Chapter 1: The Chu Qin Sect and Qi Xiu

In a dimly lit room filled with sandalwood scent, a small table stood in the center, holding an incense burner, an oil lamp, and two scrolls titled "Huang Ting" and "Chang Chun."

A man in a red Taoist robe sat cross-legged behind the table, meditating with his eyes closed and murmuring.

"My life is granted by the heavens, accompanied by my peers. In serenity, I chant the 'Huang Ting.' Proclamation: Urgent as a decree..."

His fingers interlocked, forming a cage around an object before his face. He softly chanted continuously and occasionally blew into the cage.

The sound of his chant was calm and serene, accompanied by the rising blue smoke from the incense burner, creating an indescribable sense of tranquility and devotion.

Suddenly, three knocks echoed from the door, disrupting the peaceful atmosphere. The man furrowed his brows slightly, stopped chanting, and asked in a deep voice, "What is it?"

"Master, the lord requests an audience," a voice responded from outside.

"Oh? Let him in," the man replied, sighing quietly before reciting a few closing verses. He then separated his hands and stood up.

The man was short and slender, making his robe appear oversized. His expression carried a hint of worry. Although his face was still quite handsome, he looked older than his years. A small monkey, black and white, no larger than a human finger, perched on his shoulder. This monkey was the object he had been holding earlier, and it climbed up his robe as he stood, peering curiously towards the door.

The first to enter, however, was not the lord but two young attendants in blue carrying a heavy wooden chest. The chest was ancient, ornate, clearly not mundane, and sealed with two crossed talismans.

Upon seeing the chest, the man's expression changed briefly but quickly returned to normal, though his worry deepened.

After the attendants bowed and left, an older man entered, clasping his hands in greeting. "Qin greets Master Qi. Forgive my rare visits," he said with a robust voice.

The man in the robe hurriedly returned the gesture. "Lord Qin, you're too kind. This humble place is far from the main path. It must be tiring for you to come all this way at your age. I feel I owe you an apology."

"Nonsense, nonsense," they exchanged pleasantries before taking seats on either side of the small table.

The man in the robe was named Qi Xiu, an orphan abandoned by the roadside as a baby and raised by a family named Qi. At three, he was discovered to possess a unique single spiritual root, an exceptional talent for cultivation. The Qi family, relatives of the Chu Qin Sect's head, brought him to the sect, where the head personally taught and nurtured him.

However, years passed with no progress in his cultivation. The head sought answers, learning that Qi Xiu's innate life force was unlike anything in the world, rendering him unable to pursue the Dao.

Fortunately, the head had grown fond of him and continued to care for him, eventually assigning him to handle secretive tasks in a remote location as a trusted confidant.

At twenty-nine, Qi Xiu remained at the second level of Qi Refining, the lowest rank in the cultivation world, practicing longevity techniques.

Qi Xiu invited the old man to sit and smiled, "It's been five years since we last met, Lord Qin. You haven't changed at all..." Before he could finish, the older man raised his hand to stop him.

"No need for such formalities. Let's get to the point."

The older man's tone turned severe, starkly contrasting his earlier politeness.

Qi Xiu was momentarily speechless and awkward by the sudden change.

The older man, Qin Ye, aged with white hair and wrinkles, had bright eyes and a straight posture, showing no signs of his ninety years. His commanding presence revealed his long-held authority. Yet, his face bore an angry expression, clearly upset.

Qi Xiu quickly understood the source of Qin Ye's anger.

To explain, although the Chu Qin Sect was a Daoist sect, it was under the jurisdiction of the Confucian Da Zhou Academy and had strict regulations.

One rule was that mortal nobles could only govern territories proportional to their rank, and their titles were tied to the strength of their supporting cultivation sect. Noble titles could not be attacked or annexed by others.

For instance, the Chu Qin Sect's founder was a Golden Core cultivator, allowing his descendants to hold the title of Viscount. After his death, the next head, a Foundation Establishment cultivator, reduced the title to Baron, shrinking their territory.

Now, the third generation had no Foundation Establishment cultivators, with the highest being Qi Xiu's current master, at the peak of Qi Refining.

Qin Ye, a direct descendant of the founder, had seen his title reduced to a mere noble, and his territory shrank again. Even families with late-stage Qi Refining cultivators in their territory began to ignore the sect's authority.

More importantly, after three generations, the rule protecting sects from attack no longer applied, leading to fierce competition.

The current head, Qi Xiu's master, promised to return the leadership to Qin Ye's family, but his time was running out at seventy-four. Qin Ye's family only had a ten-year-old with mid-stage Qi Refining, while other branches had late-stage cultivators, making it unlikely they could regain control.

This explains Qin Ye's urgency and anger. Over the years, Qi Xiu's master secretly sent resources to Qi Xiu, fueling Qin Ye's suspicions and anger.

Realizing this, Qi Xiu dropped the pretense. "If you want to talk business, let's talk business," he said coldly, taking out a white talisman. After reciting an incantation, the talisman burned, creating a barrier around the room. Now we can speak freely."

Qin Ye snorted. "Fine. Over the years, your master has sent countless resources here..." he pointed at the chest, "What's inside? Explain yourself!"

Glancing at the chest, Qi Xiu replied calmly, "I can't tell you what's inside. It's for the sect's survival. I haven't benefited personally."

He paused, playing with the small monkey on his shoulder, then continued, "Look at this monkey. It's a common creature with some intelligence, not even a first-level spirit beast."

He gestured around the empty room, "I've been here for over a decade, not stepping outside. I'm almost thirty with no progress in cultivation, and I haven't even dared to marry. What benefits have I taken? Where are they?"

Qin Ye was momentarily speechless. He knew Qi Xiu wasn't one to embezzle and had a tough life. Realizing further confrontation was futile, he changed the topic.

"Humph! I don't understand your cultivation matters. But I know my territory is in turmoil, and there are rumors that when your master dies, the Chu Qin Sect will be annexed, and my family will lose everything. Could you explain that?

Qi Xiu laughed coldly, "The rules protect sects for three generations. After that, survival depends on strength. The Chu Qin Sect is no different. Your family has prospered for hundreds of years. Isn't that enough? The situation is dangerous, but my master is at the peak of Qi Refining, close to the Foundation Establishment. If he succeeds, those coveting our sect will retreat. Moreover, Old Ancestor Chu of the Qi Yun Sect, a Nascent Soul cultivator and our founder's disciple, still lives. His presence alone deters others."

Qin Ye, realizing the truth in Qi Xiu's words, remained silent, contemplating the uncertain future of his family and the sect.