"Recruiting disciples widely... is actually a way to reduce the burden on the sect."
Even the Grandmaster Mingji Sect Master felt a certain degree of shyness when he said this, which shows that the dilemma of "a skilled cook cannot make a meal without rice" exists in everyone.
"this…"
Seeing Jing Zhe's confusion, Qing Qiu explained from the side, "Do you think everyone who comes to our Qingyun Sect can stay? Our Qingyun Sect has very strict requirements for recruiting inner disciples. Ordinary people cannot meet the standards. However, if we check everyone who comes for free, wouldn't that be a waste of time?"
"So, I need to pay a registration fee?"
Jing Zhe immediately guessed the key point and asked.
"Registration fee?"
Perhaps hearing this term for the first time, Qingqiu muttered to herself before saying, "Hmm, this term is quite fitting. Anyway, anyone who wants to register with our Qingyun Sect has to pay a registration fee. Of course, it's not just our Qingyun Sect that does this; other sects are mostly the same, except the amount of the registration fee depends on the sect's reputation!"
Jing Zhe finally understood; wasn't this just like the later generations?
Of course, this is understandable. Everyone wants to join the best sect. If the examination is conducted free of charge, it is indeed a time-consuming and laborious process. Charging an application fee is not unreasonable.
"So every time, the major sects send their most outstanding disciples to participate in the martial arts tournament. The sect that wins first place can get a higher registration fee?"
After listening to him, Qingqiu nodded.
Jing Zhe smiled. As long as there's a need, that makes things easy!
"Sect Leader Mingji, if I were to become the leader of the martial arts alliance, not only would it greatly enhance the reputation of the Qingyun Sect and attract more outstanding disciples, but it would also significantly increase the sect's revenue each month. What do you think, Sect Leader Mingji?"
Jing Zhe said confidently.
The sect leader of Mingji was somewhat helpless. In the end, the conversation still circled back to the issue of cooperating with the imperial court. However, compared to before, she felt much less resistant.
She hadn't agreed before mainly because she knew that the court officials were ruthless and heartless. Even if they started out as partners, who knew if they would gradually infiltrate the Qingyun Sect and turn it into a tool of the court?
However, after Jing Zhe appeared, her thoughts changed somewhat.
Even if he's a scoundrel, would he betray his own sister?
Most importantly, he himself agreed with some of his suggestions, but now was not the time to agree.
Then he smiled and said, "When you went to Kunlun Mirror, did you say the same thing to Mirror Master Pei?"
"..."
Jing Zhe looked slightly embarrassed after being exposed.
"There's no rush. Let's talk about it after you actually become the leader of the martial arts alliance!"
After listening, Jing Zhe nodded and said no more. Instead, he started commenting on the dishes, saying things like "this is too plain" and "this is too salty." Qing Qiu kicked him a few times under the table for this.
The sect leader of Mingji simply smiled and said nothing more.
When the disciples of Qingyun Sect saw Jing Zhe eating with their master and senior sister, although they couldn't hear what they were saying, they still caught Jing Zhe pointing at the food and frequently showing his dissatisfaction, which almost made them explode with anger.
But what angered them even more was yet to come…
After finishing his meal, Jing Zhe smiled at the Mingji Sect Master and said, "Mingji Sect Master, I'd like to stay tonight to help my third sister channel her inner energy... to heal her injuries."
With a "thud," Qingqiu's chopsticks fell to the ground, and her face instantly turned red. She quickly bent down to pick them up, which relieved the awkward situation.
The sect leader of Mingji Sect was unaware that this "healing" was not healing in the simple sense, and without thinking too much about it, he said, "Alright!"
"It might take a while..."
"It's alright, you're not an outsider anyway. If it gets too late, you can stay here!"
Jing Zhe was waiting for this, so he waved his hand at her and smiled, "Then I'll have to trouble Sect Master Mingji! I've never infused anyone with true energy before, so I don't really understand—does one have to remain quiet when infusing true energy?"
Sect Master Mingji nodded: "Don't worry, I'll instruct the other disciples not to disturb Qingqiu Sect tonight!"
"Thank you for your trouble, Sect Master Mingji!"
Jing Zhe cupped his hands in greeting, his heart already bursting with joy.
...
The three of them then came out of the side hall, while Jing Zhe and Qing Qiu walked together towards her room.
Throughout the journey, perhaps sensing what was about to happen, Qingqiu's face remained flushed, and she didn't say a word.
Upon entering the room, Qingqiu went straight to the bedside and sat down, while Jingzhe lowered the door latch and then walked over with a grin.
"Fairy Maiden... Sister..."
After tonight, Jing Zhe and Qing Qiu's relationship is bound to reach a new level, so their way of addressing each other will also change. He always felt that calling her "Fairy" was more interesting.
However, she had barely uttered the words "Fairy Maiden" when Qingqiu glared at her fiercely and immediately added "Sister".
After saying that, Jing Zhe sat down and put his arm around her shoulder. Qingqiu did not resist and leaned against him.
"Zhe'er..."
"Um."
"If you call me a fairy..."
Qingqiu looked up at Jingzhe and said earnestly, "Then you must always treat me well from now on!"
The title "Fairy Maiden" actually had a romantic connotation to Qingqiu, since it was the unique title Jingzhe used for her when they had never met.
Jing Zhe cupped Qingqiu's face in his hands and said affectionately, "Even if I have to call you Third Sister, I will be good to you for the rest of my life!"
Then she laughed and said, "From tonight onwards, in front of outsiders you are my third sister, but when it's just the two of us, you are my fairy maiden, okay?"
Qingqiu's eyes sparkled with a peach blossom-like light, her breathing quickened, and she could no longer speak, only nodding.
Then she reached out her slender hand and wrapped it around Jing Zhe's neck, murmuring as if in a dream, "Zhe'er, heal your wounds..."
Everything had fallen into place, and Jing Zhe was no longer burdened by anything. He gently laid Qing Qiu on the bed, and then his large hands caressed her thin clothes…
In a short while, Qingqiu was covered in sweat.
Moreover, his hands were resting lightly on Jing Zhe's neck, neither exerting any force nor willing to let go.
At this moment, Jing Zhe suddenly straightened up.
Qingqiu slowly opened her tightly closed eyes, looking at Jing Zhe with a hazy expression and her eyes full of doubt.
"Please wait a moment, fairy maiden, while I take my medicine!"
As he spoke, he took out the enhanced version of the jujube pills and jujubes.
Watching him frantically search for and take his medicine, Qingqiu couldn't help but chuckle, but still urged, "Hurry up!"
"Okay!"
Just like an impotent man who needs a small pill to maintain his vitality at crucial moments, coupled with Qingqiu's slightly resentful gaze, Jing Zhe felt inexplicably ashamed at this moment.
"Here I am!"
After taking the pills with water, Jing Zhe lunged at Qing Qiu…
————
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