A thousand enlightenments in one night, starting from being a menial apprentice.

Lu Zhongtang also saw Han Cheng bring Zhu He into the courtyard. He knew that Zhu He must have something to discuss with Duan Rong, so he stood up with a smile and said, "I just remembered. I have some old books in my study that I was going to take out and air them out these days, but I kept forgetting. The sun is shining nicely today, my dear son-in-law, please allow me to take my leave now."

Duan Rong said, "Father-in-law, please make yourself at home."

Lü Zhongtang gave a slight bow and then left the pavilion.

Han Cheng led Zhu He over, and Zhu He immediately knelt down outside the pavilion, respectfully saying, "Disciple Zhu He pays respects to the Ancestor!"

Duan Rong had just taken a sip of tea when he saw Zhu He's perched-up posture and almost couldn't hold back his laughter. He suppressed the smile on his lips and said, "Get up."

Zhu He got up, brushed the dust off his clothes, and stood there smiling at Duan Rong.

Duan Rong said, "Come in and sit down. This tea was just brewed; come and have a taste. It should be just as good as the tea from Yunfu Peak."

Zhu He happily entered the pavilion and sat down, and Duan Rong personally poured him a cup of tea.

Zhu He picked up the cup, savored it carefully, and after a long while, exclaimed, "Excellent tea! Truly excellent tea!"

Duan Rong asked, "Is it really that good?"

This tea was what he and Lü Zhongtang usually drank; it was just ordinary pre-rain tea. Zhu He had tasted all kinds of fine tea, so such high praise was a bit of an exaggeration.

Zhu He laughed and said, "How could the tea that the ancestor poured for me be bad? I just love what the house has for its inhabitants."

Duan Rong laughed and said, "You've really gone to great lengths to flatter me! Alright, stop being so cheeky. What brings you here?"

Duan Rong knew that Zhu He, though seemingly rambling, was actually a man of deep thought, and that he would never come here to find him for no reason.

As expected, Zhu He put away his forced smile and said, "I really have something to discuss with you."

Duan Rong hummed in agreement, took a sip of tea, and waited for Zhu He to continue.

Zhu He said, "It has been more than ten days since Elder Lu passed the position of sect patriarch to you. I have been investigating and collecting various rumors from the sects of the Nine Provinces."

Duan Rong asked, "What rumors are there?"

Zhu He said, "At first, almost no one from the various sects believed it, saying that my Taiyi Sect deliberately spread the news to mislead people. But in the last few days, the rumors have started to change."

"Is that so?" Duan Rong didn't seem to care much, and just leisurely drank his tea.

Zhu He continued, "The various sects also have some spies in Qingzhou. They'll find out eventually that this isn't just hearsay. It was Elder Lu who personally passed the position of sect patriarch to you at the sect assembly in the Elders' Council. Add to that the strange celestial phenomenon that stretched for hundreds of miles in the Changliu Mountains three months ago, and back then, some sects were already speculating that someone had reached the Nascent Soul stage. Therefore, the current climate in the Nine Provinces is one of skepticism among the sects..."

Duan Rong looked at Zhu He with deep eyes. He knew that Zhu He would not just give him a long talk about the situation in the Nine Provinces; this was probably just a prelude.

"What do you want to do?" Duan Rong asked bluntly.

When Zhu He heard Duan Rong ask this question, he couldn't help but smile. After all, they were master and disciple who had spent a long time together, and Duan Rong knew what he wanted to do just by looking at him.

Zhu He said, "When the news first came out, the various sects of the Nine Provinces thought that we had deliberately released the information, so it was not advisable for us to take any action at that time. But now it's different. The sects have begun to have doubts, and I think this is the perfect time for us to make our move."

Duan Rong looked at the cunning and mercenary glint in Zhu He's eyes. He knew that Zhu He would never be wrong in this regard. He was like an extremely cunning fox, who knew exactly when was the best time to kill his prey.

Duan Rong said, "Explain in detail why now is a good time to make a move?"

"Yes, Ancestor." Zhu He took a sip of tea to moisten his throat and said, "Firstly, the various sects are currently in a state of doubt. If we make a move at this time, it will only make them more convinced of the news and dare not act rashly. Therefore, we should now take a strong stance and seize the initiative in the conflicts of interest with the Tianyan Sect and the Shenyi Sect."

"Secondly, Ancestor, now that you have condensed your Nascent Soul, our Taiyi Sect will have two Nascent Soul cultivators. This matter is not just about our Taiyi Sect; it will also stir up the situation among the sects of the Nine Provinces. The Qingyang Sect has only two Nascent Soul cultivators, yet it is able to dominate two provinces. Even if the Nine Provinces are settled, it may not be realistic for us to occupy two provinces now. However, in terms of other interests, the sects of the Nine Provinces must make some concessions to our Taiyi Sect. Before these matters are discussed, the interests we have already secured are already established facts, so there is no need to go to the negotiating table. Therefore, it is very necessary to take action now."

