On the top floor of the tallest building where the Spiritual Energy is most abundant in Wangxing, several disciples of Xuanhu Daojun were discussing the recent distribution of the Xuanxu Pill.
"Over on Fushang Star, another disciple of Lao Xiaoyu has reached Perfection of Spirit Transmutation. He asked me to get one more pill and promised to pay with Dao Merits according to market price..." a slightly thin, upright male cultivator began speaking to the others.
He was Huo Gaoyuan, who was nominally in charge of Fushang Star, though he had given it to Lao Xiaoyu to manage for convenience. Over the years, they had developed some rapport and face-saving relations.
"Junior Brother, why didn’t you mention this earlier? The distribution numbers for the Xuanxu Pill across all star systems have already been publicly confirmed. Changing now would go against the rules."
A white-haired young man sitting in the center frowned slightly, seemingly disinclined to agree.
"That’s what I told Lao Xiaoyu as well, that if he had mentioned it earlier, we could have deducted one from the share of peripheral star systems like Xuanyang. But he didn’t expect his disciple to suddenly break through the bottleneck..."
Huo Gaoyuan also seemed helpless, as the timing made all the difference. If they were to deduct one now, no matter whom it was taken from, it would offend someone.
But pared to others, Lao Xiaoyu was his ally, and the disciple in question was his little lover, who always served him well when he visited Fushang Star, so he definitely had to help.
"Since Junior Brother Huo has spoken, face must be given."
Another female cultivator with long hair tied into a crown seemed to have a good relationship with Huo Gaoyuan and spoke in support.
"Then which star system should we deduct from?" the white-haired young man asked. He was Cheng Yunlan, the direct disciple of Xuanhu Daojun and the person responsible for Wangxing.
"From Xuanyang Star System, Junior Sister Song only has one disciple who needs the Xuanxu Pill, and she plans to sell the other two pills to outsiders. Why not deduct one from her share?"
Huo Gaoyuan had already done his research. If someone had to be offended, it should not be one of their own.
Even though this might cause Song Qingyi to lose face in front of outsiders, at least it wouldn’t stir up internal conflict. Even if it reached Xuanhu Daojun, it would be reasonable.
"Convince Junior Sister Song yourself, then e with her to see me."
Cheng Yunlan said calmly. If Huo Gaoyuan weren’t an Inner Chamber Disciple and Song Qingyi merely an enrolled disciple, he would not have agreed.
Yet, even so, he didn’t want to take the blame and asked Huo Gaoyuan to handle Song Qingyi first.
"This..."
Huo Gaoyuan hesitated a bit, as he wasn’t particularly familiar with Song Qingyi.
"I’ll go with you." The female cultivator with long hair tied into a crown spoke up. She was also an Inner Chamber Disciple of Xuanhu Daojun, named Wei Yiqin, considered the leading female cultivator of Cultivating Void in this dojo.
Before Song Qingyi reached Cultivating Void, she often visited Wei Yiqin during festivals and holidays.
"Thank you, Senior Sister Wei."
Huo Gaoyuan nodded repeatedly, thinking that the gifts he had given earlier were finally ing in handy.
As the two prepared to leave, a Spirit Talisman pierced the void, suddenly appearing in the meeting room.
"Then we won’t disturb Senior Brother Cheng’s work any longer."
Seeing this, Wei Yiqin and Huo Gaoyuan promptly took their leave.
"Take care, Xiao Lü, please see the two out."
Cheng Yunlan nodded calmly, instructing a plain-looking, secretary-like female cultivator beside him to escort them out.
As the three turned, Cheng Yunlan received the Spirit Talisman, and after reading its contents, his expression changed slightly, immediately calling out: "Wait!"
Wei Yiqin and Huo Gaoyuan paused, turning back, puzzled at Cheng Yunlan’s unusual demeanor for someone normally so posed.
"Junior Sister Song has been selected by Master to acpany him to the Central Dojo for a meeting in a while, so don’t mention deducting her star system’s Xuanxu Pill anymore. Think of another way yourselves."
Cheng Yunlan raised the Message Talisman in his hand and explained its contents.
Upon hearing this, both Wei Yiqin and Huo Gaoyuan were visibly shocked.
Especially Wei Yiqin, wondering why she, an Inner Chamber Disciple, wasn’t chosen.
Could it be that during the last meeting in the Cangsheng Pot, Junior Sister Song’s bright Daoist Robe dazzled the Master’s eyes?
Wei Yiqin clenched her fists, but since Cheng Yunlan had spoken, she certainly wouldn’t embarrass Song Qingyi or oppose the Third Senior Brother or even the Master.
"Yes, yes, thank you, Senior Brother Cheng, for the reminder. Otherwise, I fear I would have mitted a grave mistake."
Before Wei Yiqin could speak, Huo Gaoyuan, standing beside her, had already spoken up, breaking out in a cold sweat.
He had chosen Song Qingyi because she had no substantial background and was an easy target.
Now that she has caught the Master’s eye, she might someday be upgraded from an enrolled to a direct lineage, surpassing him. If ties are formed with the Xuanxu Pill, he might face retaliation in the future.
Luckily, it hadn’t e to that.
As they left, Huo Gaoyuan also inquired about the list of disciples selected by Xuanhu Daojun for the meeting at the Central Dojo, mitting it to memory to avoid offending anyone.
"Senior Sister Wei, Junior Brother Liu from Xuanguang Star System also has three Xuanxu Pills this time. Should we go chat with him?"
Upon exiting the tall building, Huo Gaoyuan, having already presented gifts, hoped Wei Yiqin would help him negotiate with another enrolled disciple of Xuanhu Daojun.
"I have something to attend to, you can go on your own."
Wei Yiqin coldly responded, then threw back the gift box she had received to Huo Gaoyuan, transforming into an Escaping Light, leaving Wangxing and heading toward the Cangsheng Pot.
She intended to inquire why she wasn’t included among the acpanying disciples heading to the Central Dojo meeting.
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