The Master's Flaw

Heaven's Evolution Sect, Zhuji Peak.

Chu Xingchen rested his chin on one hand, idly toying with a communication jade slip.

Chen Baiqing's cultivation progress within the Heaven's Evolution Sect was astonishingly swift, and the sect could provide all the materials she needed. She had already reached the peak of the Golden Core stage.

Her foundation was solid; what she needed for a breakthrough was the tempering of her mental state.

Bai Xuanling was leisurely sipping tea, his gaze naturally drifting towards Xie Lingyu's secluded meditation chamber.

Though Xie Lingyu claimed not to care about the gap in cultivation, her actions spoke far more honestly than her words.

Her cultivation progress had long surpassed Bai Xuanling's initial estimates.

He had even sought her out several times to ensure she wasn't pursuing breakthroughs recklessly.

Xie Lingyu's reply was even more straightforward—she wasn't a fool. She wouldn't do something as short-sighted as draining the pond to catch the fish. Going further was more important than going faster.

After probing a bit, Bai Xuanling confirmed her words were true.

If anything, her foundation was being laid a bit too solidly.

Xie Lingyu simply wasn't the type to give up on herself.

A slight smile touched Bai Xuanling's lips as he picked up the tea Chen Baiqing had brewed, looking over at her:

"Little Baiqing, is this 'nurturing your mind' of yours just brewing tea for your master by his side?"

Chen Baiqing looked up and met his gaze, shaking her head slightly:

"Not exactly. It's just that being near Master brings me peace of mind."

Bai Xuanling's eyes lifted slightly:

"'Peace of mind'... that is indeed a key point for one's mental state."

Chu Xingchen set down the jade slip in his hand and let out a soft sigh.

Bai Xuanling glanced at him: "What troublesome matter is it this time?"

"My second disciple seems to have truly opened her Heavenly Eye. Not only is her cultivation growing gratifyingly fast, but her mind also seems to have sharpened considerably."

Chu Xingchen handed the jade slip to Bai Xuanling.

Bai Xuanling reached out to take it, saying simultaneously:

"I recall Yanyun has emerged from seclusion. Some matters should be tossed to her to handle. Without proper experience, how can she be worthy of becoming the Heaven's Evolution Sect's Sect Master?"

Chu Xingchen raised an eyebrow slightly but didn't respond. For no other reason than that Bai Xuanling generally didn't speak ill of people behind their backs—he usually did it to their face.

This time was no exception.

"I can't believe your divine sense didn't detect my arrival. Speaking ill of someone to their face is a bit too much, don't you think?"

Yanyun walked into the courtyard, saluted Bai Xuanling with a cupped fist, and continued:

"Moreover, I have never aspired to become the Heaven's Evolution Sect's Sect Master."

Bai Xuanling, while reading the message on the jade slip, nodded in acknowledgment:

"In that case, I shall nominate Chu Xingchen as the next Sect Master of the Heaven's Evolution Sect."

Chu Xingchen promptly stood up and bowed with clasped hands:

"I will certainly live up to Elder Bai's expectations. I will surely lead the Heaven's Evolution Sect to glory. I even have a reform plan to propose right now."

Bai Xuanling responded just as quickly:

"As expected of the candidate I favor. State your proposal."

Chu Xingchen straightened up, his expression natural:

"The first thing I would do upon becoming Sect Master is to revoke Yanyun's status as a core disciple of this generation and transfer her post to the mountain gate of the Heaven's Evolution Sect."

"She will stand guard for ten hours a day, allowing talented individuals from the outside world to witness the peerless elegance of our sect's treasure, Yanyun, thereby convincing all the world's geniuses to join our Heaven's Evolution Sect."

Bai Xuanling immediately slapped the table: "Truly an excellent proposal! I won't even wait for you to become Sect Master. I will propose this plan at the next sect assembly and strive to get it passed."

Yanyun was rendered somewhat speechless, watching the two of them play off each other. Before she could even speak, her future had been arranged. She stepped forward:

"This usage of me sounds nothing like treating a 'treasure.' Besides, the sect isn't that short of gatekeepers."

Chu Xingchen first gestured for Yanyun to sit down.

Chen Baiqing also picked up a new teacup, poured some tea, and slid it towards Yanyun.

