Chapter 649 - 263: Eighth Layer

At that moment, Elder Zhang Yi, who had been observing from the sidelines, walked over.

His face held the tranquil expression of one who had seen through the ways of the world. He patted Chen Qing’s shoulder and said calmly, "This is how the Sect is. The rules are rigid, but people are flexible. In the end, where resources are allocated always comes down to strength. The strong naturally get a larger share and have a greater say. That’s the simplest truth, and it holds true everywhere."

Chen Qing nodded, his tone calm and unruffed. "You are right, Elder Zhang. I understand."

’He truly felt no discomfort with these rules of distribution.’

’Today, they could use his insufficient Cultivation as an excuse to look down on him and seize the resources that should have been his.’

’So in the future, when he crushed them in return with superior strength, he wouldn’t need any reason either.’

’That was perfectly fair.’

Chen Qing then cupped his fist toward Zhang Yi again. "About that batch of Elixirs I was purchasing from you, Elder—please proceed as planned. I’ll have to trouble you with it."

Zhang Yi smiled. "Of course. Once the ingredients are ready and I’ve fired up the furnace, I’ll have that girl He Zhi deliver them to your door."

"Thank you, Elder Zhang," Chen Qing said again, his expression composed.

He didn’t linger. After nodding to Elder Li inside the hall, he turned and strode out of Yundan Hall.

After Chen Qing’s group left, silence returned to Yundan Hall, leaving only the faint, lingering fragrance of pills.

Elder Li looked at Zhang Yi and spoke slowly, "Junior Brother Zhang, you were uncharacteristically involved today."

In his memory, Zhang Yi had never involved himself in the disputes between the various lineages. He was devoted only to the Alchemy Path, a truly detached individual.

The advice he had just offered Chen Qing was out of character.

Zhang Yi was sorting through the few remaining Treasure Medicines at hand. He didn’t pause his work as he replied without looking up, "Brother Li, you’re overthinking it. I haven’t picked a side; it was just a casual reminder, nothing more."

"Oh? Just a casual reminder?" Elder Li was clearly skeptical.

Only then did Zhang Yi pause his work. He looked up at Elder Li, his gaze placid. "I, Zhang Yi, have no need to explain my actions to others. I value the boy’s temperament and his inherent potential. As for the struggle between lineages..."

He let out a soft snort, his tone tinged with disdain. "What does that have to do with me? Once the Elixirs are refined, they are distributed according to the rules. Who is strong, who is weak, who gets more, who takes less—that is all a matter of their own destiny. My reminder was an appreciation of talent, not me picking a side."

Hearing this, the smile on Elder Li’s face faded slightly, and he nodded.

He knew this was indeed Zhang Yi’s nature; he always paid extra attention to those of genuine talent and quality.

Elder Li said slowly, "Ultimately, the boy belongs to the True Martial Lineage. The True Martial Lineage has been in decline for many years. Forcing a revival of their prestige through a single young disciple... I fear it’s like pouring oil on a blazing fire. It might not be a blessing."

Though his words were indirect, his stance was clear: he favored the Nine Heavens Lineage.

After listening, Zhang Yi merely grunted noncommittally and lowered his head again to focus on the ingredients in his hands, as if Elder Li’s words were a breeze that simply passed him by.

"Since the Elixirs have been distributed, I’ll trouble you with the subsequent nurturing procedures, Brother Li. I have some fragmented formulas to sort through, so I’ll be on my way."

With that, Zhang Yi said no more, turning with his ingredients and heading for the rear hall.

......

「Ten Thousand Laws Peak, Observatory Tower.」

This was where Luo Zhixian typically handled the affairs of the peak and spent his time in solitary contemplation.

The tower’s furnishings were simple. Bookshelves lined all four walls, their texts neatly arranged. A single, wide ebony desk was placed by the window, beyond which a sea of clouds churned against mountains the color of dark ink.

Luo Zhixian sat behind the desk, reviewing several scrolls from Ten Thousand Laws Peak, his expression as tranquil as always.

The sound of steady footsteps came from outside the door, followed immediately by the slightly aged voice of a woman:

"Brother."

Within the Celestial Treasure Upper Sect, the number of people qualified to address Luo Zhixian as such could be counted on one hand.

The hand Luo Zhixian was writing with paused for a moment. He did not look up, but simply said, "Come in."

The tower door was pushed open gently, and an elderly woman slowly entered.

Her hair was tied in a meticulous bun. Though her face was lined with wrinkles, her eyes were sharp and spirited. It was the Vein Master of the Nine Heavens Lineage, Li Yu-jun.

"You lead an entire lineage; your affairs are complex. What brings you to my quiet corner today?"

Luo Zhixian set down his vermilion brush and looked up at the woman who had been his junior sister for many years, his tone as placid as ever.

Li Yu-jun walked to the desk and took a seat in the sandalwood chair opposite him. Her gaze swept over the piled scrolls as she said slowly, "The Sect has not been peaceful of late. The Infinite Demon Sect, the Ancestral Master’s inheritance, that figure in Jade Capital City... Yet your Ten Thousand Laws Peak, Brother, remains a peaceful corner unto itself. It’s quite enviable."

A note of lamentation tinged her words.

Luo Zhixian’s expression remained unchanged. He picked up the coarse pottery teapot at his side, poured a cup of warm, clear tea for Li Yu-jun, and pushed it across to her.

"The winds howl through the tower, heralding a coming storm. Where can one find true peace? We are all just holding to our own paths."

Li Yu-jun lifted the teacup, her fingertips stroking its slightly rough surface, but she did not drink. "Yes, holding to our own paths... But sometimes, those paths are bound to intersect and conflict."

She sighed softly, no longer beating around the bush, and looked Luo Zhixian straight in the eye. "I heard that you recently... found a successor, Brother?"

Luo Zhixian met her gaze and nodded openly, making no attempt to hide it. "That’s right."

"Is it that new True Disciple from the True Martial Lineage, Chen Qing?" Li Yu-jun’s tone grew heavier, laden with a need for confirmation and an indescribably complex mix of emotions.

"It is him." Luo Zhixian nodded again, his tone remaining perfectly calm.

Li Yu-jun took a deep breath, her chest rising and falling gently. This news had clearly unsettled her.