Hong Ye and the others waited for a while before receiving notice that the Hall Master had summoned them.
The main hall of Mingxin Hall had not been used in a long time. Yun Jin, just arrived, opened it directly. Everyone still in Mingxin Hall was summoned, except those out on missions.
Before coming, Yun Jin had a general understanding of Mingxin Hall's situation, but she needed to see things with her own eyes.
Once everyone had arrived,
Zhai Ge said expressionlessly, "Hall Master, all those not on missions are here."
Yun Jin glanced over.
Though everyone stood together, their expressions and postures revealed two distinct groups.
Yun Jin smiled faintly. "In recent years, the Qingxiao region has been plagued by evil demons, harming mortals, and loose cultivators have had a difficult time. The Demon-Slaying Alliance halls here, despite receiving abundant resources each year and seeing many strong recruits, have never produced results. Today, I have gathered you to ask: what do you think is the reason for this lack of achievement?"
The loose cultivators all exchanged glances toward Hong Ye.
Hong Ye remained silent, offering no opinion.
Yun Jin merely smiled and did not press further.
Her gaze shifted to another mid-Mahayana cultivator standing next to Hong Ye.
Mingxin Hall had three Mahayana-level combatants in total.
The strongest was Zhai Ge, mid-Mahayana.
Next was Hong Ye, early Mahayana, but her cultivation method allowed her to briefly burst to mid-Mahayana combat strength.
The weakest was Shi Li. Shi Li had some history with Yun Jin. He came from a super sect, Yuehua Sect, and before Yun Jin's arrival, he held a position just beneath the top.
"Deacon Shi, speak," Yun Jin said, naming him directly.
Shi Li instinctively glanced at Zhai Ge.
Zhai Ge expressionlessly said, "The Hall Master asked you to speak, then speak. Why are you looking at me?"
Shi Li finally said, "Hall Master, it is not that we do not wish to produce results. Recently, Alliance Master Ji discovered that these demons consumed a strange liquid that hides their spiritual aura. Once hidden, even Alliance Master Ji could not detect them. What could we do?"
Shi Li looked completely innocent.
Yun Jin smiled faintly. "Is that so?"
Shi Li nodded repeatedly. "Hall Master, you have personally seen the liquid's effects. We truly cannot be blamed. We did our best."
Yun Jin's face remained calm. "The liquid is indeed unusual, but as far as I know, it only hides aura—it does not change the techniques they use daily. If you had recorded several common techniques from the evil sects in this area, could you really not find a trace of them?"
Shi Li opened his mouth to argue.
Yun Jin continued, "Not every evil sect has the right to use this liquid. When I pursued Xue Daoren for three thousand li, I also eliminated many evil sects. Some had no means to hide their aura at all. Yet in Qingxiao, they continue to survive so boldly!"
Shi Li hurriedly said, "Hall Master, we only have so many personnel. Some oversights are normal!"
"Just some oversights?"
Yun Jin sneered and suddenly produced the Hall Master's token.
"Through this token, one can review all Mingxin Hall missions and execution records over the years. I've noticed some very interesting things.
Fifteen years ago, when demonic energy appeared, Elder Shi Li, you led a mission. Truly diligent."
Shi Li cautiously said, "That is our duty, Hall Master."
Shi Li blinked, unsure what she meant, and said carefully, "It was simply my duty, Hall Master."
She smiled. "Here's the interesting part. An hour before that mission, you were still on another one in the southwest. Then, an hour later, you and your entire team suddenly appeared five thousand miles away to execute a new mission. I thought about it carefully. To travel five thousand miles in such a short time, Deacon Shi, you must've mastered the Law of Space!"
Yun Jin looked at him with a face full of admiration. "Back then, my master, the Wan Dao Saint, only grasped the barest touch of the Law of Space, and that alone made him invincible in his era. But you, Deacon Shi, can teleport instantly and even bring a whole team with you. Your mastery must surpass even the Wan Dao Saint's! In fact, I should tell Alliance Master Ji to give you the title of 'World's Number One Expert.'"
She said it with total seriousness.
Sweat poured down Shi Li's face. He was only early Mahayana. It sounded impressive to others. But in front of true masters, it was far from enough.
Telling Ji Wusi to hand over the world's strongest title…
He feared it would be a death wish.
Shi Li stammered, "Hall Master, Hall Master, this is a misunderstanding…"
He looked desperately at Zhai Ge, hoping he would speak.
But Zhai Ge squinted, remaining silent.
Shi Li felt hopeless.
Yun Jin smiled faintly. "That's not all. I also discovered that you're not only skilled in space, but time as well. For instance, these records show you and your disciples appearing in two different places at exactly the same moment. This ability is truly unfathomable.
Deacon Shi, with such ability, isn't it a waste for you to stay here?" she asked sincerely. "Why don't you storm the Kunlun Sword Sect and take Alliance Master Ji's position for yourself?"
Her tone was calm, almost casual.
Shi Li's face paled. His voice trembled. "I… I acknowledge my mistake."
"Oh? What mistake did you make?" Yun Jin asked coldly.
Shi Li glanced at the expressionless Hong Ye and whispered, "Some missions were actually led by Deacon Hong Ye. But she is indifferent by nature and never seeks credit. She voluntarily allowed us to take these rewards. Though we disagreed, we could not refuse her kindness and had to accept the rewards."
Hong Ye glanced at Shi Li and gave a cold snort.
Yun Jin looked directly at Hong Ye. "Oh? Deacon Hong Ye, is that so? You voluntarily let him take the credit?"
Voluntarily?
Many loose cultivators grew agitated. They had done almost all the work. Yet most of the rewards were claimed by sect disciples. Previously, they received only half of ten rewards. After Hong Ye came, they barely got one out of five.
This was only because Hong Ye had fought several times with Shi Li and Zhai Ge for their sake. Now, the Hall Master had discovered the truth, and Shi Li still shamelessly claimed it was voluntary?
Outrage spread among the crowd.
Hong Ye slowly said, "Deacon Shi and the other sect disciples have arbitrarily taken mission rewards. I ask the Hall Master to decide."
She bowed slightly toward Yun Jin.