After Transmigrating as an Immortal Master, I Hold a Group Meeting - Chapter 96

Qi Miancheng’s breakthrough to the mid-stage of Void Refinement was such a big event that even publishing a paper in Nature wouldn’t compare. The entire Supreme Clarity Sect was in an uproar—both inside and outside Heavenly Terrace Peak, crowds had gathered.

Purple banners bearing the sect’s emblem fluttered in the wind. Despite arriving late, Ning Mingmei found himself to be the last one to get there.

“Congratulations, Sect Master! A thousand blessings upon you!”

“To reach the Void Refinement realm at just over four hundred years old; truly unprecedented!”

An elder sighed in admiration, “If Divine Master Indifference knew that Sect Master had already reached the Void Refinement realm, he could finally rest at ease.”

In this world, a cultivator who achieves Divine Transformation is called an Immortal; at Divine Transformation perfection, a Sage. Void Refinement marks the rank of Spirit Master. Body Integration is True One, Great Ascension is Divine, and Tribulation Transcendence is Celestial.

Only by achieving Tribulation Transcendence and ascending through the Heavenly Gate could one become a True Immortal or True God.

However, the Heavenly Gate had long since collapsed. The spiritual energy of the lower realm was thin and no one had reached Tribulation Transcendence for countless years.

The Tribulation Transcendence was the height of power, yet also the most unstable; everything was prepared, awaiting only fate and the final heavenly trial. Once the moment came, there was only one path: ascension.

However, ascension required the Heavenly Gate.

And the Heavenly Gate had collapsed three times over, sealed shut.

Since then, a few scattered cultivators had still managed to reach Tribulation Transcendence. Their whereabouts, however, became uncertain, causing ever greater unease. People longed to know: could these paragons of cultivation still ascend? Could they break through the sealed Heavenly Gate?

Yet in the end, no one ever discovered their fate.

By the time Ning Mingmei and the others’ master, Spirit Master Indifference, stepped down as Sect Master of Supreme Clarity Sect, he had already entered Great Ascension. Out of habit, however, his disciples still addressed him as Spirit Master.

Above Great Ascension lay Tribulation Transcendence. After reaching Great Ascension, Spirit Master Indifference had withdrawn to the Heavenly Cave for seclusion and never reappeared.

“Come to think of it, we’ve all forgotten!” Several Grand Elders clapped their hands. “We must send word to the Divine Master Indifference!”

As if Qi Miancheng should cc the Heavenly Cave Business Group when broadcasting his ‘Sect Master Promotion Announcement.’

Qi Miancheng only smiled. “My master’s cave-dwelling isn’t far from Martial Uncle Voidless’s. He has already been informed and even sent a congratulatory gift.”

Indeed, it was earth-shattering news.

The grand hall was lively with endless chatter. Ning Mingmei, however, remained mostly quiet.

As everyone knew, when a room is full of people spouting empty words, adding a few more platitudes of your own does nothing to deepen social bonds.

So Ning Mingmei struck up conversations with a few hall masters nearby. These were heads of the sect’s cold-bench departments, pushed to the sidelines, smiling and clapping mechanically with the crowd.

A perfect opportunity for Mingmei to network.

Within half an hour, he had thoroughly exchanged views with Radiant Valor Hall Master who was in charge of martial arts arenas, Clarity Hall Master responsible for cleaning, Peace Hall Master who managed patrolling duties, and finally, in the last few minutes, with the Workers Hall Master.

“Elder Swordbearer,” the old hall master from Workers Hall greeted him. His eye sockets had sunk even deeper these past few days, making it easy to imagine he had been brooding over Ning Mingmei’s new administrative building proposal.

Ning Mingmei smiled. “Mm. Has Hall Master been keeping well these past days?”

The warmth of a client’s inquiry could chill one to the bone. The old man stammered, “I—I’ve been working on it.”

