Chapter 594: Kachew's Refusal

The recruitment pavilion, which had grown quite lively, swiftly quieted down when the Fengli Sect's party entered.

Several disciples brought in folding screens and set up a simple soundproofing array. In an orderly manner, they also arranged low tables and meditation cushions, then brought in tea and refreshments one after another.

Wang Sheng summoned an elder to help receive his "special guests."

The Fengli Sect's four fairies took their seats, while the beautiful attendants who accompanied them knelt and waited on the other side of the screen. They had similar roles to celestial soldiers, except they were in flowing celestial garments instead of battle armor.

Do they gain more defense the less clothing they wear?

Wang Sheng stopped a female disciple who was about to leave with the tea tray. He vaguely remembered that she was a certain elder's disciple. Together with his senior sister, the Xinghai Sect's four representatives sat opposite the Fengli Sect's four fairies.

Both sides observed each other quickly and without drawing attention.

Wang Sheng was somewhat curious. When the Fengli Sect's sect master accepted female disciples, did he have requirements regarding appearance? These four fairies were all rare beauties. Even Lan Huilin, who had come from the blood mine, now radiated a charm even more moving than in the past.

Of course, they still fell far behind ladies like his senior sister and Lishang, who were among the most beautiful women he had ever seen.

The four Fengli Sect disciples opposite them initially focused their gazes on Wang Sheng. Before long, they began staring at Mu Wanxuan, as if there was an indescribable power about his senior sister that made it hard for them to look away.

Mu Wanxuan silently lowered her head. She spread the manga that had just reached an exciting moment across her skirt and continued to concentrate wholeheartedly on her diligent "studying."

Getting straight to the point, Wang Sheng gestured for them to speak. "Let's not beat around the bush, shall we? What is it you wish to discuss?"

Still smiling gently, Qiu Ying softly replied, "That's quite frank and straightforward of you, Elder Pi. You didn't even spare half a sentence for pleasantries."

Wang Sheng just smiled calmly.

Noticing that the atmosphere had grown somewhat awkward, the Xinghai Sect elder beside him took the initiative to say a few words. He praised the fairies for their outstanding bearing and peerless beauty. Afterward, he subconsciously glanced at Wang Sheng's senior sister.

The atmosphere immediately became even more awkward.

Lan Huilin asked, "May I ask how we should address the fairy beside you?"

Wang Sheng briefly introduced, "This is my senior sister and also my Daoist partner. To me, she and I are one. If you have any inquiries, please direct them to me."

Daoist partners?

Understanding appeared in Lan Huilin's eyes. Qiu Ying smiled faintly and began praising Mu Wanxuan.

Virtuous and gentle, dignified and beautiful, poised and graceful, refined in temperament... Qiu Ying exhausted nearly her entire vocabulary. Mu Wanxuan only kept her head down and read her manga, following her junior brother's instruction and treating those before her as if they did not exist.

Finding it difficult to withstand Wang Sheng's teasing gaze, she composed herself. "To be honest with you, Elder Pi, we visited on our master's orders. We wished to discuss a matter with you and the Xinghai Sect. Simply put, we wish to set a trap for the Celestial Wind Sect's Long Aotian.

"The Celestial Wind Sect sent people to kill you and Vice Sect Master Lishang. That is an act of deep enmity. Why not join hands with us and ensure that Long Aotian can never turn things around? Let's remove him once and for all."

Wang Sheng calmly replied, "Oh? Aren't you even a little afraid of suddenly revealing such a confidential plan?"

Qiu Ying was left momentarily speechless. Inwardly, she complained,

You're the one who kept pushing me to get to the point!

Such a matter would usually only be discussed in private. The fewer who knew, the better.

Qiu Ying smiled. "Is there anyone among us who cannot be trusted?"

The elder hurriedly replied, "We are all trustworthy."

Afterward, he gave Wang Sheng an inquiring look. In turn, the sword cultivator looked at him as though telling him not to worry.

