Chapter 15: Bai Zian Returns

The next day, Little Fur was hunting colorful butterflies, but every time it thought they were within reach, they somehow escaped.

"Have you reached the Basic Stage in the skills that I imparted to you?"

On the fourth floor of the Valley Master's residence, two people were sitting facing each other: one old, one young.

"Yes, I think so," Qing Chen said to Mu Qingfeng. "Valley Master, do you know how much truth there is in the rumors circulating in the outer sect?"

"Remember, Qing Chen... When the sky falls, the great cultivators are there to hold it up. And if even they failed, then me, you, and anyone else would be unable to make any difference."

"... You are right, Valley Master. But this still has not answered my question. Are the rumors true?" Qing Chen feigned ignorance.

"I guess you would have trouble finding a Daoist partner in the future." Mu Qingfeng made a regretful expression when he saw that Qing Chen was unable to understand what he was trying to say without uttering it directly.

Who wants a Daoist partner? Women are nothing but trouble.

Qing Chen vomited in his mind at the thought of a "Daoist partner." History is witness that women were the reason thousands of years old kingdoms and empires fell to their ruins.

"Okay, go back and get to work. Today, the new Head Elder will be coming for an inspection to find out if there is any corruption going on in the Herbs Valley."

"So, what should I do, Valley Master?"

"What do you have to do? Just show only the records that have been asked for by the Head Elder. Do not be overly efficient."

Qing Chen did not care about the money, but the Valley Master, in his newfound hobby of becoming an alchemist without proper teaching and only reading books, had cost the valley a lot of herbs. Qing Chen had checked the records of the yield submitted each year, and the yield in the past ten years had decreased. Qing Chen had noticed this and had already compensated through the Secret Garden since the day he took the responsibilities as the next Valley Master.

But it seemed like someone was intentionally targeting them—or, to be precise, his Valley Master.

He was afraid that whoever was the enemy of the Valley Master might make things difficult for him.

The Head Elder—someone who had reached the peak of the Nascent Soul Realm.

I don't know how strong he would be compared to me.

Qing Chen was not a normal cultivator. He also had a special physique that was not recorded in the books of this kingdom. It might appear outside this kingdom, but for now, there was not much information regarding the combat capabilities of the Verdant Nature Body.

...

"My time is getting close," Mu Qingfeng muttered to himself after Qing Chen had walked away. "Qing Chen has also matured now. And the new Head Elder is also not a problem. As long as he is in that position, no one would dare make Qing Chen's life difficult."

Thinking about the expression Qing Chen would make when he saw the new Head Elder, Mu Qingfeng thought he would surely be shocked beyond belief.

There was a slight smirk on Mu Qingfeng's old face. He calmly continued drinking hot water from the cup, with the sounds of bugs, insects, and birds surrounding his residence.

...

Qing Chen was walking around the Herbs Valley with Little Fur. Qing Chen was not aware of the Valley Master's thoughts, so he was nervous and unsure when the Head Elder might crash land on the Herbs Valley.

Qing Chen cleaned the Herbs Valley and his study spotless.

While he was cleaning, he remembered the first day he arrived in this world—the day he was trapped in the underground dungeon of the Liang Clan.

Liang Yuexin had helped him. He had not seen her since then. She might have already become a prodigy in the inner sect.

But it is said that the strongest disciple of Azure Sky Sect is the True Heir. He is old enough and stronger than the current Sect Leader. If the True Heir just expressed that he wished for the throne of Sect Leader, the Council of Elders would have placed him on that throne.

The sun was hanging high in the sky, casting a golden glow over the Herbs Valley when a deep rumbling sound broke the tranquility. Little Fur perked its ears, its small body trembling with a mix of excitement and fear. Qing Chen froze mid-step, gripping the broom handle tightly as he turned toward the source of the commotion.

This book's true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience.

A majestic figure descended from the sky, robes fluttering with an otherworldly elegance. The Head Elder had arrived.

He was a tall man with a commanding presence, his sharp eyes scanning the valley as if they could pierce through lies and deception. His silver hair gleamed under the sunlight, and a faint aura of power radiated from him, making the air around him feel heavy. The cultivators working in the valley stopped in their tracks, bowing deeply in respect.

Qing Chen used the Harmony Detector on the Head Elder.

[Bai Zian]

Nascent Soul Ninth Layer

Harmony: 10,000

Qing Chen felt his heart race. This was the peak Nascent Soul Realm cultivator—an individual whose strength was unparalleled in the outer sect of Azure Sky Sect. But what shocked him more was the faint familiarity in the man’s features. Qing Chen’s mind raced, trying to place where he had seen this figure before. When he saw the prompt from the System, he understood why he felt the sudden familiarity with the Head Elder. It was his brother Bai Zian all along.

But Qing Chen did not let Bai Zian know that his disguise had been seen through. This guy is a true monster. Just what type of cultivation technique does he cultivate? For normal people, it takes decades to pass through even one layer in the Nascent Soul Realm, and here Bai Zian was basically flying unrestrained in the realm.

The Head Elder’s gaze settled on Qing Chen, and a flicker of recognition crossed his face before it vanished behind a mask of stern authority. “You must be Qing Chen,” he said, his voice deep and resonant.