Ning Mingmei chuckled. “Come now, no need to be so polite, Hall Master. I wasn’t trying to rush your progress, merely to check on your health.”

Workers Hall Master: “…Heh heh.”

As if I’d believe that.

“…But in truth, a capable young outer sect disciple recently joined Workers Hall. Thanks to her, all of us have felt far more at ease!” At the mention of this new disciple, the Hall Master couldn’t stop praising.

“Oh?” Ning Mingmei raised his brows. “Is she that capable?”

“The rest of Workers Hall together couldn’t match even a tenth of her ability,” said the Hall Master, stroking his beard. “I’ve even made an exception for her, so she does not need to pass the year-end inner sect selection. She’ll enter the inner sect directly.”

Ning Mingmei smiled. “Hall Master, how generous of you.”

Everyone knew Workers Hall was hardly a desirable posting within the inner sect. If that girl’s goal in entering Workers Hall was just to slip into the inner sect, then in a few days…

However, the Hall Master caught his thought and shook his head. “No, no, no. She’s different from the rest.”

?

“She’s absolutely passionate about construction and architecture!” the Hall Master said with glowing pride. “And she has quite a fondness for Misty Peak. In a few days, I’ll bring her and the administrative building proposal up there, then you’ll meet her yourself, Peak Lord Ning.”

Ning Mingmei was still pondering this unusual figure when, amid the crowd, Qi Miancheng’s voice rang out, declaring that he was weary and everyone could now withdraw.

So the well-wishers drifted away in waves. Ning Mingmei stayed where he was.

As a direct junior brother, he ought to pay his respects personally.

Although he hadn’t planned to leave anyway, a Heavenly Terrace Peak disciple still came to fetch him, saying the Sect Master wished to speak in private.

When the hall cleared, only a few remained.

The Supreme Clarity Sect’s F5, plus Ning Mingmei.

Xiang Wuxing and Bai Ruoru looked delighted. The other two, Yin Xisheng and Fang Wuyu, wore faces of shadow and pallor. Yin Xisheng had the fragile beauty of a man beaten down by gossip; clearly, the recent rumors about him and a certain Hu Zi were taking their toll.

And from his expression, Ning Mingmei read more than a little frustration.

Qi Miancheng was now mid-Stage Void Refinement, while Yin Xisheng had only just reached Divine Transformation perfection. The gap between them grew wider by the day.

As for Fang Wuyu, his face was dark as thunderclouds.

Fang Wuyu had always revered Spirit Master Indifference, felt deep gratitude toward Qi Miancheng, harbored fondness for Bai Ruoru, Xiang Wuxing, and Yin Xisheng, but his truest, fiercest devotion was to the Supreme Clarity Sect itself and the Fang Wuyu dynasty.

Qi Miancheng’s ascension was good for the sect, and so good for him.

However, Ning Mingmei’s growing influence within that picture worried him bitterly.

During the demon concubine’s massacre, Fang Wuyu had been a child, witness to all the devastation. Since then, he had never approved of their master bringing back a cultivation furnace for Qi Miancheng.

Yet both Master and Martial Uncle were resolute; he had been powerless to oppose it.

Still, the first time he laid eyes on Ning Mingmei, an unaccountable disgust welled up in him. And Fang Wuyu had always loathed the idea of a cultivation furnace.

His attachment to the Supreme Clarity Sect was deep. He kept his distance from Ning Mingmei, carefully avoiding any sense of brotherhood, so that when Mingmei caused trouble, it would not pain him to act.

His one comfort was that Qi Miancheng, whom he deeply revered, had never touched Ning Mingmei. Fang Wuyu assumed this was thanks to Qi Miancheng’s lofty, self-disciplined virtue, and he respected and loved him all the more for it.

Who could have foreseen that after Ning Mingmei left seclusion, the two grew steadily closer? And now, in the past few days, the sect was awash with outrageous rumors.

