Chapter 576: Qin Clan’s Madam

Outside the main hall of the Grand Thousand Dao Sect.

The newly appointed Courtyard Master stood with a group of Daoist priests, remaining cautious and vigilant. There were several figures dressed in black robes surrounding the hall, each emanating a formidable aura.

Today, ordinary people could only access the side halls; none had the qualifications to approach here. Anyone who attempted to come closer would be sternly turned down by the black-robed figures.

𝕗𝚛𝚎𝚎𝐰𝗲𝗯𝗻𝚘𝚟𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝕞

The Courtyard Master wiped the cold sweat off his forehead, forcing himself to remain calm. "Why hasn't the Immortal Master from the inner palace arrived yet?"

Even though he was not a cultivator, he knew about the Qin Family. After all, who didn't know about them?

The Immortal Qin Clan, led by the Qin Family, possessed unfathomable strength. No sect or Daoist school dared to easily offend them, as it would spell utter disaster! There were rumors that everyone in the Qin Clan was an immortal master, capable of performing immortal techniques even at the age of three or five. Though those rumors were exaggerated to a certain degree, many ordinary martial artists believed them.

Just then, a burst of white light shimmered in the sky above the outer courtyard, followed by several figures appearing in succession. The Courtyard Master breathed a sigh of relief, while the nearby black-robed figures remained indifferent, scanning the area out of the corner of their eyes.

At that moment, several figures emerged from the hall, and the Courtyard Master hurriedly led the Daoists forward to welcome them.

The black-robed figures observed coldly. After a moment, one of them slowly stepped out from the hall and approached Fang Chen and the others.

"Grand Thousand Sect, Pei Qingfeng, at the early stage of Golden Core Realm?" The black-robed figure gazed lightly at Pei Qingfeng.

Pei Qingfeng nodded lightly. "That’s me."

Elder Xu and the others felt somewhat annoyed. It was rather impolite of the visitor to address the sect master by his name.

"I am He Baiyan, a mere underling of Madam Qin," He Baiyan nodded. "The madam is currently inside burning incense and paying respects to the gods. Sect Master Pei may enter, but the rest should remain here."

The others were slightly surprised.

Madam Qin?

This Madam Qin, the wife of the Qin Clan's Master, was the same person who had birthed that so-called wastrel young master Elder Xu mentioned moments ago. How could someone of such stature be here at Grand Qian Dao Sect to do acts of worship?

"Daoist He, this is my martial uncle, and is also the highest-ranking member of our sect," Pei Qingfeng introduced Fang Chen.

He Baiyan visibly paused.

Pei Qingfeng's Marital Uncle? How have I never heard of such a figure within the Grand Thousand Dao Sect before?

Having heard Pei Qingfeng address Fang Chen as the highest-ranking member of the sect, he expected him to have an extremely high cultivation base. However, to his surprise, he found that Fang Chen's aura only belonged to that of a late stage Foundation Building Realm cultivator. This discovery made his seriousness wane.

He Baiyan nodded lightly. "Please wait here, I will inform her."

He turned and entered the hall as if they were the hosts and Fang Chen's group were the guests.

In just a few moments, He Baiyan returned and addressed Fang Chen and Pei Qingfeng, "The madam invites both of you to enter. Please be careful with your words and actions as to not offend my madam."

Fang Chen exchanged a glance with Pei Qingfeng and then proceeded toward the hall.

The hall was spacious and brightly lit, with three statues on a high platform depicting the divine beasts, reminiscent of the carvings in the Immortal Tomb of Supreme Dao of Heaven.

Even Chai Shun could recognize the Three Divine Beasts, indicating that despite the dissolvment of the Three Thousand Dao Sect over the years, the imagery of the Three Divine Beasts had still been passed down.

When Fang Chen and Pei Qingfeng entered, they saw a woman kneeling before the Three Divine Beasts statues with her back to Fang Chen and Pei Qingfeng.

