Natural Beauty Is Hard to Abandon

Because of the involvement of various Second Generation disciples, there's never a shortage of Troublemakers among the new disciples of the Returning Heart Sect. The Evaluation Score is a powerful tool granted by the sect's Iron Seals to restrict them.

After an Iron Seal helps a new disciple pass a Trial Mission, they can assign a score for the disciple's performance in that trial, with a maximum of 5 points. If an Iron Seal gives a score below 3, it indicates the disciple performed poorly in the trial.

However, due to concerns about retaliation for low scores, or some Iron Seals using scores to threaten trial disciples, the scores cannot always be fully trusted.

But if an Iron Seal with a good reputation within the sect and a good standing among the Flower Crowns gives a low score to a trial disciple, depending on the reason for the low score, the disciple could, at best, have their impression lowered in the eyes of their Master and Hall superiors, or at worst, face sect punishment.

Iron Seals who dare to give low scores either have strong personal strength or a strong Backing.

The sect also rewards Iron Seals who are not afraid of retaliation and dare to give low scores. Firstly, these Iron Seals leave a good impression of impartiality and courage on the sect's high-ranking officials, as their actions help identify hidden Scum within the sect.

Secondly, the sect provides these Iron Seals with a certain Resource Tilt to encourage such behavior.

Of course, trial disciples can also report unfair scores given by Iron Seals to the Law Enforcement Hall. A Flower Crown specifically responsible for such matters will then follow up with an investigation. If it's found that the Iron Seal threatened the trial disciple with their score, or gave a low score for other reasons like a Personal Grudge, the Iron Seal will face severe punishment from the Law Enforcement Hall.

Conversely, if the investigation reveals the trial disciple is being disingenuous, the trial disciple will face even more severe punishment than originally intended, possibly even expulsion from the sect.

For hundreds of years, the Returning Heart Sect has used this set of rules for its new disciples. Although there are still many loopholes, it has been largely fair and effective most of the time.

Hearing Jiang Beiran immediately establish his authority with the Evaluation Score right from the start, Fang Qiuyue immediately retorted, "Why do you get to restrict our freedom to wear clothes! Does that have anything to do with the mission itself?"

Jiang Beiran glanced at Fang Qiuyue and, with a blank expression, held up a finger. "First point, from now on, before you want to speak, you must first say 'Report!' and get my permission to speak. Otherwise, you'll lose a point on your Evaluation Score."

"Second point, clothing is naturally related to the mission. We are going down the mountain to carry out a mission, not to sightsee. Blending in with the crowd and acting discreetly are our greatest principles. Do you understand?"

Fang Qiuyue pouted after hearing this and mumbled softly, "Hmph, you're just a coward, saying it so nicely."

Despite being a million times unconvinced in her heart, Fang Qiuyue didn't dare to just storm off. After all, Jiang Beiran was an Iron Seal personally invited by their Protector to guide them. Her evaluation would naturally be highly regarded, and she didn't want to leave a bad impression on the Hall's Second Hand after just the first trial mission.

"Excuse me, can we only choose coarse cloth or hemp clothes?" Liu Zijin suddenly asked.

Jiang Beiran frowned upon hearing this and said, "I already said, you need to say 'Report!' before speaking. Don't you understand? That's one point deducted. If you forget again next time, it'll be two points."

Listening to Jiang Beiran's angry reprimand, Liu Zijin felt her Heartbeat quicken even more than when she was rejected last time.

This... is this what being scolded feels like? I've never been scolded like this, not even by my own father. This feeling... is so special.

"Hey! I have a Fiery Temper!"

Seeing Liu Zijin being yelled at, Fang Qiuyue couldn't hold back anymore. Just as she was about to retort, Liu Zijin pulled her back.

"Qiuyue, don't be like this. This is indeed my fault."

"But he...!"

Before Fang Qiuyue could finish speaking, Liu Zijin shook her head at her. "Don't say any more."

"Alright..." Fang Qiuyue agreed with a pout.

After comforting Fang Qiuyue, Liu Zijin looked at Jiang Beiran again and shouted, "Report!"

"Speak," Jiang Beiran replied.

"May I ask if we can only choose coarse cloth or hemp clothes? I don't have either of these types of clothes, nor do I really want to borrow someone else's..."

Jiang Beiran shook his head, "No. I just said that blending in with the crowd is our biggest principle when acting. Most common people in the mountains can only afford coarse cloth and hemp clothes. If we wear overly luxurious clothes, it will easily attract attention. Can you understand this?"

"Yes, I understand."

"Report! (Report!) (Report!)"

As soon as Liu Zijin finished speaking, the Yu Family Three Sisters next to her shouted in unison.

"Speak."

"Are any style of coarse cloth or hemp clothes okay?"

"Do we need to wear straw sandals?"

"Do we need to wear straw hats?"

After hearing the barrage of questions from the three sisters, Jiang Beiran replied, "Next time, ask one by one." Then he answered sequentially, "Wear the most ordinary style of clothes. As for shoes and hats, I will make arrangements later. You should complete the first order first."

"Yes! Understood."

"Any other questions?" Jiang Beiran scanned the five of them. Seeing no one respond, he said, "Since there are no more questions, hurry up and execute the order."

"Yes!"

Watching the five junior sisters turn and leave, Jiang Beiran sighed softly.

Generally speaking, he wouldn't be this strict when acting as an Iron Seal. But these were extraordinary times, with five "time bombs" surrounding him. This forced him to strictly implement military-style management. Otherwise, if any one of them caused trouble, it would be a big problem.

After waiting for about twenty minutes, the five girls walked back to Jiang Beiran at the same time, all having changed into the black hemp clothes uniformly issued by the Law Enforcement Hall.

'Damn... is this what they call natural beauty that can't be hidden!?'

Jiang Beiran's composure shattered. He found that even though these five girls had changed into the most ordinary hemp clothes, it did not diminish their peerless beauty at all. Instead, it even added a mysterious allure, making Jiang Beiran want to shout, 'I really can't take this job!'

After spitting blood in his heart, Jiang Beiran forced himself to focus and began to think about the next steps.

First, he was almost certain that these five junior sisters were all pampered young ladies who were out of touch with the hardships of life. On this chaotic Profound Dragon Continent, most common people couldn't even get enough to eat. Only those with power and influence could afford brocade.

These five clearly came from wealthy or influential families, otherwise, why would they not even have a piece of coarse cloth or hemp clothing in their luggage?

Furthermore, their expressions showed that they were all very unaccustomed to wearing such rough-textured clothes, with furrowed brows on each of them.

'Sigh... this team is really hard to lead.'