bai Xuanling stretched lazily and murmured with a soft laugh:

"Kid, I’m off."

Chu Xingchen quickly cupped his hands: "Safe travels!"

Bai Xuanling gave a slight nod. This trip had been surprisingly pleasant—this sect truly warmed the heart.

It had even dulled her killing intent somewhat.

Maybe… she should drop by every now and then, just to unwind?