CHAPTER 425: CHAPTER 280: ZHANG ZE, THE ENEMY OF THE ENTIRE WORLD

Chen Xiao’Er sat uneasily across from Zhu Xiaoyao, the Sect Leader, unsure why he was summoned so late at night.

It couldn’t possibly be to impart skills or entrust some final words, could it?

Since coming to this construction site, Chen Xiao’Er had read many of the novels produced by Thousand Mechanism Pavilion, and their protagonists usually followed such a pattern.

Unexpectedly encountering an old man, the old man mysteriously treats him well, and inevitably, the old man would soon pass due to some unavoidable force.

At this point, the protagonist usually inherits from the old man.

Though these books were entertaining, Chen Xiao’Er always found such plots absurd.

Besides, he was certainly not the protagonist.

Thinking about all this nonsense, he suddenly realized someone tapped him.

"Chen Xiao’Er? Are you listening to me?"

It was the Sect Leader Zhu.

Chen Xiao’Er felt a bit embarrassed; he had zoned out ever since sitting down and hadn’t caught a word the Sect Leader said.

"No matter, I’ll tell you again, but this time, don’t let your mind wander," said Sect Leader Zhu, his tone calm and unbothered.

Chen Xiao’Er straightened up, unsure about what the Sect Leader wanted to discuss, but he was ready to agree.

After all, it was the Sect Leader who saved his life, and one shouldn’t forget their roots.

"The first thing is this Outer Pill for you." Zhu Xiaoyao took a brocade box from his sleeve and placed it in Chen Xiao’Er’s hand. "For the next few days, stay in seclusion, don’t go out, and try to refine this Outer Pill."

Just about to take it, Chen Xiao’Er hesitated, his hand frozen mid-air, "Isn’t this inappropriate?"

The cultivation path of the Carefree Sect differs from other sects; they cultivate the Outer Pill, not the Inner Core.

From Foundation Establishment, disciples of the Carefree Sect use various secret medicines and materials to cultivate their Outer Pill, using the Sword Nurturing and Qi Refining Dharma Method.

This method has both pros and cons.

The downside is that this method is costly, and it can lead to unstable foundations, making it difficult to break through to Nascent Soul later.

However, the upside is that one pill can last through three generations. Even after the person is gone, the pill remains and can be treasured like a passed-down family heirloom.

What Sect Leader Zhu intended for Chen Xiao’Er was such a precious heirloom-quality Outer Pill.

After refinement, Chen Xiao’Er could directly advance to a Golden Core Cultivator, although due to the artificial boost, he might never reach Nascent Soul, but Chen Xiao’Er didn’t mind that.

He hesitated because he wondered why the Sect Leader would do such a thing — this gift was tremendously prized.

"Don’t ask, I won’t tell you anyway. The second thing is, hold onto this." Sect Leader Zhu understood the question in Chen Xiao’Er’s eyes but didn’t explain. Instead, he handed him a Storage Ring.

"The Carefree Sect has had two Sect Leaders, each practicing different Dharma Methods. The previous leader relied on personal enlightenment, while mine was found in a Secret Realm. Though neither are grand paths to enlightenment, they’re the heart’s blood of cultivators like us. Keep this ring safe; don’t lose it."

Once Chen Xiao’Er secured the ring, Zhu Xiaoyao took out one last item.

A letter.

"When the Qinghe Association begins, take this letter to the East Sea, and give it to your senior sister. As for what to do afterward, follow her instructions."

"Don’t peek at the letter before handing it over to your senior sister."

After detailing these three matters, Zhu Xiaoyao fell silent. He scrutinized Chen Xiao’Er for a while before suddenly saying, "You looked better when you had a shaved head before. Maybe you should shave it again; it might look more spirited."

Chen Xiao’Er was about to say something but saw Zhu Xiaoyao wave his hand, "I’m just speaking casually; don’t mind it. It’s late, go back. Don’t tell anyone about what I said, and don’t forget."

"Understood, Sect Leader." Chen Xiao’Er stood, saluted, and exited the room.

Walking in the night, Chen Xiao’Er didn’t ponder over, or perhaps was unwilling to ponder over, the significance of this night’s conversation. Ultimately, he decided it was best to follow the Sect Leader’s instructions.

In the quiet room, Zhu Xiaoyao closed his eyes and continued to contemplate his thoughts.

...

Tonight, Zhu Xiaoyao isn’t the only one unable to sleep; Lily is also awake.

But Lily isn’t arranging last words; she’s desperately coming up with solutions for her subordinates at the last minute.

Her plan for the Thousand Mechanism Pavilion to seize the championship ran into a slight hitch — her Thousand Mechanism Cultivators seemed not quite accustomed to the newly developed Thousand Mechanism Magical Artifacts.

In the past year or two, Thousand Mechanism Pavilion has advanced rapidly, not just in the Path of Thousand Mechanisms but also in sect strength, making remarkable progress.

By merging with Dharma Ring Sect, they absorbed many Artifact Refiners, plus frequent instruction from Elders of Dragon Tiger Mountain and Sword Sect. As a result, they now have quite a few Golden Core Cultivators in Thousand Mechanism Pavilion.

Nevertheless, time has been too short; the sect’s foundation is too shallow and lacks the necessary depth.

Those familiar with the Thousand Mechanism Technique can’t fight well.

Those who can fight aren’t familiar with the Thousand Mechanism Technique.

The past two days, after all the secret weapons were in place, Lily discovered this issue.

But with time pressing and a need for confidentiality, getting the cultivators proficient in those items proves to be a challenging task.

"What to do?" Lily asked.

At the moment, there were only three people in the room — Little Fuji, and Stone Girl Xiaoxuan sitting across from Lily.

"How about I be a sparring partner? After all, I have many bodies," Little Fuji suggested, setting down the half-eaten Spirit Plant in her hand and raising her hand.

"Fuji, your fighting style is too unique; practicing with you might lead the guys astray," Lily shook her head.

"Then go ask Zhang Ze, he has the most ideas." Xiaoxuan said, now in a state of giving up on thinking because Big Heads aren’t by her side, and Zhang Ze is in seclusion, thus unable to connect to the wisdom network.