Jade Soul Palace.
Outside the palace, a silvery moonlight spilled onto the jade-paved square, casting a soft, gentle glow.
Seven or eight figures emerged from various parts of the mountain, some riding flying magical Law Artifact, others arriving in beams of light. Dressed in brocade and colorful robes, they landed before the hall, their faces filled with trepidation and excitement.
At this moment, a young man dressed in a blue feather robe was already standing outside the hall.
Upon seeing this, the eight people disregarded everything else and hurriedly stepped forward to bow, saying, "Greetings Demon Lord Feiguang!"
It was Feiguang.
Feiguang had been standing there since early morning, waiting for the arrival of these people. His pair of Glazed Glass demonic eyes swept over the eight of them, and he said in a neither warm nor cold tone, "Not bad."
"Please come in, the Lord has been waiting in the hall for some time."
Among the eight, a middle-aged man dressed in a moon-white scholar's robe smiled slightly upon hearing this and said, "We have troubled you, Ancestor, to wait for us juniors for so long. Please lead the way, Demon Lord, so that we may pay our respects to you in person."
Feiguang nodded slightly, turned around, pushed open the palace door, and led the eight people into the Jade Soul Palace.
There were no lamps or other lighting fixtures inside the hall, yet the room was brightly lit and completely bright.
Feiguang led the eight people past the main hall and toward a side hall on the right.
Unlike the side halls of the Myriad Phenomena Hall.
The Jade Soul Palace, built specifically for Chen Shuangbai, a Dao Child, has a cleverly designed side hall, which is a waterside pavilion with a clear pond below. Various spirit fish can be seen swimming in the pond, and several lotus flowers float on the surface.
Inside the waterside pavilion, Chen Shuangbai leaned casually against a wooden table, holding a scroll of bamboo slips in her hands, seemingly reading something.
As if hearing footsteps, the Jade Spring Dao Child put down the bamboo slip in his hand, raised his head, and looked at the eight people.
The eight people felt his gaze and their hearts skipped a beat. They then knelt down and kowtowed, saying in unison, "The descendants of the White Water Chen Clan pay their respects to Ancestor Dao Child!"
Indeed, these eight people are the eight with the highest cultivation and power within the White Water Chen Clan clan who have joined Jade Spring in recent years.
Since Chen Shuangbai rose to prominence, although he hasn't taken much care of the White Water Chen Clan, given his current status, even if he does nothing, those who want to curry favor with him will do everything they can to befriend the people or things around him.
This is how the White Water Chen Clan developed so rapidly.
In less than 150 years, the White Water Chen Clan has grown from an ordinary, humble village to its current status.
Even setting aside Chen Shuangbai, the Jade Spring Dao Child, Far-Reaching Luminous Sword Immortal, and the siblings Chen Fuguang and Chen Yazhen, there were still several Foundation Establishment cultivators and dozens of outer disciples scattered throughout the sect.
These eight people are the best among them.
The leader, a Foundation Establishment Late Stage Cultivator dressed in a moon-white scholar's robe, was none other than Chen Tianjun, whom Chen Shuangbai had brought back after returning home and placed under the tutelage of his Senior Martial Uncle Shi, Yuan Bikong.
Chen Tianjun is now the most favored disciple of Yuan Bikong, a Golden Core True Person. He has already taken up a post in the Evil Hunting Hall, one of the Three Palaces and Nine Halls, and holds the highest position among the eight.
As for the others, some took up positions in the Three Halls and Nine Palaces, some devoted themselves to cultivation, and some chose to study one of the various arts and crafts... In short, the White Water Chen Clan held a considerable position within the Jade Spring Sect.
"Get up, all of you."
Chen Shuangbai raised his hand, and eight water columns flew from the clear pool, condensing into eight jade slips, which were then delivered to the eight people beside them.
The eight people sat down respectfully, not feeling the coldness beneath them, but rather a sense of warmth.
Chen Shuangbai looked at Chen Tianjun and asked, " Tianjun... speaking of which, how is Senior Brother Yuan doing these days?"
