"Sect Master, I do not entirely agree with taking action against the Flowing Luo Sect. The Anwu Hall has recently issued strict orders. If Liu Tula were to use this against us, our Junior Sect's situation would become passive."
Inside the Junior Sect's assembly hall, the Grand Elder spoke slowly. As his words fell, his gaze swept over Bai Yuwei as if by chance, then he slowly sat down.
Seeing this, Bai Yuwei frowned slightly but did not speak.
"Sect Master, I also concur with the Grand Elder's words. Given the current situation, it is indeed not suitable for our Junior Sect to strike against the Flowing Luo Sect." As the Grand Elder finished speaking, an elder seated below him immediately stood up, bowed, and seconded his statement.
"We second the motion." Before Liu Feichen could speak, everyone in the hall stood up and bowed in agreement.
Watching their actions, Liu Feichen turned his gaze to Bai Yuwei and slowly asked, "Saintess, what are your thoughts?"
As Liu Feichen's words ended, everyone in the hall turned their attention to Bai Yuwei.
Hearing this, Bai Yuwei understood Liu Feichen's intention. She immediately replied, "Since we are in a period of turmoil, it is indeed not suitable to engage in further conflict. This matter can be temporarily shelved and discussed again after the Anwu Hall issue is resolved."
A hint of satisfaction flashed in Liu Feichen's eyes. He then nodded, "Since everyone feels it is not appropriate to attack the Flowing Luo Sect at this time, this matter will be put aside for now. We will discuss it again after some time."
"Furthermore, it is time to begin preparations for the trial of the newly recruited disciples. Grand Elder, this matter will be entirely your responsibility."
"I will obey the Sect Master's command." The Grand Elder nodded slightly in response.
"That is all for today's discussion. Elders, you may withdraw. Uh, Saintess, please stay behind." Liu Feichen nodded and then spoke.
"We take our leave." The elders immediately stood up and bowed in response.
"Sect Master, do you have any instructions?" After everyone left, Bai Yuwei bowed slightly and asked.
Liu Feichen pondered for a moment before saying, "Saintess, I had intended to speak up for you, but unexpectedly, the Anwu Hall issued new directives at this time. Moreover, the Grand Elder seems to be targeting you. Is there any conflict between you and the Grand Elder?"
Bai Yuwei smiled slightly and shook her head, "Sect Master should know that in the Junior Sect, I have never been too close to any elder. If Sect Master believes there is a conflict between the Grand Elder and me, I believe there is no other possibility besides my recognized younger brother, Lin Chu, challenging Qiu Shaoming."
Liu Feichen frowned slightly, "I have also heard about the challenge between Lin Chu and Qiu Shaoming. Saintess, that Lin Chu has just joined our Junior Sect, and his status is that of an ordinary disciple. Is a one-year challenge perhaps too much due to a fit of pique?"
"I hope that challenges between disciples are merely disputes between disciples. You understand this, do you not?"
Bai Yuwei nodded slightly, "Sect Master, please rest assured, I am aware of what needs to be done."
Liu Feichen smiled slightly, "If that is the case, then I am relieved. By the way, since Lin Chu is now a disciple of our Junior Sect, even with you as his elder sister, everything should still follow the rules of the Junior Sect. Let him participate in the disciple trial as well, to avoid any gossip later."
"I understand." A glimmer flashed in Bai Yuwei's eyes.
...
Boom!
In the back mountain of Shaoyin Mountain, a rumbling sound echoed, and Lin Chu's figure gradually emerged from the swirling sand.
"The Void Breaker Fist is indeed worthy of its reputation. If it is cultivated to its peak, its power will likely multiply several times." Lin Chu clenched his fist tightly and muttered.
Glancing at the sky, Lin Chu moved and rushed towards his residence.
Time passed gradually. Watching Lin Chu either practicing his moves in the courtyard or cultivating in seclusion in his room, Bai Yuwei's worries grew.
What unsettled Bai Yuwei the most was that Lin Chu no longer gave her the impression of the innocent and naive youth he once was.
Now, Lin Chu had become silent and isolated, giving off an aura of being unapproachable. The only thing that comforted Bai Yuwei was Lin Chu's significant growth and progress. In this world where strength reigns supreme, Lin Chu's growth brought a hint of relief amidst her worries.
"Brother Chu, in ten days, the disciple trial competition will begin. Are you ready? Of course, if you don't want to go, I can report it to the Sect Master, and it will be alright." After lunch, Bai Yuwei looked at Lin Chu and said.
Lin Chu shook his head slightly and looked at Bai Yuwei, "Sister, since I am a disciple of the Junior Sect, I must naturally participate in the Junior Sect's disciple trial competition. Sister, don't worry, I am prepared."
"That's good." Bai Yuwei nodded, wanting to say more but stopping herself, and then fell silent.
Lin Chu noticed Bai Yuwei's expression. He put down his chopsticks and said, "Sister, I know my mood hasn't been right lately. But you don't need to worry, I can handle all of this. Right now, I have no other thoughts but to become stronger. I hope my sister will not mind."
