Celestial Official!

Where is Junior Brother Yan?

Upon hearing this, everyone in the pavilion was taken aback, and then subconsciously looked toward an inconspicuous corner.

At the same time, a clear voice rang out.

He spoke in a calm and unhurried tone:

"Junior brother Yan Chen greets this senior brother!"

Yan Chen was slightly surprised, but in a short while, he understood.

The other party did not conceal the talisman in their hand. After a moment's thought, it was probably the talisman that Senior Sister Zhu had sent.

The strange thing is that I am not familiar with this Senior Brother Chi, and we have never even met.

According to the rules of the valley, the one who has come here now should be Senior Brother Chen Fayan, right?

All sorts of thoughts flashed by in the blink of an eye.

The moment Yan Chen finished speaking, Senior Brother Chi turned his gaze over, scrutinized him meaningfully for a moment, and then said calmly:

"Junior Brother Yan, you knew perfectly well that the imperial edict appointing you would be issued within the valley in the next few days. Instead of waiting patiently at your residence, you were wandering around aimlessly, causing your senior brother quite a search for you!"

Yan Chen frowned slightly.

This senior brother Chi is so unreasonable.

Although the stewards in the valley are also bound by many rules and regulations, they are not like the common servants of the Nine Courts, who are like cattle and horses.

If he has no official business to attend to, it is common for him to travel for several days without returning home.

Even if one still has an imperial edict to receive, there is no need to shut oneself in and sit idly waiting.

Moreover, before leaving, he specifically asked Senior Brother Wang Fu to convey a message to a senior brother in charge of Huacai Tower, informing him of his itinerary.

Therefore, this Senior Brother Chi in front of us is either purely trying to put on airs and establish his authority;

Alternatively, it would mean that they did not receive the order from the presiding official and came without authorization.

If that's the case, how do you explain the imperial edict in the other party's possession?

Thinking of this, Yan Chen sorted out his thoughts and was about to reply.

Wang Fu, standing to the side, stepped forward first and said with a wry smile:

"Senior Brother Chi, you've misunderstood. The reason Junior Brother Yan is here is entirely because I dragged him here, but I didn't expect it to delay our important business. I'm truly sorry!"

"Junior brother is here to apologize to Senior Brother Chi. I hope you won't hold it against Junior Brother Yan anymore!"

After speaking, Wang Fu bowed deeply, his attitude sincere and respectful.

Yan Chen watched this scene, his expression changing slightly.

He was about to speak.

But then Senior Brother Chi suddenly burst into laughter, seemingly dispelling the oppressive atmosphere from before, and said:

"Senior brother was just joking, but I didn't expect it to frighten our two junior brothers. I really shouldn't have!"

Having said that, he looked at Yan Chen again and smiled:

"Junior Brother Yan, the imperial edict is here. Let us then proceed with you to that resource-rich area!"

"Even if we're going to the resource area, it should be me and Junior Brother Yan going together. When did it become your turn, Chi Lianyun?"

A clear, slightly somber voice rang out from afar.

Chi Lianyun raised her eyebrows and turned to look.

He couldn't help but force a smile and said:

"Who do we have here? It's Senior Brother Chen! My apologies for not recognizing you!"

Chen Fayan stepped into the pavilion, first nodding slightly to Yan Chen and the others, then looking at Chi Lianyun and the talisman in his hand, and coldly said:

"Junior Brother Chi is so dedicated to his duties that even a small matter like relaying imperial edicts is something he insists on doing for his fellow junior brothers."

"They came and went in such a hurry that they didn't even bother to inquire about Junior Brother Yan's whereabouts. That's truly regrettable!"

Upon hearing this, Chi Lianyun's face darkened, and he decided not to make trouble for himself any longer. He then tossed the talisman over.

Chen Fayan raised his hand to take the talisman and said calmly:

"Junior Brother Chi has now reached the fourth level of Qi Refining. If there is an opportunity in the future, I will speak to the person in charge to secure more official duties for you, so that you won't be idle and cause trouble."

"No need for Senior Brother Chen to trouble himself."

Having lost face this time, Chi Lianyun did not want to stay long, but seeing that the other party had given him a way out that was neither good nor bad, he gritted his teeth and agreed.

He immediately turned and left.

They arrived in a flurry of activity and left in a hurry.

All the attendants in the pavilion kept their eyes down, only bowing to Chen Fayan in greeting, while the others pretended not to notice.

Chen Fayan casually waved his hand, then handed the edict to Yan Chen, saying directly:

"Just now, I went to Huacai Tower, but unfortunately, Master Zhu was in seclusion refining a spiritual material sent by Danlan Valley. He was unable to spare any attention and was thus delayed for a moment."

"There's no time to lose, Junior Brother, you should come with me now."

"Thank you for your help, Senior Brother Chen."

Yan Chen watched Chi Lianyun's figure leave before accepting the talisman and nodding in agreement.

He then looked at Wang Fu and Junior Sister Lu to the side, casually said a few words, and explained his intention to leave.

He then left with Chen Fayan, riding a flying shuttle into the clouds.

