It is evident that from this sect competition until the next, spanning the twenty to thirty years in between, True Master Peng will merely watch the other nine Cave Heaven True Masters playing their strategic game of chess, while she is excluded and remains inert. However, if someone were able to fill this gap for her, the outcome would be vastly different. Zhang Yan had precisely discerned this point, grasping the underlying threads, which is why today he stood here with confidence! After waiting for about an hour, he suddenly caught a waft of exotic fragrance with the sound of light bells drifting to his ears. Raising his gaze, he saw a tall, curvaceous woman step forward. Her hair was styled in an elegant Lingxu bun, behind her were several palace-robed women holding incense lamps and brocade boxes. She wore an open-necked red dress, her floating ribbons entwining around her arms, with wide sleeves trailing on the ground, and a turban-style long skirt covered by a layer of jade gauze. Spiritual energy swirled around her figure, accompanied by colorful clouds. Holding a multicolored parrot in her hands, she slowly walked to the main seat in the hall and took her place, her phoenix-like eyes sweeping sharply toward Zhang Yan. Zhang Yan also lifted his head to observe this True Master. Her appearance was both dignified and graceful, with a high forehead and broad features, her brows and eyelids slightly tilted upward, her gaze spirited and commanding. True Master Peng noticed Zhang Yan’s broad robes and wide sleeves, his tall figure like jade, exuding charm and ease—his handsome demeanor greatly impressed her. Slightly nodding, she lightly parted her vermillion lips and asked, "So you are Zhang Yan, the disciple of Dean Zhou? I’ve heard that the Sect Leader ordered you to delve into profound cultivation within your cave mansion. What brings you here today?" Seeing that she was willing to meet him, Zhang Yan felt half of his expectations secure. Smiling, he respectfully saluted and said, "Before a True Master, there is no need for pretense or concealment. I have come today with the intent of securing a position among the Top Ten Disciples. Yet, some obstacles lie ahead in my cultivation journey, which is why I am here to request the great aid of the True Master." Zhang Yan, direct from the first encounter, spoke openly about his intentions without any reservations—causing True Master Peng to momentarily freeze in surprise. Her phoenix-like eyes flashed with a peculiar brilliance as she studied Zhang Yan, seemingly intent on seeing through him. After a moment, she pressed her hand on the phoenix throne and countered, "Why should I assist you?" Zhang Yan met True Master Peng’s gaze unflinchingly and replied sincerely, "If the True Master is willing to assist me today, I can in turn help Junior Sister Qin secure her own position among the Top Ten Disciples tomorrow." ᴜᴘᴅᴀᴛᴇ ꜰʀᴏᴍ 𝕟𝕠𝕧𝕖𝕝⚑𝕗𝕚𝕣𝕖⚑𝕟𝕖𝕥 True Master Peng let out a chuckle in sudden amusement, saying, "You certainly possess great boldness. You have yet to become one of the Top Ten Disciples yourself, and yet you dare to talk about aiding my disciple? Where does your confidence come from? Is it merely that First Grade Golden Core of yours?" Zhang Yan responded with a faint smile, his voice firm and resounding, "Achievements are made through effort. If one never attempts, how could they know it cannot be done?" True Master Peng’s expression remained unchanged, but waves of emotion rippled within her heart. Given her shrewdness and exceptional intellect, Zhang Yan’s few words immediately allowed her to piece together the overarching story. She silently contemplated. If Zhang Yan truly received her assistance, it was indeed highly likely that he might accomplish his aim. Considering he was the sole True Disciple to emerge from Dean Zhou’s lineage over the past hundred years, a rare occurrence by any standard, coupled with his Elixir Formation of the First Grade—it was certain that conventional wisdom could not define him. What’s more, she had to admit that Zhang Yan’s strategic move was exquisitely played. If she chose to support him, she could, like the other nine Cave Heaven True Masters, become one of the players in this chess game rather than a passive onlooker. If Zhang Yan truly ascended to the ranks of the Top Ten Disciples, his assistance could significantly increase Qin Nan’s chances of her own elevation. In the blink of an eye, countless thoughts raced through her mind. At last, with a faint smile, she propped her hand against her temple, leaning back slightly, and remarked, "You are quite the schemer. But you must understand that, apart from me, there is no one else in the sect who can support you. If I refuse, your carefully crafted plan is nothing but an illusory dream." Hearing these words stirred Zhang Yan’s heart. From True Master Peng’s tone, it was clear that she was fully aware of his predicament and seemed interested in the proposal he had brought forward. However, now that he voluntarily sought her out, she intended to adopt the upper hand and manipulate the negotiations. Zhang Yan had anticipated such a scenario beforehand. He knew all too well—himself merely a Hua Dan Cultivator facing a Cave Heaven True Master—that such power dynamics were inevitable. Nevertheless, he sought True Master Peng’s assistance not to become her chess piece. In Zhang Yan’s calculated plan, they would act as partners, each pursuing their own goals without a master-servant hierarchy; otherwise, he would risk becoming subject to her control in the future. Thus, he laughed heartily and said, "True Master, you must have misunderstood. If you believe my visit here today was merely to beg for mercy, then you are mistaken. Even without the True Master’s aid, as long as I choose to act, I can overcome the obstacles ahead of me with a mere stride." The confidence in his words was resolute and firm, clearly not empty boasting. True Master Peng did not take offense. Instead, she furrowed her brows, pondering deeply for a moment, before finally shaking her head and stating, "I remain unclear as to who else in the sect would step forward to defend you during this time." Zhang Yan’s eyes glimmered. He stepped forward and said, "I trust the True Master has heard of the assistance I once offered to True Master Tao during my quest for medicinal herbs?" True Master Peng’s elegant brows quivered slightly, evidently recalling something significant. Zhang Yan continued, "Now that True Master Tao has established a branch in the Far Sea, becoming the leader of a sect, he once promised me that if I sought his help in the future, he would spare no effort to aid me without hesitation." This was precisely Zhang Yan’s source of unwavering confidence. Years ago, he had helped True Master Tao ascend to his current status, and that True Master had pledged to assist him three times. It was widely known that True Master Tao excelled in mentoring disciples, and as the leader of a sect, he had inherited the legacy of an Immortal Palace, with Earth Evil Spirit Veins in his possession. If Zhang Yan were to activate a Flying Escape Talisman and head to the Far Sea’s Qingyu Sect, once he sought help from True Master Tao, that sect leader would surely rally the entire sect to aid him in achieving his goals. Yet Zhang Yan refrained from doing so for two reasons. First, the promises of a Cave Heaven True Master were immeasurably valuable; it wouldn’t be worth using one for the sake of the Hua Dan Realm. Second, while striving for the Top Ten Disciples position, it was ultimately more strategic to secure support from within the sect itself; this was the path to lasting influence. Raising his gaze, Zhang Yan looked at True Master Peng seated atop the grand hall, appearing deep in thought. He firmly believed that as long as she was unwilling to be excluded by the other nine True Masters, she would not reject him. ...(To be continued. If you work, please visit Qidian (qidian.com) to vote for recommendation votes and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation.)