To be honest, Li Chuan felt a little smug inside.
After all, Mu Yuling held a prestigious position as the Seventh Elder of the Yin-Yang Sect, ranking among the top ten most influential figures in the sect of over ten thousand disciples.
Having someone of her stature argue over him made him feel honored.
However, when Mu Yuling revealed her reasoning, Li Chuan realized he had overthought it.
Mu Yuling said, "Of course, it was for your sake. Although our Yin-Yang Sect has always welcomed external cultivators and would gladly recruit all the elite talents under heaven..."
"With your strength at the third level of Qi Refining, you managed to accumulate treasures worth over 50,000 Spirit Stones. That alone makes you an elite among Qi Refining cultivators."
The surrounding disciples gasped in surprise, their eyes turning toward Li Chuan.
50,000 Spirit Stones—while they might earn that much in their lifetime, none of them had ever saved up such a fortune.
And these were Foundation Establishment cultivators, no less, elites among their peers. Otherwise, they wouldn’t have been accepted as disciples under Mu Yuling, the Seventh Elder.
"But..." Mu Yuling deliberately drew out her words, watching as Li Chuan eagerly awaited her next sentence. Then, she suddenly pointed at the unconscious He Fenglin and said, "First, take Fenglin to the Spirit Spring. Later, I’ll set up a Calming Array for him."
The disciple supporting He Fenglin, seeing no one else volunteer, reluctantly replied, "Yes, Master."
He would have loved to stay and hear the gossip, but duty called.
Once the disciple left with He Fenglin, Mu Yuling turned to the mountain guard. "You’re dismissed. Go attend to your duties."
"Yes, Seventh Elder," the guard replied stiffly before leaving, inwardly frustrated at being cut off mid-gossip.
Just as Li Chuan thought the conversation would resume, Mu Yuling addressed another disciple. "Cheng Zhou, Fenglin likely won’t wake for a day or two. Go to the Mission Hall and check what task he took on this time. Also, investigate where he’s been these past few days."
"Yes, Master," Cheng Zhou replied, his face sour as he departed.
Li Chuan’s eye twitched. What’s with the 'but'? Just spit it out already!
From Mu Yuling’s attire alone, Li Chuan could tell she enjoyed toying with people’s expectations.
After all, deliberately wearing a sheer outfit that teased the eyes but offered no resolution—wasn’t that the definition of stringing someone along?
Still, he hadn’t expected her to be this good at it.
How can you stand leaving sentences half-finished? Doesn’t it drive you crazy?
As Li Chuan silently grumbled, Mu Yuling turned to another disciple, seemingly having completely forgotten her unfinished thought.
Then, he felt a light poke at his waist, followed by a soft, melodious voice whispering in his ear, "You should just ask. If you don’t, Master will never say it."
He didn’t know which senior sister was sending him the voice transmission, but she was clearly someone familiar with Mu Yuling’s habits—and equally frustrated by them.
Taking the hint, Li Chuan spoke up. "Seventh Elder, about your dispute with the Fourth Elder... you didn’t finish explaining."
"Oh, look at my terrible memory." Mu Yuling patted her chest in exaggerated self-reproach.
Li Chuan’s eyes widened.
Wait, if your memory’s bad, why are you patting your chest instead of your head?
He subtly cleared his throat and swallowed hard.
Why did I have to meet someone like her when I’m still broke?
Agonizing.
"Where was I? Ah, yes—you’re undoubtedly an elite among Qi Refining cultivators, but your potential is exhausted. Whether you’ll even reach Foundation Establishment is uncertain."
She didn’t even mention his lifespan, clearly confident that the Yin-Yang Sect could help him break through.
"But the real issue is your appearance. It severely damages our sect’s image and drags down the overall standard of our disciples."
"Personally, I didn’t want you to join. Unfortunately, I lost the argument to the Fourth Elder."
"Though it seems he was right. If we hadn’t accepted you, my fifth disciple might not have returned alive."
Li Chuan felt even worse now.
I should’ve kept my mouth shut.
Who asked to be insulted?
So what if his looks weren’t great? He’d still won over the stunning Chu Mengyou!
Noticing the stifled laughter from the surrounding disciples, he took the chance to glance back.
Beside him stood a female cultivator in a pale blue robe, her features delicate and her figure slender.
She had been smiling faintly but quickly composed herself when Li Chuan looked her way, giving him an elegant nod.
His gaze lingered for a moment before he turned away.
Her robe wasn’t sheer, but it clung tightly to her body, leaving nothing to the imagination.
Li Chuan realized that the female disciples of the Yin-Yang Sect were dangerous to look at. Every time he did, he couldn’t help but resent himself—for being broke.
"Seventh Elder, if there’s nothing else, this disciple will take his leave," Li Chuan said.
No point staying if I can’t do anything about it. Better to leave early.
Mu Yuling replied, "He Fenglin is not only my disciple but also a core member of the sect. Since you saved him, you deserve a reward."
"Chu Xuan, take Li Chuan to claim a top-grade treasure weapon."
A voice answered from behind Li Chuan, "Yes, Master."
"Junior Brother Li Chuan, follow me."
So the gossip-loving senior sister who had whispered to him earlier was named Chu Xuan.
"Thank you, Seventh Elder." After expressing his gratitude, Li Chuan followed Chu Xuan away.
The hierarchy of magical treasures, from lowest to highest: Treasure Weapons, Artifacts, Spirit Tools, Dao Tools, and Spirit Treasures.
Most Qi Refining cultivators used Treasure Weapons, while the wealthy could afford Artifacts. Spirit Tools were practically legendary at this stage.
As for Dao Tools and Spirit Treasures? Those were beyond imagination.
A top-grade first-tier Treasure Weapon was worth around three to five hundred Spirit Stones, though the exact value depended on the type—with defensive robes and accessories being the most prized.
Though Mu Yuling hadn’t specified the tier, Li Chuan knew better than to expect a second-tier weapon.
He had assumed she would reward him from her personal stash, but Chu Xuan led him off the mountain instead.
"Senior Sister Chu, where are we going?" he asked.
Chu Xuan smiled. "To the sect’s treasury, of course. Unless you don’t want the reward?"
Li Chuan chuckled dryly. These elders really know how to pinch pennies. Saving her disciple, yet rewarding me with the sect’s resources.
Public property sure is convenient to use.
Soon, they arrived at the sect’s treasure vault.
Even though it was the middle of the night, the concept of "rest" didn’t exist in the Yin-Yang Sect.
Even the Mission Hall operated around the clock.
Unlike mortals, cultivators treated meditation as rest. Unless they were in seclusion for a breakthrough, they could remain at their posts all year round.