Chapter 141: All the World's Hustle and Bustle Is for Profit

Jiang Yan heard Qi Xiuning’s dismissive tone: "I have no history with her, for heaven’s sake. Junior Brother Shi is clearly just using that girl as a cover. It’s strange, though—how does he know everything? Could it be that his trip to the Demon Realm actually granted him the power of foresight?"

Hong Jian felt a profound shock, standing there momentarily stunned.

Was it him? Shi Qingxiang? He Feng?

Thinking back, Shi Qingxiang had indeed been to the Demon Realm. Just as she had borrowed Qi Xiuning’s identity when dealing with the Cheng clan, Shi Qingxiang’s experiences bore a striking resemblance to those of He Feng, the personal disciple of the Heavenly Demon Sect Master. Could they be the same person?

Hong Jian frowned, carefully recalling her interactions with He Feng over the past few days. He seemed so familiar with her; at times, his intimate demeanor made her almost believe she had developed amnesia and had completely forgotten someone very important from her past. Yet, the idea that this man was Shi Qingxiang still seemed highly improbable.

Not to mention the long time they had been apart, even in the past, he had merely been a friend she could talk to easily—someone who had helped her out significantly. Shi Qingxiang was only a few years older than her; how could he possibly know about places like the Demon-Refining Prison or the Red Gold Volcano, let alone be so intimately acquainted with Ji Youyun?

With this thought, Hong Jian shook her head, dismissing the bizarre notion.

If she couldn't figure it out, Jiang Yan was even more bewildered.

He put away the jade slip and said to Hong Jian, "Alright, he said your brother is fine, so you can set your mind at ease. I’ll look into whether there’s any way to handle the matter of the sect’s secret realm. Just stay here and rest easy."

He then looked suspicious. "Is there something you two are keeping from me? I remember that after he became Dai Mingchi’s disciple, he stayed at the Dan’ya Sect for a long time. Now that he’s in such a massive predicament, he writes a letter from thousands of miles away, yet he doesn’t mention his own situation at all, nor does he show any concern for me. It’s all written for your sake. Isn’t that choosing a pretty face over a friend?"

His words left Hong Jian feeling extremely awkward, especially since she was just as confused by it herself. Just as she was wondering how to respond, she felt a sudden presence: Lu Yanchang had returned.

Hong Jian gave a light cough, greeted Lu Yanchang as he entered the room, and then said to Jiang Yan, "That is absolutely not the case. If he did it for me, you don’t need to feel troubled. I have no interest in your sect’s secret realm."

Before Jiang Yan could reply, Lu Yanchang interjected, "Sect secret realm? Is the Xianyun Sect’s secret realm opening? No wonder there are so many Foundation Establishment cultivators from all the major sects here."

At his words, Hong Jian and Jiang Yan realized the situation immediately. Qi Xiuning, Zhang Yu, and Duan Qiurong from the Immortal Mist Grotto—they were all Foundation Establishment cultivators.

Jiang Yan hadn't considered this before. He couldn't spare another word and jumped up, saying, "I’m going to find my master. Wait for my news." Before his voice had even faded, he had already vanished from the room like a gust of wind.

Lu Yanchang leaned in and whispered sneakily, "I wasn't wrong. That Lu Kaiyuan fellow took me for a tour earlier. My goodness, these Xianyun Sect youngsters are exactly to my taste—they love to gossip. I heard it’s not just these three sects; the Little Yingzhou and the Sanqing Gate are here too. That makes five sects in total. The Talisman Sect and Immortal Mist Grotto are one thing, but the other three all sent heavy hitters. I suspect that so-called 'Immortal Epiphyllum' is just a ruse. We came at the right time; let's see if there’s anything good to be had and quietly take a share."

Once he said this, Hong Jian became even more certain that the gathering of these people was related to the opening of the Xianyun Sect’s secret realm.

She asked Lu Yanchang, "Is there something special about the Xianyun Sect’s secret realm? Have you heard anything?"

Lu Yanchang replied, "The Xianyun Sect’s secret realm? It’s ordinary; I’ve never heard of anything unusual about it. The most famous sect secret realm is that of the Dan’ya Sect; the rest are all much the same. You might find some materials or spiritual herbs, but nothing more."

Then what was going on?

Unable to fathom the mystery, Hong Jian and Lu Yanchang could only sit and wait for Jiang Yan’s return.

Meanwhile, the Jingduan Hall at the peak of the Xianyun Sect was bustling with activity, as people from the five visiting major sects had gathered there.

It was as if the five sects had coordinated in advance; they had all brought their Foundation Establishment disciples. Among these young people, only Qi Xiuning of the Talisman Sect—by virtue of her seniority—was not only provided a seat but was also seated above Pu Pingping, a mid-stage Golden Core cultivator and disciple of Nangong Jiu. The others stood respectfully behind their elders.

Zhu Xian, an Nascent Soul elder and Jiang Yan’s master, was the one hosting them on behalf of the Xianyun Sect.

Looking at the representatives of the major sects, Zhu Xian could not summon any joy.

Madam Duan and Fei Chengji were one thing, but the Little Yingzhou had sent an Nascent Soul cultivator: Xi Xu, the younger martial brother of Le You. Because Le You’s health had been fluctuating over the years, he had delegated many major sect affairs to Xi Xu. In terms of personal relations, he was the one among those present who had the best rapport with the Xianyun Sect.

Zhu Xian noticed the young man Xi Xu had brought—not tall, unremarkable in appearance, and with a cultivation level of peak Foundation Establishment as expected—and he couldn't help but glare secretly, wondering what kind of spectacle the Little Yingzhou was trying to join.

