The two disciples lead Wu Yulan and Lan Xiaohui toward the tallest building in the sect, and on the way there, I overhear many of the Outer and Inner Disciples discussing the white-haired princess. Many are curious about her qualifications, especially because it is as clear as day that she is in the peak of Foundation Establishment.
Her companion — my owner — draws far less attention, though some comments about her appearance are made, which ultimately improves Wu Yulan’s general standing in the sect already. Gifted geniuses should always travel in the company of appealing cultivators.
It is a relatively short trip, compared to the thousands of stairs they had to climb for nearly an entire hour before reaching the sect, and they are quickly taken to a room from which they can see the entire cloud-covered territory of the Galaxy Sword sect.
Not even a minute after settling in, three elders of the sect come into the room, including two that were there when the beginning of the Martial Meeting was announced. In this case, it is the leading elder and the only female that was in the group. The third elder is an old man wearing intricate robes and though he takes a seat at the flank, I cannot help but feel that he is the highest ranking among them.
The three elders sit across from Lan Xiaohui and Wu Yulan, and though there is a ceremonious and official air about the proceedings, everyone is seated very casually.
This is the elders obviously showing face to Wu Yulan.
When the three elders enter, Wu Yulan and Lan Xiaohui both stand up and press their fists into the palm of their hands, and bow. “This one greets the elders of the sect,” they say in unison, well-versed in proper etiquette.
The elders are pleased, but it is difficult to tell other than the polite nod they give to the two. When the elder in the middle gestures with his hand, Wu Yulan and Lan Xiaohui sit down once more on the pillow, and rest their hands on their knees.
“I am Elder Hao,” the man in the middle says, and then gestures to his female companion. “This is Elder Qin.”
Elder Hao does not introduce the remaining man who wears a mysterious smile. All of these elders have a deep cultivation base, comparable to Lady Yue’s, but this mysterious elderly man has a cultivation base so deep that it by far exceeds even Lady Yue’s.
I am surprised that Wu Yulan and Lan Xiaohui can sit still in the presence of this man. Just being in the same room as him makes my sentient core experience a sensation of falling, while I cannot help myself but obsess over how many blood points he would be worth.
“Greetings, esteemed Elders. This one is Wu Yulan, and my companion is Zhu Xuelian. Thank you for taking the time out of your busy schedule to meet us,” Wu Yulan says, and once more bows her head.
Elder Hao and Elder Qin look at Lan Xiaohui with a hint of curiosity before focusing on Wu Yulan once more. “Miss Wu, if this is about the rewards, it will take some time to prepare them. As you might be aware, passing all the floors of the Pagoda of Introspection is such a rare and unlikely event that we did not foresee that something like this could happen,” Elder Hao explains. “The sect has changed many times since the reward incentive was first introduced, and though this rule has never changed, our preparations to immediately grant the rewards has fallen by the wayside. We are still working out the revised protocols for this occasion.”
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“Esteemed Elders, I am not here for the rewards,” Wu Yulan says, straight to the point. “I am here on behalf of my companion. I wish to compete at the Martial Meeting with her to enter the sect.”
“Miss Wu,” Elder Hao says, with a faint smile on his lips. “You do not have to compete at the Martial Meeting. Your entry into the sect is already guaranteed.”
“Elder Hao,” Wu Yulan says, replicating the same pause that Elder Hao used. “I am aware that I do not have to compete, but it is my desire to compete anyway. More importantly, I wish for Zhu Xuelian to also be given the opportunity to compete.”
“This matter is…” Elder Hao begins but then trails off. “It is something we will have to deliberate on.”
At this point, Wu Yulan stands up and immediately bows. “My apologies for being rude, esteemed Elders, but this matter is not for negotiation. If the Galaxy Sword sect won’t agree to let both myself and Zhu Xuelian enter together, then I will decline the rewards and join the Heavenly Mountain Pavilion instead!”
Lan Xiaohui gulps, but keeps her head and eyes lowered. In her heart, I can tell that she is marveling at Wu Yulan's bravery.
At the mention of the sect directly competing with the Galaxy Sword sect, the elder’s expressions turn dark. Except the mysterious elder who laughs wholeheartedly instead.
It is smart for Wu Yulan to bring up the Heavenly Mountain Pavilion at a time like this, for it is the most effective method of relaying how serious she is about this. This is how diplomacy should be done: with heavy firepower.
“Esteemed Elders,” Wu Yulan continues. “I do not make this request frivolously or because of favoritism. If you let us compete, Zhu Xuelian will prove to you that she is in no way my lesser. This is all I ask for — you can keep the rewards. Just let Zhu Xuelian prove that the Pagoda of Introspection judged her wrong.”
Elder Hao looks at the mysterious Elder and deferentially lowers his voice. “Ancestor Yang, what is your opinion on this matter?”
At these words, Ancestor Yang cracks open one eye to glance at Lan Xiaohui and then chuckles again. “This young generation is so illustrious. Can you not see that this girl has already comprehended Sword Law?” he asks with a great hint of amusement in his tone.
Suddenly, all eyes are on Lan Xiaohui. Now, where there was only turmoil in her heart, a stone-cold ice spreads.
Elder Hao stares at Lan Xiaohui. “Is this true, Miss Zhu? You have already comprehended Sword Law?”
My owner raises her head. “Yes, Elder Hao,” she replies.
“How was your result so poor at the Pagoda of Introspection?” Elder Hao asks, clearly aware of her result.
“With all due respect, esteemed elders, I could not abandon my heart for the convenience of joining a sect,” Lan Xiaohui says. “Whether I can reach the pinnacle with a sect or not, I do not know; but without a heart, I know I can’t.”
Ancestor Yang laughs at this and claps his hands together. “Well said. Well said.”
Elder Qin also seems to find these words amusing because she smiles. “The Pagoda of Introspection tests the potential of a sword cultivator to comprehend Sword Law. Testing someone who already comprehended it is bound to give strange results,” she says and nods.
Ancestor Yang nods in agreement. “If I were younger, I would certainly take these two as direct disciples to see how far they could go.”
With such endorsement, Elder Hao has no choice but to sigh. “This will be an unprecedented exception,” he says. “But how could we turn away such two talents?”
Wu Yulan smiles. “We will prove at the Martial Meeting that we have earned this exception, esteemed Elders.”
Elder Hao shakes his head. “You misunderstand, Miss Wu. We will allow your companion to enter the sect, but the two of you will not compete at the Martial Meeting.”