Chapter 76: Seventh-Six: The Mountain and River Map Reveals the Truth, Inner Sect Status Determined

The Spirit Power fluctuations of the Mountain and River Map became increasingly frequent; from time to time, disciples would emerge from the map array, some flustered and panicked, others calm and composed, and the number of figures on the map grew fewer and fewer.

Gazing at the sandalwood incense in the burner that was about to burn out, Lingxiang felt a sense of anxiety rising in her heart; she did not know if Long Qi and the others had truly managed to see through the mystery.

Just as she was wondering whether she still wanted Long Qi as her disciple, she saw the light array of the Mountain and River Map flash, and Chengkai's trio and Long Qi's group tumbled out of the array almost simultaneously; both sides had their robes and sleeves completely soaked, but the difference was that Long Qi and the others were dripping with water, while Chengkai's trio were covered in a substance like mucus.

As the flame of the incense stick extinguished, the group of Outer Disciples in the map array all returned to the training grounds; some were dull-eyed, some were flustered and panicked, while others were calm and collected—each person's demeanor was different.

Furthermore, some of them were no different than when they had entered the array, while others carried something with them, whether it was torn Daoist Robes or flowers and leaves on their heads.

With this, the martial exercise concluded; Zhaoming Zhenren stepped forward and waved his sleeve, and the Mountain and River Map rolled itself up and flew into his hand. He merely glanced at it briefly before handing it over to Qianyuan Zhenren.

Qianyuan Zhenren took the scroll, sought instructions from Shangqing Zhenren, and then stepped forward to speak.

"I trust you have all gained something from this martial exercise. Whether you qualify will be decided by the Mountain and River Map. I shall now announce the results; do not be in a hurry to stand up, just consider it resting while sitting on the ground." As he spoke, he placed both hands on the two ends of the scroll and formed hand seals.

One could see the dark patterns on the backing of the Mountain and River Map light up, and immediately, characters floated out from within.

Rendong, Feiji, Wenjing, Chengkai, Shuzhu, Shanhuai...

When the names of Long Qi and the others flew out, Lingxiang immediately smiled: It seems he didn't lose face for her after all; never mind, she would take this disciple in to run errands for now.

However, after the names of fourteen or fifteen people had flown out, the Mountain and River Map extinguished its spiritual light.

Qianyuan Zhenren then announced that the assembly was dismissed and told everyone to return to rest; as for who had successfully been promoted, that would be decided after the Elders had discussed it.

After all the tossing and turning, the group of Outer Disciples was left exhausted. Although the Mountain and River Map was only an illusion, it was precisely because it was an illusion that it consumed both the physical strength and mental energy of those who entered it; therefore, the sect specifically granted them three days of leave to allow these disciples to recuperate properly.

Most disciples slept soundly, and Long Qi was no exception. Ever since he emerged from the Mountain and River Map, he felt as if his limbs and bones had fallen apart. Once he returned to Zhuyuan, he collapsed onto his bed without asking about anything else and slept for an entire day.

Although the Outer Disciples could relax for a few days, the Elders were not the least bit slack. For the sake of the promotion matters, the Sect Leader Shangqing Zhenren and several Elders had been discussing for a long time in the Wuji Hall, while Lingxiang remained aloof—it was just a formality, why bother exerting so much heart and effort?

After several rounds of discussion, fifteen out of the sixty-four Outer Disciples were selected for promotion. These people would move into the Youyuan Hall on Kuncheng Peak to live alongside the personal disciples of the various Elders, and the Sect Leader Shangqing Zhenren would also personally teach them the true techniques of the Dao.

Just as the Elders had decided this, Lingxiang suddenly spoke up:

"It is not that your decision is unacceptable, Senior Brothers, but my disciples will all be taken back to Qingwei Peak when the time comes. If the number of people changes then, do not blame me for not reminding you."

