Bai Shengyi had anticipated that the Wushang Sect would go back on their word, but she hadn't expected Yuan Bingxin to be the one to arrive, and to bring the Hua Ling Mountain Master with her.
She vaguely recalled that when Song Sheng and Xia Xi Lou had tried to frame Qin Si, it was Dao Ming, Master Ku Le, and the Hua Ling Mountain Master who had helped. Therefore, under normal circumstances, Bai Shengyi was willing to give the Hua Ling Mountain Master some face.
But—
"Young friend Bai Shengyi, right? I'm around the same age as your master, how about I call you Xiao Bai?" The Hua Ling Mountain Master tried to establish a connection first.
Bai Shengyi asked sincerely, "Hua Ling Mountain Master, are you at least three thousand years old?"
Her master was a spirit creature transformed into a sentient being, possessing at least three thousand years of cultivation.
The gentle smile on the Hua Ling Mountain Master's face stiffened. No Mahayana cultivator liked being told they were old, because in this realm, where ascension was impossible, being older meant being closer to the end of one's lifespan.
Yet, the female cultivator opposite him, whether feigning ignorance or being deliberately provocative, widened her eyes: "Then you look so young."
The Hua Ling Mountain Master took a deep breath, trying to prevent her from derailing the conversation further. He spoke quickly, "Xiao Bai, the Wushang Sect has already expelled this person from the sect. You can't blame the Wushang Sect for this, can you? Give Uncle here some face, and let your Shenqi Mountain deal with this person privately. If this escalates, we'll all have to see each other around, and it won't look good for anyone."
The Hua Ling Mountain Master's voice was gentle and his demeanor graceful. If one didn't listen closely to the content of his words and only observed his tone and expression, one might think he was from the Shenqi Mountain side.
Bai Shengyi was almost moved to applaud him.
"But, Hua Ling Mountain Master, I confirmed with the Wushang Sect earlier, they said they wouldn't interfere with how I handle this person?"
The moment her words fell, Xiao Mo let out a pained cry and writhed on the ground.
The Hua Ling Mountain Master froze, surprised not only that Bai Shengyi had managed to administer the pill to Xiao Mo at some unknown time, but also by her words.
If the Wushang Sect themselves admitted they wouldn't interfere, then why had they called him here?
He looked at Yuan Bingxin, who looked rather guilty. She hadn't told the Hua Ling Mountain Master the full story, only that a disciple from the Wushang Sect had provoked a relative of Bai Shengyi's subordinate, and that Bai Shengyi was being unreasonable and unforgiving. She hoped the Hua Ling Mountain Master would mediate on behalf of her mother.
Yuan Bingxin said with some annoyance, "But your actions have already affected the reputation of the Wushang Sect!"
In the not-so-large area, nearby were ordinary people watching the commotion, protected by Bai Shengyi. Disciples of the Xuan Nü Sect also stood nearby. Without much thought, Yuan Bingxin could guess how many other covetous eyes were watching this unfold from behind the scenes.
Bai Shengyi had deliberately intended to trample the Wushang Sect's face into the dirt!
Thinking of this, she couldn't help but regret volunteering to resolve the situation.
"Uncle Hua Ling... please help, you really can't let Bai Shengyi continue like this." Yuan Bingxin pleaded softly with the Hua Ling Mountain Master, hoping he could exert some influence to stop Bai Shengyi.
Yuan Bingxin looked at Bai Shengyi ahead and suddenly felt a sense of illusion, or perhaps something else. It hadn't been that long, and the person she used to look down upon had forced her into this position!
She had felt humiliated losing to Bai Shengyi back then, but now she felt even more wronged!
The Hua Ling Mountain Master sighed helplessly, "Xiao Bai, give Uncle here some face and quickly take this Wushang Sect disciple away, will you?"
Bai Shengyi's gaze shifted slightly.
Her objectives had mostly been achieved. However, since the Hua Ling Mountain Master was rushing to offer face...
She smiled, "Hua Ling Mountain Master, are you sure you want me to give you this face?"
The Hua Ling Mountain Master frowned slightly, feeling that something was amiss.
