Chen Ye was already aware of this matter.
The dissatisfaction among the various sects of the Yan Kingdom was due to this incident, but they had to remain silent out of consideration for the Ruins Country’s reputation.
Chen Ye nodded: "Hmm. I heard that these four are at the Sixth-Layer of Foundation Establishment, the potential future talents, none inferior to Gu Tangyin."
"This matter alone is not worth me seeking you out directly."
Master Gu sneered,
"But the Lord of Hunyuan City claims that there are fluctuations in the Luoxiao Grotto Heaven, and at most, five disciples can be transmitted at a time... Doesn’t this obviously benefit Huayue Mansion?"
The transmission of Luoxiao Grotto Heaven is random, and each batch of cultivators finds themselves in different locations upon arrival.
If only five disciples can be transmitted at a time, it would effectively divide the disciples of other sects into two or three groups.
Huayue Mansion has only four people, and if a conflict arises, they might not necessarily be a match for a dozen or so Core Kingdom elites. But now... their team of four will probably be unbeatable inside Luoxiao Grotto Heaven.
"If that’s the case, it indeed sounds troublesome."
Chen Ye squinted slightly, gently rubbing the edge of his wine cup.
In a group fight, Chen Ye really wasn’t worried about his disciples, as they had nine prodigies from Lingyin to protect them!
"Here... take this. I’ve long disliked that Gu Tangyin, but unfortunately, I’m powerless."
Master Gu carefully took out a jade plate from his robe and handed it to Chen Ye,
"Spirit Treasure Sect has been stationed in Hunyuan City for many years and has studied arrays, naturally gaining some insights into Luoxiao Grotto Heaven. This is the Transverse Array Plate, crafted according to the transmission law of Luoxiao Grotto Heaven. If activated while in the Grotto Heaven, a cultivator can be transmitted randomly once more. If Gu Tangyin truly harbors ill intentions, this plate will ensure the safety of your disciples. But remember, this array exploits a loophole in the Luoxiao Grotto Heaven’s law and can only be used once every seven days."
The object was warm to the touch, engraved with extremely complex array patterns, a masterpiece of the Spirit Treasure Sect.
"Such a precious item, thank you, Master."
Chen Ye solemnly put away the array plate and gave a respectful bow.
This thing, at a critical moment, is equivalent to an extra life.
Although Master Gu spoke lightly of it, it was indeed a genuine lifesaver.
"Oh, what’s there to thank for?"
Master Gu waved his hand, got up,
"I just don’t want to see such good seedlings of your disciples fall in Luoxiao Grotto Heaven without a clear reason. After all... I’m still hoping you’ll take care of me once you become successful."
"Moreover..."
As Master Gu walked to the door, he paused without turning back, his voice lowered,
"Once inside the Grotto Heaven, be wary of other sects’ cultivators. Over the years, Huayue Mansion has been secretly stirring up relations between the Yan Kingdom’s sects. It’s possible that some sects have already secretly aligned with Huayue Mansion."
After saying this.
The old man left the tavern, humming an unknown tune as he wandered off into the bustling crowd.
...
Upon returning to the Wind Listening Pavilion.
Chen Ye dismissed everyone and entered the Quiet Chamber alone.
He sat cross-legged on the meditation mat, fingers caressing the Transverse Array Plate that Master Gu had given him, with no sense of ease in his expression.
With the current uncertain situation, every step was fraught with danger.
No matter how strong Qingzhi was, it was ultimately an external object.
He had to become stronger!
Chen Ye closed his eyes. Spiritual power surged within him, circulating like a river through his meridians.
He was at the Sixth-Layer of Foundation Establishment, just short of reaching the Late Period.
If he broke through to the Late Period, he would not fear an ordinary Foundation Establishment Late Period cultivator with his cultivation alone.
With this thought, Chen Ye focused his mind, deciding against gradual progress, and forcefully stimulated the spiritual liquid in his dantian to speed up his cultivation.
Bang!
Spiritual power roared furiously in his meridians, the originally gentle power turning violent due to his impatient intent.
Yet.
The path of Immortal Cultivation is most afraid of impatience.
Soon after beginning, intense backlash surged from his dantian back at him!
