Chu Xingchen brought Luo Yue out from the secret realm.
As the secret realm collapsed, the spirit vein was no longer blocked and began to completely shift and flow.
At this moment, Li Yingling was leading her sect's disciples to assist Bai Xuanling.
Though it was called assisting, Bai Xuanling's cultivation was supreme, so she handled most of the work herself.
The commotion from the secret realm's collapse was considerable.
Apart from violent spatial fluctuations, there was also a powerful shockwave.
Naturally, the description of "powerful shockwave" depended on who you asked.
For San Dong, it was terrifying enough to blow him out of the Ten Thousand Flowers Ridge.
But for Bai Xuanling...
Her expression was indifferent as she extended her hand, then gently pressed down.
The shockwave from the secret realm's collapse instantly dispersed into nothingness.
Li Yingling's gaze turned toward Bai Xuanling.
Even she, who was extremely sensitive to spiritual power, hadn't detected any spiritual energy flowing around Bai Xuanling just now.
This was a method far beyond her comprehension.
But in the next moment, Li Yingling understood that her master had successfully resolved the matter.
Because she sensed an enormous spiritual power surging from the direction of the shockwave.
Bai Xuanling's expression remained calm as she continued the preparations she had long since made.
She methodically set up the array foundations, also waiting for the spiritual power to arrive.
In the next moment, spiritual power rushed forth.
The flowers of Ten Thousand Flowers Ridge, nourished by the spiritual power, seemed to bloom with an extraordinary radiance.
The spiritual power didn't rush like floodwaters, but flowed rather slowly.
It was as if it wanted to nourish every inch of land.
Thus, everyone could watch those distinctly different flowers to determine where the spirit vein had flowed.
But one didn't need to wait until the flowers bloomed to sense the extremely rich spiritual power coming through.
Bai Xuanling felt it for a moment before speaking:
"It's actually not bad. Though it still can't compare to other prime locations with good feng shui."
Li Yingling wanted to say something at this moment—is this really just "not bad"?
Though Li Yingling admitted the spiritual power wasn't as dense as at the Heavenly Derivation Sect, it was still far stronger than the spiritual power intensity of the sects in Yu Province City.
Anyway, she had long since prepared herself to hold back her breathing.
Bai Xuanling raised her gaze and saw Chu Xingchen arriving, transformed into a rainbow light.
——————
A top-tier grand array with spirit-gathering and protective effects had been largely completed under Bai Xuanling's personal supervision.
It had already begun circulating and showing effects.
However, there were still many details that needed polishing before the entire array could reach perfection.
Bai Xuanling naturally wouldn't do the remaining work herself.
She tossed it straight back to Chu Xingchen.
With spiritual power filling the entire sect, the system's side quest was completely finished.
The system's reward—the Fragmented Spirit Jade Disc—had also been distributed to the system backpack, which could only store system items.
Thus, Chu Xingchen had officially settled in Central Province.
The sect that once dwelt in a dilapidated temple on Ten Mile Slope in the Black Tortoise Kingdom of the Southern Continent had now successfully stepped into Central Province.
According to sect tradition, such a joyous occasion naturally called for a gathering.
But Bai Xuanling declined.
Whatever matter she said she had, seemed to be a genuine matter.
After things concluded, she only drank a cup of Chen Baiqing's tea before hurriedly taking her leave.
Bai Xuanling didn't mention whether Xie Lingyu needed to return to the Heavenly Derivation Sect.
She only instructed Xie Lingyu to be careful, and said nothing more.
She also took Luo Yue with her—there were many matters that required personal attention.
The establishment of the Demon Spirit Realm was already in progress.
Many things, if Luo Yue didn't personally oversee them, would be difficult to change later.
Besides, Luo Yue had no reason to stay and attend the gathering.
However, Luo Yue still left the sapling behind.
Perhaps she knew that compared to the still-uncertain Demon Spirit Realm, at least here, this sapling could grow safely.
The Heavenly Derivation Sect might protect this place at any cost, but it would never protect the Demon Spirit Realm at any cost.
Luo Yue had lived for a thousand years—even a fool would be ground into a clever spirit by the ruthlessness of time.
Those who didn't become clever spirits would be ground to dust, ceasing to exist.
This sapling might have sprouted a thousand years ago.
But it wouldn't necessarily become a spirit.
As an apology, Luo Yue left behind a strand of her origin essence.