What’s more, Ning Mingmei himself was not the same as before… Although Fang Wuyu didn’t yet know what Ning Mingmei was plotting, he was certain that behind those glasses lay a hidden malice.

He was surely planning something big.

“Sit down, my junior brothers and sisters,” Qi Miancheng said. “I’m still recovering from my wounds, so I’ll just say a few words.”

They all sat. Only Fang Wuyu kept his eyes fixed on Ning Mingmei.

…And then watched, incredulous, as Ning Mingmei requested several cushions and a cup of hot tea.

?

Wasn’t this supposed to be just a few words?

Of course, the Sect Master’s version of ‘a few words’ began with childhood memories of the six of them, wound through years of struggle, and expanded into a full-blown lecture on gratitude, perseverance, and staying true to one’s original heart.

Fang Wuyu was soon moved to tears, while also squirming on the hard wooden chair.

And because Qi Miancheng had insisted it would be brief, the door hadn’t been shut. The high altitude winds of Heavenly Terrace Peak howled straight through the chamber.

Glancing sideways, Fang Wuyu saw Ning Mingmei, cozily sunk into his cushions, sipping hot tea… tea that Fang Wuyu himself had once brought from the mortal realm and gifted to the Sect Master and his peers.

…So why was Ning Mingmei so well-practiced at this?!

How did he know, right from the start, that this ‘brief talk’ would be anything but brief?

Only Yin Xisheng looked sickly; still weak from his recent illness, sitting there too long seemed to be making him worse again. Ning Mingmei eyed him, half-suspecting that Qi Miancheng’s real strategy for eliminating rivals was subjecting them to endless principal-style speeches in the cold wind.

At last, Qi Miancheng finished. Bai Ruoru and Xiang Wuxing were already in tears; even Fang Wuyu’s eyes shone wet. Yin Xisheng, though eaten up with jealousy, was nonetheless moved, his gaze rimmed red.

Qi Miancheng said, “That’s about all for today. My body isn’t well. Junior Brother Xiang, come by again tomorrow and we’ll discuss matters of the Fiend Realm.”

“Of course!” Xiang Wuxing answered.

“And Junior Brother Ning, stay behind.”

The Supreme Clarity Sect’s F4 filed out. Bai Ruoru and Xiang Wuxing each patted Ning Mingmei’s shoulder, a gesture of encouragement. Yin Xisheng, too exhausted to quip, was carried off by disciples from Jade Pavilion Peak for emergency oxygen the moment he stepped outside.

Only Fang Wuyu lingered, pausing at the door to cast a glance back at Ning Mingmei.

Ning Mingmei twitched his brows.

Oh dear.

“Junior Brother Mingmei,” Qi Miancheng’s voice came from behind, “come sit by me.”

Obediently, Ning Mingmei went over and sat. He raised his hand lightly. “Congratulations on your promotion, Senior Brother.”

Qi Miancheng smiled. “Besides that, is there nothing else you wish to say or to ask?”

Ning Mingmei: “Good news of your promotion warms the ear, heartfelt blessings bind our camaraderie.”

Qi Miancheng: …

Ning Mingmei: “May Senior Brother’s future be as splendid as brocade, rising step by step, success without end.”

Qi Miancheng: …

Ning Mingmei: “Your promotion is but one small step for you, but one great leap for the Supreme Clarity Sect. It was made possible by your diligence, by your steadfastness to your original heart. May promotions follow promotions, and good fortune continues without cease. To mark the moment, I’d like to compose a poem—”

Qi Miancheng quietly withdrew the hand he’d been about to place on Ning Mingmei’s.

Ning Mingmei’s expression never changed. Qi Miancheng studied him for a long while before sighing. “Junior Brother, I woke too late and you’ve suffered grievances because of it.”

Qi Miancheng had a way of steering conversations neatly back to his chosen track.