The woman's figure was curvaceous and graceful. Even though her aura was subtle, Fang Chen could discern at a glance that she was a Nascent Soul Realm cultivator. A cultivation base like that, while not extremely high, was certainly not low either.

There were several black-robed cultivators around the woman. They seemed highly vigilant, keeping an eye on Fang Chen and Pei Qingfeng. These were different from the guards outside; they were a step higher in cultivation, and were all at the Golden Core Realm.

He Baiyan approached the woman and bowed respectfully. "My madam, they have arrived."

The woman rose slowly, turning to face Fang Chen and Pei Qingfeng. She appeared to be in her thirties or forties, with a remarkably delicate and beautiful face. However, her complexion was somewhat pale, lacking a healthy flush.

Pei Qingfeng bowed respectfully. "I, Pei Qingfeng of Grand Thousand Dao Sect, pay my respects to you, Madam Qin."

Fang Chen nodded. "Fang Chen of Grand Thousand Dao Sect. Greetings, Madam."

The beautiful madam nodded slightly. "No need for such formality."

Pei Qingfeng glanced at the statues of the Three Divine Beasts and smiled, "Madam Qin, may I ask what brings you to here today?"

"No reason in particular, just here to burn incense and pay respects to the gods," the woman replied indifferently.

"Burn incense and pay respects?" Pei Qingfeng's thoughts stirred slightly as he softly asked, "Forgive my directness, but since the Qin Clan also originates from Dao Sects and likely has statues of the Three Divine Beasts at home, why would you come so far to burn incense and pay respects?"

He Baiyan frowned slightly. "The madam's visit is a gesture of respect to your sect. Haven't you always claimed to be the authentic Dao sect?"

Pei Qingfeng remained silent, his gaze fixed on the beautiful madam.

The woman looked at He Baiyan, her brow slightly furrowed. "Please, do not be disrespectful."

"My apologies," said He Baiyan.

He nodded lightly and refrained from speaking further.

The woman showed a slight sorrowful smile. "I am actually here to pray for my son's well-being. Although the Grand Thousand Dao Sect may have fallen from its former glory, it once thrived. Perhaps the spirits of the Three Divine Beasts here might be more effective."

Fang Chen and He Baiyan had already guessed the gist of it. They found it strange that someone as distinguished as her, who was a Nascent Soul Realm cultivator, would choose the Grand Thousand Dao Sect to pray for her son.

"Madam, since the prayers are done, we should take our leave. The current situation is not conducive to staying outside for long," He Baiyan said softly.

Pei Qingfeng furrowed his brow slightly and probed, "I've heard there have been some conflicts between the Immortal Qin Clan and the Langya Clan?"

He Baiyan's indifferent expression met Pei Qingfeng’s gaze. "You need not know too much about it."

The beautiful madam nodded slightly. "This matter will have far-reaching ramifications. Your Grand Thousand Dao Sect should also prepare. It seems we may soon go to war with the Langya Clan."

Upon hearing this, Pei Qingfeng furrowed his brow tightly.

He Baiyan smiled bitterly. "Madam, why let them know about this?"

Glancing at He Baiyan, the woman said, "How long can we keep it hidden?"

She turned her attention back to Pei Qingfeng. "Sect Master Pei, it is rumored that in, ancient times, the Three Thousand Dao Sect's Three Solar Fruit was inexhaustible. Do you know where it might still exist today? Obtaining it might avert a disaster."

Pei Qingfeng suddenly realized the true purpose of her visit and nodded. "Indeed, I have heard that in ancient times, the Three Solar Fruit of the Three Thousand Dao Sect was inexhaustible. But over the years, the Three Thousand Dao Sect has long since fallen apart. Even our name was changed to Grand Thousand Dao Sect, and all kinds of inheritances and spiritual items have been taken away one by one.

"Now, we stand just an ordinary sect. Where could there still be Three Solar Fruit left? I'm afraid I’ll have to disappoint you, Madam."

"Little Mirror, are there any Three Solar Fruit in the territory of Azure Dao Manor?" Fang Chen suddenly asked.