On the third day after Jiang Sheng and Xuanche Immortal Monarch settled the final three True Disciple Candidate slots, ten days had passed since Penglai's sect competition ended.
Pei Jinglian, Zhang Qiao, Wang Cunyang, Zhou Huo, Jiang Jinyue, Ye Ningchu, Lin Qinghe, Xiao Jingyue, Lu Xin, Lin Qingnong, Ding Chan, Gu Yuanhai, and Qian Yun—thirteen people in all—received a sect decree.
"Seven days from now, you will be invested as True Disciple Candidates in the main hall of Tianshu Peak."
Lianyi, the sword spirit of the Nether Lotus Sword, was overjoyed when she saw the decree. "Pei Jinglian, look! You're going to become a True Disciple Candidate of Penglai!"
"Mm." Pei Jinglian gave a flat reply.
Lianyi was displeased. "This is a True Disciple Candidate slot! A Penglai True Disciple Candidate slot! Aren't you even a little excited?"
Pei Jinglian asked in return, "It was decided long ago. What is there to get excited about?"
"You knew from the start that I'd take first place in the Spirit Transformation Realm, didn't you?"
"So where's the surprise?"
Lianyi was taken aback. Pei Jinglian's slot had indeed been set in stone before the top-ten ranking battles. Now that he had also placed first overall, the decree brought him little surprise. To him, it was only natural.
Compared with Pei Jinglian's calm reaction, Zhang Qiao, Wang Cunyang, and Zhou Huo, who had the help of old masters or artifact spirits, reacted far more normally. Every one of them was beside themselves with excitement; Jiang Jinyue, Ye Ningchu, and the others also tossed and turned, too thrilled to settle down.
For Ding Chan, Gu Yuanhai, and Qian Yun, though, the news came as a bolt of joy from the blue. None of them had expected the last three slots to go to them. Thinking