At the time when the other three Peak Masters of the Jade Cauldron Sect were escorting the inner disciples, they indeed noticed some martial artists from their sect following them. After a thorough check and not finding any trace of Lin Chen, they left reluctantly.
"Humph, these guys, just as Sect Leader Senior Brother predicted, didn’t go to fight those scoundrels from the Black Cloud Sect; instead, they set their sights on us."
"Don’t bother with them. With just that number of people, and without confirming Lin Chen’s location, they wouldn’t dare to lay a hand on us."
"Humph, a bunch of third-rate sects, not worth mentioning. Even if they dared to make a move, I wouldn’t be afraid of them."
At this moment, within the Jade Bird Peak of the Jade Cauldron Sect.
Yang Yuemin, after bringing back Lin Chen, immediately instructed him to go into seclusion to digest the opportunities he gained from the ruins.
Seeing this, Lin Chen nodded and returned to his place, his appreciation for Yang Yuemin growing substantially.
When they were outside the ruins previously, although the Nine Peaks Peak Masters of the Jade Cauldron Sect were very protective of Lin Chen, he knew very well in his heart that it wasn’t for the sake of his personal safety, but rather because they feared that the legacy he obtained from the ruins would fall into someone else’s hands.
Upon returning to the Jade Cauldron Sect, except for Xu Ma’an, Yang Yuemin, Zhao Rushi, and Li Xuanming, who looked at him without any strange intentions, the true natures of the other Peak Masters were immediately exposed. If it weren’t for Yang Yuemin directly pulling Lin Chen back to Jade Bird Peak, those Peak Masters would probably have interrogated Lin Chen right away.
Through this incident, Lin Chen saw clearly the ruthlessness of the cultivation world, realizing that only by becoming powerful could he truly protect himself.
After returning to his residence, Mu Qingxuan joyfully threw herself at Lin Chen, giving him a big hug.
In the time that Lin Chen was away, she had been worried about him.
After catching up with Mu Qingxuan for a while, Lin Chen immediately went back to his room to enter seclusion.
Lin Chen first set up a formation in his room, and then attached a few talisman inscriptions that isolated his aura before summoning his Second Soul Division.
Afterward, both of them began cultivating at the same time.
During the time in the ruins, Lin Chen only managed to merge with the Second Soul, and many insights had not been digested. There wasn’t even time to sit in meditation to cultivate before the ruins disappeared.
Lin Chen believed that after this period of seclusion, his strength would surely undergo a significant enhancement. This journey to the ruins brought him immense gains.
Jade Cauldron Sect, main peak, Council Hall.
At this moment, Xu Ma’an and the Nine Peaks Peak Masters were gathered, discussing the gain and loss from this expedition to the ruins.
"Sect Leader Senior Brother, the count is complete. This time, we dispatched five hundred and seventy-nine True Disciples to the ruins. We have lost sixty percent of the disciples, from the First Peak thirty-seven, from the Second Peak..."
As the casualties from the peaks were reported, the faces of Xu Ma’an and all the Peak Masters turned very unsightly.
Only Zhao Yijing’s face showed no significant change. She remained silent and stern throughout, well aware of the true purpose of her fellow disciples’ insistence on this meeting.
"Everyone, the casualties have been fully reported. Now, shall we discuss the distribution of the spoils and the matter of the inheritance that Lin Chen acquired?"
"That lad obtained the highest inheritance from the ruins. Whether it be cultivation techniques or treasures, he surely didn’t receive a small share. But with his Melding Earth Realm Cultivation, there’s no way he could need so many resources. They must be handed over to the Sect for distribution."
Hong Yanbing, the Peak Master of the Second Peak, had no trace of sorrow for the losses of his disciples on his face; instead, his eyes were fixated on the inheritance that Lin Chen had brought with him.
As soon as these words were spoken, the complexions of the other Peak Masters changed, and they all cast their gazes toward Xu Ma’an, eager to hear Xu Ma’an’s response.
"Hmph, Lin Chen’s entry into the ruins was due to his own serendipitous opportunity, not because we sent him there. The fact that we received the news of the ruins in the first instance was all thanks to the message he sent. What basis do you have for demanding that he report back to you about the inheritance he obtained in the ruins?"
"And why should he have to hand over the treasures he acquired through his own strength to the Sect?"
"Your disciples also obtained quite a few treasures; why don’t I see you asking them to turn theirs over for the Sect to distribute?"
At Hong Yanbing’s words, Yang Yuemin immediately lashed out at him in anger.
Whatever treasures Lin Chen had obtained, Yang Yuemin had never mentioned taking them when Lin Chen returned to Jade Bird Peak. As his mentor, her only concern was for Lin Chen to grow strong; she was satisfied with that. But this old coot, Hong Yanbing, had the audacity to target her disciple. Naturally, she was displeased.
"Sister, you are seeing things differently. The other disciples risked their lives for every bit of treasure they got. Demanding they hand them over would cause dissatisfaction among the disciples, fill the Sect with resentment, and tarnish our reputation."
"Besides, the demand for Lin Chen to surrender his treasures and cultivation techniques isn’t just my personal wish. I do this for the greater good, for the sake of the Sect."
Seeing Yang Yuemin enraged, Hong Yanbing, who would not have dared to provoke her under normal circumstances, felt compelled to continue speaking, hardening his resolve in light of the enticing inheritance from the ruins.
"You are laughable! Your disciples’ treasures are earned at the risk of their lives, so they can keep them, but aren’t my disciples also risking their lives to obtain theirs?"
Yang Yuemin’s lungs nearly burst with rage as she stood up and sneered at Hong Yanbing.
"Sister’s words are mistaken. The Sect has expended so much effort in nurturing him; now that he has acquired so many treasures, it is only natural for him to give back to the Sect. Are you suggesting the Sect should provide for him for free?"
Hong Yanbing still refused to give up on Lin Chen’s inheritance and continued to speak.
At these words, everyone immediately realized this was not a good development.
"Scoundrel, do you really think I am that easy to bully? Since you’ve put it this way, let me ask you, Lin Chen has been with the Sect for less than a year. All his cultivation resources came from Jade Bird Peak; what resources provided by the Sect has he ever enjoyed?" The most update n0vels are published on NoveI(F)ire.net
Moreover, he has earned significant merit for the Sect on numerous occasions and yet received no reward.
"And your Purple Cloud Peak dares claim contributions to the Sect? In recent years, exploiting their higher cultivation, your disciples have bullied other disciples and extorted benefits, an issue the Sect Leader Senior Brother turned a blind eye to. Yet you have the audacity to speak of contributions. What has Purple Cloud Peak contributed to the Sect over the past decade?"
Yang Yuemin’s accusations made Hong Yanbing’s face turn red with embarrassment and loss of face.