Not far from Misty Cloud Mountain, Yun Shan's scheming thoughts began stirring again. Although he had just been given a hard time at the mountain gate by Medusa of the Snake-People Tribe, the Saint's disciple, seeing this spectacle had made him understand one thing deeply: if the Misty Cloud Sect wanted to maintain its enduring position of superiority in the Jia Ma Empire, it could only rely on this sudden Saint.
And the only way in... Yun Shan felt guilty as he glanced at his former beloved disciple, Yun Yun, standing nearby. That was right. He could only hope things went smoothly, and at the very least, that the Misty Cloud Sect would no longer be implicated in the affairs of the Snake-People Tribe. Of course, if they could climb even higher, wouldn't that be all the better...
Yun Shan didn't let that tiny remnant of guilt in his heart stop him from entertaining such despicable thoughts. His disciple could even become a bargaining chip in a political power play at a time like this. That said everything about his character.
Meanwhile, inside Misty Cloud Mountain
Ya Fei lifted her head and gazed at the man in the sky, her heart filled with shock. She had never seen a sight capable of shaking heaven and earth like this. She couldn't help sighing inwardly, As expected of a Dou Sheng Expert. Even the slightest casual gesture can bring about strange celestial phenomena... What a pity I have no ambition in that direction. Otherwise...
Just as she was lost in thought, the sound of someone cutting through the air came from beside her.
"Manager..."
A cool voice came from behind her. The two most beautiful women on the mountain had their first encounter.
Ya Fei turned around and finally saw who it was. Her heart tightened. Medusa... the Saint's first disciple, and, as far as she could tell, the disciple the Saint currently doted on most... She curtsied gracefully, then lowered her head in greeting. Her voice was gentle as she asked, "What can I do for you?"
Ya Fei knew her place well. She just didn't know why this cold, beautiful Snake-Person had suddenly come to find her at a time like this. Had she come specifically to put her in her place? Or had... yesterday's events been exposed?
"No need for formalities..." Medusa raised her slender arm and waved it casually, without much interest or respect. Then she said, "In the next few days, the Misty Cloud Sect's sect master may come to visit again. I suspect that old man wants to bring some of the sect's female disciples into the mountain gate. If I'm away cultivating, I hope you can stop him."
So that was it!
This was good news!
Ya Fei was thrilled. Any female disciple the Misty Cloud Sect sent into the mountain gate would surely be both beautiful and talented. The more people like that there were in the mountain gate, the better! Once there were enough disciples like that, there'd be no need for her anymore, right?
Then again, she still had to humor Medusa. When the time came, she could simply make an excuse that she had no influence and hadn't managed to fulfill Medusa's request.
Just thinking about it made her happy. There was nothing wrong with her current position. She was the mountain gate's manager. Even if it was a job serving others, hadn't her previous positions at the Miteer Auction House, whether as a manager or in some other role, also involved serving people? The only difference was whether the people she served were important or not.
Well aware of these principles, Ya Fei immediately declared her loyalty. "Rest assured, I'll do everything I can. But as you know, I don't have much influence. To put it nicely, I'm the mountain gate's manager; to put it bluntly, I'm just here to serve people. If I botch things, please don't hold it against me. Of course, I'll send someone to notify you as soon as anything happens." Ya Fei spoke quickly with her head bowed, while inwardly muttering, If I notify you right away, that'll ruin my good thing! The more women there are in this mountain gate, the better!
As if she'd thought of something, Ya Fei launched into another round of well-intentioned meddling. She turned and gave Medusa a suggestive look. "You're so beautiful, and the Saint dotes on you so much. There's really no need for you to let these other matters bother you..." This time, Ya Fei had put her foot in it. Medusa wasn't opposed to the Misty Cloud Sect getting involved in the mountain gate for those reasons. It was because of the Snake-People Tribe. In her mind, they were doing this because they didn't want the Snake-People Tribe to settle in the Jia Ma Empire, and this was merely their fallback plan.
"Hmph. Just do as I told you. Since when is it your place to lecture me?" Medusa had never been proud of her appearance. In her mind, only constant cultivation and greater achievements could lead the Snake-People Tribe to a better future. In that respect, she and Ya Fei were actually alike. But those blunt words had deeply wounded the pride of this Snake-Person girl. Without giving Ya Fei a kind look, she sneered, "You have a pretty face, so what? Your family still handed you over to Master. Just do your job."
"I'll follow your orders. I was wrong to say that." Ya Fei bowed in return, apologizing to Medusa.
Still, Medusa couldn't bring herself to like Ya Fei. Perhaps she felt a trace of pity for her. After all, she was just another poor girl whose family had treated her like an object and given her to Master.
"Enough. I was too harsh just now. Just focus on doing your job here." Medusa wasn't completely heartless after all. She said this before leaving, then turned and flew up the mountain.
Ya Fei froze. With her knack for reading people, how could she fail to understand Medusa's implication? Yet she also heard a hint of threat in those words. In short, if she didn't do as Medusa wanted, it would be difficult for her to do as she pleased...
Heh. It's not as if this mountain gate can't manage without another mistress, right? As Medusa gradually disappeared into the sky, a glint of cunning flashed through Ya Fei's eyes.
After completing the Flame Mantra's evolution, Zhang Nian felt a wave of relief wash over him. The rapid breakthrough in his cultivation brought a deep sense of satisfaction. And with a high-tier Heaven-level technique—one that already stood at the pinnacle of the continent—his last Dou Sheng Experience Card had certainly been put to good use.
And the benefits of breaking through didn't end there. The system's clear, pleasant notification continued to ring in his mind.
[Ding! Congratulations, Host, on breaking through to Dou Shi... Disciple slots +1] [Ding! Congratulations, Host, on breaking through to Da Dou Shi... Disciple slots +1] [Ding! Congratulations, Host, on breaking through to Dou Ling... Disciple slots +1] [Ding!]...
[Ding! Congratulations, Host, on breaking through to Dou Zong... Disciple slots +1. Successfully awakened the Intimacy Attribute Panel]
Hmm?
Wait a second!?
I can understand affection between a master and disciple, but what the heck is intimacy?
And!!
Could someone please explain why there are partner slots under intimacy!!
System! Something's wrong with you!
That wasn't all. Zhang Nian also noticed something truly terrifying: as his disciple slots increased, his partner slots increased by the same amount! After he broke through to Dou Zong, he had eight disciple slots, and the Intimacy Panel also had eight partner slots!!!
The damn system's intentions were obvious!
I'm just taking on disciples to improve my cultivation progress with the multiplier!
But if you're going to pull this kind of thing, did you even ask the people involved what they thought?!
Before you continue