novelraw Chapter 79 – Which foot did you step in with first when you entered?
Chapter 79 – Which foot did you step in with first when you entered?
"That mysterious organization in the Outer Sect was established by the Grand Elder, and he's ready to make a move. He wants to invite us, master and disciple, to join."
"Master, do you think we should join?"
Zhao Liming detailed his analysis of the situation to his master.
"Based on the current analysis, the Sect Master still holds a slight advantage, but since the Grand Elder dares to act, he must have some trump card."
"We must consider carefully, as choosing the wrong side in such matters could lead to a disastrous end."
Elder Wang Yingjun rubbed his forehead and asked, "What is this organization doing now?"
Zhao Liming replied, "They're searching for Xuantian Tokens everywhere, buying and selling them."
"So, why does the Grand Elder want these tokens? Do you think he cares about those Contribution Points?"
Zhao Liming paused, thought for a moment, and said, "I think the Grand Elder wants to use this to control the Outer Sect."
Elder Wang Yingjun asked incredulously, "What use is it for the Grand Elder to control the Outer Sect?"
"Can all the disciples in the Outer Sect combined withstand a single slap from the Sect Master?"
"Besides, have you ever seen someone recruit people like this? If it weren't for the Sect Rules, that mysterious organization would have been beaten half to death as soon as it appeared."
"This is just pushing the Outer Sect into someone else's arms!"
Zhao Liming scratched the back of his head, "Seems like it!"
"Then what's the Grand Elder's purpose in having the mysterious organization do this in the Outer Sect?"
Wang Yingjun pondered, "Could it be that the mysterious organization has nothing to do with the Grand Elder at all?"
"If this organization was really established by the Grand Elder, he definitely wouldn't sell the tokens he collected."
"Why?" Zhao Liming asked.
"Because, knowing the Grand Elder's nature, on the day of redemption, he'd show up with all the tokens and reveal himself to all the Outer Sect disciples!"
Zhao Liming let out an 'oh' and suddenly his expression changed dramatically.
"Master, that's even worse. If this organization wasn't established by the Grand Elder, then it must be an external force."
"We're doomed. Someone wants to target our sect and even wants to recruit us as traitors."
"They're causing chaos in the Outer Sect to disrupt the order of our Xuantian Sect, aiming to dismantle us from within."
Elder Wang Yingjun held his forehead, utterly exasperated.
'Why was I so blind to choose him among so many normal disciples?'
"No, no, no..."
Before Elder Wang Yingjun could speak, Zhao Liming denied his own thoughts.
Seeing his disciple realize the mistake, Elder Wang Yingjun's expression softened slightly.
'Though my disciple tends to overthink, he's not entirely foolish.'
Then, Elder Wang Yingjun heard Zhao Liming say, "An external force would never dare to act so openly in our sect; this organization must still be from within our sect."
"I got it, this must be orchestrated by the Supreme Sect Master and the Supreme Elder."
"Their goal is to create chaos in Xuantian Sect, to show that the Sect Master and elders are not governing well, so they can have the Sect Master step down and take over."
"That makes much more sense."
"The Supreme Sect Master and Supreme Elder are truly wicked."
"So, they want to rebel!"
Elder Wang Yingjun: "Are you out of your mind? If the Supreme Sect Master and Supreme Elder wanted to take over Xuantian Sect, they could just walk out of their seclusion; there's no need for such trouble!"
"I see!" Zhao Liming nodded, "So there's only one possibility left!"
Zhao Liming said seriously, "Considering all previous guesses, I've come to the most reasonable conclusion."
"The mysterious organization is a product of collaboration between an external force and the Grand Elder. With the Grand Elder's backing, they can run rampant in the Outer Sect."
"Their ultimate goal is to weaken Xuantian Sect through internal chaos and eventually take it over."
"I knew the Grand Elder wasn't a good person, to be so malicious."
"Master, which side should we take?"
"How about you side with the Sect Master, and I'll side with the Grand Elder."
"Although the Grand Elder is mysterious, I feel the Sect Master has a better chance of winning. If you're with the Sect Master, if I get caught, your status could save me with just a word."
"Of course, if the Grand Elder unfortunately wins, I'll definitely do my best to rescue Mistress and you."
"Though I have exceptional talent, I must admit my strength is still a bit lacking, and my words might not carry much weight."
"But rest assured, Master, even if it costs me my life, I'll definitely save Mistress."
"As for you, your status is too high, but don't worry, once my strength increases, I'll definitely avenge you."
"Oh, why is my life so hard!"
Elder Wang Yingjun was filled with melancholy, contemplating whether to take on another disciple.
After all, anyone with eyes could see that this one was a lost cause.
Elder Wang Yingjun circulated his Spiritual Energy to calm himself.
He feared that if the conversation continued, he might not be able to resist cleaning house.
'Stay calm, stay calm. Although Liming's thoughts are a bit erratic, his ability to handle matters is decent. Without him, there'd be no one to do the work. Stay calm!'
After a moment, Elder Zhao Liming exhaled slowly.
"Alright, stop overthinking. The Grand Elder would never betray Xuantian Sect."
"How many tokens have you collected as I asked?"
"Tokens..."
Zhao Liming smiled awkwardly and took out five tokens from his Qiankun bag, placing them one by one in front of Wang Yingjun.
Elder Wang Yingjun glanced at the tokens, then at Zhao Liming.
"That's it?"
"That's it!"
"Just five?"
"Just five!"
"Don't you know you need ten tokens to exchange for a magical artifact?"
"I do!"
"Then why only five tokens?"
"Because I thought the Grand Elder's betrayal was more important, I didn't have time to buy the remaining five tokens and rushed over."
"But it's too late to go back now; those five tokens must have been bought by the mysterious organization."
"Master, you should just give up!"
"You..."
Elder Wang Yingjun felt a bit dizzy and mustered the courage to ask:
"How many Contribution Points did you spend on these five tokens?"
Zhao Liming counted carefully with his fingers.
"Not much, really."
"Phew~" Elder Wang Yingjun sighed in relief.
"Just eight or nine hundred Contribution Points!"
"Hmm?"
Bang~
"Master, Master, why did you faint? Are you alright?"
Zhao Liming saw his master suddenly faint before him and panicked, shouting:
"Mistress, Mistress, Master drank your... boo hoo hoo~"
"Boy, shut up!" Elder Wang Yingjun covered Zhao Liming's mouth, lowering his voice.
Zhao Liming broke free and explained, "Master, I was just trying to wake you up sooner. Why did you faint suddenly?"
"This is a side effect from my failed attempt to break through to the Body Fusion Stage; it's nothing serious."
Elder Wang Yingjun spoke through gritted teeth, looking painfully at the five tokens.
'Why only five tokens? Even one more token would have saved me from preparing an extra magical artifact.'
'Now, not only did I not save on a magical artifact, but I also spent an extra three to four hundred Contribution Points.'
'And this was borrowed money; how am I going to pay the interest?'
Zhao Liming asked softly, "Master, you won't blame me for wasting three to four hundred Contribution Points, will you?"
"Of course not!" Elder Wang Yingjun feigned strength, "A mere three to four hundred Contribution Points is nothing to me."
"By the way, which foot did you step in with first when you entered?"