Sect Master Qin said: “From my point of view, these fifty placements are neither too many nor too few. We must send disciples with exceptional aptitudes, who are devoted and loyal to the sect. Everyone can recommend candidates. After looking over them, they’ll be confirmed if they’re indeed reliable.”
Speaking up to here, his tone gave pause: “It’s just that, if the finalized placements have any enmity with that disciple, he probably won’t agree to it.”
Once these words were uttered, those numerous people who were originally quite excited about this event suddenly felt a trace of apprehension in their hearts: “What’s the meaning of this?”
Someone asked: “Could it be that this disciple mentioned something?”
Sect Master Qin sighed: “This is exactly what I wanted to say.” His gaze swept over the crowd, and he only said, “That person explicitly stated that members of the He Clan aren’t allowed.”
Immediately after his voice fell, an elder slapped the table, and stood up: “This shall not be tolerated!”
This elder was precisely a member of the He Clan.
The others looked at this He Clan elder. While most complexions expressed that they were taking delight in another’s misfortune, there were several who were distressed. It seemed that the fox grieved at the death of the hare.
Seeing that this He Clan elder had forgotten his manners like this, Sect Master Qin coldly scoffed in his heart, but his face appeared placating: “Elder He, remain calm. Don’t lose your temper.”
The old man from the He Clan harrumphed several times: “Where did this brat come from? He dares to cheat my He Clan like this?!”
Sect Master Qin sighed, and said: “I also asked at that time. However, that disciple said that although he had some foundation in the sect back then, the He Clan’s actions went too far, which left him rather affronted. Thus, he really doesn’t have a good impression of the He Clan. Since this trip will consume a lot of resources, he isn’t willing to help anyone from the He Clan.”
Such matters had already reached this point. Even though Sect Master Qin’s words seemed somewhat apologetic, the meaning within them was clearly understood — For the good of everyone, and for the sake of not offending that disciple, the He Clan ought to be obedient and not cause trouble. Otherwise, Sect Master Qin would use thunderous means.
The He Clan elder’s chest violently moved up and down several times. He was extremely furious, but there was nothing he could do against Sect Master Qin. After restraining himself, he finally flicked his sleeves, led the other He Clan elders, and walked out of the hall in large strides.
This matter already had nothing to do with the He Clan!
Once the He Clan left, Sect Master Qin leisurely lifted his eyes, and swept a glance over everyone else who remained: “In any case, everyone can go and think about your candidates.”
Numerous people wore happy expressions: “We’ll go.”
Amid this joyous occasion, there were bound to be many who had hesitations.
After this incident, the position of the sect master’s bloodline would be even more stable. As long as this deal continued, no one would be able to pose a challenge to this bloodline — After all, the identity of the person who conducted the transaction and the methods of the transaction itself were grasped in the hands of only Sect Master Qin.
However, while these people had hesitations, they also weren’t resentful. Firstly, the sect master’s bloodline had always been in control at the top. Secondly, the sect master’s bloodline was the legitimate and orthodox lineage of Qingyun Sect. The stronger their powerhouses, the greater the benefits for Qingyun Sect &#k2014; It was better than having mighty figures in a power struggle, but allowing internal disorder within the sect would instead greatly weaken its overall strength.
Soon, the crowd scattered. Sect Master Qin cast his gaze at a corner.
The shadow at that corner swiftly flashed out, and a moment later, a young man appeared inside the room.
This young man was Qin Zhuofeng, the son of Sect Master Qin Bailang.
While Qingyun Sect’s upper echelons were choosing disciples, Gu Zuo and Gongyi Tianheng went looking for someone. Ever since this person entered Qingyun Sect, they rarely interacted with him. However, the other party’s aptitude wasn’t poor, and his personality wasn’t lousy. Because it wasn’t time to leave for the Central Continent yet, the two intended to give him a chance.
That person was the ninth prince of the Cangyun Empire. Currently, Cang Yu had just reached Xiantian stage three.
In two years, not only had he been able to smoothly break through to Xiantian, he made such ample realm advancements. His aptitude, indeed, wasn’t bad. Most of all, he also developed some connections within the inner sect, which demonstrated his capabilities. He really deserved to be valued by the Cangyun Emperor back then.
Tianheng naturally wasn’t going to tell Cang Yu everything from beginning to end. He only disguised himself as a man garbed in black, and used a tempting opportunity.
As for whether Cang Yu went or not, they would give him a few days to think it over.
Cang Yu’s luck was pretty good. A friend he associated with in the inner sect was quite connected, and he vaguely heard about a little fluctuation within the sect. It was precisely this small fluctuation that caused Cang Yu to make a firm resolution and grab this chance! He also understood that with his present strength, that person could’ve silently wiped him out with no difficulty. So why bother playing tricks on him?
Thus, after waiting for a few days, he gave a reply when that black-garbed man came again.
But apart from Cang Yu, Tianheng and Gu Zuo didn’t extend this goodwill to the other aristocratic families’ children from Cangyun City.
The reason was very simple. No matter what kind of thoughts the Cangyun Emperor had, he gave Tianheng the opportunity to participate in the Hundred Countries Tournament back then. And now, this one placement was Tianheng’s easy repayment.
Once this matter was finished, Tianheng and Gu Zuo continued to wait with peace of mind.
