The six elders took turns examining the golden-edged letter, and it was finally Yin Huixin’s turn to hold it.
She always stood last in the line of elders.
While the first five elders were inspecting it, Bian Jixiong waited patiently.
But once the letter was in his wife's hands, he spoke directly, "Each sect needs to send five people to attend the meeting. Let's discuss who should go."
Yin Huixin frowned and glanced at her husband before quickly scanning the document.
The elder seated on the leftmost position, Elder Yi Huachun, who was the oldest, asked, “Has the Sect Leader contacted the Domain Manor after receiving the notice? What does it mean by restricting participants' cultivation to below the Peak Advanced Martial Realm? I could understand limiting it to below the Human Immortal Realm. If those in the Advanced Martial Realm can participate, why exclude those at the peak?”
The others nodded or looked curious, all eyes turning to their leader.
Bian Jixiong nodded, "After receiving the notice, I had many questions too, and have already contacted the Domain Manor. This decision was made after consulting many sects. The reason is simple: those who are at the peak of the Advanced Martial Realm are just one step away from the Human Immortal Realm. It's a pity for any sect to lose such members over this matter, so they set the limit below the peak."
The elder seated on the right, Elder Ke Yizong, with a stern expression, asked, “Losses? Could there be so many losses while finding the Insect Essence Crystals?”
Beside him, the Elder Feng Youzhi patted his shoulder and said with a bitter smile, “Old Ke, why make the Northern Wastelands and Western Extremes the testing grounds?”
Elder Ke stroked his beard, “The Northern Wasteland's Moon and the Western Extremes Flowing Essence are where Insect Essence Crystals are most commonly found.”
Elder Feng added, “The area of the Western Extremes is vast and desolate. With so many people scattered in, you think there won’t be any secret disputes? When aiming for the top, it’s unavoidable that some will try to steal others’ discoveries, especially those from the larger sects who can't stand being outdone.”
The elder next to them, Elder Xia Fuli, remarked, “Exactly. Some will inevitably resort to underhanded tactics, especially those sects with more powerful disciples who can’t bear being overshadowed.”
Elder Cui Youfei chimed in, “Not to mention other locations, even in our own Sheng Prefecture, the so-called rewards publicly listed in the notice could lead to major trouble. If a ‘Xun Gate’ is constructed at our doorstep, it’ll immediately bring liveliness to this wilderness. For each sect, what does this mean? The allure is too great. Even within Sheng Prefecture, internal strife is bound to happen. I’m not sure how the Domain Lord is thinking.”
Elder Feng commented, “No choice really. Without sufficient temptation, who would put in their utmost effort? It's rare for such grand events to happen on Shengshen Continent, unseen for many years. Do you believe some dignitaries won’t set bets? They will, for sure. Once they get involved, it's likely to escalate the situation. Those noblewomen will surely gather to enjoy the excitement as well. While disciples below are fighting for their lives, to them, it’s a joyful gathering.”
“Alright.” Bian Jixiong interrupted as the conversation got heated. “Let’s focus on deciding who to send. Who should go?”
Elder Ke, still with a stern demeanor, asked, “Knowing it's a potentially deadly situation, should we send disciples to their death? The notice doesn’t say that Wukang Mountain must attend. We could refuse at first.”
Bian Jixiong waved his hand, “Although Wukang Mountain resides in Sheng Prefecture, we have often petitioned directly to the Royal Court, and the Domain Manor has opinions about us. Now that Sheng Prefecture needs our help, if we refuse to participate, no one would be happy. Do you think the Domain Manor has no means to deal with us? Would the elders still want to move freely in Sheng Prefecture?”
Elder Ke retorted, “Then tell me, Sect Leader, who should we send to their death? Excluding the talismans, Wukang Mountain’s martial prowess barely ranks within the top thousand in Sheng Prefecture. With what do we participate in such contests? Even if we send all of our talismans with the disciples, it wouldn’t be enough!”
This was indeed Wukang Mountain’s most embarrassing situation.
While their talismans were useful and profitable, they relied on fate, and couldn’t increase their output, limiting their influence, including the number of disciples.
Bian Jixiong gestured for calm, “Elder Ke, you’re overthinking it. We don’t aim for rankings or the ‘Xun Gate’ here. We’re merely filling numbers. Our disciples equipped with talismans, as long as we avoid conflicts, there shouldn’t be much trouble. Elder Ke, fellow elders, many things aren’t up to us; you want to keep moving freely here in Sheng Prefecture, right?”
