Chapter 382: Chapter 193: Master Ming Yan’s Meticulous Arrangement: Dao Crystal

For Master Ming Yan, investigating the social networks of the sect’s cultivators wasn’t a particularly complicated matter.

The truly complicated part was that upon careful investigation, Xiao Chen had no social network to speak of.

He had only ever interacted with a handful of people, and he associated with even fewer on a regular basis.

As a result, many of the usual methods for currying favor had no suitable targets.

This forced Master Ming Yan to put in a great deal of thought and effort.

First, he designated the small courtyard where Xiao Chen had once lived in the Second Division as a restricted zone, strictly forbidding other disciples from approaching.

Next, he sent a child attendant to the Spirit Medicine Garden to fetch spirit medicines to be used in preparing a banquet.

Finally, he consulted the intelligence reports in his hand and made a series of personnel changes.

Inside the Spirit Medicine Garden.

"These Rouge Fruits have been growing for eighteen years. They’re about to produce new seeds! How can you pick them now?"

Elder Liu’s brow was deeply furrowed. "Leave at least ten or so."

"Elder, even if we take them all, it might not be enough. And it’s not just Spirit Fruits we need, but Spirit Flowers as well."

The child attendant leading the group explained, "Elder, we need you to quickly select eighty-eight Spirit Flowers over one hundred years old and have them transplanted to Cuiwei Valley. The sooner, the better."

’Cuiwei Valley?’

Elder Liu frowned. "But Cuiwei Valley has no Spirit Fields, and the Spiritual Qi concentration is too low. I’m afraid hundred-year-old Spirit Flowers won’t be able to survive there."

High-tier Spirit Plants often have very demanding requirements for their growing environment; Spiritual Qi concentration is just the bare minimum.

"If they can’t survive, can’t we find a way to make it work?"

The child attendant frowned as well. "What about setting up a dedicated, small-scale Spirit Gathering Array? Or would it be feasible to move a few Spirit Fields over?"

Elder Liu shook his head. "If we do that, it would cost at least a hundred Spirit Stones a month for the first few years."

Spirit Fields can’t be created in a short amount of time. Forcing the issue like this would be a complete waste of resources.

"Then it’s settled."

But the child attendant just smiled. "The Master has given his orders. Cost is not an issue, but the setup must be done with all possible speed."

???

Elder Liu was reeling. ’What in the world is happening?’

Meanwhile, the three Elders from the Chen Family, along with the other Foundation Establishment Cultivators from the sect who hadn’t gone to Hezhou, all received a summons to the main sect hall.

Even tasks like restoring production in the Marketplace and retaking control of Spirit Ores and Spirit Veins were temporarily halted.

Patriarch Su of the Su Family, Su Huaitao, was filled with anxiety. ’Could the sect be using this as an opportunity to meddle in the affairs of South Lake?’

’If that’s really the case, what am I to do?’

Elsewhere, Shen Siyue stared at the letter of appointment in her hand, her face a mask of bewilderment and confusion.

Thanks to Elder Qi, who had fought to get her a Foundation Establishment Pill, she had successfully broken through to the Foundation Establishment Realm at the end of last year.

According to the sect’s standard procedure, newly promoted Foundation Establishment Cultivators had to start as Inspectors, responsible for patrolling the edges of the territory and monitoring for disturbances from Demon Cultivators, Tribulation Cultivators, and Demon Beasts.

It was only because she happened to be on leave during the Azure Flame Sect’s surprise attack that she was spared; otherwise, she would have likely fallen at the border.

Just moments ago, however, Shen Siyue had received a new appointment.

It stated that due to her meritorious service during her patrols, she was being promoted from Inspector to a sect manager.

What was even more ridiculous was that she hadn’t been assigned to any of the branch halls. Instead, she was posted to Cuiwei Valley to manage the daily affairs of the valley, excluding the main courtyard itself.

And that was the problem. Aside from the courtyard that had been built two years ago, Cuiwei Valley had basically nothing.

Shen Siyue truly couldn’t understand. ’What on earth am I supposed to do once I get there?’

’Shouldn’t this be a matter for the Miscellaneous Peak to handle? Is it really worth tying up a Foundation Establishment Cultivator for this?’

Amidst a sea of doubt, bewilderment, and confusion, everyone gathered in the main sect hall, awaiting an explanation.

「Afternoon.」

When Xiao Chen returned from the Azure Flame Sect, the first thing he saw was the completely transformed Qi Yun Peak.

At first, he thought it was a celebration for the victory in the great war.

However, at the foot of the mountain, he saw a somewhat familiar sight—the head of Jiang Shiyou.

Next to his were the heads of Jiang Cungang and the other Jiang Family cultivators, arranged in a gruesome trophy mound at the Li Huo Sect’s main gate.

Every disciple who came and went could see the scene with perfect clarity.

Xiao Chen had originally thought that with that Tier Three Alchemist in the picture, he might have to take care of things himself. It seemed now that he had been overthinking it.

Elder Chen had been right. The world of cultivation had always revered strength above all else.

Once one’s cultivation realm was high enough, there were some matters you no longer had to trouble yourself with; others would naturally step up and handle them for you.

Arriving at the main sect hall, Xiao Chen saw many familiar-looking sect members along the path.

Upon stepping into the great hall, his eyes immediately fell upon Old Man Wu, who was waiting by the entrance.

The old man was wearing an upper-grade Magic Robe, his face wreathed in smiles.

Beyond him were numerous sect managers and Elders, along with members of the Su and Chen Families.

The hall was also set with sixteen large banquet tables, all laden with food and wine.

"Junior Brother Xiao, you’re back!"

Master Ming Yan appeared at just the right moment, beaming. "I’ve prepared a grand feast, just waiting for you, our guest of honor, to return so we can begin."

When the others saw Xiao Chen, they first froze in stunned silence, then, one after another, their eyes widened in utter disbelief.

According to the intelligence they had received, Xiao Chen was supposed to have perished on Seeking Plum Mountain.

How had he seemingly returned from the dead overnight to become the "Junior Brother Xiao" Master Ming Yan spoke of?

’Are we still dreaming?’

Elder Liu, on the other hand, immediately understood why they had been ordered to plant flowers in Cuiwei Valley earlier.

Shen Siyue blinked, and realization dawned on her as well.

’The sect transferred me to Cuiwei Valley to be a manager... they obviously want me to go and...’

At this thought, she suddenly felt her cheeks flush.

Su Huaitao was first startled to see Xiao Chen, then inwardly ecstatic.

He let out a huge sigh of relief on the spot, the weight that had been on his mind for half a year instantly vanishing.

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