Chapter 208 - 128: Chief Disciple (Part 2)
This was the true power hub of the Sect, managing all of its internal affairs.
The Internal Affairs Hall was located in the core area of Lake Heart Island, its architecture solemn and imposing.
Chen Qing announced his name and purpose. When the disciple on duty at the entrance heard he was the new Chief Disciple of the Cyan Wood Institute, a flash of surprise crossed his eyes. Not daring to be disrespectful, he immediately led Chen Qing inside.
After passing through several corridors, they arrived at a study piled high with scrolls and Jade Scrolls.
The scent of sandalwood smoke wafted through the air. An old man dressed in a deep purple Elder Robe was hunched over a desk, writing furiously.
This was the Internal Affairs Hall Elder, Sang Yanping. He held immense power within the Wutai Sect, controlling the distribution of all materials, disciple stipends, and core resources.
The guiding disciple bowed and announced, "Elder Sang, the new Chief Disciple of the Cyan Wood Institute, Chen Qing, has come to see you."
Sang Yanping put down his brush and habitually picked up a smooth Jade Nut from his desk.
"Oh? The Cyan Wood Institute’s Chief Disciple?"
Sang Yanping sized up Chen Qing.
He remembered quite clearly that the names of the two most outstanding disciples in the Cyan Wood Institute were Luo Xinyi and Xu Qi.
He hadn’t expected that neither Luo nor Xu, the most talked-about candidates, would get their wish. Instead, the position had fallen to this disciple, Chen Qing.
Sang Yanping knew Li Baichuan’s temperament well.
’Could this Chen Qing have spent a fortune to bribe his way here?’ he secretly wondered.
Chen Qing’s expression was calm. He clasped his fist in a respectful, yet not subservient, salute. "Disciple Chen Qing greets Elder Sang. Thanks to Master Li’s favor, I was fortunate enough to receive this honor. I will be diligent and responsible in the future, and I will not fail the Sect’s nurturing."
Sang Yanping’s gaze lingered on Chen Qing’s face for a moment before he gave a slight nod.
He couldn’t interfere in the internal affairs of the Cyan Wood Institute, nor was it his place to do so.
Only the Dean of the Cyan Wood Institute could decide who would serve as its Chief Disciple.
With a wave of his sleeve, Sang Yanping sent a Token landing on the desk in front of Chen Qing.
"Mm, since you are now the Chief Disciple, this Identity Token is yours."
"Thank you, Elder."
Chen Qing picked up the Token to examine it. It had an ancient, simple design and was made of a material that was neither gold nor jade.
The front of the Token was engraved with "Cyan Wood," and the back was engraved with the two words "Chief Disciple."
Sang Yanping said slowly, "With this Token, you may pass unimpeded through all the Sect’s restricted areas and secret vaults, with the exception of the residences of the Sect Leader and the Elders."
"Each month, you can use this token to cultivate for ten days free of charge in Calm Room A of the Langya Pavilion."
He specifically emphasized "Grade A," as its environment was superior to the Calm Room C that Chen Qing had previously paid to enter. Its Earth Core Milk Mist was purer and more concentrated.
"Each year, you may collect three wild Treasure Fish, each at least five years old, from the Lake Heart Pool."
Sang Yanping added, "The Sect expended great effort to capture these fish from the dangerous depths of Qianchuan Marsh and raise them in the Lake Heart Pool. Though not technically wild, they are superior to wild fish. The Essence they contain is far beyond anything bred in a Fishery, and they have a miraculous effect on solidifying one’s foundation and nourishing True Qi."
"Each month, you will receive five Top Grade Quenching Essence Pills and five Top Grade Truth Condensing Pills."
Both types of elixirs were Top Grade aids for cultivation. Their medicinal power was pure with very few impurities, and their value far surpassed that of ordinary Quenching Essence Pills and Truth Condensing Pills.
"You may Imprint and study the Cultivation Technique Books on the first three layers of the Tingchao Armory at any time, free of charge. Furthermore, as a gift for becoming Chief Disciple, you are specially permitted to enter the Fourth Layer of the Tingchao Armory once, for the time it takes an incense stick to burn. The Fourth Layer contains the true core inheritances and Secret Techniques of our Wutai Sect. I hope you will make the most of this opportunity."
As Sang Yanping spoke of this, his tone grew somewhat grave.
The Fourth Layer of the Tingchao Armory was a Holy Land countless disciples dreamed of entering.
Now, by virtue of his status as Chief Disciple, Chen Qing could ascend and comprehend its secrets.
Listening as Sang Yanping listed privilege after privilege, ripples stirred in Chen Qing’s heart.
’These benefits... are like heaven and earth!’
’Free cultivation in a higher-grade secret room at Langya Pavilion!’
’The amount of silver saved would be astronomical, yet the cultivation efficiency is even higher.’
’A quota of precious wild Treasure Fish!’
’These are core resources that money can’t necessarily buy.’
’A large supply of top-grade Elixirs, and the ability to Imprint Cultivation Techniques for free.’
’The chance to enter the Fourth Layer of the Tingchao Armory!’
’This is the true priceless treasure. It means gaining access to the real foundation of the Wutai Sect!’
’No wonder Xu Qi and Luo Xinyi wanted to become the Chief Disciple.’
’The sheer volume of resources that came with the position of Chief Disciple was enough to drive any disciple mad with desire.’
"As for the Nanzhe No. 7 Fishery under your management."
Sang Yanping’s tone shifted. "A grand celebration is imminent, and the Sect is busy with numerous affairs and short on manpower. You can temporarily continue to serve as the Fishery Steward for a while. After the celebration, the Affairs Department will naturally select a capable person to take over for you."
