Chapter 116: I Am Your Grandmaster

Chen Xian regained his composure and pointed at the Silver Flute Profound Herb, asking, "Tong Yin, where did you obtain this herb?"

"Fifty years ago, I slew a martial artist at the peak of the Dark Force, and this herb was among his possessions. I found it quite peculiar, so I brought it back and planted it here in the stone temple," Tong Yin replied respectfully.

He then ventured to ask, "Master, do you know the name and purpose of this herb?" Ever since he had acquired the plant, he had consulted numerous ancient texts but failed to discover anything about it, which had piqued his curiosity immensely.

Chen Xian told him the name of the Silver Flute Profound Herb. As for its medicinal properties, he did not elaborate, merely mentioning that it could be used to refine a miraculous elixir. Furthermore, Chen Xian stated that he intended to take the herb with him. Tong Yin, naturally, had no objections—nor would he dare to—proclaiming that whatever belonged to him belonged to his master, and he should take whatever he needed.

Chen Xian was satisfied with Tong Yin’s attitude. He then surveyed the dilapidated and ancient stone temple. Sensing the atmosphere, he realized the concentration of spiritual energy inside was about five times greater than in the outside world. He asked with curiosity, "Did you set up a formation to gather spiritual energy here as well?"

"Master has truly discerning eyes. There is indeed a formation within the stone temple that makes the spiritual energy here more concentrated than elsewhere," Tong Yin admitted, not daring to hide the truth.

A glint flashed in Chen Xian’s eyes. "Take me to see this formation."

"As you wish, Master." Tong Yin respectfully led the way into the stone temple, with the tiger shadow following closely behind.

They reached a stone table upon which three stone beads rested, each inscribed with mysterious and eerie runes. Chen Xian scanned them with his divine sense and grinned. "These stone beads must be Soul Beads, are they not?"

He had seen the method for crafting Soul Beads in the *Secret Technique of Divine Sense Manipulation*, though they differed from those before him. While these beads possessed the function of Soul Beads, they were far too crude. If the Soul Beads in the secret manual were masterpieces of a grandmaster, these were the scribbles of a three-year-old. The beads on the table likely only served the simple purpose of sensing life and death, whereas those in the secret manual held a multitude of functions, including communication and tracking.

"Reporting to Master, these are indeed Soul Beads. As long as one has a person drip a drop of their blood into one, I can hold the bead and know whether that person is alive or dead."

"Whose are these three?"

"They belong to my four disciples."

"I see. Now, take me to where the formation is located."

Having received his answer, Chen Xian asked no more. Tong Yin placed both hands on the stone table and pressed down firmly.

*Click!*

A stone wall suddenly split down the middle and slid apart, revealing a staircase leading deep underground. Chen Xian and Tong Yin descended into the passage, which was lit by oil lamps that lent a strange atmosphere to the surroundings. After walking for several minutes, they arrived at a stone chamber where the spiritual energy was even denser than above.

Chen Xian looked toward the center of the chamber. On a stone dais sat a jade disk engraved with various runes, spinning slowly as it emitted wisps of white mist. Chen Xian recognized instantly that the mist was pure spiritual energy. Seeing the runes on the jade disk designed to gather energy, he felt like a professor looking at a primary schooler’s homework—it was laughably rudimentary.

At that moment, Chen Xian felt a twinge of regret for the jade disk itself; having had such crude formation runes carved into it, it was a total waste of a fine material. Even if he could repurpose the jade, its efficacy would be significantly diminished.

"Master, what do you think? My Spirit Gathering Array disk isn't bad, is it?" Tong Yin asked, somewhat proudly. He had spent ten years crafting this disk—ten years of meticulous carving. In his own estimation, his proficiency in formation arts was among the best of the Divine Sense masters.

To his surprise, Chen Xian shook his head and sighed. "It is child's play. Once you arrive at my Spirit Mountain, you will know what a true Spirit Gathering Array looks like."

Tong Yin was left stunned. His greatest pride had been dismissed as worthless by his master.

"Very well, Tong Yin. Pack up this formation disk, the precious herbs in the courtyard, and anything else of value you can carry, and come with me to Spirit Mountain. Once there, nourished by the abundant spiritual energy, I am certain your cultivation will advance rapidly," Chen Xian said, glancing at his bewildered disciple.

Upon hearing this, Tong Yin was overjoyed. "Yes, Master! I shall begin preparations at once." He was filled with curiosity and longing for this "Spirit Mountain" his master spoke of.

While Tong Yin busied himself packing within the stone temple, Chen Xian stepped back outside. He stood still, looking up at the firmament. The full moon hung high, surrounded by a brilliant tapestry of stars; the night sky was truly beautiful. He looked around and noted that the *feng shui* of the temple’s location was quite favorable.

"Hey, kid, what are you doing here?"

A cold, girlish voice suddenly rang out, filled with both curiosity and indignation. Chen Xian turned to see a delicate-looking girl in red walking toward him, looking furious. He recognized her immediately—she was the girl who had competed with him a few days ago at the Stone Gambling Convention for the jade containing spiritual energy.

"Why wouldn't I be here?" Chen Xian replied, a smirk playing on his lips as he teased her. He had already confirmed that this girl was one of Tong Yin’s disciples.

The girl in red sneered. "You used that divine sense intimidation technique on me at the convention to snatch those two pieces of spirit-filled jade from my hands! You are truly despicable. If you hand them over obediently right now, I might let it slide. But if you don't..."

"And if I don't, then what?" Chen Xian asked, watching her with interest.

The girl’s eyes widened, and she pressed on aggressively. "Hmph! If you don't, you won't be leaving this place today. Let me tell you, this is my master’s residence, and he is incredibly powerful—ordinary grandmasters are no match for him. If you don't want to die, hand over the jade!"

Chen Xian laughed heartily. "Little girl, it is very impolite to speak to me that way. Do you even know who I am?"

"I don't care who you are! Give me the jade!" The girl stood with her hands on her hips, looking fierce and spoiled. Secure in the knowledge that she was on her master’s turf, she felt invincible. She figured that no matter how capable the young man with the buzzcut was, he couldn't possibly escape her master’s grasp. In her eyes, her master was a god-like existence.

Chen Xian remained unruffled and said calmly, "I am your grandmaster. If you continue to be so rude, you will be punished!"

"You're courting death!" The girl was incensed. She clenched her delicate fists and lunged at Chen Xian.