"Ugh!"
Chen Ye’s face turned pale.
The sensation was like punching a brick wall only for a knife to emerge from it unexpectedly.
Blood flowed in reverse, meridians filled with intense pain.
"Poof—"
A mouthful of blood dribbled from the corner of his mouth.
Chen Ye’s body shook, his hands bracing his knees, chest heaving as his face grew ashen.
Finally.
He lifted his hand, wiped the blood from his mouth, smiling wryly: "Still... too hasty."
Looking at the blood in his palm, his expression turned complicated.
The Late Period of Foundation Establishment is a significant milestone, not something to recklessly rush through in a spurt of energy.
It demands persistent effort and accumulation over time.
"Sigh..."
Chen Ye sighed deeply, casting a cleansing spell to clean the blood off the floor.
He understood the reasons.
Haste makes waste.
But before reaching the Sixth-Layer, his cultivation had been smooth sailing.
Now,
being stuck at the Sixth-Layer for years was something he couldn’t afford.
The Ruins Country charged aggressively, Gu Tangyin pressed arrogantly, and the secret of Ancestor Songyang was like a sword hanging over his head.
He wasn’t alone.
Behind him were three disciples not yet fully matured. If he, their master, couldn’t stand strong, who could protect them?
"What I lack... is time."
Chen Ye closed his eyes and calmed his breath for a long time before suppressing the turbulent blood and Qi within.
"To break through quickly without years of arduous cultivation, I must rely on the transformation of the cultivation technique from the proficiency panel..."
If cultivation cannot temporarily advance, then preparations must be made in other aspects.
...
When Chen Ye stepped out of the Quiet Chamber, it was already high noon.
The courtyard was basking in sunlight.
While other sects were on edge preparing for battle, the atmosphere in the Wind Listening Pavilion was oddly relaxed.
"Senior Sister! Come on, let me have just one more piece! Just one!"
Qing Jun clinging to Zhiwei like a koala, eyes fixated on a plate of osmanthus cake in Zhiwei’s hand,
"I feel like I’m about to make a breakthrough! Really! Just eating this piece will lead to enlightenment!"
Zhiwei, holding the plate with one hand and helplessly pressing Qing Jun’s head with the other, maintained a stern face, though her eyes hinted at indulgence,
"This is already the third plate. Master asked you to practice the Breath Concealment Technique; how have you done? If you don’t do well, no dinner for you tonight."
"I’ve practiced, I’ve practiced! See for yourself!"
Qing Jun released her grip, held her breath, and her aura instantly concealed, appearing like an ordinary little mortal girl.
"Hm, that’s more like it."
Only then did Zhiwei pass the plate to her.
Nearby, Jin’er crouched by a flowerbed, teasing a small white fox with a piece of grass.
"Little White, when do you think Master will come out?"
Jin’er mused aloud,
"Master’s been in there for so long... would he be hungry? Should I cook him some noodles?"
"Do you think Master will like the noodles I make? Both Senior Sisters have often cooked for Master."
"Little White, why aren’t you saying anything, why not chirp...?"
"Chirp..." (Stop fussing, his life is sturdy enough...)
The little white fox chirped impatiently, letting Jin’er put a small red flower on its ear.
This girl, not daring to talk to others, spent all her time talking to it, a little fox!
Sigh, all it wanted was to sleep peacefully to recover faster!
Witnessing this scene.
Chen Ye’s previously agitated and gloomy mood suddenly calmed down.
This was what he wanted to protect.
Not the legacy of Songyang, nor the glory of the sect.
"Master!"
The sharp-eyed Qing Jun was the first to spot her master.
Immediately hiding the remaining half plate of osmanthus cake behind her, crumbs still at the corner of her mouth, innocently she exclaimed,
"Master, you’re out! Qing Jun was just... uh, discussing the Dao with Senior Sister! Qing Jun has been working diligently!"
Zhiwei turned, noticing Chen Ye’s somewhat pale face, her eyebrows knitted:
"Master, you don’t look well... did something go wrong with your cultivation?"
The little white fox also lifted its head from the flowerbed, a hint of curiosity in its bright fox eyes.
This guy... his spiritual power was in chaos, did he encounter deviation?