A World Worth Protecting

Even though she managed to resolve Mie Liezi’s proposal, Feng Qiuran was still troubled. In reality, even if everything went according to her proposal, it was still extremely disadvantageous to her.

However, she had no other choice. If Mie Liezi’s proposal were adopted, there would basically be no way out. Therefore, her current proposal of having six hundred people battle it out was the best that she could think of within the short period of time.

As such, thoughts continuously ran through her mind as she tried to analyze the advantages and disadvantages. She was also thinking about whether there were better ways to influence this matter to a state that would be beneficial for her.

However, it was clear that Mie Liezi wouldn’t give Feng Qiuran the time to ponder over it. As he snorted, he diverted the topic away from the Hyacinthus Tree leaves, and dived into the second matter to be discussed!

“I’m still against the second batch of Federation Seedlings. Those Federation Seedlings don’t have much value in terms of capability or other qualities. Their presence in the Dao Palace is simply a waste of our already limited resources!”

“Those resources are sufficient for us to cultivate disciples who are even more capable than them!” Mie Liezi didn’t mince his words. However, Feng Qiuran couldn’t agree with that, and she spoke as she laughed coldly.

“The fact that the Federation Seedlings all managed to improve in such a short period of time implies that they all have great potential. At the same time, the population of the Federation is bigger. Even though they have just begun to cultivate, they will definitely grow to a state that will benefit us in no time. Furthermore, since this matter has long been decided, no changes are allowed. The second batch of Federation Seedlings must come as agreed!”

“Feng Qiuran!” Mie Liezi stood up slowly, his Soul Conduit realm cultivation suddenly being unleashed. A look of hostility appeared in his eyes, and he seemed like he would attack her if he heard something that he didn’t agree with.

Feng Qiuran may have a soft character, but there was no giving way this time as it involved plans that had been decided. After all, unlike previously, this didn’t just involve setting up an obstacle for the alliance between her and the Federation. Instead, this involved breaking the alliance. As such, her cultivation was similarly unleashed, and her aura was emanated as a chilly look appeared in her eyes.

Seeing that both of them were so hot-headed, Daoist You Ran stood up and went between the two, laughing bitterly while shaking his head.

“Don’t fight anymore, the both of you. Junior Sister Qiuran, how about this? If you have such a good opinion of the Federation, why don’t we see how they perform in the trial this time?

“We have already decided that a total of six hundred people will participate in the trial this time. Even though only Core Formation realm cultivators are eligible, I remember that there are also some Core Formation realm cultivators amongst the Federation Seedlings. Therefore, let’s allow them to participate as well. If someone eventually manages to obtain the identity token, it would mean that they indeed have some value. Then, we can agree to let the second batch of Federation Seedlings come!”

“However, if they are unable to obtain it… Junior Sister Qiuran, recently, many have indicated to me their doubts about you. When I think about it occasionally, I also feel that Junior Brother Mie Liezi’s stance is perhaps not wrong.” Hearing Daoist You Ran’s words, Feng Qiuran was shocked. Her heart skipped a beat, and her pupils constricted when she looked towards Daoist You Ran.

From the previous incident, she had already sensed Daoist You Ran leaning towards Mie Liezi. Right now, on this second matter, Daoist You Ran spoke like a peacemaker, but the meaning behind his words were signs that he was siding with Mie Liezi!

Mie Liezi smiled and didn’t speak anymore. Instead, both he and Daoist You Ran looked at Feng Qiuran.

The entire great hall fell into silence. Feng Qiuran felt bitterness in her heart. She wanted to change things but had no ability to do so…

Three days later, a decree that all of the disciples anticipated and were shocked at receiving was announced directly from the main hall.

“A trial will begin seven days later. The top three cultivators will be given a Hyacinthus Tree leaf!”

When the news emerged, a commotion arose amongst numerous disciples. As they discussed amongst themselves, they tried to find out more details. Even the Federation Seedlings went into heated discussion after hearing of the matter. Wang Baole also had his attention on the three tree leaves after realizing that his dried fruit was the fruit of the Hyacinthus Tree.

Therefore, he was immediately tempted after receiving the news from the sect. After that, he opened up the regional group chat to look at the discussions on it, and also contacted Yun Piaozi to ask for further details.

