Was I being too optimistic just now?
As Li Ye glanced at the gloomy-looking disciple leading the way up front, then looked at the unfriendly expressions on the faces of the others around him, he couldn't help but mutter inwardly.
Putting aside the tensions between clan disciples and sect disciples, the current situation in Zimo Forest called for unity and strength. Yet they still allowed disciples like this to treat reinforcements with such hostility?
Wasn't this practically begging for Flying Feather Sect to exploit their internal strife?
Lost in thought, he followed the group into the estate. Along the way, they encountered several more disciples.
Judging from the various reactions when those disciples learned where they were from, Li Ye could tell that the elder in charge had assigned her subordinates with a fairly balanced ratio of clan and sect disciples.
That likely meant she wasn't showing favoritism to either side at least he didn't have to worry about being unfairly targeted.
They eventually arrived at the main hall. The lead disciple composed his expression and aura, stepped over the threshold, and bowed respectfully.
"Reporting to the Elder reinforcement disciples have been brought as instructed!"
At the head of the hall sat a stunning woman in a sheer, elegant gown. She appeared relaxed and casual, flipping through a book in her hands.
She only lifted her eyes slightly when she heard the report, glancing over the group.
"You've traveled far it's been hard on you. Sit down."
"Thank you, Elder!"
Everyone bowed and took their seats. Whether intentional or not, Qu Zijian ended up in the first seat to the right, while Li Ye took the first seat to the left.
"As for you… Jia Qian."
The elder woman spoke in her usual unhurried tone, calling out to the disciple who had just been about to leave.
"You took advantage of the elder's trust, used your position as a guide to unjustly rebuke the reinforcement disciples, stirred up discord among our sect's people, and disrupted morale…"
With each word she spoke, the disciple's face turned paler, his back bending lower.
Finally, with a thud, he dropped to his knees, crying out repeatedly,
"Elder, please forgive me! I was just momentarily confused…"
But the elder didn't spare him a glance. She simply said,
"Effective immediately, you are stripped of all duties and imprisoned for questioning."
As her voice faded, she lightly waved her sleeve, and a streak of spiritual light landed on Jia Qian, sealing his cultivation and silencing his voice.
Moments later, two disciples in robes resembling those of the Discipline Hall entered with stern expressions. Without a word, they dragged away the pale and struggling Jia Qian.
The hall fell completely silent.
Seeing everyone's cautious expressions, the elder chuckled softly.
"Does this outcome satisfy you all?"
Qu Zijian immediately stood and bowed.
"Elder Yu has acted with perfect fairness. We couldn't be more satisfied."
Judging by his tone and familiarity, it seemed he had met this female elder before.
The other disciples quickly followed suit, rising to pay their respects, excitement showing clearly on their faces.
Even Li Ye couldn't help but smile a little.
It was indeed the perfect time to severely punish someone who dared to stir up internal discord this way, there was no fear of things spiraling out of control among the lower ranks.
Seeing how reliable this elder was, Li Ye realized he had been a bit overly worried earlier.
"Since you're satisfied… you should all understand this well: in times like these, anyone who tries to disrupt our internal unity no matter who they are will be severely punished by me without exception!"
Elder Yu still wore a pleasant smile on her beautiful face, but her words carried a chill that made everyone present instinctively feel a cold shiver in their hearts.
The earlier indignation stirred up by the two clan disciples at the marketplace entrance, as well as by Jia Qian, instantly vanished. Whatever thoughts or schemes they might've had were now gone.
Seeing this, Elder Yu gave a satisfied nod. Her tone grew lighter again.
"I've received word from other outposts and from the sect itself: small enemy groups have infiltrated our territory and ambushed many reinforcement teams, resulting in significant casualties. For you all to not only kill the enemy but still arrive here with half your number intact it was no small feat. Tell me what happened at the time."
Naturally, it was Qu Zijian who stepped forward to speak.
He quickly acknowledged the elder and began recounting the encounter with the enemy forces.
"…Truthfully, our victory was all thanks to Junior Brother Li's timely intervention he managed to take down a late-stage cultivator. Without him, the outcome would've been uncertain."
After giving a general account, Qu Zijian added this heartfelt statement.
Regardless of how Li Ye had managed to defeat that cultivator, after spending some time with him and hearing things from other disciples, Qu Zijian was certain this man was no ordinary person.
