Inside the Wuji Hall, all the members of the Wuji Demon Sect had gathered in full.
It had not been a long span since the previous gathering, yet a few more individuals were missing. After the recent fracas instigated by the two from the Black Demon Sect, everyone's visage was extremely dour. Even Zhang Heng, who had always been imperious, seemed dispirited and remained reticent.
Li Nantian cleared his throat twice, thereby drawing the attention of all unto himself. He enunciated slowly, "Esteemed brethren, the centennial tribute affair on the Soul-breaking Mountain is impending. After years of peregrinations, I wonder if each of you has reaped any rewards. Although some disciples have failed to return, for the sake of our sect's prospective, I was left with no other recourse. I earnestly beseech you to fathom my quandary." Thereupon, a semblance of sorrow was imprinted on his countenance.
Whether his sorrow was veritable or feigned, given the extant state of affairs, there was naught to censure in his actions. Pondering over the current plight of the sect, all donned expressions of melancholy and held their tongues.
After a hiatus, beholding that none responded, Li Nantian recommenced, "At this critical juncture of life and death, I trust that we can all coalesce and assist our sect in traversing this adversity."
With that, he directed his gaze towards Elder Zhang Heng. However, Zhang Heng bowed his head in silence, whether truly oblivious or feigning ignorance was uncertain.
Perceiving Zhang Heng's reaction, Li Nantian shifted his regard to the other three elders. Li Zhengfei, Wang Quande, and Ma Feng were all cognizant of Li Nantian's intentions, yet none uttered a syllable in accord.
Li Nantian seemed somewhat abashed and coughed softly anew. "I am aware of your tribulations, but this matter must be confronted. Else, we might even forfeit our mountain gate, and there would be no locus for cultivation even with the Azure Fiend Art. I implore the elders to evince some sincerity. As the sect leader, I am duty-bound."
Thereupon, Li Nantian deposited scores of top-tier crystals, a hundred high-quality crystals, along with some cultivation elixirs and apparatus upon the stone floor in front. The four elders, who had hitherto been mute, finally took heed of his deeds.
"Oh, I had not anticipated that the sect leader had amassed such a modest hoard. Since the sect leader is so munificent, we cannot remain unresponsive."
Zhang Heng spoke and was the first to step forward. The other elders trailed in his wake.
After the four elders retreated, Ding Hao discerned that there were a fair number of additional items on the ground, albeit they appeared rather meager when contrasted with what Li Nantian had proffered. At this moment, Ding Hao inwardly lamented not having exacted more from Feng Xingran. Since their sect had to render tribute to the Purgatory Demon Sect every century, the latter must be opulently wealthy.
After the elders, the second-generation disciples advanced one after another. However, the offerings of the second-generation disciples were even more pitiable. Some even merely presented a single medium-grade crystal. The one who truly astounded all was incontrovertibly Chen Ling. He alone presented ten high-quality crystals, inclusive of one top-tier crystal.
His display instantaneously made all regard him with newfound esteem. However, Sect Leader Li Nantian and Ma Feng seemed to have anticipated this. The two nodded faintly at him. Ding Hao immediately grasped that Chen Ling must have reached a tacit understanding with them antecedently. Naturally, Ding Hao was well apprised of the provenance of Chen Ling's crystals.
Returning to Ding Hao's side, Chen Ling whispered sotto voce, "When it's your turn to step forward, make a nominal offering, but recollect not to overstep, lest unforeseen contingencies arise."
After some cogitation, Ding Hao also murmured in a low voice, "How much would be felicitous?"
"One-third of mine would suffice," Chen Ling enjoined.
Ding Hao nodded mutely.
Seeing that the second-generation disciples had all made their presentations, Li Nantian sighed softly once more. "Our sect is cognizant that the third-generation disciples are the most indigent. Thus, those who possess items may tender them. We will not levy excessive demands."
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Scarcely had he finished speaking when Zhang Li ascended the dais and placed two medium-grade crystals. After a space, seeing that no one else came forward, Ding Hao also strode forward. He nonchalantly extracted five medium-grade crystals and, after a moment's vacillation, added two high-quality crystals.
Before Ding Hao could reach his seat, he overheard a clamor of discussion in the hall. The majority were conjecturing whether the master and disciple had stumbled upon a windfall and why they were so affluent. Others asseverated that the two were rather fatuous. Ding Hao paid no heed to their remarks, merely feeling a sense of commiseration for them.
When passing by Ma Feng, Ding Hao noticed a queer glimmer in Ma Feng's eyes, a melange of delight and rancor.
After tarrying a while and seeing that no one else came forward to make a donation, Li Nantian's visage brightened. "I knew that all of you would not disregard our sect's difficulties. Although we are still somewhat deficient, our sect will contrive another means to redress the shortfall. Even if I have to proffer my flying sword, we will ensure that our sect has a foothold on the Soul-breaking Mountain."
Li Nantian's words were imbued with a profound sense of dedication, as if he were willing to sacrifice himself for the sect. However, all secretly maligned him for his hypocrisy. If he were truly so committed, why was he so fixated on everyone's possessions? After everyone had presented their offerings, he made such remarks, which truly failed to elicit any sentiment of appreciation from them.
