Never Underestimate Yourself

Although Cui Hao had no idea what to say to avoid getting beaten, he knew full well that staying silent would guarantee a harsh lecture from his Third Senior Sister.

They had barely stepped out of the Tianyan Sect's mountain gate for less than an hour... he absolutely could not afford to endure such a lecture right now.

If for nothing else, he had to do it to save his own face!

Besides, this whole thing was essentially a misunderstanding. He cared about his pride, and Cui Hao refused to believe that the Mahayana realm cultivator standing opposite them wouldn't care about his own dignity either.

Even if they were seen through, the elder across from them would most likely play along to gracefully step down.

Cui Hao's expression instantly turned solemn. He cupped his hands and said, "Senior Wanban..."

"My apologies, Senior. There is no such thing as a Senior Wanban; my junior brother is just spouting nonsense."

Chen Baiqing's voice drowned out Cui Hao's.

The elder of the Xuanqing Heaven Sect cast a sidelong glance at Cui Hao, a hint of awkwardness flickering across his face. Having more or less grasped the situation, he chuckled softly.

"It seems my knowledge is simply lacking."

Chen Baiqing reached out and patted Cui Hao's shoulder, guiding him into a slight bow as she said,

"My junior brother has made a fool of himself. I hope Senior can find it in your heart to forgive him."

Left with no other choice, Cui Hao also bowed and echoed,

"I beg for Senior's forgiveness."

The Xuanqing Heaven Sect elder extended a hand, using his spiritual energy to gently lift the two of them back up. He smiled and said,

"It is no big deal. It is actually better that this Senior Wanban does not exist, or else my Mahayana realm cultivation would truly become a joke. The Sect Master is already waiting in the grand hall. If you have no other pressing matters, please follow me."

Brimming with apology, Chen Baiqing replied,

"Sorry to trouble you, Senior."

The Xuanqing Heaven Sect elder gave a slight nod, turning around to lead the way.

Chen Baiqing did not say anything else, merely shooting Cui Hao a look to signal him to keep up.

Their flying speed was not particularly fast.

From the side, Cui Hao shot Chen Baiqing a slightly aggrieved look. His meaning was clear—if she had just let him say a few words, he could have smoothly bluffed their way out of it.

Chen Baiqing caught his gaze but completely ignored it, pretending not to see a thing.

If they had just come to the Xuanqing Heaven Sect for a casual visit, Chen Baiqing would have probably let Cui Hao improvise to his heart's content.

However, this trip was not merely a simple visit or a training excursion.

It was meant for long-term development within the Xuanqing Heaven Sect. Back in the Western Aparagodaniya Continent, she had once forged their Master's orders. Although their Master had formally "debunked the rumor,"

the effectiveness of such a clarification was ultimately limited.

Thus, Chen Baiqing naturally had to be particularly mindful of her reputation within the Xuanqing Heaven Sect. While letting Cui Hao bluff his way through might have worked in the short term, looking at the bigger picture, admitting their fault right now—despite the awkwardness—would leave an impression of honesty and straightforwardness.

It was just that Cui Hao likely hadn't grasped this point yet.

Aside from cultivation, Cui Hao certainly wasn't stupid in other matters. She indeed hadn't disclosed the crucial details to him, so she figured she would have to explain things to him properly later.

Ahead, a magnificent grand hall loomed faintly amidst the swirling clouds and mist.

Chen Baiqing cast a gentle glance at Cui Hao, her eyes narrowing slightly in a silent warning—behave yourself.

Seeing this, Cui Hao nodded repeatedly in assurance.

The three of them descended to the ground.

The Xuanqing Heaven Sect elder took the lead, stepping into the hall. He cupped his hands and announced,

"Sect Master, I have brought the two guests as ordered."

Cui Hao followed closely behind, stepping inside, but was subconsciously taken aback by the sight.

The grand hall of the Xuanqing Heaven Sect was nothing like that of the Tianyan Sect, which was so empty that even Lv Xuan didn't like to linger there when there was no official business.

Inside the Xuanqing Heaven Sect's grand hall,

Li Moze sat firmly in the seat of honor, with the core disciple Xu Jin standing respectfully to the side.

Flanking them on both sides were formidable figures with auras so profound they defied description. Anyone qualified to hold a seat here was likely at least at the peak of the Mahayana realm. The long rows of seated elders stretched down, nearly filling the entirety of the incredibly spacious grand hall.

