Chapter 354: 354. Take some water back to water the flowers

No, no, no, how could my master be nervous!

It must be an illusion!

Yu Qing quickly shook her head and dismissed such a rebellious thought.

Yu Qing was simply deceiving herself. She had been with True Master Yu Jian for over ten years, their bond like that of mother and daughter, so the feeling couldn’t be fake.

True Master Yu Jian was indeed a bit nervous.

The biggest shock to the Heavenly Sword Sect’s higher-ups was not the Blood God’s legacy or the True Mother God Sect, but Fang Zhou.

This guy went out for just a short trip and came back having advanced to the Innate realm?

Even if you treat fortuitous encounters as daily meals, it wouldn’t be that fast, would it?

To these leaders, a year is really a short time, so short that it feels like closing your eyes and taking a nap, then it’s gone.

The image of Fang Zhou as a newbie a year ago is still vivid in their minds, and now he has already reached the Innate realm within a year? Are you riding a rocket?

The Heavenly Sword Sect has many elders, but this is the accumulation of a major sect over a millennium. Any Innate realm cultivator could easily become the sect master of small to mid-sized sects.

Fang Zhou’s advancement speed is too fast. Even in the talent-laden millennium past, it wasn’t this fast; not even for the reincarnation of powerful figures. Objectively, it’s impossible, really.

In actuality, counting the time inside the gourd, Fang Zhou’s cultivation time is definitely more than a year, possibly several years.

But others don’t know that. In others’ eyes, he achieved this from nothing to the Innate realm in just one year.

This rocket-like speed is terrifying, so much so that True Master Yu Jian didn’t dare spread the news, fearing criticism.

For those with top-tier talent, progressing from Perfect Foundation Establishment to Innate typically takes anywhere from several to dozens of years, but definitely starts at ten years. Those with average talent might struggle until their lifespan is near its end.

Fang Zhou went from Perfect Foundation Establishment to now in just over a month. If this news gets out, it would cause many in the Heavenly Sword Sect to question their life choices, subsequently dampening the enthusiasm for cultivation.

True Master Yu Jian herself keeps the time it took her from Perfect Foundation Establishment to Innate realm a secret, but she too feels a bit rattled.

After this incident, no one in the Heavenly Sword Sect doubts Fang Zhou’s reincarnation as a powerful figure. If the reincarnated figure doesn’t cultivate this fast, it might well be a reincarnation of a truly mighty figure, certainly not some small fry.

True Master Yu Jian is now a bit nervous, mainly fearing Fang Zhou might have some misunderstanding towards the Heavenly Sword Sect due to Ling Xiaoyue.

Initially, True Master Yu Jian took a schadenfreude attitude towards Ling Xiaoyue taking a tenth of Taobao Mall’s profits.

She would love to see this master-apprentice duo clash, ideally with the reincarnated figure transforming and giving Ling Xiaoyue, this rogue, a good thrashing.

She wasn’t afraid Fang Zhou would flip because of it–it’s just a minor matter. By her reckoning, Fang Zhou would need years at least to go from Foundation Establishment to Innate, ensuring the collaboration with the Heavenly Sword Sect wouldn’t change.

But then Fang Zhou went out for a month and advanced to Innate, now he can travel anywhere under the vast sky and earth, True Master Yu Jian got a bit nervous, fearing Fang Zhou might flip over this matter, potentially wasting early investments and offending a powerful figure.

Although such a small matter is hardly worth mentioning, don’t forget, Fang Zhou, this “big shot,” is quite petty; who knows if he might hold a grudge?

Now seeing Fang Zhou come right to her door, seemingly here to confront her, True Master Yu Jian being a bit nervous is only natural.

Fang Zhou didn’t waste time with True Master Yu Jian and bluntly stated: “Master, your Heavenly Sword Sect has quite the disregard for contractual spirit, hasn’t it? The profits of Taobao City were supposed to be a secret between us; how could you have told Ling Xiaoyue?”

