Feng Xi first respectfully saluted the three sect masters, then said with a sincere expression, "Sect Master Baili, I truly didn't expect that you would agree to send people to save me at that time. It seems I misunderstood you before.
You are indeed worthy of being the Sect Master of the Hunyuan Sect, open-minded and with a great sense of the bigger picture.
That thing you mentioned before about the secret realm quotas, anyone could tell you were joking.
The four great sects share one breath and one fate. Naturally, we should watch over and help each other.
Especially personal disciples, every one of them is a treasured child of their sect. If any one of them is in danger, people from the other sects naturally wouldn't stand by and watch.
Otherwise, if everything requires conditions and bargaining, then when we fight the Demon Clan in the future, who would be willing to send personal disciples into battle?!
Suppose a personal disciple of the Beast-Taming Sect encounters danger, are the other three sects supposed to rattle abacus beads asking for benefits before saving them?
Sect Master Hu, don't you think so?"
Hu Wankui: "...Well, yes, that's indeed reasonable."
Just now he had been too busy calculating benefits and hadn't thought this far.
If Hunyuan Sect successfully took advantage of the situation this time, then what would happen when the Beast-Taming Sect's personal disciples were in danger?
Wouldn't the other three sects open the lion's mouth in return?
Feng Xi then looked toward Sect Master Lu Zhenkuan of Wan Jian Sect, "Sect Master Lu, what do you think?"
Lu Zhenkuan had the same thought as Hu Wankui, so he nodded, "Your words make sense. The four great sects should indeed watch over and help one another. We shouldn't be raising conditions."
Baili Muchen: "..."
You weren't saying that earlier!
A pair of fence-sitters!
With the two of them undermining him, Baili Muchen couldn't continue his act and could only smile, "Sect Master Xiao, look at that, you're not even as perceptive as this little girl. She could tell this master was joking, but you actually took it seriously!"
Xiao Baidao knew exactly what's going on, but since it wasn't appropriate to tear each other's face off, he casually exchanged a few polite words.
On the other side, Shen Zhilan approached Jun Wen, lightly parting her red lips, "You must be Senior Brother Jun Wen?
I am Shen Zhilan of Hunyuan Sect. I heard that you're a swordsmanship genius. I would like to find an opportunity to exchange swordsmanship insights with you. How about we exchange communication talismans so it'll be easier to contact each other in the future?"
She was certain that Jun Wen would agree, and he would even gladly agree.
However, she could've never imagined that Jun Wen would cover his mouth and run.
Run.
Away.
Lu Xiuhan had been watching Shen Zhilan's every move. Seeing this, he rushed over, sneering, "Junior Sister, why bother paying attention to him?!
That so-called swordsmanship genius is just a gimmick. His cultivation is only at Foundation Establishment Stage third layer, I could defeat him with one hand."
Shen Zhilan's eyes flashed with impatience, but on the surface she smiled and explained, "Second Senior Brother, of course he can't compare to you. I just wanted to observe the sword techniques of Xuantian Sect."
Lu Xiuhan immediately said, "Junior Sister, that's easy. Once we enter the secret realm, we'll specifically target the disciples of Xuantian Sect. Naturally, you'll get to see their swordsmanship."
Shen Zhilan nodded, her gaze drifting toward Feng Xi in the distance.
At this moment, Feng Xi was sticking close to the four sect masters pretending to be obedient. As long as no one drove her away, she could continue to shamelessly stay there.
Lu Xiuhan noticed Shen Zhilan's gaze and coldly laughed, "Just let her jump flail around for a few days. Sooner or later, I'll slaughter her!
It's a pity that she won't be entering the secret realm. Otherwise, I could've ended her."
Shen Zhilan seemed a bit absent-minded and didn't respond.
On the other side, Feng Xi continued to shamelessly stay by the four sect masters.
She was doing it for others to see.
If others saw her standing with the four sect masters, they would definitely think she had great status.
This was very helpful for maintaining her persona.
Besides, there's also a major matter she hadn't done yet!
