Chapter 137: Fang Yun’s Persuasion
Despite the precautions taken by the four major sects, a problem had occurred once in the past.
It involved a disciple from the Wind Ling Sect who was exceptionally skilled at concealing his intentions, even deceiving the Elders.
He unleashed a slaughter in the Secret Realm. In the end, to avoid any misunderstanding, an Elder from the Wind Ling Sect personally executed the disciple.
"...That happened over four hundred years ago. The cultivators in our Four Sects, from top to bottom, have all seen a complete turnover since then."
As Bai Qinying spoke of this historical event, the nearby Inner and Outer Sect Disciples all listened attentively.
Some among them knew about the Four Sects Trial, but they hadn’t known such a thing had happened in the past.
Through Bai Qinying’s brief explanation of the incident, Fang Yun also gained a general understanding of the Four Sects Trial.
The trial was a competition where disciples vied to bring glory to their respective sects, but its more important purpose was to foster communication and strengthen the bonds between them.
In the Qionglin Domain, there weren’t many proper sects that cultivated Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi to begin with. Under such circumstances, it was all the more important for them to band together for mutual support.
Considering the overall situation in the region, Fang Yun felt there was nothing wrong with the Four Sects Trial having so many rules.
Under these circumstances, the dangers of the Four Sects Trial came more from within the Secret Realm itself, rather than from the disciples of the other Three Sects.
With the Secret Realm having been explored for so long, the safety measures established by the sects were excellent, minimizing the risk of death as much as possible.
After hearing what Bai Qinying said, Fang Yun had already made up his mind.
He definitely had to go to the Four Sects Trial. Besides earning glory for the sect, it was also a chance to secure more resources for himself.
Compared to the rewards from their Celestial Cloud Sect’s Inner Sect Competition, the rewards from the Four Sects Trial would be far more generous.
That in itself was a motivation for him.
The disciples below the stone platform who didn’t know about the Four Sects Trial learned the relevant information from the senior brothers and sisters nearby.
On the platform, Feng Tianrui saw this and said nothing.
He preferred to see the disciples communicating among themselves rather than explaining it himself.
All he needed to announce was how to participate in the Four Sects Trial. Once the disciples were more or less done talking, he would deliver his closing remarks for the Inner Sect Competition.
"I was originally planning to reach Foundation Establishment this year. Since I can participate in the Four Sects Trial, I’ll just postpone my plan," Bai Qinying said.
Her original plan was to cultivate to the true Peak of Qi Refining by March, then prepare for three months before attempting Foundation Establishment. With a Middle Grade Foundation Establishment Pill already in her possession, she had very little left to prepare.
If she wanted, once she reached the Peak of the Qi Refining Tenth Layer, there would be no problem going directly into seclusion to break through to the Foundation Establishment Stage.
"Are there any rewards in the Four Sects Trial that are useful for the Foundation Establishment Stage?" Fang Yun immediately asked upon hearing her.
"No, but there will definitely be rewards that are beneficial for breaking through to Foundation Establishment."
The Four Sects Trial was for disciples, not Elders, so the rewards wouldn’t involve items used by Foundation Establishment Cultivators.
"Senior Sister Bai, you already have a Middle Grade Foundation Establishment Pill. Participating in the Four Sects Trial would be little more than a waste of time for you." It wasn’t that Fang Yun objected to Bai Qinying participating.
Reaching Foundation Establishment earlier meant she would have more time to prepare for Core Formation in the future.
Bai Qinying possessed a Thunder Spirit Root, so her chances of reaching Core Formation were quite high. Fang Yun was already considering her future path.
"Junior Brother Fang, are you trying to talk me out of it because you’re afraid I’ll steal your thunder?" As she spoke, Bai Qinying shot Fang Yun a slightly provocative glance.
"A year from now, a Senior Sister who hasn’t reached Foundation Establishment will be no match for me," Fang Yun said with absolute, earnest conviction.
Bai Qinying wanted to retort.
But after thinking about it, she couldn’t find any grounds to refute his claim.
In this Inner Sect Competition, Fang Yun had only lost to her because his Spiritual Power gave out; she hadn’t directly defeated him.
As she was now, she still couldn’t break through his defense.
Wu Junxin and the other two remained silent. To them, Fang Yun’s words sounded perfectly reasonable.
Among the current Inner Sect Disciples of the Celestial Cloud Sect, only Fang Yun dared to speak to Bai Qinying like that.
"If Senior Sister wants to go to the Four Sects Trial, you can lead us there as an Elder after you successfully reach Foundation Establishment." Seeing that Bai Qinying was speechless, Fang Yun offered her a suggestion.
It was better for her to focus on reaching Foundation Establishment this year.
"Junior Brother Fang is right," Song Qiaoqiao said in support.
Perhaps influenced by Fang Yun’s perspective on time management, she also felt it was best for Bai Qinying to reach Foundation Establishment first, rather than postpone it for the sake of the Four Sects Trial.
"I know, I know! Once I become an Elder, I’ll be sure to teach you a lesson!" To save face, Bai Qinying shot Fang Yun a glare.
’Knowing Bai Qinying, she isn’t the type to actually do something like that.’
’However, once I also succeed in Foundation Establishment, she might bring this up again.’
The glare from Bai Qinying prompted a thought. ’Once I reach the Eighth Layer of Qi Refining, it’ll be about time to put refining a Spiritual Artifact on my agenda.’
’With the boost from my three-star combat talent, I might even be able to use a Spiritual Artifact with relative ease during the Qi Refining Stage.’
This was all just Fang Yun’s speculation.
He would only know the specifics after testing it out.
Atop the stone platform, Feng Tianrui gave Fang Yun a satisfied glance before quickly looking away.
Among the disciples’ conversations below, his attention was naturally focused on Bai Qinying’s group.
Before the Inner Sect Competition, he had been thinking that his disciple would need to postpone her Foundation Establishment to go to the Four Sects Trial and win glory for the Celestial Cloud Sect.
But after Fang Yun’s Magical Combat with his disciple, his thoughts had changed.
With Fang Yun around—and a Fang Yun who’d have another year to grow—his disciple’s role in the Four Sects Trial was no longer as crucial.
Originally, Bai Qinying was supposed to be their face for the Four Sects Trial, but now it was Fang Yun.
From the sect’s perspective, it would still be better if Bai Qinying postponed her Foundation Establishment to participate. But Feng Tianrui had his own selfish motives; he hoped his disciple could reach Foundation Establishment sooner.
He had spent a great deal of effort arguing to secure this Middle Grade Foundation Establishment Pill as the reward for first place in the Inner Sect Competition.
This was, naturally, also part of his selfish plan.
However, from his understanding of his disciple, she would have postponed her Foundation Establishment on her own initiative even if he’d said nothing.
He had been wondering how to get Bai Qinying to change her mind. This was perfect. Fang Yun had already done what he’d wanted to do, saving him the trouble of persuading her.
Once the disciples had more or less finished exchanging information, Feng Tianrui began to speak.
"Quiet!"
When all the disciples’ gazes were once again focused on him, he continued.
"The list of participants for the Four Sects Trial will be posted in the middle of this month. Anyone confident in their strength can challenge those on the list anytime this year to take their place."
"Alright, that’s all regarding the Four Sects Trial..."
Next, Feng Tianrui delivered his closing remarks for the Inner Sect Competition.
At this point, Fang Yun switched into bored-listening mode.