Ming Ze began to smile and shower Yuan with compliments,about how powerful he was, how mysterious he seemed, and more. But Yuan didn't cared much for the flattery and simply played along, smiling and letting out a light chuckle before Ming Ze finally shifted back to more important matters.
"Boss… the information I have about the inner sect disciples is limited," Ming Ze said, his expression turning a bit apologetic. "So regarding people like Alex or Krieger, I honestly don't know much."
Yuan simply shook his head, signaling for him to continue.
Ming Ze let out a heavy sigh.
"Haah… The situation around Alex seems to be getting worse. From what I've heard, he can't even leave the sect to take on missions anymore. There are even rumors among the outer disciples that he was beaten up by Senior Brother Feng."
He paused for a moment, his voice growing more serious.
"Not only that, but it looks like the factions behind Grand Elder Wu and the elder supporting Senior Brother Feng are starting to clash more openly. The tension is bleeding into the rest of the sect,even the outer disciples are being affected. There's constant humiliation, bullying, and recently… even murder. It's turning chaotic."
Yuan gave a slow nod, his expression thoughtful.
"Hm. Something like this was to be expected," he murmured to himself. "Even if Grand Elder Wu couldn't confront Feng directly without risking his reputation, he could still retaliate by going after the elder backing him. But from the looks of it, things didn't go as Grand Elder Wu planned… and now his hands are full dealing with the fallout."
A faint smirk tugged at Yuan's lips.
"That means he doesn't have the time or attention to look deeper into what really happened at the Thirty Plants Forest. Good."
Ming Ze began to speak in more detail about Alex's situation.
Some rumors claimed that Alex was about to break through to the middle layer of the Blood Purification Stage or that he had already done so. Reaching the middle layer at such a young age was a major event within the sect.
After all, it meant the sect was investing a significant amount of resources into him.
And with that attention came a new wave of enemies.
Disciples who envied him for the resources they lacked.
Yuan though that this might actually be a scheme by the backer behind that Feng. By pushing Alex into the spotlight, they could be making him more infamous than respected.
He let out a soft sigh.
"As it seems,it's working out. The rumors have spread so far that even the outer disciples have heard of them. If it's reached them, then the inner sect disciples definitely know as well."
After Ming Ze talked about everything he knew regarding Alex, he continued with the others who had participated in the tournament.
Many of them had simply rotted away as outer or unofficial disciples, and two had even died already having joined a faction directly. As for how they died? Well, who knows and who really cares for them?
But some were still worth mentioning,like Felix the Scholar. He had risen in rank and was already preparing for the upcoming inner sect mission. Not only him, even Emilia and her group, the Silver Snakes, were all about to take part in the sect mission that was scheduled to begin in a week, according to Ming Ze.
But the one who truly caught Yuan's attention was someone from their group who had already reached the Blood Purification Stage and directly joined as an inner sect disciple.
It was Kuang Hao.
He was the one who had piqued Yuan's interest, after seeing how he fought.
Ming Ze said that Kuang Hao had become a criminal after stealing a sacred cultivation technique from the Sect Library Hall. This was something that had shocked many elders, grand elders, and even Sect Master Wang. None of them were prepared for something like that and the news spread quickly, even reaching the ears of the other six sects.
the most surprising part is that all of this happened just one month after he left the sect.
Yuan hadn't heard about it until now, so he was genuinely surprised.
"What a daring brat he is."That was Yuan's first thought upon hearing the news. He found himself wondering how Kuang Hao had managed to pull it off.
"Was he a tiger in sheep's clothing?"That was the only way it made sense. How else could a mere Blood Purification Stage cultivator succeed in something so bold? Unless… he was actually at the Bone Forging Stage. Or even possibly a Marrow Essence cultivator in disguise.
And not only had Kuang Hao stolen the cultivation technique… he had actually succeeded in escaping the sect's pursuit. He had fled without being caught.
Yuan was amazed for a moment before calming his mind and nodding to Ming Ze.
"Ming Ze, what about the new rising stars among the outer disciples?"
Hearing Yuan's question, Ming Ze was momentarily stunned. Then, looking a bit embarrassed, he scratched his cheek.
He had forgotten to mention the current rising stars of the sect.
"Cough!" After coughing a few times, he composed himself and began to speak again.
There had been a surge of promising missions in recent months, and thanks to those opportunities, many disciples who just needed a little more time to reach the Blood Purification Stage… had finally succeeded in breaking through.
This led to a small surge of new Blood Purification Stage cultivators. Among them, the most notable names were:
Julian from the Martial Sword Hall.Qi Kung, who is part of the Qi family branch and joined the Judge Hall, thanks to the recommendation of a Grand Master.And Wu Chen, from the Wu family who naturally joined the Wu Family's Defensive Hall faction. However, he wasn't from the main family line, but rather a branch family, so his importance within the clan was limited.
