Does She Not Know She Has Already Reached the Nascent Soul Stage

In the following days, Chu Xingchen frequently visited Qingfeng Sect whenever he had the chance.

He would drag Jiang Zhiming along to Elder Wang's quarters.

Sometimes he brought Chen Baiqing, other times Li Yingling.

Only Li Xingtian rarely joined, preferring to oversee the construction at the new sect site.

Lately, Chu Xingchen had been visiting even more often, as the approval process for the expensive materials needed for the grand hall had begun.

Elder Wang, faced with the occasional inclusion of outrageously costly building materials, wanted to reject them outright and verify the details first.

But standing before him was Chu Xingchen, staring intently, with Jiang Zhiming at his side offering persuasive words.

Especially when Jiang Zhiming uttered:

"The money belongs to the sect, but the goodwill is yours to keep."

Elder Wang gaped at Jiang Zhiming. Are you even a member of Qingfeng Sect?!

Using Qingfeng Sect's funds for Tianyan Sect's benefit, and calling it "your goodwill"?

That guy’s a prodigy from the Central Continent, while you’re just a Foundation Establishment cultivator—a temporary elder with no real backing. Do you really think you can befriend him?

Know your place! You used to avoid me, a mere Foundation Establishment disciple, and now you’re putting on airs?

Once he’s done here and returns to the Central Continent, you think you can follow him?!

Is this guy out of his mind?

But voicing these objections in front of Chu Xingchen was impossible, and Jiang Zhiming kept mindlessly urging him on.

With a heavy heart, Elder Wang marked the materials as approved.

Damn it all, the Sect Leader must have lost his mind, appointing these traitorous elders!

Suppressing his frustration, Elder Wang coldly said, "I have urgent matters to attend to. You two may leave."

He then stood up, intending to report the situation to the Sect Leader.

We need to get rid of this backstabbing fool immediately!

Chu Xingchen, satisfied with the approved list, clasped his hands toward Jiang Zhiming.

"Brother Jiang, thank you for speaking up for me. Elder Wang clearly wanted to make things difficult!"

Jiang Zhiming quickly returned the gesture. "Brother Chu, no need for thanks. True brothers stand together."

After all, the Sect Leader had already instructed him to keep Chu Xingchen from causing trouble—considering that a great achievement.

A few spirit stones shouldn’t be a big deal for the Sect Leader, right?

But shouldn’t and definitely won’t were two different things.

After exchanging a few more compliments about Jiang Zhiming’s loyalty, Chu Xingchen happily took his leave.

No sooner had Chu Xingchen and the amused Li Yingling departed than the Sect Leader summoned Jiang Zhiming for questioning.

Qingfeng Sect, Side Hall

The Sect Leader held the material list, his expression dark as he glared at Jiang Zhiming below.

"What is the meaning of this?!"

Jiang Zhiming glanced up and immediately sensed trouble.

Looks like the Sect Leader’s earlier words are about to be retracted.

He feigned ignorance. "Elder Wang approved this list. Shouldn’t you be asking him?"

"Did you not pressure him into signing?!"

"Sect Leader, I swear—if Elder Wang didn’t want to sign, how could I force him?!"

"Answer me—did you persuade him or not?!"

Jiang Zhiming put on a pitiful expression.

"Was I supposed to tell Elder Wang not to sign in front of that Tianyan Sect disciple?"

"You assigned me to maintain good relations with him to avoid trouble. Of course I had to say something favorable!"

The Sect Leader: "..."

That… does make some sense.

After a long, scrutinizing stare, the Sect Leader finally dismissed Jiang Zhiming. From recent observations, Jiang Zhiming had managed to build a decent rapport with the Tianyan Sect disciple.

Finding someone who could tolerate that troublemaker wasn’t easy—after all, just listening to him talk made the Sect Leader’s Golden Core tremble in rage.

Still, as Jiang Zhiming turned to leave, the Sect Leader added sternly:

"I’ll let it slide this time, but if this happens again, you are not to take his side!"

Jiang Zhiming hastily bowed in agreement before retreating from the hall.

