“Alright, let’s settle the rewards directly.” The moment she finished speaking, the entire Mission Hall fell dead silent.
The deacon hurriedly said, “True Disciple Ye, because Lin Jie unexpectedly broke through to the Xiantian Realm Great Perfection, the rank of the pursuit mission has been automatically upgraded.”
“The reward has been changed to eight hundred low-grade spirit stones, and the contribution points have been adjusted to two hundred. I will compile all your rewards right away.”
Ye Ling nodded and waited.
Once the deacon finished the calculations, he reported respectfully, “True Disciple Ye, you have received a total of 2,290 low-grade spirit stones and 978 sect contribution points this time. They have all been recorded in your True Disciple token.”
Ye Ling looked down at her token. True Disciples of the Qinglan Sword Sect received a basic annual allowance of 2,000 contribution points.
She had been with the sect for less than two years and had not spent any of her original 2,000 contribution points. With the newly added 978 points, she now had a total of 2,978 points.
Ye Ling put the token back into her storage bag and departed without further delay, her figure transforming into a green shadow that streaked through the air.
She had originally planned to head straight to the Secret Realm Deacon Hall.
On second thought, she realized she would get a clearer understanding of the details regarding the secret realm training and which areas were most suitable for her current stage of cultivation by asking the Sect Master directly. Thus, she changed direction and flew straight toward the sect's main hall.
The main hall of the Qinglan Sword Sect was grand and quiet, filled with curling wreaths of spiritual energy.
Sect Master Leng Zhiwei sat upon the main seat, exuding the full majesty of her position. Yet, facing the black-robed Elder Zhou who sat in the guest seat to her lower left, she could not put on any airs at all.
Elder Zhou had watched Leng Zhiwei grow up since childhood, and her seniority was extremely high.
The lifespan limit of a Tongxuan Realm cultivator was three hundred years. Now at the advanced age of two hundred and eighty, her remaining lifespan was scarce, and she should have been resting in quiet cultivation.
It was Leng Zhiwei who had specially requested her to end her seclusion early to secretly protect Ye Ling during her training outside.
Leng Zhiwei spoke first, “Elder Zhou, Ye Ling has been out training for over two months. Was her journey peaceful?”
Elder Zhou slowly toyed with the teapot with her fingertips, speaking with a hint of teasing, “Little Zhiwei, to be honest, I was quite resentful in the beginning.”
“I don't have many days left and should be spending them in secluded cultivation. Yet, you had to trouble this old skeleton of mine to travel long distances, following a junior around.”
Leng Zhiwei let out a helpless laugh. “If Ye Ling's talent weren't so outstanding, I would never have dared to ask you to leave seclusion.”
“If I had let anyone else act as her guardian, I wouldn't have been able to put my mind at ease.”
Elder Zhou slowly put away her playful expression and nodded slightly. “The talent of this Tenth True Disciple indeed reigns supreme among her peers.”
“I followed her secretly the entire way and saw with my own eyes how she ventured deep into Heifeng Valley to gather Quiet Heart Grass and subdued the Xiantian exotic beast, the Miasma Demon Frog.”
“Afterward, she even joined forces with Ye Chen to fight the peak Xiantian Realm Tyrant Spirit Tiger. Whether it is her personal strength, temperament, or the opportunities she has obtained one after another, all are exceptionally outstanding.”
Her tone suddenly shifted, and a cold flash of killing intent flickered in the depths of her eyes.
“However, that Ye Chen from the Burning Heaven Martial Academy also possesses extraordinary talent, only slightly inferior to Ye Ling's. Should we take some measures beforehand to deal with him?”
Leng Zhiwei quickly raised her hand to stop her. “Aunt Zhou, absolutely not. Ye Ling and Ye Chen are on decent terms, and they share the same clan origins.”
“Ye Chen might not necessarily pose a threat to the Qinglan Sword Sect, and besides, his talent is ultimately inferior to Ye Ling's.”
After listening, Elder Zhou pondered for a moment, then slowly nodded and smiled faintly. “I was only joking.”
Then, her expression turned solemn. “Ye Ling possesses peerless talent. In the future, she is destined to be the hope that supports the Qinglan Sword Sect.”
“Since my remaining lifespan is short anyway, I might as well stay by Ye Ling's side permanently from now on to protect her closely and ensure her safety.”
Leng Zhiwei solemnly agreed. “Very well. From now on, Ye Ling's safety will be entrusted to Elder Zhou.”
She calculated the time briefly. “Based on her schedule, Ye Ling should be arriving at the main hall soon. Aunt Zhou, please excuse yourself for now.”
Elder Zhou nodded slightly, her figure flickering as she vanished in an instant.
Looking at the empty hall, Leng Zhiwei silently let out a sigh of relief.
