Some extravagance is for show, but lacks substance.
Xuanqing Tianzong has both in abundance.
When Chu Xingchen was at Tianyan Sect, he didn't wander around much; he was either on Zhujifeng or handling affairs outside.
At least, he had never actually been to so-called female peaks or anything like that.
The architecture of Zhujifeng, not to mention compared to Tianyan Sect, was even considered crude when compared to their own sect in Yuzhou City.
It was clear that Bai Xuanling didn't care whether her resting and cultivation place was beautiful or not.
As long as the necessities for cultivation were complete, that was enough.
Even if Bai Xuanling had enough aesthetic sense, Zhujifeng still appeared somewhat simple and plain.
Xuanqing Tianzong, on the other hand, took extravagance to the extreme—not in the architecture, but in the details.
Every detail of Xuanqing Tianzong could make one feel a complete sense of extravagance.
Chu Xingchen touched the table before him, which was like white jade and faintly exuded spiritual energy—truly beautiful.
Then his gaze turned to the emerald green jade teapot and cups. The craftsmanship was exquisite, and they also faintly exuded spiritual energy. It was unclear whether it was due to clever craftsmanship or precious materials.
"They're not that expensive. At least, the Sect Leader is willing to give you more money. The face of Tianyan Sect is worth more than these few trinkets."
Bai Xuanling sat down beside him, picked up the teapot and poured herself a cup of tea, her gaze teasing as she looked at Chu Xingchen.
"What's that supposed to mean? How could I be that kind of person?" Chu Xingchen first grew serious, then showed a slight smile and said,
"Should I just ask the Sect Leader directly for this money?"
Bai Xuanling's expression remained calm, as if she had expected this: "You perform well, and I'll ask the Sect Leader on your behalf."
Chu Xingchen asked with a bit more seriousness:
"Isn't Tianyan Sect's reaction a bit too intense... This matter with Luoyue shouldn't have warranted such a strong reaction."
Bai Xuanling took a sip of tea, finding it not as well-brewed as Qinghe's, then explained:
"Because Luoyue is just a trigger, an excuse. After the world divided, it seems everyone is doing fine, but no one dares to show signs of decline."
"After having one spiritual vein, no one minds having a second one, and those without spiritual veins don't mind getting one."
"The Eighteen Immortal Sects stand high above, but being high above also makes them the most conspicuous targets."
"These eighteen sects have put in far more effort and sweat than other sects to maintain their high status—because there are more people ready to kick someone when they're down."
"Tianyan Sect has also trembled its way through several thousand years without making any mistakes."
"Naturally, the situation isn't as exaggerated now. It's simply about getting compensation for Luoyue, Tianyan Sect getting some benefits for itself. In the eyes of outsiders, Tianyan Sect can't be the easiest target to pinch, but large-scale battles to the death are unlikely to occur among the Eighteen Immortal Sects."
"Otherwise, the Buddhist Sects of Zhongzhou would have been gone long ago. So you don't need to worry about anything."
Chu Xingchen nodded in understanding: "I understand. I'll perform well."
Bai Xuanling didn't say anything more. After placing the empty te cup upside back in its original position, she turned and left.
Chu Xingchen was a smart person; he understood what he needed to do without her having to spell it out completely.
Yuyang Daozi stopped his steps, his gaze suspiciously looking at Xu Jin who had invited him.
This person had called him out in the middle of the night to say he had something to ask.
Out of politeness, Yuyang Daozi came, but the further he walked, the more deserted it became... and there were still few people around.
Yuyang Daozi's tone became slightly more serious:
"If you have something to say, just say it directly. I have no interest in wandering around with you."
Xu Jin stopped his steps, turned around, and said: "I heard that you, fellow Daoist Chu Xingchen, have fought with him."
Yuyang Daozi's expression remained calm as he said:
"I'm just a good-for-nothing, how could I have the ability to fight with him. If there's no problem, I'll be leaving."
Hearing this, Xu Jin was stunned for a moment, then quickly recalled when he first met Chu Xingchen, seeing how arrogant he was, he had just casually retorted him...
They were all heaven's favored sons, how could he still go behind his back to tattle.
He had originally thought that the vague "good-for-nothing" remark was him mishearing.
