Chapter 2998 — Tianchan's Plan
The Blossom Guardian · Page 2 of 3
Old Ancestor Xuanchen was briefly speechless, then realized he had indeed been a little hasty. Kang Jingming knew nothing of the reasons behind it, did not know that Tian Canbian was in truth a woman, and so had done these things. But he himself knew that Tianchan could not possibly use a cultivation vessel—vessel cultivation demanded the harmony of yin and yang attributes, and both Tianchan and Chen Xi were of the yin attribute, so how could it be used? As for the so-called maidservant cultivated to death, that was merely the story told to the outside world; Xuanchen remembered that the maidservant had died of an accident.
"A matter as grave as a cultivation vessel, and you did not come to consult me—what if Tian Canbian did not care for it? Would you not have flattered yourself straight into the horse's hoof?" Old Ancestor Xuanchen explained, patching over his own words. "I say this for your own good!"
"Forgive me, Master. Your disciple was too impatient. Next time there is an important matter, I will consult you first!" Kang Jingming said hastily.
"Hm. I hear that Zhao Guangyin and Mian Huatang are both accomplished Earth Rank experts?" Old Ancestor Xuanchen asked.
"Yes, Master!" Kang Jingming answered at once.
"Find an opportunity to sound them out. Ask whether they wish to become stronger—and if they do, I can help them." Old Ancestor Xuanchen pondered a moment, then said to Kang Jingming.
"What do you mean?" Kang Jingming was startled. "Master, are you going to give them Qi-Gathering Pills?"
"Where would I find so many Qi-Gathering Pills to give them?" Old Ancestor Xuanchen shook his head. "It is a collaboration with a certain power to reconstruct cultivators. But I do not know whether it will succeed or what drawbacks it may have, so I intend to find someone to test it on—and conveniently, these two have delivered themselves to my door."
"So that's it. Get it wrong and they'll likely die!" Kang Jingming nodded. "Master is truly insidious and venomous—using the Hidden Zhao family's people as test subjects. Even your disciple could not have thought of that. Admirable, truly admirable!"
"Enough with the flattery. I will have Xiao Yi accompany you. When the time is right, put on a display before those two Zhaos, and they will likely come begging you of their own accord to make them powerful!" said Old Ancestor Xuanchen.
"Yes, that's right. Rest assured, Master. Leave the arrangements to your disciple—I will not disappoint you this time!" Kang Jingming nodded and made to leave.
"Wait—when you go, tell Xiao Taohong to have Tian Canbian come see me. Say I have business with him!" Old Ancestor Xuanchen added as a parting instruction.
"Yes, Master!" Kang Jingming thought nothing more of it. After leaving the room, he found Xiao Taohong and had her summon Tian Canbian to see Old Ancestor Xuanchen, while he himself went to find Xiao Yi and together go meet Zhao Guangyin and Mian Huatang.
Tian Canbian knew that Old Ancestor Xuanchen—or Old Ancestor Xuanzhen—would surely seek her out over the matter of the cultivation vessel, so she was not surprised. She went straight to Old Ancestor Xuanchen's chamber and said respectfully, "Your disciple Tianchan pays her respects to Uncle-Master Xuanchen!"
"Hm, Tianchan. I hear Kang Jingming gave you a cultivation vessel. How do you plan to handle this matter?" Old Ancestor Xuanchen asked bluntly, dispensing with pleasantries.
"Uncle-Master Xuanchen, your disciple intends to announce to the outside world that the mnemonic formula this vessel previously cultivated is not quite suitable, and that I will have her cultivate a superior vessel mnemonic formula anew. For the time being, I will make her one of my maidservants to fill Xiao Taohong's position," Tianchan said. "In this way, I can conceal the fact that I am a woman, and at the same time let everyone believe that I have not touched the vessel because the mnemonic formula she cultivated is still unsuitable."