The truth, however, was that not only had Xi Xu come, but Zuo Qiancheng of the Sanqing Gate was clearly aligned with him, there to lend his support.

Zuo Qiancheng was a disciple of the Sanqing Gate leader, Fei Yuan. Although his cultivation was only at the late Golden Core stage, his presence signified Fei Yuan’s intentions.

Twenty years ago, a massive upheaval at the Dan’ya Sect saw the sudden deaths of Jin Donglou, Ling Xuzi, and many other powerful water-element cultivators, which deeply impacted the landscape of the Daoist cultivation world.

The Dan’ya Sect had since become a vassal to Dai Mingchi, following the Talisman Sect’s lead in everything, while the Immortal Mist Grotto had even more proactively sought to curry favor with him. It was evident in the hall today: Madam Duan and Fei Chengji, despite their advanced age and long-standing status as Golden Core cultivators, were huddled around Qi Xiuning and Pu Pingping, smiling and fawning over the young Qi Xiuning as if they were trying to please her.

Under these circumstances, other sects were forced to deepen their ties and support one another. Thus, while Zhu Xian wasn't surprised that the first three had arrived, he had certainly not expected the Little Yingzhou and the Sanqing Gate to show up.

Having received instructions from Sect Master Yin Quan on how to deal with these people, Zhu Xian feigned ignorance: "Haha, you all are truly well-informed. I just asked Elder Guan, and he says the Immortal Epiphyllum will likely take another seven or eight days to bloom. Because it hasn't bloomed in nearly a thousand years, even Elder Guan can't say for sure how many blossoms there will be. If you want to return home with something, you must first see if the heavens are willing, and furthermore, this flower grows in our Xianyun Sect. Elder Guan has tended to it with great care for hundreds of years; friendship is one thing, but we cannot simply let it be taken away for free."

As he spoke, he surreptitiously sent a voice transmission to Xi Xu: "Old Xi, it’s just a Beauty-Preservation Pill; why are you and your disciple fighting a female cultivator for it?"

"Let’s stop beating around the bush. We don’t want the Beauty-Preservation Pill; we need one blossom of the Immortal Epiphyllum. It’s incredibly rare, and it might help treat Brother Le’s strange illness. Besides, Old Zhu, don’t try to change the subject. You know full well that few people came here for the flower; they are all here for your sect’s secret realm." Xi Xu’s reply came quickly.

Zhu Xian frowned: "Where did you get that information?"

"Perhaps one of your own let it slip. You should advise Sect Master Yin; managing the sect so loosely may not be a good thing."

Before Zhu Xian could press further, Madam Duan spoke up with a laugh: "Oh, Elder Zhu, don't mind him. The only ones here who truly need the Immortal Epiphyllum are Miss Qi and our Qiurong. Qiurong, go pay your respects to Uncle Zhu. Although my daughter’s talent and beauty might not compare to Miss Qi’s, she is still one of the best in our Immortal Mist Grotto."

Madam Duan praised her daughter without a hint of shame; others might not have thought much of it, but the young woman behind her blushed deeply.

Duan Qiurong kept her head bowed as she stepped out, performed a salute to Zhu Xian in the main seat, and under the gaze of everyone, whispered "Uncle Zhu" as softly as a mosquito. Before Zhu Xian could respond, she had already retreated.

Madam Duan glared at her daughter with frustration, then smiled at Zhu Xian: "The silly girl is just shy. She’s not so young anymore, and I’ve been racking my brain over her marriage. I’ve looked left and right—there are many young heroes in this world, but none seem suitable. Uncle Zhu, have you noticed? This child and your disciple Jiang Yan are a match made in heaven; they look so perfect together."

Zhu Xian chuckled dryly, thinking, "I really don't see it."

Madam Duan continued on her own: "If this match could be settled, then Qiurong would no longer be an outsider to the Xianyun Sect. Why not let Jiang Yan accompany her into the secret realm to gain some experience this time? Of course, I will also take responsibility for the cultivation techniques my future son-in-law will need after reaching the Golden Core stage."

Zhu Xian had initially wanted to laugh, wondering where this notorious tigress got such confidence—had she not noticed that Duan Qiurong’s head was so low she looked like she was trying to dig a hole into the floor? Only at the end did he realize: this was her leverage.

The Immortal Mist Grotto possessed the "Wisdom-Heart Sword" technique.

Zhu Xian pondered for a moment. Instead of refusing outright, he said, "This matter requires the decision of Sect Master Yin."

"Then you’d better hurry. Your sect’s secret realm doesn't have many days left, does it?"

Zhu Xian did not commit, shifting his gaze to Fei Chengji, Pu Pingping, and the others, clearly having no desire to engage with Madam Duan any further.

At that moment, the previously expressionless Qi Xiuning suddenly spoke up: "Elder Zhu, I think we needn't beat around the bush. Every sect has brought Foundation Establishment disciples, and we all know the purpose. I have no interest in the Beauty-Preservation Pill, but this time, the Xianyun Sect’s secret realm is exhibiting unusual phenomena. I must enter and see for myself."

Zhu Xian gave Qi Xiuning a long look and said calmly, "The number of spots for the secret realm is limited. My own Xianyun Sect barely has enough for ourselves; I’m afraid there are none left for you."

Pu Pingping added from the side: "This trip to the secret realm might be life-threatening. For the sake of those in your sect who lack sufficient strength, it might be better to have them simply give up."

At that same moment, Jiang Yan was also trying to persuade someone to give up: "Junior Sister Wei, let’s make a deal. Lend me your spot for the secret realm. Name your price, and I’ll pay it."