She gave Xiao Baidao a look, and only then did Xiao Baidao remember, they still had to… beg for donations!
To be honest, he felt awkward opening his mouth, but when he thought of all those spirit stones, the old man steeled himself.
"Sect Master Baili, speaking of which, I still have to thank you.
If not for you, I wouldn't have found such a good disciple like Xiao Xi.
Did you know? The reason I managed to gain enlightenment was thanks to something she said. This little girl may be young, but her comprehension of cultivation is extraordinarily sharp.
And she is courageous and resourceful, even in front of Blood Tiance, she showed no fear and even dared to sneak attack him. Truly a newborn calf unafraid of tigers!
Oh, and she also discovered the clues to the upper-grade spirit stone mine. The child's luck is not ordinary…"
Baili Muchen was practically bubbling with sourness!
He forced a smile, "Feng Xi is indeed not bad, but for cultivators, strength is what truly matters.
Take Zhilan for example, she reached Foundation Establishment Stage third layer after only a little over one month. Given time, her potential is limitless."
Xiao Baidao refused to accept this, "Feng Xi's talent isn't bad either! Once her dantian injury fully heals, she will definitely soar straight to the heavens!
Oh yes, I forgot to mention, after she was gravely injured during the sneak attack on Blood Tiance, I fed her a Nine-Turn Rebirth Pill. Her dantian injury has already begun to improve."
The moment Xiao Baidao said this, all three sect masters were stunned!
Xiao Baidao actually had a Nine-Turn Rebirth Pill?
He hid it so deeply!
The Nine-Turn Rebirth Pill could not be bought even with spirit stones. Many people spent their whole lives without encountering one.
Not only did he have one, he actually gave it to Feng Xi?
That little girl had only recently joined his sect, yet he's willing to give her something so precious?
Xiao Baidao pretended not to see their shock and continued, "As long as my disciple's dantian heals, she will definitely be peerlessly brilliant and amaze the world!
Sect Master Baili, don't take offense at what I'm about to say, but you're a bit too hasty. You held a grand disciple-acceptance ceremony for Shen Zhilan right after receiving her. You should've waited until she accomplished something meaningful first.
Unlike me, although Xiao Xi has already done several earth-shattering deeds, I still thought the timing wasn't right yet. I planned to wait until she gains even more reputation…"
Baili Muchen really couldn't listen anymore and coldly snorted, "Don't dress it up so nicely, I say you just have no money to hold a ceremony!"
Xiao Baidao's face stiffened, "Who says I have no money? I'm merely waiting for the right moment…"
Seeing he hit Xiao Baidao's sore spot, Baili Muchen raised his voice, "If you're so rich, then go hold it!
Oh right, didn't your Xuantian Sect just dig up an upper-grade spirit stone mine? That's perfect for funding a ceremony.
Come to think of it, none of our great sects have ever eaten from your Xuantian Sect's table…"
Xiao Baidao's expression turned ugly, veins bulging on his forehead.
Hu Wankui and Lu Zhenkuan grinned from the side, savoring the spectacle. Fight! The harder they fight the better!
Just then, Feng Xi who had been quiet this whole time, suddenly spoke, "Master, since Sect Master Baili already insists, wouldn't it be unreasonable if we don't hold a disciple-acceptance ceremony?
Rather than picking a date, it's better to seize the moment. Why not hold it right here?
Everyone is present anyway, so we won't need to go door-to-door inviting them."
Xiao Baidao looked utterly shocked, "My disciple, don't speak nonsense! A disciple-acceptance ceremony is not something to treat as a joke!"
Feng Xi smiled, "Master, holding the ceremony here, with heaven and earth as witnesses, and with the blessings of the Northern Region's cultivation peers,how could that possibly be considered a joke?
Even without a banquet, I'm sure everyone will understand. After all, this was Sect Master Baili's proposal."
Baili Muchen: "..."
What do you mean by my proposal?
I told you to hold a ceremony, but I didn't tell you to hold it right now!