Chapter 59: Could They Have Come Here Just to Pick a Fight?
When Yao Qin grew serious, her efficiency became astonishing. After giving a few brief instructions, she was ready to depart straight for the Qingfeng Sect.
Chu Xingchen had no objections. After all, he was only accompanying her on the investigation.
Yao Qin had already been upfront with him — it was only a simple intelligence probe to prevent any irreversible losses.
Before the envoys from the Central State arrived, they needed to keep the matter within controllable limits.
The difference between resolving a problem and merely understanding it could be described as the distance between heaven and earth.
The distance from Qingfeng Sect to Yuzhou City was relative — long for Foundation Establishment cultivators, but not far for Golden Core Seniors who could already fly through the air unaided.
Chu Xingchen possessed no treasure that allowed him to fly. When he came to Yuzhou City, he had to carry his two disciples along with him.
Since he also needed to stay alert in case the Qingfeng Sect launched an attack, he chose to travel with his disciples on foot, slowing the journey slightly.
Still, Li Yingling seemed to enjoy the trip.
Now, however, the situation had reversed — this time, it could almost be called a visit made to "settle accounts."
The two of them flew at full speed and would reach the Qingfeng Sect in less than half a day.
In the skies near the sect's territory, Chu Xingchen asked, "Do you plan to head for the sect first, or inspect that mine?"
Yao Qin replied, "There's no need to startle the snake before striking. We'll go to the Qingfeng Sect first and see how things stand. We must determine whether the entire sect has lost its mind, or only a few individuals."
Chu Xingchen nodded lightly in agreement.
...
The Qingfeng Sect's mountain gate stood along the greatest spiritual vein in the area, where spiritual energy was particularly abundant.
It was said that this mountain was once called Ox-Head Mountain by the locals.
The peaks on both sides rose unusually high, resembling the horns of an ox when seen from afar.
Following the simple logic of naming things by their likeness, the mountain was called Ox-Head Mountain, a name it held for a very long time.
However, when the sect's founder, Daoist Qingyun, established the Qingfeng Sect, he promptly renamed it to Qingfeng Mountain.
After all, one could hardly introduce oneself by saying, "I am a disciple of the Qingfeng Sect… from Ox-Head Mountain."
No matter how grand the sect's name might sound, being located on "Ox-Head Mountain" would still make it seem like a backwater sect.
But unclaimed mountains rich with spiritual veins were exceedingly rare.
So even if it was Ox-Head Mountain, Daoist Qingyun seized it without hesitation and established his sect there.
Over the years, as the Qingfeng Sect took firm root, the old name was completely replaced.
Before the mountain gate stood a tall, white jade archway inscribed with three flowing golden characters — Qingfeng Sect.
Behind the archway, opulent buildings rose from the steep cliffs and crags.
Chu Xingchen and Yao Qin arrived swiftly, neither concealing their Golden Core auras.
The disciples guarding the mountain gate quickly noticed the two Golden Core Seniors hovering in the air.
Chu Xingchen's gaze swept across the mountain gate before lowering to the gatekeepers below.
"From the Central State," he said calmly, "go and summon someone who has the authority to speak."
"Yes, honored Seniors, please wait a moment!"
The gate disciple hurriedly cupped his hands and rushed into the sect.
Yao Qin sent a voice transmission to Chu Xingchen. "I'll leave this to you."
After all, when it came to confrontation, Chu Xingchen's combat strength was clearly superior to hers — and in handling matters, his capability had always been something she deeply trusted.
Chu Xingchen gave a faint nod.
Before long, a middle-aged man in black robes, himself a Golden Core cultivator, flew out from within the sect.
He cupped his hands respectfully and asked, "May I know what business brings the two honored Seniors to our Qingfeng Sect?"
[Target: Zheng Xiaofeng]
[Cultivation: Early Golden Core Stage]
[Blue Trait: Smooth and Tactful]
[White Trait: Decent Aptitude]
[White Trait: Steady]
[Black Trait: Short-Sighted]
Chu Xingchen used his system to scan the Golden Core cultivator before him. Seeing the "Smooth and Tactful" trait, he immediately understood why this man had been sent to receive them.
With a calm tone, Chu Xingchen said, "We're here on official investigation. The Qingfeng Sect is required to cooperate."
Zheng Xiaofeng still cupped his hands politely. "May I ask what matter the two Seniors need our Qingfeng Sect to cooperate with?"
Chu Xingchen reached to his waist and drew out the command token Yao Qin had given him midway through the journey. After showing it to Zheng Xiaofeng, his voice turned cold. "All matters."
Such an audacious statement stunned Zheng Xiaofeng for a moment. Then his gaze fell on the token in Chu Xingchen's hand.
A moment later, the name of a sect surfaced in his mind.
"So, you are honored guests of the Tianyan Sect." His expression shifted instantly into a broad smile. "No problem at all—whatever you require, we will comply. Would you two care to come inside for some tea? Everything can be discussed slowly."
Watching Zheng Xiaofeng's face change as quickly as flipping a mask, Chu Xingchen truly understood what "smooth and tactful" meant.
However, since he had never been to the Central State, he didn't really grasp how much weight this Tianyan Sect name carried, nor why Zheng Xiaofeng's attitude had changed so fast.
With that thought, he glanced sideways at Yao Qin and asked through sound transmission,
"Your sect's name carries that much prestige?"
Her reply came at once:
"In the Central State, Tianyan Sect is only considered decent—but to people out here, it's a colossal power."
That was the plain truth.
Naturally, Chu Xingchen and Yao Qin accepted Zheng Xiaofeng's invitation.
Wearing a dazzling smile, Zheng Xiaofeng led them into the sect's grand, gold-and-jade main hall.
On both sides stood disciples in neat formation. As Zheng Xiaofeng passed one of them, he gave a quiet instruction:
"Go summon the Sect Master, and call as many elders as can be gathered."
The disciple accepted the order at once and hurried off.
The command wasn't given by sound transmission, so both Chu Xingchen and Yao Qin heard it clearly.
Zheng Xiaofeng cupped his hands and said, "Please, this way."
Seats were arranged along both sides of the hall. Chu Xingchen took one on the left side, while Yao Qin sat beside him.
No sooner had they taken their seats than two female disciples entered, each carrying a teapot.
They placed the tea at Chu Xingchen and Yao Qin's tables, then quietly withdrew.
Zheng Xiaofeng sat across from them, smiling pleasantly. "This is Qingfeng Sect's specialty, Qingfeng Tea. It's infused with spiritual energy—perhaps not as fine as what honored guests usually drink, but it has its own flavor."
Neither Chu Xingchen nor Yao Qin showed the slightest reaction, as though they had no interest in the tea at all.
Zheng Xiaofeng could only give an awkward smile and drop the matter.
Fortunately, he didn't have to wait long.
Soon, an elderly man with snow-white hair stepped through the doors, followed closely by three other Golden Core elders dressed in black robes.
The old man's eyes immediately locked on Chu Xingchen and Yao Qin. A polite smile appeared on his face. "The two of you must be the honored guests from the Central State. I am the Sect Master of Qingfeng Sect."
Chu Xingchen's gaze swept past the white-haired old man but quickly fixed on one of the elders standing behind him.
Shangguan Hong's expression darkened as he met Chu Xingchen's sharp, unrelenting stare.
Damn it.
So this brat really was from the Central State?
Could it be… he came here just to settle a personal score?
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