Hearing Lin Chu's words, Bai Yuwei felt considerably relieved.
Lin Chu's changes during this period had indeed worried her. But now that Lin Chu could say these words, it meant he was not blinded by hatred.
Moreover, everyone's growth requires a certain price. Although this might be cruel for Lin Chu, transforming grief into strength could be considered a means.
Bai Yuwei nodded, "Since Brother Chu has his own decisions, I will not say much more. In any case, you must have a long-term perspective. Alright, Brother Chu, you should continue your cultivation."
In the blink of an eye, only one day remained until the disciple trial competition. The atmosphere in the Junior Sect, which had been tending towards calmness, became agitated once more.
"I heard that Lin Chu, who challenged Qiu Shaoming, will also participate in the disciple competition. Then, we can finally see what kind of person Lin Chu is."
"Did you hear? The Sect Master issued an edict that all newly recruited disciples must participate in this disciple trial. I presume Lin Chu will also be there. Then, we can find out where Lin Chu has been all this time."
"I heard that this time, the sect is offering a Heavenly-grade cultivation technique as a reward for the disciple trial. I wonder who will be the lucky winner."
"..."
On the tenth day, as dawn broke, disciples of all levels of the Junior Sect had mostly gathered in the plaza outside the main hall. At this moment, many senior disciples were looking at the newly recruited disciples in the center of the plaza, discussing them.
In the area for senior disciples, ten chairs were arranged, and seven people were already seated. All seven wore purple-gold robes, with the word "Core" embroidered on their sleeves.
Clearly, these seven were core disciples of the Junior Sect.
Behind the seven sat disciples also wearing purple-gold robes. However, their expressions were slightly respectful, as if the seven seated on the chairs held a higher status than them, these core disciples.
"Who do you think among these disciples will be that Lin Chu?" The man seated in the third position asked with a slight smile.
"The newly recruited disciples this time seem quite strong. In less than two months, some have already reached the peak of the intermediate Qi Refining realm. As for Lin Chu, I suspect he is not among these people."
As the man in the third position finished speaking, the man in the fourth position slowly replied.
"Oh? Brother Huoling seems to know some information that we don't." The man in the third position's eyes lit up upon hearing this, and he looked at the man in the fourth position.
Huoling smiled slightly, "Brother Boming overestimates me. These new disciples are whispering and discussing amongst themselves, clearly knowing each other. Look, none of these disciples are isolated."
"From what I know, Lin Chu does not reside with the newly recruited disciples. And he has never shown himself for such a long time. How would these new disciples know who Lin Chu is? If Lin Chu were present, he would naturally be isolated."
Liu Boming nodded slightly, a hint of realization flashing in his eyes.
"Look, the Grand Elder has arrived." At this moment, an old disciple from the surroundings suddenly exclaimed.
Huoling and Liu Boming and others saw this and immediately stood up.
"Strange, is Lin Chu not participating in this disciple trial competition?" Liu Boming muttered, a hint of suspicion in his eyes.
After all, the Sect Master had issued an order. Who in the Junior Sect would dare to disobey the Sect Master's command?
Huoling and the others beside him all shook their heads, their curiosity about Lin Chu clearly growing.
"Huh? The Saintess has also arrived! Strange, the Saintess has never appeared in the disciple trial competitions before. Also, who is the person beside the Saintess?"
Among the senior disciples, someone with sharp eyes noticed Bai Yuwei's arrival and exclaimed.
As these words were spoken, the core disciples and others all looked over. Upon seeing Lin Chu beside Bai Yuwei, a look of astonishment flashed in their eyes.
"Could it be that this person is Lin Chu? Look, he's wearing the uniform of an ordinary disciple of the Junior Sect. Such an unfamiliar face, he must be one of the newly recruited disciples. Heavens, I never thought Lin Chu's backer would be the Saintess!"
"Look! He's even holding the Saintess's hand!"
"No wonder we couldn't find Lin Chu's whereabouts all this time. It turns out he was with the Saintess. Good heavens, Qiu Shaoming's backer, Qiu Shaolong, is a disciple of the Grand Elder. Doesn't that mean this is a confrontation between the Grand Elder and the Saintess?"
As Bai Yuwei appeared, many disciples around the core disciples began to discuss amongst themselves.
Hearing these disciples' discussions, even Huoling and Liu Boming showed a hint of shock in their eyes.
At this moment, Bai Yuwei, holding Lin Chu's hand, descended like a celestial being. She then turned slightly to Lin Chu and said, "Brother Chu, go ahead, I'll be waiting for you up here."
"Alright." Lin Chu nodded slightly, glanced at everyone, and then walked steadily towards the group of disciples in the central area.
"It seems this person is indeed Lin Chu." Seeing Lin Chu head towards the newly recruited disciples' formation, Huoling slowly said.
The six people beside him all nodded, but a different gleam shone in each of their eyes.
Watching Lin Chu enter the arena, the Grand Elder, standing on the high platform, glanced at Bai Yuwei and nodded in acknowledgment. He then turned to face the crowd below and waved his hand.
"All disciples are present. The disciple trial competition begins now!"