Jiang Yuechu listened in silence.
Her face remained calm, but she had already formed a faint suspicion in her heart.
A large number of Inner Sect Disciples were suddenly being taken in as Progeny Disciples... it must be related to the emergence of the Immortal God Cave Abode mentioned by True Lord Linghan.
The Dao Sect was secretly gathering strength and cultivating potential talents ahead of time.
But that was fine.
The experts within the Sect had no time to deal with such trivial matters.
It happened to work out in her favor.
Now that the reason behind it was clear.
This kind of deal, where she could earn a large amount of Merit and slay a demon to gain Dao Cultivation along the way.
There was truly no reason to pass it up.
With that thought.
Jiang Yuechu no longer hesitated and nodded calmly. "In that case... I shall accompany you on this journey."
Hearing such a straightforward promise.
Both Senior Brother Chen Yuan and Junior Sister Su Liu showed looks of joy.
Others might not know the background of this Guest Elder, but they had witnessed it with their own eyes.
For a terrifying existence who could send a Seven Chess Pieces great demon flying with a single strike of her staff, dealing with a mere Five-Piece demon was a foregone conclusion.
Senior Brother Chen Yuan's face flushed, and he was about to voice his thanks.
The tall Disciple hesitated for a moment but ultimately couldn't help but interrupt.
"Wait..."
"The Deacon Hall has a strict rule: since that demon is of the Five-Piece Realm, the team must have a fellow Disciple with a Five-Piece cultivation level to oversee it."
As a Guest Elder, Jiang Yuechu indeed held an honorable status, and her recently rumored talent was even more shocking.
However, on the path of cultivation, no matter how high one's talent was, it only represented the height one could reach in the future.
Right now.
With a simple sense, one could perceive that the Qi circulating around this young girl was merely at the level of a Chess-Player Two-Piece.
Bringing along a Two-Piece Guest Elder.
In the face of the rules set by the Deacon Hall.
What use would that be?
But as soon as those words were spoken.
Senior Brother Chen Yuan's expression changed drastically, and he quickly turned his head, frantically signaling the tall Disciple with his eyes.
The tall Disciple was confused by the stare and was about to speak again.
Senior Brother Chen Yuan had already stepped forward, blocking the space between the two.
His Adam's apple bobbed as he cautiously turned his head, glancing at the snow-white robes.
Seeing that the Guest Elder's expression was as usual and she didn't seem displeased.
Only then did Senior Brother Chen Yuan heave a long sigh of relief in his heart and hurriedly explained.
"This Junior Brother might not be aware..."
"The Deacon Hall's rules state that if a trial location is dangerous, it indeed requires a corresponding combat strength to oversee it."
Senior Brother Chen Yuan paused, intentionally emphasizing his words.
"But don't forget, the rule says combat strength; it doesn't say it must be the same Realm."
"Although the Guest Elder's revealed cultivation is at the Chess-Player Two-Piece level, her combat strength is heaven-shaking."
At this point, Senior Brother Chen Yuan took a deep breath, his tone filled with unconcealed awe.
"A few days ago in Huangshan City, the Guest Elder personally suppressed and killed a Seven Chess Pieces great demon all by herself."
Ah?
Hearing this.
Both of them stood frozen on the spot, their mouths slightly agape and their faces blank with shock.
Even the indignation and worry from before were completely frozen on their faces.
But looking at Senior Brother Chen Yuan's solemn expression, which seemed quite serious.
Only the word 'absurd' remained in their minds.
No... wait.
Slaying a Seven Chess Pieces?
A Two-Piece Cultivator, jumping five whole minor Realms to kill a Seven Chess Pieces great demon?
How is that possible!
Even if someone were using damn hacks, they wouldn't dare brag like that, would they?!
Had Senior Brother Chen Yuan not always been steady and reliable within the Inner Sect, never uttering a single lie, they would have almost thought he had gone insane.
