A Proud Winter Is Coming

Wang Ziyan waved her hand: "Senior brother, there is no need to be like this. Don't take today's humiliation to heart."

"Junior sister, I cannot tolerate this."

Wang Ziyan patted his shoulder: "This is nothing for you. Look at my two senior brothers, you're actually quite good."

She then looked at her two senior brothers with a sly smile on her face.

The two senior brothers' faces were as black as charcoal, they were extremely angry and exclaimed: "Junior sister, can you please not mention things from the past."

Wang Ziyan impatiently said: "Dare to do but not dare to admit, I despise you."

The two senior brothers were furious but could not refute, they could only gesture to Wu Hao and say: "Wu Hao junior brother, come over. We will tell you, don't listen to the nonsense our junior sister is spewing."

Subsequently, the two senior brothers explained the situation to Wu Hao and imparted their experience.

Soon, Wu Hao felt much better in his heart. He no longer wanted to seek revenge from Ye Xuan. Instead, he began comforting his two senior brothers.

After Ye Xuan left, Old Zhou also left. He found Ye Xuan and urged: “My disciple, you must be extremely careful in your actions recently. Based on my understanding of the Sky Demon Sect, they will definitely try to get revenge on you."

Ye Xuan respectfully said: "Thank you for your concern, Master. I hope they don't cause me trouble. If they dare harm me, I won't be polite."

Old Zhou sighed: "Ai! Child, nevermind. Be careful in everything, crush the jade talisman I gave you if you encounter danger and I will come to help immediately."

"Thank you, Master. Your disciple takes note."

"Good! You may leave now!"

"Your disciple bids farewell."

Watching Ye Xuan leave, Old Zhou turned and walked towards the main hall.

Inside the main hall, Lin Qingying was discussing the situation in the Eastern State with the elders of the Qingyun Sword Sect. At the same time, they were comparing the strengths of the major sects in the east, west, south, north and central regions.

Lin Qingying said: "No matter how many demons and prodigies appear in other regions, we must work together to strive for ten quota spots to enter the secret realm."

Li Qingfeng echoed: “What Sect Master Lin said is reasonable. If we cannot secure ten spots this time, the strength of our eastern region will fall far behind the other regions again."

Lin Qingying added: "According to the news from the Holy Land of the Eastern State, the number of quota spots for our eastern region has increased from the original 500 to 5,000 people this time. This means that each sect must send out ten times more disciples than before."

Li Qingfeng nodded: "I also received this news. This is why I was telling Sect Master Lin that we must fight for ten spots to enter the secret realm."

"Because this concerns the number of participating spots in the next East State Martial Arts Tournament. Everyone should understand the causal relationship here."

In simple terms, this was like qualifying for the World Cup. Regions with stronger abilities get more spots, while weaker regions get fewer spots.

If every region got the same number of spots, the competition would lose its appeal and we would often see situations of seniors competing with juniors from the same sect.

Likewise, if the eastern region’s abilities were lacking and you gave them 100 spots, they could only draw the tallest from the land of dwarfs. But if the northern region's abilities were particularly outstanding and you gave them 100 spots, even those they eliminated would be more formidable than the tallest ones the eastern region sent.

However, by giving up these spots, you also give up many opportunities and reduce the chances of gains.

This was why Lin Qingying and the others wanted to fight for more spots. But in the end, everything was because of interests.

Lin Qingying interjected: “Don’t be fooled by the increase in spots this time. It is very unfavorable for us. The intent of the Holy Land is very clear. They want to inspect our overall capabilities and don’t want us to only think about improving the abilities of individual disciples while neglecting the bigger picture."

"I personally strongly agree with the approach taken by the Holy Land. If we have to rely on certain individuals to change the fate of sects, then we might as well stop aggressively recruiting disciples. Just nurture a few gifted ones and cultivate them intensely. That would save so much time and effort."

"Let's take our Sky Demon Sect for example! We have tens of thousands of disciples, but only around a hundred can be considered prodigies. However, these hundred prodigies used up one third of the sect's resources, yet their contributions amounted to only one percent that of ordinary disciples!"

"We originally wanted to nurture these prodigies so they could grow up to protect the sect. But nine out of ten died before they finished growing up. As for the remaining one-tenth that did manage to mature, before we could celebrate for long, over half went to seek bigger worlds, leaving just enough to fill the empty seats left by the deceased elders."

"Not nurturing these prodigies is clearly unacceptable, because there would be no suitable candidates to fill key positions. But nurturing them results in lower returns compared to investments. "

"After I return, I plan to divert more of the sect’s resources towards ordinary disciples and reduce the quota for personal disciples under our direct tutelage."

Li Qingfeng asked: "Aren't you afraid that would negatively impact the cultivation of personal disciples?"

Lin Qingying impatiently replied: "Negative impact my ass! I think it would only negatively impact their ability to show off instead of doing proper work! We were all cultivators who started from the bottom. Who doesn’t understand who?!"

"Besides, I'm only proposing to reduce ordinary resources, not key resources."

"If you gave those same resources to me, I could improve myself rapidly three times over."