Chen Tianjun bowed respectfully and replied truthfully, "Ancestor, Master went into seclusion two years ago to attempt to break through to the Middle Golden Core Stage. Currently, it is up to me and my fellow senior brothers and sisters to make the decisions."
Yuan Bikong's talent cannot be considered top-notch. His current achievements are largely due to the planning of his master, Shi Yubai, as well as the current development and prosperity of the Jade Spring Sect, which is inclusive and has no shortage of spiritual resources and other external materials for cultivation.
Not only Chen Tianjun, but Chen Shuangbai also inquired about the cultivation of the other seven descendants of the Chen Clan.
Finally, Chen Shuangbai asked about her family.
"How is things at home now?"
Chen Tianjun and the others looked at one of them. This person had a handsome face, wore a blue robe, and looked young.
" Ji'an, why don't you speak to the Ancestor?"
Chen Ji'an stood up, bowed deeply, and recounted the current situation of the White Water Chen Clan in detail, saying that the White Water Chen Clan is now considered to be among the top tier of the many cultivation Lineage affiliated with the Jade Spring Sect.
Many cultivation Lineage are wary of Chen Shuangbai's existence and generally flatter the White Water Chen Clan, rarely making things difficult for them.
"However, the family still remembers the rules you left behind: those with Spirit Root enter the main sect, while those without Spirit Root enter the minor sect."
"The major sects focus on spiritual cultivation, while the minor sects take the imperial examinations to become officials, thus securing their power in the secular world."
"Ancestor... the White Water Chen Clan is now enjoying unprecedented glory."
As Chen Shuangbai listened to his rambling, she gained a general understanding of the current White Water Chen Clan in Baishui.
He was pleased to see his Lineage achieve such success.
Therefore, he summoned them today because he wanted to give the White Water Chen Clan another push while he was still in the sect, and also leave himself a way out.
After Chen Ji'an finished his rambling, Chen Shuangbai slowly said, "I am very pleased that the clan is now showing such a promising outlook."
"I suppose... you've all heard that the sect plans to establish a branch at sea."
"This is an opportunity."
Upon hearing this, all eight people, including Chen Tianjun, looked up, their eyes filled with excitement.
They already knew, but it was difficult to implement.
The higher Chen Shuangbai's reputation, the more difficult it became for the White Water Chen Clan to do things, as they worried that one day it would drag down their ancestor's reputation and status within the clan.
However, now that Chen Shuangbai is willing to give it a push, that's the best outcome.
"Within the clan... they are naturally willing."
Chen Tianjun said respectfully.
Chen Shuangbai nodded slightly, and then Feiguang, who was standing to the side, stepped forward and handed Chen Tianjun a jade token before saying, "Take this to see True Person Yuchuan. He will include the White Water Chen Clan among the cultivation Lineage that have established branch sects."
"This is both an opportunity and a fallback plan. Let the clan discuss it thoroughly before selecting someone."
Upon hearing this, the eight men's eyes flashed with a sharp light, and they said in unison, "Thank you for your guidance, Ancestor!"
After the others left, only Chen Tianjun remained.
The night was deep, and the moon's reflection shimmered in the clear pond. The moonlight reflected on the sword Far-Reaching Luminous Sword Immortal before him, making him appear as ethereal as a celestial being from the moon palace.
Looking at this descendant of his father's lineage, Chen Shuangbai cautioned, " The White Water Chen Clan is so glorious today because of me alone, but what about the future?"
Upon hearing this, Chen Tianjun's face showed fear, and he hurriedly bowed, saying, "Ancestor, what are you saying?!"
Chen Shuangbai stopped him from bowing, saying only, "There has never been Aristocratic Clan that lasts for a hundred years, much less Lineage that cultivates for a thousand years... Beneath glory, there will inevitably be worms."
"This is to leave a way out for our family, and we must not cut off that path in the mortal world... I will only say this once, and only remind you once, do you understand?"
Chen Tianjun didn't really understand.
Since his ancestor had said so, he could only obediently agree, planning to return and find seven people to take this matter as a warning and pass it down.