With Aunt Zhou protecting her closely, Ye Ling's safety was finally secured.
Although Aunt Zhou's lifespan was nearing its end, her Tongxuan Realm foundation was completely intact. Even if Leng Zhiwei were to face her directly, she might not necessarily win.
Only with her guarding Ye Ling could she truly feel at ease.
Leng Zhiwei raised her hand to clear away the old tea set and replace it with a new one. Ye Ling was about to arrive.
Sure enough, a clear voice echoed from outside the hall, “Tenth True Disciple Ye Ling requests an audience with the Sect Master!”
“Enter.”
The doors of the hall opened slightly, and Ye Ling walked in with measured steps. Leng Zhiwei cast aside her solemn demeanor and waved her over warmly.
“Ling'er, come and sit. Was your journey outside smooth?”
Ye Ling sat down as bidden, her expression calm and respectful. “Replying to the Sect Master, everything went smoothly without any danger.”
Leng Zhiwei raised her hand to hold the teapot and poured a cup of clear tea for Ye Ling. “I assume you have come today regarding the Qingyun Grand Tournament three months from now, as well as the secret realm?”
Ye Ling nodded, speaking candidly. “Indeed. While training outside, I heard news of the Qingyun Grand Tournament. There are only three months left before it begins.”
“I still have a free entry into the sect's secret realm. Since I know very little about it, I have come to seek your guidance, Sect Master. I wish to use the secret realm to cultivate bitterly and prepare for the tournament.”
Leng Zhiwei nodded calmly. “The Qingyun Grand Tournament is the grandest event for the younger generation of the Qingyun Kingdom. Held once every five years, it gathers all geniuses under the age of forty from across the nation.”
“Every tournament is a gathering of peerless geniuses, and countless legends of rising stars are born each time.”
“The world-renowned ‘Five Geniuses of Qingyun’ emerged from the previous tournament.”
“And the champion of the last tournament was the head of our Qinglan Sword Sect's True Disciples, Yang Xingjing.”
“However, after breaking through to the Tongxuan Realm, he left the sect to serve the royal family in the imperial court.”
Doubt flickered in Ye Ling's eyes. “With the surname Yang, could it be...”
“You guessed correctly. Yang Xingjing is the First Prince of the Qingyun Kingdom. Among all the princes, his talent and strength are the most outstanding.”
“However, he has never had any interest in competing for the throne. He only wishes to guard the nation's territory, and is currently stationed at the border year-round to ward off foreign enemies.”
“So that's how it is.” Ye Ling nodded in understanding.
“In the blink of an eye, five years have passed. Most of the top ten from the previous tournament have exceeded the age limit, so this tournament is precisely the stage for the new generation to compete.”
Leng Zhiwei's gaze fell upon Ye Ling. “You are still young. Even if you fail to make it into the top ten this time, future tournaments will ultimately belong to you.”
Ye Ling did not respond, but a trace of determination flashed in her eyes.
Her goal this time was by no means just the top ten. The top five, or even the champion's spot—she would fight for them all.
Leng Zhiwei saw through her thoughts but did not try to persuade her otherwise, smoothly shifting the topic. “Alright, let us speak of the secret realm.”
“As I mentioned before, the sect possesses two low-tier secret realms and one mid-tier secret realm. However, I recommend you enter the mid-tier Bailing Secret Realm directly.”
“The Bailing Secret Realm is named after Bailing Mountain in its center. The spiritual energy in the mountain is extremely prosperous, and dozens of exotic beast species dwell within.”
“Among them are many Tongxuan Realm demon beasts. It is the most central and dangerous region of the entire secret realm.”
“Since your current cultivation is only at the mid-stage Xiantian Realm, remember that you must absolutely not step into Bailing Mountain or the inner region.”
“The spiritual energy in the outer region is already several times denser than in the outside world. It is highly suitable for raising your cultivation, making it perfect for your preparation.”
Ye Ling's expression was respectful. “This disciple will keep your instructions in mind and will never rashly cross the boundaries.”
Leng Zhiwei nodded slightly. “Your free entry allows you a duration of one month. If you wish to continue after it expires, you must exchange your contribution points for it at a rate of one hundred points per day.”
Ye Ling calculated silently. Her total contribution points stood at 2,978. Even if the free period expired after a month, she could still continue cultivating for another two months.
She raised her eyes and said solemnly, “This disciple intends to enter the Bailing Secret Realm immediately to cultivate in seclusion, concentrating on refining my strength to fully prepare for the tournament in three months.”
Looking at the steady, determined light in her eyes, Leng Zhiwei felt deeply gratified.
Ye Ling would surely astound the entire Qingyun Kingdom in the tournament three months from now.
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