The New Reception Elder of Qingfeng Sect

The Qingfeng Sect was indeed a major sect, and true to their word, they delivered swiftly.

The promise was made in the morning, and the people arrived by afternoon.

At the new site of Chu Xingchen’s sect, Li Yingling watched in confusion as a group of workers felled trees and cleared a path to transport construction materials.

Unable to contain her curiosity, she turned to Chu Xingchen beside her and asked, "Master, are you actually wealthy? Were you just pretending to be poor before?"

Chu Xingchen sighed, adopting an air of lofty solitude. "If intelligence could be converted into wealth, your master here would likely rival the riches of an entire nation."

Li Yingling didn’t argue. Instead, she silently covered the ears of Chen Baiqing, who stood in front of her.

Whenever their master said something like this, it meant another poor soul was about to be swindled.

This little junior sister was obedient and diligent, though a bit slow when memorizing texts. Still, she worked hard—she absolutely must not be corrupted by their master’s ways.

Nearby, Li Xingtian asked, "Master, what are we supposed to do here?"

Chu Xingchen retrieved a blueprint for the "True Martial Hall" from his system space and handed it to Li Xingtian, instructing:

"Follow these plans exactly. First, build two simple houses, but make sure to also purchase some expensive materials. And tell them to bring more workers—try to construct as much as possible before they tally up the costs."

Li Xingtian took the blueprint and studied it carefully. The design was intricate and carried an air of profound elegance, but… damn, it was expensive.

What kind of materials were these?

"Mix the expensive and cheap materials, but only add a little of the costly ones at first. Prioritize building a few houses for people to live in. If anyone asks why it’s so pricey—"

Chu Xingchen paused, then continued, "Just give them the exact expression you’re wearing now and tell them to discuss it with me directly."

Li Xingtian was stunned. This expression?

Master, isn’t that just an insult at this point?

Not receiving any direct orders, Li Yingling asked, "Then what about me and junior sister?"

"You stay here for now as a supervisor. Keep an eye on the quality."

Chu Xingchen gave the casual assignment before reaching out to take Chen Baiqing’s small hand.

"I’ll take your junior sister out to broaden her horizons and toughen her up a bit."

Li Yingling eyed him suspiciously, but ultimately decided her master wouldn’t stoop that low. She nodded slightly, accepting the arrangement.

Chen Baiqing tilted her head up to look at her master, her small hand gripping his tightly. She didn’t ask where they were going—she simply trusted him.

---

Qingfeng Sect, Side Hall

The Qingfeng Sect’s Sect Master sat on the high seat, his expression stern as he looked down at a relatively young inner disciple standing before him.

"Me? A Sect Elder?!"

The disciple’s face was a mix of shock and poorly concealed excitement. He was only at the mid-stage of Foundation Establishment—his talent wasn’t among the sect’s best, and the resources allocated to him had always been just enough to scrape by.

But today, everything might change.

Because the Sect Master had suddenly summoned him and appointed him as the Reception Elder—a position of great responsibility!

Everyone knew that even the lowest-ranking Qingfeng Sect elder was at least a Golden Core cultivator, entitled to elder-level resources!

This was nothing short of a meteoric rise!

The Sect Master nodded approvingly before his expression darkened with warning.

"Good. But don’t follow in Zheng Xiaofeng’s footsteps—that traitorous wretch. A man must know which path lies before him!"

The disciple was well aware of Zheng Xiaofeng’s disgrace. Choosing to sweep floors as a Tianyan Sect laborer rather than remain a Qingfeng Sect elder had become a humiliating tale for the entire sect.

Where there was shame, there was mockery.

Not only did the entire Qingfeng Sect know, but other sects had also taken great joy in ridiculing them—especially after Zheng Xiaofeng’s furious tirade against the Sect Master before leaving.

The newly promoted Reception Elder was no fool. He immediately clasped his hands and vowed solemnly:

"I’ve trained in the Qingfeng Sect since childhood. Every bit of my cultivation is thanks to the sect’s nurturing—I would never betray it like Zheng Xiaofeng!"

"Now that the Sect Master has entrusted me with this duty, I will serve with every ounce of my being!"

The Sect Master’s expression twisted slightly.

"Your attitude pleases me. But… maybe don’t say 'every ounce of my being.' It makes my skin crawl."

Without waiting for a reply, he turned and strode away.

Alone in the side hall, the new Reception Elder trembled with exhilaration as he slipped on the pristine elder’s robes.

His joy, however, was short-lived.

A disciple who had been scolded earlier that day rushed in, spotting the newly robed elder and hastily reporting:

"Elder! That Tianyan Sect disciple is back—he’s holding a little girl’s hand."

The Reception Elder flicked his sleeves with confidence.

"No matter. I shall receive him."

"No need," a voice interjected breezily. "I’m quite familiar with the Qingfeng Sect. No need for formalities—it’d only make things awkward."

Chu Xingchen strolled in, Chen Baiqing’s hand in his, his gaze immediately settling on the Reception Elder.

His system panel flashed briefly.

[Target: Jiang Zhiming]

[Cultivation: Foundation Establishment (Mid-Stage)]

[Blue Trait: Silver-Tongued]

[White Trait: Flattery Expert]

[Black Trait: Arrogant]

After scanning the traits, Chu Xingchen’s expression softened into a warm smile.

Bringing Chen Baiqing to "broaden her horizons" was secondary—his real goal was to stall the Qingfeng Sect.

At the very least, he needed to buy time before they noticed discrepancies in the material costs. If they audited the accounts too soon, the True Martial Hall might end up as nothing more than an archway.

Every extra structure built now was pure profit—future savings on spirit stones.

If he had to keep dealing with the Qingfeng Sect Master, Chu Xingchen wasn’t sure how long he could keep up the act.

But with this greenhorn? The possibilities were endless.

With a spring-like smile, Chu Xingchen clasped his hands in greeting.

"Esteemed Daoist, to become a Qingfeng Sect elder at such a young age—your future is boundless."

Jiang Zhiming was momentarily stunned before hurriedly returning the gesture, his tone dripping with humility.

"Senior, you flatter me. In your presence, I am but a humble junior—my promotion is only thanks to your influence."

Though his words were meek, Jiang Zhiming’s heart swelled with pride.

He had heard about this morning’s incident—how even the Sect Master had addressed this Tianyan Sect disciple as Senior, and with barely concealed hostility.

And yet, this very same figure now called him Daoist!

Jiang Zhiming kept his face composed, but inwardly, he was soaring.

Who said this Tianyan Sect disciple was difficult to approach? He’s downright amiable!