On the other side, Xu Qi, Luo Xinyi, and the others also relaxed, chatting in low voices with disciples from other institutes they knew.

Just then, Li Wang walked over with a wine cup in hand and sat down in the empty seat next to Chen Qing.

Chen Qing asked, "How are your injuries?"

"Just a flesh wound. A few days of recuperation and I’ll be fine."

Li Wang replied, "You, on the other hand, Junior Brother, truly made a stunning debut today. Now that your Mountain Prison-Suppression Spear has reached Perfection, Dean Peng is probably going to be in a foul mood for quite a while."

His tone carried sincere admiration, but also a hint of melancholy over their different circumstances as new chiefs.

Chen Qing raised his cup and lightly tapped it against Li Wang’s. "Brother Li is too kind."

Li Wang took a sip of wine, his gaze drifting toward the main table. He lowered his voice. "See that? Second Master He of Qixia Manor and Master Tan... once they drink that toast, the matter between Senior Brother Yan and Miss He is pretty much set in stone."

"A union between powerhouses. In the future, Senior Brother Yan will have Master Tan’s full support within the Sect and the backing of Qixia Manor on the outside. His path will only grow wider."

’An alliance between Sects through marriage?’

Hearing Li Wang’s words, Chen Qing immediately understood.

He Yueting had come to the Wutai Sect this time not only for its seven-hundredth anniversary celebration, but also for a marriage alliance.

Among the current disciples of the Wutai Sect, the most eye-catching were undoubtedly Nie Shanshan and Yan Yaoyang.

Both were at Late-stage Embracing Pill power and were listed among the Five Heroes and Seven Talents. It was no exaggeration to say that they were, at a minimum, candidates for Dean, and perhaps even for Sect Leader.

An alliance with Qixia Manor would undoubtedly bring the two sects closer together.

Chen Qing said calmly, "Senior Brother Yan is exceptionally talented. This is his own good fortune."

As the two were speaking in low voices, a figure as cold and pure as snow stopped beside their table.

It was Ye Qingyi of Cold Jade Valley.

Ye Qingyi’s steps were light as she came to a halt before Chen Qing and Li Wang’s table.

Her posture was poised, her white robes whiter than snow, making her exceptionally striking.

"Junior Brother Chen, Junior Brother Li."

Ye Qingyi’s gaze swept over them both before finally settling on Chen Qing. "On the dueling platform just now, Junior Brother Chen’s Spear Technique was simply profound. It has truly opened my eyes. Cold Jade Valley and the Wutai Sect are both located in Yunlin. Now that the Demon Sect is making a comeback, it is imperative that we set aside our sectarian differences, cooperate with sincerity, and resist our common enemy. I came to make your acquaintance so that we may keep the lines of communication open in the future."

Her words were decorous and flawless, her posture proper. She came for the sake of the bigger picture.

"Senior Sister Ye, you praise me too much. I’m unworthy."

Chen Qing put down his wine cup and rose to return the courtesy. "Senior Sister, your cultivation is profound, ranking you among the Seven Talents. This meager skill of mine is hardly worth mentioning. You are absolutely right. The Demon Sect is a menace, and it is indeed necessary for us fellow cultivators to join hands."

Li Wang also stood to offer his respects. "Senior Sister Ye is absolutely right. I will remember this."

Ye Qingyi nodded slightly, then said, "Junior Brother Chen, you are too modest. To be able to rise from a Transmutation Force Disciple to the Chief of the Cyan Wood Institute in just two short years, and even train the Mountain Prison-Suppression Spear to the Realm of Perfection... such progress can only be described as miraculous."

"I wonder, does Junior Brother have a unique Technique he uses in his daily cultivation? Or perhaps you received guidance as part of a True Inheritance from some great senior?"

Her question sounded like an inquiry between peers.

’Here it comes.’

Chen Qing understood. This prodigy from Cold Jade Valley hadn’t come over just to say hello.

Beside him, Li Wang was also quite curious. Chen Qing’s Root Bone was even worse than his, yet he himself had been in the Li Fire Institute for four years and was a key protege of Hong Yuandong. 𝑓𝘳𝑒𝑒𝓌𝘦𝘣𝘯ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝑚

And yet, his cultivation had only just reached Mid-stage Embracing Pill Power, and he had just opened the Six Orthodox Meridians.

Chen Qing’s expression remained unchanged as he replied frankly, "Senior Sister jests. My aptitude is dull; I just work a little harder than others and have been rather lucky. In addition, Master Li’s daily guidance has also benefited me greatly."

"Furthermore, the Sect provides all necessary resources, which has been quite helpful in polishing my foundation."

He attributed everything to hard work, Li Baichuan’s pointers, and the convenience of the Fishery’s resources. His explanation was perfectly reasonable and airtight.

Ye Qingyi listened quietly.

Her doubts were not dispelled, but she understood that pressing further would seem deliberate.

"Heaven Rewards Diligence. Junior Brother Chen deeply understands this principle. It’s admirable."

Ye Qingyi’s tone remained placid, but her words took a sharp turn. "My Cold Jade Valley has an Ice Soul Cold Pool, one of the Sect’s secret lands. The cold energy within is pure and contains the power of Ice Soul Profound Essence. For those who cultivate a Water Attribute or Ice Attribute True Qi, training within it is no less effective than your sect’s Earth Core Milk in Langya Pavilion. In some respects, it is even more unique."

"If Junior Brother Chen has the time, feel free to visit my Cold Jade Valley. Perhaps meditating by the Cold Pool could bring unexpected gains in solidifying your foundation."

At these words, Chen Qing wasn’t the only one stunned. Li Wang, beside him, couldn’t hide his astonishment. The way he looked at Chen Qing completely changed.

The Ice Soul Cold Pool!

That was a secret land that not even the Core Disciples of Cold Jade Valley could enter easily!

Ye Qingyi was actually inviting Chen Qing?

Such treatment was simply unbelievable!

’Is this a pure appreciation for talent, or... does she have ulterior motives?’

Chen Qing immediately cupped his fist, his voice tinged with flattered surprise. "Senior Sister, I am deeply grateful for your generous offer! The reputation of the Ice Soul Cold Pool precedes it. It’s just that my current cultivation is still shallow and my foundation is not yet solid. I also need to familiarize myself with the affairs of the Cyan Wood Institute, so I fear I might not be able to accept your kind intentions. In the future, if my cultivation improves, I will certainly find an opportunity to visit Cold Jade Valley. At that time, I’ll have to shamelessly impose on you."

Ye Qingyi nodded slightly. "If Junior Brother Chen is willing, you are welcome anytime."

She said no more, gave a slight nod to Li Wang, and turned to leave.

Li Wang watched Ye Qingyi depart, then turned back to Chen Qing, who had just sat down. His expression was complicated as he whispered, "Junior Brother Chen, that Senior Sister Ye... she’s not trying to recruit you into Cold Jade Valley, is she?"