Ye Chonglou stood at the peak of the fifth level of the Yuan Realm.
Gouyu had reached the fourth level of the Yuan Realm, and Xue Tong was likewise at the fourth level.
The rest were all at the peak of the second level of the Yuan Realm.
Tang Hong was now a Yuan Realm genius of the Danxia Valley, also at the peak of the fifth level, making him one of the more outstanding talents within the valley.
However, Tang Hong had his own independent cave dwelling and did not live here.
Jiang Chen was quite satisfied with everyone's progress. After all, in just two or three years, reaching this level was no small feat.
"Oh right, Old Master, I'd like to speak with you privately."
After exchanging pleasantries with everyone, Jiang Chen pulled Ye Chonglou aside.
Seeing how solemn Jiang Chen looked, Ye Chonglou knew this was no trivial matter and followed him inside.
"Jiang Chen, is something big about to happen?" Although the old man rarely ventured out, his grasp of the broader situation was razor-sharp.
Jiang Chen nodded. "Something significant could indeed occur. The Three Star Sect has colluded with the Nine Sun Heavenly Sect. In my estimation, the Myriad Phenomena Domain is about to face a catastrophic upheaval. This catastrophe may be so severe that even a fourth-rank sect like Dan Qian Palace cannot stay out of it. That is why, for the sake of the Treasure Tree Sect's future, I suggest you take Tang Hong and the others back to the Treasure Tree Sect immediately."
"We're leaving right away?" The old man was somewhat startled. "Is it truly that urgent? Tang Hong still wants to attend the Myriad Phenomena Grand Assembly and claim a ranking on the Myriad Phenomena Hidden Dragon Rankings."
"It's meaningless." Jiang Chen waved his hand. "Whether the Myriad Phenomena Grand Assembly can even be held smoothly is now an open question."
"It's that serious?"
"Possibly worse than I've described. Even Palace Master Dan Chi has already prepared to dissolve Dan Qian Palace at a moment's notice."
The old man's expression darkened instantly, his tone growing heavy. "In that case, the situation really is as dire as it can get."
At that point, the old man made his decision. "Very well. I'll go find Tang Hong and the others right now and bring them back to the Treasure Tree Sect. If the situation proves truly hopeless, the Treasure Tree Sect will do the same as Dan Qian Palace and temporarily disband."
In a sense, the Treasure Tree Sect was much like Dan Qian Palace. Both were sects with integrity, sects that carried the spiritual flame of their lineage.
Asking them to kneel before the enemy and accept enslavement was simply out of the question.
Jiang Chen nodded. "If you hear any stirrings, it would be best to disband the sect immediately and leave the Myriad Phenomena Domain. No matter how turbulent the road ahead may be, as long as the people survive, there will come a day when you reunite."
Ye Chonglou patted Jiang Chen on the shoulder. "Jiang Chen, the luckiest and proudest thing in this old man's life has been knowing you. Rest assured — although my strength is modest, I foresaw long ago that the Myriad Phenomena Domain would undergo a great upheaval. I've already made extensive preparations in advance. These arrangements may not be able to influence the grand scheme of the domain, but laying out several retreat routes is well within my grasp."
"Mm. When does the Old Master plan to set out?"
"Tomorrow." The old man was resolute. "Tomorrow I will bid farewell to Palace Master Dan Chi."
Jiang Chen presented another batch of Supreme Grade Peiyuan Pills to the old man. "Old Master, these Supreme Grade Peiyuan Pills — keep them on hand. They'll be enough to last you and Tang Hong a very long time."
"Also, here is a Yuanyuan Pill, for the Old Master as well. Once you advance to the sixth level of the Yuan Realm, consuming this pill will unconditionally raise you by one level, allowing you to attempt the seventh level of the Yuan Realm within a short time."
Jiang Chen also produced a million Supreme Grade Yuan Spirit Stones. "This is a million Supreme Grade Yuan Spirit Stones, earned from the alchemy competition at Huanbo Mountain. It should cover your expenses for the next several decades."
Ye Chonglou felt a pang of shame and sighed. "Jiang Chen, this old man has always been the beneficiary of your generosity. I truly feel mortified."
"Old Master, please don't say such things. If it weren't for your care in the Tiangui Kingdom back then, there would likely be no Jiang Chen of today."
Ye Chonglou did not stand on ceremony and accepted everything without objection.
"Jiang Chen, with you in the Treasure Tree Sect, even if the sect is destroyed, there will surely come a day of its revival." The old man's voice was thick with emotion.
"Oh, and Old Master, how has your Fengjiao Five-Winged Beast progressed after merging with the true dragon bloodline?"
Ye Chonglou's face brightened. "The Fengjiao Five-Winged Beast truly deserves its reputation as a descendant of the dragon clan. It absorbed the true dragon bloodline even better than I did. Its cultivation has long since broken through to a level comparable to the Heavenly Yuan Realm of humans. In my estimation, it has a better chance than I do of reaching the Saint Realm."
"The Saint Realm shouldn't be a problem. Through the Wood Spirit Spring's marrow cleansing, the Old Master's hopes of reaching the Saint Realm are very strong," Jiang Chen continued. "Tang Hong has exceptional talent. I hope the Treasure Tree Sect can give him priority in cultivation. If allowed to grow properly, Tang Hong's future achievements will be limitless."
In truth, geniuses from small places possessed genuine talent as well.
The difference lay in the paucity of resources they had enjoyed since childhood. The gap was not in their innate aptitude but in their post-natal nurturing.
This was particularly evident in Tang Hong. After joining Dan Qian Palace and receiving generous resource support from Jiang Chen, his cultivation had advanced with a ferocity that surpassed even the palace's own geniuses.
From Jiang Chen's perspective, if Tang Hong had been given the same treatment as Cao Jin, his current achievements would likely be no worse.
Just as he finished speaking with the old man, Xue Tong walked in. "Young Master, Miss Ling Bier has sent more cultivation resources again."
"What do you mean?" Jiang Chen was taken aback. Could Ling Bier know he had returned? That seemed impossible.
"Ever since returning from Huanbo Mountain, Miss Ling Bier has sent cultivation resources every single month. She has been very considerate toward all of us. On several occasions, when some ill-intentioned individuals came to cause trouble at our cave dwelling, it was Miss Ling Bier who chased them away."
Jiang Chen smiled faintly, reminded of Ling Bier's unwavering determination to rescue her father, and felt a quiet stirring in his heart. He still owed her a three-year promise, and it was time to make good on it.
He waved his hand. "I'll step out for a moment."
Outside the cave dwelling, Ling Bier stood gracefully at the entrance. Her iceberg-like aura made her seem as though she belonged to an entirely different world from the mountain gate around her.