Rootless Duckweed Takes Root

In the courtyard house, within Chu Xingchen's room.

The second general assembly of the sect was officially convened.

Chu Xingchen, the sect leader and sole master, sat at the head of the square table.

The eldest disciple took the left seat, the second disciple the right, and the third sat opposite.

Chu Xingchen asked in disbelief, "You're saying... the Qingfeng Sect was targeted by the Tianyan Sect?"

"Exactly. As soon as the Tianyan Sect arrived, they began a thorough purge of the Qingfeng Sect," Li Xingtian sighed, shaking his head lightly.

"The Qingfeng Sect's leader even sent someone to ask where you, Master, had gone—why you were absent at such a critical moment."

"They questioned whether the Tianyan Sect truly had no regard for reputation, even suggesting they might drop the debt of spirit stones if necessary..."

At these words, Chu Xingchen fell into silence.

According to Li Xingtian's account, the Tianyan Sect's purge was swift—within three days, the Qingfeng Sect was dismantled, leaving only its mountain gate standing.

All elders involved in the demonic cultivator plot were captured on the spot, their collarbones locked and cultivation crippled. Even the Qingfeng Sect's Nascent Soul realm Elder was taken to the Central Continent for investigation.

This naturally halted the procurement of materials as well.

With no supplies and the Qingfeng Sect collapsing under its subcontracting tasks, most workers dispersed.

Only a small group remained, led by Ning Kun, slowly continuing construction with the limited materials on hand.

Given the circumstances, it was hardly Li Xingtian's fault.

It could be considered an unwarranted disaster.

But it didn’t matter much—Chu Xingchen had never truly intended to complete the sect’s construction. Progress was progress, and it was essentially free labor anyway.

Still, out of curiosity, Chu Xingchen asked one more question:

"Who led this operation?"

Li Xingtian frowned in confusion. "I heard it was just a Golden Core cultivator named Zheng Xiaofeng."

This detail puzzled Li Xingtian as well. The incident had been abrupt, but he had still gathered some intelligence.

The Tianyan Sect spearheaded the operation with two Nascent Soul cultivators leading the charge, accompanied by a group of Golden Core juniors from the Central Continent for training.

Yet the one calling the shots was an obscure minor Golden Core cultivator.

There were even rumors that Zheng Xiaofeng had originally been an elder of the Qingfeng Sect before being poached by the Tianyan Sect, where he was given the laughable position of "mountain gate sweeper" and turned traitor.

Li Xingtian scoffed at the idea—how could a mere turncoat command the Tianyan Sect's operations? And with such a ridiculous title?

Even wild gossip needed some semblance of logic.

He saw no need to share such baseless rumors with his master.

Chu Xingchen's expression cleared in understanding.

So it was Zheng Xiaofeng personally settling scores—no wonder the purge was so ruthless.

It seemed Xie Lingyu's earlier compromise had merely been a stalling tactic; she likely never intended to spare the Qingfeng Sect.

Not entirely unexpected.

Resting his hand on the table, Chu Xingchen's gaze naturally settled on Chen Baiqing across from him.

At that moment, Chen Baiqing was clutching a half-eaten sugar painting, her earnest eyes fixed on him, brows slightly furrowed as if she were brainstorming solutions for him.

Chu Xingchen then turned back to Li Xingtian and asked,

"Then our sect’s housing should be completed by now?"

"Yes, all five residential quarters are ready."

"Good! Progress comes step by step—our sect at least has a foundation now!" Chu Xingchen stood up.

"This master has also gained much from this journey. Now that the sect is habitable, we can officially relocate!"

The sect would be built, and built well.

Li Yingling enthusiastically rose to her feet and clapped—she was more than content as long as she didn’t have to return to the dilapidated temple.

Moreover, the sect grounds already had a spirit-gathering array in place. Only by moving there could she cultivate properly.

Li Xingtian couldn’t suppress a smile either, joining in the applause. Each move had been an improvement, and watching the sect grow step by step filled him with an indescribable warmth.

Chu Xingchen laughed heartily. "Disciples! It’s time to move again!"

Chen Baiqing glanced at her senior sister and second senior brother—neither seemed disheartened by the sudden bad news.

They still smiled brightly, their eyes fixed on their master as if his presence alone steadied them.

Infected by the mood, Chen Baiqing raised her small hand, still clutching the sugar painting, and beamed.

"Time to move!"

Hearing her words, Chu Xingchen’s smile deepened.

Her senior sister had said the same thing once.

---

The Sect

The main hall’s construction was less than half complete.

But the basic infrastructure was largely finished—flagstone paths were mostly laid, and a small bridge arched over the pond, connecting both sides.

Several refined living quarters were fully furnished.

The progress far exceeded Chu Xingchen’s expectations.

Though it couldn’t compare to the Qingfeng Sect’s grandeur or opulence,

this place belonged to Chu Xingchen.

It was the one spot in this world where he could stand freely.

No longer was he a rootless wanderer.

To other sects, this might still seem shabby, even pitiful.

But to Chu Xingchen, it was more than enough.

From the direction of the main hall, faint hammering echoed.

No doubt, Ning Kun was still working.

Chu Xingchen instructed his three disciples,

"Go pick your rooms and settle your belongings."

Li Yingling gently ruffled Chen Baiqing’s hair. "Do you still want to share a room with your senior sister?"

"Baiqing wants her own room too," Chen Baiqing replied, clasping her senior sister’s hand. "But I can stay with you later."

Li Xingtian remained silent, waiting to choose last.

Ignoring his disciples’ room selections, Chu Xingchen strode toward the main hall.

The hall’s foundation was slightly elevated, requiring a dozen steps to ascend.

Step by step, Chu Xingchen climbed until he reached the top.

His gaze swept across the interior.

The roof had been prioritized, though some beams were made of plain wood. The hall was mostly empty, save for scattered construction materials.

Six workers were currently crafting doors and windows from basic materials.

Since the hall wouldn’t be completed anytime soon, sealing the roof took precedence—better to shield it from wind and rain than let good timber rot.

Ning Kun and Ning Qianqian were both inside, laboring away.

"You’ve worked hard," Chu Xingchen called out from the center of the hall.

Ning Qianqian turned in surprise, spotting Chu Xingchen after his long absence, and waved excitedly.

"Great Immortal!"

Ning Kun quickly descended from the scaffolding and hurried over.

He glanced awkwardly at the crude wooden beams and stammered,

"Your eldest disciple mentioned the material shortage, so I thought... at least the roof should be sealed first..."

Chu Xingchen smiled and patted his shoulder, cutting him off.

"No need to explain. You’ve done well."

Ning Kun exhaled in relief.

Surveying the hall, Chu Xingchen noted the meticulous details—clear signs of painstaking effort.

"I have a task for you."

Ning Kun’s eyes widened in surprise.

"From now on, you will be our sect's chief engineer, responsible for the work on the True Martial Hall."

"If materials run short, you can rest. Once supplies arrive, you can resume. I see the guest quarters over there are nearly finished—you and Ning Qianqian can stay there for the time being."

Chu Xingchen had already made up his mind. The hall would be completed one way or another.

Rather than searching for someone else later, it was better to keep a reliable and earnest person around now.

He had also heard from Li Xingtian that, with the fall of the Qingfeng Sect, only Ning Kun's small team remained.

These past few days, they had only received meager wages from Li Xingtian.

Ning Kun and Ning Qianqian, however, refused to take even a single coin.

Recalling their reputation for loyalty and righteousness, Chu Xingchen decided keeping them wouldn’t hurt.

After all, supporting one more person was hardly a burden.