Path of the Sect Leader

Chapter 100: Scripture Pavilion Complete

Aboard the beast-drawn boat from Artifact Talisman League to Shandu Mountains, Qi Xiu's brows knotted tight.

Bai Xiaosheng's whispered tip lingered, unrelated to Chu Qin directly, but a shadow over Black River's fragile peace long-term.

Chu Youguang—that old coot, late in years—teaming with White Mountain desperados, running underground black market dealings in the market shadows.

Black markets? Qi Xiu knew the rumors, never the real grit. Back in old Chu Qin days, frequenting Clear River Market—heard whispers of one lurking there. Too low-realm to breach the veil. Places peddling shady goods: loot from murder-robberies, banned sect secrets, forbidden arts, even flesh trade—dual cultivation vessels. Nothing clean.

Cheap prices on tainted wares drew crowds regardless. Chu Youguang in it? Pure profit chase. But clientele—cutthroats all—fights, vendettas inevitable. Black River Peak close enough for spillover. Couldn't ignore.

Bai Xiaosheng, worldly from White Mountain wanderings, got tapped by Chu Youguang for appraisals—fakes, origins. Spilled the beans that way. Markets gotta trade; no iron secret to insiders. Chu Qin walked straight paths—no overlap.

South Chu Sect, Guanghui Pavilion turned blind eyes. Qi Xiu's reach? Short. Warned Zhan Yuan, He Yu: caution around Chu Youguang's crowd. Keep distance.

Parting shot: Bai Xiaosheng thumped chest—three years, guest elder fixing sect mess. He Yu's guidance? On him. Exactly what Qi Xiu wanted. No arguments.

...

Back at Immortal Forest Valley, scripture pavilion halfway up. Chu Qin flush now—no skimping mindset. Qi Xiu aimed legacy, enduring generations.

Outer walls: first-tier spirit bricks—fire-water proof, warding heart demons. One brick: second-tier spirit stone. Layered with premium second-tier Water Moon Light-Splitting Array. Hired mid-grade builder and array master from Artifact Talisman City to oversee.

Full two-story build? Forty third-tier stones drained. Chu Qin's crown jewel structure.

"Sect Leader... bit much spending?"

Zhang Shishi voiced it mid-tour.

Qi Xiu winced inward. Windfall high—splurge logic then. Stones flowing out? Old hardship scars ached. Small sect habits died hard.

"No skimping here. Pavilion's got purpose..."

Builder Jin overheard, stepped in grinning.

"Enlighten us?"

Qi Xiu bowed polite. Jin beamed, head swaying sage-like.

"Scripture halls—second only to forbidden vaults in any sect. Tomes inside? Generations' hoard, house secrets. Lose land, people—sect limps on. Lose lineage? What's left?"

Sound reasoning. Stabbed Chu Qin's sore spot dead center.

Flowing Flower wipeout years back—pavilion fallen, Qin Siwen snatched old leader's bequest. Tossed Qi Xiu scraps later: low-tier arts, buyable anywhere Qi Cloud. Real exclusives? Dowry into Huanghou An clan via marriage.

Chu Qin's own uniques now? Half-manual Spirit Monkey Movement from Gu Ji—barely first-tier technique. Next Chu Huixin or founder Qin Lie caliber innovator? Pipe dream.

Glance swapped with Zhang Shishi—heavy, wry smiles masking awkward. Brushed off Builder Jin. Mood soured, Qi Xiu retreated to thatched hall. Settled meditation, delving Chu Huixin-revised Fortune Steering and Calamity Dodging Art.

Illuminate Heart and See Nature Art: introspection, self-reflection mirroring others' minds. Chu Huixin's natal twists aided steady climbers like Qi Xiu—solid gains.

This sequel? Whole different beast. Prerequisite: master daoist fortune, feng shui, fate, divination basics. Entry barred otherwise. Then? Flashes of insight piercing heaven's veil—observation, intuition taxed brutal.

Qi Xiu struggled. Cramming hexes endless, forcing unsharpened wits. Three orifices open helped—Illuminate Self-Heart bolstered. Red-Bottomed Horse Monkey's yin-yang knack stirred faint. Progress crawled, passable. Divination gaps dragged hardest—bridge that, faster flow.

Sigh escaped slow. Eyes opened on Nameless Compass before him.

"Time for a mentor, maybe..."

...

"Sect Leader—the pavilion's done. Your presence for the ceremony."

Zhang Shishi reported outside. Qi Xiu followed.

Deepest valley nook: two-story silver gleam. Array active—outsiders saw swirling mist only. No gaudy carvings. Sturdy, refined—detached elegance.

Building blended seamless with landscape. More? Garish. Less? Lacking. Builder Jin's mastery shone—leagues beyond lifeless construct golems' rote work.

Plaque blank at entrance—Chu Qin tradition now. Inscriptions? Qi Xiu's domain.

Inside: ground floor entry sealed illusion—array gate. Unauthorized? Trapped eternal unless brute force breach.

Both floors: quarters for guardians, long-study disciples.

First: towering shelves—dao arts, spells, pills, artifacts categorized crisp.

Second: second-tier spells vault—beefier array ward. Smaller shelves, same order. Final treasure alcove for rarities.

Core hub strictest guarded. Beyond defense: illusions masking tomes, levitation for fate-chosen picks.

Qi Xiu synced leader token—control seized. Array master's demo run: basics grasped quick. Cultivator smarts—nothing arcane.

Worth every stone. Satisfied deep. Settled tabs gracious, escorted the hires out polite.

Then Li Tan approached. "Senior Shen says two cultivators seek audience. Escorted to side hall—requests your time."

Li Tan six now, page boy garb. Skin darkened steady—Shen Chang nicknamed Charcoal Head. Sharpening wits slow; errands occasional. Dull edge, poor aptitude—big prospects slim.

Qi Xiu ruffled his hair gentle. "Go play."

Headed side hall alone.