Chapter 983: A Single Elder's Sentence Ends the Past Relationship

"Here are a few low-grade Dust Heart Pills. They can enhance cultivation in the Core Formation Stage. Consider it a small token of my regard as a disciple. Esteemed Grand Elders and Elders, please accept them."

Inside the Skyfiend Palace, Venerable Chenjing took out several bottles of low-grade Dust Heart Pills that were long useless to him and handed them to the people from Qingyun Sect. Everyone remained silent. No one spoke, and no one took the pills.

Firstly, with the help of Jiang Fan's thousand-year spiritual flesh, the Grand Elders were either at the ninth level of the Core Formation Stage or had reached its perfection. Low-grade Dust Heart Pills were no longer of much use to them. Secondly, Venerable Chenjing clearly misunderstood them, thinking they were seeking favors, pestering him, and that he could simply hand them some trivial items to send them away.

As the Sect Master, Liu Wenchen answered on behalf of everyone, waving his hand, "Senior Chenjing, you've misunderstood. We heard you arrived and specifically came to visit you. Please don't give us anything; we don't need it."

With so many resources from Jiang Fan, these few bottles of low-grade Dust Heart Pills were truly insignificant. They offered little benefit and would only give them a reputation for being greedy and begging for resources. Venerable Chenjing scoffed internally. He was waiting for Jiang Fan in the Skyfiend Palace, and the people from Qingyun Sect had rushed over as soon as they heard. What else could they be doing but pestering him, a powerful Nascent Soul cultivator of the Fourth Aperture, for benefits? They wanted items but didn't want a bad reputation? Such hypocrisy!

Smiling, he unceremoniously pressed the medicine bottles into Liu Wenchen's hand. "Just take them when I tell you to. No need to be polite."

Liu Wenchen helplessly held the jade bottles and said, "Venerable Chenjing, we simply came to see you. Since everything is well with you, we are relieved. Elder Feng, do you have anything else to say?"

Feeling Venerable Chenjing's disdain, the Qingyun Sect members realized their fervent enthusiasm was unreciprocated, their excitement turning to nothing. While feeling a pang of sorrow, none of them wanted to stay there and embarrass themselves further.

Feng Guchan stepped forward, gazing at the face that was both familiar and strange. His aged eyes still held a hint of excitement. "Liuyun, do you still remember me?"

Venerable Chenjing had noticed him earlier and now had to stand up from his chair, cupping his hands in a polite greeting. "Elder Feng, I trust you've been well."

Feng Guchan's expression subtly tightened. He wouldn't even call him 'Master' anymore. A simple 'Elder' conveyed that their master-disciple relationship had long since been severed. It was ironic that he had waited eight years for Nangong Liuyun to return, holding onto a glimmer of hope despite others' advice. Now, having sought him out, all he received was "Elder Feng." He aged several years in an instant, nodding, "I'm fine."

"And you? I heard you became a disciple of Venerable Zhenyan. How does she treat you? Have you encountered any difficulties recently?" Even though Venerable Chenjing no longer acknowledged him as a master, Feng Guchan still cared about his recent situation, worried that he wasn't doing well.

Venerable Chenjing frowned. A few bumpkins, daring to inquire about Venerable Zhenyan? They truly had no idea of the heavens or what respect was!

He showed an impatient expression and said, "Elder Feng, everything is fine with me. If you have nothing else, please go back and rest. I'm also a bit tired and would like to close my eyes for a short nap." Such an obvious dismissal sent a chill through Feng Guchan's heart. Was he not even allowed to express a word of concern? Ultimately, he felt unworthy.

He nodded dejectedly. "Alright, we won't disturb Venerable Chenjing. Farewell, farewell."

Standing at the entrance of the Skyfiend Palace, Jiang Fan had witnessed everything. He stared at Venerable Chenjing, a hint of indifference in his eyes. No wonder Venerable Chenjing had hesitated when he learned Jiang Fan was from Qingyun Sect that day. It turned out he was worried about revealing his own identity as a former Qingyun Sect disciple, fearing Jiang Fan would cling to him. What an overthinking fool!

He approached the Qingyun Sect members and said, "Grand Elders, Elders, and Sect Master, you're all here! I was just looking for you." He feigned ignorance of their previous conversation, so as not to cause them any embarrassment.

