Perfect Timeline

"Disciple Zhang Xishun pays his respects to Senior Brother Chen!"

The dark-skinned, honest-looking, and slight disciple before him bowed and cupped his hands toward Chen Yan, looking utterly apprehensive.

Chen Yan stared at Zhang Xishun in front of him and froze for a moment.

"Pfft!"

Then he laughed.

The Reincarnation Record Point had updated again.

But what he had never expected was for the Reincarnation Record Point to refresh to this point in time.

In all his previous reincarnations, Chen Yan had always been out in the open, while the schemes lurked in the shadows.

But this time was different.

When he still received no response, Zhang Xishun cautiously raised his head to study Chen Yan's reaction.

"Hello."

Chen Yan said.

"Today, I witnessed Senior Brother Chen win three consecutive matches with my own eyes. My admiration for you flows like a mighty river, endlessly surging..."

Zhang Xishun said:

"I humbly ask Senior Brother Chen to do me the honor of giving me a chance. After today's Grand Competition has ended, would you offer me a few pointers on my cultivation?"

"Of course. No problem."

Chen Yan replied without hesitation.

"Then, Senior Brother Chen, what time would suit you?"

"Tonight, at the hour of the Pig, in front of the open space in the Outer Court market."

Chen Yan said.

"Good. Then I'll thank you in advance, Senior Brother Chen."

Zhang Xishun said.

Afterward, Chen Yan stepped down from the arena and began walking toward the viewing platform.

As he passed the people from Qingchan Peak, he stopped in front of Chu Xiyao.

"Senior Sister Chu."

Chen Yan called out.

"What is it?"

"Could I speak with you somewhere private?"

Half an hour later.

Qingchan Peak, Cangwu Study.

Two elderly men sat facing each other in the tea room, a chessboard set between them.

One of them was Fu Qian, master of Cangwu Study and Martial Suppression Elder of Qingchan Peak.

From the other old man's clothes, bearing, and manner, it was clear that his status was no lower than Fu Qian's.

Fu Qian held a black stone, rolling it between his fingers as he pondered. After a moment, he placed it on the board.

The other old man studied the position for a while, then smiled.

"Brother Fu, won't you think it over a little longer? The lower-left corner of the board is looking rather grim. You still plan to attack toward the upper right?"

"What's already set in stone won't change no matter how much you do."

Fu Qian said calmly:

"Rather than hesitate and look every which way, I'd sooner burn my boats. Perhaps that will give me a sliver of hope."

The old man across from Fu Qian chuckled without replying, then placed the white jade stone in his hand on the board.

Outside the studio, the bamboo grove stirred though there was no wind, making Fu Qian and the old man across from him turn toward the entrance.

"Elder Fu, Elder Bai."

A Qi Sea Realm cultivator entered the tea room and bowed to Fu Qian and the old man opposite him.

"Chief Chu requests an audience."

"Xiyao?"

Fu Qian raised his brows slightly. He hadn't expected that little girl Chu Xiyao to visit him today.

According to the peak's arrangements, Chu Xiyao should have been watching the Outer Court Grand Competition with Lan Wei.

Could something urgent have happened?

"Let her in."

Fu Qian said.

"Yes."

The Qi Sea Realm cultivator replied. He had only just turned around when he paused again.

"Elder Fu, she's also brought an Outer Court Disciple with her..."

"An Outer Court Disciple?"

"Yes, I think his name is Chen Yan."

Fu Qian had no impression of the name.

"Let him in too."

Fu Qian said.

Two minutes later, the White-robed Girl entered first, accompanied by a handsome young man who looked to be around her age.

Chu Xiyao spotted Fu Qian first, then noticed the other old man sitting opposite him.

"Disciple Chu Xiyao pays her respects to Elder Fu and Elder Bai."

Elder Bai?

Following behind Chu Xiyao, Chen Yan looked at the two old men in the tea room.

On Qingchan Peak, an elder who could sit as an equal with Fu Qian, the Martial Suppression Elder, and whose surname was Bai...

The old man's identity was obvious.

Bai Qiming, Qingchan Peak's Elder Zhengfa!

Elder Zhengfa ranked just below the Sword-wielding Elder on Qingchan Peak. He was indisputably the peak's second-in-command.

In terms of status, he even stood a little higher than Fu Qian.

And Lu Li had been promoted to a position on Qingchan Peak because Bai Qiming had taken a liking to him.

According to proper etiquette, when a disciple met two elders at once, they should greet the one with higher status first.

But the reason Chu Xiyao had greeted Fu Qian first was simple.

This was Cangwu Study. Fu Qian was its master, while Bai Qiming was merely a guest.

The order of host and guest generally took precedence over rank, unless the difference in status was enormous.

Besides, Fu Qian was much older than Bai Qiming.

"Outer Court Disciple Chen Yan pays his respects to Elder Fu and Elder Bai!"

Chen Yan cupped his hands in greeting.

"It's you?"

Now that Fu Qian had seen Chen Yan in person, he finally remembered who he was.

Then, taking a closer look, Fu Qian noticed the token at Chen Yan's waist, engraved with the words "Outer Court Steward."

"Why are you carrying Lin Qifeng's token?"

Fu Qian asked.

"Elder, Elder Lin of the Outer Court is my master."

"You're Lin Qifeng's disciple?"

Fu Qian's expression shifted slightly.

"When did that fellow take on a disciple?"

A little over two months ago.

Chen Yan replied.

"Go on, why have you come to Cangwu Study?"

Fu Qian asked, turning his attention back to the chessboard and picking up another black stone.

"I have something to report, of course."

Chen Yan paused briefly.

"I discovered that someone on the list is here."

"Oh?"

Fu Qian's fingers stopped in midair, just before placing his stone.

"I just remembered—the pill furnace in the alchemy room has no one watching over it. I concede today's game. We'll play again another day, Brother Fu."

Bai Qiming stood with a smile.

To reach the position of Elder Zhengfa, profound cultivation alone was far from enough. The ability to read the situation was just as important.

It would be best if he didn't hear what came next.

Not for any other reason; he simply wanted to show Fu Qian some respect.

So Bai Qiming chose to leave.

Fu Qian naturally understood what Bai Qiming had in mind. It suited him perfectly, so he didn't try to stop him.

Only after Bai Qiming had left Cangwu Study did Fu Qian ask Chen Yan again:

"You found the list?"

"No."

Chen Yan replied.

"But I'm certain that the list is still hidden somewhere in the Outer Court. No one has taken it."

"How can you be so sure?"

The answer was simple.

If the people who killed Song Mingde had gotten their hands on the list, Zhang Xishun wouldn't have needed to come looking for him.

"I simply know it for certain."

Chen Yan said.

He obviously couldn't tell them what had happened in the previous reincarnation.

"Whether I'm telling the truth, Elder Fu will know tonight."