"You people, I imagine, are not convinced." Yun Jin swept her gaze across the gathered sect disciples.
Some met her eyes defiantly, their chins raised.
Some lowered their heads, avoiding her look.
Only a very small few carried faint traces of guilt in their expression.
Yun Jin understood. Under the strange and rotten traditions of Qingxiao Pavilion, most of these sect disciples had already been ruined.
Especially those from superior sects and the so-called Holy Lands. They had long since come to regard themselves as a class apart, as if every privilege and every indulgence was theirs by birthright.
This sense of entitlement was less common in disciples of middle or lower sects, perhaps because those sects were too low on the ladder to enjoy such privilege. But here in Mingxin Hall, for centuries it had been the blood and flesh of countless loose cultivators that fed the comfort of sect disciples.
The disciples gained immense benefits.
And their contribution?
Nothing.
Perhaps they believed it was justified, that their so-called talent meant they deserved such offerings. Yet the stronger one's gifts, the greater the responsibility that should follow. These disciples only knew how to enjoy what they were given. They gave nothing back. So long as Qingxiao Pavilion crushed all dissent, none dared question it.
But what if, one day, Qingxiao Pavilion faltered? What if they ceased to suppress it?
Then the resentment of the many would explode all at once. The sect disciples might be powerful and gifted, but they were only a handful. When the rest of the cultivators could no longer endure, this region would drown in blood and fire.
In Yun Jin's eyes, Qingxiao Pavilion and Lin Xiao were no different from the demon race. Everything they did only drove humanity apart. This corruption ran especially deep through the sects of the Qingxiao region.
Even so, Yun Jin still wanted to say these words to them. If they remained blind, whatever fate awaited them later would be of their own making.
Her voice softened, but each word cut deep. "You all have some measure of talent. That is why you entered superior sects, even Holy Lands. And because of that, you believe you are above others, entitled to be nourished by the world itself."
A proud-faced young man could no longer hold back. "And is that not how it should be? The more gifted should enjoy the best treatment. This world is survival of the fittest."
At his words, the other disciples lifted their heads.
Some were worried. Would Yun Jin punish them because of him?
Some were expectant. What would she answer?
After all, had they not worked so hard to enter these superior sects precisely for such privilege?
Yun Jin's expression was calm. "Then what counts as true talent? A thousand years ago, Wushuang Sect stood at its peak. Yet many of their disciples had nothing remarkable in their bone or root. Ordinary, even. But who dared say Wushuang Sect was lesser than the other Four Great Holy Lands? Who dared say their disciples were inferior?"
The young man faltered, speechless for a moment, but then pressed on. "But examples like Wushuang Sect are rare."
Yun Jin's lips curved in a cold smile. "Fine. Forget the past, let us speak of the present. You claim the gifted deserve all the world's resources because this world is survival of the fittest. By that reasoning, every resource should belong to me alone."
She paused, her tone mocking. "Because in my eyes, all you so-called geniuses are nothing but trash."
Her gaze swept over them, sharp as a blade. "What do you think?"
The disciples who had bristled with indignation moments before were instantly struck silent.
Who would dare bring up talent in front of Yun Jin?
She had not even cultivated for a full year. Even counting the fifteen years of her life, even assuming she had cultivated from the womb—
A sixteen-year-old at Unity realm.
A Unity cultivator who had comprehended an entire Primordial Force.
A Unity cultivator who could pursue and strike down Mahayana experts.
Who would dare boast of their talent before her?
Yun Jin idly flicked a wisp of flame at her fingertip. "If this world is truly survival of the fittest, then tell me. Am I not free to slaughter you all as I please?"
The defiant disciple bit his lip. He was still unwilling, but the words died in his throat.
Yun Jin gave a cold snort. "I am not speaking these words to convince you. I am giving you one last chance. If you want resources, you can earn them by your own strength, by your own effort. But to lie on the bones of others and feed on their blood—that will not happen under me.
That will not be allowed! Already the system favors you sect disciples. The world's Luck is concentrated in sects. The world's resources are supplied to you. Even so, you are not content. You still steal others' merits. You still think it right and proper."
Her tone hardened, eyes glinting coldly. "To be nourished by the world means you must give back to it. And yet when demons rage unchecked, when the common people cry out for protection, where are you? Hiding. Absent. Taking everything, giving nothing. Tell me then—what use are you to the world? What use is your talent? In my eyes, your contribution is less than that of the humblest mortal."
Her voice rose like a whipcrack. "They live by their own hands. And you? You are nothing but parasites! Taking without end, giving nothing in return!"
She had not cursed, yet the contempt in her tone was unmistakable.
Some disciples scoffed, unmoved.
Some flushed red with shame.
From the day they entered their sects, they had been told they were Heaven's chosen. That they deserved the best.
But now—
Yun Jin said they were less than ordinary mortals. She said they were parasites. They wanted to refute her, to prove they had contributed something. But no matter how they racked their minds, they could not think of a single thing.
A few began to feel lost.
Indeed—
What had they done for this world?
Nothing.
The proud disciple gritted his teeth, forcing out: "But Hall Master, isn't our duty now to cultivate? Only when we reach higher realms can we better protect the people."
Yun Jin's eyes flicked toward him. "What is your name?"
He stiffened, then lifted his chin. "Disciple Kong Huai."
Yun Jin arched a brow. "Very well, Kong Huai. In your heart, at what realm does one become able to protect the people? If you say your own cultivation is insufficient, then what of your sect's elders? What of your sect's grand elders? They are at Tribulation and Mahayana, are they not? What have they done?"
Kong Huai froze. In his memory, the elders only closed themselves away, cultivating endlessly. Consuming resources far beyond what ordinary disciples could dream of.
As for protecting the people…
The rampant spread of demonic creatures in the region was proof enough.
His face paled. In that moment, he realized something chilling. No matter how high the cultivation of these sect disciples rose… they had never, truly, given anything to this world.
===
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