Though the supreme elder and the sect master both stood at the pinnacle of the Condensed Jade Sect, their positions carried very different meanings.
The supreme elder was more a symbol of honor, strength, and seniority, the pillar that steadied the sect against the raging seas;
the sect master, however, was the supreme authority who truly wielded power, commanded all quarters, and determined the sect's course!
At those words, Qing Chen immediately plastered a smile across his face and climbed right up the pole offered to him:
"You're right, Senior Brother Gu. I understand. It was my good fortune to lend you what little help I could today. That short, scrawny old fiend just now had some truly bizarre tricks. To think he could escape your sword! Do you know where he came from?"
Gu Jianchun's expression darkened slightly, his voice carrying a chill. "He was a demonic cultivator. Judging by his methods, he most likely came from Blackwood Island. His cultivation wasn't weak, and his secret life-preserving and escape techniques were particularly troublesome.
"Still, having you supporting me from the side saved me a fair amount of trouble this time. You kept the small fry from disturbing my peace."
He changed tack, his gaze sweeping over Qing Chen. "With your current abilities, you're no longer the ignorant fellow of old. I doubt it will be long before you enter the Inner Sect."
Hearing this, Qing Chen asked cautiously, "Senior Brother Gu, does the sect... does the sect know about Elysium in that black market?"
At the question, Gu Jianchun's eyes shifted slightly, and he answered calmly:
"The sect has stood in the Azure Wave Archipelago for centuries. How could it not know what happens right under its nose? Still, you needn't delve into these things for now."
He paused