This would be enough for this tree to become a spirit.
Fortunately, this tree was not her.
So it wouldn't have to experience all that confusion and unease.
Though Chu Xingchen hadn't thoroughly figured Luo Yue out, many things didn't require her personal insight.
Whether Li Yingling or Chen Baiqing, even that expressionless Li Xingtian who looked like an evil cultivator, and the other disciples—their feelings toward Chu Xingchen were plain to see at a glance.
Trust and respect, and that way of conversing like close friends.
Luo Yue didn't say it, but she had always been grateful that at the Mystic Heaven Sect, Chu Xingchen had stepped forward to speak for her.
Regardless of whether his goal was the spirit vein here, he had indeed helped her greatly.
Bai Xuanling rose and didn't say much.
She didn't leave any instructions for Chu Xingchen either.
Taking Luo Yue with her, she transformed into rainbow light heading toward the Heavenly Derivation Sect.
Xie Lingyu didn't follow—she naturally knew when she should return.
At the very least, she should first celebrate the official establishment of Chu Xingchen's sect in Central Province.
Chu Xingchen's expression didn't change at all with Bai Xuanling and Luo Yue's departure.
His face still wore a smile.
San Dong was a bit reluctant to part ways—Luo Yue was the only spirit friend he knew.
But this time, he hadn't even exchanged a few words with her.
San Dong's little expression couldn't be hidden.
Chu Xingchen naturally saw through it at a glance.
He gently placed the sapling Luo Yue had left before San Dong.
"This tree—I'll leave it to you to plant."
San Dong heard this and looked at Chu Xingchen with delight: "May I?"
Chu Xingchen nodded with a full smile: "You're the sect's mascot—naturally you may."
"Mm-hmm! San Dong will work hard to do a good job as mascot!"
San Dong promised solemnly, while also happily accepting this sapling.
Chu Xingchen's gaze swept across everyone.
His disciples all wore smiles on their faces—even Li Xingtian was no exception.
Though Bai Xuanling had departed, their backbone was still Chu Xingchen.
As long as Chu Xingchen was there, the sect remained that unchanging sect.
Chu Xingchen could briefly leave, but he couldn't be absent.
"Still waiting for what? Go prepare for tonight's banquet."
Chu Xingchen waved his hand with a smile as he instructed: "Li Yingling will design the program; the rest will follow arrangements. Tonight, make sure to have fun."
Li Yingling's eyes lit up as she promised:
"Master, rest assured—leave it to me."
Zhang Miaoyu stood beside Li Yingling, her heart also filled with anticipation.
She had been in the sect for so long, but honestly, being this outer sect elder didn't have much concrete feeling to it.
Perhaps because the only disciple she needed to be responsible for was one person.
Usually, she still mostly did what she had done before—just staying by her leader's side doing support work.
But for the banquet, Zhang Miaoyu was naturally looking forward to it.
Because back in the Eastern Continent, when her leader's identity was only that of a leader.
Li Yingling had also organized several banquets.
The banquets held by her leader could always satisfy everyone.
With a variety of games and punishments, even Golden Core cultivators enjoyed themselves.
However, there was one regret.
That was, her leader never personally participated in the games.
But Zhang Miaoyu knew—this time, her leader would definitely participate.
——————
Heavenly Derivation Sect, Heavenly Derivation Peak.
Yan Yun moved gracefully as she brewed tea for her master, Lu Xuan.
Lu Xuan's brows were slightly furrowed as he gently held a jade slip in his hand.
Within the great hall, it was exceptionally quiet, with only the sounds of Yan Yun brewing tea.
"Am I late?" Bai Xuanling stepped into the hall.
Lu Xuan pushed the jade slip in his hand toward Bai Xuanling with spiritual power.
Bai Xuanling reached out and caught it, then didn't hesitate to turn and leave.
"Wait." Lu Xuan spoke.
Bai Xuanling stopped in her tracks, neither turning back nor speaking.
Lu Xuan spoke earnestly: "The matter is somewhat strange. Be careful in all things. If you need anything, contact the sect first. Safety comes first."
Bai Xuanling didn't answer this question, but walked straight out.
Do things without danger even need her to do them?
Outside the hall, the four elders and six peak masters of the Heavenly Derivation Sect were already waiting.
Bai Xuanling gave a slight nod by way of greeting, then spoke in a solemn tone:
"Depart."
"Yes!"
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