Chapter 465: Turbulent Winds and Mysterious Clouds

In the VIP box, the banquet had already been set up.

Patriarch Chen introduced the two deputy envoys from the True Intention Sect.

Both were in the Middle Stage of Foundation Establishment; the skinny old man was named Zuo Jinwei, and the round-faced fat man was called Li Chizhong.

The other two old cultivators were Chen Zhihui and Chen Zhitai, the clan elders of the Chen Family.

A table of nine people, seated by hierarchy, filled with joyful laughter.

Senior Brother Xu led the two deputy envoys to frequently offer toasts to Pill Master Zheng.

In their speech, a subtle intent of drawing him in was revealed.

As for Mu Ling’Er, the three envoys from the True Intention Sect acted as if they did not see her.

Patriarch Chen and the two clan elders also turned a blind eye.

Comparatively, Shen Xuan’s treatment was not bad.

Senior Brother Xu didn’t specifically target him.

Patriarch Chen showed him considerable respect.

Compared to Pill Master Zheng, the courtesy wasn’t much different.

During the banquet, Senior Brother Xu seemingly mentioned unintentionally.

"Talisman Master Shen, I’ve heard you’re an Ice Technique Talisman Master, skilled in crafting Ice Talismans?"

"I have some understanding, just a little bit, not actually skilled."

Shen Xuan stood up, accompanying his explanation with a smile.

"Talisman Master Shen, may I ask your age?"

Among those present, besides the veiled Mu Ling’Er, Shen Xuan appeared the youngest in appearance.

The age of a cultivator is hard to determine uniformly.

The deeper the realm cultivation, the harder it is to discern the actual age.

Many centenarian old monsters look like youths or maidens.

"Wasting away time, I’m over sixty!"

Shen Xuan lamented.

This age, among those in the Middle Stage of Foundation Establishment, is considered common.

Nothing extraordinary.

"Oh, you can’t tell. Talisman Master Shen is already over sixty! You keep yourself well!"

Senior Brother Xu said indifferently.

Intentionally or unintentionally, he glanced at Mu Ling’Er.

"Talisman Master Shen, just past sixty, is already in the Middle Stage of Foundation Establishment, and an Ice Cultivator at that. The possibilities of your path are endless!"

Patriarch Chen warmly stepped forward to offer a toast.

"Oh, not at all. It’s just by chance."

"Speaking of which, more thanks to the Chen Family’s blessed land!"

During the banquet, Patriarch Chen skillfully navigated between everyone, livening up the atmosphere.

Occasionally, Mu Ling’Er glanced at Shen Xuan.

Underneath her thin veil, it was unclear what she was thinking.

After three rounds of drinks.

Patriarch Chen revealed to the three honored guests that the Chen Family and the True Intention Sect had reached a comprehensive cooperation agreement.

In the future, they would collaborate hand in hand for mutual development.

The first priority is to integrate the numerous small and medium forces around Divine Dragon Island, as well as the large number of loose cultivators.

When Patriarch Chen was speaking about the family development blueprint.

A series of urgent knocks came from outside the VIP box.

Patriarch Chen instructed Clan Elder Chen Zhihui to open the door.

After whispering a few words with a family member outside, his face changed dramatically.

Hurriedly, he walked up to Patriarch Chen, "Patriarch, there’s been an incident!"

...

In the VIP box sat three envoys from the True Intention Sect.

The rest of the stewards were seated in the outer hall.

In the Cultivation Realm, ranks are strictly observed.

The status gap between Foundation Establishment and Qi Cultivation is enormous.

Even the disciples of major sects.

When at the Qi Cultivation Stage, they are not qualified to sit at the same table as Foundation Establishment cultivators.

Originally, Patriarch Chen had arranged for his son and daughter to personally accompany over ten Qi Cultivation stewards from the True Intention Sect.

For some unknown reason, a steward named Wei Zhongyi left the banquet.

Accidentally encountering a young and beautiful female cultivator from the Chen Family.

The two had a dispute.

Wei Zhongyi, at the Late Stage of Qi Cultivation, had just summoned his magical artifact.

Instantly, he was killed by the opposite young female cultivator.

When Patriarch Chen and Senior Brother Xu arrived at the scene.

Patriarch Chen’s son and daughter were pointing at the young female cultivator, berating her.

Behind them were the infuriated stewards from the True Intention Sect.

Beside them lay Wei Zhongyi in a pool of blood.

