The atmosphere in the Sky Profound Hall, after the initial solemnity and silence, gradually shifted in an extremely strange direction.
The Sect Master did not continue to press the matter.
Because he found that he simply could not have a normal conversation with this "Dao fanatic" before him. All his probing and pressure were like a clay ox entering the sea, disappearing without a trace. The other party was simply not on the same wavelength. He was asking about facts, but she was answering with profound "comprehensions."
The feeling was like an emperor interrogating a mathematician who only had "1+1=2" on his mind. No matter how the emperor displayed his authority, the mathematician would only ask curiously, "Does your crown conform to the golden ratio?"
It was a dimensional-level strike, but it was a dimensional-level strike of purity against authority.
To verify the world-shaking conjecture in his heart, the Sect Master decided to conduct one final, most direct test.
He stopped speaking. Instead, slowly, from his figure shrouded in the aura of the Great Dao, he separated a wisp of incomparably pure "Supreme Profound Dao Rhythm," which represented the foundation of his own cultivation.
This wisp of Dao rhythm was formless and intangible, yet it contained the supreme understanding of the laws of heaven and earth of a Great Perfection Nascent Soul stage cultivator. The moment it appeared, the speed of the stars on the dome of the entire hall seemed to quicken. Elder Liu felt a reverence from the depths of his soul and subconsciously lowered his head even further.
This wisp of Dao rhythm was not an attack, but a test. Like a gentle breeze, it floated lightly towards Yue Qingqian's brow.
Any normal Qi Condensation stage disciple, in front of this wisp of Dao rhythm, would probably have their thoughts frozen, their soul instantly burst by the massive amount of information it contained.
However, Yue Qingqian's reaction once again dealt a severe blow to the Sect Master's mind.
The moment the "Heart-Purifying Jade" emitted a faint cool sensation as a reminder, she strictly followed her senior brother's supreme directive—do not resist, do not fear, just... be curious.
She did not show any expression of pain or fear. Instead, she widened her eyes slightly, and in her clear eyes, the wisp of Dao rhythm that ordinary people could not see was reflected. Her small mouth was slightly agape, her face showing the pure curiosity and wonder of a child seeing a firefly for the first time.
She even, uncontrollably, extended a slender finger, trembling, as if wanting to touch that "shiny, pretty" thing that was floating towards her.
This scene completely shattered the last line of defense in the Sect Master's heart.
She's mad! This disciple is truly mad!
She actually treated his foundational Dao rhythm, which was powerful enough to suppress a region, as... a novel toy?!
In her soul, there was truly not a single concept of "power," "level," or "pressure"! Her world was as pure as a blank sheet of paper, on which was only written her own unique understanding of the "Dao"!
"Enough!"
The Sect Master waved his hand abruptly, and the wisp of Dao rhythm dissipated an inch from Yue Qingqian's brow.
His Dao heart, which was as calm as an ancient well, was now in turmoil.
He was now 1000% certain that he, and Liu Changqing, had witnessed a miracle. A true "Natural-born Dao Child," not bound by worldly laws, was standing right in front of him!
Such an existence was a rarity in ten thousand years! Its value far surpassed that of the Void Spirit Flower itself!
Elder Liu, at the side, saw the Sect Master withdraw the Dao rhythm and then saw Yue Qingqian's disappointed expression of "where did my toy go." His "rationalization" technique, at this moment, achieved a stunning synchronization with the Sect Master's!
He excitedly took a step forward and, in a trembling voice, offered the final, most perfect commentary to this ultimate misunderstanding: "Sect Master! Did... did you see it! This is her Dao! In her eyes, all things are Dao rhythm! Your supreme divine might, in her view, is just another form of the 'symphony of the Great Dao' that she can 'listen to' and 'comprehend'!"
This commentary was like a revelation, completely dispelling the last trace of doubt in the Sect Master's heart.
He let out a long, long sigh. The sigh was filled with shock, emotion, and a trace of ecstatic joy from having found a treasure.
"So be it..." he said slowly, his voice carrying a hint of fatigue that even he himself had not noticed. "Liu Changqing, you are right. The matter of the Void Spirit Flower is indeed the will of heaven, not something that can be interfered with by man. Since the spiritual object has chosen its master, that petal is her fortunate encounter. This matter ends here."
Not only did he completely dismiss all his suspicions, but he also directly acknowledged Yue Qingqian's "ownership" of the petal!
Elder Liu was overjoyed and quickly kowtowed in gratitude.
However, the Sect Master's next words were about to bring a new nightmare to Lin Fan, who was anxiously waiting for news back on Lesser Peak.
"Such a prodigy is a treasure that our Sky Profound Sect has not seen in ten thousand years. We must not allow any mishaps." The Sect Master's voice became unprecedentedly majestic and solemn.
"By my decree!"
"First, promote the Ninth Peak disciple, Yue Qingqian, to the status of 'Quasi-Saintess' of the sect, her status equivalent to a core true disciple!"
"Second, bestow upon her one 'Purple Qi from the East Robe' and one 'Soul-Protecting Heart-Purifying Pendant,' both top-grade defensive spiritual treasures, to be worn at all times!"
"Third, from this day forth, Yue Qingqian's safety will be the direct responsibility of the Hall of Discipline! Any disciple who dares to show her disrespect or harm her in secret, once verified, regardless of their identity, will be dealt with as a traitor to the sect, with no leniency!"
Decree after decree, like heavenly thunder, boomed in the empty hall.
Yue Qingqian stared blankly as several streaks of light flew from the Sect Master's hand, transforming into a magnificent robe and an exquisite jade pendant, hovering in front of her. She still had that dazed and simple look, and even reached out and curiously poked the robe, which obviously had an incredible defensive power.
This thrilling audience thus ended in this extremely absurd manner.
...
When Yue Qingqian, dressed in a magnificent robe shrouded in purple qi and with an inner glow, holding a pile of rewards, returned to Lesser Peak in a daze, she was greeted by Lin Fan's expectant and anxious face.
When she recounted everything that had happened in the Sky Profound Hall, word for word.
A long silence fell upon the courtyard.
Lin Fan listened to his junior sister's description, his expression going through a wonderful series of changes, like a Sichuan opera face-changing performance. From initial tension, to mid-way approval, and finally... to a dazed stupor.
He slowly raised his head and looked at his junior sister, who had not only returned unscathed but had also acquired a full set of "divine equipment" and had become a specially protected animal of the sect.
His originally relaxed face, once again, slowly, inch by inch, darkened.
His original plan was just to have his junior sister pass the trial in a low-key manner, so that the sect's upper echelon would no longer pay attention to them.
But now...
Now, Yue Qingqian had directly upgraded from a "small trouble" to a walking super great karma aggregator, with a seven-colored neon sign above her head that read "I am a national treasure, come pay attention to me"!
What was this if not a shackle?!
Lin Fan let out a long, long sigh, a sigh filled with endless sorrow for the shameless methods of the Heavenly Dao.
He felt that the difficulty of his great "moving" plan had been forcibly increased by at least tenfold today.