Three figures slowly descended from where the Servant Disciple were gathered, drawing the attention of everyone.
The leader wore a crimson robe with Blood-Colored Cloud Pattern embroidered on the cuffs, which was the standard attire of the Crimson Flame Peak Steward.
He glanced around and asked, "Where is Wu Siyuan?"
"Those are... people from Crimson Flame Peak?"
"Crimson Flame Peak?"
Why are they looking for Wu Siyuan?
Everyone immediately recalled the rumor from a few days ago about bribing the Young Master of Crimson Flame Peak with forty Spirit Stone, and their gazes turned to Wu Siyuan was kneeling on the ground with a deathly pale face.
Could it be... that Wu Siyuan has really struck gold and is about to be promoted to Outer Disciple?
But as soon as this idea came to mind, it was met with disapproval from many others.
How is that possible?
"Just because of his forty Spirit Stone?"
"Even if Crimson Flame Peak has declined, it wouldn't be so desperate as to accept a cripple for such a small amount of Spirit Stone, would it?"
"I think they're here to arrest someone—bribing the Peak Master's Direct Disciple is a serious crime!"
Discussions arose, some out of curiosity, others out of schadenfreude.
Many of the Servant Disciple who had grudges against Wu Siyuan revealed undisguised sarcasm in their eyes.
Not far away, Chen Junlin, with his arm around Chu Sisi's slender waist, watched coldly, a mocking smile playing on his lips.
"Wu Siyuan, it seems your bribery has been discovered. Now, your dream of leaving the Soul Refining Sect alive is just wishful thinking..."
Chu Sisi nestled in his arms, chuckling softly.
"What my Senior Brother says is true."
Wu Siyuan was foolish; did he really think that forty Spirit Stone could bribe a Peak Master's Direct Disciple?
"Now things are really bad. Not only will we not be able to get into the Outer Sect, we might even lose our lives."
The surrounding Servant Disciple nodded in agreement upon hearing this.
Bribing Peak Master's Direct Disciple is a serious crime in the Soul Refining Sect. At best, it results in the loss of Cultivation and expulsion from the sect; at worst, it results in immediate execution as a warning to others!
"Wu Siyuan is probably really finished this time."
Serves you right!
Who told him to have such wild ideas? He brought it on himself!
"Hehe, this is going to be good!"
Laughter and gloating rose and fell.
As Wu Siyuan listened to the harsh comments around him, the last glimmer of hope in his heart was completely extinguished. He lowered his head even further, his fingernails almost piercing his palms.
The three were Zhang Yu, Tiantian, and Qing Mu.
Qing Mu glanced at Wu Siyuan, following everyone's gaze, a complex look flashing in his eyes, and coldly said:
"Wu Siyuan has come to deliver this order on the orders of the Crimson Flame Peak Master."
He took out a Blood Jade Slip scroll, slowly unfurled it, and read aloud:
"Wu Siyuan, Servant Disciple, is of upright character and resolute will. After being personally examined by Crimson Flame Peak Master Jiang Ling, he was deemed to have the potential to become Outer Disciple."
"A special promotion, effective immediately, and entry into the Outer Sect of Crimson Flame Peak."
"..."
The entire room fell silent for a moment, then erupted in uproar!
Outer Sect?
Is it really the Outer Sect?
Although it's only the Outer Sect, for Servant Disciple, this is a world of difference!
From now on, your monthly salary will double, you can cultivate the sect's basic Cultivation Method, and you'll have the opportunity to participate in sect missions, earn contribution points, and exchange them for resources!
"What gives him the right?"
"Just for those forty Spirit Stone?"
This... this is utterly ridiculous!
"Has Crimson Flame Peak gone mad?"
Taking in a useless person as an Outer Sect?!
A cacophony of doubts, exclamations, and even murmurs of hidden jealousy erupted instantly.
But Qing Mu remained unfazed, handing the Jade Slip to Wu Siyuan with a solemn tone:
"Wu Siyuan, receive the order."
Wu Siyuan trembled violently and slowly raised his head.
He looked at the Blood Jade Slip, then at Qing Mu's calm, unwavering eyes. His Adam's apple bobbed, but he couldn't utter a single word.
He reached out, his fingertips trembling as he touched the Jade Slip.
"Buzz--!"
On the Jade Slip, a flash of Blood Light appeared, and a mark unique to the Outer Disciple of Crimson Flame Peak was branded into his brow.
Her identity was thus established.
"Outer Disciple Wu Siyuan, immediately return to the peak with us to complete your registration and receive your Disciple Token, robes, monthly stipend, and Cultivation Resources."
