Immortality Cultivation: I can use my clansmen’s energy and blood to add points.

"True dragon bloodline?"

"If it's true, its value is simply immeasurable!"

Many elders' eyes gleamed with greed and fervor.

A true dragon is a legendary divine beast; a fully grown true dragon possesses the power to destroy the heavens and the earth.

If one could obtain a trace of true dragon bloodline, whether for alchemy or for improving cultivation techniques, the benefits would be unimaginable.

Upon seeing this, the elder of the Array Hall smiled faintly and continued, "In my opinion, for the sake of the sect's grand plan and to better study this star map and star gate, this child named Bai Ling'er should be placed under the unified care of the sect, so that the sect's resources can be concentrated to conduct in-depth research on her."

"Only in this way can we maximize its value and ensure the smooth progress of the Star Map Project."

"As for Junior Nephew Luo, he is still young and inexperienced. If he delays the sect's grand plan because of personal feelings, it would be a great loss."

The elder spoke in a grand and dignified manner, as if everything he did was for the sake of the sect.

But the coldness and cruelty in his words, which made no attempt to conceal the fact that he regarded Bai Ling'er as an object or a research subject, instantly sank Luo Qingchen's heart to the bottom.

"No!"

Almost instinctively, Luo Qingchen stood up abruptly, her voice trembling slightly with anger.

A cold and resolute aura emanated from him, causing the elders present to pause slightly in surprise.

They never expected that Luo Qingchen, who was always calm and composed, would react so erratically.

"Elder Liu, you are mistaken!"

Luo Qingchen's gaze was like two drawn swords, staring directly at Elder Liu of the Array Hall, showing no sign of backing down.

"Bailing'er, she is not an object, much less a research subject!"

"She is a living, breathing person, my companion, my family!"

"The reason she was able to resonate with the star chart and activate the power of the stars was not because she was some kind of 'resource' that could be extracted at will, but because there was a special connection between her and the star chart that was incomprehensible to others, based on trust and emotion!"

Luo Qingchen's voice was strong and resonant.

"If I forcibly take her away from me and treat her like a prisoner for so-called 'research,' it will only destroy her trust in the sect and may even make her develop resistance and aversion to the Star Chart!"

"At that time, forget about the Star Map Project, even this Star Map Bronze Disc will probably become a piece of scrap metal!"

"Elder Liu, is your proposal truly for the sake of the sect's grand plan, or do you have ulterior motives, intending to turn Bai Ling'er into the private property of your Array Hall to satisfy your personal research desires?!"

Luo Qingchen's last words struck Elder Liu's heart like a heavy hammer.

Elder Liu's face instantly turned ashen, and a fierce glint of anger flashed in his eyes.

"Luo Qingchen! Don't you dare slander me! I am devoted to the public good, how can I allow a mere brat like you to defame me!"

"You're so protective of that child, are you perhaps trying to seize this incredible opportunity for yourself?!"

The atmosphere in the council chamber instantly became tense and confrontational.

Seeing this, Elder Xiao of the Pill Hall quickly spoke up to smooth things over: "Elder Liu, Nephew Luo, please say less. This matter is of great importance, so it would be best if we could discuss it calmly and rationally."

He turned to Master Xuanyang, cupped his hands, and said, "Sect Leader, I believe that what Nephew Luo said is not without reason. Most ancient treasures possess spirits, especially those related to bloodline inheritance, which require a connection and compatibility. Forcibly interfering may backfire."

Qin Mingyuan also said in a deep voice, "Sect Leader, I agree with Elder Xiao's opinion. Nephew Luo and Bai Ling'er have been through life and death together, and the trust and bond between them is something that outsiders cannot understand. Bai Ling'er can best utilize her special abilities when she is by her side. If we were to separate them rashly, I'm afraid the disadvantages would outweigh the advantages."

Master Xuan Yang listened quietly to the debate and Luo Qingchen's impassioned speech.

His gaze lingered for a long time on Luo Qingchen's face, which was slightly flushed with excitement.

He could sense that Luo Qingchen's protection of Bai Ling'er was genuine and without any pretense.

He also believed that Luo Qingchen's words about the connection between trust and emotion were not unfounded.

