19: Chapter 19: The Sect Leader's Gaze

Main Peak, Lingxiao Hall.

This is the heart of power within the Qingheng Sect. The air is filled with sandalwood incense a hundred times thicker than that on Hengchuan Peak, along with a suffocating, overbearing pressure.

The atmosphere at today's routine meeting is somewhat subtle.

On both sides of the long table, the Elders from various peaks sit upright, with a cup of steaming Spirit Tea placed in front of each person.

But the fragrance of the tea cannot mask the gunpowder-like tension within.

"...In summary, the recent actions of Hengchuan Peak are highly suspicious."

Law Enforcement Elder Lu Guhuai stands at the end of the long table, holding a recorded Jade Slip in his hand, his gaze sinister. "The combat damage rate has plummeted, yet benefits have inexplicably increased. Furthermore, that menial Disciple named Shen Xingzhou has concocted an unheard-of 'ledger logic'."

He places the Jade Slip on the table with a crisp sound.

"This old one believes this is not merely for survival. It is more like... gathering strength, or rather, challenging the authority of the Sect."

A fat Elder sitting nearby immediately chimes in, his voice shrill:

"Exactly! Hengchuan Peak is a place that needed rectifying, yet now it's become all flashy and pretentious, making people restless. In my opinion, we should just cancel that so-called 'pilot program', drag that Shen Xingzhou here, and give him a sound beating to dampen his spirit, so he doesn't get too big for his boots!"

"Seconded."

Another Elder scoffs coldly, "A mere ant in the Spirit Gathering Realm, and he dares to talk about management? If everyone were like him, who would obey orders in the future?"

Objections rise one after another.

In the eyes of these old geezers, Hengchuan Peak is just a piece of fat meat, or trash that should be discarded; the only thing they won't allow is for it to grow its own teeth.

At the head of the long table, Sect Leader Ning Chenzhou remains silent.

He wears a moon-white robe with cloud patterns embroidered on the cuffs, appearing as gentle as jade, completely out of place among this group of aged lackeys.

He is idly twirling a spirit pen in his hand, the slender shaft spinning into a blur between his long fingers.

His gaze does not seem to focus on anything, as if he is lost in thought.

Until Lu Guhuai adds one last sentence:

"Sect Head, if this matter is not strictly investigated, I fear the rules of the Sect will be undermined."

The pen in Ning Chenzhou's hand stops.

Clack.

The tip of the pen gently taps against the tabletop.

"Rules."

He softly repeats the word. His voice is not loud, but it instantly silences the noisy hall.

"Rules are dead, but people are alive. If Hengchuan Peak were to truly collapse, who among you would take responsibility for this mess of a debt?"

He lifts his eyelids, his eyes, deep as pool water, sweeping across the crowd before finally landing on the attendant at the entrance of the hall.

"Call that Shen Xingzhou in."

"Since he has made such a fuss with his accounting, I would like to see what exactly is written in this ledger."

...

Shen Xingzhou stands outside the massive carved wooden doors of Lingxiao Hall and takes a deep breath.

Inside the door is the highest seat of power in the Qingheng Sect; outside is a bottomless abyss that he could fall into at any moment.

He adjusts his washed-out gray robe and silently chants in his mind:

"Don't speak out of turn. Don't look around. Don't show weakness."

"Remember, you are just an accountant scrambling to crunch numbers to stay alive, not some savior."

"Summoned—the temporary person-in-charge of Hengchuan Peak, Shen Xingzhou, to have an audience."

With a long, drawn-out announcement, the great doors slowly open.

Shen Xingzhou lowers his head and walks in with measured, steady steps. Every step he takes on the gold-brick floor feels like walking on the edge of a blade.

Upon reaching the center of the hall, he respectfully performs a deep bow.

"Disciple Shen Xingzhou pays respects to the Sect Head and all the Elders."

"Look up." Ning Chenzhou's voice comes from above—clear, gentle, yet carrying an irresistible penetrating power.

Shen Xingzhou looks up. He sees the young Sect Head sitting in the seat of honor.

He looks even younger than the legends suggest, lacking the weathered aura of an old man with a white beard; instead, he looks more like a scholar.

But he only glances for a second before immediately averting his gaze, not daring to look directly at him.