’I can step down as Fishery Steward and focus on my core training! My time and energy will be completely freed up!’
Chen Qing took a deep breath. "Disciple Chen Qing thanks Elder Sang for his generous bestowal! I will certainly fulfill my duties and not fail the trust the Sect has placed in me!"
"Mm."
Sang Yanping was reasonably satisfied with Chen Qing’s reaction. He waved his hand. "Go to the Alchemy Room and collect this month’s share of Elixirs. Remember, the position of Chief Disciple is both an honor and a responsibility."
"Yes. This disciple will take his leave."
Chen Qing bowed once more before leaving the Internal Affairs Hall and heading to the Alchemy Room.
The top-grade Quenching Essence Pills and Truth Condensing Pills were naturally different from the ordinary versions.
Although a single furnace could refine a dozen or so elixirs, only one or two would be top-grade. Sometimes, even fewer.
These top-grade elixirs were prioritized for the Sect’s Elders and Chief Disciples.
After collecting his Elixirs, Chen Qing returned to the Fishery.
He had not even sat down when there was a knock on his courtyard gate.
It was Wu Yuanhua.
He was carrying a bucket in which a five-year-old Treasure Fish with shimmering silver scales was thrashing its tail.
"Brother Chen! Congratulations! This is wonderful news!"
Wu Yuanhua said sincerely, "This Treasure Fish just came out of the water. Let it add to the celebration!"
Chen Qing accepted it with a smile. "You’re too kind, Junior Brother Wu. Thank you."
Not long after Wu Yuanhua left, the area outside his courtyard grew lively again.
This time it was Song Ming. His face was wreathed in a smile much warmer than usual, and in his hand, he carried a congratulatory gift: a jar of fine wine from Yunlin Prefecture.
This wine was brewed with Treasure Medicine and was very expensive.
"Junior Brother Chen! Congratulations on your promotion! Please look after me in the future!"
Chen Qing exchanged a few pleasantries and accepted the gift, after which Song Ming tactfully took his leave.
Following that, the Stewards from several nearby Fisheries also heard the news and came one after another.
Most of them brought some local Fishery products or ordinary gifts, their faces plastered with smiles as they offered words of flattery.
In no time, the desk in his small hut was piled high with dried fish, Clam Pearls, a few ordinary Treasure Medicines, and jars of wine.
Chen Qing dealt with each of them, politely saw them off, and his small courtyard finally returned to a state of temporary peace.
However, this peace did not last long.
A steady, clear voice sounded from outside the courtyard gate.
"Is Junior Brother Chen present? Li Wang of the Li Fire Institute has come to offer his congratulations!"
Chen Qing’s heart stirred. ’The new Chief Disciple of the Li Fire Institute? He’s fast.’
He opened the gate to welcome his guest.
Standing outside the gate was a tall and straight-backed young man of about twenty-one or twenty-two, with a long face, a broad forehead, and unremarkable features.
It was none other than the new Chief Disciple of the Li Fire Institute, Li Wang.
"Brother Li, you honor me with your visit. My apologies for the poor reception. Please, come in."
Chen Qing clasped his fist in return and stepped aside, ushering the long-faced young man into the courtyard.
Li Wang smiled. "Congratulations, Junior Brother Chen, on becoming the Chief Disciple of the Cyan Wood Institute. A small token of my esteem to congratulate you on your ascension."
As he spoke, he took out a brocade box.
"Brother Li, this is too generous a gift. I am unworthy."
Chen Qing accepted it and said solemnly, "You praise me too highly, Brother. I was merely fortunate to receive Master Li’s favor. In the future, with the many matters within the institute, I will need to ask for much guidance from a senior such as yourself."
"You are too modest, Junior Brother."
Li Wang waved his hand, looked directly at Chen Qing, and got straight to the point. "Junior Brother Chen, although you and I belong to the Cyan Wood and Li Fire Institutes respectively, we are now both new Chief Disciples of the Sect. Our situations... when you think about it, have a certain similarity."
His tone was frank. "To be honest with you, Junior Brother, Senior Brother Xiao’s unfortunate death sent shockwaves through the Li Fire Institute. My assumption of this great responsibility was rushed. I have yet to establish any prestige, my foundation is still shallow, and the relationships between the various factions within the institute are tangled and complex. The pressure is truly immense."
These words precisely pointed out the common predicament they both faced: a high position but an unstable foundation, with an urgent need to find their footing in a complex situation.
Chen Qing nodded, his expression calm. "You see things with perfect clarity, Brother."
Li Wang smiled. "With the Sect’s grand celebration imminent, this is an eventful time. As the two of us bear the responsibility of a Chief Disciple, we should be like connected branches of the same tree, watching over and helping one another!"
Chen Qing nodded. "You are right, Brother. The two of us should communicate more."
"Good!"
A sharp glint flashed in Li Wang’s eyes, and a satisfied smile appeared on his face. He clasped his fist in return. "From now on, let us be close and keep each other informed!"
He stood up, preparing to take his leave. "I have disturbed your peaceful cultivation today, Junior Brother. When you have some free time, you must visit the Li Fire Institute and allow this humble brother to fulfill his duties as a host. We can also talk in more detail then."
"Definitely! I will be sure to pay a visit another day to ask for your guidance, Brother!"
Chen Qing also rose and saw Li Wang to the courtyard gate.
Meanwhile, the news of his appointment as the Cyan Wood Institute’s Chief Disciple instantly sent ripples through the Wutai Sect, spreading at an astonishing speed both within and beyond the mountain gates.
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