Li Qingfeng nodded: "Sect Master Lin is absolutely right. We were all cultivators who started from nothing. Who doesn’t understand who?! From now on, the Qingyun Sword Sect will also implement according to the approach of the Sky Demon Sect."

He then looked towards the various elders and asked: "What do you think?"

All the elders unanimously agreed: “The Sect Master is wise."

Lin Qingying added: "To prevent situations of strong robbing the weak, the sect must formulate strict rules."

"Yes, some disciples take advantage of their status to seize resources from others for their own needs, resulting in wastage and negatively impacting the cultivation of others while severely hindering the sect’s development.” Li Qingfeng supplemented.

"Sect Master Li is right. We must severely crack down on these scourges."

After discussion between the two sect masters, a harsh winter arrived for the prodigies of both major sects.

As the sky gradually darkened, the disciples had already left. Lin Qingying stood up and said, "I still have some matters to attend to these next few days so I won't be staying at the Qingyun Sword Sect. Please discuss any outstanding issues with our elders."

The elder impatiently said: "Sect Master, you want to run off and have fun again?"

Having her true intent pointed out by the elder, Lin Qingying awkwardly replied: "Elder, such difference in our views! I call it tempering myself in the mortal world."

"Aiya! Don't fuss over trivial details. I'll be back in a few days."

The elder had no temper when it came to her. He could only sigh helplessly.

Lin Qingying turned to Li Qingfeng: "Sect Master Li, you don’t have any issues right?"

"No, no! Sect Master Lin, please go ahead."

"Then it's settled."

Saying so, she headed outwards. Along the way, she did not forget to ask Old Zhou: "Elder Zhou, are you going out again tonight? If so, let's go together."

Old Zhou immediately caught up: "Sect Master Lin, wait for me!"

The two of them then left while chatting.

Everyone else was left looking at each other, not knowing what to say.

Upon exiting the main hall, Lin Qingying said: "Oh right, call my disciple along too."

"Then I’ll call my disciple Ziyan along too."

Subsequently, the two began contacting others using voice transmission jade talismans.

In a room, an alluring beauty with red lips, white teeth, smooth skin like jade, exceptional looks that could bring down nations, and a figure that could seduce cities. She was resting her chin on one hand, seemingly lost in thoughts.

Suddenly, the communication jade talisman on the woman lit up.

The woman picked up the talisman and heard her master's voice coming from within.

"Yanran, I'm waiting for you at the square."

Having said so, the woman immediately snapped out of her thoughts, got up and rushed towards the square.

When she arrived at the square, she saw her master and two others already waiting there.

She went forward to greet them: "Greetings Master."

Lin Qingying nodded slightly then pointed to the other two people: "This is Elder Zhou, this is your martial sister Ziyan."

"Chu Yanran greets Elder Zhou and martial sister Ziyan."

"Alright, alright, alright."

"Greetings senior sister Chu."

Lin Qingying impatiently interjected: “That’s enough greeting. Things already started at Xiaoyu’s side.”

“Yes, let’s hurry and go!”

Following behind the few people, Chu Yanran felt very puzzled. [Who is Xiaoyu? Why do Master and the rest seem to be in such a hurry?]

Filled with doubts, Chu Yanran followed them to White Tiger City.

Subsequently, she saw her master change into a different appearance and outfit herself in very plain clothes.

“Yanran, from now on I’m your elder sister and you’re my cousin. Remember this no matter what."

Chu Yanran asked in puzzlement: "Master, may I know why?"

"No more whys. Just do as I say."

A few people arrived at the entrance of the Orchid Lodge. Lin Qingying said to Old Zhou: "We'll head in first, you two follow after a while.”

“Understood!"

"Got it!"

Lin Qingying gave the two a thumbs up, a gesture she had learned from Tang Xiaoyu. She felt it was quite cool so she decided to use it.

The two entered Orchid Lodge. Chu Yanran awkwardly asked, "Master, why have we come to a brothel?"

"You're so annoying! I shouldn't have brought you out to have fun."

"Master, I know I was wrong."

Lin Qingying brought Chu Yanran to her usual spot, familiar with the place.

As soon as they sat down, she waved to Tang Xiaoyu, "Xiaoyu, over here!"

Hearing the shout, Tang Xiaoyu looked towards the voice and saw Lin Qingying with another. She then walked over with a smile, "Little sister, where were you all day? I even went home to call you for dinner! But you weren't there."

Lin Qingying pointed at Chu Yanran, "I was picking up my cousin! Then I came straight here after."

"Yanran, this is your Brother Tang. Call him Brother Tang."

Chu Yanran awkwardly squeezed out two words, "Hello, Brother Tang."

Tang Xiaoyu politely replied, "Sister Yanran, nice to meet you. You haven't eaten yet right? I'll go get some food and wine for you."

Lin Qingying called out, "I want crispy flower cakes, monkey fruit, and Little Wang's dried meat."

Tang Xiaoyu indulgently said, "I've kept them ready for you! I'll go grab them for you now."

"Okay, hurry back."

Under Chu Yanran's shocked gaze, Tang Xiaoyu ran off to grab the items.