"I hear you've concocted some... SOP thing?" an Elder to the side questions sharply. "And what is this 'performance' nonsense? What kind of crooked heresy is this? Who taught you this?"

Shen Xingzhou's heart skips a beat, but he maintains that dull, honest expression on his face.

"Replying to the Elder, no one taught me."

He pauses, his voice slightly trembling but his words clear, "This Disciple just feels... I don't want to die. Since I don't want to die, I must calculate how to live. If I calculate a few more numbers, perhaps I can live one more day."

"Just to survive, you can arbitrarily change the rules?" Law Enforcement Elder Lu Guhuai coldly interrupts. "That 'Karma flow explanation' of yours is practically treating Karma as child's play!"

"That was... that was a desperate move by this Disciple." Shen Xingzhou lowers his head, feigning fear. "Hengchuan Peak lacks resources. If this Disciple didn't record those hidden contributions, everyone would have nothing to eat. This is not modifying the rules, it is merely... merely seeking a sliver of life in the cracks."

This answer is half-true and half-false, focusing on the persona of being "weak, pitiful, helpless, but capable." This is the camouflage he uses to survive in this cultivation world.

Ning Chenzhou has not spoken. He reaches out and picks up the "Hengchuan Peak Field Report" that was submitted, handwritten by Shen Xingzhou.

It is a stack of rough paper, the edges even slightly frayed. But the content on it makes the Sect Head's gaze linger for a long time.

Ning Chenzhou slowly flips through the pages. His fingertips glide over the lines.

The cliff-like drop in the combat damage rate; the time breakdown charts for field missions; the value estimation table for recycled scrap resources. Those red and black lines, dense and intricate, look like a massive web.

"These charts... did you draw them yourself?" Ning Chenzhou suddenly speaks, his voice less nonchalant and more inquisitive.

"Yes, this Disciple drew them personally." Shen Xingzhou answers honestly. "To make it easier for everyone to understand, this Disciple converted the complex Qi fluctuations into line segments."

Ning Chenzhou closes the report and taps his fingers lightly against the cover. Then, he finally looks directly, for the first time seriously observing the dusty figure in the center of the hall.

The gaze is not sharp, yet it feels like a scalpel, as if it wants to dissect Shen Xingzhou's skin to see what kind of Soul is hidden inside.

"Shen Xingzhou." Ning Chenzhou says slowly, "do you think this... System can only be used on Hengchuan Peak?"

Boom—This question strikes like a thunderbolt, exploding in Shen Xingzhou's ears.

This is no mere question. It is clearly a "trap of praise", or rather, a "death trap".

If he says "it can only be used there," it means he is unambitious and wasting resources. If he says "the whole Sect can use it," it is arrogance; it means he wants to change the world and is challenging the interests of the entire Council of Elders.

Shen Xingzhou's brain races, sweat seeping from his back. Just then, the System interface before his eyes suddenly expands, forcibly overriding his vision.

[Warning: High-level Decision Judgment]

[Simulation Option A: Promote to Entire Sect]

Answer: "This method is the foundation for eternal prosperity, enough to make the entire Sect flourish!"

Consequence Prediction: Sect Head Interest: Extremely High (viewed as talent); Council of Elders Reaction: Extremely hostile (threatens their interests); Heavenly Dao Monitoring Level: +20% (maxed out, viewed as Heaven-Defying); Host Outcome: High probability of being assassinated during the promotion process, or directly erased by the Heavenly Dao.

[Simulation Option B: Pilot Only on Hengchuan Peak]

Answer: "This method is only suitable for wretches in the same miserable boat; it is not fit for the big stage."

Consequence Prediction: Sect Head Interest: Retained (viewed as an interesting experiment); Council of Elders Reaction: Contempt, ridicule (cease attacks); Heavenly Dao Monitoring Level: Maintain status quo (15%); Host Outcome: Continue to lay low and develop on Hengchuan Peak, accumulating initial capital.

[System Suggestion: Please choose the truth you speak carefully. Choose wrong and you die.]

Shen Xingzhou looks at these two charts and sneers inwardly. If he were to be greedy for merit and rashly say "promote to the entire Sect" now, he would just be tired of living.

Right now, he has no sword, no power, only a broken System. If he were really to reform the entire Sect, he wouldn't have enough heads for those Elders to chop off, even if he had a hundred.

