In the funeral business, Bai Xuanling naturally took the seat of honor.
Chen Mouguang was tactful—even though there were seats nearby, he and his team remained standing, not daring to sit.
It wasn’t out of fear, as Bai Xuanling had never punished disciples from other peaks except the sect leader.
This was a silent form of respect.
Throughout Tianyan Sect, Bai Xuanling’s stories were the most widely circulated.
Every new disciple, when recounting tales, would inevitably mention Bai Xuanling’s legendary, tumultuous exploits.
Bai Xuanling’s early years were the stuff of legend—a genius cultivator who never hesitated to draw his sword, no matter the time or circumstance, and who refused to back down easily.
He had been gravely wounded, he had tasted defeat, but he had never surrendered.
A decisive and ruthless cultivator who carved out a reputation that shook the entire Central Continent.
Moreover, the entire Tianyan Sect knew that when Bai Xuanling earned the title "Living King of Hell," he had done so by drawing his sword for the sect.
His contributions to Tianyan Sect were undeniable, which was why whenever Bai Xuanling raised his voice to challenge the sect leader, many other peak masters would rally behind him.
Aside from their shared disdain for the sect leader, most of those peak masters simply admired Bai Xuanling as a cultivator.
Thus, in this room, only three people were seated:
Bai Xuanling, Chu Xingchen, and Chen Baiqing.
Bai Xuanling smiled faintly at Chu Xingchen. He understood this disciple well—if he interrupted his performance, it meant the young man had definitely gotten his hands on something valuable.
And he had even managed to deceive the people from Taidao Sect.
With a light chuckle, Bai Xuanling asked, "What treasures did you manage to snatch?"
Chen Mouguang, hearing this, looked at Chu Xingchen in surprise, only to see the latter nod casually.
Damn…
This guy really was something. Not only had he fooled Daoist Yuyang, but he’d also put on an act, pretending to leave empty-handed and frustrated.
Chen Mouguang had genuinely believed Chu Xingchen came away with nothing. This senior brother was so good at deception that even his own allies were kept in the dark!
Chu Xingchen replied, "I did get something, but I’ve already used it all up. There’s nothing left to share."
Bai Xuanling waved it off indifferently.
"No matter. As long as it benefits our own people, it’s fine. But what do you know about the Path of Divine Incense?"
After a moment of thought, Chu Xingchen answered seriously,
"Don’t invest too much. Zhang Daotan’s case was unique—it can’t be replicated. The only aspect worth studying is the potential of condensed faith power. The power is significant, but it’s not easy to harness."
"For now, it’s not worth a large-scale investment."
Bai Xuanling nodded in understanding.
"Then we’ll have the sect leader spread rumors that Tianyan Sect is heavily investing in the Path of Divine Incense. Let’s see how many fools we can trick."
Chu Xingchen nodded emphatically. "Senior Sister Bai is truly brilliant! This plan is flawless!"
Bai Xuanling brushed off the flattery.
"Enough with the sweet talk. Are you done here? Any loose ends to tie up?"
"Pretty much everything’s settled. Is there something else you need me to handle?"
"You should ask your precious disciple. He’s been making quite a name for himself in Tianyan Sect lately."
Chen Baiqing’s eyes gleamed. Though no name was mentioned, it was obvious who was causing trouble. He shot his master a look—I told you! Fifth Junior Brother was bound to stir up trouble!
Facing Chen Baiqing’s gaze, Chu Xingchen coughed lightly. "Why didn’t you discipline him for me?"
Bai Xuanling smirked.
"Your disciple, your responsibility. Besides, how would I dare offend the great Chu Xingchen’s disciple?"
Chu Xingchen stood up, putting on a righteous front.
"I’ll go back and skin that useless disciple of mine!"
Bai Xuanling scoffed.
---
Tianyan Sect.
Qinghe’s eyes widened in excitement as she stared at the mountain of spirit stones inside her spatial ring.
"Wow! You’re way smarter than your Second Senior Brother! And you’ve got a conscience—you actually share the spoils! Unlike that blockhead who wouldn’t take anything and wouldn’t let me take anything either!"
Cui Hao frowned. "Hey! Watch your words. This isn’t ‘spoils’—it’s hard-earned profit. Don’t phrase it like that, or people might misunderstand."
Qinghe gave him a disbelieving look. The words were shameless, but for some reason, they sounded satisfying.
Was this how Chu Xingchen felt whenever he spouted such nonsense?
No wonder he kept saying such brazen things!
She nodded eagerly. "Right, right, hard-earned profit. So, how are you planning to sell the next batch of pills?"