Qing Chen bowed respectfully. “Head Elder, it is an honor to welcome you to the Herbs Valley.”

The Head Elder nodded curtly. “Let us begin the inspection without delay.”

In the Valley Master’s residence, Mu Qingfeng greeted the Head Elder with a calm smile. The Head Elder’s arrival was not unexpected, but the atmosphere between the two men was charged with unspoken tension. Mu Qingfeng was shocked when Bai Zian was introduced as the new Head Elder. It was common knowledge among the outer sect Elders that a servant from the Herbs Valley had run away from the sect, and coincidentally, that servant’s name was also Bai Zian. They could not help but think this Bai Zian was the same servant, but then they shook their heads. That servant was only in his teens, and reaching the peak of the Nascent Soul Realm seemed absurd.

Was cultivation a joke?!

“Head Elder,” Mu Qingfeng said, gesturing to a prepared table. “The records you requested have been compiled. Qing Chen has ensured their accuracy.”

The Head Elder’s gaze swept over the room before settling on the documents. He took a seat and began reviewing the records with a meticulous eye, flipping through the pages with deliberate precision. As the inspection proceeded, his expression remained inscrutable.

After what felt like an eternity, the Head Elder looked up. “The yield of herbs has been consistently declining over the past decade. Why?”

Mu Qingfeng’s smile faltered for a brief moment before he regained his composure. “There have been... challenges. Environmental factors, a shortage of skilled labor, and—”

“Enough,” the Head Elder interrupted, his voice cold. “Do not insult my intelligence with half-truths. The records indicate a pattern that suggests mismanagement or, worse, deliberate sabotage. Who is responsible?”

Qing Chen stepped forward. “Head Elder, if I may… I have been investigating these discrepancies myself. While I cannot yet determine the culprit, I have ensured that the valley’s operations remain stable by compensating for the losses.”

The Head Elder’s sharp eyes bore into Qing Chen, and for a moment, the young cultivator felt as if his very soul was being scrutinized. Then, unexpectedly, the Head Elder’s lips curled into a faint smile.

“You have a strong sense of responsibility. That is commendable. However,” he said, his tone softening slightly, “you must be prepared for the challenges ahead. There are forces within this sect that would love to see you and the Valley Master fall. Be vigilant.”

Qing Chen nodded, his mind racing with questions. Who are these forces? And why are they targeting the Herbs Valley? Is even Bai Zian, a Nascent Soul Realm cultivator, unable to protect us?

As the inspection continued, the Head Elder’s demeanor shifted. He began offering subtle advice, pointing out inefficiencies and suggesting improvements. Qing Chen found himself unexpectedly grateful for the man’s insight.

When the inspection concluded, the Head Elder rose to his feet. “The records are acceptable for now,” he said, “but I will return in three months. Ensure that the issues are resolved by then.”

“Understood,” Mu Qingfeng said, bowing deeply.

Before leaving, the Head Elder turned to Qing Chen. “Walk with me.”

Qing Chen’s breath caught, but he obeyed without hesitation. They walked in silence through the valley, the Head Elder’s presence both imposing and strangely reassuring. As in the past, Bai Zian and Qing Chen used to walk through the Herbs Valley like this.

Finally, the Head Elder spoke. “You have potential, Qing Chen. Your love for nature is a rare gift, one that could make you a pivotal figure in the sect’s future. But it also makes you a target. Be cautious whom you trust.”

Qing Chen swallowed hard. “Thank you for your guidance, Head Elder.”

The older man stopped and placed a hand on Qing Chen’s shoulder. “The path of cultivation is fraught with peril. Remember this: strength is not merely a measure of power but of the wisdom to wield it.”

With that, the Head Elder took to the skies, leaving Qing Chen standing alone, his mind a whirlwind of thoughts.

As night fell over the valley, Qing Chen sat outside his study, gazing up at the stars. Little Fur curled up beside him, its small body rising and falling with each breath. The events of the day weighed heavily on him, and he couldn’t shake the feeling that a storm was brewing.

In the distance, the faint sound of insects and birds filled the air, a soothing melody that belied the tension simmering beneath the surface. Qing Chen knew that the coming days would test him in ways he couldn’t yet imagine, but he was ready.

As he rose to his feet, the faint glow of dawn began to creep over the horizon. A new day was beginning, and with it, new challenges and opportunities.

Far away, in the depths of the Azure Sky Sect, shadowy figures convened in a hidden chamber. Whispers filled the air, their words dripping with malice.

“The Head Elder’s intervention has bought them time, but it won’t be enough. The Herbs Valley will fall, and with it, Mu Qingfeng and his pet disciple.”

A cloaked figure stepped forward, their voice cold and ruthless. “Prepare the next phase. Let’s see how long they can withstand the storm.”

The chamber plunged into silence as the conspirators dispersed, their plans set into motion.

Back in the valley, Qing Chen stood at the edge of the cliff, the wind tugging at his robes. He closed his eyes, feeling the energy of the world around him. His Verdant Nature Body resonated with the life force of the valley, filling him with a sense of purpose.