Chapter 54: Still young, huh?

Hong Zun returned to the mountain peak and went straight to the dong fu, not caring about Qing Shi.

Qing Shi, following behind, saw this and shook their head with a smile.

"At this age, I still can't afford to play."

Then I didn't bother with it, turned around and went back to my own residence; from now on, this Dao Yi Sect will probably be my foundation.

Just thinking about it feels funny; someday I will join the sect willingly, even if it means being bound.

But on second thought, Ye Changqing's skill is really good, so it's not a loss.

In a good mood, I returned to the dong fu; seeing Shīzūn return, Little Wang Yao immediately stepped forward and asked.

"Shīzūn, will we really stay at Divine Sword Peak from now on?"

"Yes, we will stay at Divine Sword Peak from now on."

"Oh."

She cutely nodded, and without noticing, saw oil stains on Shīzūn's beard; Little Wang Yao wondered aloud.

"Did Shīzūn just go eat a meal?"

In my impression, Shīzūn seems to have already given up grains, although sometimes they eat some demon beast meat and spiritual fruit, but that's only occasional, just a snack when idle.

It's the first time I've seen someone eat like this and get oil on their beard.

Seeing that it had been discovered, Qing Shi didn't hide it but instead spoke with a solemn expression.

"Disciple, you must listen carefully to what I am about to say."

Seeing Shīzūn like this, Little Wang Yao also sat up straight, nodded, and said.

"Hmm."

"There is a canteen at the foot of Divine Sword Peak; three meals a day are served there. From now on, whenever it's Fàn diǎn, you must go to that canteen to eat. However, the Divine Sword Peak canteen has a rule: disciples of different ranks must compete for seats, and only those who secure a seat get to eat."

"You are now an Inner Disciple of Divine Sword Peak; when the time comes, you will need to compete with other Inner Disciples, as well as the stewards and elders."

"Remember, when the time comes, you must show no mercy in your attacks; as long as you don't hurt anyone's life or foundation, you must give it your all."

"Guarantee that you can secure a seat at every meal, or you will surely regret it."

Hearing this nonsensical talk, Wang Yao stood frozen in place for a moment before she could barely believe it and asked.

"Shīzūn, are you telling me to fight for food?"

Never having imagined that one day Shīzūn would actually let me go fight for food, Qing Shi nodded heavily on this.

"Hmm, remember what I just said."

Some people were numb; Wang Yao couldn't understand Shīzūn's meaning for a moment—what's there to fight over in a bowl of rice?

She had already given up grains, so not eating wouldn't matter—why bother fighting? Moreover, hearing Shīzūn's meaning, they still had to fight with all their strength.

Completely bewildered, feeling that something was off, Little Wang Yao, who had never been to the canteen, naturally didn't know that the food at the Divine Sword Peak canteen was completely different from elsewhere.

After changing locations, Little Wang Yao adapted quickly and finished an afternoon of cultivation.

Just as she was preparing to rest, she saw Qing Shi quickly walk out of the room.

"Disciple, hurry, go to the canteen; Fàn diǎn is coming up."

Although this old man had only just joined the Dao Yi Sect and had only eaten two meals, they were already thoroughly familiar with all the rules.

What time the meals start, when the disciples set out, and all that—he knew it all clearly.

Saying that, he didn't bother with Little Wang Yao, shot straight up, left only a sentence, and vanished into the horizon.

"Hurry up, disciple; if you're late, there won't be any seats."

There is a rule that, when disciples are competing for seats, those acting as teachers cannot intervene.

So even if Qing Shi wanted to bring Little Wang Yao to the canteen, it would be impossible.

Seeing this, Little Wang Yao stood there, full of questions; after a while she came to her senses, still not understanding but choosing to follow Shīzūn's words and rushed all the way to the canteen at the mountain's base.

On the way, Little Wang Yao saw something she had never seen in her life.

I saw many Divine Sword Peak disciples running and fighting all the way; even someone who saw her Inner Disciple robes quickly recognized her.

"Holy shit, is this the newly promoted Inner Disciple Wang Yao?"

"Isn't that the disciple of Grand Elder Qing Shi?"

"Exactly, it's her."

Earlier that afternoon, Qi Xiong, in his capacity as Sect Master, announced to the entire Dao Yi Sect that Qing Shi had joined the Dao Yi Sect and become the Grand Elder of Divine Sword Peak.

His disciple Wang Yao thus became an Inner Disciple of Divine Sword Peak.

The news had already spread throughout the Dao Yi Sect.

At this moment, seeing Wang Yao, all the disciples were curious for a moment; after all, this was a newly promoted Inner Disciple who hadn't gone through the normal process, and no one knew her strength.

But with one disciple's remark, everyone's attention instantly shifted.

"Huh, why does Senior Sister Wang Yao also seem to be heading to the canteen?"

"What do you mean, she is definitely going to the canteen."

"Little brat, sorry."

Originally just curious, but if you're going to the canteen, then it's awkward.

In an instant, a passing steward, without hesitation, attacked Wang Yao, first dealing with this competitor.

"Little brat, I'm also forced to do this; I'll explain after I eat."

While attacking, they also apologized to Wang Yao; hearing this, Wang Yao was completely bewildered—what situation, just a moment ago everything was fine? How did they suddenly draw swords over a disagreement?

Despite having doubts in her heart, Wang Yao still made a move.

Unexpectedly, this steward not only failed to subdue Wang Yao directly, but was even suppressed by her.

"Damn, indeed—no Inner Disciple could possibly be trash."

Everyone thought Wang Yao had entered through the back door, so her strength would be weaker compared to other Inner Disciples.

But now that I look, Wang Yao's strength is absolutely incredibly strong.

Even though she still can't match Xu Jie and the others, the gap is no longer far.

While fighting fiercely and rushing along, Wang Yao eventually followed the main force to the canteen.

But the fighting here is even more intense, making Wang Yao increasingly puzzled—what on earth is going on with Divine Sword Peak?

Are the disciples crazy, or has the steward gone mad too?

Hearing Qing Shi's cheers from the side, Wang Yao gritted her teeth and defeated that steward.

"Good, disciple, just like that—quick, quick, go seize a position."

Qing Shi shouted loudly, and Hong Zun beside him said coldly.

"Do you still observe the rules? You must not interfere when competing for positions."

"Was that interfering?"

"Even interjecting is not allowed."

After being scolded by Hong Zun, but seeing little Wang Yao also successfully seize a position, Qing Shi smiled and said nothing more.

"As expected of my disciple, she seized a position on her first try—very good."

I thought this meal was theirs for the taking, but what happened next left Qing Shi stunned.

Only to see the steward just defeated by Wang Yao, feigning serious injury, hobbling over to her side, his eyes full of pleading.

"Wang Yao's personal disciple, I—I have been in the Dao Yi Sect for 581 years, diligent and earnest; now my lifespan is near its end, breakthrough hopeless; my greatest wish before death is to eat a mouthful of Divine Sword Peak's food, so I may know that in this life I am a person of the Dao Yi Sect, and in death a ghost of the Dao Yi Sect."

Hearing this, Wang Yao's face showed a hint of reluctance; the steward's act was too convincing, as if his breath might give out any second.

Without further thought, Wang Yao immediately gave up her position.

"Senior, I'm sorry, I didn't know............."

"It's fine, this is my own problem; it's just this one last wish.........."

"Senior, come here."