"Let’s talk the next time you come," Wen Ping replied with a smile.
Huan Shan nodded and turned to leave the mountain.
After Huan Shan left, Wen Ping turned around to glance at Qin Shan, but after a brief look, his gaze ultimately landed on Miao Yin, observing her still following behind Qin Shan like a servant.
Her servant posture was such that even speaking loudly seemed like overstepping.
Wen Ping coldly said, "Miao Yin, how did you reach the Body Refining Twelfth Layer?"
Miao Yin didn’t understand what Wen Ping meant by his question.
Wen Ping continued, "You’ve been part of the Immortal Sect for three or four hours now, haven’t you thought about cultivation?"
"With the elder here, how could I..."
Before Miao Yin could finish, Wen Ping interrupted her, "Remember, you are now a disciple of the Immortal Sect. Look around; besides you, does anyone here dare to watch the show? Can’t they feel the aura of the Profound Realm? If you joined the Immortal Sect just to play, you might as well go down the mountain with Senior Qin Shan now."
Miao Yin was left bewildered by Wen Ping’s scolding.
She wanted to argue but couldn’t muster the words under Wen Ping’s cold stare.
Seeing this, Qin Shan glanced at the flustered Miao Yin and said, "Miao Yin, go do what you need to do. An old man at the Profound Realm doesn’t need you following me. As for going to the Trial Tower, I’ll have Sect Leader Wen take me."
Before turning to leave, she shot Wen Ping a look of defiance, then quickly caught up with Wang Bo and left the plaza.
As Miao Yin departed, Qin Shan chuckled and said, "Sect Leader Wen truly cares."
Wen Ping responded, "She’s not on Flying Fish Island anymore; she’s in the Immortal Sect. As Sect Leader, I must be responsible for the sect’s disciples. I hope to see only outstanding disciples and those striving to be outstanding, not subservient relationships like master and servant."
"Sect Leader Wen has good intentions. Unfortunately, Sect Leader Wen doesn’t understand our Flying Fish Island. Although family forces don’t restrict clan members from joining sects, the Immortal Sect is currently too small to help her change her servant status." Qin Shan sighed regretfully, then watched as Yu Mo leisurely followed behind Miao Yin, leaving.
Immediately, Qin Shan said, "Sect Leader Wen, I’ve heard from Miao Yin that you have a Trial Tower here where one can learn Abnormal Vein Skills?"
"Abnormal Vein Skill?"
"It’s the technique that releases flames; only with an Abnormal Vein Skill can one manipulate the Five Elements."
Wen Ping suddenly understood, looked at Qin Shan’s intrigued expression, and smirked internally, then said, "Senior Qin Shan, I’m afraid I cannot answer your question."
"Why?" Qin Shan was taken aback.
Wen Ping replied, "Because you are not part of the Immortal Sect. Having stayed here for an hour, you must leave now. If you have questions, come find me tomorrow, though I may not be around."
Qin Shan quickly said, "I just helped you earlier; can’t you make an exception?"
"Equal treatment for all, besides, I didn’t ask for your help."
Qin Shan smiled helplessly, thinking that it was true, leaving him speechless for a moment.
Had he not helped, the dog would have acted long ago, and so much time wouldn’t have been wasted.
After a while, Qin Shan grit his teeth and said, "Then I’ll join the Immortal Sect; is that acceptable?"
Wen Ping was pleased, and then asked the system silently: System, is the entrance fee for the Profound Realm still 1000 Gold Coins?
The system’s response came, "It won’t change for now, but as soon as the host recruits the first Profound Realm, the entry fee system will automatically change."
"What will it change to?"
"Stay tuned, but there will definitely be an increase."
At this, Wen Ping smiled wryly.
The thing he feared most had come. Had he known, he wouldn’t have asked.
The Profound Realm wants to join the sect, yet this system intends to raise the entrance fee, isn’t this making it difficult for him?
Noticing Wen Ping’s lack of response, Qin Shan hurriedly called out.
