I courted death and then tried to escape, so the whole sect wants to get rid of me.

When Song Yao returned to her room, there were two wine jugs on the floor.

Chen Qingqiu seemed even more drunk and fell asleep on the table.

The Northern Shaking Sect has always been known for its strict rules, producing disciples who are all like ruthless killers. Chen Qingqiu, as the sect's holy maiden, is even more rigid.

He not only came to her crying, but also ended up drunk in her room.

Song Yao closed the door, took off her cloak, grabbed a blanket and covered Chen Qingqiu with it, shaking her head with a sigh.

After death, I saw my old friends in a different identity, and they all seemed quite different from before.

That's normal, people change.

It's just that they changed direction in a rather strange way.

She climbed into bed and, without thinking much, drifted off to sleep.

-

The following day at noon, Song Yao was awakened by knocking on the door.

When I opened my eyes, the room was empty.

The tea set on the table was neatly arranged, and the overturned wine pot on the floor was nowhere to be found, leaving not even a trace of alcohol smell.

There was only a note on the pillow: "I'm so sorry for what I did while drunk last night."

Song Yao rubbed her eyes and casually made a hand seal to burn the note.

Is crying a couple of times considered drunken misbehavior?

What about when she accidentally blew up her master's house while drunk?

Is that considered perverted?

The knocking grew louder, so she got out of bed, changed her clothes, put on her cloak, and went outside.

Ming Ran and Cheng Yue were standing at the door. Seeing her open the door, they breathed a sigh of relief: "Seventh Senior Sister, are you alright?"

The sun was blazing, and Song Yao squinted, "It's nothing, what's wrong?"

Mingran said with slight anxiety, "We've been knocking on the door for almost half an hour. If you don't come out soon, we're going to come in!"

Cheng Yue nodded: "Are you feeling unwell? Why are you sleeping so soundly?"

Song Yao yawned: "The osmanthus wine might be a bit too strong, and I went to bed late last night."

She didn't seem to care, but when she looked up and saw the worried expressions on their faces, she realized what was going on.

In order to get leave from her studies, she had previously publicized her missing soul and poor health.

This is not a secret within the Nine Saints Hall.

They must have misunderstood each other.

Song Yao waved her hand: "I'm really fine. What are we supposed to do now? When are we going back to the sect?"

Seeing that her complexion was still relatively rosy, the two finally breathed a sigh of relief.

Mingran said, "We're going back the day after tomorrow. There's a talk banquet in the afternoon, where disciples from various sects are supposed to exchange techniques and swordsmanship, and discuss poetry and literature. We have to go too."

The cultivation world loves to organize these kinds of inexplicable social gatherings.

If it were Song Yao in her previous life, she would definitely have made a name for herself and trampled her fellow disciples and even the young disciples of the entire cultivation world under her feet.

This life...

Song Yao took a half step back, looking dejected. "I'm not feeling well right now. Can I not go?"

Mingran grabbed her arm and practically dragged her out, her face full of excitement: "How can we not go? You're the champion of this Ten Thousand Bones Forest Secret Realm! Of course we have to go and show off! Come on, come on!"

Song Yao struggled and said, "Wouldn't it be better to keep a low profile? Being too high-profile will only lead to a quick demise. I have experience with that."

Cheng Yue followed silently behind: "It was the Ninth Elder who said we couldn't be absent. The Northern Shaking Sect does a good job of putting on a show, so we have to give them face too, otherwise people will talk about us."

Song Yao was dragged away, half-heartedly resisting.

Okay.

It involves the interests of the sect.

Now we have no choice but to go.

The Qingtan Banquet was held in the lakeside courtyard behind the Beiyao Sect, surrounded by mountains and water on all sides, with bluestone paths winding around the bamboo forest, creating a tranquil and elegant environment.

Chen He and Jiang Jin, who were waiting halfway, saw the three of them and said with a smile, "You've finally arrived. Let's go in and sit down."

Just as Song Yao was about to respond, she caught a glimpse of the Ninth Elder chatting with someone under the shade of a willow tree not far away.

After a moment's hesitation, he turned to the others and said, "You all go ahead, I'm going to say something to Elder Jiu."

Chen He: "Okay."

Jiang Jin paused for a moment, then followed Song Yao.

When the Ninth Elder under the willow tree saw her coming, his slightly stern face softened a little, and he smiled. He said to the person next to him, "This is the new disciple of our Nine Saints Hall that I was talking about. And this one behind her is her senior brother. He has also reached the Golden Core stage now."

Beside him was the Grand Elder of Fenghai Tower, who exclaimed in amazement, "This is truly a young talent! In our sect, children of this age haven't even mastered Qi Gathering yet."

As Song Yao and Jiang Jin approached, they heard the Ninth Elder grinning from ear to ear: "It's not that exaggerated, but she is indeed more promising than other children. Moreover, her cultivation level is nothing compared to her swordsmanship."

As he spoke, he gestured with his chin toward Song Yao: "Come on, Xiao Mu, give your senior a performance."

Song Yao: "?"

She reminded him, "I am a pill refiner."

The Ninth Elder realized, "Oh, right, right, you're a pill cultivator, Jiang Jin, you sing a bit."

Jiang Jin: "..."

He gripped the sword hilt hesitantly, looking as if he wanted to pull it out but couldn't.

The Grand Elder of Fenghai Tower chuckled and defused the situation, saying, "Alright, alright, it's not the New Year. Don't let the children show off. They probably have something to say to you. I'll head back now. Come to my courtyard for tea later."

He nodded to the two men as he spoke, then turned and strode away.

The Ninth Elder still looked delighted: "I forgot to praise you properly yesterday. You actually managed to win the championship, which really makes me proud! You didn't see how angry Feng Qing was! When we get back, I'll definitely reward you handsomely!"

After showering him with praise, he finally remembered to ask, "Isn't this a discussion meeting? What business do you have with this old man?"

Song Yao had already sent the message back to the Nine Saints Hall yesterday, but she thought she should also tell the Ninth Elder.

She replied crisply, "I've found out about Fifth Senior Sister."

The Ninth Elder and Jiang Jin's expressions both changed slightly.

The Ninth Elder gestured for the two to come closer and activated a protective barrier: "You've found out about Tangtang?"

Song Yao: "Yes, Fifth Senior Sister was handed over to Yong'an Tower by the Wen family, and we don't know her exact whereabouts now."

Jiang Jin frowned: "I've been with the Wen siblings these past few days. Where did you get this information? Could it be false?"

The Ninth Elder pondered for a moment upon hearing this: "It is indeed possible that it's fake news. How much can we believe it?"

Song Yao: "Ye Chang'an told me this, and since my fourth senior brother was there, I can believe it to be 90% true."

The Ninth Elder was taken aback: "The Fourth Elder is here? Then there's no need to doubt it. If he says it's true, then it can't be false."

As he spoke, his brows furrowed even more deeply: "This is rather troublesome. How did Yong'an Restaurant get involved...?"

He cut off his words after only saying half a sentence, turning to Song Yao: "Alright, thank you for your hard work, Xiao Qi. I will handle the rest with the other elders. You don't need to worry too much, just go and attend the discussion meeting."

Song Yao nodded, but Jiang Jin beside her said urgently, "Isn't there anything else we need to do? Maybe the Wen siblings know more?"