After a long while, Master Xuanyang spoke slowly, his voice leaving no room for doubt.

"Regarding Bai Ling'er, we will proceed as Luo Qingchen suggested."

"She will continue to be under Luo Qingchen's care. Her safety and her wishes must be fully respected."

"No one may, for any reason, force her to do anything she does not want to do."

Upon hearing this, Elder Liu of the Array Hall turned ashen-faced, extremely ugly, yet dared not utter another word.

Master Xuan Yang's gaze swept over each of the elders present once again.

"As for this bronze star map and the star gate, I believe it is both an opportunity and a challenge. Our Qingyun Sect cannot be complacent, but we must not act rashly either."

"I have decided to establish a special 'Star Chart Research Team'."

"The task of this group is to concentrate the sect's top resources to study this Star Chart Bronze Disc, explore the mysteries of the Star Altar and Star Gate, assess its potential risks and opportunities, and formulate corresponding countermeasures."

Master Xuanyang's voice was full of decisiveness.

"This group will be personally led by me."

"The Supreme Elder, Elder Xiao, Elder Qin Mingyuan, and several elders in the sect who are proficient in formations, ancient books, and astrology will all be members of the group."

He paused, his gaze falling on Luo Qingchen.

"Luo Qingchen, you will also be one of the core members of this group." "Your understanding of the star map, as well as your special connection with Bai Ling'er, are crucial to the entire research project. You will have equal speaking and decision-making power with the other elders within this group."

Upon hearing this, the elders present, including Luo Qingchen himself, were all deeply surprised.

Allowing an inner disciple to participate in such a core and important decision-making group, and granting him equal power with the elders, is unprecedented in the history of Qingyun Sect.

"After the team is formed, the primary task is to thoroughly decipher all the information on the bronze star map and figure out the specific conditions and methods for opening the star gate. At the same time, we must immediately organize manpower to conduct a secret investigation of the suspected star altar in the Ten Thousand Beasts Mountain Range, as indicated by the star map."

"This matter concerns the future rise and fall, honor and disgrace of our Qingyun Sect. Everyone must work together with one heart and one mind, and there must be no mistakes!"

The shockwaves caused by Master Xuanyang's decision to establish a "Special Star Chart Research Group" and to recruit Luo Qingchen as a core member have yet to subside at the highest levels of the sect.

Although the specific details of the star map and star gate are still strictly limited to a very small number of people, the fact that the sect leader personally announced the establishment of a special research institution to investigate the recently discovered "ancient relics and celestial anomalies concerning the future fate of the sect" is enough to cause a great deal of discussion throughout the Qingyun Sect.

Especially Luo Qingchen, an inner disciple who has not been a disciple for long but has repeatedly caused a stir, was able to participate in such a high-level confidential research with sect giants of the same level as the Supreme Elder and Elder Xiao of the Pill Hall. This made countless inner disciples, and even some elders with less seniority, feel incredulous and have a strong desire to investigate.

Several days later, deep within the main peak of Qingyun Sect, in a secluded hall that was usually deserted and surrounded by dozens of powerful protective barriers, the first formal meeting of the "Star Chart Research Special Group" was secretly held.

The interior of the hall was simply and solemnly decorated.

Besides Master Xuan Yang sitting at the head of the table, with the Grand Elder, Elder Xiao, and Elder Qin Mingyuan seated on either side, there were also three other elderly men with calm demeanor and wise eyes.

One of them was Elder Wen, whom Luo Qingchen had met several times in the Sutra Repository and who had guided him in consulting the "Fragments of the Ancient Secret Records".

Elder Wen had white hair and beard, and a gentle expression. He was recognized within the sect as the most accomplished person in the field of ancient text verification and ancient script research.

The other was an elderly man with a square face, a serious expression, and a stern demeanor. His surname was Gu, and he was one of the Supreme Elders of the Sect's Array Hall. He was a master of array formations and was known for his meticulousness and pickiness.

The last one was an old woman with a slightly hunched figure and exceptionally bright eyes, as if she could see the trajectory of the stars. Her surname was Feng, and she was the head of the sect's star-gazing platform. She had an extraordinary sensitivity to changes in celestial phenomena and the power of stars.

As the only disciple in the group and also the youngest, Luo Qingchen was placed at the end of the table.