True Master Yu Jian responded gently: “Taoist Fang, this matter was not leaked by me, but rather…”

She pointed above, showing a look of helplessness: “I’m powerless on this.”

Ling Xiaoyue knew Fang Zhou had a tenth of Taobao City’s profits, surely she got it from Qin Yunzhu.

Qin Yunzhu thought her friendship with Ling Xiaoyue was unknown, but in truth, all three True Masters had secretly observed it, only choosing not to speak.

Seeing True Master Yu Jian’s gesture, Fang Zhou’s expression stiffened; it was Qin Yunzhu who leaked it?

Well, Qin Yunzhu did threaten Fang Zhou with this matter, as the sect master she surely knew long ago.

As for settling accounts with Qin Yunzhu?

Forget it, it’s just a trivial matter.

The Heavenly Sword Sect has been very helpful, no need to stir up discord with them over such a small issue.

Let this matter be; the atmosphere returned to friendly harmony.

Fang Zhou and True Master Yu Jian discussed matters concerning the True Mother God Sect, and True Master Yu Jian’s expression turned serious.

The True Mother God Sect has been making frequent moves lately, possibly preparing for a major invasion into the Central Plains with strategic deployments planned in advance.

True Master Yu Jian now treats Fang Zhou more equally, even changing from calling him Little Friend Fang to Taoist Fang, and has shared quite a bit of insider information with him.

Apparently, the True Mother God Sect originated from a nation across the highland ridge and rooted itself in the highlands, annexing many local Witch Sects there, eventually merging into a weird cult.

The True Mother God Sect has always aimed to infiltrate the Central Plains; they performed a large-scale invasion years ago, causing numerous tragic events that sparked public outrage.

The Righteous Alliance was forced to intervene, and the two sides fought for over a decade, incurring countless casualties. Ultimately, the Righteous Alliance leveraged local advantages and sheer numbers to drive these reckless cultists away.

The True Mother God Sect suffered substantial losses, remaining dormant for quite some time, but recently begun to stir again. The main forces of the True Mother God Sect were chased off by the Righteous Alliance back then, but they left hidden agents scattered across the Central Plains, which are impossible to entirely uproot.

True Master Yu Jian is worried about this, while Fang Zhou remains calm. Though not completely alone, he’s somewhat detached, so it’s not his concern. Better to stay low and be an onlooker for now.

Fang Zhou further discussed his recent business plans with True Master Yu Jian, who readily agreed, eager to collaborate with Fang Zhou, this money-making prodigy; after all, the Heavenly Sword Sect’s revenues have surged this year thanks to him, hoping he would propose more plans.

Before leaving, Fang Zhou suddenly took out his gourd and smiled kindly at True Master Yu Jian: “Master, may I take some water back to water my plants?”

True Master Yu Jian instinctively wanted to refuse, but recalling Ling Xiaoyue’s situation, she could only painfully nod.

She simply closed her eyes, adopting a ‘out of sight, out of mind’ approach, yet listening to the sound of water being drawn, she still felt heartache.

Fang Zhou returned loaded, having used up the Sword Lake water during his advancement to Innate last time. Now it’s not only fully replenished but he has acquired even more, a true treasure that can’t be bought with money.

The jade pendant around Fang Zhou’s neck, capable of concealing his realm, was left unmentioned by True Master Yu Jian, so Fang Zhou naturally wouldn’t bring it up either, considering it a tacit understanding between them.

After leaving Yujian Peak, Fang Zhou didn’t return to Moon Viewing Peak for rest but planned to execute a few business projects first. He intended to fill the deficit and repay the debt Ling Xiaoyue owed before anything else, to avoid impacting his credibility.

Of course, just this once; seeing as nobody is familiar with Ling Xiaoyue’s morality, Fang Zhou willingly repaid her debt.

In the future, anyone who lends to Ling Xiaoyue will instantly be cut off by Fang Zhou; not a single penny more.