When was the last ti the Mystical Qilin Sect had a gathering this large?
The mont Yan Ping returned, she called for a eting with every executive senior researcher in the sect. It didn’t matter which district they were from or if they were hiding in the Academic Central rat maze. All the executives reported within the hour when they received her summon.
For decades, the sect leader’s summon remained dormant. The last ti it was used was during the climax of the murim war, where every executive had to bring their assigned disciples to hide while rotating shifts to reinforce the sect’s barrier. The sect went into a total lockdown for nearly a week until Yan Ping gave them the signal that the war was over.
With how quickly her executives gathered in the underground chambers of the sect where they hosted top-secret etings, Yan Ping secretly felt relieved that her sect mbers were still sharp. No matter how much they indulge in chaotic lifestyles and eccentricities when it cos to research, the Mystical Qilin Sect was still a cultivator school. Apart from cultivating and researching, those in this position have a duty to uphold as teachers and protectors.
Within an hour, all the executives were gathered. Nobody joked or showed any of their eccentricities. Like well-trained soldiers, they waited for Yan Ping to address the agenda of the eting. Although everyone was highly intelligent and speculated about the type of ergency, nobody could read the sect master’s expression behind the veil. Unlike the previous sect leader, Yan Ping always appeared intense and serious.
"You’re gathered," she finally spoke. "Very well. I won’t waste more of your ti. You must know that I’ve been leaving the sect quite frequently these days. As you expected, sothing happened outside. The Murim War has not fully concluded. I’ve been keeping an eye on the situation, and it seems that we have now been directly implicated."
Not fully concluded? Shocked to hear that the war was not over, even after Zhao Mingfeng was established as the Celestial Dragon Sect’s leader, nobody spoke for a while. They had a bad feeling about the ergency summon. However, this was worse than they had expected.
"What do you an we are implicated directly now?" Senior Researcher Mo frowned. "Are we preparing to fight in the war? It goes against our founder’s philosophy."
Expecting such a counter-argunt, Yan Ping presented the findings and reports transcribed by Master Lu.
"Read it yourself," Yan Ping urged the senior researchers who trusted facts more than authority. "If you still think we should not get involved even after reading this, let know again."
Curious, the council looked through the concise but earth-shattering report. From the discovery of a traitor who was once a highly-valued mber of the sect to the type of spells used to combat the Rainbow Alliance, it beca clear why Yan Ping reached the conclusion she had.
"I understand the situation now," another senior researcher furrowed her brows. "This was caused by one of our own. Even if his token had been returned the mont he left the sect, nobody else could clean up after his ss in the murim world. We must beco involved to stop further bloodshed."
Agreeing unanimously that they should do sothing to stop Pu Jianming, the executives wondered what Yan Ping had in mind.
"None of the researchers under my wing are trained in combat. Many have also abandoned the traditional path of cultivation, seeking acceleration chambers instead of the traditional path. Our sect might have a higher average cultivation base than other schools. However, our combat skills won’t be of any help even if we participated in this war."
Other senior researchers agreed with this point and raised similar concerns about compromising sect security and the number of soldiers to send into the war. If everyone participated in the war, who would maintain the sect’s internal affairs? It was also impossible to send inexperienced researchers back into the political world without training.
"I’ve considered all the points you’re bringing up," Yan Ping silenced them effectively with one sentence. "This is a booklet I had soone to help transcribe with all my plans and counterasures. If you have any issues with them, let know."
Yan Ping waited and sipped on so tea while handing out copies of her plans. It had been a while since she had persimmon leaf tea. The booklet Yan Ping made lacked nothing. From manpower distribution and training plans, everything included in it answered all their doubts about the operation. Their strategic sect leader managed to kill two birds with one plan by getting involved in the war to nab the traitor while changing the complacent ntality of the newer generation researchers in a hybrid exchange program within the Rainbow Alliance. However, the last page stumped everyone.
"S-sect leader? Is this true?"
Putting her teacup down, Yan Ping raised a brow. She was very sure she included everything she had to say in writing. Did they have a problem with what she decided?
"The last page..." another person trailed off. "We know that Zhao Anji is Zhao Mingfeng’s youngest daughter, who is also your patient. But is this real? Do you intend for her to undergo the successor training already?"
Expecting concern for Anji’s young age, Yan Ping sighed. To convince these fools, she would have to break the doctor-patient confidentiality a little.
"You already know that she was born with a special condition. However, what condition she had was not disclosed. Zhao Mingfeng would not be happy to know I’m telling you this. However, Anji’s condition can only be improved through the successor training. Also, while she is training in this sect after I officially announce her as my successor, you will use her courtesy na Ci Wang."
Courtesy na... If Yan Ping had chosen Anji’s na, the senior researchers knew they could not oppose what the prophet had chosen. Unlike the previous sect leader, who gave Yan Ping the na By Yi Mu, Anji’s courtesy na was special. Everyone knew what kind of child Anji was through their interactions and observations. If Yan Ping was a mountain protecting their ancient sect, Anji was like a spring shower, revitalising the sect with her warmth and kindness.
"Also, I forgot to ntion this in the writing," Yan Ping casually stated. "But Anji has a Celestial Root core. The cause of her illness from birth was not qi deviation. She was born with a core as strong as the Radiant Core before Zhao Mingfeng sealed it twice to prolong her lifespan. She has awakened her second sight even without official guidance. Choosing her to beco the sect’s successor was partially a coincidence, but it was not out of pity. I hope you take this information to your graves."
If Yan Ping was honest, she could go on for hours listing all of Anji’s incredible achievents despite her young age. She was more than qualified to undergo the successor training. However, there was still one more agenda for the eting that she should address.
"Before we conclude the eting, I’d like to ask everyone present here about the task I entrusted you with my successor before I left. Why was my precious successor involved in a life-threatening accident while I was gone? Not to ntion, she was physically hurt on her first day and not from her clumsiness. How are you going to take responsibility for endangering her?"
Paling, the executives quickly threw out alibis to cover their negligence with a justified reason. However, Yan Ping was having none of it.
"All of you report to my hut tomorrow morning and sincerely apologise to the successor. Let everyone in your district know who will succeed the Mystical Qilin Sect and spread her na before tomorrow morning. Disrespecting Ci Wang is the sa as disrespecting our founder. This is the first and last ti you are putting my precious disciple in danger. There will be no rcy next ti. I’m tired from travelling and talking, so I’m going to check on her first. Reflect on your actions and shape up. We’re going to war soon."
Unable to refute or respond back, the senior researchers bowed their heads until Yan Ping left the underground chambers. The mont the stone door closed behind her, they breathed out in unison, the breath they did not know they were holding.
"I can’t believe we survived her wrath," soone comnted.
"If it were like the last murim war, she would have sentenced us to twenty years in the simulation illusion," another shuddered.
"They say children often soften the hearts of those who care for them," a female council mber smirked. "I will have to hug Anj- Ci Wang’s leg tighter in future."
Now that the serious sect leader was gone, the council mbers reverted to their normal selves. Although it was an important matter to prepare for the war, Yan Ping did not intend for them to participate tomorrow. If anything, they had to first prepare a speech to win their successor over tomorrow with an apology so Yan Ping might spare them tortu- punishnt.
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