Chapter 167 : The Time Has Come—Make a Move
Chapter 167: The Time Has Come—Make a Move
That evening, under the astonished and envious gazes of many disciples of Moon-Washing Peak, Ye Jingchen was personally led by Peak Master True Person Mingzhu to her private residence within her Pocket Realm.
Even more shocking was that True Person Mingzhu publicly announced that from this day forth, Ye Jingchen would be qualified to attend her personally delivered evening lectures.
This move was no different from a clear signal: this new disciple who had entered the sect barely over ten days ago had already gained the Peak Master’s favor and formally stepped into the core circle of Moon-Washing Peak.
Feeling the barely concealed jealousy and shock around him, the vanity in Ye Jingchen’s heart swelled with unprecedented satisfaction.
From the corner of his eye, he saw Liu Ruyan and Su Ningxue in the crowd waving excitedly at him. Farther away, Old Yao also cast him an approving glance. All of it left him brimming with pride.
True Person Mingzhu’s Pocket Realm was a vast and magnificent Night-Curtain Emerald Lake.
The moment he stepped inside, the sight before him was dreamlike. In the sky hung a “fake moon” radiating soft, clear brilliance. From its center poured a cascade of limpid emerald spiritual liquid like a waterfall, flowing down into a boundless lake below, its surface gleaming with a jade-like luster. The beauty was suffocating.
If one day he could pull this peerless Peak Master into his embrace… such a splendid and precious Pocket Realm—would it not naturally become part of her ‘dowry’ and fall into his possession?
As Ye Jingchen indulged in this fantasy, even greedier thoughts surfaced in his mind.
While calculating inwardly, he once again had to marvel at the profound foundation of the Nine Radiance Heavenly Sect.
On the surface, the sect’s territory extended only about a thousand li in radius. Compared to those imperial dynasties and great factions that ruled over several thousand or even tens of thousands of li, it was hardly vast.
Even many mid-sized forces possessed similar territory and population.
Yet though its land was not expansive, its wealth was enough to make anyone aware of the truth salivate. Setting aside the abundant Spirit Stone mines hidden beneath the earth and the endless Heavenly Treasures, the extremely stable and high-quality Earth Vein network that spanned the entire region—and the sheer number of Blessed Pocket Worlds that made external powers green with envy—were unrivaled.
Take for example this Night-Curtain Emerald Lake owned by True Person Mingzhu.
In terms of grade and scale, in most external forces it would be occupied only by a Nascent Soul True Lord. But in the Nine Radiance Heavenly Sect, not only could a Golden Core Peak Master enjoy such a realm, even guest residences for visiting dignitaries were often independent Pocket Realms!
Such extravagance could only be described as lavish!
Arriving at a delicate island in the middle of the lake, Ye Jingchen followed True Person Mingzhu into the residence.
Two people were already waiting inside—Nan Yuchen and another personally transmitted disciple, Zhu Huaisu.
Though Nan Yuchen tried his best to maintain a respectful exterior, lowering his brows and eyes, when he glanced at Ye Jingchen, the resentment, jealousy, hostility, and unwillingness in his gaze were nearly overflowing.
Ye Jingchen sneered inwardly. He understood that feeling all too well. Once the sole male personally transmitted disciple enjoying his master’s exclusive favor, now suddenly faced with a powerful new competitor—few could calmly accept such divided favor.
“Huaisu, Yuchen,” True Person Mingzhu broke the subtle tension in the room, “this is Ye Jingchen. Though he is temporarily a registered disciple, I have observed his temperament and talent and hold him in high regard. From today onward, whenever I deliver evening lectures, he will attend alongside you.”
“Yes, Master.” The two lowered their heads in unison.
In stark contrast to Nan Yuchen’s almost tangible dissatisfaction, Senior Fifth Sister Zhu Huaisu smiled warmly at Ye Jingchen. Her bright eyes shimmered with curiosity and undisguised admiration.
The look stirred Ye Jingchen’s heart and once again sent his thoughts wandering.
He had long investigated her background through Zhou Qingshu’s intelligence.
This woman was in fact a princess of the former Mingde Dynasty! Though the dynasty existed in name only, its legitimacy was still recognized by the Nine Radiance Heavenly Sect and many surrounding forces. The imperial clan’s status remained noble.
If he could win her over, it would undoubtedly become a considerable aid in his future power arrangements and network expansion.
At this moment, Ye Jingchen almost felt gratitude toward Nan Yuchen.
The benefits he had painstakingly and riskily gained outside by stealing Destiny Luck were nothing compared to what he had obtained in just over ten days within Moon-Washing Peak!
This place was practically his land of fortune!
After the three sat upon prayer mats, True Person Mingzhu took the main seat. Her gaze swept over the three disciples, and her voice—clear and youthful like a maiden’s—resounded gently in the room, penetrating straight to the heart.
