Mortal: Fifteenth Realm Sword Cultivator

Zhuang Huayi understood that the token must be some kind of medium, otherwise the little girl could not have penetrated the cave's restrictions so easily.

Yuan Yao looked at the other party, but with her mere Foundation Establishment stage divine sense, she naturally couldn't see through him.

The veil was like a swirling cloud, allowing one to sense the other's presence, but even their face appeared blurry.

A thought popped into Zhuang Huayi's mind: Could this be Mr. Lu's daughter?

As for Xiao Ziling, she kept a close eye on the movements in the fiftieth level of the cave.

Sensing that the restriction here had been activated, she rushed over.

The young girl has managed to unite the entire Miaoyin Sect into a cohesive force these past few days.

However, although she was nominally the sect leader, the newly appointed Core Formation stage elder was personally assigned by the Sixth Elder of the Star Palace. Nominally, he was there to supervise and protect her, but everyone knew in their hearts that he was plotting to usurp the sect and take complete control of the Miaoyin Sect.

Fortunately, the other party seemed to have some reservations as well.

Although he did not settle down after arriving and tried to seize power both openly and secretly, he did not become too arrogant.

Zi Ling managed to maintain a semblance of control by relying on the faction's foundation left by her parents, but the Miaoyin Sect was still rife with undercurrents and instability.

Therefore, she now urgently hopes that Yan Ruyan, a Core Formation cultivator, can serve as a guest elder of the Miaoyin Sect.

Moreover, Zi Ling was almost 50% confident that she could persuade the other party to agree.

To be honest, Yan Ruyan was the only "ally" she knew well, whose status was appropriate and whom she could rely on.

As long as the other party agrees to serve as a guest minister, it can effectively restrain Zhao Zheng, who was sent by the Star Palace.

In addition, Zi Ling learned that the Sixth Elder of the Star Palace seemed to be working to stabilize the current chaotic situation before preparing to go into seclusion.

Therefore, she not only had to use this power transition period to consolidate the Miaoyin Sect, but also had to put avenging her parents on the agenda.

If Zi Ling hadn't been unable to fully control the forces within the sect at this moment, she might have already issued a trade ban on Ji Yin Island.

Unfortunately, the foundation is not yet stable, and rash actions could easily backfire, so we can only hold back.

However, if one has a Nascent Soul cultivator as a backer, the situation is completely different.

Therefore, inviting Yan Ruyan to serve as a guest elder of the Miaoyin Sect was not only intended to counterbalance Zhao Zheng.

It was also for the Nascent Soul cultivator behind her.

Xiao Ziling's scheme is just like what her parents did back then: using the power of others to achieve her own goals.

As soon as I stepped inside, I saw two unfamiliar women.

Especially the woman sitting upright in the pavilion; when her gaze swept over her, it instantly made her tense.

His gaze seemed to pierce through her veil and reach her very soul, making it almost impossible for her to maintain her composure.

Who is the other party?

How did I end up here?

Where are Sister Xin and Sister Yan?

A barrage of questions exploded in Zi Ling's mind.

As for the woman beside her, whose eyes and brows naturally exuded a certain allure, Zi Ling, being only at the Qi Refining stage, only glanced at her twice before paying no further attention.

Her entire being was captivated by the figure sitting upright in the pavilion.

This...this is clearly the demeanor of a Nascent Soul cultivator!

Could it be that she is that Senior Lu?

How is that possible!

Inside the pavilion, Zhuang Huayi had concealed her aura, but the composure befitting a Nascent Soul cultivator could not be completely hidden.

"This junior is Wang Ning from the Miaoyin Sect."

The latter bowed slightly, performing a junior's greeting, his posture neither humble nor arrogant.

"I wonder if Sister Xin and Sister Yan are here?"

Is your surname Wang?

She had naturally heard of the Mystic Sound Sect, a sect established by music, intelligence, and business, in the inner sea of ​​the Chaotic Star Sea.

Its current leader died in the Kui Xing Island Incident.

As a Nascent Soul cultivator, Zhuang Huayi had naturally heard about it.

And as for the people behind it all.

She even knew who it was.

Zhuang Huayi was a participant in that meeting.

Even so, there will be no pity.

Because she didn't have much affection for the Miaoyin Sect to begin with.

However, the girl's mention of "Sister Xin" and "Sister Yan" stirred something in Zhuang Huayi's heart.

Xin Ruyin is the one Mr. Lu asked her to protect the Dao for three hundred years.

Yan Ruyan is likely another one who has gone into seclusion.

The fact that the other party could address her as "older sister" clearly indicates a close relationship.

"Both of them are currently in seclusion. If you wish to wait for them, you may return in a few days. However, since they possess this token and are able to enter this place, they must have some connection with the owner of the cave. Please speak frankly about what you need, and I can relay their message once they emerge from seclusion."

Zhuang Huayi's voice was cold, and her gaze fell on Zi Ling.

Zi Ling's thoughts raced.

She had no idea who the other person was, only that the woman in front of her was very likely a Nascent Soul cultivator.

After a moment's thought, she decided to test the other party's reaction first.

"I remember this is Senior Lu's cave dwelling. I've been here for many years and never seen you two before. How did you get into this cave? I remember Senior Lu has always been in seclusion. Who... are you?"

She spoke with skepticism, making it clear that she had a close relationship with this place, intending to get the other party to explain their origins as soon as possible.

Upon hearing this, Zhuang Huayi remained calm and said indifferently, "We were brought by Mr. Lu. He has just gone into seclusion. If you have any questions, you can ask him yourself when he comes out of seclusion."

