News of Youu Junlian’s election as Sect Leader Candidate quickly spread throughout the entire Eastern Profound Domain. From start to finish, she had done practically only one thing to become the Jade Maiden Sect’s Sect Leader Candidate: invite Wen Qingye to be her external support.
This directly shattered Taiyi Pavilion’s plot to win over the Jade Maiden Sect. Taiyi Pavilion fell abruptly silent, making no moves. This left the powers of the entire Eastern Profound Domain baffled. Since when had Taiyi Pavilion become so forbearing?
The news that Wen Qingye had openly defeated Ling Tianyu without using a Secret Technique also spread quickly. Many were stunned when they heard this, but they soon shook their heads.
Then, the major Sects all began to secretly investigate one thing: the news about Wen Qingye’s meridians, and whether it was actually true.
If it was true, how could Wen Qingye’s cultivation advance so rapidly? But if it wasn’t true... then that was far too terrifying.
「Celestial Profound Mountain Domain, Life Peak.」
"Qingye directly defeated Ling Tianyu, and then he helped Youu Junlian become the Jade Maiden Sect’s Sect Leader Candidate."
Zhang Zhilin looked at Ji Hai, his eyes widening in astonishment. "You... COUGH, COUGH, COUGH... What did you say? Qingye defeated Ling Tianyu directly?"
Ji Hai nodded seriously. "That’s right. He defeated Ling Tianyu in front of everyone at the Jade Maiden Sect."
"COUGH, COUGH, COUGH... What a prodigy! Qingye is truly a marvel of our time! If his meridians hadn’t been severed, I imagine he would one day stand at the very pinnacle of the Eastern Profound Domain," Zhang Zhilin said, shaking his head with a smile.
Ji Hai spoke slowly, "Yes. Regarding his meridians, I believe Brother Yum, Brother Tangg, and Brother Chuu are already secretly discussing solutions. Our Sect will definitely do everything in its power."
Zhang Zhilin nodded. He knew that the aptitude Wen Qingye had displayed was enough to make the Celestial Profound Sect value him this highly. They already saw him as a cornerstone of the entire Eastern Profound Domain, a future pillar of strength.
Ji Hai continued, "By the way, when Qingye returns this time, he’ll be directly promoted to True Disciple. Have him go to the Main Peak to receive a new set of robes and a Token from the Sect Leader. Brother Sect Leader also wants to see him in person and have a good chat."
Zhang Zhilin smiled. "Good. I’ll tell him when he gets back... COUGH, COUGH, COUGH."
Before Zhang Zhilin could finish, he was overcome by a violent fit of coughing.
Ji Hai gave Zhang Zhilin a thumbs-up and said slowly, "Back then, I heard that both Brother Qii Yue and Situ Yun wanted to take Wen Qingye as their disciple, but they dropped the idea when they heard his meridians were severed. And the people on your Life Peak were also unwilling to accept him. In the end, you took him in directly. Zhilin, you really have a good eye!"
A look of gratification appeared in Zhang Zhilin’s eyes, and he laughed in spite of himself. "You have no idea. Huaa Xin, Zhou Da, and Ren Yu are all regretting it endlessly. Especially when they heard Wen Qingye could actually refine a Supreme Grade Dragon Tiger Pill. HAHAHA... COUGH, COUGH, COUGH."
As Zhang Zhilin spoke, he was again seized by a violent coughing fit.
Seeing this, Ji Hai couldn’t help but frown. "Zhilin, are you alright?"
Zhang Zhilin waved his hand with a smile, saying nonchalantly, "I’m fine. You know how it is, it’s an old problem. I just have to bear with it for a moment."
Ji Hai looked at Zhang Zhilin’s pale face and couldn’t help but sigh wistfully. "Back in the day, among the most outstanding generation of our Celestial Profound Mountain Domain, your strength was famed alongside Brother Tangg, Brother Yum, and Brother Sect Leader. Who would have known that you would be ambushed by Taiyi Pavilion and suffer such heavy injuries, while Brother Sect Leader went out to gain experience and ended up with a broken right leg... It’s truly a shame."
Suddenly, Ji Hai looked at Zhang Zhilin and asked, "Zhilin, your strength now... compared to Brother Tangg and Brother Yum...?"
Zhang Zhilin raised his head, looked up at the azure sky, and simply smiled and shook his head without a word.
