Alternative Three-Year Agreement

Ever since Qing Lin arrived at the Misty Cloud Sect, Queen Medusa had become a different person. No longer was she either cultivating or on her way to cultivate; instead, she began wholeheartedly guiding little Qing Lin in her training.

It had to be said that a great teacher produced outstanding disciples, though Qing Lin's talent was also exceptionally high.

In just a few days, Qing Lin condensed Dou Qi and successfully stepped into the first stage of Dou Qi. Queen Medusa even spared no expense in using rare medicinal ingredients on her.

The Qing Lin of today clearly felt different from the day she had first arrived. The smile on her face had gradually become more frequent, and her complexion had improved considerably as well.

Qing Lin was also deeply grateful to Queen Medusa for recognizing her potential, so she worked even harder at cultivating Dou Qi.

Ao Qing, meanwhile, paid no attention to the conflict between Yun Yun and Queen Medusa. All he wanted now was to adjust his condition and then head to the Black-Corner Region!

Before long, another month passed. Qing Lin displayed astonishing talent in her cultivation, reaching the third stage of Dou Qi in just one month. Her talent far surpassed that Xiao Huohuo fellow's.

That day, Yun Yun once again took the opportunity to visit Queen Medusa's small courtyard.

The moment she entered, Yun Yun called out loudly.

"Yanran~ Yanran, where did you run off to, you little girl? Why aren't you listening to your master and cultivating properly? Although you're exceptionally talented, Yanran, you still need to cultivate, don't you?

Stop hiding in here and come back with your master."

Inside the room, Queen Medusa could not help finding Yun Yun both irritating and amusing when she heard her shouting.

She opened the door and fixed her gaze on Yun Yun, who was still preparing to call out again.

"Enough, Yun Yun. Stop putting on an act in my place. Don't you just have a disciple with ordinary talent? You're acting as though no one else does.

Qing Lin, come out and let this Sect Master of the Misty Cloud Sect take a good look. Dazzle her blind, so she'll stop acting so smug all day."

After Queen Medusa spoke, Qing Lin walked out of the room somewhat shyly. Without saying much, she quietly stood beside Queen Medusa.

"Yun Yun, do you see her? This is my newly accepted disciple, Qing Lin. She has cultivated for just over a month, yet she has already reached the third stage of Dou Qi. Isn't she more monstrous than your precious disciple?"

After saying that, Queen Medusa did not forget to wink at Yun Yun, raising her chin high with an expression that said, Look at that.

Hearing this, Yun Yun could not help scrutinizing Qing Lin closely. She appeared to be about the same age as Nalan Yanran, but if she had truly cultivated to the third stage of Dou Qi in about a month, that would indeed be shocking.

However, Yun Yun had never heard of anyone reaching such a level in such a short time, so she harbored deep doubts. Yet she did not show them and merely said, "Since you believe your disciple is so extraordinarily talented, how about we make an agreement? Three years from now, let my disciple Nalan Yanran compete against your disciple Qing Lin. What do you think?"

Queen Medusa thought that was not a bad idea either. She did not wish to waste too much time bickering with Yun Yun. There was no point in continuing their verbal sparring; it would be better to set a date and settle things with a match.

"Since you've put it that way, I, Queen Medusa, naturally agree. I believe our disciples would also be happy to have a friendly exchange."

Seeing that she had achieved her goal, Yun Yun did not stay long. After all, there were many sect affairs to attend to, and she could not spend every day competing with Queen Medusa.

When Yun Yun returned to the Sect Main Hall, Yun Shan had already been waiting there for quite some time.

"Yun'er, did you run off to compete with Queen Medusa again?"

"Teacher, what do you mean, compete? Wasn't I just reclaiming the Misty Cloud Sect's dignity? What, Master, you don't support me doing that?" Yun Yun abruptly changed the subject as she spoke to Yun Shan.

"It is not that I do not support what you did. I simply believe it was unnecessary. As for what grudge lies between you and Queen Medusa, your master can guess a thing or two. All I can say is, what is meant to be will come in time; what is not meant to be cannot be forced.

Rather than fighting Queen Medusa to determine a winner, why not be more direct and seek out the root of what you two are fighting over?"

"Teacher, I..."

Yun Yun knew what her teacher meant. Wasn't she competing with Queen Medusa because of Ao Qing?

She simply lacked the courage to confront her own feelings.

"Forget it, let's not discuss this. What happened between you and Queen Medusa this time?"

Yun Shan could see Yun Yun's struggle and did not press further. Some things did not need to be spoken aloud; it was enough that they both understood what the other was thinking.

"This time, when I went to see Queen Medusa, I arranged a contest with her. But it will not be between her and me—it will be between our disciples three years from now."

"Oh? So Queen Medusa has taken a disciple as well. How interesting. For her to change so much is unlike her usual style as a queen. Perhaps it is because of Young Master Ao Qing.

I will not interfere in this contest. But after this, stop constantly clashing with her. You are not enemies, Yun'er. Do you understand?"

"Teacher, Yun'er understands. This will be the final contest between Queen Medusa and me. From now on, I will no longer go looking for trouble with her."

"Since you've said so, I am relieved. You are the Sect Master of the Misty Cloud Sect. Only when you yourself become strong can the Misty Cloud Sect truly become strong. Young Master Ao Qing will eventually leave. Without the corresponding strength, you will not even be qualified to follow him. What meaning is there in fighting back and forth? I will say no more. Your master will be taking his leave first."

As she watched Yun Shan slowly disappear, a tremendous storm rose within Yun Yun's heart. His words—that without sufficient strength, she would not even be qualified to follow him—pierced deeply into her heart.

A few days later, news spread throughout the entire sect that Qing Lin, Queen Medusa's disciple, would compete against the Misty Cloud Sect's greatest genius, Nalan Yanran, three years from now. Everyone began speculating about who would emerge victorious.

However, most people favored Nalan Yanran. After all, they were more familiar with her, and with Yun Yun's promotion of her during this period, such an outcome was only natural.

Ao Qing did not care about these matters, though he was somewhat interested—after all, the target of the three-year agreement had changed.

For now, Ao Qing only wished to quietly raise his strength and prepare for the approaching Emperor Clan!

Nalan Yanran, however, was not so fortunate. Yun Yun had already trained her harshly in the past, but now the intensity was simply hellish. Every day was torture for Nalan Yanran, and she even considered whether she should find a different teacher.

Queen Medusa, on the other hand, did not place so many demands on Qing Lin. She still allowed Qing Lin to cultivate on her own, while providing resources and guidance from experience. Queen Medusa would not interfere with anything else. Besides, Queen Medusa herself needed to improve her strength as well.

Yun Yun seemed to have forgotten what Yun Shan had told her. Every day, she immersed herself in managing sect affairs and training Nalan Yanran, while becoming far more lax in her own cultivation.

Three months later, Ao Qing had brought his condition to its peak. Moreover, the information he had ordered the Misty Cloud Sect to gather in the Black-Corner Region had begun to yield results. Ao Qing could no longer sit still and prepared to depart for the Black-Corner Region.

After this, he would have to wait until that genius from the Xiao Clan encountered trouble before making his next move.