After listening, Duan Rong looked at Zhu He with clear eyes and said, "It seems that the entire situation of the Nine Provinces is in your belly, Sect Leader Zhu!"

Zhu He laughed and said, "This disciple dares not. This disciple is merely fulfilling his duties in his position and considering the interests of the sect."

Duan Rong said, "Let's proceed according to your plan. Let's launch a strong attack and take the initiative."

“Yes, Ancestor,” Zhu He replied.

As long as Duan Rong agrees, Zhu He will have no worries. This is because the Taiyi Sect now has two Nascent Soul Realm cultivators, which is his greatest asset.

Duan Rong said, "When planning your actions, be mindful of your actions. Don't let it escalate into a conflict between sects."

Zhu He said, "Don't worry, Ancestor. I study the conflicts of interest with the Tianyan Sect and the Divine Will Sect every day. I have a general idea of ​​where to start and to what extent. Once I get back and sort things out, I can start. It will definitely not lead to a major conflict."

Zhu He's goal was to make Tianyan Sect and Shenyi Sect swallow this bitter pill, so he couldn't make things too big. He needed to carefully consider the appropriate measure in the specific planning.

Duan Rong said, "Go ahead. You can decide on the specific actions yourself; there's no need to report back to me."

"Yes, Ancestor. Then this disciple will not disturb your cultivation any longer." Zhu He's tone held a hint of excitement, as if he were rubbing his hands together in anticipation.

Duan Rong grunted in acknowledgment. Zhu He stood up, intending to kneel and pay his respects, but Duan Rong waved his hand, sending Zhu He flying out of the pavilion and landing several feet away.

Zhu He had just landed steadily when Duan Rong's voice came from inside the pavilion. "I told you, there's no need for formalities when it's just the two of us. If you do it again, I'll make you fall flat on your face."

Zhu He clasped his hands in a fist salute towards the pavilion and said, "Yes, Ancestor. This disciple has remembered."

After Zhu He finished speaking, he turned and walked out of the courtyard.

Duan Rong was enjoying family time at the Lü family residence. Zhu He didn't come over, and he would never take the initiative to inquire about sect affairs.

However, he had a clear understanding of the situation on each peak of the sect. This was because there were hundreds of his Nightmare Seed puppets on each peak.

The thoughts of the Nightmare Seed puppets can be transmitted to Duan Rong's soul through the Nightmare Seed. Many of these hundreds of Nightmare Seed puppets hold important positions on various peaks, such as Wu Shidao, who is beside Zhu He.

Zhu He's specific action plan against the Tianyan Sect and the Shenyi Sect was devised by him and Wu Shidao, hence Duan Rong was fully aware of every detail. Duan Rong's becoming the new patriarch of the Taiyi Sect had already plunged the various sects of the Nine Provinces into chaos and speculation, and Zhu He's subsequent attacks on the Tianyan Sect and the Shenyi Sect further stirred up trouble across the Nine Provinces. The once peaceful Nine Provinces suddenly felt as if a storm was brewing.

All of this seemed to have nothing to do with Duan Rong.

That day, he was playing hide-and-seek with Shen'er and Qian'er in the courtyard.

Duan Rong stood in the courtyard with his eyes covered. He counted one, two, three... and when he reached ten, Shen'er and Qian'er had to hide.

As soon as Duan Rong counted to one, Qian'er pulled Shen'er to the big locust tree, pointed to it, and gestured for Shen'er to lift him up. Shen'er hesitated only slightly before squatting down and lifting Qian'er up with his shoulder.

Although the two of them had grown taller, when they were stacked together, they were still far shorter than the big locust tree. Suddenly, Qian'er let go of Shen'er's shoulder and began to hug the big locust tree and climb up.

Shen'er was both nervous and worried about Qian'er, afraid that Qian'er would fall if she didn't climb properly. Duan Rong had already counted to six, and Shen'er was still standing under the big locust tree, looking up at Qian'er. Qian'er was very nimble and climbed up the big locust tree, hiding in the branches of the canopy.

Seeing that Qian'er had stood firm, Shen'er suddenly turned around and ran towards the hall, intending to hide in the cabinet.

Shen'er jumped into the hall. Duan Rong had already counted to ten. Shen'er darted into the cabinet, panting as she closed the door, and listened intently to the sounds outside.

Duan Rong removed the blindfold, revealing that he hadn't actually cheated; he was using his divine sense to examine the two children. However, as a cultivator, his six senses were far more acute than those of ordinary people.