Once outside, cold sweat drenched his back. The pride he once felt as a newly promoted elder vanished entirely.

Being an elder feels more like being a lackey…

Everyone outranks me. Everyone can step on me.

He sighed. But now that I’m on this path, I have to see it through.

Material approvals came in batches—only when the previous batch was nearly exhausted would the next be reviewed.

During the interim, Chu Xingchen’s visits dwindled. When he did drop by, it was usually just to share a drink with Jiang Zhiming.

On these occasions, Chu Xingchen would spin tales of being ostracized, of how hard life was as a disciple.

Jiang Zhiming, resonating deeply, would gaze at him with increasing sincerity.

Shared hardships, eloquent words, and Chu Xingchen’s refined demeanor made him utterly convincing.

Especially when Chu Xingchen, eyes brimming with emotion, declared:

"Meeting you was fate. Life’s joys are best shared with a brother like you."

How could anyone refuse such words?

But once materials ran low, Chu Xingchen returned in full force, determined not to miss the next approval cycle.

This time, he predictably cornered Elder Wang just as the elder prepared to review the new list.

Elder Wang’s face darkened as he scanned the bill.

Are these pillars made of gold? The tiles too?! Who dares submit this?!

If we build this, will Qingfeng Sect even have a treasury left?!

And judging by the quantities, this wasn’t a one-time expense.

Approving this would bankrupt the sect.

Absolutely not.

With a pained sigh, Elder Wang said, "Brother… these materials are beyond Qingfeng Sect’s means. Just these pillars alone—we can’t afford them."

Chu Xingchen said nothing, only fixing Elder Wang with an unblinking stare.

"Really impossible!" Elder Wang insisted, shooting a desperate look at Jiang Zhiming.

This isn’t like last time! I can’t sign this! You’re close with him—say something!

Jiang Zhiming kept his head down, studying his boots in silence.

You reported me to the Sect Leader, and now you want my help?

Brother Chu—crush him!

Elder Wang glared at the traitorous Jiang Zhiming, took a deep breath, and gritted his teeth.

"This list… is unacceptable!"

Chu Xingchen’s gaze sharpened, his Nascent Soul-level pressure bearing down on Elder Wang.

But the elder clenched his jaw, refusing to yield.

"Fine. Put it on credit," Chu Xingchen suddenly relented, withdrawing his aura. "Aside from Brother Jiang, no one in Qingfeng Sect knows how to act."

On credit?!

So you never planned to pay in the first place?!

But this wasn’t something Elder Wang could decide alone. "This… requires the Sect Leader’s approval—"

"What’s there to approve? Didn’t the Sect Leader order you to handle material reviews?"

"The amount is too large—"

Chu Xingchen snorted coldly, his voice icy.

"What kind of place is your Qingfeng Sect? Do you really think I’d stoop to swindling you out of such a paltry sum? You may have no shame, but our sect still values its reputation."

"Just send someone to collect the spirit stones from our sect whenever you please!"

As Elder Wang prepared to retort, he noticed Jiang Zhiming’s ambiguous gaze shifting toward him…

Was this… the Sect Leader’s approval?!

Fine. If anything goes wrong, I’ll just blame it on Jiang Zhiming’s meddling!

Suppressing his reluctance, Elder Wang finally signed off on the material expenses.

Chu Xingchen nodded in satisfaction.

Atop a peak in the newly established sect.

Zheng Xiaofeng stood behind a woman clad in white, his eyes lowered deferentially.

Xie Lingyu gazed at the bustling construction site below, a faint smile of contentment gracing her lips.

She murmured softly, "We’ll meet again across ninety thousand miles…"

Without hesitation, she turned and strode away, issuing a quiet command:

"Clean up their loose ends."

The sword at her waist unsheathed itself, transforming into a flying blade. Xie Lingyu mounted it and soared into the distance.

This time, Xie Lingyu of the Central Continent pays her respects!

Back at the sect’s construction site.

After Xie Lingyu’s departure, Chu Xingchen’s gaze drifted thoughtfully toward the peak where she had stood moments before.

She doesn’t know I’ve already reached the Nascent Soul stage, does she?