NOVEL NEXT Chapter 83: Petition
Inside the Hidden Dragon Cave Mansion.
Chen Sheng sat upright in front of the desk, a wisp of pale cyan Spiritual Fire entwining around his fingertips.
Spread out on the desk was a Jade Scroll, densely inscribed with improved plans for the "Clear Miasma Jade Dew Pill."
He was focused on deducing the formula of the basic version, attempting to use the more affordable "Cyan Leaf Grass" to replace Celestial Cyan Grass while ensuring a certain efficacy of the pill.
Suddenly, the Communication Golden Order at his waist vibrated slightly, emitting a gentle Spirit Light.
With a sweep of his Divine Sense, Chen Sheng immediately understood.
——Zhao Jinhua and Huang Qingxu had arrived.
With a flick of his fingers, the Golden Order transformed into a golden Rainbow Light and flew out of the cave mansion.
In an instant, the layers of Arrays surrounding the cave mansion retreated, opening a smooth path through the mountain walls. The dense fog parted to both sides like a tide.
At this moment, on the platform at the mountainside, two figures patiently awaited.
One was a long-faced cultivator in a yellow robe, precisely Zhao Jinhua, and the other was a slender cultivator in blue attire, namely Huang Qingxu.
Both were Foundation Establishment Early-stage Cultivators, now possessing some influence within the sect.
Seeing the path of golden light open, their faces immediately lit up with joy, exchanged a glance, and hurried along the passage.
Before long, the two arrived at the entrance of the Hidden Dragon Cave.
A dignified and steady voice emanated from within the cave:
"Come in."
As the voice fell, the Array at the cave entrance slowly retracted, revealing the deep interior of the cave mansion.
The two tidied their robes and stepped inside.
The cave mansion was spacious and bright, with a Pill Furnace at the center emitting residual warmth, and Luminous Beads embedded in the stone walls, illuminating the interior as if it were daylight.
Chen Sheng sat upright on the Jade Throne, with an invisible aura of pressure accompanying the changes in his Cultivation and Identity.
"Greetings, True Inheritor."
Zhao Jinhua and Huang Qingxu both bowed with utmost respect.
Over the years, they had gained considerable invisible benefits within the sect by associating with Chen Sheng.
It could be said that Chen Sheng was their most solid backing within the sect.
Through them, Chen Sheng was connected throughout the sect, making his voice heard and facilitating matters considerably.
Chen Sheng gestured for them to rise with a light smile:
"Brother Zhao, Elder Huang, what brings you here today?"
Zhao Jinhua smiled, rubbing his hands together:
"I heard True Inheritor has been busy with pill matters recently, and I shouldn't disturb, but there's an urgent matter I need to consult you on."
Huang Qingxu nodded in agreement:
"We both thought it over and concluded only the True Inheritor could help us navigate our doubts."
Chen Sheng picked up the Spirit Tea from the table, took a sip, and waited for them to continue.
The two exchanged a glance, and eventually, Zhao Jinhua spoke first, his tone probing:
"True Inheritor, may I ask if the sect plans to develop the Western Border Miasma Forest recently?"
Hearing this, Chen Sheng silently thought, "Indeed."
These old hands in the sect were indeed well-informed.
Though the development plan hadn't been publicly announced, the clues couldn't escape those with a keen interest.
Outwardly, he feigned surprise, raising an eyebrow: "Oh? Who did Brother Zhao hear this from? There's been no specific order from the sect."
Zhao Jinhua chuckled, looking a little smug:
"It's not from anyone; it's just Old Zhao's own deduction."
"Noted the Pill Hall recently purchased detoxifying herbs en masse, and several elders stationed at the Western Border returned quietly to the mountain, indicating something significant is about to occur."
Only then did Chen Sheng nod lightly, his tone calm:
"Brother Zhao indeed has the ability to perceive the finer details."
Though not explicitly stated, it was an implicit acknowledgment.
Zhao Jinhua and Huang Qingxu's hearts filled with joy. After exchanging a look, they both bowed deeply to Chen Sheng:
"We wish to participate in the development, and humbly ask the True Inheritor to put in a good word for us!"
