Rolling out of bed, I wanted to go out the door.
The result was that there was a person waiting outside the door, and to my surprise, it was Xiao Kai, dressed in simple clothes.
Xiao Kai still had a food box in his hand. Upon seeing me, a hint of joy appeared on his face, and he said, "The teacher has awakened. Grandmaster entrusted me to wait here for the teacher. After you have had your meal, I will take you to the Jade Pure Hall once again. All senior teachers are waiting for you there, apparently arranged by the true master."
I furrowed my brow, for I had originally intended to go down the mountain, and the situation at Mengying was unknown.
I was worried about her, as I haven't contacted her in these days, and I'm not sure about any accidents that might have happened.
Moreover, yesterday I thought about the possibility that Sun Zhuo might secretly strike me. After a slight investigation, they could easily find Wu Ling and Mengying.
Master Ming Jing and He You Tian have made arrangements, so I can't leave for a while.
"Teacher?" Xiao Kai bowed and handed me the food box.
Distracted from my reverie, I blew out a long breath, attempting to suppress the turmoil in my heart.
Turning to return to the room, I opened the food box and quickly ate everything inside.
The current situation before me indicates that I am unable to go down the mountain for the time being.
If I were to leave directly, it wouldn't be easy to explain to He You Tian, and Master Ming Jing would definitely have something on me.
I have to go and see what they need to arrange, and try to resolve it as soon as possible.
Having finished the food like the wind sweeping away clouds, I left the ancestral temple with Xiao Kai.
The Jade Pure Hall, it turns out, is located at the peak of the Four Regulations Mountain, the last grand hall.
When Xiao Kai led me into the hall, in front of a statue, there stood a figure wearing a hat and mask, with a veil covering their face, which was Master Ming Jing.
On one side were the well-arranged disciples, with Sun Zhuo standing at the front and Siluan also in the lineup.
Xiao Ke bowed his head and hurriedly walked into the lineup.
On the other side, were thirteen elders standing in a relaxed formation.
He You Tian, at the forefront, waved at me with a smile on his face.
I walked straight over and respectfully bowed: "Greetings, Master Elder, and greetings to all my seniors."
He You Tian's face was extremely pleased, and the other elders also nodded slightly.
It was only after He You Tian signaled with his eyes, glancing at Master Ming Jing, that I turned around and bowed.
"These days at the Thunder God Cliff, I've caused quite a bit of trouble for my little brother. Today, I rested quite late." Master Ming Jing smiled faintly: "Today, I have convened a meeting of the disciples at the mountain gate. The main purpose is to inform all the elders and students of an important matter."
I maintained an expressionless face, but my heart gave a slight shiver.
Indeed, this seems to be under Master Ming Jing's direction.
If I leave, it would indeed cause significant trouble for both myself and He You Tian.
Just that, Master Ming Jing actually addressed me as 'little brother'?
This is definitely not the scene from the Thunder God Cliff that convinced him.
He must have planned something!
He You Tian remained composed and calm, while the students standing nearby were looking at me with a hint of envy.
"From a logical point of view, your status as a disciple should be higher than the others. If there were to be another competition, it would be unfair for you to bully others."
"Nevertheless, your study of the Dao is not long, coupled with the old master's command and the esteem of Grandmaster, both from a sentimental and rational standpoint, I must give you the opportunity to participate in the ceremony for the succession." Master Ming Jing spoke with firm and resolute words.
Below, Sun Zhuo's expression flickered slightly.
Despite his efforts to conceal it, I could still discern a hint of malice and resentment in his eyes.
The other disciples remained silent, but their faces all displayed expressions of it being the right thing to do.
He You Tian stroked his short beard, revealing a smile.
"However, there are two things you must understand, little brother." Master Ming Jing changed the subject.
He You Tian squinted his eyes slightly, his smile remained, but he was staring directly at Master Ming Jing.
"Firstly, for the disciples to succeed, they must go through an experience on the outside world. Although Xiao Ke said that you killed a traitor of the mountain gate, that was only an ordinary disciple's experience. With your higher status and position, your experience cannot be as simple as going down the mountain. I will discuss it with all the elders and determine something for you."
My pupils contracted slightly.
Master Ming Jing is waiting for me here?
A specifically arranged task?
If the danger level is extremely high, it wouldn't even require the help of the Ghost Table or the Heavenly Longevity Temple.
Sun Zhuo is probably smiling his way out of a dream.
"Secondly, the female Yi jade tablet was an artifact that was broken off from Master Female Yi's hand many years ago, originally a tool of the true master, belonging to a set with the Four Regulations and the Clear Mirror. You have indeed received the approval of the master and obtained the Female Yi jade tablet, but rules are rules. Carrying the Female Yi jade tablet for your experience would be unfair to other disciples. It is necessary to keep this important artifact within the mountain gate."
"If you are to succeed the position of the true master one day, I will naturally hand over the Female Yi jade tablet and the Four Regulations Mirror to you."
Master Ming Jing's tone slightly changed when he mentioned the term "Four Regulations Mirror."
Even though the Taoists were composed, after Master Ming Jing's words, there was a great commotion in the hall. All the disciples looked at me with a mix of surprise and uncertainty.
Even the elders had surprised or intense looks on their faces.
It was obvious that He You Tian had not mentioned this matter.
My expression changed subtly, and for a moment, I remained silent.
Indeed, I did not expect Master Ming Jing to put pressure on me and explain the situation in this way.
"I think this is not appropriate. Master Female Yi's gift is a sign of favor towards the little disciple's talent and strength. The Female Yi jade tablet is also a tool for supervision. If Master Female Yi intended for it to be held by generations of true masters, she would have given it out long ago."
"I think we should let this matter rest."
He You Tian waved his sleeves and seemed to have no room for discussion.
"Grandmaster, this matter is indeed difficult to resolve. The Female Yi jade tablet is an artifact of the true master. How should we select a place for little disciple to train, in order to verify his strength?"
"Is it to send him to a village full of ghostly retribution or a mausoleum of the Green Corpse Demon?"
"The Female Yi jade tablet was originally an object held by the true master. It is only natural for him to hand it over." Master Ming Jing smiled and looked at the other elders, asking: "What do you all think?"
For a moment, those elders all looked at each other in silence.
The elders glanced at He You Tian, said nothing, and subtly stood on his side.
The opinions of the other eight elders were roughly that I should leave the Female Yi jade tablet, as it could indeed ensure fairness.
The disciples were unable to suggest anything, as they lacked the qualifications and seniority. However, they were all whispering and discussing, generally saying that the Female Yi jade tablet should be handed over to the true master!
They spoke of rules, but there was an underlying hint of envy.
After all, they all have the qualifications for the succession ceremony, and if they beat Sun Zhuo, the Female Yi jade tablet will be theirs in the future.
Of course, there were also a few who remained silent, including Siluan.
Based on my rough judgment, they should all have been injured and are therefore unable to compete.
Xiao Kai, despite not being injured, didn't speak either.
"Haha," Master Ming Jing chuckled, his face turned towards me and He You Tian.
"Grandmaster, you are the one who values discipline the most. What do you think?"
He You Tian remained silent, his eyes narrowed into a thin line.
My heart sank slightly.
Indeed, He You Tian is the most meticulous about rules. Otherwise, Xiong Ran would not have been able to obtain the position of a true master so easily in the past.