“Today, I shall speak to you of the mysteries of the Inner Heaven and Earth—how, when using Divine Sense for internal observation, the ‘seen’ Divine Soul and the meridians’ spiritual energy interweave in brilliance, forming a shared inner cosmos.”
…
The next morning, Ye Jingchen slowly opened his eyes. Spiritual energy surged abundantly around him, evidence that his cultivation had advanced again.
He did not rise immediately, instead savoring the previous night’s lecture, the corners of his lips curling into a satisfied smile.
True Person Mingzhu’s explanation of the Inner Heaven and Earth was profoundly abstruse. For someone like him, a cultivator from an unorthodox background, the gains were immense.
What stirred him even more was her obvious favoritism.
Throughout the lecture, her gaze had fallen upon him repeatedly, her tone gentle.
Even when he asked a somewhat shallow question, she patiently answered in detail and praised him for having “an active mind and the courage to ask.”
In contrast, perhaps due to his prior offense of contradicting his master, Nan Yuchen, though not reprimanded, was treated with visible coolness. She asked him only a few routine questions.
As for Senior Fifth Sister Zhu Huaisu, she maintained her elegant smile throughout. Whenever her eyes met Ye Jingchen’s, she would even send him encouraging glances.
Nan Yuchen, Nan Yuchen… with such temperament, how could you deserve this personally transmitted position, this overwhelming Destiny Luck? It was only right that I replaced you!
After straightening his robes, refreshed and spirited, he pushed the door open.
As expected, Liu Ruyan and Su Ningxue were already waiting outside.
“Senior Brother Ye!” Su Ningxue chirped like a cheerful lark, rushing forward with worship in her eyes. “How was last night’s lecture? Was the Peak Master’s explanation especially profound?”
Though Liu Ruyan did not speak, her smiling eyes conveyed the same inquiry and concern.
“I gained greatly,” Ye Jingchen replied with a calm smile. “True Person’s teachings were indeed profound and mysterious. It was as though the clouds parted and I saw the blue sky.”
He basked in the admiring gazes of the two women. Being surrounded and adored by outstanding women—such a feeling was intoxicating.
They walked along a small path to a hidden dock. Old Yao was still reclining in his rattan chair, sipping tea. When he saw Ye Jingchen, his eyes lingered briefly before he gave a slight nod, everything understood without words. Ye Jingchen quickly bowed respectfully.
Yet after the three youths departed, the old man’s body suddenly stiffened. Then he gradually turned transparent. Within a few breaths, the living person vanished entirely.
The house beside him and the rattan chair seemed as though they had never existed.
Ye Jingchen and the two women took a Cloud Vessel to the Martial Arena. Tang De’s plump figure was already waiting on the platform. Upon seeing them, he hurried over with a broad grin.
“Brother Ye! Senior Sister Liu! Senior Sister Su!” he greeted eagerly—especially toward Ye Jingchen, nearly fawning. “I’ve reserved seats—the best area! Just waiting for you!”
Led by Tang De, Ye Jingchen walked toward seats with an excellent view alongside the two beauties.
Along the way, many disciples cast envious, jealous, or probing looks. Clearly, last night’s events had already spread through the sect.
He accepted it calmly, the superiority of being above others swelling within him.
After sitting down, his gaze instinctively swept toward the Moon-Washing Peak section and quickly found True Person Mingzhu and Nan Yuchen.
The latter sat alone in a corner, face dark, exuding an aura of hostility that clashed sharply with the surrounding lively atmosphere.
Ye Jingchen sneered inwardly. True Person Mingzhu’s favor toward him last night had clearly dealt the pampered “genius” a heavy blow.
Not far away, he also spotted Zhou Qingshu in the crowd. Their eyes met briefly. Zhou Qingshu gave a subtle nod, signaling that there was “no problem.”
Ye Jingchen composed himself and turned his attention to the competition about to begin. There were only four matches today, and the first was Nan Yuchen’s.
As the “protagonist” stepped onto the stage, Ye Jingchen nodded again toward Zhou Qingshu, signaling that the Trigger of the Spirit Speech technique could be activated.
At the same time, beneath his sleeve, his right hand quietly grasped an object.
It was an ancient and peculiar key—neither metal nor wood, icy to the touch. Its surface was engraved with countless dense and writhing runes that seemed almost alive.
Lowering his head, in a voice only he could hear, like the most devout of believers, he softly chanted several exalted names:
“Star Lord of Fate… Old Weaver of Destiny… Ancestor Xianqi…”
With each name he recited, the strange key in his hand trembled faintly, emitting an invisible, intangible ripple—an eerie fluctuation that seemed capable of interfering with the trajectory of fate itself.