Chapter 403: Chapter 186: Peers
The Demon Sect would never give up so easily. For them to conceal their movements like this meant they were surely plotting something.
Just then, Luo Xinyi hurried over, a file in her hand. She bowed respectfully and said, "Brother Chen, this is the cross-review list of this month’s applicants from the Outer Courtyard requesting to enter the Inner Courtyard. Please review it and make a decision."
Chen Qing took the list, his eyes sweeping over it. "Let’s go with these two. Their aptitude and comprehension are both quite decent."
Luo Xinyi hesitated for a moment before asking in a low voice, "Brother Chen, should we send the list to the back courtyard for Master Li to review?"
She did not know that Master Li had already gone into seclusion; after all, it was normal not to see any sign of him for a month or two at a time.
Chen Qing shook his head slightly. "There’s no need. Master Li gave instructions before he entered seclusion. I am to make all decisions regarding the institute’s affairs. We’ll settle on these two."
"Yes, I understand."
Since Chen Qing had spoken, Luo Xinyi asked no more questions. She took the approved list, bowed, and then withdrew to process it.
At that very moment, a Steward serving under the Sect Leader hurried into the Cyan Wood Institute. Upon seeing Chen Qing, he immediately came forward, cupped his fist, and said with a solemn expression, "Chief Chen, the Sect Leader has an urgent matter in the Council Hall. He requests your immediate presence for a discussion."
"I understand. I’ll head over right away."
Chen Qing nodded and followed the Steward, striding quickly toward the Council Hall.
When he arrived at the Council Hall, it was empty and quiet.
Chen Qing stood quietly to one side, waiting patiently.
Before long, the sound of light footsteps approached, and Chu Jinyun, Dean of the Gui Water Institute, was the first to step inside.
She wore aqua-blue formal robes and had a cool, aloof air. When she saw Chen Qing already present, a flicker of surprise crossed her eyes.
The Sect Leader had summoned a meeting of the institute Deans and key senior members. For Chen Qing, a Chief Disciple, to be present—no matter how outstanding he was—seemed highly unusual.
Her mind was filled with questions, but with her status and self-restraint, she naturally wouldn’t voice them. She simply walked to one side and stood still, her expression impassive.
Immediately after, Tan Yang, Peng Zhen, and Hong Yuandong arrived one after another. They, too, showed confusion upon seeing Chen Qing.
Shen Xiuyong arrived next.
He was visibly taken aback for a moment upon seeing Chen Qing, then gave him a slight nod.
The last to arrive were two Astral Force Elders and the Marshal who commanded the Wutai Army.
These three had a relatively muted reaction to seeing Chen Qing. Their gazes merely lingered on him for a moment, tinged with a hint of puzzlement.
When Sect Leader He Yuzhou finally stepped into the Council Hall, the large hall became so quiet you could hear a pin drop.
His gaze swept over everyone present before he spoke. "Everyone’s here. Let’s be seated."
As instructed, the attendees took their seats in the dark sandalwood chairs lining both sides of the hall.
What caused renewed glances and even a slight stir was that Chen Qing, with a perfectly calm expression, walked to the seat reserved for the Dean of the Cyan Wood Institute and unabashedly sat down!
He Yuzhou’s gaze was heavy as he slowly swept it over everyone present. "According to multiple investigations, the Demon Sect’s activities have been frequent of late. Although they appear to have reined themselves in, dark currents are stirring beneath the surface, and I fear they are plotting something much bigger. All institutes must heighten their vigilance. In particular, the defenses around the Sect’s critical assets—the herb gardens, the Fishery, the mines—must be reinforced. Double the Patrols, alternate between open and hidden posts, and permit no negligence whatsoever."
He paused, then continued, "Furthermore, our embedded agents have paid a heavy price to follow several leads, finally uncovering some faint clues regarding areas where the Demon Sect may be gathering. The intelligence is incomplete, but it points in a very clear direction."
As soon as he said this, the atmosphere in the hall instantly grew heavier.
Chu Jinyun, Tan Yang, Peng Zhen, Hong Yuandong, and the others all furrowed their brows, their expressions grave.
They knew the Sect Leader would never make baseless claims. For him to summon everyone with such gravity to announce this meant the situation was likely even more severe than they had perceived.
The Demon Sect had lain dormant for so long; a sudden, large-scale operation would be anything but simple. They couldn’t help but be on high alert.
Chen Qing also felt a chill and began to ponder the implications.
A sharp glint flashed in Shen Xiuyong’s eyes as he sat up straighter.
He Yuzhou took a deep breath and continued, "Junior Sister Chu, your reinforcements will focus on strengthening the patrols around the back mountain and the surrounding waterways. Junior Brother Hong, the Li Fire Institute disciples will be responsible for guarding the main gate and the front mountain area, coordinating with the Wutai Army. Junior Brother Peng, the maintenance and guarding of all vital passages within the Sect is up to you. Junior Brother Tan, you will assist Junior Brother Peng in patrolling the sect."
"Yes!"
Everyone answered in unison.
"Before Junior Martial Uncle Li entered seclusion, he decreed that all affairs of the Cyan Wood Institute would be temporarily handled by Chen Qing with full authority."
Finally, He Yuzhou’s gaze turned to Chen Qing, who had been sitting quietly in the Dean’s seat for the Cyan Wood Institute. "The Cyan Wood Institute will act as a mobile reserve, ready to support all fronts at a moment’s notice."
Everyone’s eyes turned to Chen Qing, their gazes filled with doubt.
’The Cyan Wood Institute is one of the Five Institutes. Can Chen Qing, a mere Chief Disciple, really command the situation!?’
However, He Yuzhou’s next words were like a clap of thunder, exploding in everyone’s ears:
"Oh, right. There’s something I haven’t had the chance to inform you all."
He Yuzhou’s tone was casual. "Not long ago, Chen Qing broke through to the Astral Force Realm."
The moment he spoke, the very air in the vast Council Hall seemed to freeze solid.
You could hear a pin drop.
The next instant, gazes filled with disbelief and stunned uncertainty—so intense they felt tangible—swiveled in unison to focus on Chen Qing!
Chen Qing, seated in the Dean’s chair for the Cyan Wood Institute, instantly became the absolute center of the entire Council Hall.
Chu Jinyun’s pupils contracted sharply, her usual calm completely shattered.
She tried to sense the perfectly contained aura emanating from Chen Qing.
Her earlier confusion was answered in an instant, but what followed was an even deeper shock.
