But it was during this critical moment that Ji Yaocen appeared and stabilized the disorganized Qingtao Valley disciples. Together with Nangong Yu, she humiliated those sects that resorted to underhanded tactics. It was this battle that made Ji Yaocen famous in several other sects, and they all inquired whether she would attend the next competition.
Mingqing was saved by her. She was injured by the opponent's hidden weapon. Ji Yaocen adhered to the belief that as many people came to Qingtao Valley, they must all return. Despite her own injury, she protected her. After that day, she began to observe Ji Yaocen and secretly approach her. The two became good friends.
...
After walking for a while, Zi Sangyi spoke up, "Don't you think my punishment was a bit too harsh on them?"
Xu Yuehuai shook her head, "No, it's just right. I've only just taken office, so I need some methods to keep everyone calm. Otherwise, anyone could kick me while I'm down, and the sect would really be in chaos."
Zisangyi's actions just now were correct. She only punished Ji Yaocen because she took the blame herself, hoping that Zisangyi would let Ming Qing off the hook. As the former senior sister, Zisangyi couldn't possibly refuse to give her this much face when she was establishing her authority.
Three days of confinement—a minor punishment to serve as a warning.
"My cultivation level is not high; I'm considered the lowest in this sect. Even the Fifth Elder, that little old man, is a whole stage higher than me. Before I became the sect leader, everyone was very respectful to me because the sect had a very powerful person protecting it, so my position seemed insignificant. But now that person is gone, it's like the pillar of Qingtao Valley has disappeared, and I, with my empty title of authority, will naturally be attacked by everyone." Zi Sangyi and Xu Yuehuai walked up the sect leader's peak together. On the way, he spoke of all this unhurriedly, and Xu Yuehuai listened patiently.
On the sect's main peak, there is a large residence and a small residence. The small residence is where Zisang saw the willow tree last time. The large residence is so that when others come to the sect, they will not feel that Qingtao Valley is so shabby that even the sect's main peak is so simple.
This place was built at Zisangyi's insistence.
After speaking for a long time, Zisangyi finally said, "That's how things are. If you want to give up now, I can let you go and not let you be in the same boat with me. But if you choose to continue, life will definitely not be simple or peaceful."
Xu Yuehuai chuckled lightly, her eyes filled with inquiry, "Zisang... Sect Master, don't you think it's too late to say this now? I don't believe you didn't think of this outcome when you took me as your disciple. The reason you chose to tell me now is precisely to leave me with no way out, isn't it?"
"Even if I agree to your promise not to fight alongside you, the outside world will turn all the attacks on me, saying that I am ungrateful and will not seize such a good opportunity. You will become the victim who is disliked and abandoned. At that time, the disciples in the sect will feel sorry for you and be anxious to deal with me. Naturally, no one will attack you. You can take this time to improve your cultivation. By the time everyone realizes what's happening, your cultivation level will have already increased. No one will have a reason to punish you. In the end, I will be the only one who suffers from this."
After Xu Yuehuai finished speaking, Zisangyi also laughed, "As expected of my disciple, Zisangyi, you are just as cunning as I am."
Zisangyi has never been a kind person. How could he be a kind person if he could stand out among so many people?
However, when he was with Wei Shengliu, he disdained to use those methods. His life was destined to be extraordinary. Since he couldn't break away from his family, he had to find a way to walk through the mud and find the most correct and easiest path through constant experimentation.
Xu Yuehuai did not deny it. She looked at Zisangyi and said, "So rather than saying you want to take me as your disciple, it's more accurate to say you want me to help you distract yourself."
“Ji Yaocen has accumulated a lot of popularity in the sect over the years. Now that I, a good-for-nothing, have taken over the position of senior sister, everyone’s attention will be more focused on me.” Xu Yuehuai said slowly and calmly, her eyes showing no anger.
She had thought of these things when she agreed to Zisangyi's request, but Zisangyi didn't have so many thoughts at the time. He simply wanted her to become his apprentice. He only realized this after he had done it.
By then, it would be too late for regrets.
That day, the master and disciple discussed a lot of information on the mountaintop. It seemed that they had reached some kind of agreement. After the agreement, Xu Yuehuai and Zisangyi, as the parties involved, would reappear at the sect competition the next day.
Xu Yuehuai sat in a high position, surrounded by elders. Below her were the disciples the elders had taken in. At a glance, only a few of them looked familiar, but she couldn't recall their names. There was also a seat next to Nangong Yu, which was clearly reserved for Ji Yaocen. She would come out of the dark room early and return to it after the competition.
Inside the dark room, there was no food, no spiritual energy, and people were constantly attacking in the darkness. Even when Ji Yaocen went in, she came out pale-faced, using her sword to support herself and prevent herself from falling.
Ming Qing was waiting at the door early on. When he saw Ji Yaocen, he immediately went up to her and said, "Look at you, you are so badly injured. If you don't recover in three months, how will you compete in the competition between the seven major sects? Besides, you are about to participate in the sect competition. What will you do then? If someone challenges you, you will only get more injured."
Ming Qing, worried, helped Ji Yaocen up and fed her a pill.
Ming Qing subconsciously still didn't want to acknowledge Xu Yuehuai as the senior sister, nor did he think that Xu Yuehuai could lead the sect to a higher level.
Ji Yaocen didn't say much. After dealing with the strange things inside all night, she was exhausted. She ate something to replenish her strength, adjusted her clothes to look presentable, and said to the anxious Ming Qing beside her, "Let's go to the scene."
"You should at least take what I just said into consideration. It's not a particularly important competition. If someone challenges you and you fight in this state, you might get injured and suffer any aftereffects. Then it will be too late to regret it!" Ji Yaocen frowned, ignoring her words.
She softened her voice and said, "Mingqing, I must go. Be obedient."
Ming Qing didn't understand, but the moment she met Ji Yaocen's eyes, she couldn't say a word. Having been by Ji Yaocen's side for so long, she could tell at a glance what that look meant, and what lay behind it was an unwavering determination.
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