A glimmer appeared in Xu Qi’s eyes. He noticed Hong Liangcai had said "Brother Chen," not "Chief Brother."

He remained impassive and said, "A true pity."

Hong Liangcai lowered his voice, his tone growing profound. "Now that Chief Chen is gone, the position of Chief Disciple... is vacant. In our Cyan Wood Institute, the only ones with the qualifications and strength to vie for it are..."

At these words, Xu Qi’s heart began to pound uncontrollably.

Chief Disciple!

This position meant more Cultivation Resources, a higher status within the Sect, and greater power!

Look at Li Wang from the Li Fire Institute. He became Chief Disciple with only a Mid-stage Embracing Pill Power, but by relying on the resources that came with the position, he has already opened all Eight Orthodox Meridians and is thriving within his institute!

When Chen Qing was still alive, his prestige was at its zenith and his strength was unfathomable. Xu Qi would never have dreamed of competing with him; he didn’t even dare to let the thought cross his mind.

But now... Chen Qing was dead!

To claim that Xu Qi had no desire for the Chief Disciple’s seat would be an absolute lie.

He glanced around. Seeing that no one was paying them any mind, he lowered his voice. "Junior Brother Hong, what... do you mean by that?"

A sincere smile spread across Hong Liangcai’s face. "Brother Xu, let’s not beat around the bush. I support you with all my heart! If you are interested, I am willing to work tirelessly on your behalf, rallying our fellow disciples... This is an opportunity that cannot be missed, Brother Xu!"

The look in Xu Qi’s eyes shifted as a war raged within his heart.

He recalled the last time he had competed against Luo Xinyi for the position of Chief Disciple, and he couldn’t help but waver.

"This matter... is of grave importance. I need more time to think it over."

he murmured, not agreeing right away.

Seeing this, Hong Liangcai hurriedly took a step forward. He lowered his voice even further, a note of urgency in his tone. "Senior Brother, he who hesitates is lost! The institute is in a state of panic right now. This is precisely when someone needs to step up and stabilize things! For every day the Chief Disciple’s seat remains empty, another day of uncertainty arises! And as for Senior Sister Luo, I doubt she’ll be doing nothing..."

Xu Qi fell silent for a moment, not immediately giving his stance. He simply said, "I understand your intentions. I have my own plans for this matter."

....

「Cold Jade Valley, Ice Soul Hall」

A bone-chilling air filled the hall where Leng Qianqiu sat high on the main seat.

A Steward in the robes of Cold Jade Valley stood bowed at the bottom of the dais, his voice hurried but clear as he reported the latest news from Yunlin Prefecture.

"...in the battle at Black Water Pier, a chaotic free-for-all, casualties were heavy. Elder Shi Long of the Earth Element Sect and our Golden Sand Castle ally, Elder Yu Jiayao, both tragically fell... According to the eyewitness testimony of two escaped Wutai Sect disciples, Yan Yaoyang and Li Lei, Chen Qing, the Chief Disciple of the Wutai Sect’s Cyan Wood Institute, was ambushed in an inn by the Nether Guard of the Demon Sect’s ’Nether and Ghost Guards.’ He fought valiantly but was overcome... and has perished!"

The word "perished" instantly rang in the ears of everyone in the hall.

On either side of the dais below, Xiao Bieli and Ye Qingyi, who stood in attendance, both shuddered at the same instant.

An incredibly complex mix of emotions flashed across Xiao Bieli’s face, which had been as placid as an old well. Shock, disbelief, and a sliver of... emptiness that he himself didn’t even notice.

’The young man who crushed me at the gates of the Wutai Sect, defeating me head-on with that incomparably domineering Spear Technique and forcing me to taste the first bitter defeat of my life... The formidable rival I saw as the one I had to surpass... he just... died? Like that?’

’Dead in a chaotic pursuit, at the hands of some lackey under a Demon Sect Protector?’

An indescribable feeling surged through him. It wasn’t joy, but a suffocating sense of frustration.

He had gone into seclusion to train, fusing his dual energies and thinking day and night of a rematch to avenge his defeat. And now... that chance was gone forever.

Beside him, it took Ye Qingyi a long time to regain her senses.

She snapped her head up, her eyes wide with utter shock.

’That tall, straight figure, spear in hand, defeating my senior brother before the eyes of the crowd... so brilliant, so resolute and composed... How could this happen?’

’He’s dead, just like that!?’

High on her throne, Leng Qianqiu listened to the report, her face devoid of expression, as if she were hearing about some trivial, insignificant matter.

After the Steward finished speaking, a dead silence fell over the hall, broken only by the faint hiss of the frigid air.

After a long silence, Leng Qianqiu finally spoke, her voice as cold and flat as ever, betraying no emotion. "A pity. The boy’s talent was extraordinary. Not only had his Cultivation reached the Late-stage Embracing Pill, but his mastery of Hard Skills was also profound. His potential was astonishing."

’For a genius like Chen Qing to die at the hands of the Demon Sect is for the best.’

’If he had been allowed to mature, given time, he would have become a grave threat to Cold Jade Valley.’

Her gaze swept across her disciples below, each with a different expression, pausing on Xiao Bieli for an instant. "Bieli."

"I am here, Master."

Xiao Bieli immediately focused his mind, bowing as he answered.

"Did you hear that? Your obsession has been severed for you by another’s hand. From this day forward, you must be free of all distractions. Your rivals are not in the Wutai Sect, but in the Demon Sect. Do not let the shadow of a dead man impede your progress."

Leng Qianqiu’s words were as cold as they were direct.

A chill ran through Xiao Bieli’s heart. He took a deep breath and said in a solemn voice, "I understand! I will obey Master’s teachings!"

......