Silence ensued.
Bian Jixiong continued, “My suggestion is to announce the news within the sect and have volunteers sign up. We can then choose five from the volunteers. If no one signs up, we can select from the top later. What do the elders think?”
Xia Fuli sighed, “That seems to be the only way. It isn’t easy to send anyone off into danger. Elder Ke is always fair and respected, I think we should let him handle choosing the candidates.”
The elders nodded in agreement.
Seeing this, Bian Jixiong said, “Very well, we’ll do that.”
Elder Ke quickly issued a notice on the mountain, causing a stir throughout Wukang Mountain.
In his study, Bian Jixiong held one of the notices Elder Ke had posted.
The content made his face darken.
Posting the notice was fine, but Elder Ke used ample words to describe the dangers of this event, discouraging anyone from signing up.
He hoped for disciples to volunteer.
If he ended up having to appoint people, it could be seen as favoritism.
In his frustration, he tore the notice into pieces and slammed his desk but couldn’t do much against Elder Ke since he hadn’t violated any protocol by warning the disciples.
Just then, Bian Weiying rushed in, holding a notice.
Catching sight of the torn pieces on the floor, she understood instantly.
“What brings you here?” Bian Jixiong fumed at the notice in her hand.
Bian Weiying approached with a salute, saying earnestly, “Father, I wish to volunteer for the meeting!”
Bian Jixiong was taken aback and admonished, “Don’t make trouble. This doesn’t concern you. Everyone knows you stepped down as city lord to focus on cultivation. No one will criticize you for not getting involved. Just continue your training in peace.”
Bian Weiying insisted, “Father, I really want to go.”
Bian Jixiong replied sternly, “I’m not joking either. The dangers described are real.”
Bian Weiying pleaded, “It's because it's dangerous that I want to go. As your daughter and the Sect Leader’s daughter, if I volunteer first, no one can accuse you of favoritism when you select others.”
She earnestly wished to be the first to volunteer, eager to show her dedication to her father, yearning for even a hint of approval from him.
It was also a chance to gain prestige.
When she saw the notice, she knew it was an opportunity to earn respect—if she was the first to stand forward during a crisis.
Having done similar things before, she felt the risk this time was greater, but also the reward.
Such prestige, she thought, accumulated little by little if she showed enough conviction and commitment.
Bian Jixiong contemplated for a moment, and then said, “Actually, for Wukang Mountain disciples, it shouldn’t be too dangerous. We aren’t there to compete severely, merely to participate. We can provide sufficient talismans for protection; as long as we endure until it's over, it should be fine. The issue is convincing your mother; she won’t agree.”
Bian Weiying rejoiced, “As long as you agree, Father, I'll persuade Mother.”
Bian Jixiong laughed in defeat, “Fine, go talk to her first.”
“Alright.” Bian Weiying turned to leave, but paused at the door, glancing back at her father’s eyes filled with pride and reassurance.
She left with a light heart, everything seemed to shine brightly.
In the Punishment Hall, during their daily free time.
Shi Chun and Wu Jinliang sat on the steps under the eaves, watching the commotion as Pang Tiansheng and a group discussed the notice.
When the topic of danger arose, everyone wondered who would volunteer.
“What if, I mean, hypothetically, if nobody volunteers or they’re short of people, do you think those of us who’ve made mistakes in the Punishment Hall will be picked instead?”
Someone’s suggestion stirred concern among the group.
Pang Tiansheng, sitting on the millstone, remained silent, apparently not dismissing the possibility.
Wu Jinliang whispered to Shi Chun beside him, “I hope they pick that fatty.”
Not satisfied with just whispering, he shouted, “If they do pick from the Punishment Hall, Fatty here, being the responsible person he is, would surely lead the charge for us, wouldn’t you?”
He deliberately confused the words “Pang” and “Fat.”
Pang Tiansheng was tempted to glare back but restrained himself, suspecting the guy was trying to provoke him.
Instead, he took a deep breath and ignored it, remembering his junior sister requested he look after them.
Many struggled to hold in their laughter.
Meanwhile, Shi Chun and Wu Jinliang continued watching, entertained by everyone’s anxiety, relishing in their plight, unconcerned as they weren’t Wukang Mountain disciples.