Lin Xiao was beginning to lose his patience. In truth, he really did not want to deal with Yun Jin. For the past three years, they had kept to themselves like water and well—if Yun Jin quietly died after three years, wouldn't that have been the end of it?
But reality never followed the plan. He didn't want to argue with her, yet Yun Jin was like a damn grasshopper, always bouncing right in front of him. Finally, Lin Xiao couldn't hold it in anymore. "Sect Master Yun, please know when to stop!"
Yun Jin still looked like she wanted to keep going, but she waved her hand generously. "Alright, looks like everyone's accepted your apology. We'll stop here today. Just watch yourselves next time."
Yue Zhao and the others immediately responded in agreement.
Hong Ye, who had been leading the team, had already stood. She said softly, "Sect Master."
Looking at Yun Jin's white hair, Hong Ye couldn't help but feel a twinge of pity. The Sect Master had grown stronger again. Yet that head of white hair was proof that no success came easily. On the surface, Yun Jin always looked so calm and carefree, wild and untamed.
But in reality?
How much pain had she endured, how much hardship had she swallowed, how much bitterness was buried in her heart did she carry that no one could know?
Hong Ye felt a rare pang of melancholy.
In the next moment.
Yun Jin turned her gaze to Hong Ye. "Hong Ye, don't just stand there. Look at you—you've been in Wushuang Sect for two or three months, and your cultivation only advanced from mid-Mahayana to late-Mahayana? Haven't you been working hard enough? At this slow pace, you should apologize to everyone!"
Hong Ye stiffened.
She was the Grand Elder, and no one could force her to attend any Curriculum of Unparalleled Bearing. She had let Yue Zhao and the others be reckless, but now Yun Jin wanted her to step up…
"Quick, apologize," Yun Jin urged.
Hong Ye felt a wave of embarrassment.
Why had she volunteered to lead the team to Sky City? This… this was so humiliating.
Yet under Yun Jin's expectant gaze, she cleared her throat and said, "I'm sorry… I…"
"You took a full two months," Yun Jin reminded her.
Hong Ye echoed, "I took a full two months."
Yun Jin continued, "and only barely broke through to late-Mahayana."
Hong Ye replied with difficulty, "and only barely broke through to late-Mahayana."
As she spoke, Hong Ye noticed the expressions of those below had changed.
Some of them wanted to curse.
But they could only force themselves to hold it in.
Especially when—
Hong Ye unexpectedly saw a male cultivator in the crowd.
He looked at her, dazed and unfocused.
Hong Ye had initially felt slightly restrained, but when she saw that man, she unexpectedly smiled. "My aptitude's so poor that after all these years, I've only barely reached late Mahayana. I suppose those born with real talent must already be at Mahayana Peak by now. Maybe they've even mastered a Primordial Force."
The crowd: "???"
Wait, why did you start insulting people midway through your speech!
There were only a handful of Mahayana Peak experts in the entire world. Was she mocking everyone except that handful?!
"Sect Master, I will train diligently from now on and strive to advance as soon as possible, so as not to hold back our sect," Hong Ye continued.
Yun Jin chuckled. "Good. You know your shame and turn it into strength. Everyone will forgive you."
"Hong Ye… is that Hong Ye?" muttered the male cultivator below.
"Do you know her?" someone nearby asked. "She's already a legend. A loose cultivator reaching Mahayana is already extraordinary. Now she has joined Wushuang Sect. Just a few days ago, she clashed with Sect Master Liu of Tianhe Sect, and Sect Master Liu didn't look pleased. This Hong Ye has just entered late-Mahayana, yet her strength is already unfathomable."
"This Wushuang Sect is really uncanny. No matter who joins, they're instantly reborn."
"Yun Jin is a genius herself, but the disciples here are all prodigies—it's ridiculous."
"I feel the disciples of Wushuang Sect are no worse than those of Qingxiao Pavilion, and perhaps even…"
"Shh, don't speak carelessly! Be cautious!"
