Life in the Scarlet Water Small World was rather peaceful, all things considered. While all manner of unsavory goings-on took place on a daily basis, the overall situation in the Scarlet Water Small World remained fairly stable.
This served as indirect proof that the Scarlet Water God King was quite capable and wielded considerable authority—at the very least, he hadn't let the Scarlet Water Small World devolve into complete chaos.
Jiang Chen lived a reclusive life at the Evil Star Sect, rarely venturing out. Occasionally, Sect Master Han Shuang would pay him a visit to chat about this and that.
What surprised Jiang Chen, however, was that when Sect Master Han Shuang was alone with him, she was remarkably courteous—none of the rough, boisterous manner she displayed in public, and certainly none of that bold, uninhibited behavior.
This version of Sect Master Han Shuang was one Jiang Chen found far easier to get along with.
"Junior Elder Zhen, why does this Sect Master feel that you're the one who ought to be called Senior Elder Zhen? You're clearly so much younger than him, yet you're so somber—all you do is cultivate, cultivate, cultivate."
Jiang Chen smiled faintly. "I work hard at my cultivation. Shouldn't that make you happy, Sect Master Han? The harder I cultivate, the better the Evil Star Sect's chances of seizing a spot."
"Haha, true enough! In that case, I'll have to give Senior Elder Zhen a talking-to. Ever since he joined the Evil Star Sect, I haven't seen him cultivate in earnest once!" Han Shuang laughed heartily. "But when it comes to pleasure quarters and entertainment venues, you see his face everywhere. What a dissolute fellow. It's nothing short of a miracle that you haven't been corrupted by your own uncle."
Jiang Chen chuckled. Corrupting him? That would be easier said than done.
Besides, Jiang Huan's behavior was largely just an act. These past days, he had brought back no shortage of useful intelligence.
"Sect Master Han, don't misunderstand Uncle Huan. He may be carefree and unrestrained in his manner, but he's no fool when it comes to important matters. It's simply his way of enjoying life. As for me, cultivation itself is my enjoyment."
Han Shuang seemed only half to understand. She studied Jiang Chen for a moment, a hint of genuine admiration in her eyes.
"Seeing how dedicated you are to your cultivation, Junior Elder Zhen, this Sect Master feels certain that our bid for a spot in the Crimson Water Celestial Pool will succeed!"
Jiang Chen noticed Han Shuang's earnest, dead-serious expression and gave a nod. "It will succeed. That was our reason for joining the Evil Star Sect in the first place—we wish to pay respects to the Celestial Emperor."
Han Shuang grinned. "Exactly! What's the point of a cultivator's life, if not for all that? To make a name for oneself? To bring honor to one's ancestors? To prove oneself? If we can pay respects to the Celestial Emperor, who in the Scarlet Water Small World would dare bully us after that?"
Han Shuang's aspirations were refreshingly straightforward.
Jiang Chen smiled but said nothing. He naturally had no intention of telling her that the current Celestial Emperor was a false one who wouldn't last long on the throne.
"Ah, I do hope this Celestial Emperor lasts a while. This Sect Master wouldn't want to have just paid respects to His Majesty only to see a new one take the seat. All that effort for nothing!" Han Shuang was clearly worried about this very issue.
Jiang Chen smiled serenely. "That is indeed a reasonable concern."
"Ah, the Celestial Emperor changing on rotation like this—frankly, it can't be called a good thing. For a grand world like ours, how can the Celestial Emperor be swapped out so frequently? I've heard that in other grand worlds, the Celestial Emperor doesn't change nearly that fast. Could it be that our Profound Origin Grand World lacks the protection of the Heavenly Dao? Is that why it's so unstable?"
Han Shuang appeared to be talking to herself, yet also seemed to be fishing for answers from Jiang Chen.
"Sect Master Han, do you concern yourself with matters at that level?" Jiang Chen asked with an amiable smile.