Within the East Wing Room of Qichang Tower, over a dozen female disciples of the Chenxiang Sect gathered together. A white-clad woman with a veil covering her face sat at the head, her expression obscured, while the others all wore indignant looks on their faces.
Chou En made the excuse that there was nothing more to do here and refused to linger for even a moment, taking his leave long ago. After learning that Zhang Yan was a disciple of the Mingcang Sect, the Chenxiang Sect disciples immediately understood that even if the Secret Volume was truly in his hands, they dared not confront him for it. Disciples from such great sects were not ones they could afford to offend.
However, given Chou En’s words, they too found the matter suspicious. They intended to interrogate Old Ghost Luo further, yet after Chou En’s departure, the old Daoist seemed to have used some sort of method and slipped away unnoticed.
The young Sister Jiao, who had been spoken ill of earlier by Chou En, felt stifled with anger. Suddenly, she exclaimed, "What of the Mingcang Sect? Does it mean Mingcang Sect disciples cannot covet our sect’s Secret Volume?"
The white-clad woman sitting at the head spoke sternly, "Sister Jiao, such words should remain here and not be uttered outside. The Mingcang Sect is a great Xuanmen sect, no less powerful than the Shaoqing Sect. In terms of territory, it is indeed the foremost in East Splendor. As our honored master once said, if not for the current Sect Leader of the Mingcang Sect ambitiously striving beyond East Splendor Continent, seeking expansion to the north instead, we, a minor sect in the northern region, would only manage to survive under their dominion."
East Splendor Continent does have Ten Great Profound Sects, but there exists a gradation among them. Strongest are the Shaoqing Sect, the Yuxiao Sect, and the Mingcang Sect.
The Mingcang Sect’s founding ancestor feared complacency among the later disciples and established the sect’s base atop the Dragon Abyss Marsh, adjacent to Beiming Continent. Since the founding of the sect, they have been perpetually fighting off southern incursions by the Demon Race from Beiming Continent. Over millennia, despite major upheavals within the sect, they remain steadfast, guarding the northern gateway of East Splendor Continent and holding their position immovably.
How could the Chenxiang Sect possibly afford to provoke such a powerful sect?
The white-clad woman noticed that her sisters remained resentful and, fearing they might stir up trouble, further said, "Were it any ordinary disciple, it might not be an issue. However, this Zhang Daoist is a True Disciple of the Mingcang Sect; his cultivation has already reached the Xuan Guang Realm. At present, his travels are likely seeking Condensation Medicine. Such a person has established a firm foundation and has a path set toward the Heavenly Path. It is impossible for him to switch to any other sect’s techniques halfway. Brother Chou’s remarks before leaving were indeed sound."
The dozen female disciples furrowed their brows, quietly reflecting. Most of them were still at the Ming Qi Cultivation level and lacked experience. Initially, they judged others by their own standards, assuming that anyone possessing such a Secret Volume would treasure it as they did and refuse to part with it. Now, having heard these words and recalling what Chou En mentioned before his departure, they couldn’t deny that their senior sister’s reasoning was legitimate.
The white-clad woman, seeing their thoughts settled, breathed out a sigh of relief. She added a few more instructive words, commanding that they must not stir up trouble outside for the next few days and instead remain indoors for focused cultivation. As the senior sister, she had been entrusted by their master to teach these disciples, so none dared disobey, each returning to their rooms for deep seclusion.
Privately, the white-clad woman thought to herself, "That Zhi Ma Fruit was purchased by Zhang Daoist of the Mingcang Sect; my plans can no longer avoid involving him. I had intended to release news of the Han Ye Xuanzhen Grass, so as to garner a favor from Shaoqing Sect’s Brother Chou, making negotiations smoother for that matter. Now, there’s no hope for that. If this affair is to succeed, I must seek Zhang Daoist’s assistance. However, as a disciple of a great sect, his horizons are undoubtedly lofty. If I am to move him, I must offer something substantial."
Having made up her mind, she groomed herself before the mirror, shaping her brows and painting her lips. After bathing and donning fresh robes, she set out to meet Zhang Yan in the West Wing Room.
Outside the door, she put on a tone of utmost reverence and called out, "I am Mu Hongchen, a second-generation disciple of the Chenxiang Sect, requesting an audience with Zhang Daoist of the Mingcang Sect."
Zhang Yan was inside the room, attuning himself to a peculiar token with mysterious origins. Upon hearing the voice outside, his thoughts shifted, and he tucked away the token. He replied, "Fellow Daoist Mu, please come in and speak."
Mu Hongchen entered the room to find Zhang Yan standing there, clad in a perfectly fitting Daoist robe, his aura enveloped in Clear Qi, exuding a vigorous demeanor representative of a disciple from a great sect. Internally, she praised him first, then stepped forward to greet him, saying, "Earlier today, some of my sect sisters unjustly accused Fellow Daoist. I come specifically to apologize and hope Fellow Daoist will not take offense."
Zhang Yan noticed that, though Mu Hongchen was a woman, her stature nearly equaled his own. Her face, obscured by a veil, concealed her features, clearly for reasons she did not wish to disclose. He wisely chose not to inquire further, offering a slight smile and saying, "A few inconsequential words—naturally, I wouldn’t take them to heart. Please, take a seat, Fellow Daoist."