The voices gradually lowered.
The male cultivator quietly observed Hong Ye for a while, his expression unreadable. Then he turned and quickly disappeared into the crowd.
The moment he vanished, Hong Ye lowered her eyes, a trace of mockery flashing across her gaze.
After all these years…
Seeing that man again didn't stir any real emotion, though she still felt a faint echo of youthful pride. But he was irrelevant now. The next time they met, they'd just be strangers passing by.
Yun Jin glanced at Hong Ye, sensing something, but she did not ask further.
Hong Ye's personal matters were her own to handle.
With most people still present, Yun Jin hurriedly spoke. "Our sect needs a batch of rare ores. Anyone with ores can contact Wushuang Sect disciples for sale or exchange. Furthermore, you will receive priority for improved cultivation manuals."
"The ore list will be posted on—"
Yun Jin thought briefly and asked, "Zi Mo Xiāndì, may I hang something on your statue?"
Zi Mo Xiāndì was silent for a moment, his voice tinged with helplessness. "You may."
"Thank you, Xiāndì." Yun Jin cheerfully hung the ore list on the statue. "Zi Mo Xiāndì, please protect it from wind and rain. Thank you, love you, mwah."
The statue remained silent, completely unsure how to respond.
"This ore list will be here long-term. Those with ores are welcome to trade," Yun Jin said cheerfully.
The list hung down long, revealing just how many ores she needed.
Lin Xiao frowned. "Sect Master Yun, are you planning to forge your Tai'a Sword?"
The Tai'a Sword was already a rare divine weapon, top-grade among Earth-rank treasures, with perfect balance between Yin and Yang. Anyone who'd seen Yun Jin unsheath it had been awed by its brilliance.
But compared to Yun Jin's current strength, the Tai'a Sword had started to lag behind. It was her life-bound weapon, yet now it felt insufficient.
The moment Lin Xiao saw the list, he understood.
She intended to further refine the Tai'a Sword.
Yun Jin smiled brightly, admitting as much. "Pavilion Master Lin, you truly care for me. The Tai'a Sword does need improvement. If you have any of the materials on the list, feel free to trade with me."
Lin Xiao raised an eyebrow, his tone indifferent. "The other materials, though rare, you can probably gather in time. But one item—Sect Master Yun, do you know what the Xuan Yin Crystals and Tian Zhao Stones on this list are?"
Yun Jin's interest was piqued. "Please enlighten me, Pavilion Master."
She had redeemed the upgrade plan for the Tai'a Sword from five-star to eight-star. The higher the rank, the rarer the materials. In Wushuang Sect's warehouse, she could only find a few; most would have to be sourced herself.
With the sect small, collecting materials was inconvenient. The best method was still trading.
This would allow her to gather everything in the shortest time.
Yun Jin separated the materials required for the sword's upgrade and put them on the list. Most of the items were unrelated materials she added herself—rare enough to be worthwhile and to conceal the true items she needed.
However, the Xuan Yin Crystals and Tian Zhao Stones that Lin Xiao mentioned were exactly the two most critical materials to upgrade the Tai'a Sword to eight-star.
===
The author originally wrote "Manifestation Lessons." You might remember, especially from the Mingxin Hall arc, that only Yun Jin can perform "Divine Manifestation." Here, "Divine Manifestation" basically means showing off. So the original "Manifestation Lessons" refers to that same concept.
I wanted a term that better captures the tongue-in-cheek meaning—basically, lessons on how to show off and be arrogantly narcissistic. I want to make it sound more official and grandiose, as Yun Jin would intend, while subtly giving the you a hint of the true content.
That's why I chose "Curriculum of Unparalleled Bearing."
"Unparalleled" directly reflects Yun Jin's narcissism and arrogance.
"Bearing" refers to demeanor, posture, and presence.
It sounds like a course fit for royalty, which perfectly matches Yun Jin's ego