Chapter 158: Chapter 154: Voluntarily Petitioning for the Sect’s Demotion
After advancing to the Foundation Establishment Middle Stage, Du Youqian’s Divination Art naturally reached Tier Two, making his divinations even more precise.
When it came to matters concerning himself, he often had premonitions, even without performing a divination.
However, when his divinations involved a Core Formation Ancestor, they remained hit-or-miss, with no discernible pattern.
He was still unable to divine anything about the Liu Hua Cave Mansion.
As for his Array Dao and Alchemy, there were no signs of them breaking through to Tier Three. His Divine Sense was still insufficient.
At this time, the range of Du Youqian’s Divine Sense reached seven hundred zhang.
This far surpassed that of a typical Foundation Establishment Middle Stage cultivator, though it was slightly less than that of a Foundation Establishment Late Stage Cultivator.
’Is such powerful Divine Sense a result of exceptional talent?’
’Or is it an advantage from my many reincarnations?’
Du Youqian estimated that when his Cultivation reached the Foundation Establishment Late Stage—or the Foundation Establishment Peak at the latest—his Divine Sense would once again advance by leaps and bounds. Even if it didn’t match that of a Core Formation cultivator, it wouldn’t be far off.
At that time, he would have a good chance of achieving a breakthrough in the Array Dao and Alchemy.
After sending Meng Xiao away, Du Youqian was in a period of waiting for his master to pull the necessary strings.
On one hand, he followed his plan to improve the Secret Technique of Burning Essence Blood; on the other, he concocted new nutrient solutions daily, trying to "hatch" the Stone Egg.
Progress on improving the Secret Technique advanced slowly. As for the Stone Egg, he had yet to concoct a nutrient solution that could enhance its activity and induce it to hatch.
Life was, for the most part, peaceful.
Until one day, Shuyue Hua came to visit.
Fang Hua led her to Du Youqian’s private chambers, then stood to the side, cradling her sword.
Shuyue Hua studied her intently for a few moments. Seeing that she was still a virgin, she couldn’t help but let out a soft sigh.
Before her arrival, Du Youqian had been playing the guqin.
Du Youqian didn’t put the guqin away. Instead, he casually plucked its strings and smiled. "I figured it was about time for Fairy Shu to arrive."
Shuyue Hua looked puzzled. "What do you mean by that, Fellow Daoist Yu?"
Du Youqian plucked a string again. The sound made Shuyue Hua tremble.
"Before Fellow Daoist Shu enters seclusion to attempt your breakthrough to Core Formation, you’d have to at least come and pay me a visit, wouldn’t you?" he said, watching her with a knowing smile.
Being watched by his playful gaze, Shuyue Hua dropped the pretense. She turned on her own charm, her eyes brimming with affection as she laughed coquettishly. "Fellow Daoist Yu, you truly are a master of divination, to have even guessed that I am about to enter seclusion to attempt a breakthrough to Core Formation."
Du Youqian maintained his confident, all-seeing, and slightly playful smile. "Is it really that hard to guess? Your sect’s Xin Master entered seclusion over twenty years ago, failed her breakthrough, and died from the backlash. If Fairy Shu doesn’t hurry and break through to Core Formation, are you just going to wait for the Sect to be demoted?"
Shuyue Hua looked as if she had been struck by a Thunder Technique. For a moment, she was so shocked that her mind went blank and she couldn’t speak.
After a long moment, she managed to force a smile. "Regarding Xin Master, Fellow Daoist Yu must have heard some unsubstantiated rumors..."
"Enough, Fairy Shu. You shouldn’t be thinking about how to fool me with sweet talk. The truth is, I’ve been pretending not to know this whole time and had no intention of exposing you. After all, the Hundred Flowers Sect has been quite respectful, and Fang Hua... Fang Hua is quite a treat."
Fang Hua remained expressionless at his side, not even an eyelash twitching, but a blush quietly crept up her cheeks.
As for the potential difficulties her Sect faced, she felt nothing at all.
In her mind, the Hundred Flowers Sect was nothing more than an abstract concept.
The only person she truly cared for was Shuyue Hua.
Even if someone came and announced they were going to destroy the Hundred Flowers Sect, she would remain indifferent.
All that mattered was that Shuyue Hua survived.
Du Youqian paused, making sure Shuyue Hua understood him before continuing. "Fairy Shu, ordinarily, I shouldn’t be speaking so plainly. But since Fang Hua is not an outsider, I’ll be frank. Of course, I will deny everything said outside of this room."
"Please, speak freely, Fellow Daoist Yu." Shuyue Hua hastily adopted a humble attitude.
Du Youqian smiled again. "That Fellow Daoist Wei of your sect, the one who legend says left thirty years ago in search of a fortuitous encounter, still hasn’t returned. Aren’t you worried, Fairy Shu? Or perhaps you know the situation is hopeless and have simply decided not to dwell on it. But do you have any idea what other people are whispering?"
Shuyue Hua could barely remain seated. If Fang Hua hadn’t been right there, she would have already resorted to her womanly wiles—crawling over, clinging to Du Youqian’s leg, and using every trick in the book to win his favor.
But she couldn’t bring herself to lose face in front of her beloved disciple.
After a moment’s thought, Shuyue Hua took a deep breath, a smile returning to her beautiful face. "I know that Fellow Daoist Yu won’t just stand by and watch our sect fall, right?"
Du Youqian let out a dry chuckle. "Why don’t you go into seclusion and attempt your breakthrough to Core Formation first, Fairy Shu? I presume you must have some degree of confidence, right? If you succeed, then there’s nothing more to be said. If you fail but don’t perish in the attempt, we can talk again then."