Ning Mingmei said solemnly, “For young people entering the workplace, hardship is normal. ‘Sharpening the blade by grinding, the fragrance of plum blossoms emerging from the bitter cold.’ What Martial Uncle gave me was not a burden, but an opportunity to gain experience, a blessing, and the motivation to grow. Youth grows through adversity. Without weathering storms, how can one see a rainbow? No one succeeds casually. Cherish every moment of life; embrace your dear friends with warmth.”

And with a perfectly blank face, he leaned over and gave Qi Miancheng a brief hug.

…A very brief one, quickly withdrawn.

Qi Miancheng stiffened at the contact. But when Ning Mingmei let go, he lowered his eyes, and for a moment, there was something almost profound in his expression.

“I heard from Junior Brother Xiang about that day. Spirit Master Voidless pressed hard, but you stood your ground, fearless.”

“When I’m not the same as the world, then let me be different. For me, persistence means meeting steel with steel,” Ning Mingmei replied.

Qi Miancheng fixed him with a long look, and then suddenly smiled. “Now that I’ve woken, I won’t allow you to suffer grievance any longer. Junior Brother, whatever you wish to do, go ahead and do it.”

“It’s no matter, Senior Brother. I’ll likely be staying within the Supreme Clarity Sect for some time.” Ning Mingmei didn’t so much as blink. “I wouldn’t want to trouble Senior Brother.”

Of course, it was for the administrative building project.

Who doesn’t keep an eye on their renovation crew?

Qi Miancheng nodded. “That works well. I’ll also remain here for now. In fact, there’s one matter I’ve not told the others. This breakthrough consumed much. My realm is unsteady and my body bears injuries… Ah, once again, I show Junior Brother my frailty.”

As he spoke, a fresh trickle of blood slipped from the corner of his mouth.

…Here we go again.

Ning Mingmei: “…Senior Brother’s devotion to duty truly makes you a model for us all.”

However, Qi Miancheng’s strength was clearly flagging. He leaned against the bench and Ning Mingmei rose to leave.

As he turned, Qi Miancheng spoke again. “Junior Brother.”

“Yes?”

“No need to look back. But Spirit Master Voidless’s matter reminded me of something…”

“If one day I should suddenly fall… or lapse into endless coma, leaving the Sect Master’s seat empty—”

“I would leave that seat to you. What do you think?”

Ning Mingmei didn’t turn. “Senior Brother, what are you saying?” he replied. “May you live long, healthy, and strong. With you as Sect Master, I can serve steadily as Elder Swordbearer.”

There was a silence. Then behind him came Qi Miancheng’s voice, soft and amused.

“Junior Brother, you do have a way with words.”

Outside the courtyard, evening has arrived. The white plum tree in Qi Miancheng’s yard had finished blooming. In its place, a sweep of bright blossoms had come into bloom, a whole stand of silk-tree flowers.

“If I remember right, silk-tree is sometimes called the ghost tree,” someone muttered.

Silk-tree pollen is poisonous.

The moment Ning Mingmei stepped through the gate, he felt an odd sensation.

Qi Miancheng had told him not to turn back because perhaps he wanted to look at Ning Mingmei’s back or…

Perhaps, if he didn’t see his face, he could get closer to his soul.

“Ning Mingmei.”

That voice was not Qi Miancheng’s at all, but Fang Wuyu’s.

Ning Mingmei: “I didn’t expect Senior Brother Fang to be waiting. I suppose you plan to send me back to Misty Peak?”

Fang Wuyu’s proud face darkened like the bottom of a black cauldron.

“What did you and the Sect Master do at Liuyue Lake?” Fang Wuyu stared at him. “Why did the Sect Master fall ill the moment he returned?”

Ning Mingmei said nothing.

Fang Wuyu scoffed coldly. “Everyone in the Supreme Clarity Sect says your temperament changed after you emerged from seclusion. Misty Peak is not what it used to be. Those new tricks and frivolous gadgets are odd, but I see it now: you have designs. Ning Mingmei, don’t try to threaten the Supreme Clarity Sect,” Fang Wuyu said. “I’ll find out what you want to do and how you plan to do it. If you dare… just try.”

