The person before them, Ninth Lady, was still nominally a sect disciple, yet who within the gate did not know she possessed other fortuitous opportunities? In terms of cultivation realm, she had already surpassed the vast majority of her elders in the sect. Though not often present within the gate, she exerted a great deal of effort on its behalf, and all her fellow disciples, whether senior or junior brothers, respected her deeply.
Furthermore, Xiao Jiu usually smiled amiably and seemed entirely without scheming, yet once she grew angry, she could make someone regret being born into this world. After several repetitions, even the teachers and elders could not keep her in check, and the disciples held some dread of her.
One bolder individual dragged out a "protective talisman," saying, "Junior Sister, please examine the facts. It is truly because Junior Brother Fan Ping's father passed away that we came out to escort his remains back to his hometown, in accordance with his elder's dying wish..."
Under Xiao Jiu's sharp gaze, his voice grew smaller and smaller until it fell silent. Presumably, he himself felt that using this reason to drag six or seven fellow disciples out together was somewhat indefensible.
Xiao Jiu could not be bothered to argue with them further and shifted her gaze to the disciple dressed in mourning clothes.
This person was ordinary, without any distinctive traits, and his cultivation was merely at the initial stage of Returning Elixir. Yet Xiao Jiu's attitude toward him differed from her attitude toward the others, and her tone was quite gentle:
"Senior Brother Fan Ping, please accept my condolences. Uncle Fan was able to witness you settle the cardinal pivot and gather your essence to form the elixir; he must have departed with a tranquil mind, free of any