Chapter 265: It Must Be the Fifth Junior Brother Gossiping Behind My Back

Chu Xingchen casually slipped the spatial ring from Cui Hao's hand into his sleeve, frowned slightly, and reprimanded:

"Everything should be done in moderation. Don’t be too hasty. Why haven’t you learned the essence of your master’s teachings?"

"It’s good to want to contribute, but you must also consider face-saving and leave a good impression. A one-time deal won’t do."

Cui Hao immediately adopted an expression of being chastened and nodded repeatedly:

"Master’s lesson is right! I will correct myself! I won’t make the same mistake again. Please spare me this once."

Chu Xingchen nodded with apparent satisfaction:

"Since you’re willing to admit your mistake, I’ll give you a chance to redeem yourself!"

Cui Hao was taken aback and looked at his master in surprise.

Wasn’t this just for show, to give others an explanation?

Why was there still talk of "redeeming himself"? Was the spirit stone not enough to cover it?

Was his master really this shameless—taking the spirit stones and then going back on his word?

Cui Hao cautiously asked, "Can I first know… what it is?"

Chu Xingchen turned and called out, "Zhou Ping, come in."

As his voice faded, Zhou Ping walked in from outside, looking slightly nervous.

Cui Hao frowned and studied Zhou Ping for a long moment before confirming that the plainly dressed, somewhat naive-looking youth before him was not some hidden powerhouse of the Tianyan Sect.

After all, at first glance, the only ones Cui Hao could see through were either weaklings or actual chickens.

This Zhou Ping was likely the Tianyan Sect’s one and only treasured specimen—a pure mortal.

Cui Hao asked in confusion, "Master… what’s this about?"

"After much reflection, I’ve decided that besides you precious true disciples, our sect should also have some outer disciples."

"Master’s decision is naturally wise and mighty, but what does this have to do with me?"

"Of course, I’m entrusting you with the important task of guiding and teaching this outer disciple."

Cui Hao was stunned. Wasn’t he still a cultivation novice himself, barely at the Foundation Establishment stage? Wouldn’t teaching others just lead them astray?

"Master, are you sure someone of my level can teach?"

Chu Xingchen patted Cui Hao’s shoulder. "I’m not asking you to teach him cultivation. Just start by teaching him to read and familiarize him with meridians and such."

"Oh… teaching him to read." Cui Hao nodded in understanding. "I can do that. But can I discipline him a little, like how Eldest Sister beats me? Pain helps memory, after all."

Chu Xingchen thought for a moment before rejecting the idea. "No, your eldest sister is too heavy-handed. Don’t scare the poor boy."

Cui Hao’s face twisted with indignation. "Master! You know how harsh Eldest Sister is! Why didn’t you stop her?!"

Chu Xingchen suddenly looked around. "Hmm… where did Luo Yu go?"

"Fourth Senior Sister was sent by Senior Bai to observe and study at another peak. But—Master, your attempt to change the subject is really clumsy!"

"Fine, fine… I promise to scold your eldest sister properly the next time I see her!"

"Really?! But Master, you can’t say it was my idea!"

Zhou Ping watched Chu Xingchen and Cui Hao, his initial nervousness gradually easing.

It seemed… he was about to embark on an unknown path, one leading to an uncertain destination.

Still, this wasn’t quite the immortal sect life he had imagined.

The only thing he could be sure of was that the grandeur of the immortal sect’s architecture and layout felt like a dream.

"Achoo!"

Li Yingling suddenly sneezed, her expression turning odd. As a Golden Core cultivator, how could she sneeze?

Strange occurrences always had a reason.

Zhang Miaoyu, walking beside her, looked over anxiously:

"Leader, are you alright? Why did you sneeze all of a sudden?"

"Someone must be cursing me behind my back!" Li Yingling declared with certainty.

Zhang Miaoyu found this strange. "Huh?! How could anyone curse someone as wonderful as Leader?"

Li Yingling frowned slightly. "No need to overthink it. It’s definitely one of my junior brothers."

Zhang Miaoyu looked puzzled. "Ah? How could anyone dare curse Leader when they have such a great senior sister like you?!"

Li Yingling snorted coldly. "No doubt it’s Fifth Junior Brother. Last time, he wrote a hundred-thousand-word mission report, and a hundred thousand of those words were criticizing my decisions and reasoning."

"How outrageous! Even if it’s Leader’s junior brother, I’m getting angry now. When has Leader’s judgment ever been wrong? How can someone like that even be Leader’s junior brother? I’m so jealous!" Zhang Miaoyu said, her face full of admiration.

"Leader, is your sect still taking people? Can I join? I’ll even serve tea and water for you!"

"Only our master can decide who enters the sect. Maybe another time."

Li Yingling’s gaze turned forward. Just ahead lay the Central Continent.

After her last mission concluded perfectly, she had disbanded the team she had assembled while traveling from the Southern Continent to the Eastern Continent.

With more people came more trouble, and Li Yingling had never been this busy even in the sect.

She had already reaped enough benefits. Aside from its beautiful scenery, the Eastern Continent didn’t offer much else of interest.

Things were always more entertaining around her master—though perhaps it was just that her master was inherently interesting.

After some thought, Li Yingling decided to head to the Central Continent. After all, she still carried the token of authority her master had given her.

She would take a look around, check on her second junior brother’s progress, and then return to the sect with gifts.

This trip had yielded quite a few decent items.

She’d bring them all back to her master to help strengthen their sect.

This Zhang Miaoyu wasn’t bad—a bit simple-minded, but obedient.

Unlike Cui Hao, who was both foolish and rebellious, always making up stories about her!

If her master agreed, she might even arrange a position for Zhang Miaoyu in the sect.

Still, the only reason Li Yingling had brought Zhang Miaoyu along was because the latter had clung to her desperately, begging and pleading to be taken along.

In the end, Li Yingling’s heart softened—Zhang Miaoyu was just too obedient.

Zhang Miaoyu didn’t dwell on the matter further. She looked ahead—this was her first time entering the Central Continent.

For outsiders, the minimum requirement to survive here was Golden Core cultivation.

But that didn’t mean Golden Core cultivators could thrive here. After all, the Central Continent had its share of ruthless demonic cultivators and those with unshakable connections.

Most without backing only dared to venture here after reaching Nascent Soul.

Zhang Miaoyu had once thought the same. As a cultivator, the desire to advance was innate, but she had planned to wait until Nascent Soul before considering the Central Continent.

Yet, Nascent Soul still felt distant—especially after meeting Li Yingling, who made her feel utterly inadequate.

She didn’t even feel envy toward Li Yingling—only pure reverence.

Suppressing her excitement, Zhang Miaoyu steadied herself. Though the Central Continent intimidated her, as long as Li Yingling was by her side giving orders, she felt at ease:

"Leader, we’re almost at the Central Continent. Any instructions for this trip?"

Li Yingling replied casually, "No special instructions, just wandering around. I’m also looking for my second junior brother to see how he’s faring."

"Wow! Your second junior brother must be thriving in the Central Continent too, right? Surely he’s made a name for himself—probably just a quick inquiry would tell us where he is."

"Hmph, my second junior brother is quite the fool. If he hasn’t been taken advantage of in the Central Continent, that’s already a win."