Xiao Baidao pondered for a moment, "Very well, then let's hold it!"
After speaking, he flew to a high place and cupped his hands toward the crowd, "Everyone, I, Xiao Baidao, have recently taken in a beloved disciple, named Feng Xi.
I originally planned to hold the disciple-acceptance ceremony in Xuantian Sect in a few days, but Sect Master Baili of Hunyuan Sect strongly urged me to hold the ceremony now. I couldn't disappoint his good intentions, so I have decided on a whim to hold the disciple-acceptance ceremony here.
We will start preparations now. In one hour, the ceremony will officially begin!"
Baili Muchen: "..."
What do you mean I strongly urged you?
Xiao Baidao, could anything you said count as human words?!
You master and disciple are clearly working together to dig a pit for me!
Regardless of how furious Baili Muchen was, the people of Xuantian Sect were already busy moving.
Aside from a very small number, most members of Xuantian Sect had no idea this was going to happen, so they were somewhat flustered.
Precisely because of this, no one doubted Xiao Baidao's words, they all thought he really had been forced by Baili Muchen and had no choice but to hold a disciple-acceptance ceremony on the spot.
Xuantian Sect cleared out an open area, built a high platform, and hung up a banner.
They divided a guest-viewing area, and set up a… gift-money registration table.
Although Xiao Baidao was stingy on ordinary days, etiquette and reciprocity were still a thing, so no one could refuse to give him face. They all presented congratulatory money and gifts.
Some people muttered quietly, "We could've gotten a feast at Xuantian Sect, but now we didn't even have a cup of water to drink. All because Sect Master Baili spoke too much!"
"Exactly! Xiao Baidao is a man of pride. After being pressed like that, he could only do this, he was forced."
"Good thing Feng Xi gave us that gift of the Suanni's Heaven Shaking Roar earlier, otherwise we'd be losing big!"
…
Baili Muchen's cultivation was high. Even though they were whispering, he heard every word clearly, and almost coughed blood from anger!
Just as he was fuming, his beloved second disciple, Lu Xiuhan, came over.
"Master, that brat Feng Xi is far too arrogant. Why don't you think of a way to let her enter Tianhen Secret Realm, and I will get rid of her!"
Baili Muchen, already in a bad mood, grew even more furious. He nearly slapped him to death.
Previously, Feng Xi was merely a menial servant. Even if Baili Muchen had guessed that Lu Xiuhan might do something, he would turn a blind eye.
But now things are different.
Feng Xi was a personal disciple of Xuantian Sect.
No matter how much the four great sects fought and schemed among themselves, there's one bottom line, they wouldn't touch each other's personal disciples.
Otherwise, all four sects would have no personal disciples left.
If Lu Xiuhan's words were heard by the others, Hunyuan Sect would immediately become the target of public criticism.
During the previous disciple-acceptance ceremony, Baili Muchen was already a bit disappointed in him. Now, his dislike grew even stronger.
Having a lack of talent is fine, but a person mustn't be too stupid!
He lowered his voice and said through clenched teeth, "Behave yourself. If you dare act on your own, I won't spare you!"
Lu Xiuhan had been scolded until his neck shrank like a scalded chicken. Face flushed, he stepped aside.
Shen Zhilan softly comforted, "Second Senior Brother, Master is in a bad mood, so his tone was heavy. Don't take it to heart.
Besides, Feng Xi is currently highly valued by Sect Master Xiao, you should avoid provoking her, lest you bring unnecessary trouble."
Lu Xiuhan had already been upset from Baili Muchen's scolding. After hearing this, he hated Feng Xi even more.
His gaze, filled with poison, fixed on Feng Xi on the stage.
At this moment, Feng Xi was following the officiant's prompts, completing the master-worshipping ceremony.
With a loud "Ceremony complete", the Golden Maned Suanni raised its head and roared to the heavens, reverberating across the land.
To be fair, the atmosphere was indeed in place.
The Golden Maned Suanni, forced into being the atmosphere-setting team, was almost livid with rage!
Are you using me as mortal fireworks?!
The first thing Xiao Baidao and Feng Xi did after stepping off the stage was huddle together… to count money!
The eyes of the old and the young both curved into the shapes of spirit-stones!
Holding ceremonies was truly a business with thousandsfold return!
No, a business with no capital!
If they could hold ten or eight of these per year, Xuantian Sect would quickly shed its title of being poor!
Other members of Xuantian Sect, including the four peak masters, although they felt the ceremony was a bit shabby and a bit like begging for offerings, couldn't resist the fragrance of spirit stones!
They simply suppressed their consciences and acted with calm faces.
Anyway, it was all Baili Muchen's fault, they were innocent!
The scapegoat, Baili Muchen, was only thinking about how to salvage the situation. Soon, he had an idea.
He gathered Xiao Baidao, Hu Wankui, and Lu Zhenkuan, saying, "Everyone, in past Tianhen Secret Realm events, we only ranked the results without any reward or punishment. It was too bland.
Why don't we change the rules this time? The sect that ranks last must hand over one-third of the spoils they obtain in the secret realm to the top three sects.
Then, the top three will divide those spoils among themselves in a ratio of five, three, and two.
What do you think?"
Lu Zhenkuan and Hu Wankui exchanged a look and nodded with smiles.
They definitely wouldn't be last, having free gains, why not?
Xiao Baidao, however, did not look pleased.
This was clearly aimed at Xuantian Sect!
Even if he didn't want to admit it, he had to agree that Xuantian Sect would certainly be last.
But the other three had clearly already reached an agreement. Even if he objected, it's useless. He could only pinch his nose and accept.
His previous good mood vanished instantly.
Weak strength is a fatal weakness!
Thinking again of his little disciple's injuries, his mood sank even more.
But as a sect master, he couldn't show it. He could only force a smile.
Feng Xi knew nothing of this. She was crouching in the corner chattering to Jun Wen.
"Fifth Senior Brother, I prepared something good for you to use inside the secret realm."
Jun Wen was curious, "What good things?"
Then he saw Feng Xi hand him a large bag of chili powder.
Jun Wen: "..."
"Fifth Senior Brother, we're poor. We can't afford talismans, so we have to make use of what we have!
Save it, okay? This was squeezed out from the gaps of Master's teeth!"
Jun Wen: …Master's teeth must be very wide!
Feng Xi continued, "Fifth Senior Brother, don't underestimate chili powder. If used unexpectedly, it might have a great effect.
When fighting with others, don't be too rigid, schemes and tricks must all be used. If you have no other choice, even the beauty trap can be used. After all, your face is… barely passable."
Jun Wen: I truly thank you!
"Fifth Senior Brother, our Xuantian Sect is weak. You must learn to He Zong Lian Heng…"
Jun Wen interrupted, "Little Junior Sister, what does 'He Zong Lian Heng' mean?"
Feng Xi was just about to explain when Tianhen Secret Realm suddenly opened early!
Seeing that there was no time, she hurriedly said, "He Zong means gathering many weak forces to attack one strong enemy. Lian Heng means aligning with one strong force to attack many weak ones. In short, adapt according to the situation, ally with whoever is useful, occasionally sow discord and borrow other's knives to kill."
Jun Wen listened in utter confusion, his eyes filled with clear, pure stupidity.