Book 2 : The Masked Strength of the Sect's Trash Chapter 112

Lu Shaoqing strolled leisurely through Lingxiao City, taking in the bustling mix of cultivators and ordinary folk. The city was alive with people from all walks of life—cultivators unwinding after rigorous training, commoners striving to make ends meet, and hopefuls seeking even a sliver of a path to immortality.

He stopped before a five-story building crafted from the fine green-glazed stones of second grade. This was the local branch of Tianji Pavilion in Lingxiao City—a hub of news for the prominent Lingxiao Sect, one of the three major sects in Qi Prefecture. It housed Tianji Pavilion’s reporters, known as Tianji agents, responsible for gathering the latest information and events in the region.

"Tianji agents... basically journalists," Lu muttered, rubbing his chin. “Could Tianji Pavilion’s founder have been from Blue Star?”

Tianji Pavilion’s information network spanned all thirteen provinces, making it the largest and most reliable source of intelligence in the world. Under the guise of “reporting,” they gathered intelligence with ease.

After taking in the grandeur of the place—its rich decor brimming with first- and second-grade materials—Lu let out an envious sigh. Extravagant.

While Lingxiao Sect was a well-known sect, it was also the poorest among the three, often struggling to allocate resources for its disciples. Lingxiao Sect disciples frequently had to take on additional tasks or side jobs to earn spirit stones. Not like those in Shuangyue Valley, who could relax by the spirit veins, or Guiyuan Pavilion, with its vast territories and ample resources.

This Tianji Pavilion branch alone looked wealthier than his whole sect! He felt the urge to loot the place but eventually sighed. Focus on business.

Approaching the front desk, he asked boldly, “Is Shan Yue here?”

The young woman at the counter eyed him curiously. “May I ask why you need her?”

“To offer her a scoop,” he replied casually.

The attendant, sensing the promise of a good story, went off to inform Shan Yue. Soon, a young woman of about twenty-five or twenty-six descended from the upper floors. She wasn’t exceptionally beautiful, but there was an understated charm to her. Her smooth, jet-black hair was tied back neatly, and her simple blue dress accentuated her composed demeanor.

Lu hadn’t met Shan Yue in person before, but he knew of her through her frequent posts on the Tianji Card network. She was a top agent—and, importantly, a fan of his senior brother Ji Yan.

Observing her, Lu thought to himself, A sisterly age gap, but it could work. My poor senior brother deserves someone, and she seems like a good match. Ever the “helpful” junior, Lu felt he was making a dutiful effort here.

But Shan Yue, feeling Lu’s unabashed gaze, wasn’t impressed. With a frown, she asked, “Was it you who asked for me?”

“Yes,” Lu replied, unfazed.

She kept her tone cool. “And you say you have a big story?”

Seeing her mood, Lu added to his mental notes: Temper... not ideal. Minus points.

He sighed with mock disappointment. “Yes, a story about Ji Yan. Interested?”

“What?” she asked, surprised, her interest momentarily breaking through. But her suspicions returned just as quickly. “Are you serious?”

Lu let out an exaggerated sigh, glancing around. “Here I am, and yet there’s nowhere decent to sit and no tea in sight,” he remarked, adding, “Is Tianji Pavilion so frugal that even the basics are missing?”

Exasperated, Shan Yue had him seated in a reception room, bringing over tea with a strained smile. “Here’s the best spirit tea. Drink as much as you like,” she said, clearly losing patience.

Lu took a sip, his eyes lighting up. “Good tea!” He downed several cups, drawing a glare from Shan Yue, who began to suspect he had come just for free tea.

“The tea leaves cost 500 lower-grade spirit stones per ounce,” she said coolly, hinting that he might want to get to the point.

Instead, Lu’s eyes brightened further as he continued to drink enthusiastically. “Perfect! Brew me another pot, will you?”

Seeing him drink with such shameless gusto, she bit her lip in frustration, labeling him in her mind as utterly incorrigible.

Her patience exhausted, she said through clenched teeth, “And where is this big scoop of yours?”

Lu looked at her blankly. “How about that tea first?”