Cui Hao looked up. Sitting in the very first seat on the left was Huang Miao, who went by the name Huang Butui.

Although he knew that the Xuanqing Heaven Sect cultivators seated in the hall were all restraining their oppressive auras,

the Dao rhythm instinctively radiating from their bodies was still enough to fill the opulent grand hall.

Cui Hao felt as if the space and air around him had grown thick and viscous.

Chen Baiqing took a step forward, positioning herself beside Cui Hao. She pushed her own aura outward, creating a protective barrier in front of him.

Cui Hao instantly felt much more comfortable. He cast a slight sidelong glance and saw that his Third Senior Sister's face remained utterly expressionless.

Even though his Third Senior Sister occasionally voiced her disdain for him, when it truly mattered, she would never let him suffer any grievances.

Chen Baiqing cupped her hands in a respectful salute and said,

"Chen Baiqing greets Sect Master Li. This is my Fifth Junior Brother, Cui Hao."

"There is no need for such formalities." Li Moze reached out, gesturing toward two empty seats situated to his front right. "Please, take a seat first."

Seeing this, Chen Baiqing wasn't intimidated in the slightest. She didn't care that the assigned seats were absurdly high in status, nor did she mind that the person seated below her was highly likely a Tribulation Crossing realm cultivator.

But so what?

Weren't Li Moze's courtesy and the Xuanqing Heaven Sect's high regard entirely because she was her Master's disciple?

With a calm expression, Chen Baiqing strode forward. Even under the scrutiny of so many piercing gazes, she showed no signs of panic.

Though Cui Hao's cultivation base was low, his pride and spirit had never been lacking. While the oppressive auras weren't directed at him, they still made him feel a bit uncomfortable. Nevertheless, the expression on his face remained remarkably relaxed.

The two of them walked over to their arranged seats. After offering slight bows as a greeting, they sat down without the slightest hesitation.

A smile surfaced on Li Moze's face, yet he spoke with absolute directness:

"As expected, anyone worthy of being Chu Xingchen's disciple is a prodigy among prodigies."

A smile also hung on Xu Jin's lips as he looked at the two with deep appreciation.

No matter how he looked at it, Chen Baiqing and Cui Hao could be considered his martial niece and nephew.

Chen Baiqing revealed a gentle smile and said:

"Senior Li praises us too highly. We simply do not wish to fall short of our master's teachings."

Li Moze gave a slight nod, then gestured with his hand and said:

"These are all seniors of the Xuanqing Heaven Sect. Take a moment to acquaint yourselves and memorize their faces. Should you encounter any dire emergencies, seek out whoever is closest to you."

"Furthermore, the trials of the Xuanqing Heaven Sect are no simple matter. In the past, even your Martial Uncle Xu came back half-dead."

"Therefore, act within your limits. Your own survival is paramount."

As he spoke, Li Moze tapped his spatial ring with a flicker of spiritual light. He withdrew two sets of Xuanqing Heaven Sect inner disciple robes, along with several tokens, and floated them over to Chen Baiqing and Cui Hao using his spiritual energy.

He continued:

"During the trials of the Xuanqing Heaven Sect, disciples operate in squads to watch each other's backs. Since you two are Chu Xingchen's disciples, your capabilities are naturally beyond doubt. Chen Baiqing, you shall act as the squad leader. Your squad's codename will be Changyang."

"According to sect tradition, a newly formed squad must first build mutual familiarity. You must understand each other's abilities and recognize that your squadmates are people to whom you can entrust your lives."

"How you choose to achieve this is entirely up to you."

Chen Baiqing rose to her feet. Accepting the items, she replied:

"Baiqing understands."

Li Moze looked at Chen Baiqing and smiled.

If one truly wished for their words to carry weight within the Xuanqing Heaven Sect, earning the respect of these one-in-a-million cultivators was an absolute necessity.

Chu Xingchen had managed to win over Xu Jin through his actions.

For Chen Baiqing, merely holding the title of his disciple was naturally insufficient.

It was true that the current Xuanqing Heaven Sect needed to forge closer ties with Chu Xingchen.

But

how could a sect that once bore the Mandate of Heaven simply go through the motions?

Immortal sects possess their own unyielding pride.

And the Xuanqing Heaven Sect possesses immortal bones.

They would never demean themselves.