Although Master Xuan Yang had previously stated that he had equal speaking rights with other elders within the group, this seating arrangement still silently demonstrated the strict hierarchy and seniority system in the cultivation world.

The atmosphere was somewhat delicate from the start of the meeting.

Apart from Elder Xiao, Elder Qin Mingyuan, and Elder Wen, who greatly admired Luo Qingchen and greeted him with gentle smiles,

When Elder Gu of the Array Hall looked at Luo Qingchen, his gaze was filled with undisguised scrutiny and suspicion.

After Master Xuanyang briefly reiterated the purpose and importance of the group's establishment, Elder Gu was the first to clear his throat and speak, his voice carrying a metallic quality, just like his personality.

"Sect Leader, fellow cultivators."

Elder Gu's gaze, like a sharp carving knife, scraped across Luo Qingchen.

“Nephew Luo did indeed make contributions in the Tianjue Cliff incident, there is no doubt about that. However, this Star Chart Bronze Disc is of great importance, involving ancient secrets, and its complexity and danger are probably far beyond our imagination.”

"Given Junior Nephew Luo's current cultivation and experience, even if he were to glimpse a corner of it by chance, I believe it is still debatable whether he can truly understand and control such a divine object, or even lead its research direction."

Although Elder Gu's words were relatively polite, the underlying meaning was quite clear.

He believed that Luo Qingchen was too inexperienced to shoulder such an important responsibility, and might even bring unknown risks to the sect due to insufficient understanding.

Another elder, who was usually in charge of allocating sect resources and was known for his prudence, nodded slightly and echoed, "Elder Gu's concerns are not without merit. Such treasures, which are of great importance to the sect's fortune, must be studied with utmost care."

"I suggest that the Star Chart Bronze Disc be kept in the unified custody of the sect. Nephew Luo can participate in the research, but its specific operation and contact with the core data should be carried out under the joint supervision of all the elders to ensure that nothing goes wrong."

The elder's proposal directly targeted Luo Qingchen's actual control over the Star Chart, attempting to sideline him and turn him into a nominal participant.

For a moment, the atmosphere in the hall became somewhat oppressive.

Elder Xiao and Elder Qin Mingyuan frowned slightly, about to speak up in defense of Luo Qingchen.

Luo Qingchen shook her head almost imperceptibly at them, signaling them to calm down.

He knew that such questioning was inevitable.

Instead of letting others speak for you, prove your worth with your strength and facts.

Luo Qingchen slowly stood up and respectfully bowed to Elder Gu and the resource elder, his expression neither humble nor arrogant.

"Elder Gu, Elder Zhou, I fully understand your concerns."

Luo Qingchen's voice was calm and clear, without the slightest panic or dissatisfaction caused by being questioned.

"This disciple's cultivation is shallow and experience is limited. In terms of array formations and resource management, I am indeed far inferior to the two seniors."

He first frankly admitted his shortcomings, which eased the expressions of the two elders somewhat.

Then, he changed the subject, his tone filled with confidence.

"However, my understanding of this bronze star map is not based on mere conjecture, nor is it based on a superficial understanding."

"As I said before, I once consulted the 'Fragments of the Ancient Secret Records' and other related ancient books in the Scripture Pavilion under the guidance of Elder Wen. Among them, there are scattered but crucial records about the ancient star altar, star gate teleportation, and even the special connection between the bloodline of the true dragon and the power of the stars."

He glanced at Elder Wen, who was nodding with a smile, and continued, "The records in these ancient books, the information that I personally perceived on the bronze star chart, and the various strange phenomena I experienced at Tianjue Cliff can all corroborate each other."

"This disciple is certain that this bronze star map is not merely a guide; it is more like a key, a key that can unlock the ancient stellar heritage and communicate with the unknown world. And Bai Ling'er's special bloodline is the key fuse that activates this key."

Luo Qingchen took out a jade slip that had been prepared beforehand from her storage bag and presented it with both hands.

"Sect Leader, Elders. This humble disciple, in the few days since returning to the sect, has combined ancient records with my own insights to compile a preliminary research plan for the Star Chart Bronze Disc, along with some speculations about its potential functions and risks. I humbly request your review and corrections." (End of Chapter)