Shuyue Hua’s expression became tearful. "If I were confident of success, why would I be wasting time here? It is simply a case of the arrow being notched on the bow—I have no choice but to let it fly. Could I trouble the Guardian Envoy to help cover things up for a while longer, until I am more confident, before I attempt the breakthrough?"
Shuyue Hua was already beautiful to begin with. Now, with her fragile posture and tear-streaked face like a pear blossom in the rain, she was a sight that would inspire pity in anyone.
Even if she only possessed eight-tenths of beauty, this display could evoke a full ten-tenths of compassion.
Seeing Shuyue Hua in such a state, Fang Hua couldn’t bear it. She looked at Du Youqian with pitiful eyes, but didn’t dare to speak up and plead for her master.
Du Youqian’s heart, however, was like stone. He remained completely unmoved, only offering a slight smile. "Cover for you? I will not. On the contrary, I advise you, Fairy Shu, to take advantage of the fact that I am still the Guardian Envoy. Report the situation and request your sect’s demotion now. When the time comes, I will vie for the position of Demotion Envoy and personally preside over the process. This way, your sect’s losses will at least be minimized. In a few years, if you successfully reach Core Formation, or if Fang Hua does, you can petition to have the Sect’s status restored."
"But..." Shuyue Hua tried to plead again.
"I have said my piece. Consider it carefully, Fairy Shu." Du Youqian was unwilling to say more. His five fingers swept across the strings, producing a sharp, metallic clang. "Fang Hua, see our guest out."
"Yes."
Shuyue Hua was an extremely clever woman who understood men well. Seeing Du Youqian’s attitude, she knew that further conversation was impossible today and could only rise to her feet in resignation.
Fang Hua saw her to the gates of the Guardian Envoy’s Mansion, watching her in silence.
Shuyue Hua seemed melancholic. She reached out, tucked back a strand of Fang Hua’s hair, and stroked her skin, which was as smooth as a shelled egg. "If you had become the Guardian Envoy’s woman sooner, perhaps today would have turned out differently."
Fang Hua blushed and said resolutely, "It wouldn’t have made any difference. Fellow Daoist Yu’s Dao Heart is unshakable; he would not let his judgment be swayed by romantic entanglements."
"Silly child," Shuyue Hua said with a helpless smile. "No matter how single-mindedly he pursues the Dao, no matter how firm his Dao Heart, he is not an immortal yet. If you worked a little harder and managed to capture his heart, how could he possibly remain unmoved?"
Fang Hua didn’t agree, but she didn’t want to argue. She simply shook her head and changed the subject. "Master, what will you choose?"
Shuyue Hua didn’t answer, asking instead, "What do you think? What choice should I make?"
Fang Hua looked at her master and said seriously, enunciating each word, "Agree to Fellow Daoist Yu’s proposal. Voluntarily request the Sect’s demotion now."
Shuyue Hua shook her head in disappointment. "It seems it was a mistake to send you to the Guardian Envoy’s side before I had taught you properly. You don’t have the Sect’s best interests at heart at all."
"I am thinking of the Sect, and I am thinking of you. Master, don’t attempt the breakthrough to Core Formation rashly. Wait until you’re more confident."
Shuyue Hua’s anger flared. "Confidence? When will I ever be confident! Do you think reaching Core Formation is as easy as singing and dancing? As it stands, I only have a ten percent chance of success. Even if I spend another twenty or thirty years preparing, my chances would still be less than twenty percent!"
Fang Hua insisted, "At the very least, you should acquire an Elixir or a Spiritual Object to protect your heart meridians, Master. That way, even if you fail the breakthrough to Core Formation, your life won’t be in danger."
Shuyue Hua gave a laugh, a smile of utter helplessness. "Do you think that kind of Elixir or Spiritual Object is something a person like me is qualified to obtain? Forget it."
She shook her head forcefully, as if trying to cast off all the recent unpleasantness.
"Let me ask you, why do you think I should voluntarily request the Sect’s demotion?"
Fang Hua said, "Because Fellow Daoist Yu will soon be transferred to the post of Qi Country Guardian Envoy. If you attempt the breakthrough to Core Formation, Master, it will take a very long time. By then, the Guardian Envoy of the Wu Kingdom will surely be someone else."
"Oh?" Shuyue Hua’s interest was piqued.
This was news that no one in the outside world knew yet; it must be a secret circulating only within a small circle.
’Now that I have this secret, is there something I can do with it?’
’But after thinking it over, there seemed to be no way to take advantage of the situation.’
Fang Hua continued, "Rather than wait for his successor to arrive and demote the Hundred Flowers Sect, it’s better to do it while Fellow Daoist Yu is still here. He can offer some protection. Even if our Sect is demoted, our core strength won’t suffer a crippling blow. I’ve heard that the reason Fellow Daoist Yu was able to become the Wu Kingdom Guardian Envoy while only at the Foundation Establishment Early Stage is because he has connections in the Holy Blood Sect’s External Affairs Hall. As long as he remains the Guardian Envoy of Wu Kingdom, any envoy sent to handle our demotion will have to show him some deference. In the process, they might take fewer of our Inheritances and resources."
Shuyue Hua said in disappointment, "How can we pin our hopes on something so intangible and uncertain? I am so disappointed in you, Fang Hua. You aren’t truly thinking of the Sect’s best interests."
"Master..."
Shuyue Hua raised a hand to stop her. "Say no more. I need to think."
With that, she departed, her figure looking desolate and forlorn.
Fang Hua bit her lip, clutching her sword as she watched her master’s back recede into the distance. It was as if the blade itself was her only support and protection.
