- Third-Tier Daoist Sect
While waiting for news from the Divine King’s Court, Miss Gong, using the information provided by her puppet Sheng Qiuyun, completely removed the Gu poison from the bodies of the first batch of experimental cultivators.
When Wen Qiyin heard this, she was so furious she almost dug up Lei Che’s corpse and whipped it until her anger subsided.
Although those Gu were original forms, far more numerous than larvae and adults, she had gone to great lengths to implant them, and now they were all gone.
Although Old Yin didn’t say anything about it, Yin Wuzong was quite critical, even threatening to take over all her affairs.
In other words, take her power.
Now, she needed a major accomplishment to prove herself, but before she could find one, another matter infuriated her.
—The results of the Daoist sect evaluation were out.
“Miss Lü!”
Early in the morning, Lan Suqin eagerly knocked on her door.
Gong Yiling, scratching her messy hair and yawning, opened the door, looking half-asleep.
“Yawn—”
Her mother’s… “hugging” her like a pillow last night had kept her up late. She didn’t feel like doing anything this morning.
“Miss Lan—yawn—”
Finally recognizing the visitor, Gong Yiling let out a huge yawn and mumbled, “What are you doing here so early—”
Before she could finish, Lan Suqin exclaimed, “Third-tier Daoist sect! We’re a third-tier Daoist sect!”
Gong Yiling took a moment to process this. “What third-tier Daoist sect?”
“The evaluation! The results are out!”
The Daoist sect evaluation… oh, right, the Daoist sect evaluation.
Had it really been over a week since then?
She thought that since Ruohuai Daoist Mountain had retained its sixth-tier status, it was a given, so no one had bothered to inform her.
As for being third-tier… it wasn’t particularly exciting for her personally.
“Then congratulations, Miss Lan. This is a great joy for Ruohuai Daoist Mountain.”
“It’s not just a joy.” After announcing the news, Lan Suqin’s excitement subsided a bit, and she smiled calmly. “It’s also a challenge.”
“A challenge?”
“The evaluation period for this Daoist sect examination was much longer than before, because the status of the third-tier sects has changed.”
The gap between sixth-tier and ninth-tier sects could be bridged by a sudden genius or a hefty sum of money for spiritual artifacts. But third-tier was different.
Third-tier sects held regular meetings, had their own special cultivation caves, access to higher-level training grounds, and could browse more profound martial and spiritual techniques in the library.
Moreover, a newly promoted third-tier sect would receive a large reward, including various cultivation-enhancing pills, spirit stones, and weapons.
And they also had the privilege of attending the lectures of the most famous elders in Qian Yue Academy, and even having private conversations with them.
With such a significant difference in resources, the gap between third-tier and sixth-tier sects was enormous.
Once a sect became third-tier, the chances of it being demoted were slim, something no ordinary genius could achieve.
And if they were demoted, all their privileges would be revoked.
Including their cultivation caves, borrowed books from the library, and so on. Except for the reward, everything had to be returned.
If someone was learning a martial skill during this period—this was probably why it took so long for the evaluation to end.
“Is Ruohuai Daoist Mountain the only one newly promoted to third-tier?” Miss Gong asked after understanding the situation.
“Yes… just us.” Lan Suqin said, “The sect we replaced is called Shuhua Daoist Mountain. They’ve been third-tier for a long time. They must be unhappy about being demoted.”
Well… perhaps it was better to remain sixth-tier. That way, they could fly under the radar.
Now that they were third-tier, they had inadvertently made some enemies.
If they were reasonable, it would be fine. If not…
“But,” Lan Suqin’s attitude didn’t change much despite the potential new enemy. “Whether we can maintain this position or not, the improvement and rewards from this period are enough to elevate all our disciples.”
“This is all thanks to you, Miss Lü.” She bowed deeply to Gong Yiling. “I am eternally grateful.”
“Miss Lan, you’re being too polite.” Gong Yiling smiled. “To be honest, I came here to find my friend’s mother. Since Ruohuai Daoist Mountain gave me this opportunity, I couldn’t just stand by and do nothing.”
“Just consider it a mutually beneficial cooperation.”
Although she said this, Lan Suqin knew the difference between facts and pleasantries.
Besides thanking her, she also wanted Gong Yiling to represent Ruohuai Daoist Mountain at the first meeting of the third-tier sects.
Originally, Miss Gong wasn’t interested, but upon hearing that Yin Wuzong of Shenqi Daoist Mountain—Qiu Shui’s nominal brother—was a key figure in the Divine King’s Court…
Her communication with the Divine King’s Court was all through Wen Qiyin. She hadn’t met any other leaders—except for that possibly brain-damaged Lord.
Although a single meeting wouldn’t reveal much about this Yin Wuzong, who was rumored to be cruel and lecherous but also cunning, it would be a good start.
So, Gong Yiling readily accepted.
Of course, Lan Suqin didn’t just give her one spot. There were four in total. Lan Suqin and Gong Yiling would take two, leaving two more.
Naturally, she would take one of her disciples.
This time, Miss Gong didn’t bring Qiu Shui, who had always attended such events, but asked Yan Chuyue to go with her.
Partly because she was afraid they would recognize her, and partly because she was worried he would try something.
Yan Chuyue: “So you’re taking me? What about love?”
Gong Yiling: “Isn’t it because I trust you? Who else could I bring?”
