"You’re too kind, Madam Wu. Please, have a seat."

Chen Qing led the two of them to a stone table in the courtyard and personally poured them tea.

After a few pleasantries, Wu Manqing said, "Some time ago, my son, Wu Feng, was fortunate enough to be accepted into the Outer Sect of Cold Jade Valley."

Hearing this, Chen Qing’s brow twitched slightly.

As the Cloud Forest Leader, Cold Jade Valley’s standards for accepting disciples were extremely strict. Even its Outer Disciples were no ordinary individuals.

For the Wu Family to get Wu Feng in, they must have expended enormous resources and connections.

It seemed Wu Manqing had extremely high expectations for Wu Feng.

Chen Qing nodded. "Oh? To be able to enter Cold Jade Valley is Wu Feng’s good fortune. Congratulations!"

Wu Manqing sighed softly. "It’s just... Cold Jade Valley is filled with geniuses, and the competition is far fiercer than I imagined. Although Wu Feng performed acceptably in Gaolin County, the gap became immediately apparent once he arrived."

"He has been cultivating diligently since joining, but his progress is slow. I know that Brother Chen is a peerless talent and must have unique insights into the path of cultivation. Today, I’ve come brazenly to ask if Chief Chen, in his spare time, could... offer Wu Feng a pointer or two? Even just a few words of guidance might save him from many detours."

In the Gaolin County Martial Arts Hall, Wu Feng had been considered a recognized genius.

Wu Manqing had placed high hopes on him, wishing only for the Wu Family to produce an Embracing Pill Force expert. If that happened, she would be content.

However, ever since Wu Feng joined Cold Jade Valley, everything had changed.

Beside her, Wu Feng also raised his head, his gaze toward Chen Qing filled with an indescribable complexity.

Once upon a time, he had been the undisputed center of attention at the Martial Arts Hall. Whether it was Pile Skill or Fist Technique, his master would demonstrate it once, and he would master it after practicing just twice.

The envious gazes of his fellow disciples, the unstinting praise from the elders, and the full support of the Wu Family’s resources had led him to naturally assume he was a chosen one of heaven.

However, Cold Jade Valley was like a bucket of ice water, shattering all his pride and fantasies.

And this was just the Outer Sect of Cold Jade Valley.

There, the talent he had been so proud of seemed utterly mediocre.

He watched with his own eyes as a junior disciple who had joined a month after him progressed even faster than he did.

He saw disciples from the Noble Families of the Prefecture City, whose True Qi flowed smoothly with every movement, their foundations so solid it was despairing.

Not to mention Cold Jade Valley’s true chosen ones, like Xiao Bieli and Ye Qingyi.

Theirs was a realm so high that Wu Feng’s neck ached just from looking up at them.

And then there was Chen Qing, right before his eyes. He had gone from a Transmutation Force Disciple who needed the Wu Family’s support to a Mid-stage Embracing Pill Power expert in a single leap.

Now, he was firmly seated in the position of Chief Disciple of the Cyan Wood Institute.

Chen Qing glanced at Wu Feng. "Madam Wu, I am unworthy of offering guidance. Cold Jade Valley is the Cloud Forest Leader; its system of Martial Arts is vast and profound, and it has its own complete method of teaching and inheritance."

"I am a disciple of the Wutai Sect and know nothing of Cold Jade Valley’s Heart Methods or Martial Arts. To rashly offer my opinion would not only be unhelpful, but it could also interfere with the instruction of your sect’s masters. Worse, differing philosophies could lead his cultivation astray, and it could even violate sect taboos and attract unnecessary trouble."

Chen Qing was well aware of the divisions between sects and understood even better that rashly instructing a disciple from another sect was a major taboo.

A flash of disappointment crossed Wu Manqing’s eyes, but she also understood that Chen Qing’s words were reasonable.

She sighed. "What Brother Chen says is absolutely right. I was being inconsiderate."

Wu Feng remained silent, not saying a word the entire time.

The immense gap and the crushing blow had utterly destroyed his confidence.

Chen Qing saw all of this and shook his head inwardly.

’To become an expert, things like Root Bone, comprehension, and resources are certainly important. But beyond that, mental fortitude is also indispensable.’

Wu Manqing mulled it over for a long moment before saying, "For Wu Feng to have entered Cold Jade Valley is already a great blessing for the Wu Family. As for his future, that will depend on his own fortune. I only hope that Brother Chen, for the sake of our past friendship, might lend a hand if Wu Feng runs into any trouble in the Prefecture City, should it be within your power. The Wu Family would be endlessly grateful."

She knew that getting Chen Qing to guide Wu Feng was impossible, so she settled for seeking a form of potential protection for him instead.

"If it is within my ability, of course I will."

Chen Qing nodded in agreement.

The Wu Family had sponsored him before, supporting him all the way. He would not forget this bond.

As long as it didn’t involve the fundamental interests of his sect, lending a hand would be a trivial matter for someone of his current status.

"Thank you, Brother Chen!"

Wu Manqing breathed a sigh of relief, the smile on her face becoming a little more genuine.

She gestured, and a Wu Family guard who had accompanied them immediately presented a square Cold Jade Box, about a foot in size, and placed it on the stone table.

The lid of the box opened, and a sweet, coppery scent mixed with the auras of various Exotic Beasts wafted out. Inside, dozens of exquisite Jade Bottles were neatly arranged, each with a label indicating the name of the Exotic Beast.

"Just a small token of our appreciation. It’s nothing of real worth."

Wu Manqing said, "A while ago, Brother Chen mentioned that he was collecting Exotic Beast Essence Blood. The Wu Family’s merchant caravans travel far and wide and were lucky enough to acquire these. Perhaps they will be of use to the Chief Disciple."

"Madam Wu is very thoughtful."

Chen Qing did not refuse. He closed the lid of the Cold Jade Box and put it away.

As for the hundred types of Exotic Beast Essence Blood, his plan was to collect them as he came across them.

He wasn’t going to force the matter. He would only start cultivating the Dragon Elephant Marrow Cleansing Skill whenever he finally managed to gather all one hundred types of Essence Blood.

Seeing Chen Qing accept the gift, Wu Manqing had achieved her goal for the trip. After a bit more small talk about recent events in the Prefecture City and business matters, she tactfully rose to take her leave.

After Wu Manqing left with Wu Feng, Chen Qing put away the Essence Blood and went to the Cyan Wood Institute’s Transmission Square.

The disciples in the courtyard were much sparser than usual.

Luo Xinya was chatting with a few junior disciples. When she saw Chen Qing arrive, she strode over to greet him. "Chief Disciple!"

"Has everything been peaceful in the institute lately?"

Chen Qing asked casually as his gaze swept over the disciples present.

Luo Xinya answered respectfully, "Yes, Senior Brother. Everything is as usual."

She then gave him a brief summary of the institute’s disciple recruitment, appointments, and their cultivation progress.

Chen Qing nodded. Just as he was about to ask another question, a disciple from the Internal Affairs Hall ran in, cupped his fist toward Chen Qing, and said, "Chief Chen, Elder Sang has issued an order: the five Chief Disciples are to report to the Internal Affairs Hall Council Hall immediately."