, 3rd Meeting at Zhaoyuan Lake

A white-faced Taoist priest dressed in a black and red robe stepped out of the flying shuttle.

Upon landing, he channeled his inner energy and shouted throughout the pavilions:

Junior Brother Yan—

"Are you there?"

At that time, Yan Chen was still meditating and regulating his breathing in the quiet room.

Suddenly, he heard shouts outside. After a moment's effort, he recognized it as Senior Brother Wang Fu. Without hesitation, he leaped out of the window.

With a flick of her wide sleeves, she touched the ground with her toes, spun around a few steps, and landed steadily.

Upon seeing Yan Chen, Wang Fu sized him up in his crimson Taoist robe and clicked his tongue in amazement.

"After Junior Brother Yan broke through to the third level of Qi Refining and became a deacon disciple, he has become even more outstanding and extraordinary, unlike ordinary people!"

"Senior Brother Wang, you flatter me."

Yan Chen shook his head and smiled, then asked:

"Senior Brother Wang, you've come all this way, is there something you need?"

Wang Fu nodded and said:

"That's right. According to custom, at the end of each year, some of the disciples in charge of the Three Valleys will go to Zhaoyuan Lake to attend a small gathering, either to chat or to compete, which is quite lively."

"Junior Brother Yan is new to the position of steward, and may have heard some rumors, but he certainly doesn't know the details. That's why I've come here specifically to invite you to attend that small gathering!"

"A small meeting of stewards?"

Yan Chen nodded. Senior Brother Chen Fayan had mentioned this matter before.

However, in recent days, all his thoughts have been focused on the so-called "pure and brilliant Qi" and the talisman he has not yet obtained.

Therefore, he did not pay too much attention to this matter.

Now that Senior Brother Wang Fu has personally invited him, he naturally shouldn't refuse. Besides, he doesn't have anything important to do right now, so going along wouldn't hurt.

Thinking of this, Yan Chen immediately nodded and smiled:

"In that case, I shall respectfully comply."

After exchanging pleasantries for a while, the two walked towards the Fire Cloud Shuttle to the side.

"Senior brothers, please wait for your junior sister!"

Just then, a clear and melodious voice rang out from not far away.

The two turned their heads simultaneously and saw the junior sister they had met before, slightly out of breath, hurrying closer. She curtsied and said:

"Are you two senior brothers heading to Zhaoyuan Lake? This junior sister is new to Melting Gold Valley and would like to join in the fun and broaden her horizons!"

Wang Fu welcomed all who came, and said with a smile:

"Since Junior Sister Lu has spoken, how can we refuse? Let's go together!"

Yan Chen nodded slightly, as if to say hello.

Junior Sister Lu's face was flushed, and upon seeing this, she smiled sweetly, revealing two shallow dimples.

Zhaoyuan Lake is located at the junction of three valleys. It is about 100 zhang square. The lake water is clear and transparent, like jade. You can clearly see the swimming fish and strange rocks.

Eight small pavilions stand in the center of the lake, connected end to end, with four wooden boardwalks pointing in four directions.

As soon as the three of them disembarked from the flying shuttle, a number of disciples and stewards had already gathered in the pavilion in the middle of the lake. They were all at the third level of Qi Refining, and their robes belonged to the three valleys, but the atmosphere was quite different.

Disciples from Melting Gold Valley and Crimson Mist Valley chatted and laughed, clinking glasses and creating a lively atmosphere.

Only the Su Pao Valley group mostly gathered in one place and rarely interacted with the other two valleys. Even when they did have conversations, they were mostly sarcastic and barbed, which was not very pleasant.

"Su Pao Valley has strained relations with the other two valleys, why bother coming here and making a fool of yourself?"

Junior Sister Lu muttered to herself.

"Position determines one's mindset. In recent years, Su Pao Valley has been at odds with the other two valleys, but this has nothing to do with the disciples of the valley. However, in order to protect the leaders, they have to put on a show. Over time, they have gotten used to it."

Wang Fu, a veteran of the Gold Melting Valley, offered a serious explanation.