Ning Mingmei replied, cool as a mirror, “Senior Brother Fang, when you target me so, are you speaking as Peak Lord of White Cloud Peak, as a member of the Fang Wuyu Dynasty of the mortal realm, or simply as yourself?”

“Does it matter?” Fang Wuyu’s retort was clipped.

Ning Mingmei, unperturbed, said, “From your behavior, I might think you’ve long harbored affection for Senior Brother Qi, but are trapped by propriety and fear to speak. So you try to make life difficult for me, the cultivation furnace, who by right, may draw near to Senior Brother Qi.”

Fang Wuyu: ….

Fang Wuyu: ………

“What nonsense are you spouting?!” Fang Wuyu lost his composure.

Of course, Fang Wuyu did not love Qi Miancheng, but the suggestion was so filthy and so belittling that it unnerved him. For a moment, he was quite out of sorts.

Ning Mingmei pressed the point, “You wouldn’t want your feelings for Senior Brother Qi discovered, would you? How might he view you then?”

“You’re talking rubbish!” Fang Wuyu snapped.

Ning Mingmei not only spoke nonsense, but he turned it into a new round of “You wouldn’t want to… would you?”

Fang Wuyu stood gaping.

“I don’t like men!” he snarled, grinding his teeth. Moments later, flushed with shame and anger, he snapped, “Fine. That is all you can do, then.”

“My skillset is richer than Senior Brother imagines,” Ning Mingmei said. “Would you like a demonstration?”

As he spoke, his eyes angled under his glasses; the lenses caught the light so that his long, curled lashes seemed to hold dew. The upward sweep of his outer eyes was like a stroke of ink sketching spring scenery; cold and gorgeous, a little mocking like a blade, yet also like a red plum in snow.

Fang Wuyu froze.

“…How vulgar your words are!” Fang Wuyu then retreated a few paces in horror. “You—how dare you!”

Earlier, when Fang Wuyu confronted Ning Mingmei, he had been icy and proud. Now, his neck flushed scarlet.

Ning Mingmei: …

His eyes were as blank as snow.

What kind of cultivation world was this, where everyone’s mind ran straight to filthy fantasies?

“I meant the grand conference between the Supreme Clarity Sect and Smoky Cloud Tower,” Ning Mingmei said. “Senior Brother Fang, what were you thinking just now…” He tugged at the corner of his mouth and let a merciless, mocking smile spread; a hooked, colored dash of malice.

Fang Wuyu’s pride was pulled and torn by that smile. He rolled his shoulders and after a moment, humiliation flared into righteous fury on his face. “Perhaps.” He snapped back to arrogance. “The conference approaches. I want to see what use your little tricks are. It’s disciples’ strength that matters.”

Ning Mingmei: “Is that so? These days, Smoky Cloud Tower’s disciples have been staying on White Cloud Peak. Senior Brother Fang must know them well. White Cloud is the second peak of the sect. Surely you feel certain of victory.”

Fang Wuyu said coldly, “In seven days, the Supreme Clarity Sect and Smoky Cloud Tower will hold their conference. We’ll see then.”

We’ll see.

By then, I’ll tear your arrogance off and grind it into the ground.

“Senior Brother Fang, if you want to watch, I won’t make it free.” Ning Mingmei paused, then added, “Senior Brother Fang, do you dare bet? With real stakes.”

Author’s note:

Because of Jinjiang’s quoting rules, here I include a note:

“Without weathering storms, how can one see a rainbow? No one succeeds casually. Cherish every moment of life; embrace your dear friends with warmth” — from the song True Hero. |43|

“When I’m not the same as the world, then let me be different. For me, persistence means meeting steel with steel” — from the song Stubborn. |44|

Good news: Top and Bottom embraced—sweet, yes.

The evil cat is about to receive an investment channel.