"Old Li, who was so inconsiderate just now, contacting you at a time like this? Don't they know we're hosting a welcome dinner for our distinguished guest?"
Inside the side room, someone looked at Li Wanjuan, who had put down his Communication Artifact, and casually remarked.
Li Wanjuan waved his hand and said, "It's nothing, let's drink."
After finishing his drink, he looked at the aloof and dignified young man in the main seat.
While Jiang Pingping Ji Wushuang may be considered exceptionally talented, it was only after arriving at the Qingling Palace that he truly witnessed the power of Heaven and Earth. Even as a reincarnation of Heavenly Maiden, he paled in comparison to some later generations.
The young man in the main seat is one of the Twelve True Disciples of Qingling in this generation.
On the street, Lin Zhizhen put away her magical artifact and then said:
"Forget about him, I'm going to go for a drink."
The four of them took to the air and headed towards the city center.
Under the cover of night, Nine Clouds City was brightly lit, as bright as day.
There seems to be no distinction between day and night here; the streets are always teeming with people, bustling with activity and teeming with life, no matter the time of day.
Every now and then, streaks of light flash across the sky, adding a touch of splendor to this bustling Giant City.
"Senior Lin, do you also live in heaven?"
Ye Qingyun watched as the magnificent Martial Artists ascended to the sky, feeling a pang of envy.
Lin Zhizhen nodded and said, "Thanks to the Heavenly Maiden, I was fortunate enough to ascend to heaven."
"Miss Lin!"
At this moment, someone came from the Heavenly Palace, greeted Lin Zhizhen warmly, and said:
"Miss Lin, we have distinguished guests at the Cloud Pavilion. Shall we go together?"
"No, I still need to entertain my fellow villagers."
Lin Zhizhen waved her hand, saying nothing more.
But the other person stepped closer; he was a handsome and tall man with an exceptionally powerful aura. He kept his eyes fixed on Lin Zhizhen and smiled:
"This is a rare opportunity. It's True Disciple of Qingling. Let's go toast together; we might just gain his favor."
Lin Zhizhen declined, which left the man quite disappointed.
"In that case, I'll invite you for drinks again next time."
The man did not insist, as he was in a hurry to attend the meeting.
Throughout the entire ordeal, he never once glanced at Jiang Ping and the other two.
Watching the departing figure, Ye Qingyun couldn't help but ask, "Was that a Qingling Inner Sect?"
Lin Zhizhen shook her head and replied, "He's just a follower of a certain Guest Elder."
Soon.
The four of them set foot in the city center and headed to the Cloud Pavilion.
"This place is indeed grand and stylish."
Ye Qingyun exclaimed in admiration. They had visited the restaurant a few days ago. The dishes were excellent, but the prices were quite high, and even many Spirit Wanderer might not be able to afford them.
Of course, they came from afar, were well-prepared, and had no shortage of resources to cover their expenses.
"Know the truth!"
As soon as the four stepped inside, someone else approached and enthusiastically called out to Lin Zhizhen.
Clearly, he still invited Lin Zhizhen to the private room to toast, stating directly that the True Disciple was there in person.
After a polite refusal, Lin Zhizhen watched the other person's departing figure and said:
"I see that none of the three of you have reacted, so it seems you don't recognize this person?"
Who is it?
Jiang Ping watched as the young man in plain clothes stepped into a private room with a broad smile.
Lin Zhizhen said, "That was also North Nether, a prodigy of my Peers. He was famous North Sea back then, quite remarkable."
However, times have changed. When they arrived at the Brilliant Land, at the territory of the Qingling Palace, the other party had been smoothed out. Now, for the sake of resources, they had to offer a toast to a Shenyou who was much younger than themselves.
Lin Zhizhen sighed. She was lucky to follow the Heavenly Maiden and not have to be so humble.
As they spoke, the group arrived at the private room they had booked in advance.
At this moment, Lin Zhizhen also learned about the other purpose of the three people's visit.
"Do you wish to join the Qingling Palace and become Guest Elders?"
