Wang Yue was perplexed beyond asure.
However, it was clear enough that Su Bai had undoubtedly encountered a colossal fortune.
As for what that fortune specifically entailed, Wang Yue couldn't guess.
However, he did notice one thing.
Su Bai was serving as a nial servant to the fiancé of the sect master of the Hundred Refinents Sect, a man known as Yi Feng.
Wang Yue had wondered if Su Bai's power might be derived from this Yi Feng.
Could Yi Feng himself be a hidden mastermind?
But he quickly dismissed the idea.
Yi Feng had only been in the sect for a few days, how could he possibly elevate a re servant to such heights in such a short ti?
Even if he were a Nine-Tiered Celestial, it wouldn't be feasible!
As for why Su Bai, despite his newfound power, still served Yi Feng as a nial servant, it was likely that Su Bai didn't want to reveal his identity just yet, especially since he hadn't left the Hundred Refinents Sect either.
With these questions weighing on him, Wang Yue entered the secret assembly hall.
Inside the hall,
Many elders had already gathered, led by Sun Zii.
After Wang Yue arrived, several more elders joined them.
In total, over a dozen elders were present.
With the exception of a few neutral elders who abstained from sect affairs, almost all the elders were here.
They were, in truth, followers of Elder Sun Zii.
Though, to be precise, they weren't exactly followers. They had rely ford a temporary alliance to oust Shi Qingwu from her position as sect master.
Shi Qingwu, despite her formidable strength and ruthless tactics, was, in their eyes, simply too young and a woman to boot.
Perhaps due to traditional thinking, coupled with their discomfort at the idea of taking orders from a younger generation, they were eager to dethrone Shi Qingwu from her position.
Of course, Wang Yue's motives were different.
He held no ill will towards Shi Qingwu.
In fact, he had hardly seen her a few tis, his sole focus being on rescuing his elder brother.
He had agreed to sit here only because Sun Zii had promised to help in the rescue effort after the ousting.
Despite his brother already being rescued, Wang Yue found it difficult to back out now.
"Speak, everyone, what should we do about that Yi Feng?"
Sun Zii directly opened the discussion.
"Killing him is out of the question," one elder imdiately stated. "If we were to kill him, Shi Qingwu could claim him to be her man, and even if she breaks the ancestor's decree by not marrying, we'd have no grounds to argue. Moreover, killing him would be akin to breaking ties." R𝙖ＮóβЕṦ
"Correct," Sun Zii nodded.
The others also nodded in agreent.
While they all disagreed with Shi Qingwu's position as sect master, they couldn't deny the rits she had brought to the Hundred Refinents Sect.
Competition was fine.
But tearing apart their relationship was not yet the ti.
"There's only one way," Sun Zii continued, "which is to find a way to get Yi Feng to admit he was sent by Shi Qingwu to pose as her fiancé."
"With those words spoken, Shi Qingwu must step down!"
Hearing this,
The assembled elders nodded.
"This matter is actually quite simple," Sun Zii added with a smile. "Even Yi Feng himself might throw in the towel."
"Oh?"
The others turned their gaze towards Sun Zii.
"Because right now, there's a golden opportunity," Sun Zii continued.
"Are you talking about the Upper Sect Examination?" one of the elders, Jiang Zuo, inquired.
"Precisely, the Upper Sect Examination." Sun Zii confird, "The once-a-decade Upper Sect Examination is just around the corner."
"As you all know, this so-called examination is rely a series of challenges where the disciples of the upper sect and our lower sect compete against each other."
"But as per tradition, everyone knows this is just a ans for the upper sect to humiliate our lower sect. Every examination, our sect is left battered and bruised by their upper sect disciples."
"So my proposal is, why not send Yi Feng there? Sending soone to endure humiliation is standard practice—sending Yi Feng would be particularly fitting. At the very least, if he collapses under the pressure, we could use it against her."
At this point, Sun Zii smiled knowingly. "You see, the examination is fraught with danger, and the process is extrely unpleasant. There's a significant risk to one's life. If Yi Feng were to attend, do you think he could handle it?"
The others nodded, finding the logic sound.
Every Upper Sect Examination was essentially a dispatch of disciples to face humiliation.