However, with so many people, not one dared to step forward.

The young female cultivator bowed her head in silence.

In front of her floated a purple jade bracelet, occasionally flashing with a sharp white sword glow.

"What’s going on here!"

Patriarch Chen asked in a deep voice.

"Father, younger sister, she..."

Patriarch Chen’s son stepped forward to answer.

"Shut up, I didn’t ask you!"

Patriarch Chen rebuked coldly.

"Huixue, you speak."

The young female cultivator was Chen Huixue.

She slowly raised her head.

Seeing Shen Xuan in the crowd, her eyes lit up.

Her cherry lips parted, her voice clear.

"Father, this person had ill intentions, harassed your daughter. Moreover, he spoke madly, insulting the ancestors of the Chen Family."

"I had no choice but to defend myself. In the heat of the moment, I accidentally killed him."

"She’s lying!" As soon as Chen Huixue finished speaking, a young envoy from the True Intention Sect shouted.

Patriarch Chen frowned slightly, looking at the man.

The young envoy pointed at Chen Huixue, emotionally agitated: "Senior Brother Wei merely asked her whose maid she was, and how many spirit stones it would take to redeem her."

"Is that how it was?"

Patriarch Chen asked sternly.

"I told him that I am the direct young lady of the Chen Family."

Chen Huixue was puzzled, "He didn’t listen and instead called me a disgrace."

"He even said, the Chen Family of Divine Dragon Island was just..."

At this point, Chen Huixue stopped.

Evidently, the following words were unpleasant.

The young envoy argued, "Senior Brother Wei drank too much, it was a momentary slip, not deserving of death."

Chen Huixue sneered, "Insulting the ancestors of the Chen Family is a momentary slip?"

"He used a technique to try to restrain your daughter."

"Your daughter’s cultivation is weak, unable to resist, so I resorted to using the Protective Magical Treasure given by the ancestor."

"In the heat of the moment, unable to hold back, it happened..."

Patriarch Chen nodded, turning to Senior Brother Xu.

"Daoist Xu, this..."

Senior Brother Xu’s eyes were icy, gazing at Chen Huixue.

The powerful spiritual pressure of a late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator instantly enveloped her.

However.

Chen Huixue remained fearless.

The spiritual power within her body concentrated into the purple jade bracelet in front of her.

An extremely cold and icy Profound Ice Sword Qi suddenly appeared, glowing with a chilling light, ready to shoot out any moment.

Xu Ningtie was slightly taken aback.

A penetrating chill emanated from the sword Qi of the violet jade bracelet.

Even he felt his scalp tingling.

"Such powerful sword Qi!"

It wasn’t just him.

Everyone present felt disturbed.

However, what surprised everyone more.

Was the fierce character of Chen Huixue, this young female cultivator.

Facing a late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator from the True Intention Sect, she dared to confront them head-on.

Patriarch Chen’s expression changed as he moved to stand in front of Chen Huixue.

"Huixue, put it away!"

Chen Huixue glanced at Shen Xuan.

Seeing him give a slight nod.

Only then did she silently retract the violet jade sword bracelet.

Patriarch Chen said in a low voice: "Friend Xu, let’s discuss this calmly. My daughter is ignorant; I’ll make sure to teach her properly."

"Wait a moment. Patriarch Chen, are you suggesting that our True Intention Sect’s disciple died for nothing?"

The deputy of the True Intention Sect, Li Chizhong, suddenly spoke.

Under the eyes of the True Intention Sect members, Patriarch Chen’s eyes sparkled: "The dead cannot come back to life. I am willing to compensate generously."

Li Chizhong still wanted to speak.

Xu Ningtie gently raised his hand, signaling him to be quiet.

"This is a misunderstanding. It was my oversight. Patriarch Chen, please do not mind."

He beckoned and called over a young steward.

"Give these two upper grade spirit stones to his family. Tell them he unfortunately perished during a sect mission."

A Qi Cultivation disciple being given twenty thousand spirit stones as compensation was indeed an honorable death.

The commotion was swiftly quelled by Xu Ningtie’s decisive actions.

Everyone began to disperse.

Xu Ningtie’s gaze trailed the slowly departing figure of the talisman master Shen.

He saw clearly.

Earlier, Chen Huixue had repeatedly looked at Shen Xuan.

Her eyes gleamed with a strange light.

...

That night.

The True Intention Sect spaceship.

In the cabin.