Cui Hao’s expression shifted, as if he had everything under control.
"How? Auction, of course! Later, spread the word that the next batch was intercepted by several peaks—mention a few names, but keep it vague so no one can verify it easily."
"Make sure everyone knows the supply is running dangerously low."
"Also, leak that the sect leader plans to ban the sale of Master’s pills soon."
"Once they’re gone, they’re gone! Buying now might be their last chance!"
"And don’t forget to hype it up—once banned, these pills will skyrocket in value! The price will jump tenfold if bought from private sellers!"
"Buying now is basically a guaranteed profit!"
Qinghe’s eyes grew even wider.
Damn!
Chu Xingchen was nothing compared to this guy! This was the real black-hearted genius!
How had she never thought of this before?
They were going to make a fortune! And if she hoarded some pills to sell later at inflated prices…
Qinghe could already see her future—living the high life, eating like royalty!
But reality came crashing down with a single voice.
"‘Guaranteed profit,’ huh? So you’re running scams now?!"
Hearing the voice, Cui Hao and Qinghe spun around to see Chu Xingchen glaring at them, with Chen Baiqing standing calmly beside him.
Qinghe froze, glancing at Cui Hao’s nervous expression before tightening her grip on the spatial ring.
No way! This new schemer had made her money—she had to defend him!
But before she could think of a rebuttal—
Cui Hao rushed forward, grabbing his master’s hand with exaggerated emotion.
"Master! You’re finally back! I’ve missed you so much!"
Chu Xingchen felt the multiple spatial rings pressed into his palm and fell silent.
Just how much had they made?
"I… I missed you too, disciple."
【Prologue: The Beginning of It All – Use holy water to heal the saintess tainted by demonic energy, then converse with her.】 Shen Nian stared at his older sister sipping yogurt, lost in thought. So you’re telling me my sister is the saintess, and yogurt is the holy water? 【Main Quest 1: Brave Youth, Become an Adventurer! Reward: Rookie Adventurer Title.】 【Side Quest 1: Find the Adorable Kitty! Reward: 1000 Gold Coins.】 Shen Nian: "Wait, I’m a high school senior here—did some guy who got isekai’d accidentally bind his system to me?" Hold on, completing quests gives gold rewards? Titles even boost stats? Is this for real? (A lighthearted, absurd campus comedy—not a revenge power fantasy.)
u Chenyuan transmigrated into a female-oriented novel about a real and fake heiress, becoming the CEO elder brother of both. Unfortunately, the entire Lu family—including himself, the CEO—were mere cannon fodder in the story. Determined to save himself, Lu Chenyuan took action. The spoiled, attention-seeking fake heiress? Thrown into the harsh realities of the working class to learn humility. The love-struck real heiress? Pushed toward academic excellence, so lofty goals would blind her to trivial romances. As for the betrayed, vengeful arranged marriage wife… the plot hadn’t even begun yet. There was still time—if he couldn’t handle her, he could at least avoid her. "CEO Lu, are you avoiding me?" Mo Qingli fixed her gaze on Lu Chenyuan. For the first time, the shrewd and calculating Lu Chenyuan felt a flicker of unease.
m back to his original world. In the end, he realized he had overthought things. [Hey, why is Shen Manni, the female lead, acting strange? Shouldn't she be fawning over the male lead at this point?] [Zhou Qiaoqiao, are you sick? Weren't you supposed to break off your engagement today?] [Damn it! An Youyi, please do your job as an undercover agent and sell my information to the protagonist, you idiot!] ... At this moment, Xu Mo himself didn't know that these female leads had already heard his inner thoughts. Then they decided not to play by the rules. Xu Mo: Please respect my profession as the big villain!
close your eyes and open them again, only to find yourself transmigrated into the role of a villainous male supporting character. Readers familiar with urban wish-fulfillment novels know that it is only through the relentless antics of the villainous male supporting character that the plot between the male and female leads can progress. As the villainous male supporting character, Long Aotian not only has to bully the female lead, harass the second female lead, and flirt with the third female lead, but he also has to go all out to antagonize the male lead. In the end, when his body is discovered, he is still clutching half a moldy fried dough stick in his hand. Fully aware of the plot, Long Aotian is determined to change his fate, starting with the female lead! In the beginning, the female lead lacks confidence: "Big brother, I hope I didn't scare you?" In the middle, the female lead treads carefully: "Brother Long, please don't hit me, okay?" Later on, the female lead becomes coquettishly clingy: "Aotian, it's time to pay the 'public grain' tonight." Long Aotian's legs go weak, and he feels like crying: "I taught you to be thick-skinned, not shameless!"
