Outside the meeting hall of the Mysterious Purity Heavenly Sect.
After walking a short distance together, under Daoist Yuyang’s slightly astonished gaze, Chu Xingchen casually pulled out an ordinary set of stone table and chairs.
Aside from Daoist Yuyang’s visible shock, the expressions of the nearby Mysterious Purity Heavenly Sect disciples also darkened with unreadable emotions.
Isn’t this a bit too brazen?
"Take a seat," Chu Xingchen said as he sat down, gesturing for Daoist Yuyang to do the same across from him.
After a brief moment of hesitation, Daoist Yuyang complied.
"The Mysterious Purity Heavenly Sect is, after all, one of the Eighteen Immortal Sects, with deep-rooted prestige. Acting like this… aren’t you being a bit too disrespectful?"
Before he could finish, Chu Xingchen cut him off with a puzzled look.
"Did you come here just to save face for the Mysterious Purity Heavenly Sect?"
Daoist Yuyang was momentarily stunned, then chuckled and shook his head.
"Of course not. But since we’re in their territory, some decorum should be observed."
"Decorum, huh…" Chu Xingchen casually produced a teapot and cups, calmly beginning to brew tea.
"Decorum has its place, but unnecessary formalities? Whether we follow them or not is up to us. Since we’ve already stepped out, why hesitate? If you’re so concerned about decorum, you might as well go back inside."
Daoist Yuyang let out a light laugh. "You really are an interesting one."
"Am I?" Chu Xingchen raised an eyebrow. "I’m not stirring trouble here. Xu Jin really did call you a fool."
Daoist Yuyang accepted the tea Chu Xingchen poured for him.
"Xu Jin is indeed arrogant, but as for who’s the fool… well, that’s debatable."
"Spoken like the true Daoist Yuyang of the Taidao Sect! Such bold words," Chu Xingchen immediately gave a thumbs-up. "This time, we’re counting on you."
Daoist Yuyang’s faint smile remained, but he didn’t take the bait.
If he hadn’t already figured out Chu Xingchen’s temperament by now, he wouldn’t deserve his title as the Taidao Sect’s Daoist Yuyang.
This man’s flattery was best taken with a grain of salt, and any task he pushed onto others required careful consideration.
Aside from not betraying allies at critical moments, Chu Xingchen had few redeeming qualities—and a notoriously sharp tongue.
"If the two of you have already settled things, don’t drag me into it next time."
Yanyun approached with a calm expression, though her tone was far from friendly.
Chu Xingchen, ever perceptive, promptly pulled out another stone chair from his spatial ring.
"Ah, how can you say that? Xu Jin is clearly no pushover. We should stand united."
Daoist Yuyang glanced curiously at Yanyun, the Tianyan Sect’s direct disciple under the sect leader. Information about her was scarce, and her temperament remained a mystery.
Her words carried a hint of sharpness—whether she was upset with Chu Xingchen or simply had a prickly personality, he couldn’t tell.
But common sense suggested Chu Xingchen had likely provoked her.
Yanyun eyed the stone chair before sitting down. "You might have no shame, dragging others into your mess, but I represent the Tianyan Sect. Any disgrace falls on the entire sect."
Chu Xingchen grinned as he poured her a cup of tea. "I’m here representing the Tianyan Sect as well."
Yanyun stared at him, wanting to retort, but in the end, she simply took a sip of tea.
The logic was sound. This time, the Tianyan Sect was bound to make a spectacle of itself.
She lowered her head, silently drinking.
Chu Xingchen blinked. "Why did you come out too?"
Yanyun lifted her gaze. "If you didn’t want to listen, did you think I did?"
"In that case, let’s make a pact." Chu Xingchen raised his teacup.
"When one of you becomes the Tianyan Sect leader, and the other takes over the Taidao Sect, let’s abolish these tedious, useless rules. Save the nonsense for the ghosts—less chatter, more peace of mind."
Daoist Yuyang found the proposal amusing. After all, it was just a verbal agreement—whether it was honored or not depended on them.
He raised his cup and clinked it against Chu Xingchen’s.
Chu Xingchen then turned his gaze to Yanyun, the only one who hadn’t joined the toast.
