I Can Add Points Infinitely - Chapter 47
“An invitation?”
Shen Lian received the invitation with a hint of suspicion, waving his hand to dismiss the female disciple.
Opening it, he found the contents straightforward, merely inviting him to a banquet at the third quarter of the You hour that evening. The sender’s name was Fang Nan.
“Fang Nan?”
Shen Lian repeated the name, realizing he had no recollection of it. Not only did he not know this person, but it was also the first time he had heard the name.
“Who is this Fang Nan? Why would he suddenly send me an invitation?” Shen Lian murmured.
“Fang Nan?”
Upon hearing the name, Yun Xiong’s expression changed slightly, and he said in a low voice, “If I recall correctly, the first-ranked core disciple of our Azure Cloud Sect is named Fang Nan.”
“The senior brother? Why would he suddenly send me an invitation?”
Shen Lian turned to Yun Xiong.
Yun Xiong thought for a moment and said, “Maybe he wants to recruit you.”
“The core disciples have their own circle. Although I’ve been in the sect for a long time and advanced to a true disciple, I don’t know much about them.”
“I’ve only heard some rumors on the side.”
“The core disciples seem to be divided into two factions, one led by Senior Brother Fang Nan.”
“Perhaps… they’ve heard about you becoming a new core disciple and want to meet and talk?”
“Hmm…”
After listening to Yun Xiong’s guess, Shen Lian nodded and said, “That’s probably the case.”
Shen Lian had also learned a lot about the core disciples’ internal affairs from the inner sect steward before, so he felt Yun Xiong’s judgment was likely correct.
“This Senior Brother has quite the network. Should I go meet him?”
Shen Lian hesitated.
“I think you should go,” Yun Xiong suggested. “Core disciples will be assigned to guard the sect’s external industries. Eventually, you’ll have to start interacting.”
“Meeting early will allow you to gauge things in advance.”
“Alright.”
Shen Lian nodded.
Yun Xiong continued, “Actually, the reason we came today was not just to congratulate you on becoming a core disciple but also about the assignment.”
“When core disciples take on guarding tasks, they have the right to select sect disciples to assist them.”
“We’ve discussed it among ourselves and would like to go with you.”
“Huh?”
Shen Lian was taken aback. “But I haven’t received an assignment yet.”
“Haha, there’s no rush. You’ll get one sooner or later. We just wanted to let you know in advance. Are you willing?” Yun Xiong laughed.
“I’d be more than happy to have my senior brothers assisting me. It would certainly lighten my burden,” Shen Lian replied earnestly.
“Great.”
“Hahaha… It looks like we’ll be taking orders from our little junior brother from now on.”
Seeing Shen Lian agree, Yun Xiong laughed heartily.
Azure Cloud Sect’s ordinary disciples weren’t allowed to handle tasks related to sect industries unless specifically requested by a core disciple.
Yun Xiong and the others were also eager to take this opportunity to gain experience and add a valuable entry to their cultivation resumes.
After chatting for a while longer, Yun Xiong and the others stood up to take their leave.
Shen Lian escorted them to the courtyard gate before returning to his quiet chamber to meditate.
As the evening approached, nearing the third quarter of the hour, Shen Lian mounted his sword and departed Luoxia Peak, heading toward Xiangyong Town.
Fang Nan had arranged the banquet at a restaurant in town—the same one where Shen Lian had previously celebrated with Yun Xiong and the others.
After all, Xiangyong Town was small, and this was the only decent restaurant.
Arriving early at the restaurant, Shen Lian inquired with the shopkeeper and made his way to the second-floor private room, only to find it empty—Fang Nan had yet to arrive.
Since it was not yet time, Shen Lian sat down to wait.
However, after another two quarters of an hour had passed, reaching the appointed time on the invitation, Fang Nan was still nowhere to be seen.
Shen Lian’s brows furrowed.
As the host, having the guest arrive only to be left waiting was unacceptable.
Suppressing his irritation, Shen Lian waited another quarter of an hour.
Still, no one showed up.
Finally showing signs of displeasure, Shen Lian stood, ready to leave.