Bai Xuanling finished reading the message on the jade slip, gently placed it on the table, and said:

"I presume you've also come because of the news from Yuzhou City."

Yanyun gave a slight nod: "The movements there are abnormal. It's unclear whether it's truly evil cultivators stirring or if the demon race is truly planning an ambush. Their specific strength is also hard to gauge."

"Fellow Daoist Chu's previously discussed plan is not impossible. However, if we mobilize forces based on such an assumption and misjudge, we could lose the initiative and even face a counterattack."

"If the demon race were all so incompetent, they wouldn't have developed such advanced concealment techniques."

"Of course, there's also the possibility that it's merely a calm before the storm."

"If our speculation is correct, we need to move our forces covertly in advance to deliver a decisive blow."

"We could also choose to investigate thoroughly. After all, the advantage lies with us. We just need to guard against them acting recklessly in desperation."

Chu Xingchen fell silent for a moment before asking:

"If we investigate thoroughly, what is the probability that Yuzhou City will be affected?"

Yanyun answered naturally:

"If you ask, it's almost certain."

"Even Yuan Kong has been in Yuzhou City for quite some time. If the demon race truly has an ambush set up there, who knows what level of preparations have been made throughout the entire city."

"If turmoil truly erupts, how could the heart of it, Yuzhou City, possibly escape unscathed?"

"Recently, demons and monsters have been running rampant in Yuzhou City, seemingly trying to force Yuan Kong to send you a plea for help."

"I also suspect it might be a demonic ambush, though whether it's a feint or the real target remains uncertain."

Chu Xingchen nodded gently:

"I understand. Let me think on it first, then we can discuss it properly together at Tianyan Peak."

Yanyun saluted Bai Xuanling with clasped hands again:

"Then I won't disturb you further. I take my leave."

Bai Xuanling nodded slightly in return.

Yanyun turned and left.

The scene returned to a somewhat quiet state.

Chen Baiqing picked up the teapot and refilled Chu Xingchen's cup a little. She pressed her lips together lightly, forcefully holding back from speaking.

She naturally understood this master of hers.

Her master could certainly be resolute and decisive when the situation was clear, never one to procrastinate.

It's just that everyone has their flaws—her master's occasional excessive soft-heartedness was his.

Her master probably didn't want the common people of Yuzhou City or Yuan Kong to be affected because of his own considerations.

If it were Xu Jinlai, what he would do is simply raze Yuzhou City to the ground, along with the demons, the city's inhabitants, and Yuan Kong.

Her master's so-called 'thinking' was more likely him planning to use himself as bait to shift the battlefield elsewhere.

Not discussing it here was probably because he didn't want her, a disciple preparing for a realm breakthrough, to worry about it.

Chen Baiqing naturally didn't want her master to take unnecessary risks.

If the demon race set an ambush, that was the demon race's problem, not something her master intentionally caused.

The responsibility for this should lie with the demon race, not her master.

As for Yuan Kong, a monk who had received considerable kindness from her master, that should be enough by any measure.

But these words...

Chen Baiqing didn't know if she should say them.

Her master had always done what was right, never making any mistakes.

Trust in her master and this sense of unease now intertwined within Chen Baiqing's heart.

Perhaps...

There was also the reason that Chen Baiqing didn't truly want to reveal that ruthless side of her heart for her master to see clearly.

That way... she would seem like the opposite of her master, like strangers as incompatible as fire and water.

Chen Baiqing looked up, watching the calm smile on her master's face as he began chatting with Bai Xuanling again.

"Master." Chen Baiqing suddenly spoke.

Chu Xingchen's gaze turned to her.

Chen Baiqing stood up: "Baiqing would like to step out for a while."

"Alright."

Chen Baiqing, having received a response, stood up and walked out.

Being near her master would only cloud her thoughts on this matter; she needed to leave his side first.

Chen Baiqing's figure moved away from Zhuji Peak.

But just a short distance beyond Zhuji Peak, she saw her second senior brother some way off, seemingly... waiting for her on purpose.

Li Xingtian's expression was calm, his tone serious as he spoke:

"Third Junior Sister, your second senior brother has something to say to you."

Chen Baiqing found it slightly odd, but she still approached Second Senior Brother.