Chapter 334 - 57: Playing a Role

Chapter 334: Chapter 57: Playing a Role

"Congratulations on achieving Sea Condensation, Master!" Li Qingyan’s voice rang out, full of reverence.

Chen Ye glanced back at her. The woman stood there with her head bowed subserviently, her face flushed with excitement.

"Don’t you have any questions?" Chen Ye asked, intrigued.

Li Qingyan’s body trembled slightly, and she lowered her head even further. "This servant wouldn’t dare. Master, your abilities are beyond mortal comprehension. Such miraculous speed is only to be expected."

Her answer was flawless.

’Chen Ye knew perfectly well what she was thinking. She must have mistaken him for some old monster who had possessed a new body to cultivate again, or perhaps one who had been reincarnated.’

’Still, this was for the best. Her imagination was doing the explaining for him, which saved him the trouble.’

"Alright, enough with the flattery." Chen Ye waved his hand and changed the subject. "With my current strength, where do I stand among the Blood Lotus Sect’s Inner Sect Disciples?"

This was his most pressing concern.

’Know your enemy and know yourself; only then can you be victorious.’

Li Qingyan pondered for a moment before speaking cautiously. "Master, based on your Cultivation at the Sea Condensation Early Stage alone, you would be considered below average among the Inner Sect Disciples. Most of them have been in the Sea Condensation Realm for many years, so their True Essence is more abundant and their foundations are deeper."

"However..." She paused, glancing up furtively at Chen Ye as if carefully choosing her words.

"However what? Spit it out. Don’t stammer," Chen Ye said, growing impatient.

"Yes!" A chill ran through Li Qingyan, and she didn’t dare keep him in suspense. "But if we factor in your unfathomable Saber Technique, Master... this servant would venture to guess that not even a Core Disciple at the Inner Realm would be your match."

This was truly what Li Qingyan believed. The powerful, domineering aura from Chen Ye’s breakthrough had left her utterly terrified.

Combined with everything she had seen and heard while following him on missions recently, she truly believed that not even a Core Disciple at the Inner Realm could necessarily defeat Chen Ye.

Chen Ye nodded, fairly satisfied with her assessment. "The Spirit Pearls from the dock area of Black Water Lake are too low-grade," he said. "They’re useless for my current Cultivation. I want to check out the inner waters."

’The Boat of the Other Shore needs High Grade Spirit Pearls to fuel its next crossing.’

’It’s fundamental to increasing my strength, so I can’t let it slide.’

But at the mention of "the inner waters," the color drained from Li Qingyan’s face.

She had no fond memories of that place; it was where she had been cast out from.

"Master, the inner waters of Black Water Lake... they’re completely different from the docks." Li Qingyan’s tone grew solemn. "The Spirit Pearls produced there are of a higher grade—Seventh Grade at a minimum—but the area is also far more dangerous."

"The environment on the lakebed is more complex, teeming with powerful underwater Demon Beasts. There are even strange, ancient Restrictions left behind from time immemorial. Even a Sea Condensation Realm Cultivator could die there with a single misstep."

"Most importantly, the inner waters are currently managed by the Sect’s Core Disciples. Every one of them is ruthless and vicious, making them incredibly difficult to deal with."

Chen Ye listened, his fingers tapping a light, unconscious rhythm on his knee.

’Core Disciples... Inner Realm...’

’This is definitely a problem.’

’Even though I’m in the Sea Condensation Realm now, my Identity is still that of a Sinful Person.’

’A Sinful Person poaching on the turf of Core Disciples... If I’m discovered, the consequences would be dire.’

’I might be strong, but I can’t fight an army. The Blood Lotus Sect is a Major Sect of the Demon Dao with a deep heritage. If I truly anger them and they send a few Core Formation Elders after me, my only option would be to flee.’

"Weren’t you once in charge of a section of the inner waters?" Chen Ye asked suddenly.

A flash of humiliation and resentment crossed Li Qingyan’s face. "Yes," she said in a low voice. "This servant was once responsible for collecting Spirit Pearls in a sector of the inner waters. It wasn’t an important position, but it was far better than these outer docks. Unfortunately, I was framed by a rival, lost an internal power struggle, and was demoted here."

Chen Ye fell into a contemplative silence at her words. Li Qingyan didn’t dare disturb him, simply standing by and waiting.

After a long silence, Chen Ye’s voice rang out again. "This Identity as a Sinful Person is a persistent problem. I want to change it."

"Change it?" Li Qingyan hadn’t quite processed what he meant.

"That’s right." Chen Ye nodded. "I’m going to become a disciple of the Blood Lotus Sect."

Li Qingyan was stunned. After a moment, she stammered, "Master, I’m afraid that’s..."

"You think it’s impossible?" Chen Ye read her thoughts.

"This servant... this servant is foolish." Li Qingyan quickly bowed her head.

’But she truly did think it was impossible. The Blood Lotus Sect might be a proper Demon Sect, but its Cultivation Techniques allowed for rapid progress and had low requirements for one’s Spirit Root. They didn’t even investigate a potential disciple’s Heart Nature like the Orthodox Sects did. Because of this, it attracted huge numbers of people hoping to join.’

’This, in turn, led to the Blood Lotus Sect having very high screening standards. They would meticulously investigate a candidate’s background and origins to ensure they weren’t spies from rival Sects.’

’Chen Ye couldn’t possibly pass that hurdle alone. His Identity as a Sinful Person was officially on record; there was no way he could pass the screening.’

"I understand your concerns," Chen Ye said calmly. "But none of that is a problem."

As he spoke, a thought crossed Chen Ye’s mind. Deep within his Sea of Consciousness, the Profession brand of the Mirage Palace Actor began to glow faintly.

The next moment, an invisible ripple spread out from his body.