Qing Mu put away the Jade Slip, his tone calm, yet each word struck like a hammer blow to everyone's heart:
"From this day forward, you are a member of Crimson Flame Peak."
Within the sect, anyone who dares to bully, insult, or harm you—is an enemy of Crimson Flame Peak.
His gaze slowly swept over the Servant Disciple around him, their expressions varying, before finally settling on the faces of those who had just been the most vocal in their mockery. His voice turned cold:
"Did you understand?"
"..."
No one dared to answer.
The once noisy and sarcastic gathering place is now so quiet you could hear a pin drop.
Wu Siyuan slowly stood up, his back ramrod straight, and the light in his eyes, which had been extinguished for thirty years, reignited like ashes, bursting forth with an unprecedented fervor.
He bowed deeply towards Qing Mu and the direction of Crimson Flame Peak, his voice hoarse, yet each word as firm as iron:
"Disciple Wu Siyuan —accepts the order!"
Then, he looked at Zhang Yu with immense gratitude, knowing that all of this was because of Zhang Yu's kindness.
Wu Siyuan understood that with his meager amount of Spirit Stone, there was no way he could obtain a spot Outer Disciple.
It's highly likely that because I offered a few words of help that day, they were grateful and granted me this special spot.
Just as he was about to thank Zhang Yu, Chen Junlin's face turned ashen, and he stared intently at the scene, his eyes filled with resentment and bitterness.
He stepped forward, suppressing his anger, and bowed to Qing Mu, saying:
"Qing Mu Deacon, isn't this matter... somewhat inappropriate?"
Wu Siyuan's meridians were damaged, Cultivation stagnant at the Great Grandmaster, making him utterly useless.
Such an unusual promotion of Crimson Flame Peak is unlikely to be accepted by the public and will likely attract criticism!
He believed his words were perfectly reasonable, pointing out Wu Siyuan's incompetent nature while subtly implying that Crimson Flame Peak was biased and corrupt, leaving no room for error.
Before Qing Mu could speak, Zhang Yu glanced at him indifferently, his tone calm yet carrying an undeniable air of authority:
"Why should I, from the Crimson Flame Peak, need to explain my actions to you?"
"You--!"
Chen Junlin paused, his gaze suddenly shifting to Zhang Yu. Seeing that Zhang Yu was only at the Feathered Realm Cultivation, the suppressed anger within him instantly flared up, and he sneered:
Who are you?
"I'm speaking to Deacon Qing Mu. How dare you, a mere junior in the Feathered Realm, interrupt?"
"Presumptuous!"
The aura of the Qing Mu suddenly erupted, and a terrifying pressure from the Heavenly Human Realm Peak surged out like a tidal wave, slamming hard into Chen Junlin!
"Puff--!"
Chen Junlin was struck as if by a heavy blow, vomiting blood and flying backward, crashing heavily onto the ground ten feet away. His sternum was broken, and his breath instantly weakened.
He struggled to lift his head, his eyes filled with disbelief and horror.
Qing Mu stepped forward, his voice icy and chilling:
"How dare you be so disrespectful to the Young Peak Master —are you tired of living?"
"Young... Young Peak Master?"
Chen Junlin's pupils contracted sharply, and he looked abruptly at Zhang Yu, his face turning deathly pale.
Although he had never met Zhang Yu, he was still aware of the name of the Young Peak Master of Crimson Flame Peak.
That was someone he, a mere disciple of the Heavenly Ascension Realm, absolutely could not afford to offend.
"I was blind and ignorant, unaware that it was the Young Peak Master Crimson Flame Peak in person. Please forgive me Young Peak Master!"
Despite the excruciating pain, Chen Junlin scrambled to his knees and kowtowed repeatedly, his voice trembling with fear.
Chu Sisi was so frightened that her face turned pale. She hurriedly knelt down, trembling all over, and dared not raise her head again.
The surrounding Servant Disciple were even more terrified, not daring to even breathe loudly.
"Those who offend the Young Peak Master Crimson Flame Peak deserve to die!"
Qing Mu is no pushover.
He was born from Vengeful Spirit, and like Zhang Lingyun, he adhered to the ironclad rule of taking revenge without delay.
Seeing that Chen Junlin dared to disrespect Zhang Yu, murderous intent glint flashed in his eyes, and he raised his hand to kill this scoundrel!
"Thump--!!"
Chen Junlin felt the chilling Killing Intent and was so frightened that his soul almost left his body. His knees buckled and he collapsed to his knees, unable to even beg for mercy. His eyes were filled with boundless despair.
But just as Qing Mu's palm strike was about to land—
"Wait."
Zhang Yu spoke slowly, his voice calm, yet it was like Body-Binding Spell that froze Qing Mu's hand in mid-air.