Training beside the Crimson Water Celestial Pool, he certainly didn't need to worry about his spiritual energy.
However, what Jiang Chen did need to worry about was that woman Han Shuang. This fiery and passionate sect master had been growing increasingly mysterious lately.
Because Jiang Huan was almost never home these days, Jiang Chen had no choice but to keep a close eye on this beautiful sect master from time to time.
He had to prevent her from doing anything outrageous that might draw the attention of the Divine King's Manor — that would spell real trouble.
No matter what schemes Han Shuang harbored, Jiang Chen's plan was grander than the heavens themselves. He absolutely could not allow anyone to disrupt it — not even the sect master.
Under all circumstances, he had to pass through these sixty years peacefully and steadily, waiting for the arrival of the Divine King's Lord Assembly.
Any single mishap during this period could throw his plans into disarray. If his qualification to attend the Divine King's Lord Assembly were revoked, he would have to find another way forward, which would inevitably demand his divided attention — something extremely disadvantageous for Jiang Chen.
So, whether he had matters to attend to or not, Jiang Chen needed to keep an eye on Han Shuang to prevent her from suddenly going mad and doing something reckless.
What Han Shuang didn't know was that a pair of eyes had been watching her from behind all along, keeping tabs on her from time to time.
As for Elder Ge and Elder Xu, since becoming two of the five great powers in the Crimson Water Small World, they had clearly become somewhat inflated with arrogance.
From time to time they would posture and stir up trouble outside, even bringing their messes back to the Evil Star Sect.
This had, to a certain degree, created quite a bit of trouble for Han Shuang — so much so that there were times she could barely restrain herself from beating those two senseless.
She admonished them again and again to keep a low profile when out and about.
But while these two had gradually learned to be more discreet, their children, disciples, and assorted relatives acted as though one person's attainment of the Dao meant every last chicken and dog in the household would ascend to heaven alongside them. They, too, were constantly causing all manner of trouble — big and small.
This forced Han Shuang to deal with these nuisance matters every few days, inevitably dividing her attention.
One day, Han Shuang came straight to Jiang Chen and got right to the point: "Elder Zhen, I've run into some difficulties with my cultivation recently and need to go into seclusion for a while to sort them out properly. Otherwise, leaving behind cultivation-related complications would be truly troublesome. While I'm in seclusion, keep an eye on things for me. Handle whatever matters come up in the sect — big or small. Oh, and also keep an eye on Elder Ge and Elder Xu when you can. Those two have been causing me no shortage of headaches lately."
Jiang Chen's expression remained flat. "How long is this seclusion? Three to five days, or three to five months? If it's over a month, don't bother asking me."
Jiang Chen understood perfectly well what was happening. Han Shuang was trying to shirk her responsibilities and palm off the sect's menial tasks onto him. He wasn't about to be stupid enough to take that deal.
A playful gleam danced in Han Shuang's beautiful eyes as she giggled, "Elder Zhen, you are an elder of our sect. When the sect master asks you to share some of the administrative burden, that's a promotion — she's giving you more responsibility. Don't you want to perform well and earn a chance at further advancement? Who knows, if the sect master is in a good mood someday and takes a liking to you, she might just promote you to Deputy Sect Master!"
"No interest. I'm perfectly content having reached the rank of elder." Jiang Chen chuckled.
No matter what tricks Han Shuang tried, Jiang Chen's attitude remained the same: non-negotiable.
Han Shuang seemed to have anticipated that Jiang Chen wouldn't be easy to handle and didn't lose her temper. A smile remained on her face as she slowly sidled up to Jiang Chen, plopped herself down right beside him, and began rocking his shoulder back and forth. Two soft mounds pressed against his arm with apparent nonchalance.