"This is the one who broke our Ten Directions Formation."
"This is the one who used a superior flame control technique to kill Elder Yang."
"This is the one who killed Feng Zixiu in a single move."
"This is also the one who, with a single sword strike, shattered the treasure vault's Dragon-Shattering Stone and thwarted the Great Elder's scheme."
"Therefore, think carefully about how you should speak to him."
As Elder Guo's ears were filled with Cang Juezi's words, his heart churned like a stormy sea.
Cang Juezi, seemingly not satisfied, leaned closer and added.
"Oh, and he's also a rare prodigy of dual cultivation, both martial and arcane, someone who exists only in legends and has never been seen in reality."
"..." Elder Guo's pupils rapidly dilated, as if he had just experienced an earthquake.
He stared at Ying Chen with disbelief, his voice filled with incredulity, "Can dual cultivation truly be achieved? Do Yin and Yang energies truly not conflict? Do martial qi and blood truly not affect spiritual sense from the mystic arts?"
"I don't believe it, can you..."
Elder Guo had intended to ask if he could study him, but as the words reached his lips, he suddenly remembered that Ying Chen was the ruthless individual who had crushed Feng Zixiu. He quickly fell silent.
At the same time, he forced a sheepish smile and said, "With such capabilities, it is indeed an honor for me to be your disciple. How about this, if I lose, you can do as you please? If you want me to be your beast of burden, I'll be your beast of burden. If you want me to jump into a well or a river, I'll jump. In short, I am yours from this moment on!"
"..." A dark line appeared on Ying Chen's forehead.
If a beautiful young woman had said this to Ying Chen, it would have been acceptable. But for Elder Guo, a gruff old man, to say it, Ying Chen felt something was not quite right.
"Of course, if you lose... I won't make excessive demands. I only need you to lend yourself for my research for two days!" Elder Guo added.
Ying Chen's forehead gained more dark lines, and he even got goosebumps.
To be researched by Elder Guo for two days?
Ying Chen would rather die!
Therefore, even to avoid becoming Elder Guo's research specimen, Ying Chen had to win this wager!
"One month from now, come to Jiang Hai and find me."
"She will tell you the result personally then."
Ying Chen pointed at Nan Nan and said.
"It's a deal! I eagerly await that day!" Elder Guo clasped his hands in salutation.
At this moment, the young couple stepped forward. They bowed deeply to Ying Chen and presented a business card, "True Master, this is our card. Our gratitude is beyond words. Should you ever have any need for my wife and me in the future, please do not hesitate to command us. My family and her family have some influence in Yan Jing. We can't help with major matters concerning national trends, but we can certainly resolve some trivial issues for you."
Upon hearing the young couple's words, everyone present cast surprised glances.
They hadn't expected the young couple to have such significant backgrounds!
Except for matters of national importance, they could resolve everything else?
Doesn't that mean the young couple are at least scions of the families on par with the Four Great Clans of Yan Jing?
Someone, unable to suppress their curiosity, tiptoed, trying to glimpse the prefix surname on the business card in Ying Chen's hand.
This way, they could roughly guess which family the young couple hailed from.
However, to their surprise, Ying Chen flicked his fingers, and the business card turned into ashes.
"I save lives not for profit. If it were for profit, the kind of profit I seek, you could not provide."
"Therefore, let us consider this a chance encounter!"
Ying Chen said indifferently.
The young couple were taken aback, then their faces showed admiration.
Even after knowing their background and family status, Ying Chen remained so indifferent to fame and fortune. They had never encountered such a person in their lives!
For this reason alone, Ying Chen was worth them remembering him for a lifetime and erecting a longevity tablet in his honor!
"True Master's righteousness is profound. We, husband and wife, were presumptuous. We shall not trouble True Master further. My wife and I bid farewell."
The young couple had already obtained the prescription and medicinal ingredients, and their minds were now solely focused on returning to Yan Jing quickly to treat their daughter.
They did not wish to delay for a moment.
"Yes, you may go." Ying Chen waved his hand.
The young couple bowed to Ying Chen once more, then turned and departed.
At this moment, the grand hall was silent.
All the Shennong Sect disciples realized that the time had come for a change of leadership and rewards within the Shennong Sect.
Judging by the subservient demeanor of Sect Master Cang Juezi, Ying Chen's ascension to leadership of the Shennong Sect and becoming its new master was a foregone conclusion.
The only uncertainty was whether there would be any changes to the remaining elder positions.
Two of the eight Grand Elders had died, and the two vacant positions would certainly need to be filled. As for who would fill them, it was entirely up to Ying Chen's word.
Thinking of this, many people began to feel restless.
Their gazes fixed on the two vacant elder positions.
Some even planned to take a gamble and report some current elders, bringing them down as well.
Wouldn't that create even more vacant elder positions?
And several current elders were also restless. They also wished to climb higher.
With the Great Elder dead, wouldn't the vacant position of Great Elder be chosen from among them?
But Ying Chen seemed impervious to persuasion. How could they impress him?
Everyone in the grand hall was deep in thought, devising strategies, and calculating.
At this moment, Ying Chen suddenly spoke, calling out a name.
Upon hearing the name, everyone's expression froze, as if they had not anticipated it at all!
"Aunt Tang."
The first person Ying Chen called out was Aunt Tang!
And Aunt Tang was already an elder of the Shennong Sect. Ying Chen's first mention of her implied her promotion to Great Elder!
Instantly, the faces of the other elders showed envy, jealousy, and hatred.
At the same time, a look of "understanding" appeared.
Ying Chen must have taken a fancy to Aunt Tang's beauty!
Women were indeed advantageous; a bit of flesh on the chest could surpass three high-grade magical artifacts!
Even Aunt Tang herself, after a moment of surprise, became excited.
With full expectation, she looked at Ying Chen, "Old Ancestor, your disciple is here!"
"Take me to the back mountain."
To everyone's surprise, the five words Ying Chen finally uttered were these!
The entire assembly was stunned.
What did it mean?
Did Ying Chen intend to go to the back mountain for a wrestling match born of affection before deciding whether to promote Aunt Tang?
Only Aunt Tang, after a flicker of deep disappointment, immediately understood Ying Chen's meaning.
She cupped her fists and bowed, "Yes! Your disciple will now take the Old Ancestor to see the Mountain Lord."
"Mm, lead the way." Ying Chen nodded.
Then, led by Aunt Tang, he headed towards the back mountain.
The remaining members of the Shennong Sect stood there, dumbfounded.
They looked at each other, asking the same question: "What is the Mountain Lord?"
But not a single person knew.
Finally, everyone's gaze fell on Cang Juezi. Cang Juezi gave a wry smile, "Don't look at me, I don't know either."
"I only know one thing: that thing must be a rare treasure that we've always overlooked but is actually extremely precious!"
With the precedent of the Soul Purifying Grass, Cang Juezi had become much wiser.
However, his heart was also bleeding.
Why hadn't he discovered it sooner?
If he had discovered it earlier, he would probably be as rich as a nation now!