Wen Ping came back to his senses, apologized, and then said, "Joining the Immortal Sect is possible; first, pay the entrance fee of 1000 Gold Coins."
Upon hearing this, Qin Shan was initially a bit resigned.
If he had said this to a higher-up of a Two-star Sect, they would have lifted him up the mountain with great honor and treated him with reverence.
But thinking of the Immortal Sect’s Trial Tower, Qin Shan smiled and asked, "Once I join, can I stay in the Immortal Sect as I please?"
"Then shouldn’t I have a position as well?"
"Lecturer Elder, perhaps, to guide the disciples of the Immortal Sect when appropriate."
Sun Wo and another knelt in front of Mo Yue’s bed, the dim candlelight flickering, their heads bowed low, faces unseen.
In front of the now lifeless and snow-pale Mo Yue, they dared not breathe loudly. Especially seeing Mo Yue’s expression of despair, their hearts were in their throats.
Suddenly, Mo Yue struggled to sit up, angrily shouting, her voice hoarse as if she hadn’t had water for days.
"Heaven has forsaken me!"
Mo Lin quickly stepped forward to support Mo Yue, uttering words he didn’t even believe himself, "Father, don’t worry, there will be a way."
Mo Yue closed her eyes and slowly spoke six words, "Tonight or tomorrow night."
Mo Lin and Sun Wo’s faces grew even more grim.
They knew what Mo Yue meant.
Either dying tonight or tomorrow night, there was no hope of surviving any longer.
And once Mo Yue was gone, the Hundred Sects Alliance would lose a Middle Profound Realm powerhouse, undoubtedly a significant loss for the entire Alliance.
However, Mo Lin seemed to have already come to terms with this, and then looked towards the battered Sun Wo and his companion. Despite being shocked when he first saw them, seeing them again still surprised him. He had originally thought that two Profound Realm masters climbing the mountain had secured success, yet unexpectedly, Yunlan Mountain actually had three Profound Realms.
Such a lineup of powerhouses already surpassed many Two-star Sects.
"Gentlemen, please treat your injuries first."
Having said that, Mo Lin sighed and helped Sun Wo and his companion to stand up.
Once they stood, their injuries became more visible, covered with wounds, with some still sticking to grains of stone as large as rice.
After they stood up, Sun Wo said in a low voice, "The injuries are minor, just superficial wounds. It’s just that we failed to bring back Wen Ping; we really feel guilty."
Sun Wo kept his head down, not wanting anyone to see his face filled with regret and pain.
Sikong Bai immediately cupped his fists and pleaded guilty to Mo Yue, "Lord Mo Yue, please punish me. I am willing to bear all responsibility alone!"
Mo Yue waved his hand, then pointed towards the ceiling, using the last of her strength to speak with lingering hatred, anger, unwillingness, and various emotions, "Since Wen Ping wishes me dead, I must not let him revive the Immortal Sect. When I’m gone, suppress the Immortal Sect for me; make sure it’s removed from East Lake, and bring him before my grave to cut off his head!"
"We will not fail the mission!"
Sun Wo and the other replied simultaneously.
As the two cupped their fists, Mo Yue’s pointing hand fell weakly.
All three cried out in alarm, rushing to the bedside, supporting the bed’s edge, desperately looking at Mo Yue, whose eyes were wide open yet had already passed away.
A generation of masterminds, Mo Yue, hadn’t died at the hands of an adversary, nor died more honorably at the hands of a Great Demon.
But succumbed to illness in bed.
With a sigh, Sun Wo and the others fell silent, watching time pass, watching people outside the room rush in and kneel, watching the Hundred Sects Alliance hang white lanterns, then watching as Mo Yue’s body was placed into a Golden Coffin, finally watching the Sealed Flowing Horse Carriage disappear into the night outside Cangwu City.
The sound of the cart’s axle grew distant, gradually fading away.
In their ears, Mo Yue’s last words resonated...