Xu Jin quickly said: "Wait... Yuyang brother, I didn't mean..."
"There's no 'whether or not' about it." Yuyang Daozi showed a hint of disdain on his face: "If you want to ask about Brother Chu, why not ask him directly instead of coming here to beat around the bush? It makes you seem too much like a petty person."
Xu Jin smiled bitterly, his expression somewhat helpless as he said: "Naturally, I went to visit him, but Brother Chu wouldn't see me... and told me to find Senior Bai if I had anything to discuss."
"It had to be him. If I had known you were asking about this, I shouldn't have met you. If you have something to say, go talk to our sect leader."
Yuyang Daozi turned and left without hesitation.
Xu Jin quickly said: "If I remember correctly, Chu Xingchen was planning to ambush Wuxuan Guan back then."
Yuyang Daozi didn't stop his steps and continued to leave.
It wasn't just Tiyan Sect who participated in this matter, it was just that Chu Xingchen was too dazzling, overshadowing the people from other sects.
Who knows if Xuanqing Tianzong was also involved.
At least the woman from Xiaoyun Palace who seemed a bit silly today was acting strangely, not daring to look him directly in the eye.
There's a good chance she was also involved in that year's events.
Besides, the matter of Wuxuan Guan has no real connection to the matter that needs to be handled now.
When handling matters, one should focus on the matter at hand. Mixing in too much will likely ruin things.
Besides, being two-faced really lacks character.
Xu Jin watched as Yuyang Daozi's figure disappeared, and the countless drafts he had prepared in his mind before coming now found it difficult to speak.
He also wanted to be as free and unrestrained as those two, to do whatever he wanted without hesitation.
After a moment, as Yuyang Daozi's figure completely dissipated.
Xu Jin sighed softly, his gaze looking at today's waning moon.
Both were heaven's favored sons, perhaps his cultivation level had the upper hand, but his spirit had fallen behind.
Early morning.
Normally, for a grand gathering involving eighteen immortal sects, a welcoming ceremony would have been prepared.
The complexity of such an event would require a lengthy program.
However, before the pleasantries of their first meeting could even be completed, the absolute core disciples from each sect had all departed.
With the silent agreement of all parties, these welcoming ceremonies were essentially completely eliminated.
With everything simplified, Xuanqing Tian Sect got straight to the point.
It was fine if there were fewer formalities.
As one of the eighteen immortal sects, most of the current friction, both overt and covert, was handled by their disciples.
This was a form of restraint, keeping conflicts to a level that both sides could accept.
After all, for major immortal sects, a great cultivator fighting another great cultivator could easily escalate to a tribulation cultivator fighting another.
Who didn't have several Supreme Elders backing them?
Moreover, the scope of destruction caused by great cultivators was simply too vast. Just considering the difficulty of aftermath handling, it was much easier to have junior disciples handle such matters.
Besides, at the great cultivator and tribulation cultivator levels, fighting to the death would be undignified.
Xuanqing Tian Sect's Wuxu Arena.
The spectator stands of the Wuxu Arena hovered high in the sky, while the actual combat arena was below.
Hundreds of formation patterns tightly sealed off a venue with slightly peculiar material.
For mortals, this venue could be considered enormous, at least the size of a small city, but for cultivators, it was somewhat laughably small.
However... this venue seemed to have its own secrets.
Tianyan Sect had brought so many immortal sects here naturally not just for tea and pleasantries.
Without a fight, without showing off Chu Xingchen and Yan Yun, Tianyan Sect would have come for nothing.
Xu Jin's gaze swept over the location of Tianyan Sect, but he only saw Yan Yun sitting there with a calm expression, while Chu Xingchen was nowhere to be found.
Just as he was feeling puzzled, his gaze instinctively turned toward the direction of Taidao Sect.
When he was about to look at Yuyang Daozi, he discovered that Chu Xingchen was actually among the crowd of Taidao Sect, enthusiastically hooking his arm around Yuyang Daozi's shoulder.
The people around Taidao Sect remained calm.
And Yuyang Daozi was even showing... a very bright smile?
At a glance, those who didn't know better might have thought Chu Xingchen was a member of Taidao Sect.
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