She raised an eyebrow and pondered for a moment:
"The selection process is very difficult, and the competition is extremely fierce."
Several years ago, she participated alongside the Heavenly Maiden.
Unfortunately, despite her stunning talent across the Tianluo Number Domain, she suffered a major setback in that selection process and struggled to even make it into the top 100.
The fact that Qingling Palace only recruits three people each time it holds a selection process demonstrates the difficulty of the competition.
Lin Zhizhen brought up the "prodigy in plain clothes" again, who had only managed to barely make it into the Top Five.
"This competition involves not only the North Nether, but also unparalleled talents from the Southern Underworld, the South Nether East Sea, and the West Domain, in addition to the inner disciples under the jurisdiction of the Qingling Palace..."
Her words were interrupted, Ye Qingyun frowned and said:
"Senior, will the Qingling Inner Sect also participate?"
"That's natural."
Lin Zhizhen nodded and said:
"Those inner disciples who fail in the competition for the True Disciple can participate in the competition for the Guest Elder."
Qingling Palace doesn't actually treat its guest elders as family; they only see them as useful tools, often entrusting high-risk tasks to these elders.
However, the Qingling leadership is not stingy when it comes to resources. Many resources that inner disciples cannot afford are available to Guest Elders.
It can only be said that danger and benefit coexist.
Because the benefits were so numerous, even the inner disciples of Qingling were willing to participate.
"It seems like it'll be really difficult for me to secure a spot."
Ye Qingyun murmured, then asked, "How do the Five Thunder Hall and Jade Palace Prefecture select their elders?"
Lin Zhizhen sighed. How could she not have considered involving more parties? Unfortunately, all these Dao system selected their members in the same way, based solely on strength.
She paused, then looked at Jiang Ping and Ji Wushuang:
"You two are indeed very famous and quite strong in North Nether, but don't let your guard down. The world is vast and full of geniuses. Not to mention those in the inner sect who are preparing to participate in this elder selection, there are one or two who seem to have Undying Physical Bodies and Perfected Form and Spirit."
"There's such a master?"
Jiang Ping couldn't help but raise an eyebrow.
"Absolutely. Qingling Palace is full of talented people in this generation. All Twelve True Disciples are at this level, and several of them are slightly inferior to the True Disciples, making them the strongest below the True Disciples."
Lin Zhizhen slowly began to speak, mentioning that when the Heavenly Maiden participated in the competition, it was a difficult battle, and she barely managed to make it into the top three.
She looked at Jiang Ping and the other man, and said, "Although you have reached the Peak, you have not yet passed the Ninth Ninth Tribulation. Not to mention the Form-Spirit Perfection, you are also at a great disadvantage in terms of the degree of control you have over power."
The Primordial Spirit Sees Dao, can govern Order.
However, upon closer examination, neither the Nine Heavens nor the True Saints could grasp the perfect Order of the Great Dao.
If we use the concept of "Tenfold perfect" to describe the authority of the Great Dao, then most of the Peak the Eighth Heaven only grasp half a percent, less than a tenth percent.
Most of the Nine Heavens Form and Spirit Unite can only control about Thirty percent of the power of Order at their limit.
"Fortunately, I'm already at about 20% of the level."
Ji Wushuang said calmly.
Lin Zhizhen paused, realizing that even though she had survived the World-Ending Tribulation, she hadn't grasped the essence as thoroughly as this rising star.
"I have also constructed a 20% Order in terms of Causality."
Ye Qingyun spoke at the opportune moment.
Who isn't a child prodigy?
Lin Zhizhen was somewhat lost in thought. She seemed to have underestimated the Unrivaled talent from her hometown. Ye Qingyun, who had just been complaining, actually possessed such profound knowledge of the Dao.
"And you?"
Lin Zhizhen looked at Jiang Pingping.
At this moment, Ji Wushuang was also quite curious. He had seen the other party make a move twice, and it seemed that the other party was at about 20% of his level.
But he had a nagging feeling that, given the other person's character, he felt that the other person was hiding their true abilities.
First update. I'm sorry, this part of the plot was really difficult to write, please allow me some time to rest.