The Teacher's Reward

Chu Xingchen wore a smile, looking at the somewhat resentful expression on his second disciple's face.

The only chink in this second disciple's armor was probably how thoroughly he had been deceived by Xu Linglong back in the day, possibly even playing the part of a little simp.

It was the super darkest of dark histories.

While it did sound genuinely pitiful, it was also really quite funny.

Chu Xingchen raised his hand and playfully punched Li Xingtian in the chest:

"You should know your master by now. I just like teasing you all for fun. You're not really going to take it seriously with your master, are you?"

"Some past matters... Master doesn't need to bring them up quite so frequently."

"What past matters?" Chu Xingchen raised an eyebrow.

Li Xingtian looked at Chu Xingchen's teasing expression, swallowed what he was about to say, and managed a slight smile:

"Nothing... Master can say whatever you wish."

"...Why are you being so sappy today?" Chu Xingchen gave his beloved disciple another punch. "Damn you, Xu Linglong! Have you possessed my beloved disciple again?!"

Li Xingtian let out a heavy sigh. "It's just that Master is exceptionally good to us, that's all."

Chu Xingchen wondered if Li Xingtian had also figured him, the master, out completely. Those words truly dissipated his mood for teasing, and he shifted to the main topic:

"Tell me your thoughts. If they're good, I have a gift for you."

Li Xingtian seemed to remember something and quickly shook his head.

"I can share my thoughts, but forget about the gift."

Chu Xingchen arched an eyebrow. "It's not a pill. It's something you've been longing for day and night."

Li Xingtian hurriedly said,

"Really, no need... Whatever good things you have, Master should save them for Fifth Junior Brother."

Chu Xingchen glanced around. He hadn't yet given Xu Linglong's arm to Li Xingtian; such a good item naturally had to wait for the right moment.

But judging by Li Xingtian's demeanor, he seemed to know that his master had this thing.

Chu Xingchen didn't ponder it much. He had taken it casually; it was possible that Daoist Yuyang or others had already asked his disciples about it, or some news had leaked out and reached Li Xingtian's ears. It wasn't strange.

He hadn't shielded such news from his own disciples either.

Plus, Li Xingtian in this lifetime still seemed quite concerned about Xu Linglong—wanting to observe whether her heart was black or not, wasn't that another form of caring in its own way?

Chu Xingchen gave a slight nod.

"Speak your mind."

Seeing the conversation turn serious, Li Xingtian immediately began:

"Xu Linglong holds grudges and is not one to swallow insults.

"Master and Senior Bai inflicted serious injuries on Xu Linglong. How could she not settle this score? Moreover, Master's performance would undoubtedly have raised her vigilance against you to an extreme level.

"With Master's peerless talent, as time goes on, the advantage will inevitably lie with you. Xu Linglong is certainly capable of seeing this.

"Furthermore, Master has now allied with three sects. This isn't just a matter of talent; it means you possess a method to unite the eighteen immortal sects of the Central Continent.

"The conflict will arise in the future, and in that future, Master will absolutely be the most crucial target!

"What if Xu Linglong is merely using the Western Oxhorn Continent as discarded bait, only aiming to divert Master's attention? What if even placing Donggua specifically in the Central Continent serves the same purpose?

"What if she only wants to use the time when Master's gaze is turned outward to weave a colossal net to ensnare you?

"Although Master didn't fall for Xu Linglong's scheme and refocused your attention on her, finding her won't be as simple as just uncovering a few cult or demon clan strongholds.

"It's highly possible Xu Linglong is willing to abandon all her assets in exchange for one perfect opportunity to strike at Master."

Chu Xingchen nodded slightly. Li Xingtian's words had some merit, at least the reasoning behind the motive was sound. After thinking for a moment, he said:

"Looking for an opportunity against me... Nearly all the people I care about are now within the Tianyan Sect. I don't go out for no reason ordinarily, and even when I do, they might not know my whereabouts. Plus, with Senior Bai accompanying me, finding such an opportunity wouldn't be easy.

"Moreover, making a move against me within the Central Continent is practically no different from directly attacking the Tianyan Sect. A Tribulation Transcension cultivator could cross over, and it wouldn't take long."

Li Xingtian said solemnly, "What if the location of the strike isn't the Central Continent, but another major continent?"

Chu Xingchen's gaze shifted. "You mean... the Southern Continent, Yuzhou City?"

There were naturally many places Chu Xingchen cared about, but few that could offer Xu Linglong an opportunity.

The Ten Thousand Flowers Ridge in the Central Continent was somewhat remote within the Central Continent, but it was still located there. The eighteen immortal sects had built teleportation arrays all over the Central Continent; key locations nearly all had them.

A Tribulation Transcension cultivator receiving a message could teleport quickly and then cross over, not requiring too much time.

If they weren't captured immediately, an ambush could easily turn into a protracted siege.

The Taidao Sect might not dispatch a Tribulation Transcension cultivator for Chu Xingchen's safety.

But the Xuanqing Tianzong and Tianyan Sect would spare no effort.

Furthermore, once she showed her face in the Central Continent, disappearing again would be no easy feat.

It was highly likely she would be pursued relentlessly, with little chance of escape.

The only place that likely met the conditions was probably Yuzhou City on the Southern Continent. There were indeed still quite a few acquaintances there.

At the very least, it was hard to say if Yuan Kong was currently at the temple in Yuzhou City or not.

The first sect he established was also in the Southern Continent.

Li Xingtian immediately nodded and said:

"Although Xu Linglong is vindictive, she is also meticulous. Even if her scheme in the Southern Continent fails, she will still gather intelligence about Master."

"She definitely won't be in the Central Continent. For her, that would be tantamount to being able to do nothing, just waiting for death. That is absolutely not her style."

"And Master, if any news should come from the Southern Continent, you must be extremely cautious. It might very well be a trap."

Upon hearing this, Chu Xingchen gave a slight nod:

"I understand. I will discreetly send people to investigate. If there really is a letter from the Southern Continent, I'll mobilize half of the Profound Azure Heavenly Sect and the Tianyan Sect to go there."

Li Xingtian breathed a sigh of relief:

"Good. Then this disciple will not disturb you further, Master."

Having said that, Li Xingtian turned to leave.

Chu Xingchen once again reached out and hooked the departing Li Xingtian:

"What's the rush? Being so clever, shouldn't you let your master praise you a couple of times? Your thoughts are quick, but you also need to learn my skill of having piercing eyes and my core principle of resolutely refusing to be a simp."

Li Xingtian's expression became somewhat exaggerated: "Understood..."

"This reasoning is excellent. I really must reward you."

As he spoke, Chu Xingchen began searching through his spatial ring.

Li Xingtian hurriedly pressed his hand down: "Master, it's truly unnecessary. Offering strategies for you is my duty."

"What kind of talk is that? Am I the kind of person who doesn't distinguish between reward and punishment?"

"Master! It's really not needed!"

Amidst their back-and-forth, Chu Xingchen still managed to pull out that slender, jade-like hand along with the arm, and asked:

"Well? Does it look familiar?"

Li Xingtian's composure nearly broke. He didn't bother with further refusal and directly snatched the slender jade hand, stuffing it back into his own spatial ring.

Chu Xingchen raised an eyebrow slightly:

"As expected of my meticulous second disciple. You recognized it with just one glance. Consider this compensation for your regret."

"There is no such regret..."

Li Xingtian offered one explanation, then cupped his hands in salute again and hastily departed.

Chu Xingchen narrowed his eyes, watching the retreating figure of Li Xingtian and pondering for a moment before turning to enter the main hall.