Chapter 17: Conditions

Sure enough, upon hearing this, a look of realization dawned on Li Yuanyi’s face.

“So that’s how it is… No wonder, no wonder…”

He sat back down, but the shock in his eyes had not faded.

He looked at Lin Xiaoyu as if he were looking at a rare, priceless treasure.

The Heavenly Dao Divine Physique!

If nurtured properly, within a hundred years, the Qingyun Sect would surely gain another Great Saint or even a Quasi-Emperor!

When that time came, the Qingyun Sect’s position in the Southern Region would be completely unshakable!

Of course, attaining the Dao and becoming a Great Emperor was not entirely out of the question either.

However, achieving the realm of a Great Emperor required more than just talent.

It also required immense perseverance and great opportunities, none of which could be lacking.

“Peak Master Chen,” Li Yuanyi took a deep breath, suppressing the excitement in his heart.

“Who else… knows about this?”

“Aside from you and me, only Xiaoyu herself,” Chen Ping said.

“Of course, during the conflict outside the city today, Xiaoyu revealed a portion of her strength. I’m afraid it has already aroused some suspicion.

But as for her exact physique, they shouldn’t be able to guess it yet.”

Li Yuanyi nodded, pondered for a moment, and said,

“Since Peak Master Chen took the initiative to inform me of this today, you must have a plan?”

“Indeed,” Chen Ping said candidly.

“The Heavenly Dao Divine Physique is of grave importance. Luoxia Peak alone cannot protect Xiaoyu. I need the strength of the sect.”

Chen Ping knew that although the two of them possessed immense opportunities, they were still in a state of lying low.

Only by utilizing some of the sect’s resources and power could they grow faster and cope with various dangers.

He looked at Li Yuanyi, his gaze deep.

“Hall Master Li, if the sect is willing to protect Xiaoyu and provide resources to nurture her,

I can guarantee that within a hundred years, the Qingyun Sect will have one more Quasi-Emperor.

Within a thousand years, we might even produce a Great Emperor.”

Li Yuanyi’s heart shuddered.

A Quasi-Emperor! A Great Emperor!

What kind of realms were those!

In the entire Southern Region, the number of Saint realm experts on the surface could be counted on ten fingers.

As for the Great Saint realm, it only existed within those few sacred lands with ancient heritages.

And as for Quasi-Emperors, who knew where they were in secluded cultivation, never showing themselves.

If the Qingyun Sect could truly produce a… Quasi-Emperor.

“What does Peak Master Chen want?” Li Yuanyi asked straightforwardly.

“First, the sect must do everything in its power to protect Xiaoyu’s safety.”

Chen Ping held up a finger.

“The sect must step in to settle the matter with the Song Family today. Furthermore, you must investigate whether Song Tou was instigated by someone, and whether someone was deliberately looking for trouble to test us.

Second, if anyone dares to target Xiaoyu in the future, the sect must stand unconditionally on our side.”

“Third, the sect must prioritize supplying all the resources Xiaoyu needs for her cultivation.”

“Fourth.” Chen Ping paused.

“Luoxia Peak has been quiet for too long. I need the sect to restore Luoxia Peak’s rightful status and resource allocation.”

Li Yuanyi fell silent for a moment, then slowly said,

“I can make the decision to agree to the first three conditions.

But the fourth condition… You know the situation of Luoxia Peak. It hasn’t accepted a single disciple in twenty years.

According to the sect’s rules, your position as peak master was supposed to be revoked after this Disciple Recruitment Ceremony…”

“Rules are dead, but people are alive,” Chen Ping said calmly.

“Besides, with Xiaoyu here, why would Luoxia Peak ever worry about a lack of disciples?

In the New Disciple Tournament three months from now, Xiaoyu will prove everything.”

Li Yuanyi’s eyes flashed.

He recalled the bet between Chen Ping and Li Xuangang.

In three months, during the New Disciple Tournament, if Lin Xiaoyu made it into the top one hundred, Chen Ping would continue to serve as peak master.

If she failed, he would step down and leave.

At the time, everyone thought it was a joke.

How could someone with a Heaven-Detested Physique cultivate to the point of entering the top one hundred in just three months?

But now…

The Heavenly Dao Divine Physique!

Let alone the top one hundred, even the top ten, the top three, or even… first place was possible!

“Very well!” Li Yuanyi finally made up his mind.

“I agree. Luoxia Peak will be preserved, and its resource allocation will be restored.

The sect will do everything in its power to guarantee Lin Xiaoyu’s safety and cultivation resources.”

He paused, then added,

“However, Peak Master Chen, this matter is of grave importance. I must report this to the Sect Master.

Before that, you must keep a low profile and not expose the secret of the Heavenly Dao Divine Physique.”

“Of course,” Chen Ping nodded.

