My Martial Arts Level Never Drops

Chapter 451: Chapter 207: Intention?

After they were seated, his Master asked Qin Fang about what he had been up to outside for the past six months...

But he didn’t ask where that special treasure land of Qin Fang’s was.

...On this point, his Master had never inquired from the very beginning.

When Master Fan had chatted with Qin Fang about these things, he had also been very calm.

”On the path of cultivation, everyone has their own destiny. The Sect never pries into the origins of a disciple’s fortuitous encounters... As long as you don’t commit atrocities, betray the Sect, or cultivate some evil Secret Technique that involves devouring human flesh and blood—something that would outrage gods and men alike... then it is your own good fortune.”

”After all, who doesn’t have secrets? Your Master has them, and so do I. Prying too much only damages relationships and chills the heart... The Sect would have likely fallen apart long ago otherwise.”

...This was also why, despite Qin Fang often leaving, no one ever asked too many questions about his specific whereabouts.

So, his Master only asked if Qin Fang had encountered any traces of the Three Religions while he was away.

...Of course, he hadn’t.

After chatting a bit more, Qin Fang suddenly asked, ”Master, when I entered the Sect today, I heard something... The Golden Rainbow Sword Sect sent people to our Sect for an exchange... What’s going on?”

Hearing this, his Master said, ”I was just about to tell you about that.”

”This recent disturbance from the Three Religions may be part of a major plot. According to the Sect’s Investigation, their traces aren’t limited to our Canglan Prefecture... In the border regions of the neighboring Jinlan Prefecture, we’ve also found signs of activity from the Blood Luo Sect and the Path of Non-Birth... While not as brazen as their actions here, it has still stirred up panic among the locals.”

”The Golden Rainbow Sword Sect is the number one sect in Jinlan Prefecture, and we have always had dealings with them. This time, the threat from the Three Religions shows signs of spreading across prefectures, which is far too much for a single sect to handle alone. Therefore, after discussing it, the Sect Leader and several Hall Masters sent an invitation to the Golden Rainbow Sword Sect...”

”It’s called an ’exchange,’ but in reality, it’s to jointly discuss countermeasures and explore the possibility of cooperation.”

”For one, we can share intelligence to understand the Three Religions’ movements and methods elsewhere, avoiding being blind and deaf to the situation.”

”For another, it’s also a chance to gauge the attitude and strength of the Jinlan Prefecture side, to see if we can rely on each other for support when necessary.”

Qin Fang nodded slightly upon hearing this... It was just as he had guessed.

...The Golden Rainbow Sword Sect’s visit was indeed related to the Three Religions.

”So far, our contact has been fairly optimistic. The Golden Rainbow Sword Sect has also noticed the stirrings of the Three Religions and shares our concerns. Next, the Sect’s upper echelons will discuss the details with them further, and perhaps we can reach a tacit understanding for mutual aid and defense.”

At this point, his Master paused. Seeing Qin Fang’s furrowed brow, he chuckled and said, ”Alright, I’m telling you this just so you’re aware. For now, let us old-timers worry about the negotiations. What you need to do is focus on your cultivation and stabilize yourself.”

His voice was gentle. ”In this World, Cultivation is everything... When you have truly grown strong enough to stand on your own for the Sect, you will naturally have a chance to participate in and even lead these affairs. But for now... don’t let the disturbances of the outside world disrupt your cultivation.”

Qin Fang was stunned for a moment, then a warm feeling surged in his heart. He said respectfully, ”Yes, Master... I understand.”

His Master smiled and nodded.

Qin Fang paused for a moment before suddenly saying, ”Then, that Zhao Yuanling...”

Hearing this, his Master smiled. ”It seems you’ve heard about him... Hmm, that boy is the Closed-door Disciple of Du Lingjue, the Peak Master of Broken Gold Peak of the Golden Rainbow Sword Sect. His Talent is indeed outstanding, and he is one of the ’Golden Rainbow Seven Sons’ of this generation.”

His Master explained in a gentle voice, ”The Golden Rainbow Sword Sect establishes its path with ’Gold.’ The seven peaks in the sect all cultivate the Geng Metal Root and Leaf. The legacy of this Broken Gold Peak particularly emphasizes slaughter and offense. Its Sword Formulas are extremely sharp, somewhat similar to our Sect’s Wuhui Lineage... Zhao Yuanling is only thirty-seven, yet his Cultivation has already reached the True Essence Third Realm, which is truly remarkable... The Golden Rainbow Sword Sect bringing him this time is indeed a show of force.”

”If our two sects truly form an alliance, some overt and covert competition will be inevitable.”

His Master was quite gentle, asking with a smile, ”What, you want to give it a try?”

After thinking for a moment, Qin Fang asked, ”Master, do you think I should go?”

”You are at the True Essence Second Realm, while he is already at the True Essence Third Realm. In terms of Cultivation, you are at a disadvantage. However, your Profound Nether Nature is far beyond ordinary, so it won’t be easy for him to defeat you. Add to that your cultivation Talent in Leaf Skill... your chances of winning should be greater.”

”But as for whether you go or not... that’s entirely up to you.”

His Master smiled gently. ”If you don’t go, our lineage practices Hidden Blade and Simple-mindedness, and no one can say anything. If you do go... well, hiding your edge doesn’t mean you don’t have one. Revealing your sharpness isn’t a bad thing... The choice is yours.”

Qin Fang was dumbfounded...

...’Good heavens, Master, you’ve argued it from both sides, haven’t you?’

’How can you be right no matter which way you put it?’

’The path of our Guiyuan Lineage...’

’...is it really this flexible?’

He thought about it but still couldn’t make up his mind. He said respectfully, ”Yes, well... I’ll see how things go, then.”

His Master nodded with a gentle smile.

After having some more tea with his Master, Qin Fang took his leave.

Riding Xile away from his Master’s place of meditation, Xile joyfully galloped straight for Guiyuan Valley.

Upon arriving at Guiyuan Valley, Qin Fang heard waves of cheers.

”Senior Brother Qin is back!”

”Senior Brother Qin is finally back!”

”Senior Brother.”

”Senior Brother Qin.”

They rushed to greet him, their eyes shining.

”Senior Brother, when are you going to teach that Zhao Yuanling a lesson?” an impatient disciple asked first, his face red with excitement.

”Yeah, Senior Brother, we’re all waiting to see you show your might!”

”We’ve been holding this in for months! We can finally get our pride back!”