Outside the Main Hall.
The Yi Jing who had just left no longer showed the obsequious, servile demeanor from before. Instead, he looked hesitant and uneasy.
"Good disciple, do you think your proposal will really succeed?"
Yi Jing voiced his concern to Bu Lü.
In truth, it had been Bu Lü who proactively sought out the down-and-out Yi Jing, telling him there was a way for his master to return to Yunkui Summit—and even reclaim the peak of his life.
That so-called large-scale Porcelume mine had also been provided by Bu Lü.
"That Arden Xu… he really has a huge problem with me!"
At the mention of Arden Xu, Yi Jing couldn't stop himself from trembling.
His previous dealings with Porcelumex had been exposed precisely by Arden. Luckily, the Grandmaster was Yixuan, who, for the sake of their shared sect ties, merely expelled him from the mountain. Had it been Arden, Yi Jing would have been purged on the spot.
To be honest, Yi Jing didn't truly want to return to Yunkui Summit and face Arden again—but in his fallen state, he no longer had a choice.
How was I so stupid back then?!
The current Yi Jing really wanted to slap himself.
If, back then, he hadn't chosen to cooperate with Porcelumex but instead wisely tried to curry favor with Arden, that outstanding disciple—even if he wouldn't have risen meteorically—he could have lived comfortably and well-fed. How would he have ended up this destitute?
As for Grandmaster Yixuan… he had already been rejected by her countless times anyway. What difference would it make if she were "given" to Arden instead?
And deep down, Yi Jing had to admit that Arden and Yixuan truly were a perfect match. Talented man and beautiful woman aside, if there was any man who could handle Yixuan in all aspects, it would probably be Arden—and no one else.
Unfortunately, there was no medicine for regret. No matter what he said now, it was already too late.
I can only walk this road to the bitter end.
"Heh heh, Master, don't worry. The temptation of a large-scale Porcelume mine is something no one can resist… even if they suspect something, they'll at least go and verify it."
Bu Lü still wore a smiling expression, but his tone brimmed with certainty and confidence.
Inside the Main Hall.
"As your master sees it, we can try—and adapt based on the situation."
Yixuan Shifu voiced her stance.
She didn't trust Yi Jing, but just as Bu Lü had predicted, a large-scale Porcelume mine was far too important for Yixuan to simply ignore.
This wasn't merely a matter of benefits—it concerned the livelihoods of the entire Waifei Peninsula.
Porcelume production was entirely controlled by Porcelumex and TOPS Alliance. Given the nature of capital, they would inevitably seek to maximize profits. But Yunkui Summit was different—they were a righteous sect and would certainly return part of the profits to the people of the Waifei Peninsula.
Moreover, they could compete with Porcelumex, allowing more benefits to flow into civilian hands.
This was a major issue tied to public welfare, causing Yixuan to hesitate—which wassomething rare for her.
"Arden, what's your opinion?"
Among those present, only Arden hadn't spoken yet. All eyes turned toward him.
Pan Yinhu and Ye Shiyuan hadn't explicitly supported or opposed the idea, while Ju Fufu and Yiji would follow Arden's lead. For Yixuan to decide, she needed to reach consensus with him.
"I don't agree!"
Without giving Yixuan any face, Arden flatly refused. "I can't give a concrete reason, but I just feel that Yi Jing can't be trusted!"
"But—" Yixuan tried to say something.
"There's no 'but'!"
Arden cut her off. He wasn't someone who would back down easily—even when facing his beloved Yixuan Shifu, he would hold firmly to his stance.
Unless it waspillow talk. (Biased lol)
"This so-called large-scale Porcelume mine—if you ask me, it's just a… tra—p?"
Before he could finish, Arden suddenly noticed that something was off about Yixuan's state.
She looked at him with watery eyes, shimmering like autumn pools, as if the dignified Grandmaster had suddenly descended to the mortal world and become a wronged young wife.
"As your master sees it, missing this opportunity would be deeply regrettable! Even if there's a chance it's a trap, I believe that you, Arden, can protect your master and all your senior and junior siblings… so, dear disciple, could you reconsider?"
Arden felt a bit speechless at Yixuan's attitude.
Especially the term "dear disciple"—it made his skin crawl.
"Uh…"
Arden hesitated.
If Yixuan Shifu had argued logically, he wouldn't have minded debating. But the usually aloof and cool Yixuan Shifu putting on such a pitiful, pleading look…
To be honest, Arden couldn't take it!
Could it be… Ju Fufu and Yiji taught Shifu this?
Having spent so much time with Ju Fufu and Yiji, Arden knew their temperaments and preferences well. As long as they acted cute or coquettish, he would agree to almost anything that wasn't too excessive.
Getting Yixuan to act cute was difficult—but acting coquettish or pitiful was still barely doable.
That said, isn't this acting a bit too much? There's no need to look this pitiful, right? It makes me look like some villain bullying widows and orphans.
He could already feel the strange looks from his fellow disciples around him.
Though it wasn't pillow talk, the effect was similar.
"I believe you can protect your master" had a hint of emotional manipulation to it—but Arden just happened to like the admiring gaze of beautiful women, especially one as lofty and untouchable as Yixuan Shifu.
"Alright."
In the end, Arden relented.
"But all actions have to follow my command!"
"Arden, thank you!"
Yixuan smiled, secretly letting out a sigh of relief.
To be honest, if Arden had remained firmly opposed, aside from acting coquettish and begging, she really wouldn't have had any other options.
It was just that her authority as a master seemed to have shattered all over the floor—along with her dignity as well… ahem.
Two days later.
Yixuan Shifu, Arden, Ju Fufu, and Yiji—four of them—followed Yi Jing and Bu Lü toward the so-called large-scale Porcelume mine, while Pan Yinhu and Ye Shiyuan stayed behind at Yunkui Summit to guard the mountain gate.
Only the Lemnian Hollow produced Porcelume, and the large-scale mine Yi Jing mentioned was no exception.
However, the location of this vein seemed to be extremely deep.
Arden and the others followed Yi Jing and Bu Lü deep into the Lemnian Hollow. Half a day had already passed, and the Ether beasts they encountered were growing stronger and more numerous.
That said, Arden wasn't worried.
He had deliberately brought Yiji along to deal with the terrain deep within the Hollow. If Yi Jing intended to trap them with this alone, he shouldn't even dream about it.
"I, Arden Xu, respectfully invoke the thunder and lightning of the Nine Heavens under the Celestial Venerable's name—O, Tribulation Lightning! Smite!"
BOOM—BOOM—RUMBLE~~!
Azure-violet divine lightning descended from the sky, illuminating the gloomy Hollow as bright as daylight.
Crackle—crackle—zzzzt!
Electric arcs raged among the Ethereals, reducing them to ashes in an instant.
===BREAK===
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