Lin Qingling listened with a speechless expression.
Li Shuang was at a loss for words for a moment. After a long pause, she lightly coughed and said, "Master, since Third Senior Brother is in trouble, we should still go and help him."
Lin Qingling sighed helplessly, "Let me call Mingyue and the others over."
Soon.
All the disciples of Wuqing Peak had gathered.
Lin Qingling played Sui Jin's wailing again, and everyone showed an indescribable expression.
"According to Sui Jin, this demonic organization isn't too powerful. In the town he's in, the strongest demon cultivator is only at the Foundation Establishment stage. However, the leader of this organization and his three demon guards—Gold, Silver, and Bronze—are all at the Golden Core stage. This time, the one leading the demon cultivators who came for the commendation is the Bronze Demon Guard."
"Sui Jin's concern is that once a Golden Core expert arrives, they might very likely see through his disguise and discover that he is also at the Golden Core stage. At that point, a major battle would be inevitable."
"However, the organization sending people over also presents an excellent opportunity to completely uproot this demonic organization."
Lin Qingling explained in detail, then said, "According to Sui Jin, there are four Golden Core experts in that organization. Mingyue, Juncheng, Jiang Yi, the three of you should go together. With Mingyue there, even if there are any unexpected situations, you'll be able to handle it."
Luo Mingyue was already at the peak of the Nascent Soul stage, just one step away from entering the Soul Transformation stage.
For her to deal with a few Golden Core cultivators was already considered overkill.
Luo Mingyue and the others naturally agreed without hesitation.
Li Shuang's eyes moved, and she couldn't help but say, "Master, I also happen to want to go down the mountain for some experience. How about I go with my senior brothers and sisters?"
Lin Qingling was stunned for a moment, then said, "Xiao Shuang, you haven't formed your Golden Core yet. It's better to stay in the sect and cultivate further."
Li Shuang calmly stated, "My cultivation has reached a bottleneck, and it will be difficult to make progress without going down the mountain for experience. Master, I won't hold back my senior brothers and sisters. An ordinary Golden Core cultivator might not be my match."
Li Shuang's current cultivation was at the middle Foundation Establishment stage, but with her Sword Domain and Nascent Soul stage soul realm, she believed she could put up a fight against a Golden Core cultivator.
It was a pity she didn't know any secret soul attack techniques; otherwise, her Nascent Soul stage soul realm should give her an absolute advantage against a Golden Core cultivator.
"Master, I'm here. It's fine for Junior Sister to come along," Luo Mingyue said with a smile.
Lin Qingling thought for a moment, then nodded, "Then Xiao Shuang can go too. But remember, do not leave the borders of Chenrong Kingdom!"
"Yes," the disciples all responded.
Sui Jin's situation was quite urgent, so the group didn't delay. After packing their things, they left the sect directly.
Sword Sect.
On the highest peak.
Meng Yifei calmly watched Li Shuang and the others leave.
Jiang Rongyi respectfully poured him tea, his expression indicating he had something to say but was hesitant.
Meng Yifei glanced at him, "If you have something to say, just say it."
Jiang Rongyi hesitated for a moment, then said, "Master. Activating the Heart-Questioning Platform comes at a great cost. In fact, Ye Zhaozhao was already terrified that day, and a simple bluff could have revealed the truth. Why was it necessary to actually activate the Heart-Questioning Platform?"
Meng Yifei's lips curved into a smile, "It's a wonder you've held onto that question until today."
Jiang Rongyi softly said, "Master always says that the sect's interests come first. Regarding the matter of the snowy mountain, from Ye Zhaozhao's demeanor, most people already knew she was lying, and Li Shuang was undoubtedly innocent. Why was it necessary to activate the Heart-Questioning Platform? Isn't that a waste of resources?"
Meng Yifei took a sip of tea and calmly said, "If Li Shuang were just an ordinary disciple, I indeed wouldn't have activated the Heart-Questioning Platform."
Jiang Rongyi showed a somewhat puzzled expression.
"Even if you were wronged, I wouldn't activate this Heart-Questioning Platform," Meng Yifei continued.
Jiang Rongyi nodded. He had no complaints; this was only natural.
"But Li Shuang is different," Meng Yifei calmly stated, "Regarding the matter of slaying the Golden-Winged Roc, everyone, including the demon race, believed that Ye Zhaozhao's talismans and Yan Fan were the main contributors. As for Li Shuang, she might have just been incidental. But that day, I saw clearly that facing Li Shuang, the usually arrogant top genius of the Cangyuan Sect actually placed himself in the position of a challenger! To make a peerless genius feel inferior, Li Shuang's talent is probably far above Yan Fan's."
"She is also the first person in a thousand years to enter the Path of Ruthlessness. Our founding ancestor relied on the Path of Ruthlessness to make the Sword Sect one of the Six Great Sects, and Li Shuang is the only one with the hope of restoring the Sword Sect's glory."
"Most importantly, through the token's imagery, I have a general understanding of Li Shuang's character. In the past, she was too kind, lacking sharpness. Now, she is still kind, but her sharpness is hidden within. Such a person has the opportunity to lead the Sword Sect to glory."
"The future leader of the Sword Sect cannot have a single blemish. Activating the Heart-Questioning Platform to completely clear her of suspicion is well worth it," Meng Yifei said, calmly looking at Jiang Rongyi.
He had once groomed Jiang Rongyi as his successor.
But now, Li Shuang had emerged out of nowhere.
If Li Shuang's growth rate was fast enough, the position of future Sword Sect Master would likely belong to her.
Jiang Rongyi also understood Meng Yifei's unspoken meaning, but he merely nodded, without a trace of jealousy in his brows. "The sect's interests are paramount. The position of sect master naturally goes to the most capable."
Meng Yifei's face broke into a smile, "Besides that, of course, I also have some thoughts of bestowing favor upon Li Shuang. She still needs some of my help now. Providing assistance at this time is like sending charcoal in the snow. When she is flourishing in the future, there might not even be an opportunity to offer help. What I want is not her personal gratitude towards me; what I hope for is for her to have a stronger sense of belonging to the Sword Sect!"
"This disciple understands," Jiang Rongyi responded. Then, he couldn't help but say, "Master, since you have such great expectations for Junior Sister Li, if she rashly goes down the mountain with her current shallow cultivation, wouldn't any mishap destroy the future of our Sword Sect?"
Meng Yifei calmly said, "Tempering the heart in the mortal world is a necessary path for every Sword Sect disciple. What the Sword Sect needs is not a protected prodigy, but a true strong cultivator who can cut through countless thorns. I... look forward to her growth."
Jiang Rongyi nodded and respectfully poured Meng Yifei another cup of tea.
Meng Yifei drank his tea, a glimmer of anticipation flashing in his eyes.
This was truly a great era!
Chaotic!
Fierce!
With brutal competition!
Countless prodigies would fall in this great era.
But some would also rise with the wind, soaring ninety thousand miles high.
The younger generation of his Sword Sect, from Jiang Rongyi to Jiang Yungge, and then to Luo Mingyue and others, could all be considered prodigies of their generation.
But before, the Sword Sect always lacked someone like Yan Fan, an existence that could make even prodigies pale in comparison.
Now.
They had Li Shuang.
He greatly anticipated how much Li Shuang, returning from her experience, would have grown.