Inside the pavilion in the middle of the lake, there was silence at first, then a heated discussion broke out.

Yan Chen was unaware of these things.

At this moment, he was traveling with Chen Fayan in a flying shuttle to the resource field at the foot of the mountain.

According to the other party, this area of ​​resources was the territory of the so-called "Azure Saint Sect" before. With the removal of this thorn in their side, it was only natural that it would be incorporated into the rule of the Gold Melting Valley.

As for the condition of this resource site, the "water and fire vine" to be cultivated there, and many other matters, Chen Fayan explained them to him one by one.

Even if there are parts that seem complicated, they will take the initiative to explain them, as if afraid that Yan Chen will not understand.

Yan Chen listened attentively, nodding frequently in response.

He could only manage a bitter smile in his heart.

He already knew about these things through Sister Zhu's karmic information.

In some cases, we even know more details than the other party does.

However, there are still some unclear points.

Yan Chen suddenly remembered something and, taking advantage of the pause in the other person's speech, quickly spoke:

"Junior Brother Meng Lian from Danlan Valley once mentioned that this Water-Fire Vine generates Earth, favors Water, contains Fire, belongs to Wood, and needs to be cut down with Metal..."

"But where can we find this Geng metal item?"

What he was asking about was not the farming tools that could be seen everywhere in the mortal world, but the magical implements specifically used to harvest spiritual materials and plants.

Upon hearing this, Chen Fayan laughed heartily and said:

"The corresponding magical artifacts have already been prepared in the valley. They were obtained by the person in charge from the Lu family of Yuanding. They belong to the Geng metal category, so junior brother need not worry."

"Yuan Ding Lu's family?"

Yan Chen's heart stirred; it seemed that Junior Sister Lu was from the Lu family.

Chen Fayan saw through his thoughts and explained:

"The Yuanding Lu family is a second-rank clan. Unlike other clans, their lineage is mostly related to weapon crafting."

"The Flame Sword and the Kunshan Seal produced by the Gold Melting Valley are actually derived from the Lu family's lineage. This shows that the Gold Melting Valley has a close relationship with them."

"What about the Akashi clan?"

Yan Chen suddenly asked.

Chen Fayan pondered for a moment before speaking:

"Like the Lu family of Yuanding, the Chi family of Zhaoming is also a second-rank clan. Compared to the former, the Chi family places more emphasis on personal cultivation in its lineage."

"Furthermore, there is another secret method that allows cultivation speed to far surpass that of other cultivators. As for the details, apart from the Chi clan..."

"I'm afraid only Foundation Establishment cultivators would know."

Yan Chen observed the changes in Chen Fayan's expression and asked in a slightly casual tone:

"According to what you have seen and heard, junior brother, aren't all the clans and Taoist schools in the entire Nanzhuo region just appendages of Yuxiu?"

"If the Chi clan possesses such wondrous methods, how could the Jade Sleeve Sect allow them to remain hidden away and not be passed on?"

"Junior Brother Yan, you are mistaken!"

Chen Fayan seemed to thoroughly enjoy the pleasure of preaching and resolving doubts, and patiently explained:

"Since the fall of the Great Liang Dynasty 12,000 years ago, the relationship between the Taoist tradition and the local clans has never been one of simple subordination."

"It is a mutually beneficial and honorable relationship."

"Although the Taoist lineage has the power to inherit the traditions of the local communities, it will not act arbitrarily or disregard the interests of the communities."

"Therefore, the cultivation method practiced by every disciple of a village or clan must be the lineage passed down by their village or clan, without exception."

"Only those Taoist disciples from ordinary backgrounds can practice fixed techniques with the permission of individual villages and clans."

Chen Fayan stopped there and said no more.

Yan Chen seemed to be deep in thought, and decided in his heart:

"Although Senior Brother Chen's words were cryptic, it was not hard to understand that the reason why the Jade Sleeve Daoist lineage had been able to stand for more than 10,000 years was entirely due to the support and assistance of the local clans."

"As the saying goes, 'Water can carry a boat, but it can also capsize it.' If the two can maintain a delicate balance, they may live in peace. But once the balance is broken... the Great Liang Dynasty is a case in point."

"Therefore, Taoism is another way out for the Jade Sleeve School?"

"No wonder the local youths and the disciples of the Daoist school have always been at odds; the root of the problem lies here..."

"There must also be elements of deliberate manipulation and arrangement, such as the so-called 'upper-level' coordination."

Yan Chen's thoughts raced, and the shuttle's speed was incredibly fast.

In less than a quarter of an hour, we passed several towering peaks and slowly settled on the mountainside of a place called "Xiangzhi Mountain".

……

……

at the same time.

Inside the Valley of Molten Gold, in a quiet room.

Chi Lianyun sat on a futon, clutching a torn letter in his hand, his brows furrowed, muttering to himself:

"That scoundrel Chen Fayan is deliberately targeting me, which is truly hateful. If I want to find the Blood Yang Fiend, I can only place my hopes on that heretic surnamed Guo."

"Hmph, I hope it won't tarnish the splendor of my 'Mysterious Pivot Treasure Mirror'!"