Lin Xiao swept his gaze over the crowd, his teeth gritted, voice biting as he spat out the same word again and again.
"Good. Good. Good. You people are truly lawless. I will watch and see what sort of reputation you think you can make." His tone was ice cold.
Since the Tianxing Sect insisted on following Wushuang Sect to their doom, then so be it. They would have to bear the consequences of their choice.
Yun Jin, as if blind to the killing intent flashing in his eyes, spoke calmly. "The strength of an affiliated sect should also be counted as part of a sect's overall strength."
Lin Xiao sneered. "In that case, Wushuang Sect barely scrapes its way to the threshold of a middle-tier sect."
A mere middle-tier sect. Laughable.
But before his mocking tone had even faded, another voice rang out.
"We are willing to join Wushuang Sect as well." Qin Ping stepped forward with a group of Imperial cultivators in tow.
This group filled the gap Wushuang Sect had been missing in high-end strength.
Lin Xiao's face darkened to the extreme.
Even Ji Wusi and the others were surprised.
So quietly, Yun Jin had accomplished all this. The so-called recruitment drive was nothing but a smokescreen.
With Tianxing Sect as an affiliated sect, and these Imperial cultivators standing behind her, Wushuang Sect could already be evaluated as a high-tier sect—one with considerable power at that.
Though the distance to becoming a super-tier sect was still far, the foundation was already remarkable.
Lin Xiao turned his gaze toward Qin Ping and his companions, his voice cold. "So, you too refuse to acknowledge the authority of Qingxiao Pavilion?"
Qin Ping cupped his hands respectfully. "When Canglan Kingdom was struck by disaster, it was thanks to Sect Master Yun's aid that we were saved. We believe that with Wushuang Sect here, our nation can be safeguarded. Besides, as Imperial cultivators, we have long been excluded by other sects. Now that Sect Master Yun is willing to take us in, we are filled with gratitude."
Though his tone was humble, Lin Xiao's mood only worsened.
"You mean to say not just you, but even the entire Canglan Kingdom intends to break free of Qingxiao Pavilion's control?"
Qin Ping froze, then hastily denied it. "No, no, how would we dare harbor such thoughts? Only… Canglan has suffered such upheaval, and Qingxiao Pavilion is too occupied to intervene. It proves how busy Pavilion Master Lin is with countless matters. We merely feel that Wushuang Sect could lend a hand."
The words were deferential, but the meaning was the same as Lin Ya's earlier.
In short, it was nothing but thinly veiled mockery.
Lin Xiao's expression turned ashen, and he let out a frigid laugh. "Since you have all made up your minds, this seat will not force you. From this day forth, Qingxiao Pavilion will no longer interfere in Canglan Kingdom. I shall watch and see what kind of nation you can build without Qingxiao's oversight."
His voice was cuttingly cold.
So be it. From now on, should calamity fall upon Canglan Kingdom, it would no longer be Qingxiao Pavilion's concern.
"Many thanks, Pavilion Master Lin." Incredibly, Qin Ping even bowed in thanks before leading his group of Imperial cultivators to stand firmly behind Yun Jin.
Lin Xiao narrowed his eyes. "Sect Master Yun, truly impressive methods. You prepared all this long ago, yet still used recruitment as a mere diversion. A classic case of building an open road while secretly sending troops through the shadows. Admirable, admirable."
Yun Jin blinked innocently. "Pavilion Master Lin, you overthink things. To be honest, I didn't even want to take them in. More people only mean more trouble. I'm just a child, how could I possibly handle so much? But they insisted on coming. My skin is thin, and I couldn't bring myself to refuse."
Lin Xiao actually laughed in anger. "Even now, you still pretend? That is hardly in line with Sect Master Yun's character."
Yun Jin looked a little embarrassed and corrected herself. "Well, actually… my style is very versatile."
Lin Xiao could only sneer in response.
The matter had already reached this point. There was no use in more words.
Tianxing Sect. The Imperial cultivators. And Yun Jin.
They would pay the price for their choices.
"Now that everyone is gathered, Wushuang Sect shall hold its initiation ceremony. I invite all seniors present to witness it together." Yun Jin announced.
Ji Wusi laughed and agreed readily. "Of course."
Others also voiced their assent.
Lin Xiao's face was as black as coal, but he said nothing more.
Everything would be settled in time.
An Tong had already made preparations for the ceremony. At Yun Jin's order, the main hall was opened, and all disciples assembled in the plaza before the steps.
As sect master, Yun Jin personally distributed the tokens.
"Qin Ping, Fang Hua, Mo Yu," Yun Jin called.
The three stepped forward.
All three were Mahayana cultivators.
Yun Jin handed them elder tokens.
"You three shall serve as Grand Elders of Wushuang Sect, with all privileges accorded to that station. The details, once bound with blood, will be revealed."
Each dripped blood onto their tokens. Instantly, light flared before settling into calm.
Qin Ping's eyes flickered with surprise.
Information flowed into his mind.
The tokens were now bound to their owners. Firstly, even when far from the sect, they could use the tokens to open a spatial gate and return immediately to Wushuang Sect. However, this consumed great power, and so could only be used once a month before needing to recharge within the sect.
Secondly, the tokens granted them access to sect resources and manuals.
For those who had always cultivated alone, with nothing but trial and error, this was like being catapulted into luxury.
No one but themselves could understand how grueling it had been to reach Mahayana without guidance or resources. Without Luck shielding them, none of them would have survived this far.
Now, Wushuang Sect had filled in every gap they had suffered.
The three were deeply moved.
With resources and manuals in hand, their cultivation would surely surge. Years of suppressed foundation would burst forth like a flood.
They bowed solemnly to Yun Jin.
This sect master, young as she was, not only possessed strength equal to theirs, but had also granted them a new beginning.
This respect was freely given.
Yun Jin smiled, motioning them back to their places before summoning the Tribulation stage cultivators forward.
Tianxing Sect had three at that level, and among the Imperial cultivators were twelve more. Fifteen in total.
"You fifteen shall serve as Elders of Wushuang Sect," Yun Jin declared, distributing tokens accordingly.
Next came the Unity stage.
Tianxing Sect's Unity cultivators included its ten peak masters, several vice peak masters, and Elder Ming—thirteen in total. Among the Imperial cultivators, there were fifty-five. Together, sixty-eight.
Normally, once reaching Tribulation stage, one had to focus entirely on preparing for the heavenly calamity. Thus, it was the Unity stage cultivators who were truly the backbone of sect management.
Yun Jin issued them tokens as well, though she made it clear that their precise roles would depend on further observation.
The other disciples also received tokens, but details would be arranged later.
"Thus, the first generation of Wushuang Sect has received their tokens. From this day forth, you are the first disciples of Wushuang Sect. Rebuilding our sect shall be both our duty and our glory." Yun Jin's voice was steady.
Excitement lit the faces of all present.
From this day forward, they had a new home.
The future was uncertain, but they would walk this road together.
Whether it led to death or to glory would depend on their destiny.