The Sect Leader Has Taken in a New Female Disciple

"Is this Master Qingzhou?" Shen Yunzhou deftly flipped behind the rockery, quickly pulling out the Imaging Stone to capture the scene.

His elder sister always had an eye for people and perhaps this person could become her "Destined Person."

Unfortunately, he didn’t capture enough before another group filed in, shutting the door with a "bang," completely blocking his view.

"Tsk, so stingy!" Shen Yunzhou pursed his lips, then turned away in frustration, when suddenly he found himself facing a pair of eyes that seemed to be smirking.

"Whoa!" Shen Yunzhou was startled, jumping three feet high. When he saw who it was, he hurriedly bowed: "G- Greetings, Aunt!"

Lin Jingtang adjusted her sleeves, smiling warmly: "Yunzhou, just returned?"

"Yes, yes, just looking around..." Shen Yunzhou chuckled dryly, and made to slip away.

"Aunt, you go ahead with your business, I have something to attend to, I’ll be off first!"

"Wait." Lin Jingtang suddenly called out to him.

Shen Yunzhou paused, his heart skipped a beat, and he turned with reluctance: "Aunt... is there something else?"

Lin Jingtang showed a hint of awkwardness on her face, speaking softly: "It’s like this, do you know where your sister is recently?"

Shen Yunzhou’s heart jumped, but he maintained a calm demeanor, shaking his head immediately: "I truly don’t know."

"You know well, my sister always wanders alone, never telling anyone where she’s going."

"Sigh~~" Lin Jingtang sighed softly.

She paused, her tone carrying a hint of helplessness: "You know, your cousin reached Divinity Transformation Realm Perfection long ago, yet he doesn’t dare execute the Spirit Slash."

"Especially after you made your recent breakthrough, it has intensified the pressure on him, and now he is anxious every day."

"Even though your uncle and I have prepared thoroughly for him, any extra certainty would be good..."

Shen Yunzhou frowned slightly, directly interrupting: "Aunt, what is it you truly wish to say?"

Lin Jingtang gently brushed her sleeve, her gaze flickered: "Then Aunt won’t speak in riddles. We’re family, Aunt wants to buy from you the Four-Color Array your sister set up for you during your Spirit Slash."

Shen Yunzhou’s pupils shrank, immediately understanding what Aunt meant—the "Nine Turns Spirit Condensing Array," a mid-level Four-Color Array.

This Array was originally crafted by Zhou when he asked elder sister for help during his Spirit Slash breakthrough.

Later, after returning to Nanhuang State, elder sister, relying on her memory, spent countless Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures to recreate a copy.

During his Spirit Slash, this Array indeed proved immensely beneficial.

Oh, so that’s the plan.

Shen Yunzhou sneered inwardly.

Knowing his elder sister’s disposition, there was no way the Array could be shared—it was originally something Zhou acquired with immense effort, and elder sister already felt guilty for recreating it privately; if it were to be passed to outsiders...

Today it’s for cousin, tomorrow for cousin-sister, and soon would every Shen Family guard have a copy?

When Zhou came knocking, where would elder sister hide her face?

"Aunt," Shen Yunzhou appeared distressed, "To be honest, that Array was obtained by my sister by chance from an ancient relic, and it’s one-time use."

"She hasn’t delved into its mystery, or she would’ve offered it to the family long ago."

Disappointment flickered in Lin Jingtang’s eyes, she reluctantly smiled: "So, it turns out, it’s truly a shame."

She turned to the tightly closed door of the hall, speaking wistfully: "This Master Qingzhou joined the Shen Family actually seeking a breakthrough opportunity."

"Yunzhou, certain news can’t be kept under wraps. Before long, other families will come to know about Master Qingzhou."

Shen Yunzhou’s heart tightened as Aunt suddenly turned: "Do you remember the Yan Family’s uncle-nephew incident?"

"I remember." Shen Yunzhou seemed to recall something, his fists clenching involuntarily.

Lin Jingtang sighed: "Do you know why the Yan Family dared act so arrogantly?"

"Strength." Shen Yunzhou squeezed the word from between gritted teeth.

"Exactly!" Lin Jingtang’s gaze was as sharp as an arrow, "The Yan Family ranks third among the Eight Great Families; back then, when they sought to wed your sister, we had to pretend to be delighted!"

She grew increasingly passionate: "Clearly, your sister’s talent is unmatched among peers, yet we had to yield to others!"

"Even when Yan Sen uncle-nephew met an untimely demise, barely distinguishing black from white, they came accusing us, and we had to smile and explain!"

Upon hearing this, veins bulged on Shen Yunzhou’s temple, eyes reddened, and his Spiritual Power surged uncontrollably.

"Frustrating, right?"

"Frustrating!" Shen Yunzhou slammed a fist into the stone pillar beside him, causing web-like cracks.

Lin Jingtang’s gaze burned intensely: "If our Shen Family was stronger, surpassing the Yan Family’s rank, do you think they would dare come angrily accusing like that day?"

Shen Yunzhou remained silent.

"Thus, the Shen Family must seize every opportunity to rise." Lin Jingtang’s voice was deep, "Master Qingzhou chose our Shen Family because he is new here and unaware of the local powers."

She paused, her gaze sweeping over the distant clan members lined up: "Yesterday upon arrival, he candidly said he is willing to lend the Shen Family a helping hand, and we also need to assist him in the breakthrough to Divinity Transformation Realm Perfection, even Spirit Slash—this is ultimately a fair exchange."

"But if he finds that even the eldest son is stuck at the Spirit Slash threshold, what can he, an outsider, hope for?"

"Staying with the Shen Family, wouldn’t that be a waste of time?"

From afar, a few light laughs were heard, as clan members chatted and joked while waiting.

"When that time comes," Lin Jingtang looked at everyone, eyes flashing with sharpness, "if other families seize the chance to extend an olive branch and offer substantial benefits, do you think he wouldn’t be tempted?"

She suddenly turned around: "If the Yan Family gained that assistance, wouldn’t that be like adding wings to a tiger?"

"Also the Zhao Family, those boors who know their brains aren’t enough have been gathering intelligent people for years."

"If a few more years pass..." Lin Jingtang’s voice choked, her eyes reddened, "if the Shen Family falls out of the top five, then who would bully us, wouldn’t there be another family added?"