Wang Sheng's mind raced. First came the question of whether the Fengli Sect could be trusted. Unless that had been answered, they couldn't move on to determine whether the plan itself was feasible.

Wang Sheng pondered carefully for some time. He always felt that although this matter seemed unproblematic on the surface, it was in truth a bottomless abyss that he absolutely couldn't step into lightly.

"We're but a small sect that probably can't contend with the Celestial Wind Sect," Wang Sheng replied, then slowly shook his head. "Still, we thank your sect for its goodwill."

Qiu Ying's delicate brow furrowed. Softly, she asked, "Don't you need to consult the Xinghai Sect's sect master and vice sect master about this matter, Elder Pi?"

The elder countered, "You're probably unaware of this, Fairy, but the sect master once issued an order that in any matter involving the Celestial Wind Sect, our entire sect is to treat Elder Pi's words as the sect master's command. Elder Pi naturally has full authority to handle this matter himself."

He said what now?

Wang Sheng was completely unaware of it.

"Please do not misunderstand, Elder Pi. I wasn't trying to be disrespectful," Qiu Ying explained. She then gently added, "Though you were only at the True Immortal Realm, you already managed to hold your ground against Long Aotian. The entire Fengli Sect holds you in great respect.

"However, that's what I can't understand. This is an excellent opportunity to weaken the Celestial Wind Sect. Why outright refuse it instead of at least considering it?"

Wang Sheng said, "Allow me to be blunt: our sects simply do not share a foundation of trust. With the thirteen qi stars in turmoil, what reason does the Xinghai Sect have to trust your sect? Conversely, how can you be sure that Lishang and I wouldn't agree now but then secretly contact the Celestial Wind Sect? We could set up a counter scheme with them, eliminate you, and then divide your territory with them.

"You see, we have only just met, yet we are already discussing a matter that requires risking our lives. Please forgive me, but I, Pi Kachew, cannot agree to this."

Mu Wanxuan let out a soft snort of laughter. She then covered her mouth and lowered her head. Witnessing her junior brother address himself as Pi Kachew with complete seriousness truly made it hard for her to hold back any longer.

A trace of helplessness appeared in Qiu Ying's eyes, and the smile at the corner of her lips slightly stiffened. Left with no other option, she simply remarked, "You truly are a remarkable person—"

Lan Huilin interjected, "What do you think our sects should do to gain each other's trust, Elder Pi?"

Wang Sheng lifted his teacup and took a sip. "I naturally won't stand in your way if you wish to befriend us. To start with, we can allow our disciples to visit each other more often and exchange some gifts. After that, our sect masters can meet and chat over tea, discussing the sects' important matters. They can then cooperate further and gradually build mutual trust.

"On the other hand, the Celestial Wind Sect has already suffered heavy losses to its primal qi resources. If you wish to deal with them now, you probably have at least a sixty percent chance of victory."

Wang Sheng kept the rest of his remarks unsaid.

If the Fengli Sect is actually strong enough to face the Celestial Wind Sect head-on, it wouldn't wait for the Xinghai Sect to become as strong as their enemy.

Judging by its behavior, the Fengli Sect was likely planning to simply sit back and reap the benefits.

It probably planned to send him and Lishang into a fight against the Celestial Wind Sect's experts. In the end, it would have outplayed him, Lishang, and everyone who fell into their trap. No one would be able to retreat safely.

He naturally couldn't fall for such a scheme.

Qiu Ying's junior sister sighed faintly from beside her. In a way that could soften anyone's heart, she then softly added, "It seems you harbor some prejudice against our sect, Elder Pi." "Aren't you aware that our inner circle is composed entirely of women? We have no great ambitions of conquering others.

"We're only resisting against the Celestial Wind Sect because it oppressed others too harshly in the past. That made us reach out to everyone and gather like-minded cultivators, eventually forming today's Fengli Sect.