Yanyun sighed inwardly. This man was a master at setting the mood, making it hard to refuse without causing offense—though she truly had no intention of becoming the Tianyan Sect leader.
Still, swept up in the moment, she raised her cup and joined the toast.
Not far away, at the entrance of the meeting hall.
Li Moze, Xu Jin, Lv Xuan, Bai Xuanling, and others from the Taidao Sect stood at the doorway, watching the trio clink their cups.
With the three core disciples having left one after another, the meeting had come to an abrupt halt.
Bai Xuanling waved a hand dismissively—Since they’re gone, there’s nothing left to discuss.
And so, the assembly disbanded.
Lv Xuan gazed leisurely at the toasting trio and suddenly smiled.
"Ah, youth."
The Taidao Sect leader nodded lightly. "Indeed. The future belongs to them. The rules will be theirs to shape."
Li Moze, the Mysterious Purity Heavenly Sect leader, glanced sideways at Xu Jin beside him.
Just as expected, Xu Jin’s eyes gleamed, a faint smirk tugging at his lips.
But Xu Jin quickly noticed his master’s gaze and lowered his head.
Li Moze turned back and announced, "I’ve arranged accommodations for everyone. After your journey, it’s best to rest early."
As he spoke, several Mysterious Purity Heavenly Sect disciples stepped forward to guide the guests to their lodgings.
Bai Xuanling strode ahead. "You all go on. I’ll join those youngsters for a cup of tea."
Lv Xuan nearly called out to stop her—what if Bai Xuanling was planning something unpredictable?
But in the end, he held his tongue.
Bai Xuanling’s actions might be hard to decipher, but she was no fool.
Let her be. As the sect leader, isn’t cleaning up messes part of my job?
Besides, the Mysterious Purity Heavenly Sect would have the first headache. His turn would come later.
Aside from Bai Xuanling, no one else seemed inclined to interfere, and the rest followed the disciples to their quarters.
After bidding farewell to everyone with a smile, Li Moze didn’t leave immediately. Instead, his gaze lingered on Bai Xuanling, who had now taken a seat.
With Bai Xuanling present, Daoist Yuyang and Yanyun visibly restrained themselves.
Clearly, the two were naturally wary of her.
Li Moze observed the four, murmuring to himself,
"People and sects each have their own destinies. What they can do… is not what we can."
Xu Jin turned to him and replied calmly, "I understand, Master."
"I’m not reprimanding you," Li Moze said, his tone softening. "You’ve done well."
Xu Jin nodded. "I know what must be done."
Li Moze said no more, merely patting Xu Jin’s shoulder before transmitting a private message:
"You’ve reached the Unity Realm earlier than them. Recent reports suggest Yanyun’s strength is only at the peak of the Nascent Soul Stage."
"In a spar, you’ll naturally suppress your cultivation, but your higher realm still gives you an advantage."
"Chu Xingchen’s cultivation is erratic—Nascent Soul a few years ago, then suddenly Divine Transformation. He’s likely concealing his true strength, but at most, he’s at the Unity Realm. I’d estimate Divine Transformation."
"Though your cultivation is higher, don’t underestimate them—especially Yanyun. I hear even Bai Xuanling speaks highly of her."
Li Moze’s tone eased.
"Of course, losing isn’t the end. Treat it as experience—identify your shortcomings and improve."
After reaching the Nascent Soul stage, one's aura becomes nearly flawless—without using divine sense, it is difficult to discern their exact cultivation level.
Moreover, figures like Yanyun and the others are among the top experts at the Divine Transformation stage.
As the sect master of the Mysterious Purity Heavenly Sect, Li Moze naturally couldn’t recklessly scan others with his divine sense—it would be both impolite and uncouth.
Thus, he could only make rough estimations.
Xu Jin nodded again, signaling his understanding.
Within his line of sight, Chu Xingchen suddenly turned his head, his gaze locking onto him.
Chu Xingchen raised his teacup high, a smile on his face as he spoke, as if proposing a toast to Xu Jin from afar.
Xu Jin gave a slight nod in response.
Beside them, Daoist Yuyang wore an inscrutable expression, for Chu Xingchen had remarked:
"What does this Xu Jin amount to? Nothing more than a fool flaunting his own head on a pike."