In chaotic times like these, there was no telling when he might need Li Ye's help.
Even if they couldn't become close, they certainly shouldn't become enemies.
And he definitely wouldn't try to steal Li Ye's credit in front of the elder!
Sure enough
When he caught the smile Li Ye threw his way, Qu Zijian felt much more at ease.
"Well done!"
Elder Yu gave Li Ye a long look and praised him with satisfaction. Then she shifted topics.
"Given that we're in wartime, and you've distinguished yourselves in battle, you may take your Flying Feather Sect disciple token or any other proof to exchange for sect contribution points to redeem whatever supplies you need."
"Alright then… I can see that you've come a long way, weary and worn. Since the enemy hasn't struck here yet, take a few days to rest."
With a wave of her hand, the group wisely rose and took their leave.
Outside, they received housing tokens from a waiting logistics disciple. After agreeing to meet up later, they each went their separate ways.
Li Ye flipped the token in his hand a few times before putting it away, then casually wandered through the streets.
Unknowingly, he made a large loop and ended up back where he started. Without hesitation, he took out the token Ji Qing had given him and handed it to the disciple at the gate, speaking calmly under the young man's somewhat bewildered gaze:
"The elder is expecting me."
Before long, the summoning was confirmed.
Li Ye gave a word of thanks and once again stepped into the elder's residence.
But as he reentered the familiar hall and saw an extra figure inside, he raised an eyebrow and smiled.
Now he understood why that gatekeeper had looked so odd!
"What a coincidence, Junior Brother Li."
Qu Zijian smiled and cupped his hands in greeting, then bowed to Elder Yu and took his leave.
Now, only Li Ye and the elder remained in the hall.
The alluring woman was playing with Ji Qing's token in her hand. When she looked at Li Ye, she smiled and said,
"To have earned Ji Qing's recommendation… No wonder your physique cultivation is so strong. Killing a late-stage cultivator who was caught off guard really wouldn't be a problem for you."
"I am deeply honored," Li Ye replied respectfully.
As for her ability to instantly see through his body cultivation
Before a Foundation Establishment cultivator's divine sense, a mere Qi Cultivator had few secrets. It didn't stir any worry in him.
"Hmm! Quite the sensible one," Elder Yu teased, "I didn't expect Ji Qing's disciples to include someone with your kind of temperament."
"I read your file seems you've studied a bit of everything. Not only is your body cultivation impressive, but you also possess a wide range of skills..."
"Your herbology skills have already reached the second tier, and you even dabble in talismans and alchemy!"
"What a shame… If you were just a grassroots disciple, the sect would treat you like a treasure based on your reported skills. They'd keep you in the inner sect to manage spirit fields or handle alchemy tasks, and you'd never have to step foot on the front lines."
"But unfortunately, you're from the Li clan. Even if it's just an ordinary Foundation Establishment family, such good fortune won't come your way..."
Her voice was airy, sounding like a mix of both provocation and comfort.
Li Ye couldn't help but feel a bit stirred inside certain thoughts were quietly forming.
Still, when he had deliberately downplayed his skills in the reports but was nonetheless sent to the front lines, he had already seen through how things worked.
Now, his inner reactions were mostly in response to this woman herself.
Just then, however, her flirtatious tone abruptly shifted to something calm and direct.
"In that case, what level have your alchemy skills reached?"
"I can reliably craft mid-grade Tier-1 pills, and can attempt high-grade ones with some risk," Li Ye replied immediately, as if awakening from a dream.
"Not bad at all."
Elder Yu raised an eyebrow in surprise, then smiled again.
"Then you'll serve as the resident alchemist here. As long as you can maintain a steady supply of pills, you won't have to step onto the battlefield unless it's a life-or-death situation."
"Thank you for the appointment, Elder!"
Li Ye was overjoyed and bowed deeply. Then, he asked cautiously,
"Elder, is there a need for someone to tend the local spirit fields or groves? I'd be honored to contribute however I can."
"You really can't stop messing with plants, huh?"
The glamorous woman chuckled in amusement at his suggestion.
"You sure think big. Let's see if you can keep up with the pill production first!"
Li Ye smiled and bowed once more.
"I won't fail your expectations, Elder!"
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