"So, was I wrong when I called you parasites?" Yun Jin's lips curled into scorn. "And this twisted phenomenon exists only here in the Qingxiao region. In the other three Holy Lands, though sect disciples also enjoy special privilege, at the very least they still purge evil and safeguard the people. But you... you alone are thoroughbred degenerates."
Her words cut sharper and sharper.
The disciples stirred uneasily. They looked ready to protest, yet none could form a rebuttal.
Zhai Ge cast Yun Jin a cold glance and said, "Hall Master, your words are too severe. Everyone devotes themselves to cultivation so that one day they can face even greater crises."
Yun Jin laughed. "Very well. I'll wait and see. Let's see if you people can manage even a shred of usefulness."
Her gaze swept across the disciples before she added, "As I said before, I am not here to convince you. I am giving you your final chance."
Without waiting for further protest, she ordered, "Shi Li, take them away. Make sure they think this through properly."
Shi Li, face dark, gave a stiff acknowledgment.
Zhai Ge stood silent, his expression grim.
Yun Jin ignored him. She turned instead to Hong Ye. "You and the others have worked hard all these years. Distribute the rewards, then submit a record to me. Many loose cultivators died, but their names never appeared in the rolls. If you remember them, report their names and deeds. I will verify them. Though they are gone, their honor must be recognized. If they still have family, their heroism should benefit their kin as well. This is something all of you must compile together."
Hong Ye lowered her head. "Yes." Her voice was quiet, but steady.
She was one of the more composed ones. Among the other loose cultivators, some had red-rimmed eyes, while others wept openly. So long had passed that even they had begun to accept this unfairness as normal.
But Yun Jin told them it was not.
She would rather stand against all the sects under heaven than let them be trampled.
This was their new Hall Master.
This was the Sect Master of Wushuang Sect.
Soon after, Hong Ye led the loose cultivators away.
Yun Jin then turned to Zhai Ge. "Vice Hall Master Zhai, do you still have something to say?"
Zhai Ge smiled faintly. "Hall Master, I find your words full of reason. Your resolve to safeguard the common people... I too was moved."
Yun Jin narrowed her eyes. "So what are you suggesting?"
Zhai Ge straightened with righteous airs. "I suggest we intensify our efforts to eliminate the demons. I recommend that Hall Master personally select several difficult missions and lead them yourself. Only then can you lead by example, proving you are not one to merely speak but to act. With such leadership, the ethos of Mingxin Hall will surely be renewed."
Yun Jin smiled at him. "And Vice Hall Master Zhai? What of you?"
Zhai Ge replied solemnly, "Naturally, I too will lead missions."
Yun Jin regarded him coolly. "That would be best."
The tasks would indeed have to be carried out.
Otherwise, how could her words gain weight?
But Zhai Ge had no good intentions. He would undoubtedly tamper with the assignments.
Even so, Yun Jin felt little fear.
First, her strength was no longer weak. Without at least one late Mahayana or several mid Mahayana experts, none could easily take her down.
Second, she carried the life-saving sword aura gifted by Ji Wusi, strong enough to kill even a late Mahayana in a desperate moment.
Third, she held the Wushuang Sect Master's command token, allowing her to instantly teleport into the sect's hidden realm.
Killing her was no easy feat.
And even if her body fell, no one could annihilate her Primordial Soul. At worst, she would spend a single year rebuilding herself.
Who should fear whom?
"In that case, I'll compile the missions and submit them to Hall Master," Zhai Ge said.
"Go," Yun Jin answered flatly.
He withdrew, but the corners of his lips lifted into a mocking smile.
A child is still a child. Yun Jin really thought herself formidable?
Before her arrival, Sect Master Lin Xiao had already sent him secret instructions. Everything was prepared. Once Yun Jin stepped into their trap, the inescapable net would close. This time, no matter what, she would die here. Zhai Ge pulled out a communication token and swiftly relayed orders to Shi Li.
Among the sect disciples, gloom still lingered. But as soon as Shi Li received Zhai Ge's message, he exhaled in relief.
Good. Vice Hall Master Zhai had indeed planned ahead.
Shi Li's expression shifted into one of righteous indignation. "This Yun Jin goes too far. Do you think it was easy for us to enter upper sects or even super sects? Does she not see our efforts and sacrifices?" Shi Li spat angrily.
Others quickly joined in.
Exactly. Was their cultivation not painstaking? How dare she call them parasites!
"Such a Hall Master is unfit to lead Mingxin Hall," Shi Li pressed on in a lowered voice. "We must unite. I don't believe she can achieve anything relying only on loose cultivators. Without us, what can she do?"
The disciples rallied.
"Yes, we must stand together."
"Without us, let's see how she keeps her seat."
Shi Li smiled. "Listen. She's just making noise because she's new in office. Don't oppose her openly for now. Whatever she asks for, give it. Once she can no longer maintain her position, one word from me and those loose cultivators will cough up everything they've been given. Here's what we'll do next..."
His voice dropped lower.
The next three days passed smoothly.
Zhai Ge and Shi Li coordinated flawlessly, handing over every item Yun Jin demanded. Almost overnight, the loose cultivators—who had barely scraped by—found themselves rich in resources.
Yet instead of joy, unease spread among them.
Lin Feng asked cautiously, "Sister Hong Ye, Shi Li isn't the honest type. Could they be scheming something?"
"That's right," others echoed anxiously.
"Hall Master Yun is truly good to us, but she's too young. What if they trap her?"
"If they overthrow her, we'll suffer again."
"I really hope Hall Master Yun can prevail."
Hong Ye listened quietly, then spoke calmly. "Do not worry. I inspected every resource. Nothing is amiss. Use them. Train diligently. For now, the most important thing is raising our cultivation."
They nodded one after another.
Hong Ye added, voice steady, "If we want a way out, we cannot depend on Hall Master to cut the path alone. We must also fight for ourselves. So strengthen your cultivation as much as possible."
They dispersed to cultivate.
Hong Ye remained, drawing the blade from her back and slowly polishing it.
It was her life-bound weapon. She could store it in her dantian at any time, but she never did.
Every time she polished it, a quiet sense of peace filled her heart.
"This time, you'll fight alongside me again," she murmured, her gaze unusually soft.
===
Chapter 500 is here!!! ✧｡٩(ˊᗜˋ)و✧*｡
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