From what Yan Qingsui had learned, Clear Feather Sect was indeed subordinate to the Heavenly Evolution Sword Sect. It supplied the larger sect with talent and tribute, while receiving protection and resources in return. It was mutually beneficial, though Clear Feather Sect produced nothing particularly valuable, so obtaining resources from the Heavenly Evolution Sword Sect could not have been easy.
Clear Feather Sect disciples could also join the Heavenly Evolution Sword Sect directly if they wished, provided their talent and cultivation were up to standard. Even its Servant Disciples were at the Qi Refining Stage. After Foundation Establishment, they could become Outer Disciples. Those with enough talent and luck might catch the eye of an inner-sect cultivator and be taken on as a disciple; the rest had to reach the Golden Core Stage before they had a chance to earn a place among the Inner Disciples.
Someone like Sheng Ruoyu, for instance.
Few Clear Feather Sect disciples were fortunate enough to enter the Heavenly Evolution Sword Sect, and most remained in the outer sect. Only Sheng Ruoyu and Su Nianqiu had reached the Golden Core Stage.
And what a coincidence. Qiao Ranran could find another chance to beat up the others. But now that she herself was at the Golden Core Stage, she could give Sheng Ruoyu a beating on the Arena fair and square. As luck would have it, Sheng Ruoyu had just won a match by a narrow margin and was still standing on the Arena, graceful and poised as she awaited her next opponent.
Qiao Ranran stood beside the Arena. The moment she said that to Su Nianqiu, Sheng Ruoyu's face twisted.
Qiao Ranran's meaning was obvious: she intended to step onto the Arena and defeat Sheng Ruoyu fair and square!
Without waiting to see what Su