But with Yuan Bingxin constantly urging him nervously from the side, he could only nod, "Yes, I'm sure."
Bai Shengyi's smile deepened.
Before the Hua Ling Mountain Master could say anything else, he heard Bai Shengyi snap her fingers and say cheerfully, "Alright, I can do that."
Before he could praise Bai Shengyi's magnanimity with a smile, he heard Bai Shengyi continue, "Then the favor Qin Si owed you will also be settled."
The smile on the Hua Ling Mountain Master's face froze.
He understood Bai Shengyi's intention.
She was willing to give face, but she wanted a favor in return.
"Xiao Bai, that's not quite appropriate, is it?" the Hua Ling Mountain Master said urgently. It had taken him considerable effort to get Qin Si to owe him a favor back then, to get closer to Qin Si.
Compared to that, the favor Yuan Bingxin had asked of him was nothing.
However, Bai Shengyi seemed to have made up her mind and ignored them both. She turned around and called to Bai Yuyue, "Take him away. He's still breathing. Take him to apologize to Qiu Niang's brother."
Yuan Bingxin didn't notice the darkening expression on the Hua Ling Mountain Master's face.
Her mind was solely focused on the Wushang Sect's reputation. Seeing this, she finally breathed a sigh of relief.
As long as Bai Shengyi stopped causing trouble, and they warned other sects, this matter would be over, and she would have completed her task.
However, before Yuan Bingxin could fully relax, she saw Bai Shengyi suddenly turn her head again, smiling at everyone.
A bad premonition suddenly arose in Yuan Bingxin's heart.
As expected.
"To all you friends watching the excitement, Shenqi Mountain is always hospitable, but we also hope you won't cause trouble. Otherwise, the fate of this Wushang Sect disciple will be the consequence of causing trouble."
"Of course, to make your trip to Shenqi Mountain worthwhile, Shenqi Mountain will be selling the Yang Shen Dan, which can nourish the divine sense. The pills are limited, and for specific purchase methods, please consult the Song Family Auction House."
Bai Shengyi was still emphasizing "Wushang Sect" even as she left!
And she didn't forget to advertise by leveraging the Wushang Sect's reputation!
"Slap!"
Li Tingyun slapped Yuan Bingxin across the face, "Get back and receive your punishment!"
Yuan Bingxin lowered her head, concealing all her unwillingness and anger, and replied, "Yes, disciple takes leave."
As soon as she came out of Li Tingyun's residence, she bumped into the hurried arrival of Master Hui Ling.
"Aunt Hui," Yuan Bingxin lowered her hand covering her face and smiled as she greeted Master Hui Ling.
"Been wronged? I rushed over as soon as I received news of the Sect Master summoning you, but it seems I was still too late."
Master Hui Ling looked at her reddened eyes with concern, "Don't take it to heart. Go back to the sect and enter secluded cultivation. The martial competition will be your stage. By then, what is Shenqi Mountain? Taking revenge will be as easy as flipping your hand. As for Bai Shengyi..."
She paused, "Your mother will be coming out of seclusion soon. She'll have a difficult time then."
"I understand, thank you, Aunt Hui," Yuan Bingxin said softly, "The Sect Master is in a bad mood, perhaps Auntie shouldn't go in."
Master Hui Ling rubbed her head, "It's alright, I know you're a good child, don't worry about me."
As she spoke, she knocked on Li Tingyun's door. A wisp of grey smoke dissipated. Yuan Bingxin looked closely but saw only emptiness before her, nothing at all.
At first, the appearance of the Yang Shen Dan did not attract the attention of the major sects. They all assumed Bai Shengyi was merely using the opportunity to embarrass the Wushang Sect one last time. However, after knowing that the young master of Qishan Pavilion eagerly bought the pills, and that Daojun Qiyuan personally stated his condition had improved, the sects from the outer continent couldn't sit still!
It could even alleviate the divine sense damage of a Mahayana cultivator!
This was already comparable to the effect of an eighth-tier Han Shen Dan!
"Young friend Qin, considering the relationship between our Hua Ling Mountain and Shenqi Mountain, could you give us a purchase card?"
The Hua Ling Mountain Master never expected that Bai Shengyi had been waiting for him right here!