Zi Ling was helpless upon hearing this, and even felt resentful.

Unexpectedly, arriving just one step too late meant catching up with the other party's seclusion.

"That won't be necessary."

Zi Ling suppressed the turmoil in her heart and spoke calmly.

"I will come to bother you again in a few days."

After saying that, she nodded slightly, turned around and left, her skirt swaying slightly, without any intention of lingering, as if she really was just there to make an appearance.

Zhuang Huayi did not stop her and let her leave.

Only then did Yuan Yao dare to ask in a low voice, "Master, who is this young lady...?"

Zhuang Huayi withdrew her gaze from the entrance and said calmly, "It might be the current sect leader of the Miaoyin Sect."

"Sect Master?"

Yuan Yao was somewhat speechless.

That girl who looks younger than me is actually the leader of a sect?

Although the Myriad Sounds Sect is not a top-tier sect in the Chaotic Star Sea, it is still a renowned force.

"There's no need to make a fuss."

Zhuang Huayi said, "In the cultivation world, one's realm and status are not entirely determined by age. Go to the meditation room and diligently study the 'Luanfeng Sword Manual.' Reaching the Foundation Establishment stage as soon as possible is your current priority."

"Yes, Master!"

Yuan Yao quickly agreed.

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Zi Ling returned to Miao Yin Sect.

Soon, two women entered the attic where she was.

One of them was alluring, with a captivating charm in her eyes.

The last one to arrive was dressed in green, with a sharp look in his eyes that came from years of holding a high position. For men, this did not diminish his charm; on the contrary, it aroused a stronger desire to conquer him.

They were the left and right envoys of the Miaoyin Sect, an important team left to Ziling by Wang Heng and his wife.

Fan Jingmei and Zhuo Ruting.

Although both were only at the mid-Foundation Establishment stage, they each had their own strengths. The former was skilled in management and maneuvering, while the latter was adept at decision-making and leadership. They were the right-hand men of Wang Heng and his wife when they were in charge of the Miaoyin Sect.

The two took their seats one after the other.

On the table in front of him, a wintersweet tree grows out at an angle, perfectly trimmed, and next to it is a pot of pine, its green leaves glistening.

Fan Jingmei smiled before speaking, her eyes crinkling, and asked directly, "Did the sect leader's trip go smoothly?"

Zi Ling emerged from the inner room, lifted the curtain, walked to the two people, sat down, and gently shook her head.

"In the end, we never saw the person."

There was a hint of weariness in her voice.

"I only received one piece of news: the Nascent Soul cultivator who gave me the name did indeed emerge from seclusion once before, but I was unaware of it. After his return this time, he immediately went into seclusion again... In the end, I was a step too late."

Fan Jingmei's smile froze on her lips for a moment, then she slowly said, "Good things often come with difficulties, Sect Leader, please rest assured. You are in the prime of your life, so why not focus your energy on your own cultivation? You can leave the sect's mundane affairs to your subordinates and Right Envoy Zhuo. Although I dare not claim to be absolutely certain, I believe that stabilizing the current situation should not be a major problem."

Zhuo Ruting turned to look at the other person, her eyebrows slightly furrowed.

"I don't have much to say about this, but I have one suggestion: every decision must be recorded. No matter how small, everything must be documented. When the sect leader takes charge in the future, right and wrong, merit and demerit will be judged."

She paused slightly, her gaze sharpening as she looked meaningfully at Fan Jingmei.

"Someone previously suggested trying to win over Zhao Zheng, but I wonder if using Left Envoy Fan's beauty would work?"

Fan Jingmei's smile froze, suddenly turning dark. "Right Envoy Zhuo, what do you mean by that? My actions are for the sake of the stability of the Miaoyin Sect. My suggestion to win over Zhao Zheng was merely to temporarily appease the people. As for recording it, ha, Right Envoy Zhuo, you've given me a good reminder. It's time to write it down. Who was it that didn't try to share the Sect Master's burdens today, but instead hindered him at every turn and spoke so harshly!"

Zi Ling gently raised her hand and poured a cup of tea for each of them, softly advising them:

"Both of you are pillars of the Miaoyin Sect, and we must not let this cause any discord between us. Fortunately, we still have time, and we can discuss everything at length."

As a young master who takes charge of a vast empire, he must not only deal with powerful enemies on all sides, but also mediate disputes within the sect.

Although Zi Ling managed to maintain a fragile balance between the two, she was well aware that undercurrents were surging beneath this balance.

Every time they discussed something, they would inevitably have a quarrel, their sharp exchanges rehearsed as if deliberately staged in front of her.

Zi Ling was born with a keen and insightful mind; how could she not see through the intricacies of the matter?

Their affected manner was simply to reassure her, the young sect leader, and to imply that the Miaoyin Sect was not a monolithic entity and that she could still control the situation.

If they appear too united, it will only make her constantly worry about the predicament of "strong enemies outside and constraints inside."

She could have simply pointed out the lack of this performance.

After all, both of them were her parents' confidants, so she naturally knew their backgrounds and identities.

However, the human heart is as deep as the sea, and even the most trusted confidants are not immune to change in their thoughts and ideas.

As soon as they finished speaking, the two instantly regained their nonchalant demeanor, each picking up their teacups and taking an elegant sip.

It was as if the tense exchange just now was merely a gentle breeze across the water, leaving no trace.

It is said that women are sensitive and perceptive, and these two beauties have truly taken this "tacit understanding" to the extreme.

If they were men, the position of sect leader of the Miaoyin Sect would probably be out of reach for the young Ziling.