When Qian'er climbed the tree, he could clearly hear the sound of his shoes rubbing against the bark, and he already knew that there was one hiding in the big locust tree in the yard.

Later, time was running out, and Shen'er ran into the hall, followed by the sound of a cabinet door opening. Duan Rong heard everything clearly. The other one was in the cabinet in the hall.

But after Duan Rong removed the blindfold, he deliberately turned left and right, and even searched the kitchen, saying as he searched, "Where did these two little ones hide?"

Qian'er hid in the big locust tree and saw Duan Rong enter the kitchen through the gaps in the leaves. She covered her mouth with her little hand and laughed.

Duan Rong walked out of the kitchen, intending to take a stroll under the big locust tree to scare Qian'er. He had only taken two steps when he suddenly turned his head to look at the distant sky.

Then a black light appeared, tracing an arc before landing in the courtyard.

The person who came was Chu Wushang.

Chu Wushang stood in the courtyard, looking at Duan Rong with a complicated expression, then clasped his hands and said, "Disciple greets Ancestor!"

When Chu Wushang met Lü Yinlin, he would usually just clasp his hands in a respectful greeting, which was what Lü Yinlin required of him. Seeing Duan Rong do this was actually somewhat improper, but he felt awkward about prostrating himself before Duan Rong.

Duan Rong didn't really care. He also had special feelings for Chu Wushang, who was both a teacher and a friend to him. Although Chu Wushang was always cold to people, he treated him well.

Duan Rong also clasped his hands in greeting to Chu Wushang and said, "Mr. Chu, how have you been?"

Chu Wushang was surprised that Duan Rong would still address him as Mr. Chu. A look of astonishment flashed across his eyes as he said, "This disciple dares not. I have come to ask the Ancestor to make a trip to the valley where Ancestor Lü lives in seclusion."

Duan Rong's eyes flickered, and he said, "Senior Brother Lü is looking for me?"

Chu Wushang said, "Li Ku of the Tianyan Sect and Zhuang Tairu of the Shenyi Sect are currently in the valley."

Duan Rong asked, "Li Ku and Zhuang Tairu have both come?"

Chu Wushang said, "Exactly. I think the two of them seem to have ill intentions."

Duan Rong said, "It can't come to the point of a fight, can it?"

"No, not at all," Chu Wushang said. "When I arrived, Li Ku was playing chess with Elder Lu. However, the two sect elders were pressuring Elder Lu alone, so he was under a lot of pressure."

Duan Rong said, "Mr. Chu, there's no need to worry, I'll be right there."

Chu Wushang clasped his hands respectfully and said, "Yes, Ancestor."

Duan Rong immediately turned to look at the canopy of the large locust tree, and Qian'er's gaze met Duan Rong's through the gaps in the leaves. Qian'er had seen Chu Wushang and Duan Rong chatting there. As soon as they finished talking, Duan Rong turned to look at the tree canopy, clearly already knowing his hiding place.

In the courtyard, Duan Rong's figure suddenly disappeared like a ghost, and the next moment, he appeared beside Qian'er and picked him up in his arms.

Qian'er was carried down from the tree by Duan Rong.

Qian'er giggled and shouted, "Daddy cheated! Daddy cheated!"

Duan Rong put Qian'er down, squatted down, looked at Qian'er, and said, "Qian'er, Father has to go out for a while. The task of finding your brother is entrusted to you, okay?"

Qian'er nodded seriously and said, "Okay, Father. I will definitely find my brother."

Duan Rong chuckled, flicked Qian'er's nose with his finger, and then vanished in a wisp of green smoke.

Qian'er glanced at the distant sky, then ran into the main hall. He had watched his brother run in from the big locust tree earlier...

In the valley.

Li Ku and Lü Yinlin sat in front of a stone slab under the ancient pine tree, playing chess.

A middle-aged scholar stood to the side, wearing a square cap on his head, his hands behind his back, silently watching the chess game.

Li Ku held a black stone in his hand, hesitated for a long time, then suddenly looked at Zhuang Tairu beside him and said, "Old Zhuang, where should I place this stone?"

Zhuang Tairu smiled faintly and said, "The chessboard is so big, how can one move determine the outcome? There's no need to worry too much."

As Zhuang Tairu was speaking, Duan Rong had already walked over from the mouth of the valley. His gaze swept over Li Ku and Zhuang Tairu, and he said, "Although the chessboard is large, let alone a single piece, even half a piece, a win is a win, and a loss is a loss."

Li Ku and Zhuang Tairu both turned to look at Duan Rong; this was the first time they had seen him. (End of Chapter)