As a native cultivator of the Vast Expanse Dao Palace, and with the relatively impressive background of his, Yun Piaozi knew a lot more than the Federation. If someone else had asked him, he wouldn’t have revealed anything. However, since it was Wang Baole who was asking, Yun Piaozi didn’t withhold anything and told him everything he knew.

“This time, the three Elders will send out two hundred people each to participate in the trial. The competition will be strong, especially as the trial-takers must be Core Formation realm cultivators at the very least. However, there is no restriction on the level of Core Formation realm cultivation, which is to say that in this trial, there could be early-stage Core Formation realm cultivators or those who have perfected Core Formation realm cultivation!”

Wang Baole raised his eyebrows upon hearing that.

“What is the purpose of this trial, then?”

Yun Piaozi chuckled when he heard the question, before sending another voice transmission.

“There is, of course, no meaning. Most disciples wouldn’t stand a chance. Therefore, to a certain extent, this is very unfair. I guess that everything has already been secretly determined, and others are just there to be part of the show.

“However, these are just my guesses. I have also heard that in response to the unfairness, the three Elders have made alternative preparations. As for the details, they would probably only be made known when the trial begins.”

Yun Piaozi was only aware of all that. He didn’t know of the finer details. Wang Baole even sent a voice transmission to Xie Haiyang to ask about it and received the same answer. Xie Haiyang wasn’t unaware of the finer details on how to resolve the unfairness, but he required a hefty payment.

Even though he had given Wang Baole a great discount on account of them having numerous transactions, Wang Baole still felt that Xie Haiyang was too opportunistic and directly rejected his offer.

“Fifty thousand battle credits for a piece of news… Extortion!” Wang Baole mumbled as he put down the voice transmission ring. He couldn’t bear to buy it, as, after all, everyone would know if they simply waited for a maximum of seven more days.

Even though there were advantages to knowing about it in advance, Wang Baole still felt that it wasn’t worth it the more he thought about it. Therefore, he refocused his attention on Feng Qiuran, thinking about whether he should pay her a visit. After all, his current batch of Federation Seedlings could be considered to be under her lead. He was also a Core Formation realm cultivator and would probably have a place amongst the two hundred people.

While Wang Baole was deep in thought, Feng Qiuran was in her cave abode, immersed in her low spirits. She had been unhappy for the past few days, as the alliance between Daoist You Ran and Mie Liezi this time had left her helpless in retaliating. After analyzing the matter in detail, she realized that Mie Liezi had the upper hand throughout the entire negotiation.

Right now, there was a huge problem before her. If she wanted to maintain the alliance with the Federation, one of the Federation disciples had to receive a Hyacinthus Tree leaf.

However, there were two challenges to accomplishing this. The first was that more unhappiness might arise in the people under her lead, which would increase their disloyalty towards her. That was still a secondary problem, as the second, and most important point is that… For the Federation to receive the leaf, it was simply too difficult.

Even though she was optimistic about the Federation’s capabilities, she was optimistic about its future, not its present. In reality, she also didn’t think that, at this stage, the Federation cultivators were more capable than the Vast Expanse Dao Palace cultivators. Under her judgment, it was impossible to emerge in the top three in the six hundred people trial!

After all, there were numerous personal disciples amongst them. Their potential and brilliance, when fully supported by the Vast Expanse Dao Palace, were things that the Federation couldn’t compete against.

Therefore, in order to accomplish the second point, there was a need to make her personal disciples give up… Thinking of that, she sighed and looked towards the door of her cave abode. Before long, greetings were heard outside her cave abode, and two cultivators entered.

The duo were youths, one as good looking as a lady. When he stood there, he let out an elegant and gentle demeanor. If he held a fan in his hands, he would seem like a Young Master. After entering the cave abode, he greeted Feng Qiuran with cupped fists.

“Disciple Xu Ming greets Master.”

“Disciple Lu Yun greets Master!” The other person looked older and clearly stronger in terms of physique. There was a look of determination in his eyes, like a hill. Even his voice was powerful.

Looking at both of them, a smile finally appeared on Feng Qiuran’s face. Both of them were the disciples that she looked upon most favorably, and they were also well-known Core Formation realm disciples in the Dao Palace!

They could be considered the juniors she had the highest hopes of in her entire line!

“Ming’er and Yun’er, I have a task that I need both of you to complete!”