Xu Ningtie, Zuo Jinwei, and Li Chizhong sat facing each other.

He took a sip of spirit wine, and grabbed some spiritual vegetables with his chopsticks.

Xu Ningtie said to the two, "Sit down."

"Senior Brother Xu, that girl is not simple!"

As soon as he sat down, Li Chizhong spoke eagerly.

"The girl is not simple. But what I really want to know is, Junior Brother Li, what are you planning?"

Xu Ningtie asked lightly.

Li Chizhong’s expression stiffened.

He slowly took a sip of spirit wine.

"Senior Brother Xu, it was the True Master Zong’s intention."

"True Master Zong?"

Upon hearing this, Xu Ningtie frowned.

"True Master Zong heard that the Chen Family of Divine Dragon Island has a female cultivator with a natural Ice Spirit Root, and asked me to investigate."

"If true, take her to the sect. He wants to accept her as a disciple."

Li Chizhong said thoughtfully.

"Humph! Accept as a disciple! I think he wants her as a furnace!"

As soon as Xu Ningtie finished speaking.

Zuo Jinwei quickly advised, "Senior Brother Xu, speak cautiously!"

Xu Ningtie glared fiercely at Li Chizhong.

"Li Chizhong, I don’t care if it’s True Master Zong’s intention. If you keep doing shady things behind my back, disrupting the Star Sea’s larger scheme, don’t blame me for being heartless!"

Li Chizhong stood up and saluted, mumbling, "Senior Brother Xu, I guarantee there will be no next time."

Only then did Xu Ningtie nod.

"Sit down."

Li Chizhong sat down awkwardly.

"Senior Brother Xu, that girl Chen Huixue is indeed mysterious."

Zuo Jinwei gave Li Chizhong a look and began to speak.

"As far as I know, the Chen Family Ancestor is not proficient in Ice Techniques. There is a hidden expert in the Chen Family of Divine Dragon Island."

Xu Ningtie snorted coldly.

"Of course, a hidden expert."

"Leave aside you two. Even I am not certain I can win against such a person."

Zuo Jinwei and Li Chizhong were startled, looking at each other.

Xu Ningtie is a Core Formation Seed in the True Intention Sect.

An exceptional talent among the sect’s late-stage Foundation Establishment disciples.

His strength is comparable to Foundation Establishment Perfection.

Reputed as the first genius of the Xu family in a thousand years.

There’s a good chance he could condense a True Pill.

"Is it him?"

Zuo Jinwei’s eyes turned and he guessed.

"Just a mid-stage Foundation Establishment Talisman Master."

By now, Li Chizhong understood.

"Two senior brothers, do you think the person behind Chen Huixue is that talisman master Shen Fei?"

Xu Ningtie glanced at the two.

"It’s him!"

"My brother said this person can use a Flying Ice Array, capable of simultaneously manipulating 108 Ice Talismans."

"At that time, outwardly, he was still early-stage Foundation Establishment."

Upon hearing this, Zuo Jinwei and Li Chizhong both gasped.

Li Chizhong still somewhat skeptical: "Flying Ice Array, simultaneously manipulating 108 Ice Talismans, this..."

"Isn’t this too exaggerated?"

Xu Ningtie sneered and said, "This is merely what he allows you to see."

"If my guess is correct, the violet jade sword bracelet of that girl Chen Huixue was given by this person."

"The sword Qi in the bracelet was left by this person."

"Judging from the power of that sword Qi, Chen Fei’s battle strength is no inferior to mine."

After listening, Li Chizhong was completely dumbfounded.

"Why would such a person hide here?"

Xu Ningtie sighed.

"Junior Brother Li, I’ll give you a kind advice. Don’t get involved in True Master Zong’s affairs. He doesn’t have much lifespan left, rarely cultivates virtue, and with the Zongmen war between Yan and Song countries starting soon, I’m afraid..."

"Senior Brother Xu is right."

Being able to get Li Chizhong to act for him certainly involved promising many benefits.

But, how much can actually be obtained is another matter.

Xu Ningtie sighed to himself, refraining from persuading further.

Even between brothers are differentiated by closeness.

He and Li Chizhong are not from the same faction.

As long as he doesn’t stir trouble again, and completes the sect’s task smoothly, he would be satisfied.

"Also there’s the Wei Family of Lion King Island, and the Sea Dragon King of Dragon King Island."

At this moment, he wasn’t aware.

The three of them had walked a round in front of the ghost gate.