Just then, the door creaked open.
Two young men walked in.
They weren’t wearing the standard Azure Cloud Sect robes but rather fine clothing, like wealthy young masters.
However, the aura emanating from them was exceptionally strong.
Shen Lian’s spiritual sense swept over them, and he quickly discerned their cultivation levels.
One was at the fifth level of the Golden Core stage, while the other was slightly weaker at the fourth level of the Foundation Establishment stage.
“Hey? This must be Junior Brother Shen Lian, right? What’s this, are you leaving?”
The Golden Core stage youth saw Shen Lian rise and spoke.
Shen Lian frowned at them and replied calmly, “I thought I got the date wrong. I’ve been sitting here alone for ages without seeing anyone.”
“Ah…”
The youth scratched his head and laughed, “Haha, apologies, apologies, Junior Brother Shen. Got caught up with something, kept you waiting. Please, have a seat.”
“It’s fine.”
Seeing the other’s somewhat polite attitude, Shen Lian suppressed his annoyance, nodded reluctantly, and sat back down.
“I wonder why Senior Brother Fang Nan invited me here?”
After they sat, Shen Lian asked directly.
“Oh, you’ve misunderstood,” said the Golden Core youth, shaking his head. “I’m not Fang Nan.”
“Senior Brother is busy and doesn’t have time to handle small matters like this, so I’m here on his behalf.”
Upon hearing this, the slight relaxation in Shen Lian’s expression instantly turned cold again.
The youth, however, didn’t seem to notice Shen Lian’s mood and continued speaking, “I’m Chu Mingxu, ranked third among the core disciples. You can call me Third Senior Brother or Senior Brother Chu.”
“Oh, so it’s Third Senior Brother.”
Shen Lian looked at him coldly.
At this point, even a fool could tell that the other party didn’t hold Shen Lian in high regard, displaying an arrogant attitude.
With such an attitude, Shen Lian naturally wouldn’t bother with pleasantries.
“So, what exactly does Third Senior Brother wish to discuss?” Shen Lian asked calmly, emphasizing the words “small matters.”
“It’s simple.”
Chu Mingxu still wore an arrogant expression. “Senior Brother’s intention is for you to align with us.”
“In the future, we’ll support each other. We can also allocate some resources to you, helping you advance faster.”
“Haha… I see…”
Shen Lian suddenly flashed a bright smile and stared at Chu Mingxu, saying, “It’s a pity. I’m too foolish and incapable of serving Senior Brother Fang Nan. Better keep those precious resources for others who are more deserving.”
With that, Shen Lian stood to leave.
Passing by Chu Mingxu’s side, the latter sat calmly, not attempting to stop him.
Instead, in a slightly lower tone, he said, “Junior Brother Shen, you’d better think this through. The core disciples’ circle is deep water. A single misstep could drown you. Mutual support is the only way to stay safe. Understand?”
“Don’t worry, Third Senior Brother. I’ll be extra careful. Even if I drown, I’ll make sure to drag a few down with me.”
Shen Lian replied coldly before striding out of the room without looking back.
“Heh…”
Chu Mingxu sneered, his eyes full of contempt.
“Senior Brother, by driving him away like that, won’t Senior Brother Fang Nan be displeased? If he blames us…”
The other youth, who had remained silent until now, spoke softly, looking a bit worried.
“What’s there to be displeased about? He’s just a mere Foundation Establishment stage cultivator.”
Chu Mingxu scoffed. “I don’t know what Senior Brother Fang Nan is thinking, asking me to invite someone like him and to be courteous about it?”
“He’s only at the Foundation Establishment stage. What good is he?”
“You’d better remember this too—don’t complicate things like Senior Brother Fang Nan, who’s spent too much time mingling with worldly princes and now overthinks everything.”
“We’re no longer mortals. In the world of cultivation, only one thing matters: strength. Understand?”
“To earn my recognition, at the very least, you need Golden Core level strength. Foundation Establishment? Hah…”
Chu Mingxu sneered.
The youth beside him nodded helplessly, remaining silent.