Chapter Fifty-Six: Fortune Delivered to the Door
After she disembarked, Jiang Shuangyan followed closely behind Qi Yongfeng as they descended from the flying vessel together.
She swept a cold gaze over the onlookers, her delicate voice scolding, “Do you all have nothing better to do? Without talent, you still dream of seeking the Dao and immortality. Instead of cultivating diligently now, you’ll only have regrets later!”
No sooner had Jiang Shuangyan finished speaking than the disciples who usually cowered before her presence scattered in all directions.
“Let’s go, stop watching! I heard Senior Sister Jiang didn’t even make it into the top three this time! If you keep lingering, you might be the next she lashes out at!” a female disciple whispered anxiously to her companion.
“What? Senior Sister Jiang didn’t even get into the top three? She came fourth?” her friend asked in astonishment.
“Haha… Fourth? Did you mishear? She came tenth!”
Instantly, Jiang Shuangyan’s previously radiant and rosy face turned stormy.
The three confidantes behind her, noticing this, rushed forward to drive the crowd away, barking, “Why are you all still here? Which disciple is mouthing off about Junior Sister Jiang in the crowd?”
No one replied. The disciples of the Celestial Evolution Sect quickly dispersed, no longer lingering before the mountain gate.
Jiang Shuangyan cast a fierce, beautiful glance at Qu Yiqiu, then withdrew her gaze. Her figure flashed like lightning as she swiftly entered the sect grounds.
Qu Yiqiu touched her nose innocently. It wasn’t her fault Jiang Shuangyan failed to break into the top three—luck simply wasn’t on her side, so how could she blame her?
Wang Shaoyang stood with his hands behind his back, gazing at the southern peaks of the Celestial Evolution Sect, which encircled the sect and formed the shape of a lotus blossom. His brows were furrowed with a hint of worry.
He had no desire to deal with Jiang Shuangyan’s tantrum and said in a deep voice, “Let’s go. It’s time to pay our respects to the Sect Master.”
“Yes!” Qu Yiqiu and the other disciples responded in unison.
Celestial Evolution Sect, Main Hall.
Luo Tangyu sat at the head of the hall, his expression a mix of joy and concern. Several times he raised his teacup to his lips, only to sigh and set it down again before the tea touched his tongue.
“Ah, why did Senior Brother Mo choose to leave Xiaoping Peak at such a time? If only he had waited a few more days…”
Luo Tangyu pressed his brow in worry.
Wang Shaoyang entered the main hall with Qu Yiqiu and the others at a measured pace.
Noticing Luo Tangyu’s troubled look, he coughed lightly.
Luo Tangyu quickly recollected himself, a smile breaking over his features. “Disciples of the Thirteenth Division, you have all worked hard!”
The group bowed respectfully. “It was no hardship, Sect Master!”
Luo Tangyu nodded with satisfaction. “The swift resolution of the chaos in Qu’nan City is thanks to your steadfastness—and to Qu Yiqiu’s courage in infiltrating the enemy ranks.”
Hearing her name, Qu Yiqiu quickly responded with humility, “Sect Master gives me too much credit. I only did what was required of me.”
Luo Tangyu watched her step forward, a fleeting trace of worry in his eyes that he quickly masked with a smile. “Victorious yet not arrogant—such a temperament is truly commendable. Well done! Did you receive the rewards sent by the sect?”
“Yes, Sect Master, I received everything,” Qu Yiqiu replied respectfully.
Luo Tangyu nodded. “According to tradition, the one awarded first merit in battle not only receives spiritual materials but is also granted a promise from the Sect Master. Have you considered what you wish to ask for?”
Qu Yiqiu looked up at him on the dais, blinking. “Sect Master, I have already thought about it. I would like a sixth-rank defensive formation installed on Xiaoping Peak.”
Luo Tangyu raised his brows in mild surprise. “Are you sure? There’s no rush; I’m only asking for your thoughts.”
He subtly signaled for her to reconsider.
