The Tai Cang Sect clearly had no intention of keeping an eighth-rank member of the Action Team within their sect boundaries for long, and their efficiency was extraordinarily swift.
Within the time it took to steep a cup of tea, a dozen or so Action Team members, who had been detained, were all brought out.
"Minister Chen, everyone is here. This misunderstanding was caused by us, and this is a token of our sincerity for compensation. We hope you will no longer hold it against us."
Chu Yunji smiled as he handed over more than ten artifacts, most of which were suitable for the ranks of these Action Team members. In addition, there were numerous talismans, mostly fifth-rank, with a few sixth-rank ones as well.
Although these were consumables, they were life-saving items. Fifth-rank talismans were already considered rare, capable of unleashing the power of a single strike from a fifth-rank cultivator.
One must remember that fifth-rank cultivators walking the mortal realm were not quite as rare as phoenix feathers or qilin horns, but they were certainly few in number. How could a single talisman capable of delivering a fifth-rank strike not be precious?
As for sixth-rank talismans? These were actually top-tier within Major Sects, as seventh-rank was already the cultivation ceiling for the Xuan Gate.
And the vast majority of seventh-rank cultivators were incapable of drawing talismans of their own rank. Therefore, seventh-rank cultivators were absolutely considered pillars of their sects.
This was normal, as no sect could guarantee that it would produce a seventh-rank cultivator in every generation. If they ever faced a period of decline where other sects had seventh-rank cultivators but they didn't, a seventh-rank talisman could at least be considered half a seventh-rank cultivator, barely enough to maintain their prestige.
The Tai Cang Sect was willing to hand over sixth-rank talismans, undoubtedly bleeding internally. This was only possible due to the pressure of an eighth-rank Grandmaster's presence; otherwise, they wouldn't even dream of it.
"Well said, well said. It's good that the misunderstanding has been resolved. As fellow cultivators, it's best to stand united in spirit."
Minister Chen responded with a genial smile. In terms of superficial courtesy, he was not inferior to Chu Yunji in the slightest.
While these two ancient foxes exchanged pleasantries, the released Action Team members were still somewhat disoriented.
"What's going on? Didn't Tai Cang threaten to lock me up for life? They're just letting us go like this?"
"Is it a trick? Are they luring us out of the sect, then disguising themselves as bandits to kill us on the way down the mountain, so that Minister and the others have no reason to cause trouble?"
"Holy cow, that's extreme thinking, but it feels like something those bastards would do, a truly insidious move. Help me, I don't want to die!"
These Action Team members speculated back and forth, scaring themselves witless.
Just then, someone with sharp eyes spotted the situation unfolding ahead and immediately spoke up to stop them.
"Stop scaring yourselves! Didn't you see the Minister, whose old face is beaming with smiles, up front? And the Grandmaster is here too!"
"Huh? Really? Oh my god, it really is the Grandmaster!"
"Hahahaha, then it's fine! With the Grandmaster here, we're absolutely safe."
"But when did Tai Cang Sect Master and the Minister become so close?"
The Action Team members saw Yaoyao sitting aside, sipping Wangzai milk, and their taut nerves immediately relaxed. At the same time, they noticed that something was a bit off. They remembered how the Minister,
when they were in The Department before, had often threatened to smash the Tai Cang Sect Master's head in. The usual dynamic when those two met was generally "out of sight, out of mind." Such a harmonious scene was more alarming than the sun rising from the west.
However, it was clearly not the time to ask questions, because the Minister was approaching.
"You've all suffered. Come back with me!"
Minister Chen's expression was gentle as he looked at this group of Action Team members. They were, after all, the elites of The Department. Seeing them all standing there, whole and unharmed, there was nothing more gratifying.
"Minister... I... we..."
Many Action Team members' eyes instantly reddened upon hearing the word "back." However, they quickly suppressed their emotions; after all, there were still outsiders here, and crying would be too embarrassing.
"I know you have questions. I'll explain on the way back. Let's go!"
Minister Chen caught several hesitant glances. How could he not understand their little thoughts? He, too, smiled. The reason he didn't explain on the spot was out of consideration for the Tai Cang Sect's reputation. They had just compensated so much; it was only right to give them some face.
At this moment, if Chu Yunji knew what he was thinking, he would surely erupt into a string of curses.
"Go, go, go. I don't want to stay in this damned place for another second."
Minister Chen nodded, leading the swarm of people towards the Grandmaster. "Everyone has been brought back, Grandmaster. We can return now."
"Okay!" Yaoyao finished her last sip of milk and stood up from the small steps. She glanced at the group of people; the lowest ranked among them were all at the peak of third-rank, with four or five fourth-rank cultivators. It seemed sufficient; she hadn't made the trip for nothing.
A smile appeared on Yaoyao's face. She didn't linger, taking small steps as she walked out, followed by a surging crowd.
"Finally... they're gone!"
It wasn't until the group disappeared from sight that Chu Yunji breathed a sigh of relief. That 'ancestor' was truly terrifying. If she had decided to go back on her word, no one in the sect, from top to bottom, would have been able to stop her. Thankfully, it had been a scare but ultimately harmless.
"A new eighth-rank? This matter must be reported to The Chief. As for what his attitude will be, that's not for me to consider."
Chu Yunji's eyes deepened. Of course, he wouldn't dare to play tricks in front of that particular individual again, but to swallow this slight just like that? He was unwilling. And to spread this news to The Chief's ears, he couldn't be blamed for playing tricks, after all, the commotion at the Tai Cang Sect mountain gate just now hadn't been concealed.
Given such a large-scale event, who could guarantee that no cultivators had passed by? It was perfectly normal for some rumors to spread; The Chief would have no reason to cause trouble.
An eighth-rank cultivator appearing, and a three-year-old child at that, even the Wudang sect leader, no matter how detached, would surely make a move to test them.
"I hope there's some kind of show, otherwise, I'll truly be unwilling!"
Chu Yunji glanced at the messy scene on the ground, a hint of helplessness flashing in his eyes. He knew clearly that throughout the world, only a cultivator of the same rank or higher could trouble an eighth-rank cultivator.
As for those with insufficient strength? No matter how many schemes they concocted, they would still fall before absolute power.
Meanwhile, Yaoyao was unaware of the Tai Cang Sect's schemes. At this moment, she had a bit of a headache looking at the overly enthusiastic members of the Action Team. Their symptoms had been non-stop ever since Uncle Chen told them about her heroic act of saving them.
"Ah ah ah ah, the Grandmaster actually went straight through the Tai Cang Sect's mountain gate by herself for our sakes! Wah wah wah, it's too touching!"
"To suppress a seventh-rank with a single palm! As expected of the Grandmaster, hahahahaha."
"No wonder that guy with the surname Chu was so deferential to the Minister; that son of a bitch must have been beaten into submission! Sure enough, against people like that, you need a hard fist."
"Grandmaster, from now on, you are the leader in my heart! If you tell me to go east, I'll never go west. Can you give this humble one a chance to serve you?"
Their emotions were running so high, causing the scene to become chaotic with chatter. Yaoyao felt a little distressed by all this enthusiasm; what she feared most was exactly this, too much enthusiasm was hard to refuse.
"Alright, all of you be quiet! This time, the Grandmaster truly does have a place where she needs your service."
Minister Chen saw Yaoyao's predicament and sternly composed his face, playing the villain. However, unexpectedly, upon hearing that they actually had a use, they not only weren't unhappy about being lectured but instantly quieted down.
A pair of dark eyes, all together, looked over. The hopeful gaze within them made Minister Chen's scalp tingle a bit for a moment.
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