Seeing that the two still looked unconvinced, Senior Brother Chen Yuan didn't bother to explain further.
Some things, no matter how much you explain, aren't as real as seeing them once with your own eyes.
Besides, Guest Elder Jiang's methods had truly exceeded the scope of ordinary people's understanding.
Even he himself would never have dared to believe it if he hadn't seen it with his own eyes.
With that in mind.
Senior Brother Chen Yuan turned his head, no longer paying attention to his two dumbfounded companions behind him.
He bowed solemnly toward Jiang Yuechu, his tone extremely respectful. "In that case, please wait here for a moment, Guest Elder Jiang... I will head to the Deacon to report this matter properly."
Jiang Yuechu nodded slightly, accepting the arrangement.
Senior Brother Chen Yuan said no more and turned to walk quickly outside.
...
The flying boat broke through layers of cloud seas.
The mountains and waters beneath them rapidly receded.
Even while sitting on the flying boat, Wang Chen and Mao Yunshang still felt as if they were in a dream.
Earlier in the Deacon Hall, when Senior Brother Chen Yuan went to report with such confidence, they thought the matter was bound to fail.
The Deacon Hall's rules were strict; how could they be easily bent?
But to their surprise.
The Sect's higher-ups actually permitted this trial.
What did this mean?!
Setting aside the exaggerated rumors of slaying a Seven-Piece demon.
The mere fact that the Deacon Hall allowed it proved at least one thing... the Sect indeed recognized Guest Elder Jiang's strength.
At the very least, it had reached Five-Piece combat strength!
Wang Chen swallowed hard and exchanged a look with Mao Yunshang beside him.
Both saw a hint of uncertainty and shock in each other's eyes.
Could it be that Senior Brother Chen had secretly used some back door?
Had he relied on some connection with a Deacon?
But on second thought, Senior Brother Chen Yuan was just an ordinary Inner Sect Disciple; how could he have such heaven-defying means to influence the Deacon Hall's decisions?
Especially when it concerned a trial matter.
Compared to the silence and bewilderment of these two.
Standing at the bow of the boat, Senior Brother Chen Yuan also felt a bit strange.
When he went to report earlier, he had prepared thoroughly.
He had even prepared the receipt from the Xu Family of Huangshan City, waiting to bring it out as evidence if the Deacon made things difficult.
He thought he would have to waste a lot of breath in front of the Deacon, but who would have expected it.
The Deacon on duty, who originally had a face full of business-like indifference.
Upon hearing the name Jiang Yuechu.
He didn't even ask a single extra question and processed it immediately without a word.
But on second thought, he felt relieved.
Since the Sect could make an exception to honor her as a Guest Elder.
They likely knew far more than he did.
There was no need for him to talk too much to prove anything...
With that thought.
Senior Brother Chen Yuan collected his thoughts and turned around.
He looked at the two restrained figures on the deck and took the initiative to break the silence.
"Guest Elder, I have yet to introduce them to you."
Senior Brother Chen Yuan stepped aside, first pointing to the slightly thin Disciple on the left.
"This is Junior Brother Wang Chen, with a Chess-Player Three-Piece cultivation."
Then he pointed to the tall Disciple on the right. "This is Junior Brother Mao Yunshang, with a Chess-Player Four-Piece cultivation."
After introducing the two.
Senior Brother Chen Yuan's expression turned serious as he said solemnly to the two, "Junior Brother Wang, Junior Brother Mao."
"This is Jiang Yuechu, Guest Elder Jiang."
Hearing this.
Wang Chen and Mao Yunshang finally snapped out of it.
The two quickly put away their previous suspicions and bowed deeply in respect.
"Greetings, Guest Elder Jiang."
Jiang Yuechu nodded slightly, then turned her head to look at Senior Brother Chen Yuan and suddenly asked, "By the way, I heard you mention that Wusang Sect earlier... what is their background?"
"Uh..."