Seeing this, Chen Sheng was somewhat surprised and set down his teacup:
"Are you aware that the Western Border Miasma Forest is extremely perilous, not only filled with toxic miasma but also home to Tier Three Demon Kings?"
Huang Qingxu straightened up, calm and methodical in his reasoning:
"With due consideration, the higher-ups in the sect must have a comprehensive plan."
"Both of us have families behind us, and we wish to fight for a future for our family."
Zhao Jinhua supplemented with firm determination in his eyes:
"I, Zhao, am not particularly skillful, and have little hope for the Great Dao in this life, seeking only that my family might thrive and grow."
"It's precisely this opportunity I wish to seize to establish a foundation for my family."
His words were sincere and seemed genuine.
Currently, Zhao Jinhua cultivates the "Profound Mountain Suppressing Evil Technique," strong in magical combat.
However, it heavily consumes resources, requiring the consolidation of fifty-five drops of Mana even at the initial stage. Given his aptitude and resources, it was unlikely he would achieve Mid-stage Foundation Establishment in this lifetime.
His lack of hope for the Great Dao wasn't exaggerated.
The choice of this cultivation path showed he had long made his decision!
Looking at the two, Chen Sheng spoke calmly:
"Both of you are the only Foundation Establishment Cultivators in your families, if..."
He stopped halfway, but the implication was crystal clear.
If the two perished in the development, the entire family would fall into ruin, never to recover.
Huang Qingxu sighed helplessly:
"Our families deliberated long and hard before making this decision, having brought both of us to Foundation Establishment being already a stroke of luck."
"The Spirit Veins around the sect have long been divided among the major Noble Families."
"With their deep roots, even achieving Foundation Establishment bears little fruit, let alone acquiring Spiritual Land for the family."
Chen Sheng nodded gently.
These words held truth; the areas surrounding the sect had long been claimed by ancestral wealth, with each major force deeply entrenched.
For families like Zhao and Huang, even producing Foundation Establishment Cultivators made it challenging to secure Tier Two Spiritual Vein enterprises nearby.
Their eyes could only set on the outside world.
The development was perfectly timed.
It wasn't aimlessly venturing; with the sect spearheading, within the grand scheme, the probability of their aspirations was highly likely.
Far more reliable than their own reckless attempts!
This was the sect's credit endorsement—Qinghua Sect had never failed in pioneering since its establishment, providing them with ample confidence.
After contemplating this, Chen Sheng nodded gently in understanding.
Communicating their intent wasn't challenging, and even his two senior brothers would likely be willing to accept them.
——After all, they volunteered, demonstrating boldness and determination, the very hands needed for development.
Chen Sheng nodded:
"I understand your intentions."
"I'll pass your wishes upward, striving for suitable arrangements on your behalf."
Hearing this, they were overjoyed, kneeling again and bowing deeply:
"Thank you for your immense kindness, True Inheritor! We shall not disappoint your support!"
Chen Sheng waved a hand:
"Rise, prepare yourselves well, and await the sect's orders."
"Yes!"
They responded with respect, paid their respects once more, and cheerfully turned to depart.
Watching their departing figures, Chen Sheng shook his head slightly, feeling a wave of emotion.
In the eyes of outsiders, they were celestial talents with High Grade Spiritual Roots, successfully becoming Foundation Establishment Cultivators, counted as outstanding individuals.
Yet now, for the family's continuation, they willingly abandoned the path to immortality, throwing themselves into the perilous development venture.
Reflecting further, Chen Sheng couldn't help but chuckle to himself:
"Whether I'll achieve Core Formation in this life is uncertain, let alone them?"
"Both made decisions for their family; I'm not them, how could I know their joy?"
Thinking thus, Chen Sheng quickly refocused his thoughts, turning his attention once more to the Jade Scroll on the table.
For him, the most important task now was successfully deducing the basic version of the "Clear Miasma Jade Dew Pill," preparing for the impending development.