Chapter 592: Meeting of the Two Sects

Things are never that simple!

More likely, if one side ran into trouble, the other would rush over to gnaw their skin and eat their bones.

So, Chen Che guessed that even if his own sect were attacked, they would have to keep it under wraps and ensure the other party never found out. Just as he suspected, Yu Yunko’s next Divine Sense transmission confirmed it all:

“If you run into trouble, get as far away from the Star-Picking Sect as you can. Before we left, the Sect Leader told us to find an opportunity to swallow the Primordial Sect. Especially the Right Protector, Jiang Shaotian. He’s made many preparations this time, and I’ve heard he even has an Array specifically to restrain you.”

At that moment, Chen Che’s gaze met Jiang Shaotian’s from across the way. Jiang Shaotian gave Chen Che a friendly nod, and Chen Che raised his eyebrows in response.

No one would reveal the scheming between them until the very end, when all pretenses were dropped.

Even though they were plotting against each other, for now, they maintained a facade of perfect unity.

With their immediate plans settled, tea was no longer suitable for the occasion. The Right Protector ordered an attendant to replace it with Spirit Wine for everyone:

“This is eight-hundred-year-brewed Dragon Blood Wine, a specialty of our Star-Picking Sect. It’s refined with the fresh blood of a Flood Dragon and must be frozen and fermented for at least five hundred years. The Sect Leader bestowed two bottles upon us for this journey.”

This was a tradition of the Star-Picking Sect.

It had always been given to the Halls undertaking a high-difficulty mission, specifically to inspire their morale and fighting spirit. What Jiang Shaotian didn’t say was that they had also been bestowed this wine when they attacked the Primordial Sect.

A pity they failed to take it.

“We’ll save the last bottle to enjoy in Mist Rain Tower after we’ve taken it!”

Jiang Shaotian raised his cup high and drank to lead the toast.

Chen Che looked at the blood-red Dragon Blood Wine in his cup, which gave off a chilling aura, and downed it in one gulp along with everyone else.

The taste was rich and full-bodied. A vast wave of Spiritual Qi surged down his throat and into his limbs, instantly sweeping away all his post-battle fatigue. In its place, an indescribable fighting spirit and courage ignited in his chest.

He glanced at Qiu Tianshui, Chen Jiyuan, and Duobao, who looked equally astonished. ‘The Star-Picking Sect’s foundations truly run deep,’ he marveled inwardly.

The cost and difficulty of brewing a single cup of this wine nearly rivaled that of a Fierce Beast Pill.

And yet, its effects were only half that of a Fierce Beast Pill, making it an act of pure extravagance. But it was precisely such “extravagant” acts that best demonstrated a sect’s profound and immense power.

Since Profound Head Turtle, Xiao Chan, and the others hadn’t returned to camp yet, Chen Che found an excuse to take his leave after finishing the wine.

After he left, the various Chiefs of the Primordial Sect lingered for a short while before departing as well.

Soon, only members of the Star-Picking Sect remained on Dragon Gazing Mountain.

Overall, the Star-Picking Sect was quite satisfied with the outcome of the meeting. Their only regret was that Qiu Tianshui was so treacherous, trying to make them take the vanguard. Then again, most of the reports submitted by their spies described this Chief of the Internal Affairs Hall with words of apprehension.

It was as if he possessed the best traits of both Huang Shiwo and Duobao.

Of course, their discussion wasn’t limited to Qiu Tianshui; the other members of the Primordial Sect were also topics of conversation, especially that pair of rivals, Duobao and Chen Che. Hailing from a Major Sect themselves, they were all too familiar with the kinds of grudges that form between people like them.

Within Major Sects, factions are numerous, and many of them are even sworn enemies.

Their own Star-Picking Sect was no different.

The only difference was that any threatening individuals—anomalies like Chen Che—were usually crushed long before they could become a problem.

Of course, whenever Chen Che’s name came up, their comments were dripping with envy, jealousy, and hate. Their sentiments largely mirrored Duobao’s: they simply couldn’t understand how a “mud-leg” like him had stumbled upon such good fortune and obtained such a treasure.

They, with their noble bloodlines and long family legacies, couldn’t fathom why such luck hadn’t befallen them instead.

“I just can’t wrap my head around it!” Jiang Shaotian lamented, marveling at the capriciousness of fate and fortune.

After all, his dual status as Chief of the Pill Hall and Valley Master of Jinyun Valley was nothing. What truly made him formidable was his power. Without that Sword Pill, his strength would drop by at least thirty percent.

“It’s a shame. It would have been perfect if Duobao and Chen Che had fought and mutually wounded each other, but that Qiu Tianshui ruined our fun. By the way… is there any way we can provoke those two into fighting in the near future?”

Jiang Shaotian’s sudden suggestion made many of their eyes light up.

Yu Yunko silently raised her cup of Dragon Blood Wine, took a sip, and said nothing.