Night, black as ink, shrouded the Profound Truth Sect Main Peak.
In the rear chamber of the Main Peak Hall, candles burned brightly, their dancing flames stretching the figures within into long shadows.
At the seat of honor stood a broad Grand Preceptor's Chair of agarwood, with Cao Zhen, the Profound Truth Sect's sect master, reclining against its back.
He looked like a refined middle-aged man in his fifties, handsome and dressed in a moon-white robe with faint dark-cloud patterns embroidered at the cuffs. His presence was serene.
Yet a careful observer could catch a flash of intimidating authority whenever he raised his eyes-the bearing cultivated by years in high office and profound cultivation.
In the guest seat beside him sat an old man with snow-white hair and beard: Ouyang Jingxuan, the Profound Truth Sect's Chief Elder.
The old man wore a plain Daoist robe. His face was lean, his features marked by the weathering of years, and his aura was as steady and deep as an abyss.
The hall was silent save for the faint crackle of burning candles.
After a long while, Cao Zhen slowly opened his half-closed eyes and said, "The Elders' Hall has produced an initial draft of the plan for cultivating our priority disciples. Tomorrow, we'll discuss it with the Peak Masters, fill in any gaps, and then finalize it and announce it to the whole sect."
Ouyang Jingxuan's brows immediately drew tight.
He straightened and spoke in a low voice, concern coloring his tone. "Sect Master, in this old man's view, aren't the rewards in this plan a little too generous?
"The Aperture-Nurturing Jade Marrow is exceedingly precious. Even for Core Realm cultivators like us, it has considerable benefits in nourishing our apertures and advancing our cultivation. The sect hasn't accumulated much over the