Qi Yongfeng, Zou Peng, and the others who had come into the hall with her found her request baffling; those with less self-control were already stifling their laughter.
The poverty of Xiaoping Peak was well known throughout the Celestial Evolution Sect—a barren, destitute mountain that no one cared for. Installing a sixth-rank defensive formation there was almost comical. The formation alone was worth more than the entire mountain.
Yet Qu Yiqiu acted as if she hadn’t noticed Luo Tangyu’s hint. Her expression was resolute. “I have thought it through. As the first disciple of Xiaoping Peak, it’s my duty to do something for my mountain.”
Luo Tangyu hadn’t expected her to be so stubborn and couldn’t help pressing his brow again.
Suppressing laughter echoed around her.
Suddenly, Chi Yushu turned and swept his calm gaze over the group, instantly quieting the hall.
Qu Yiqiu looked at him in confusion. Was he helping her establish authority?
“Reporting to Sect Master, I believe Junior Sister Qu acts out of great compassion and should be further rewarded for her righteousness! Whether it was secretly investigating the demonic cultivators’ stronghold in Qu’nan City or safeguarding Xiaoping Peak here in the main hall, her every action has been for the sake of her companions. I believe Junior Sister Qu has truly exemplified fraternal love and mutual assistance. I boldly hope the sect will reward her further, granting her both the sixth-rank defensive formation and the Sect Master’s promise.”
Finishing his words, Chi Yushu turned to Luo Tangyu, dropping to one knee and solemnly pleading on Qu Yiqiu’s behalf.
Everyone present was taken aback by his sudden gesture.
Wu Qiu and Luo Yingying quickly followed suit, kneeling as well. “Disciple Wu Qiu (Luo Yingying) respectfully request the Sect Master to further reward Junior Sister Qu with the sixth-rank defensive formation and a Sect Master’s promise!”
A faint smile played at Xia Changhan’s lips. He sent a voice transmission to Qi Yongfeng and Zou Peng: “We owe much of our success in battle to Junior Sister Qu’s jade slips. In cultivation, cause and effect matter; we all should thank her.”
With that, Xia Changhan flicked his robe and also knelt. “Disciple Xia Changhan likewise requests additional rewards for Junior Sister Qu!”
Qi Yongfeng and Zou Peng exchanged glances, sent messages to their division mates, and knelt in unison. “Like Senior Brother Chi, we respectfully request the Sect Master to increase Junior Sister Qu’s rewards!”
“Please, Sect Master Luo, grant her request!”
Everyone in the main hall knelt on one knee, bowing their heads and petitioning loudly, leaving only Qu Yiqiu standing in bewilderment.
From the moment Chi Yushu spoke, Luo Tangyu had already agreed in his heart, but as Sect Master, he could not appear too partial and so feigned hesitation. He had intended to wait for Chi Yushu to persuade him further before reluctantly agreeing.
He hadn’t expected the disciples’ response to be even more enthusiastic than he’d anticipated.
Looking at the elite disciples and chief disciples from different inner peaks, Luo Tangyu was deeply moved.
In the three centuries of his stewardship, this was the first time he’d seen such harmony among the inner peaks. All the elite and head disciples were requesting a reward for an outer peak disciple. In this moment, the conflicts that had plagued the inner peaks for tens of thousands of years seemed to dissolve into nothing.
Expressionless, Luo Tangyu fixed his gaze on the lone girl standing in the hall, satisfaction and pride surging in his heart like a flood.
Senior Brother Mo’s disciple truly was a person of great virtue and righteousness!
Though Qu Yiqiu couldn’t read Luo Tangyu’s expression, seeing everyone kneeling on her behalf, she knew her reward was all but assured and couldn’t help but feel a surge of secret joy.
She hadn’t expected such a windfall to fall into her lap—Chi Yushu’s maneuver had been brilliant!
She snuck a glance at his handsome figure, resolving to remember his help.
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(End of chapter)