After nearly five days, Sect Master Qin’s response arrived.
Inside Gu Zuo and Tianheng’s room, a person quietly appeared.
Beside the window, Sect Master Qin was standing with his hands clasped behind his back. He turned his head, and looked over.
Gu Zuo stood up with his family’s big brother: “Sect master.”
Qin Bailang didn’t expect that these two people were living together in the same room. His mind had suspicions, but with his shrewd nature, he naturally didn’t show anything on his face.
He nodded his head: “Hello, you two. The placements have already been determined.”
After he finished speaking, he waved his hand. A sheet of calligraphic silk swiftly appeared in front of the pair. Meanwhile, Sect Master Qin’s own figure became illusory. In the blink of an eye, he vanished.
Tianheng reached out, and took it. Gu Zuo moved closer to view it with him.
The placements were numerous and densely packed. Among the names written on the silk, there really were several familiar faces.
Qin Zhuofeng and Xi Yangyun were on the list, but Huang Ji wasn’t. Xi Yangyun’s younger sister, Xi Shuangyun, also wasn’t on the list.
Gu Zuo and Tianheng had long anticipated this.
When all was said and done, this was a major event within the sect. Even when it was to choose candidates, they needed to have inextricable relationships with Qingyun Sect. This was to ensure as much as possible that the other party didn’t forget their roots.
Huang Ji really was outstanding. Unfortunately, there was practically no one who could tie him to the sect. The sect naturally couldn’t take the risk of wasting a spot.
It was also precisely because they anticipated this that Gu Zuo and Tianheng told Huang Ji that they wanted to take him along, and leave together back then.
However, the matter of Huang Ji wasn’t the main point. What was important was what Xi Shuangyun ought to do.
Xi Shuangyun was born with a congenital disease, and was incapable of practicing martial arts for many years. Later on, because of the pill prescription Gu Zuo provided, her illness was finally treated with great difficulty. But after so many years of worrying, could Xi Yangyun really leave his younger sister alone in Qingyun Sect? If anything happened, Xi Yangyun would be on the distant Central Continent, and would be too far to help.
Gu Zuo had been a little surprised at first.
Xi Shuangyun had the Heavenly Heart Body, so her aptitude was pretty good. Since she hadn’t given up hope after this many years, her willpower was also rather strong. Comprehensively, her potential wasn’t bad. On top of that, her biological older brother was a disciple of one of the ten bloodlines. There weren’t any problems with her identity or loyalty, so how didn’t she get picked?
On the contrary, it was Tianheng who answered this question for Gu Zuo: “Although Young Lady Xi is a good candidate, the most optimal period to practice martial arts has long passed for her. And while she has the Heavenly Heart Body, this kind of ability can be rather alarming to others, so they might not have publicized it.
“There are no more than fifty placements. Even if Elder Xu did everything he could to make Senior Sect Brother Xi a candidate, it probably would’ve been impossible to bring along Young Lady Xi, too.”
Gu Zuo also reacted.
Indeed. Xi Shuangyun had this kind of special constitution. However, if she didn’t take the initiative to declare it, and no one specially paid attention to her words, it would truly be difficult to detect it.
Thinking as such, not being selected was very normal.
Soon after, the two made preparations.
These matters hadn’t gone beyond their expectations. Before long, Xi Yangyun took advantage of the cover of night, and devised many ways to contact the children of the Gongyi Clan. He asked them to give Gu Zuo and Tianheng a letter. In this letter, his words were sincere and earnest as he asked whether they could take his younger sister with them.
Holding the letter in his hand, Gu Zuo looked at Tianheng.
Tianheng smiled: “What does Ah Zuo think?”
Gu Zuo said: “I don’t think it’ll matter if it’s just one more person. Only, after we bring them over, how should we make arrangements for these old friends?”
Tianheng lightly pinched his cheek: “That’s their own choice to make.”
Gu Zuo stared blankly, and nodded.
What big brother said wasn’t wrong... Even if they were old friends, there wasn’t any need to insist on arranging their futures on their behalf. At that time, if they wanted to struggle on their own, they could do as they pleased. If they wanted to join up with Gu Zuo and Tianheng, the two could find an opportunity to send them to the Sect Offering Academy. As for a peculiar genius like Huang Ji, he would surely soar into the sky once he reached the Central Continent. Instead, they could mention this to the Blood Transformation Palace Master in advance. If the Ten Ultimates Palace Halls were interested, there was nothing wrong with recruiting Huang Ji beforehand.
But generally speaking, it was still up to the preferences of the individual.
Afterwards, Tianheng wrote a reply letter.
It was only natural that this letter expressed his willingness to bring along Xi Shuangyun. When it came to asking for any rewards or gratitude, such things were unnecessary.
Thus, Xi Yangyun felt deep appreciation in his heart. He increasingly felt that it was the correct choice to make friends with these two people.
Although Xi Shuangyun didn’t know the details, from her older brother’s words, she realized that she gained a huge opportunity as well. She wouldn’t be left behind on the Peripheral Continents with no close relatives.
For the time being, the matter of those two siblings wouldn’t be raised again. After the sect master’s placements were confirmed, the day of departure was also set. Then, those fifty people were brought before Tianheng’s eyes.
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