Upon hearing this, Qianyuan Zhenren said that this was not in accordance with the rules, but Lingxiang seemed not to care at all, saying only that rules were made by people in the first place. Furthermore, her disciples were only temporarily handed over to the sect for discipline; now that they had passed the trial, it was time to take them back for proper training. Besides, after the Dust-Peering Mirror measured their Spirit Roots, wouldn't everyone have their own preferences, leading them to take the pre-determined disciples back to their own training grounds?

Such arguments left the group of Elders unable to refute her, as this was, after all, a long-established convention.

"In my view, it would be better to summon these promoted disciples early to measure their Spirit Roots and take them away sooner, so as not to waste time." Thinking of her own house that had yet to be repaired, Lingxiang felt it was better to settle this matter as soon as possible; besides, there was still a pile of Spirit Plants to look after.

Zhaoming Zhenren wanted to object, but Qianyuan Zhenren stopped him. This was, after all, a good method; it would be better to announce it early so that those Outer Disciples could decide whether to stay or leave sooner. One less person meant one less portion of rations and one less expense, did it not?

When Yuanhui came to pass on the message, Long Qi was lying on his bed, bored to death. Having slept for so long, he had already replenished his vital energy, but for a moment, he did not know what to do and even thought about going to Qingwei Peak to see Lingxiang.

Liu Xia was also idle; even though his sword had not been left behind in the Mountain and River Map, after such a struggle, he did not want to move either and just lay on his bed, flipping through a book at random.

Zhao Wuyang, on the other hand, seemed very energetic; he had actually cleaned the room inside and out, and in the end, he even took everyone's bedding out to sun it.

Watching Zhao Wuyang busy with his chores, Xin Yi could not help but smile. If his younger brother were still alive, he would likely be the same age as Wuyang. Looking at the bright weather outside, he suddenly thought of Maidong; he hadn't seen her for a long time and wondered what she was doing.

Just as he was lost in thought, Yuanhui in the courtyard struck a small bell, summoning everyone and informing them to head to Hufeng Hall to hear the promotion results.

Once the Outer Disciples had assembled, Hanyang read directly from the list in his hand. First, he announced the fifteen people promoted to Inner Sect Disciple and instructed them to bring their belongings and move into the Youyuan Hall below Wuji Hall within three days. Afterward, he said some words to the other forty-four disciples about how they were free to stay or leave, and warned everyone that if they decided to leave the Yuanqing Sect, they must never use the name of the Yuanqing Sect in the future to swindle or commit evil deeds.

After the assembly dispersed, everyone had different feelings in their hearts; there were those who were indignant and unwilling, those who were indifferent, and those who were dejected—all of them were disciples who had not been selected.

Following this, quite a few disciples from the four courtyards of Plum, Orchid, Bamboo, and Chrysanthemum really did leave. Coupled with the departure of the disciples promoted to the Inner Sect, the once lively courtyards suddenly became much colder; there were fewer than ten people left in the four courtyards, which was beyond Qianyuan Zhenren's expectations—

Young people these days really cannot hold their breath or endure!

A person was kneeling before Bai Wuchang; this was the very person who had caused trouble in the Wuji Hall and destroyed the spirit array. Looking at the person at his feet, Bai Wuchang's eyes were full of contempt. If it weren't for the fact that there was no one else to use, he really wouldn't want to deal with such trash.

"Is there something you wish to report?" he asked, suppressing the disdain in his heart.

"I beg the Envoy to lead me into the Demonic Path!" the man said, kowtowing to the ground.

Enter the demonic? Interesting, interesting; born a human, yet wanting to fall into the demonic.

"It is not impossible, but there is still something you must do. Once this matter is accomplished, I shall bestow upon you demonic blood and lead you into the demonic."

Upon hearing this, the man hurriedly kowtowed twice more, but he did not see the utter contempt in Bai Wuchang's eyes.

It seems that pawn, Xin Yi, still has some use.