「Jade Maiden Sect, inside a guest room.」
Five days had passed since the Jade Maiden Sect’s election for the Sect Leader Candidate.
Wen Qingye slowly opened his eyes. By now, his injuries had more or less healed, so he was planning to leave the Jade Maiden Sect.
Qingg Ruo’ai floated out and said with a laugh, "Going back to the Sect? This grandma has been wanting to go back for ages."
"No, we’re not going back," Wen Qingye said, shaking his head. "Ling Tianyu said the road back to the Celestial Profound Sect is likely fraught with killing intent. In my opinion, we should do the opposite and not return to the Celestial Profound Mountain Domain for now."
Qingg Ruo’ai raised a brow. "If you’re not going back to the Sect, where are you going?"
A mysterious smile appeared on Wen Qingye’s face. "To Sheng City in the Dayan Dynasty’s Nocturnal Strait."
"What are we going there for?" Qingg Ruo’ai asked, confused.
"To find an unparalleled Supreme Treasure."
With that, Wen Qingye walked out the door.
At that moment, Fang Huatong and Youu Junlian happened to be standing right outside. It seemed as though they had been waiting for a long time, yet it also seemed as if they had just arrived.
Fang Huatong said with a smile, "Young Hero Wen, from the looks of it, your injuries seem to be mostly healed?"
"Yes, they’re completely healed," Wen Qingye replied with a smile.
In truth, Wen Qingye’s injuries had been mostly healed by the second day. However, during his battle with Ling Tianyu, he had accidentally fused the Rock Law, the Vibration Law, and the Swift Wind Law. He had spent the last few days consolidating this new understanding.
Fang Huatong nodded. "The election for our Sect’s Sect Leader Candidate has come to a perfect conclusion. I believe Young Hero Wen has achieved his goal. From now on, the Jade Maiden Sect will continue to rely on the great mountain that is the Celestial Profound Sect, just as before. I hope our two Sects will continue to cooperate sincerely, giving smaller Sects like ours a place to shelter from the wind and rain."
Wen Qingye smiled faintly. "Sect Leader, you can rest assured. If the sky were to truly fall, the tall ones would be there to hold it up. Wouldn’t you agree?"
Neither of them spoke plainly, but they both understood the unspoken meaning.
A sharp glint flashed in Fang Huatong’s eyes as she laughed heartily. "HAHAHA, Young Hero Wen is right."
Wen Qingye’s smile faded as he looked at Fang Huatong and Youu Junlian. "Now that matters are settled, I believe it’s time for me to take my leave."
Youu Junlian couldn’t help but speak up. "Won’t you stay a few more days? I can show you the scenery around my Celestial Jade Peak. It’s quite beautiful."
Wen Qingye declined, "No, thank you. You’ve just been elected as the Jade Maiden Sect’s Sect Leader Candidate, so I imagine you’re very busy. I shouldn’t disturb you."
"Alright."
What Wen Qingye said was not without reason. Youu Junlian did indeed have many matters to attend to and handle.
Fang Huatong smiled slightly. "In that case, I wish Young Hero Wen a safe journey."
"Farewell."
Wen Qingye cupped his fists, then turned to head down from Celestial Jade Peak.
Fang Huatong looked at Youu Junlian beside her and said, "Junlian, why don’t you see Young Hero Wen off."
"Yes, Sect Leader!" Youu Junlian nodded.
Wen Qingye, standing nearby, remained silent and did not refuse.
A short while later, Youu Junlian had led Wen Qingye to the foot of Celestial Jade Peak. She spoke softly, "I, Youu Junlian, will never forget your kindness in this lifetime. But in the future, we will still need your Celestial Profound Sect to look after our small Sect."
"You’re too kind. Our two Sects share weal and woe; we will certainly support each other," Wen Qingye said, shaking his head with a smile.
Youu Junlian covered her mouth and laughed. "Alright, alright. I won’t stand on ceremony with you. You should go."
"We’ll meet again!"
Wen Qingye nodded and, with that said, walked off into the distance.
Wen Qingye’s figure slowly disappeared from the foot of Celestial Jade Peak, vanishing into the vast Smoke Sea.
「Ten li outside Celestial Jade Peak.」
Qingg Ruo’ai floated out and asked, somewhat confused, "Why did you say we’re going to Sheng City in the Dayan Dynasty? What kind of unparalleled treasure could possibly be there?"