Chapter 533 - 543: Inviting Wen Qingye

With Wen Qingye’s current renown—not to mention his past of having severed meridians—his actions at the recent banquet where he turned the tide and saved the Celestial Profound Sect’s face, combined with his supreme Alchemy Dao, meant he had a genuine chance to vie for the position of Sect Leader.

Gao Changtian finally came to his senses. He gritted his teeth and said, "Young Hero Wen, if you have any instructions, just say the word. I have some sway in the Flowing Cloud Sect, and you can count on me."

Wen Qingye looked at the two men and laughed heartily. "Hahaha, excellent! Since you two seniors have put it that way, it would be rude of me to refuse. In the future, if either of you needs anything from me, Wen Qingye, just ask."

Xia Qianhe’s heart leaped with joy. He was a man of sophisticated thinking, quite unlike Gao Changtian. ’Even if Wen Qingye doesn’t become the Sect Leader,’ he thought, ’his skill in the Alchemy Dao alone is worth all the effort I’m putting in to curry favor with him.’ Hearing Wen Qingye’s words, he felt his efforts had paid off.

Gao Changtian looked at the Sumeru Mustard Seed in his hand and stammered, "In that case, then..."

"Seniors, please put those away," Wen Qingye said with a smile.

’Wen Qingye was no stranger to political maneuvering. He didn’t truly care about their gifts; he cared about the powers they represented.’

"Very well, we’ll take our leave," Xia Qianhe said, giving Wen Qingye a deep, respectful fist-clasp.

Wen Qingye nodded, and the two men walked out of the Law Enforcement Hall.

Watching the two men depart, Wen Qingye pondered for a moment before a cold smile spread across his face. ’Taiyi Pavilion, just you wait. That day is not far off.’

With that thought, Wen Qingye also headed for the Sacrificial Hall.

.......

He emerged from the Sacrificial Hall holding a red fruit. It emanated a trace of a spiritual aura, and if Wen Qingye were to consume it, he could surely break through directly to the Destruction Realm Eighth Layer Heaven.

Back in the Cave Mansion, the Ice Python snatched the Vermilion Fruit from Wen Qingye’s hand, holding it in his mouth as he exclaimed with joy, "With this Vermilion Fruit, I’m confident I can pass my tribulation!"

Qingg Ruo’ai watched the Ice Python seemingly swallow the Vermilion Fruit in a single gulp. Her eyes darted about as she asked, "Little Python, was that fruit tasty?"

Seeing the look in her eyes, the Ice Python pulled his head back and recoiled, mumbling, "I haven’t eaten it yet."

"Little Python, next time you get something delicious, how about you give me half?" Qingg Ruo’ai stared at the Vermilion Fruit in the Ice Python’s mouth, nearly drooling. If he hadn’t popped it into his mouth so quickly, she probably would have snatched it away.

The Ice Python nodded his head. "Alright, my little lady. But it’ll probably be a long time before you see me again."

Qingg Ruo’ai asked, confused, "Why? Aren’t you staying with your master?"

The Ice Python glanced at Wen Qingye, who was meditating on the bed, and shook his head. "It’s not that. After I swallow this Vermilion Fruit, I’ll need to go into hibernation. Then I have to prepare for my tribulation, so I won’t be able to follow him for a while."

Qingg Ruo’ai smacked her lips. "Oh, is that so."

The Ice Python nodded and looked toward Wen Qingye, who opened his eyes at that moment and smiled. "With the Magic Techniques I taught you, even if you encounter danger you can’t handle, you should still be able to escape. Go on."

After hearing Wen Qingye’s words, the Ice Python gave a nod with the Vermilion Fruit still in his mouth and headed out of the Cave Mansion.

’Wen Qingye knew that once the Ice Python left this time, it would likely transform into a true Flood Dragon. When that happened, its power would increase by leaps and bounds, allowing it to soar through the heavens.’

The Ice Python seemed to look back at Wen Qingye, reluctant to leave. He had always been by his side, and now, facing a period of separation, he suddenly felt a great deal of unwillingness to part.

"Go on," Wen Qingye said with a smile. "Come find me after you’ve passed your tribulation."

The Ice Python nodded, then transformed into a blue streak of light and shot out of the Cave Mansion.

Not long after the Ice Python had gone, Wen Qingye also left the Cave Mansion, carrying his One Thought Sword and the Heavy Sword Without Edge.

"Where are you going?" Qingg Ruo’ai asked.

"To practice my Swordsmanship," Wen Qingye replied simply.

......

The days flew by, and in the blink of an eye, half a month had passed.

In the Jade Maiden Sect, however, a major, highly anticipated event was about to take place: the selection of the Sect Leader Candidates.

「Inside an exquisite pavilion in the Jade Maiden Sect.」

Su Zixin said anxiously, "Senior Sister Youu, what are we going to do? Senior Sister Meng invited Jiechen from Baoling Temple, and Senior Sister Zhao invited the famous expert, the Xiaoxiang Wanderer, Duan Chi. Senior Sister Yanm is even more incredible—she actually invited the Feather Venerable from Taiyi Pavilion! It’s going to be so hard to compete for the position of Chief Disciple this time!"

The Jade Maiden Sect’s method for selecting Sect Leader Candidates was rather unusual. A candidate had to pass an assessment administered by the current Sect Leader and the Elders to be approved. The strangest part, however, was that they could invite an outsider to undergo the assessment for them.

Four people were participating in this selection for Sect Leader Candidate: Youu Junlian, the eldest Senior Sister Meng Fei, Zhao Dan’Er, and Yanm Fang.

The other three knew they might not be able to pass the assessment on their own and win the approval of the Sect Leader and Elders, so they had arranged for outside help early on. Only Youu Junlian had yet to find anyone.

Liuu Han said slowly, "Don’t worry. There’s still more than a month. We’ll figure something out."

Youu Junlian nodded, her jaw tight. "Right. If it comes down to it, I’ll just take the assessment myself. It’s not like I can’t."

Su Zixin sounded doubtful. "Senior Sister Youu, how could you possibly succeed? Even a genius like Senior Sister Yanm doesn’t dare to take the assessment lightly. Do you really think you can do it?"

"If there’s no other choice, it’s the only way," Youu Junlian said with a resigned shake of her head.

She knew it herself. Compared to the experts the other three had invited, she was no match for them at all. But she had no other options left.

Suddenly, Liuu Han smiled. "No, I think you can find a helper, Senior Sister Youu. He might even help you secure the position of Sect Leader Candidate."

"Who?" Youu Junlian asked, puzzled.

Su Zixin looked over as well, confused. "Who is it? Does Senior Sister Youu know someone that powerful?"

"Wen Qingye."

Liuu Han’s lips parted slightly as she spoke the name with a soft smile.

"Him?" Su Zixin’s eyes widened as she murmured, "But would he help? It’s not like we have any connection with him, is it?"

Youu Junlian nodded instinctively, her brow furrowed in thought.

Liuu Han said slowly, "Who says you don’t? Last time in the Glazed Ancient Country, you strongly supported Wen Qingye, Senior Sister Youu. From what I can see, he’s a man who values loyalty and friendship. He’ll help you."

"Really?" Youu Junlian asked, still sounding doubtful.

Su Zixin chimed in from the side, urging, "Senior Sister Youu, it’s our only shot at this point. Don’t hesitate!"

"Alright," Youu Junlian said with a nod. "I’ll give it a try."