A Sect Master’s Command and a Disciple’s Bold Challenge

Yanling Sect, Main Hall.

Moxi reclined languidly in the Sect Master’s elevated chair, her slender legs crossed, her right hand balled into a fist supporting her cheek.

“Sect Master, the elders of the Artifact Forging Hall have expedited the production of a batch of high-grade spirit artifacts and spirit armor. Furthermore, the intermediate-grade spirit artifacts are steadily being crafted by the disciples.” From below the dais, the managing elder of the Artifact Forging Hall reported to Moxi on the rewards for the Saintess Grand Selection.

“Indeed. It is imperative that all those spirit artifacts are fully crafted before the Grand Selection commences,” Moxi continued. “This occasion also presents a valuable opportunity to elevate the forging skills of the Artifact Forging Hall disciples. With an unlimited supply of materials, I expect many disciples will advance their forging prowess by a significant realm.”

“It is precisely as you anticipated, Sect Master,” the managing elder replied. “Several disciples have already broken through to the level of advanced artifact forgers, and dozens more have touched the threshold between advanced and intermediate.”

Moxi then shifted her gaze to the managing elder of the Pill Hall, inquiring, “What is the progress on the Pill Hall’s side?”

“It’s quite similar to the Artifact Forging Hall,” the Pill Hall elder stated. “Only a few intermediate-grade pills remain to be prepared, and then everything will be complete.”

“Excellent.” Moxi nodded, her gaze sweeping across all the elders below the dais. “Is there anything else that requires reporting?”

“Sect Master, there is one more matter concerning the secret realm we discovered at the border shared with the Profound Spirit Sacred Land.” Qiuzhuling stepped forward, clasping her hands in a respectful salute.

Moxi’s eyes fell upon Qiuzhuling.

“We have now reached a preliminary agreement with the Profound Spirit Sacred Land. Both our sect and the Sacred Land will only dispatch Nascent Soul stage disciples to enter the realm together. Any cultivators above that stage, be they elders or disciples, are forbidden from entering—”

“Pfft! Hahahaha…”

Qiuzhuling was mid-sentence when she was abruptly interrupted by a burst of laughter. Following the sound, she turned to see a black-haired loli pointing at her and mocking her. As the crisp, yet mocking, laughter echoed in her ears, veins pulsed on Qiuzhuling’s forehead. Her fists involuntarily clenched, and a furious flush spread across her charming, peach-blossom shaped face.

However, mindful of her image and the solemnity of the Main Hall, she suppressed her surging anger, striving to keep her tone calm. “What are you laughing at, Suiliang?!”

“What am I laughing at?” Suiliang, utterly uninhibited, pointed at Qiuzhuling and exclaimed, “You negotiated for so long only to come up with this?! And ‘enter together’? Why should a secret realm, first discovered by our Yanling Sect disciples, be shared with them?!”

“What else could I do?!” Qiuzhuling snapped, her voice rising to a shout. “The secret realm is situated closer to the Sacred Land, and they shamelessly claimed they discovered it first, only leaving to report their findings! They’ve abandoned all pretense of decency; what more could I do?! We can’t possibly declare war over a single secret realm, can we?!”

“Then let’s fight!” Suiliang roared. “Kill them all, scare them into submission, and see if they still dare to be so brazen!”

“Then you go kill them! You’re the managing elder of the Battle Arts Hall, a mighty Tribulation Transcendence stage expert with formidable combat power! But I am merely a weak Void Refinement stage cultivator! How could I possibly contend with their Tribulation Transcendence cultivators?!” Qiuzhuling retorted just as loudly.

In that moment, the Main Hall seemed to have devolved into a stage for their shouting match, a contest of who could be louder. Observing the two elders’ faces flushed crimson with anger, and listening to their bickering, Moxi felt a stir of irritation. She lowered her right hand from her cheek, her index finger tapping lightly on the armrest, unseen spiritual energy gathering at its tip.

The next instant, both Qiuzhuling and Suiliang’s expressions drastically changed. The sound of that index finger tapping the armrest was so faint, yet to their ears, it resonated like a supreme deity striking the world they had created—deafeningly loud.

“Enough, stop bickering.” Moxi’s gaze swept over the startled Qiuzhuling and Suiliang. Her tone was flat as she said, “Regarding the secret realm, we will proceed as Elder Qiu negotiated: our sect and the Profound Spirit Sacred Land will jointly send Nascent Soul stage disciples to enter.”

“Sect Master, but—” Suiliang still wished to speak, but Moxi merely waved her hand. “However, the entry time will be set for one month from now.”

‘One month from now?’

‘Could it be the Saintess Grand Selection?’

‘Is the Sect Master planning to have the Saintess lead the team into that secret realm?’