"Our master and we sisters only desire to create a peaceful and stable place of cultivation for the thirteen qi stars' female cultivators who have suffered. Now that we're already locked in a struggle to the death with the Celestial Wind Sect, this matter always weighs heavily on our hearts every time we think about it."

Wang Sheng nodded. With a righteous expression, he exclaimed, "The Celestial Wind Sect truly is unforgivable! Nevertheless, we still can't help you with this plan. You shouldn't trouble yourselves further."

Each of these immortal maidens was certainly more skilled than the last.

However, Wang Sheng had his senior sister by his side and the princess seated firmly in his heart. Their gentle charms couldn't even stir his emotions in the slightest.

If the Fengli Sect were truly so kind-hearted, the other immortal factions in the thirteen qi planets would have long torn them apart. It could never have grown strong enough to rival the Celestial Wind Sect.

Lan Huilin pursed her lips slightly, lifted her teacup, and took a sip.

Since even playing the victim was useless, Qiu Ying could only say, "Perhaps we came off too strong, after all. Do you have any good strategies we can use against Long Aotian, Elder Pi? Unless we can eliminate that fiendish devil, we won't be able to shake the Celestial Wind Sect's foundation."

"I have sparred with him before. He has abundant immortal power, formidable divine abilities, and a body that has no obvious major flaws. To defeat him, you have to catch him off guard."

"Oh? How do we do that?"

"It's hard to explain, but when sparring, the situation can change countless times in an instant." Wang Sheng shrugged. "Trying to ambush Long Aotian isn't really an optimal choice either. The risk is too great since he's extremely difficult to kill. Moreover, that elder isn't as simple-minded as he appears. He's quite thorough, and he always has an escape plan. If you really want to deliver a crushing blow to the Celestial Wind Sect, though, I do have a good suggestion."

"Oh?" Qiu Ying frowned slightly. "Please enlighten us, Elder Pi."

With a completely serious expression, Wang Sheng replied, "Target Li Tianyao, their young master. Behind him stands the North-River Sword Sect, which is currently the Celestial Wind Sect's greatest support. If you can make him abandon the Celestial Wind Sect, even at the cost of an immortal maiden, then there won't be any reason left for you to fear your enemy."

Qiu Ying actually pondered the idea seriously for a few seconds. She then realized that Wang Sheng seemed to be mocking the Fengli Sect, causing her expression to turn unpleasant.

"We have troubled you enough today, Elder Pi. Since you've already made your decision, we will stop pestering you now."

Qiu Ying stood up, and her three junior sisters rose as well. They bowed slightly toward Wang Sheng. "Farewell."

Wang smiled and stood up. "I will see you out."

However, he only escorted the four beyond the screen. The elder with him took over, leading several disciples to send them out of the building.

As Lan Huilin was leaving, she glanced back at Wang Sheng, her eyes revealing a trace of amusement. Wang Sheng smiled faintly in return.

From today's small details, he noticed that Lan Huilin wasn't doing particularly well within the Fengli Sect. It was obvious that Qiu Ying and her other martial sisters were alienating her.

Wang Sheng neither could nor should interfere with the Fengli Sect's internal affairs, though.

After the group had left, Wang Sheng turned back to Mu Wanxuan and sat down quietly to drink tea. He then took out the few pieces of jewelry that he had gotten and hesitated for a while. In the end, he decided that once the recruitment was finished, he would find a secluded place to see whether he could create one or two small spirits from the items.

Meanwhile, Mu Wanxuan remained focused on reading beside him. Her earnest appearance truly made Wang Sheng lose himself in watching her.

Even if some of the characters in books were jade-like beauties, none could compare to the woman beside him.

While he was lost in thought, a streak of light shot straight over from the city gate, transformed into an elderly Daoist, and landed in front of the building.

With a heart full of joy, he shouted toward the pavilion, "Kachew! Kachew! Quick, look at the treasure I've found!"

However, due to the soundproof barrier beside the screen, Wang Sheng didn't hear a thing. He simply yawned.