Cultivation: Beginning with the Heart Reflecting Heaven and Earth

Li Jingchen still had some reputation within the Canghai Sect.

More importantly, it was Li Jingchen who was investigating the pearl-picking case. Zhao Qi was most afraid that this matter would implicate him, so how could he not pay attention to the progress of the pearl-picking case?

Zhao Qi learned about Li Jingchen because he paid attention to the pearl harvesting case.

He had previously thought that the matter was over. Although Zhang Baoshan was making baseless accusations against Lu Qian, anyone with eyes could see that it couldn't possibly be related to Lu Qian. At that time, Lu Qian was only at the second level of Qi Refining and had no background. No matter how much mud was thrown at him, no one would believe it.

But to Zhao Qi's surprise, Lu Qian was still taken away by the people of the Punishment Hall under some pretext. After learning about this, Zhao Qi's heart was thrown into turmoil.

Lu Qian was essentially a firewall set up by Zhao Qi. Whenever Lu Qian got into trouble, Zhao Qi was filled with anxiety, wondering if the trouble would spill over onto him.

Zhao Qi had no reason not to be afraid; it was he who had sent Lu Qian to collect pearls.

In this matter, Zhao Qi is truly not clean. If he is investigated, something will definitely be found out, so he is much more panicked than Lu Qian.

No matter how panicked he was, Zhao Qi did not lose his composure. He first sent a message to Li Jingchen, because Li Jingchen had released Lu Qian and was mainly interrogating Zhang Baoshan.

If Lu Qian is found to have a problem, Li Jingchen will not only have no merit, but will also be punished. Therefore, in this matter, Li Jingchen, Zhao Qi, and Lu Qian are on the same page.

However, although the pearl-picking case caused quite a stir in the sect, it was not a big deal in essence. It only involved some Qi Refining disciples and was considered a minor incident. Even if Zhang Baoshan confessed, he would not be severely punished, but it would have some impact on his future.

In the allocation of Foundation Establishment Pills and Golden Core resources, in addition to the disciple's talent and background, the disciple's reputation is also taken into account. If the reputation is too bad, others will have a reason to reject the corresponding resource allocation.

This is why Zhang Baoshan, despite having powerful connections and being able to easily take the blame for the pearl harvesting case, still stubbornly refused to admit it.

If he were to confess like this, it would be a stain on Zhang Baoshan's record. In the future, whenever there is a need to compete for sect resources, others could simply accuse him of embezzling sect assets and enriching himself, and they could reject him. Therefore, he must struggle no matter what.

Li Jingchen will also cling to this matter, determined to use Zhang Baoshan to enhance his own reputation. If he succeeds, he will be credited with supervising the investigation, which would be a significant bonus.

The path of cultivation lies in competition, and this is also true within the Canghai Sect!

At this moment, on Flowing Light Peak, Li Jingchen once again found his master, Elder Zhu Yuan of the Punishment Hall, and asked the same question he had asked many times before: "Master, isn't the case closed yet?"

Zhu Yuan stood atop the mountain, his resolute face as black as the bottom of a pot, inspiring awe. "Wait a little longer! His uncle holds considerable influence in the Array Pavilion, and I must also be mindful of him."

Li Jingchen's face showed displeasure. "No matter how powerful his uncle is, he can't help him. The way of array formations is different from the way of alchemy. If someone isn't good at alchemy, they can be taken in and trained. They can practice with a lot of spiritual herbs and eventually learn a few tricks of alchemy. But the way of array formations is different. Mediocre people are mediocre people. They can't even get started. No matter how you train them, they won't succeed!"

Zhu Yuan gazed into the distance, his voice ethereal, "Your view is somewhat biased. The Dao of Alchemy is not as simple as you make it out to be. Besides, even if Zhang Baoshan's talent is lacking, they are still uncle and nephew. How do you know that Zhang Yunhuo doesn't value him?"

