Huang'er was open about it and didn't try to deny it deliberately.
Jiang Chen, being the gentleman he was, didn't press further after Huang'er admitted it.
Instead, Huang'er gave Jiang Chen a small smile. "Young Master Jiang, Elder Shun once said he believed you would break through to the Origin Realm within three years. I didn't think much of it at the time. But now, with nearly a year still remaining, you've already reached the Spirit King level — just half a step away from that Origin Realm."
Jiang Chen was surprised. He hadn't realized that Elder Shun thought so highly of him, predicting three years ago that he would reach the Origin Realm within three years?
After all, Jiang Chen's smooth progress over these past months had been thanks to a multitude of factors — factors that Elder Shun could never have foreseen. For the old man to have made such a prediction three years ago spoke volumes about his breadth of vision and foresight.
For a moment, Jiang Chen grew curious — just what level of cultivation had these grandfather and granddaughter actually reached?
In his previous life, Jiang Chen had been rich in experience, but assessing someone else's cultivation was difficult unless they deliberately revealed their power. And both Elder Shun and Huang'er were so low-key that Jiang Chen had no way of gauging their true strength.
One thing was certain, though: Huang'er's cultivation was far beyond the Earth Origin Realm.
Jiang Chen didn't feel disheartened or envious. As long as he stayed the course, his strength would continue to climb step by step.
"Young Master Jiang, that envoy from the Celestial Sect has suffered a loss in secret and will certainly not let the matter rest. The Treasure Tree Sect's foundation may not be enough to withstand the Celestial Sect's blow. Do you have any plans?"
Jiang Chen was slightly taken aback. He hadn't expected Miss Huang'er to raise this question.
"How strong the Celestial Sect truly is, I don't know. But since I've joined the Treasure Tree Sect, I can't simply walk away whenever I please. In the martial world, variables abound — no one can play both sides. In the end, a person has to shoulder some responsibility. Though I only recently joined the Treasure Tree Sect, spending this month meditating beneath the Canxia Treasure Tree has allowed me to form some kind of miraculous connection with it. I have a feeling that although the Treasure Tree Sect lacks depth and its strength is modest, it is a sect that carries a true spiritual legacy."
These words from Jiang Chen weren't empty posturing. Though he hadn't been with the Treasure Tree Sect for long, a single month of enlightenment under the Canxia Treasure Tree had given him something resembling a sense of home.
So when Miss Huang'er asked about his plans, he hadn't delivered any lofty speeches wrapped in noble rhetoric — but in his heart, he was absolutely resolved. He would never bow to the Celestial Sect. If it came to it, he would fight to the last moment. Whether or not he could truly share life and death with the sect was beside the point; he was willing to give everything for it.
This wasn't born of deep affection for the Treasure Tree Sect itself. It was an emotional bond that had quietly taken root during that month of meditation under the Canxia Treasure Tree.
Huang'er's question had actually been a test. Hearing Jiang Chen's answer, she gave a soft nod, secretly impressed. Elder Shun's judgment of Jiang Chen had been remarkably accurate.
This Young Master Jiang was indeed someone who valued relationships and carried his share of responsibility.
The people Huang'er had been surrounded by since childhood were mostly scheming sorts — individuals of deep cunning. Someone like Jiang Chen, so forthright and open, someone who settled grudges with a clear conscience — he was rare.
In that moment, Huang'er actually felt that hiding out in the Sixteen Kingdoms Alliance wasn't such a bad thing after all. At the very least, the people she'd been meeting recently were all friendly and forthright.
Take the people around Jiang Chen as an example — they had all been kind and courteous to her, not once shunning her because of her disfigured appearance.
It was precisely because of this that Huang'er felt a twinge of guilt. Disguising her true appearance and deliberately presenting herself this way now seemed rather less than honest.
But since things had already progressed to this point, she couldn't simply revert to her original appearance. She had no choice but to keep up the charade.
She feared that if the truth about her looks came out, it would cause misunderstandings and drive everyone away, costing her the friendships she had built.
Huang'er was about the same age as Jiang Chen. These years spent wandering with Elder Shun had been the most turbulent period of her life.
Yet they had also been her happiest and most carefree years.
No need for scheming, no need for complexity.
She cherished this kind of time, and in fact she hoped it could continue forever, unchanged.
But as the saying goes, the tree may long for calm, yet the wind never ceases.
That envoy from the Celestial Sect had shattered the peace she had been enjoying. She had originally had no desire to involve herself in this kind of conflict.
However, the Celestial Sect envoy had been so overbearing. If the Treasure Tree Sect were swallowed up, it would indirectly affect the peaceful life she had here.
Her life — and the lives of all the people she had recently come to know — would change.
This was something Huang'er absolutely refused to let happen. That was why she had finally stepped in: to protect this simple way of life.
At the same time, through her recent interactions, she had truly come to regard Jiang Chen as a friend.
Huang'er was perceptive and considerate. Even when helping out, she didn't want Jiang Chen to know. She understood that he wasn't the type to cling to his pride at all costs, but if word got out that he had relied on a woman's help, there would inevitably be talk.
So Huang'er didn't even want Jiang Chen to know it had been her.
But Jiang Chen was far too clever. From the melody of the qin, he had actually figured out it was her. Since he had asked, Huang'er naturally wouldn't deliberately deny it.
Fortunately, Jiang Chen was a magnanimous person.
Still, Huang'er couldn't help but offer a word of caution. "The Treasure Tree Sect is truly fortunate to have you, Young Master Jiang. But the backing of that Celestial Sect is nothing to scoff at. This matter still requires a proper plan."