Hengchuan Peak is his sanctuary, but also his cage. For now, he must remain in the cage.

He takes a deep breath, looks up, and reveals a bitter, fearful smile.

"Sect Head, please be discerning." Shen Xingzhou bows, his voice extremely sincere.

"This System, being used on Hengchuan Peak, is because we are poor and have no other choice; it is a final means of self-rescue."

"This method is bitter and exhausting; it requires crunching numbers every day and treating people like livestock. If other peaks..."

He glances at the well-dressed Elders around him and shakes his head.

"Other peaks have good resources, a strong foundation, and countless Genius Disciples. They only need to meditate, go into seclusion, and comprehend the Dao; they don't need to be like us, fighting tooth and nail over a few pieces of scrap iron."

"If it were forcibly promoted, it would only... offend the eyes of the Elders and ruin the cultivation state of mind of the Senior Brothers and Senior Sisters."

This speech praises the entire Sect while belittling himself. He describes the so-called "advanced System" as a "desperate measure for the poor."

A burst of scoffing suddenly rings out in the hall.

"Did you hear that? The kid himself says it's a poor man's method."

"Hmph, I said as much. How could such a thing ever be presentable?"

"A waste of time."

The hostility on the faces of the Elders fades, replaced by disdain and a sense of superiority.

This is correct. To the big shots, a smart ant is not scary; what is scary is an ant that wants to become an elephant.

Since this ant says, "I just want to be an ant; this skin is just to survive in the trash heap," then the big shots can't be bothered to crush him.

Ning Chenzhou looks at Shen Xingzhou, the corners of his mouth slightly curling into an imperceptible arc.

He hears the "little schemes" in these words, but he also hears the "truth" within them.

This young man is clever and knows how to advance or retreat. Most importantly, not only does he not want to be a hero, but he is also desperately trying to hide himself.

"A desperate measure, is it?" Ning Chenzhou tosses the report back onto the table and taps his fingers lightly against the surface.

"It is quite fitting."

He ponders for a moment, his gaze sweeping across the Elders again before finally settling on Shen Xingzhou.

"Since you believe this method can only be used on Hengchuan Peak..."

"Then let us treat you as a pilot project for now."

"Since it is a 'desperate measure,' I will neither help you nor hinder you."

Ning Chenzhou says indifferently, "As long as Hengchuan Peak's combat debts can be repaid, and as long as you don't cause any more trouble for the Sect, you may keep your accounts however you wish."

"Thank you, Sect Head! Thank you, Elders!"

Shen Xingzhou bows again, his forehead pressing against the cold floor, the heavy stone in his heart finally dropping.

He knows he has passed this hurdle. Moreover, he has obtained an amulet called "Official Pilot Project."

"You may withdraw."

Shen Xingzhou, as if granted amnesty, steps backward and exits the hall.

Only after walking out of the great doors and having his face buffeted by the mountain wind does he realize his back is soaked through.

[System Notification:]

[Sect Head Attitude: Wait-and-see (Slightly positive)]

[Current Evaluation: Interesting tool.]

[Hengchuan Peak Tag: Official Pilot Project (Hidden)]

Effect: The Law Enforcement Hall cannot arbitrarily ban the System on the grounds of "violating regulations" (unless it causes a major incident).

Side Effect: Must submit a "satisfactory report" within three months.

Shen Xingzhou stands on the steps of the Main Peak, looking at the cloud-shrouded Hengchuan Peak in the distance.

Although he has obtained the amulet, he feels the burden on his shoulders has become heavier.

A pilot project. This means he is now in the open. Furthermore, he is no longer transparent in the eyes of the Sect Head.

"Ning Chenzhou..." he whispers the name.

This person's gaze is too terrifying. In that moment just now, Shen Xingzhou even had the illusion that the System inside his body had been partially seen through by that gaze.

"Whatever." Shen Xingzhou adjusts his robes.

"Since I'm here, I'll settle in."

"Since you want to watch me act, I will put on an earth-shattering show for you to see."

He turns and walks towards the foot of the mountain. Although his steps are heavy, they are much firmer than when he arrived.

Because at this moment, he is not just fighting for his own survival. He is attempting to use this desperate method to pry open this massive and decaying Sect.