Seeing that no one had any reaction, Li Nantian seemed to find it rather tedious. After a pause, he resumed, "All of you are cognizant that after the centennial tribute, the Soul Refining Assembly is held. Our sect has abstained from several consecutive convocations. I wonder how we should manage it this time. Should we follow the previous practice and demur again?"
At this moment, Chen Ling swept his gaze over Ding Hao. Ding Hao immediately intuited that he must have settled the matter. He could not help but feel a modicum of gratitude towards him.
Just then, Elder Ma Feng stepped forward and asseverated, "Sect Leader, that is anathema. I opine that our sect must not demur again. Although our sect's puissance on the Soul-breaking Mountain is presently the weakest, there is still hope for a resurgence. However, if our sect refrains from participating in every activity, it will only court further derision. Consequently, our sect's deterrence will wane progressively, and ere long, we will be utterly forgotten."
"Elder Ma's words resonate deeply with my cogitations. Indeed! It is precisely because our sect has gradually withdrawn from every activity on the Soul-breaking Mountain that our sect's puissance has attenuated, and other sects have become even more overbearing towards us. Since we are resolved to transmute this situation, we must commence with this Soul Refining Assembly. However, the puissance of our sect's third-generation disciples is rather feeble. It seems that there is no suitable candidate." Li Nantian wore a vexed mien.
"Sect Leader, you might not be apprised that my disciple's disciple, Ding Hao, although he entered the sect relatively tardily, his cultivation has been extremely assiduous. In just a few brief years, he has attained the Fusion Stage. Could he shoulder this onerous responsibility for our sect?" Ma Feng bellowed, his tone suffused with pride.
The two were in perfect concord. By this time, all could discern that the two had reached a tacit understanding long ere this.
"Oh, is that truly so? However, I wonder if Ding Hao is willing to represent our sect. After all, this is a parlous mission. We must also consult his own determination." Li Nantian feigned a look of dubiety.
Ma Feng turned to Ding Hao and inquired, "Are you willing to represent our sect in this assembly?"
Ding Hao was well aware of their intentions. He sighed inwardly, realizing that opulence indeed rendered things more facile. However, Chen Ling did possess some capabilities; otherwise, he could not have resolved this matter in such a truncated time.
Nevertheless, Ding Hao's expression was even more solemn than Li Nantian's. He declaimed in a sonorous voice, "For the sake of our sect's grand stratagem, I will spare no effort, even at the hazard of my life."
"Exquisite! Well said! Ding Hao, although you entered the sect belatedly, your contributions to the sect are not trifling. If our sect can have a disciple like you, there is no cause to fret about the Wuji Demon Sect's lack of a resplendent future!" Li Nantian regarded Ding Hao affectionately and lauded him repetitively.
Ding Hao bowed his head and repeatedly avowed his unworthiness, citing the profound benevolence of the sect and the excellent tutelage of his master.
Chen Ling stroked his beard, looking gratified, as if he truly epitomized the essence of a benevolent preceptor. All three were well aware of the situation. Their words and actions were as smooth as a flowing stream, each one more brazen and crafty than the last.
While the three were still preening, Zhang Heng grew impatient. "I believe that under the aegis of the sect leader, the Wuji Demon Sect will assuredly reach great eminence. However, the sect leader should make early arrangements for the lacking items. Otherwise, we might not even be able to safeguard our sect, let alone qualify for the Soul Refining Assembly. We will only invite ridicule. Does the sect leader concur?"
Zhang Heng's words were rather blunt. A fleeting glint of frigidity flashed in the eyes of Li Nantian and Ma Feng, though their expressions remained immutable.
"Elder Zhang is quite right. In that case, I will make arrangements for the lacking materials. The elders are all occupied. Shall we conclude this assembly?" Li Nantian still maintained a smile.
"The sect leader's words are well-grounded. We shall take our leave. I hope the sect leader can make up for the lacking materials to shield our sect's foundation." With that, Zhang Heng flicked his sleeves and led his adherents away. It seemed that he was unaware that Li Nantian's expression had changed anew.
Seeing that he had departed first, the other elders also bade adieu to Li Nantian and took their leave. Ding Hao and Chen Ling trailed Ma Feng circumspectly. When Chen Ling saw that Ma Feng was striding further and further away, he gave Ding Hao a triumphant wink, signifying that he had fulfilled Ding Hao's request. Ding Hao saw the wink and gestured for him to follow. Chen Ling's face was suffused with joy and immediately complied.
After a while, the two arrived at Ding Hao's chamber. They each erected an array. Ding Hao retrieved an item from his storage pouch and placed it on the table. It was the precious armor gifted by the Yin Wind True Man in exchange for the Infant Locking Ring.
As soon as Chen Ling espied the armor, his face was illumined with delight, knowing that it must be the item Ding Hao had pledged. Chen Ling unceremoniously grasped it and examined it. It was only after a protracted while that he seemed to notice Ding Hao's amused regard.
He chuckled awkwardly, rather embarrassed, and then grinned. "My disciple is truly affluent. Compared to you, I, as your master, seem rather impoverished. Hehe, since it is a gift from my disciple, I will accept it with alacrity."
With that, he laughed heartily and stowed the armor in his storage bracelet.
"Master, what are you prattling about? What belongs to the disciple belongs to the master. How could I not be cognizant of your kindness? If you refrain from doing me harm in the future, I will be even more elated."
The master and disciple stared at each other for a moment and then burst into laughter simultaneously, as if they had forgotten their past grievances.