"These alchemists and talisman makers love to do this, passing it down from father to son, and from son to grandson, cultivating a large number of mediocre talents while suppressing true geniuses into oblivion."

Li Jingchen said indignantly, "I didn't expect that even the Array Pavilion would start to become like this. Fortunately, the threshold for array formation is high, otherwise it would have become a mess sooner or later."

"That's just human nature. How could any human being not consider human relationships and social norms? How could they not take care of their family and friends?"

At this point, Zhu Yuan glanced at Li Jingchen, "And what's more, I heard that you were following that girl Meng Lingjun around, begging and pleading to buy more pills?"

Li Jingchen's face immediately turned red. After coughing a few times, he argued, "Doing business requires some skill. I paid the money, and I didn't profit at the expense of the company."

"If you use some tricks, he'll use some tricks too, and in the end, the sect will become what you hate."

Zhu Yuan stopped there, then changed the subject, asking about another matter, "How is that outer disciple doing?"

Li Jingchen shook his head. "This matter has nothing to do with him. It is said that Zhang Baoshan was unsuccessful in pursuing Meng Lingjun, but he saw him talking to Meng Lingjun, so he became jealous and wanted to use this as an excuse to get away with it. He is sticking to his story and trying to use this excuse to stall for time."

"He's really unlucky. Although this matter has nothing to do with him, he's gotten himself into trouble with Zhang Baoshan. Things probably won't be easy for him in the future."

Zhu Yuan sighed and looked at Li Jingchen again, "What do you think we should do?"

Li Jingchen knew that his master was testing him. After thinking for a moment, he said, "Why don't we let him join the Punishment Hall? That way, no one will dare to ostracize him."

"We didn't drag him down, so we don't need to pay for other people's mistakes."

Lu Qian was just an outer disciple, so Zhu Yuan didn't take him seriously. He only mentioned it casually when he thought of it, "I think you should ask him if he's willing to go and guard outside the sect."

"If he hides for a few years, these things will pass. But if he stays in the sect, he will probably have a hard time getting ahead."

While it is safe within the sect, everything is within the rules and regulations. If someone wants to suppress someone, they can be blocked within the rules and no one can find fault with them.

Rules may protect the weak, but how can one possibly resist the rule-makers?

On Wanfa Peak.

Chu Liu knocked on Chu Qinggang's door, went inside, and asked, "Master, aren't you going to make a move? You've been watching him closely, why are you suddenly indifferent?"

Chu Qinggang sat cross-legged on the futon with an indifferent look in his eyes. "Don't worry, I have my own arrangements."

Chu Liu seemed somewhat anxious, "But even after Brother Lu comes out, this matter won't end; he'll definitely face suppression..."

Chu Qing glanced at him and said, "Why are you in such a hurry? My lineage of transmission is also known as the Hidden Lineage. The more it is suppressed, the better, as it makes it easier to hide. Do you know that a dragon can be big or small, can rise or hide? When it is big, it can stir up clouds and mist; when it is small, it can hide its form."

"If I speak up for him now, and everyone knows I value him, will he still be able to cultivate properly?"

Chu Liu asked cautiously, "Master, have you decided to accept him as your disciple?"

Chu Qing shook his head. "What can I teach him if I take him as a disciple? In my opinion, no one is fit to be his master."

Chu Liu was now confused. He knew how much Chu Qinggang valued Lu Qian, but Chu Qinggang didn't want to take Lu Qian as his disciple. Why was that?

"I just don't want to see talented people go unnoticed. Don't overthink it."

Chu Qing glanced at him. "As you know, my Canghai Sect is just a branch sect that split off from the Canglan Holy Land, and my lineage of transmitting skills is even more so. A senior once invited me to the Holy Land, but I didn't go. Instead, I promised them that if I encountered a disciple more outstanding than me, I would send him over to take a look..."

Chu Liu had no interest in listening to what Chu Qing was saying; he only had one thought: Holy Land, Holy Land!