Naturally, Ming Ze mentioned a few more names, but these were currently considered the most powerful outer disciples preparing to take on the upcoming inner sect mission. Given their backgrounds, it was clear they would be granted a relatively fair mission.
Ming Ze even added that Julian had once visited his tea house, tried a cup of his spiritual tea Spring at the Highest and had said he liked it. But he had only visited once.
Hearing this, Yuan's thoughts turned inward.
If Julian found the Spring at the Highest spiritual tea ineffective after a single use… that meant he had already progressed far into the Blood Purification Stage. At least 5%,if not more.
That put him well above the early stage threshold of 1%, and possibly meant he had reached that level long ago. He might even be under the support of the First Grand Elder himself.
Yuan fell silent, analyzing what he had just learned,drawing conclusions from the information Ming Ze had provided.
Seeing Yuan grow quiet, Ming Ze stopped talking as well and waited patiently.
Five minutes passed, and Yuan came to a few possible conclusions. Perhaps Julian truly was being supported by the First Grand Elder.
After all, gaining entry into the Judge Hall was no easy feat. And Krieger… he was an abnormal talent in aura cultivation,after all cases like his were exceedingly rare.
So maybe the First Grand Elder wasn't just backing the Krieger. Maybe he was also backing Julian in the shadows?
But without more concrete information, Yuan couldn't be sure. He let out a quiet sigh, turned toward the still silent Ming Ze, and gave him a small nod.
Ming Ze smiled brightly."Boss, do you want to know more about Julian?"
But what Yuan said next surprised him."No. Don't dig any deeper or ask questions about Julian. It could become dangerous for you."
Ming Ze's eyes widened slightly at the warning, but he nodded immediately, accepting Yuan's words without question.
Seeing that, Yuan felt pleased by Ming Ze's attitude. A small smile formed on his lips.
"Since you've finished giving me all the information you've gathered," Yuan said calmly, "it's time I give you your reward."
The word "reward" made Ming Ze's eyes widen, glowing with anticipation and greed. His smile turned blissful.
Yuan reached into his bag of holding, his hand searching for something. After a few moments, he finally pulled it out,a book.
He placed the book gently on the table next to Ming Ze's tea.
Ming Ze leaned forward and read the title aloud, his voice barely above a whisper.
"Flame Controlling Technique."
As Ming Ze read the title, Yuan began to speak.
"This isn't just an ordinary cultivation technique. It's something that will guide you on your journey toward the Dao of Alchemy. And if you truly master it… you could one day rise so high that even revenge against the great empires and noble families would be within your reach,without fear and without restraints."
Ming Ze's eyes widened in disbelief. Something like this,he had never even dreamed of it.
Revenge… without caring about the power of nobles or empires?
It was a thought so bold it shook him to his core.
His hands trembled slightly as he reached for the book and opened it, slowly flipping through the pages, one by one. Each page sent new shocks through him.
His face changed constantly,now awe, now disbelief, now reverence,as if the book contained truths beyond mortal comprehension.
To him, it wasn't a cultivation technique.
It was scripture that will help him rise in cultivation.
Yuan smirked faintly, watching him with calm amusement.
"He truly knowns the importance this book offers to an alchemist. He's not just a bit talented,he's a true talent in the way of alchemy," Yuan thought.
And so, Yuan waited patiently as Ming Ze absorbed every word, sipping his tea in silence. He entertained himself by watching the Ming zes shifting expressions.
From shock, to admiration, to confusion, and back again.
Finally, Ming Ze closed the book and looked up, his expression solemn.
Then, he stood and bowed deeply to Yuan, offering a full salute with both hands clasped.
"Thank you, Boss Yuan, for giving me this opportunity! I swear,this one will serve you in this life and even in the next. I will serve until death!"
"Quite bold words," Yuan thought to himself, but he simply chuckled and gave a small nod.
"Good. It's important that you recognize my kindness. So… how much did you actually understand?"
Ming Ze's expression turned slightly bitter at the question. He looked down, a bit embarrassed, and rubbed the back of his neck.
"Boss, the truth is… I didn't understand much of anything at all! But," he added quickly, his eyes lighting up, "I felt something. It's like every word in that book was trying to guide me,like it was whispering to my soul."
He paused for a moment, then smiled sheepishly.
"I even think… I might be able to make tea better than before. Maybe… maybe I can even create a new spiritual tea,something greater than Spring at the Highest!"
Yuan smiled quietly at that.
Ming Ze truly was a rare talent. No.Calling him a genius wouldn't be right anymore.
He was slowly becoming a monster in the Dao of Alchemy.
After all, who in this world had the courage to admit they didn't understand something? That kind of humility was the seed of true greatness. To acknowledge one's limits was to begin climbing past them.
Saying "I don't understand" wasn't a weakness.
It meant he caught a glimpse of a higher path,one that would take him farther than talent alone ever could.
And because of that…
Yuan's smile deepened. "Then those are very good news indeed."