“Daye Village School?” Nan Xi blinked. “So it is the Daye Village School. I thought you were going to ask me to lead a team to some secret realm or maze…”
Suddenly, his gaze tightened as he looked at Elder Cigu.
“Wait, where did you say you wanted me to go?”
“Peak Master Nan Xi, you didn’t mishear. We would like to ask you to lead a team to the Daye Village School.” Elder Cigu nodded slightly, giving him a firm answer.
Nan Xi was completely stunned.
Daye Village School — was that not the alma mater he had fabricated?
To say it was fabricated was not entirely accurate. After all, Nan Xi truly had studied at the Daye Village School for 3 years before “graduating” to travel the world.
However, he had only used that to fill the gaps in his resume. To actually return there…
As Nan Xi stared in shock, Elder Cigu began to explain slowly.
“Sigh, Peak Master Nan Xi, you are surely aware that across the 10,000 miles of Hongze Prefecture, there are many sects scattered like stars. Our Tianhe Sect is merely one of them.”
“For a sect to develop, attracting talented cultivators to join us is undoubtedly a matter of great importance.”
“Daye City is considered one of the larger cities within Hongze Prefecture, and the Daye Village School is an especially important foundation for training cultivators. Many gifted disciples have emerged from Daye City and the Daye Village School to join major sects, flourishing within various powers.”
“But now, not only the internal forces of Hongze Prefecture, but even sects from neighboring prefectures have set their sights on Daye City. They have been sending people there to promote their own sects.”
“So…”
Nan Xi frowned slightly and spoke with a hint of a guess, “You want me to go to Daye City to recruit disciples?”
“Exactly.”
Elder Cigu agreed, “Through our observations during this period, combined with how you handled the matter at the Sword Repository today, we believe you are a far-sighted Peak Master who considers the well-being of his disciples. You are a trustworthy and good Peak Master.”
“Please, you overpraise me.”
“Not at all. Peak Master Nan Xi, do not decline.”
“No, no, you are really overthinking this.”
……
The two of them went back and forth, neither willing to yield.
At that moment, a loud thud echoed through the room! Elder Cigu slapped the table, settling the matter on the spot.
“Enough, Peak Master Nan Xi. On behalf of the Sect Master, I officially recommend you as a candidate for this year’s Three-Good Peak Master award. If you refuse again, you will be disrespecting me and the Sect Master.”
‘Brother, are you serious?’
There were only four Peak Masters in the entire Tianhe Sect. Having a “Three-Good Peak Master” election for just four people? Isn’t that a waste of time?
Nan Xi was somewhat dazed.
Also, could that “Three-Good Peak Master” title be changed? He felt as if he had suddenly been transported back to his days as a student at the Daye Village School.
Seeing Nan Xi fall into silence, Elder Cigu also calmed down. Her tone became gentle again.
“Peak Master Nan Xi, we took into account that you come from the Daye Village School. You understand the local area and you understand us. You are the perfect bridge between the two. Therefore, we wish to ask you to take several Core Disciples to Daye City to promote the Tianhe Sect and recruit more talented individuals.”
At this point, Elder Cigu had said everything she needed to say.
All that remained was Nan Xi’s answer.
Across from her, Nan Xi remained silent. His deep eyes were slightly lowered, as if he were lost in thought.
After a long while, he suddenly reached out and picked up the Heaven-grade Spirit Sword from the table.
“I accept this mission.”
Elder Cigu was instantly overjoyed. She cupped her hands and bowed to him in thanks once more.
“Then I shall leave it in your hands, Peak Master Nan Xi. I will arrange the specific details over the next few days.”
“Thank you.”
Nan Xi nodded lightly, returning the look of gratitude. But then, he shifted the conversation.
“However, I have one additional condition.”
“Please speak, Peak Master Nan Xi.”
“I want to take someone with me.”
……
Nan Xi had already departed.
Within the vast hall of the Sword Repository, only Elder Cigu remained.
Her aged fingers lightly brushed against the teacup. The tea, which had previously emitted a misty fragrance, had already grown cold — just like the empty hall, quiet and lonely.
At this moment, the kind and gentle expression in Elder Cigu’s eyes faded, replaced by an unprecedented seriousness.
She gently covered the teacup and spoke softly, as if addressing the air.
“Speak. What is the response?”
Whoosh!
An invisible ripple shimmered in the air behind her. Then, a figure slowly emerged.
It was none other than Elder Feizhen, the man previously responsible for the investigation.
Elder Feizhen stepped forward two steps and bowed respectfully to Elder Cigu.
“Reporting to your Excellency Cigu, I have already found that child and spoken with her.”
“Oh?”
“She expressed her gratitude for our kindness, but she is unwilling to join Tianshu Peak. She only wishes to remain by Nan Xi’s side.”
Elder Cigu’s eyes narrowed, followed by a cold snort.
“As expected.”
However, this was not a strictly necessary matter.
She had sent Elder Feizhen to speak with the child merely to test her loyalty to Nan Xi.
The girl was willing to give up the superior resources of Tianshu Peak just to stay at the impoverished Tianquan Peak.
It was clear that Nan Xi truly had some skill as a Master.
Just then, Elder Feizhen spoke again, asking Elder Cigu, “Your Excellency Cigu, I still have one doubt.”
“Speak.”
“When we came to investigate Tianquan Peak this time, were we not afraid that the Elders of Tianquan Peak would protect each other? If they had joined forces, it would have been difficult to handle them with only the few of us…”
Faced with Elder Feizhen’s doubt, Elder Cigu smiled faintly. “Feizhen, you are still too young.”
Elder Feizhen was taken aback, then he lowered his head respectfully. “Please enlighten me, Your Excellency Cigu.”
Elder Cigu glanced at him.
“First, Tianquan Peak is not a monolithic entity. Even among the Elders, there are conflicts of interest. It is not uncommon for them to fight openly or covertly for a few resources. This is good news for us.”
“Second, we were not the only Elders who came to Tianquan Peak this time.”
Elder Feizhen was startled and hurried to ask, “You mean…”
“Indeed.” A cold smile curled onto Elder Cigu’s lips. “Besides us, the Sect Master is also currently at Tianquan Peak. He simply hasn’t shown his face.”
“I see.” Elder Feizhen was instantly overjoyed.
With the Sect Master present to oversee things, they truly had a great deal of confidence in rectifying Tianquan Peak.
“However…”
Elder Cigu’s gaze turned calm again as she stared into the empty hall of the Sword Repository, reflecting on the arrest of Elder Song Er today.
‘Sacrificing a pawn to save the king? How interesting.’