Previous elites sent there had returned under imnse stress, their morale shattered. If Yi Feng, a man with no background or strength, were sent, it's possible he'd break down entirely.
Under such pressure, Yi Feng might simply throw in the towel, admitting his imposture or fleeing.
The crux of this plan was to apply pressure to Yi Feng.
To make him understand that while Shi Qingwu might have promised him imnse benefits, posing as her fiancé wasn't going to be a walk in the park.
As for the embarrassnt to the sect, who was sent didn't matter much.
Even if the embarrassnt occurred, it would primarily reflect on Shi Qingwu's reputation, as Yi Feng was supposedly her man.
In this way, Shi Qingwu, who had yet to fully establish her authority in the sect, would lose even more goodwill.
"This is indeed a good strategy, but Yi Feng is, after all, publicly Shi Qingwu's fiancé. Sending him—is that appropriate?"
One person questioned.
"There's nothing inappropriate about it. In fact, he's the most suitable candidate," Sun Zii replied. "First, he's of a similar age to the disciples. Second, having the future sect master's fiancé represent the sect in the examination is perfectly legitimate."
The others nodded.
They quickly agreed to this plan.
The next day,
Yi Feng, lounging in a chair, received a letter sent by Sun Zii's order.
As Shi Qingwu's fiancé, he was requested to represent the Hundred Refinents Sect in the Upper Sect Examination.
"Say, what?"
"A sect examination?"
Yi Feng blinked in surprise.
"Yes, sir. This letter was delivered by an emissary of Elder Sun Zii," Su Bai added, "who emphasized that, as the sect master's fiancé, you cannot decline this responsibility. Unless, of course, you are not actually the sect master's fiancé..."
"Hmm..."
Yi Feng stroked his chin, considering.
The elders' intentions were obvious!
They were trying to make things difficult for him, hoping he'd buckle under pressure.
But fifty thousand celestial crystals!
And thirty thousand more hadn't even been paid yet.
Could Yi Feng really be so easily swayed?
"How strong is this Upper Sect?"
Yi Feng asked.
"Um..."
Su Bai thought for a mont.
Strong? Of course, they were strong, or else why would they be called the Upper Sect?
But in front of the esteed Master Yi...
Su Bai blinked, then firmly stated, "They are very weak."
"Oh?"
Yi Feng's eyes lit up.
If even Su Bai said they were weak, then surely they couldn't be that formidable.
Besides, he had already noticed that even within the Hundred Refinents Sect, the cultivation levels were barely noticeable. A weaker sect would not boast an impressively strong upper sect, right?
If that were the case, participating in this examination wouldn't be a big deal.
Furthermore, since he was a mighty sixty-leveled Golden Immortal, surely he could handle this!
Moreover, he had been looking for a chance to show off his strength. Opportunity knocked, so why not seize it?
Attending this sect examination would both help Shi Qingwu and give him a chance to fulfill his bragging fantasy. It was a win-win!
"Alright, I'll go!"
Yi Feng slapped his thigh, making his decision.
He also made so preparations, just in case things got rough.
The next day,
Yi Feng and three others boarded a small flying boat, heading towards the Upper Sect, the Heavenly Tyrant Sect.
Along with Su Bai and Yi Feng, there were two protectors, Jiang Zuo and Jiang You.
No elders accompanied them.
"Just, just the four of us?"
Yi Feng looked at the two, asking.
The idea of the grand Upper Sect Examination made it sound like a huge event, but in reality, it was just this?
"Better count your blessings!"
Jiang Zuo glanced at Yi Feng before closing his eyes to rest on the flying boat.
Everyone understood that going there would an enduring humiliation.
So no one wanted to go, and everyone avoided it like the plague. However, despite their decent strength, the two brothers lacked any substantial background or support within the sect. There was no one to speak up for them, so this miserable task fell upon their shoulders.
“Hehe, no need to be nervous, son-in-law. Just relax,”
Jiang You sighed and actually tried to comfort Yi Feng.
How could they not see that this was all a result of the power struggles among the higher echelons of the sect? It was just the lower-ranked people being dragged into the ss. They were rely escorts, but Yi Feng, the main character...
...was bound to have a tough ti.
Thinking about what lay ahead, Jiang You couldn’t help but feel sympathy for Yi Feng.
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