At her words, all the elders paused, momentarily stunned. Qiuzhuling, however, suddenly recalled the scene of encountering Moxi at the market earlier, becoming lost in thought.

‘Could the Sect Master be intending to…’

Disregarding the elders’ gazes—some surprised, some perplexed, some peculiar, some understanding—Moxi descended from the Sect Master’s chair and walked towards the entrance.

“Sect Master, are you…” An elder, recovering from Moxi’s words, saw her already halfway out the door and hastily inquired.

“Let’s conclude today’s session here,” Moxi said without looking back. “I still need to return and prepare a grand meal for my beloved disciple.”

“A grand meal?” The elder was momentarily bewildered. Just as she intended to press for more information, Moxi had already vanished without a trace.

Within the Battle Arts Space, the Battle Arts Teacher instructed a group of disciples in battle arts and martial techniques.

“When you swing your sword, never hesitate. Let it carry an indomitable momentum; trust the blade in your hand, and believe that beneath its edge, nothing is unbreakable!” The Battle Arts Teacher wielded her longsword, demonstrating the power generation movements and stances to the disciples, while also explaining, “When gripping the sword, do not rely solely on your arm strength. You must harness the power of your entire body!”

“From your legs to your waist, then to your shoulders and arms, and finally your wrist. Watch me demonstrate once.” With that, the Battle Arts Teacher pushed off with her legs, rotated her waist, and channeled explosive power through her shoulders to the blade. “Hah!”

With a soft cry, she executed a beautiful, standard slash. The sword light danced, the air rippled, and a sharp whooshing sound entered everyone’s ears.

“Clap, clap, clap.” The disciples applauded the exquisite slash. Feiluo, with her petite figure, covertly hid behind the crowd of taller disciples, hoping to slack off, and also clapped a few times.

Although she considered these to be the most fundamental basics, she had to admit that the Battle Arts Teacher’s demonstration was truly captivating.

The Battle Arts Teacher turned around, sheathed her sword, and addressed the disciples, “Alright, now you may practice on your own.”

“Yes, Teacher.” The disciples responded in unison.

Feiluo, hidden behind them, secretly lamented in her heart.

‘Eh?’

‘Why do we still have to practice?’

‘Practicing swordplay is exhausting, and practicing these basics is even more so!’

‘Couldn’t she just demonstrate a few moves and then dismiss us, letting everyone practice (or play) as they please?’

‘I really want to just lie down on the ground and rest.’

Feiluo pouted, her heart filled with endless complaints about the practice. She desperately wanted to continue hiding behind the taller disciples, but alas, all the surrounding disciples had already found their own spots and begun practicing. If she remained standing there, she would become the target of everyone’s attention.

Resigned, Feiluo could only find a spot near the edge, hoping to practice in a way that the Battle Arts Teacher wouldn’t easily notice her slacking.

“Feiluo, wait a moment.” But before Feiluo could even settle into her chosen inconspicuous spot, the Battle Arts Teacher called out to her.

‘?’ Feiluo turned her head, looking questioningly at the Battle Arts Teacher, unsure why she had suddenly called her.

“Come here. I’ll personally tutor you in practice,” the Battle Arts Teacher said, beckoning to Feiluo.

‘Personally tutor me in practice?’

‘Wouldn’t that be right under the teacher’s nose?!’

‘How could I possibly slack off then?!’

“No need, I can practice by myself,” Feiluo hastily refused.

“If I let you practice on your own, you’d definitely go slack off again,” the Battle Arts Teacher stated.

Feiluo shook her head. “No, Teacher, I definitely won’t slack off!”

“You said the same thing last time,” the Battle Arts Teacher said, crossing her arms. “I believed you, and then couldn’t find you for the entire rest of the session. I must say, when it comes to stealth, you truly are unmatched!”

“Ah, is that so? Did that really happen?” Feiluo scratched her head, chuckling sheepishly. “Teacher, I promise this time, I’ll definitely stay within your line of sight! You absolutely won’t lose me!”

‘But how I practice is another matter entirely. Slacking off while practicing is still practicing, right?’ Feiluo added silently in her heart.

“I’ll watch you practice for one session first, and then we’ll see,” the Battle Arts Teacher said, waving her hand.

‘One session?!’

‘That’s far too long, isn’t it?!’

Feiluo desperately wanted to refuse again, but seeing the Battle Arts Teacher’s resolute demeanor, she knew that no matter what she said, it likely wouldn’t change her mind.

Just as she was contemplating resigning herself to fate and honestly practicing for one session, an idea suddenly sparked in her mind. Feiluo pondered the idea for a moment, and then her eyes lit up. This idea—it was feasible!

So, under the Battle Arts Teacher’s watchful gaze and the attention of the other disciples, Feiluo raised the sword in her hand, pointing it diagonally at the Battle Arts Teacher.

“Teacher, I want to challenge you!”