Li Yuanyi looked at Chen Ping, a complex look flashing in his eyes.

This peak master, who had been regarded as trash by everyone for twenty years, had given him such a massive surprise today.

Not only had he hidden his cultivation, but he had also taken in a disciple with the Heavenly Dao Divine Physique…

“Peak Master Chen,” Li Yuanyi suddenly asked.

“Forgive my boldness, but what level has your cultivation actually reached?”

Chen Ping smiled. “What do you think, Hall Master Li?”

Li Yuanyi fell silent for a moment, then slowly uttered two words:

“Nascent Soul?”

Chen Ping remained noncommittal.

In truth, with his Grand Dao Divine Scripture at the seventh layer of Qi Refining, his actual combat strength was comparable to the mid Nascent Soul stage.

With the assistance of the Map of Mountains and Rivers, the Grand Dao Evasion Technique, and other methods, he could even fight a late Nascent Soul cultivator.

But there was no need to make things too clear.

Keeping a sense of mystery would make others more wary of him.

Seeing that Chen Ping did not answer, Li Yuanyi did not press further. However, his estimation of Chen Ping rose even higher.

How could someone who could nurture a disciple with the Heavenly Dao Divine Physique be a simple character?

“Rest assured, Peak Master Chen,” Li Yuanyi said.

“I will personally speak to the Song Family.

He was merely a member of a branch family; the Song Family won’t burn bridges with the sect over him.

As for whether someone was pulling the strings behind the scenes, I will investigate it thoroughly.”

“Thank you for your trouble, Hall Master Li,” Chen Ping said, cupping his hands.

“However,” Li Yuanyi changed the subject.

“You need to be careful of Lu Ya… Peak Master Chen.

Although he acted against you today under the guise of official duty, I can’t help but feel… there is something off about him.”

Even though Chen Ping was a down-and-out peak master, Luoxia Peak was still one of the seventy-two peaks of the Qingyun Sect.

For an elder of the Hall of Discipline to dare lay hands on a peak master was no small matter.

He knew that Lu Ya was usually cautious and prudent.

Logically speaking, he shouldn’t have made such a low-level mistake.

Although disciples usually mocked Chen Ping, it was only in private and behind his back.

To mock him so openly and blatantly to his face, as happened today, was a first.

A cold gleam flashed in Chen Ping’s eyes.

“Rest assured, Hall Master Li. I know what to do.”

Lu Ya…

A mole for the Blood Fiend Sect.

This debt would be settled sooner or later.

“Alright, you two head back to Luoxia Peak first.”

Li Yuanyi said, “I will go see the Sect Master now. Remember, before the sect makes an official stance, keep everything as usual.”

“Understood.”

Chen Ping led Lin Xiaoyu out of the main hall.

Stepping out of the Hall of Discipline, the sunlight was blinding.

Lin Xiaoyu was still a bit dazed.

“Master… is it really… resolved just like that?”

“For now,” Chen Ping said, patting her head.

“But the real trouble has only just begun.”

Chen Ping had not directly told Li Yuanyi about Lu Ya being a mole.

He wanted to see if this Hall Master Li had the ability to find out on his own.

He also wanted to see if the person his master had entrusted him to on his deathbed was worthy of trust.

Once the secret of the Heavenly Dao Divine Physique was exposed, it would inevitably attract countless covetous eyes.

The Song Family was only a minor trouble.

The truly terrifying ones were the forces lurking in the shadows.

For example, the Blood Fiend Sect, other sects, and even… the internal members of the Qingyun Sect might not all be good people.

It was always better to be cautious.

As for exposing Lin Xiaoyu’s Heavenly Dao Divine Physique, it was also out of necessity.

First, it was for resources; second, it was to seek protection in the early stages.

Once his disciple had some time to grow, all these monsters and demons would be nothing to fear.

“Xiaoyu,” Chen Ping said solemnly.

“From today on, you must cultivate even harder. Strength is your greatest guarantee.”

“This disciple understands!” Lin Xiaoyu nodded vigorously, her eyes filled with determination.

Master and disciple walked toward Luoxia Peak.

Meanwhile, inside the Hall of Discipline, Li Yuanyi took out a communication jade slip, his expression grave.

“Sect Master, I have an important matter to report…”

Once the message was sent, the higher-ups of the Qingyun Sect would soon be shaken.

The Heavenly Dao Divine Physique had appeared.

The skies of the Southern Region were about to change.

In a dark corner of the Hall of Discipline, Lu Ya watched the retreating backs of Chen Ping and his disciple, the black mark on his chest growing slightly warm.

A look of greed and ruthlessness flashed in his eyes.

“The Heavenly Dao Divine Physique… I must have it…”

“Chen Ping, Lin Xiaoyu… just you wait…”