Liu Wenchen's eyes lit up. "Jiang Fan, we were looking for you too!" The others looked at Jiang Fan and immediately felt much more at ease. Looking at Jiang Fan alone, one would only think he was outstanding. But compared to Venerable Chenjing, his loyalty and appreciation for relationships seemed even more precious.

Jiang Fan said, "Master, the Pavilion of Heavenly Secrets will be departing for Taicang Great Continent in a few days. Before I leave, I have some items to give you." He took out seven Nascent Soul Strike Talismans and handed them all to Liu Wenchen. "There were originally ten, but three were used when dealing with the Skyfiend Emperor. The remaining ones are for you to keep."

What?! Nascent Soul Strike Talismans? Seven of them? Liu Wenchen's pupils contracted. One talisman could intimidate the Nine Sects; what about seven? He hastily reached out with both hands, only to realize his hands were occupied by the low-grade Dust Heart Pills. He quickly tossed them casually to Elder Wen Hongyao. "Take these and distribute them among the junior disciples."

Elder Wen Hongyao's temper was second only to Qin Wangchuan's. How could she accept such charity? She casually tossed the pills onto the table. "Whoever wants them can take them. Our Medicine Peak has no use for them. If the Sect Master is truly generous, give one of those talismans to our Medicine Peak."

Liu Wenchen quickly tucked the talismans into his robes and retorted, "The talismans will be stored centrally by the Sect Master. No peak is to even think about them!"

Qin Wangchuan and the others burst into laughter, their faces beaming. Even Feng Guchan's brows relaxed into a smile. "Our Qingyun Sect's future days will truly be better," he said. "To speak of resurgence is certainly not false! In ten years at most, Qingyun Sect will undergo a complete transformation!"

He looked at Liu Wenchen and, for the first time, sincerely admitted defeat. "Sect Master, when it comes to disciples, I truly can't compare to you. Thank you for bringing such an outstanding disciple to our Qingyun Sect. From now on, I will no longer contend with you for the position of Sect Master." With Jiang Fan as their stabilizing force, who could possibly shake Liu Wenchen's position as Sect Master?

These words undoubtedly caused Venerable Chenjing to lose face. He looked at the few bottles of low-grade Dust Heart Pills lying neglected on the table, then contrasted them with the seven Nascent Soul Strike Talismans Jiang Fan had just given. Feeling quite awkward, Venerable Chenjing cleared his throat and said, "Jiang Fan, I was looking for you."

Jiang Fan looked at him indifferently and calmly said, "Please speak, Venerable Chenjing." Since Venerable Chenjing didn't acknowledge Qingyun Sect, Jiang Fan certainly wouldn't lower himself to call him "senior brother."

Venerable Chenjing said, "My Master, Venerable Zhenyan, has something to discuss with you. Please come with me."

Venerable Zhenyan? A Soul Transformation Stage expert? Jiang Fan felt a shiver of awe, but given his poor impression of Venerable Chenjing, he developed a somewhat negative preconceived notion of Venerable Zhenyan. Feeling a slight resistance, he frowned and said, "I have other matters to attend to. Let's discuss it in a few days."

Venerable Chenjing was stunned. When a Venerable summoned, who didn't go immediately? This Jiang Fan actually said he would wait a few days! "Do you understand or not? It's a summons from a Venerable! Why aren't you reporting at once?"

Jiang Fan frowned. "Did Venerable Zhenyan say I have to go immediately, right now? If not, then wait!" If it were truly urgent, Venerable Zhenyan would have come directly herself. Why would she dispatch a disciple to slowly cross the vast ocean?

"You!" Venerable Chenjing chuckled in exasperation. He had never seen anyone show such disrespect to a Venerable. "Fine, I've conveyed the message. Do as you wish!" He disliked this former fellow disciple from Qingyun Sect even more now.

Utterly senseless! Everyone knew he was a senior disciple, a Nascent Soul cultivator of the Fourth Aperture, and there was a bit of shared history. Instead of flattering him with kind words, he was met with a cold attitude. If he had been pleased, he might have even considered asking his Master for a chance at tribulation transcension. So foolish! He deserved to be stuck in the Core Formation Stage for a lifetime! He genuinely couldn't understand why his Master said he was stronger than him! Unless he was the mysterious person who endured the boundless blood tribulation, it made no sense!