As they were talking, the three of them arrived at the table. Immediately, someone recognized Wang Fu and greeted him with a smile.

As for Junior Sister Lu and Yan Chen behind them, although they were both unfamiliar faces, their extraordinary demeanor attracted a lot of attention.

Yan Chen appeared completely unperturbed by this.

Junior Sister Lu was a little timid, her pretty face slightly flushed, and she unconsciously shrank back behind Yan Chen.

Wang Fu keenly sensed the slightly awkward atmosphere, so he took the initiative to introduce the two of them.

Upon hearing this, the way everyone at the table looked at the two of them immediately changed.

The woman from the Lu clan was secondary. Although the second-rank clan was powerful and influential, it was due to the accumulated foundation of the clan over a hundred years, not individual strength.

On the contrary, it was this Junior Brother Yan.

The Yan family of Shangyang is only a fourth-rank village clan with a shallow foundation, while the other party has only been a little over two months since joining the Jade Sleeve Sect, yet has already cultivated to the third level of Qi Refining.

Such "wisdom and understanding" is truly enviable and awe-inspiring!

As for his role as the manager of Cui Shu Lou and his merit in eliminating the henchmen of the heretics, it seems insignificant in comparison to this.

Some people couldn't help but comment:

"Breaking through three barriers in just two months... This speed of cultivation is probably comparable to that of the Equatorial Legend!"

"The Equator Chronicles? Could it be that Crimson Feather Fire One from the Zhaoming Crimson Clan?"

"Who else could it be but him? He entered the Qi Refining stage at seventeen, reached the third level the following year, broke through the sixth level in three years, and ascended to the position of Dao Transmission at the age of twenty-one!"

"Now another year has passed, and he has probably broken through to the seventh level of Qi Refining!"

"The current generation of the Zhaoming Chi clan is truly at its peak. Not to mention Chi Daochuan, even Chi Lianyun, who just broke through to the fourth level of Qi Refining a few days ago, is a first-rate cultivation prodigy!"

"Senior Brother Chi Lianyun? He is indeed remarkable, but not as stunning as his elder brother."

"Right now, in our Gold Melting Valley, besides Master Zhu and some senior brothers who don't concern themselves with worldly affairs, there are others."

"I think Senior Brother Chen Fayan should be number one!"

Yan Chen was engrossed in sipping tea, occasionally chatting with Junior Sister Lu.

Upon hearing the name "Chen Fayan," he subconsciously looked up, a hint of curiosity in his eyes.

Although they only met once, the impression that Senior Brother Chen left on him was indeed very good.

Compared to his senior brother Wang Fu, the other party was more sincere and less calculating and polite. He was similar to Li Xuanyi in personality, but without the former's indecisiveness, and instead had a more decisive and bold spirit.

It is indeed a personality that makes people like you very easily.

However, before the two could continue speaking, an untimely mocking voice suddenly rang out:

"Number one in Melting Gold Valley? Chen Fayan? How laughable!"

Everyone was taken aback and turned their heads in unison.

A handsome figure slowly stepped onto the pavilion in the middle of the lake. He wore a magnificent purple robe, exuding an air of nobility. His eyes and brows carried a hint of sinister arrogance, and his gaze swept across the entire area, radiating an oppressive aura.

Upon seeing this person, many disciples felt a chill run down their spines, and the two who had been discussing earlier immediately lowered their heads and dared not utter a sound.

The newcomer was none other than the younger brother of Chi Linghuo—

Crimson Clouds!

"Why did he suddenly come here?!"

Everyone was inwardly turbulent, but dared not be negligent on the surface. Including the disciples of Su Pao Gu, the deacons of the three valleys all bowed and greeted them in unison:

"Greetings, Senior Brother Chi!"

There is a strict order of rank and status, which has always been the case.

Seeing everyone's attitude, Chi Lianyun smiled wryly and said nothing more. Instead, he slowly took out a talisman from his sleeve and said loudly:

"Where is Junior Brother Yan Chen?"

……