Chapter 55: The Golden Core Enters the Game, The True Disciple Builds Momentum

Jiang Youling hurriedly ate a few bites of rice, barely swallowing enough to feel half-full, before setting down her bowl and leaving the dining hall for the Talisman Academy.

"Junior Sister Jiang, morning!"

Yue Youping spotted Jiang Youling at a glance, then stared at her for a long time, letting out a soft sound of surprise.

"Junior Sister Jiang seems even more spirited than the day before yesterday."

Jiang Youling remained expressionless. "Is that so? Perhaps my cultivation has improved slightly."

Hearing her explanation, Yue Youping laughed heartily. "Then congratulations to you, Junior Sister."

He paused before asking, "Are you adjusting well to the work here? If you find it difficult, you can observe for a few more days before starting the hands-on work."

Jiang Youling nodded. "Understood. Thank you for your concern, Senior Brother."

After watching Yue Youping walk away, Jiang Youling went to the lakeside. Mimicking the others, she selected well-grown Green Reed Grass and peeled it to extract the most resilient part of the middle section.

However, upon peeling it open, she discovered this particular piece of Green Reed Grass was actually hollow.

She discarded it and peeled another—but the core of this one was too tender and unusable.

*Never mind,* she thought. *Distinguishing Green Reed Grass is a skill in itself. I should observe for a few more days.*

Time flowed leisurely in the mountains. Five days later, Jiang Youling had learned to identify the grass, but she heard a piece of news that caused quite a stir among the handyman disciples.

"Have you heard? Recently, disciples have been disappearing from the sect occasionally. It's not accidents; someone is doing it intentionally."

The crowd erupted in an uproar. "Who would dare act so recklessly within the Taixuan Immortal Sect?"

"I heard it's a certain Deacon Senior Brother who has colluded with evil cultivators, selling these disciples off like livestock."

"Is that true? To openly kidnap disciples from within the sect... who has such audacity? Aren't they afraid of the Discipline Hall's punishments?"

"It's true!"

A tall, thin handyman disciple lowered his voice, his eyes filled with resentment. "I have a fellow townsman who went to the back mountain to inventory spiritual materials a few days ago and hasn't returned since. Someone found his jade pendant at the bottom of a cliff in the back mountains, and it was stained with blood!"

"This... this is simply inhuman!"

A female disciple beside him trembled with rage. "To think someone could commit such evil acts within an Immortal Sect!"

"Shh! Keep your voice down!" another person looked around nervously. "Who knows if those black-hearted deacons have accomplices? If you're overheard, you might be the next one to disappear!"

Jiang Youling tightened her grip on the Green Reed Grass and slowly looked toward the group.

Calculating the time, it should be about time for Senior Brother Xie to take action.

Had Zhao Cheng been caught?

And had they uncovered the person behind him?

"If it truly is the work of a deacon's disciple, then they must have someone backing them," a more senior handyman disciple said in a heavy voice. "Otherwise, where would they get the courage to abduct people right under the sect's nose? This matter is likely not simple."

"I heard that most of the missing disciples are those with mediocre talent and no relatives," someone added in a low voice. "Even if they truly vanish, no one will investigate deeply..."

At this, a chill ran through the crowd. A quick-witted disciple hurriedly said, "For the time being, it's best if we don't act alone. We should wait until this craze passes!"

"That makes sense. Better safe than sorry..."

The disciples felt a sense of dread and stopped discussing the matter, though the atmosphere became much more somber than before.

That day, Jiang Youling finished her work early and headed to Zhenyang Peak, where the true disciples resided, to look for Xie Jingxing.

Xie Jingxing was not there. Jiang Youling stood on the stone steps of Zhenyang Peak, the mountain wind whipping the corners of her clothes with a hint of chill.

She looked up at the sky; the sun had set, the twilight was rising, yet Xie Jingxing's cave dwelling remained empty.

After waiting for about half an hour, a figure finally appeared in the distance.

Dressed in a yellow robe with a cold and elegant countenance, Xie Jingxing was slightly startled when he saw Jiang Youling, but a look of realization quickly flashed in his eyes.

"Junior Sister Jiang?"

His tone was calm. "Are you here to see me regarding Zhao Cheng's matter?"

Jiang Youling bowed. "Senior Brother Xie, forgive my intrusion. I wanted to ask... has there been any progress regarding Zhao Cheng?"

Xie Jingxing's gaze tightened slightly. After a moment of silence, he stepped aside to let her in. "Come inside and let's talk."

The interior of the cave was simply furnished, with only a single spiritual lamp burning dimly on a desk, casting flickering shadows across the room. Xie Jingxing activated a soundproofing array before gesturing for Jiang Youling to sit.

"Since you came to ask personally, you must have heard the news."

His voice was low and solemn. "Zhao Cheng has indeed been caught, but the person behind him... is more difficult to deal with than expected."

Jiang Youling's heart tightened. "Who is it?"

Xie Jingxing tapped his fingers lightly on the desk, contemplating. "The person Zhao Cheng was meeting was a Foundation Establishment cultivator, but that person was merely a pawn. This matter involves sect secrets, and I shouldn't be telling you much. But since you are already involved, I won't hide it from you—following the trail, we discovered that a Golden Core True Person is involved behind the scenes."

"A Golden Core True Person?!"

Jiang Youling's pupils constricted, and her fingers unconsciously gripped her sleeves.

In the Taixuan Immortal Sect, Golden Core cultivators were the backbone of the sect and held high status. If even such figures were involved, the situation was far more serious than she had imagined.

"In any case, things have reached this point, and what follows is not something you or I can participate in. The Sect Master has also instructed me to focus on my cultivation and not get involved in this matter again."

Xie Jingxing frowned and sighed softly, offering a sincere suggestion.

"Although every disciple's residence is protected by restrictions that make it difficult for outsiders to enter... that Pine-Patterned Sword you are using as bait would be best sold early. A beginner in swordsmanship has no need for such a fine blade."

Jiang Youling nodded in agreement. "Since Senior Brother is a lover of swords, you may have this sword."

"Does Junior Sister truly think my family owns spiritual mines? I had to save up for a long time to buy 'Frost-Condensation'," Xie Jingxing laughed and shook his head. "However, I do know a few good buyers. If you trust me, why don't you bring the sword to me? Once it's sold, I will give the spirit stones to you."

A flash of cunning appeared in Jiang Youling's eyes. "Running back and forth is too much trouble. I'll have to trouble Senior Brother to accompany me to Baina Peak to collect the sword in person."

With a brief thought, Xie Jingxing understood her scheme: as long as people saw him personally taking the sword from her hands, those coveting the weapon would no longer harbor any ulterior motives.

"Fine."

Xie Jingxing stood up, deactivated the array, and walked out of the cave.

Jiang Youling quickly stood up to follow him to Baina Peak.

As soon as the disciple in yellow appeared, he attracted countless envious gazes.

This included Jiang Youling, who followed behind Xie Jingxing, drawing many stares as well.

Those gazes watched as the two entered a courtyard. When they emerged, the yellow-robed Senior Brother held an extraordinary sword in his hand, while the grey-robed girl behind him bowed and curtsied.

"A precious sword gifted to a beauty! Keeping this sword in Junior Sister's hands would only let such a treasure gather dust. Senior Brother is so imposing; this sword suits you perfectly!"

Xie Jingxing chuckled. He hadn't expected that while Junior Sister Jiang had a gentle and honest face, she possessed quite a few little schemes in her heart.

(End of Chapter)