When all the disciple tokens had been distributed, Yun Jin turned toward Ji Wusi and the others.
"Senior, Masters, you may begin the evaluation of our sect's rank."
Her goal this time was clear—Wushuang Sect must be acknowledged as an Upper Sect. There were still a little more than two months left before the Grand Sect Ranking Conclave.
If, within these two months, she could elevate the sect's strength to reach the baseline of a Super Sect, then at the conclave, Wushuang Sect could directly apply to become one.
Yun Jin would never forget the many slights and schemes of Yuehua Sect. If the day came when Wushuang Sect truly rose to that level, then between them and Yuehua Sect, a confrontation would be inevitable. By then, every debt Yuehua Sect owed would be repaid in full—with interest. After all, Yun Jin had never been one to endure humiliation silently.
The others did not know that she was already planning for Wushuang Sect to reach Super Sect standards within just two months.
Ji Wusi spoke: "For an Upper Sect, the requirement is three Mahayana cultivators, ten in the Tribulation stage, and at least fifty in the Unity stage. In terms of manpower, Wushuang Sect already meets the standard. The next step is to audit your resources and techniques. These two aspects must also meet the requirements."
Yun Jin glanced at An Tong.
An Tong nodded in response.
He had long been prepared for this, following Yun Jin's instructions.
The thousand-year accumulation of Wushuang Sect was no trivial matter.
He only revealed a fraction of it.
Ji Wusi and the others inspected everything according to proper procedure, and soon gave their verdict—approval.
Yun Jin remained calm.
Upper Sect? Ever since Qin Ping had led the Imperial cultivators, bringing nearly all their high-end strength to join, Wushuang Sect had already reached that threshold.
As for the foundation, Wushuang Sect's reserves were enough to rival even a Holy Land.
Passing the review of an Upper Sect was simply inevitable.
If the review had been left solely in Qingxiao Pavilion's hands, Lin Xiao would no doubt have tried every possible obstruction.
But with Ji Wusi and the others here, he had no chance to tamper with the results.
"Pavilion Master Lin, what say you? Any further objections?" Ji Wusi asked with a smile.
Lin Xiao's expression was unreadable as he said, "Barely qualifies."
"Then it qualifies," Ji Wusi responded without hesitation. "Since that is the case, you may record Wushuang Sect into the official register and grant them the status of an Upper Sect."
Lin Xiao's face grew darker still. If it had been up to him, he would never grant Wushuang Sect any benefit at all.
But the truth was clear.
Qingxiao Pavilion had suffered blow after blow recently and was already losing the trust of the other three Holy Lands.
Allowing Wushuang Sect onto the register now was, in fact, a quiet exchange. He would not obstruct here, and in return, Ji Wusi would no longer press him regarding the matter of the capital.
Just thinking of the capital made Lin Xiao's blood boil again.
That maneuver had left its traces. If they had truly succeeded in killing Yun Jin that day, then perhaps it would have been worth it.
But instead of dying, she had gained control over the Law of Fire, and worse, she used that crisis to win the loyalty of Qin Ping and the Imperial cultivators, making them willingly risk offending Qingxiao Pavilion just to follow her into Wushuang Sect.
Without that, given Qin Ping's cautious temperament, he would never have wagered everything so easily, nor convinced the Imperial cultivators to walk such an uncertain path. In a way, it was as though he himself had helped Yun Jin secure their allegiance. The thought made Lin Xiao's chest tighten with frustration.
"Pavilion Master Lin, any more problems?" Ji Wusi pressed again.
Lin Xiao's voice was low. "None."
The next moment, he extended his hand.
In his palm appeared a book.
At first glance, it looked no different from an ordinary tome, yet it emanated a strange aura.
Yun Jin sensed it and her heart skipped.
This was no mere spiritual power. It was… celestial energy?
According to legend, when an immortal descended to the lower realm in ancient times, upon their death they left behind four immortal artifacts. Those four artifacts had given rise to the present Four Holy Lands.
This plain-looking book must be one of those connected to that legacy.
Then, a golden brush appeared in Lin Xiao's hand.
Its tip touched the register, sending out rippling waves of transparent light.
Stroke by stroke, Lin Xiao inscribed the characters "Wushuang Sect."
He paused, reluctant, but still finished writing them in.
That register, suppressed by the immortal artifact, distributed Luck according to sect rank.
The moment Wushuang Sect's name was recorded, Yun Jin's brows lifted slightly.
In her mind, the system's voice echoed.
[Main Quest 2: Establish a Holy Land-level sect.
Quest bound to Wushuang Sect.
Current Sect Rank: Upper Sect (60%).
Three tier ascensions detected. Granting three rewards. Please claim at your convenience.]
Yun Jin's eyes gleamed.
This was the only main quest that had remained silent until now. Suddenly, it had issued not one, but three rewards.
Why three?
She thought it over.
When the system had first bound to Tianxing Sect, its starting rank was a Middle Sect. Only upon advancing to Upper Sect could she claim a reward.
But with Wushuang Sect, its starting rank had been zero. To now leap over Elementary Sect and Middle Sect, directly becoming an Upper Sect, counted as three levels of ascension.
That must be the reason.
Whether her reasoning was correct hardly mattered. What mattered was that there were rewards. She did not rush to examine them. Such things were best handled after the guests departed.
Once Wushuang Sect's name was written into the register, Luck surged invisibly around them. They were now part of the grand struggle for fortune.
The corners of Yun Jin's lips lifted in a subtle smile.
The old Wushuang Sect had shunned the battle for Luck, focusing only on itself. But under her leadership, that low-profile approach would change. Generosity had never been one of her virtues. If there was something to be fought for, she would fight for it with all she had.
Luck, resources, talent—she wanted them all.
As she had always believed:
In an era of great contention, if you do not fight, what is the point?
"Congratulations, Sect Master Yun," Ji Wusi said warmly.
"Many thanks, Sect Master Ji," Yun Jin replied solemnly.
Watching the master and disciple exchange polite formalities, Lin Xiao's face darkened further. His voice was ice. "Satisfied now? Sect Master Yun, since Wushuang Sect is now on the register, do not forget to attend the Grand Sect Ranking Conclave."
A cold gleam flashed in his eyes.
At that event, many Middle Sects would be vying to advance. If Wushuang Sect placed among the last few Upper Sects, they would be demoted back down.
Lin Xiao already had plans to support several Middle Sects for that very purpose. He was determined to drag Wushuang Sect down.
"Pavilion Master Lin, rest assured," Yun Jin said with a smile. "When that day comes, we will make sure to deliver you quite the surprise."
He could not have guessed that her real aim was not merely to maintain their Upper Sect status.
At the coming conclave, she intended to raise Wushuang Sect directly into the ranks of the Super Sects.
True, they were still short on top-level experts.
But there were two months left.
What was the rush?