The Daoist's name was Cao Xiuyan, Great Perfection of Qi Refining of Qi Refining and Jade Guarding Hall.
Chen Shuangbai nodded slightly, bowed to Deacon Cao, and said, "Uncle-Master Cao."
Cao Xiuyan dared not accept such a courtesy and quickly said, "I can't accept it... You won first place, and although you haven't been formally promoted, you are already considered an inner disciple. Just call me Senior Brother."
Chen Shuangbai granted his wish and changed his address to Senior Brother.
However, Cao Xiuyan's exceptionally courteous treatment was partly due to the constraints of the sect's rules, and partly because he was... astonished by Chen Shuangbai's strength.
The spy from the Heart-Eroding Stronghold that Chen Shuangbai dragged out was also at the Eighth Layer of Qi Refining. He had been lying in wait in the Jade Spring Sect for many years, hiding himself very well, and had even managed to get a very good position in the Expenditure Hall.
The fact that this went unnoticed for so many years, yet now that Heart-Eroding Stronghold has even used such a deeply hidden pawn to eliminate Chen Shuangbai, what does this signify?
This shows that Heart-Eroding Stronghold truly fears the Jade Spring Sect!
They are even more wary of the talented disciples of the Jade Spring Sect, whose lineage is stable!
The chess piece that could be buried so deep must be quite strong, yet it was easily captured alive by Chen Shuangbai. This shows that the champion of the Martial Edge Trial clearly has some other tricks up his sleeve.
Cao Xiuyan ordered his disciples to capture the spy and take him to the Jade Guarding Hall, where various forms of torture would be used to pry open the spies' mouths and obtain information about the Heart-Eroding Stronghold.
The two talked for a while longer, and only after seeing that Chen Shuangbai was indeed alright did the other party slowly leave.
After the senior brother of the Jade Guarding Hall left, the White Jade Crane with a rather powerful aura that was patrolling the sect's heavenly domain came up, took a precious feather from its wing, handed it to Chen Shuangbai, and then spoke.
"Junior brother, please take this. I'm patrolling the sect's territory; feel free to call me if anything happens."
Chen Shuangbai accepted the precious feather, realizing that White Jade Crane wanted to invest in her.
All demons that have gained sentience experience a significant improvement in their way of thinking, not to mention White Jade Crane has interacted with many human cultivators of the Jade Spring Sect for many years.
This action was merely a casual step.
Feiguang flew down from the clouds, clumsily jumped in front of Chen Shuangbai, and rubbed his big head against Chen Shuangbai, conveying concern through the Blood Pact.
Chen Shuangbai patted it and said, "I'm fine. Just bear with it for a while longer. Before long, your time to shine will come."
Feiguang was overjoyed and, waving his large wings, performed a feather dance for Chen Shuangbai on the spot.
However, its extremely robust size is completely at odds with its slender and graceful appearance, making it rather comical.
"Gurgle!"
Gray Ball appeared out of nowhere, and seeing Feiguang's clumsy dance, he laughed so hard he rolled on the ground.
call!
A wind blade, slightly weathered, sliced through a large rock in front of the cave abode. Feiguang glared angrily at Gray Ball, who slunk back into the cave abode, no longer daring to laugh.
Chen Shuangbai pretended not to see it.
Afternoon.
The weather was clear. Chen Shuangbai, riding Flowing Cloud Flying Pouch, gracefully landed on the cloud platform in front of the Expenditure Hall. Lu Zhiyuan was already waiting there, accompanied by several attendants. He greeted Chen Shuangbai, " Junior Brother Chen."
Chen Shuangbai knew that Lu Zhiyuan was trying to create an aura of power for himself, so she did not refuse.
He also knew that his actions were intended to demonstrate the close relationship between him and the official in charge of the Expenditure Hall, under the watchful eyes of many.
"Thank you for your trouble, senior brother."
Chen Shuangbai nodded and was led by Lu Zhiyuan into the palace. There, she saw several familiar faces who had arrived a step ahead of her.
These are the top five from this Martial Edge Trial.
Chen Shuangbai was actually a little confused.
After the preliminary test, Exalted Cultivator Huo said that we could go to the Expenditure Hall the next day to collect our rewards... I've been delayed for so many days, how come these other people have also been delayed for so many days?
"We waited for you on purpose."
Seeing that Chen Shuangbai seemed somewhat puzzled, Fu Qianlan explained.
"Right."
Wei Zheng emerged from behind the golden pillars of the palace, wearing a loose-fitting robe and with messy hair, giving him the air of a free-spirited wanderer.
In fact, among all cultivators, body cultivators are the least respectable.
When Chen Shuangbai saw him, he realized that this person seemed to have a stronger aura than when they first met. Even from a distance, he could sense the powerful Qi and Blood emanating from him that made it difficult for ordinary ghosts to get close.
" Senior Brother Wei, you've made progress again?"
As the saying goes, "no fight, no friendship," and Chen Shuangbai quite admired this senior brother who specialized in body cultivation.
Wei Zheng chuckled and said, "It was thanks to your sword strike that I gained some insight. After returning, I've learned a little and improved somewhat."
Lin Jingtao and Ji Ruohua walked in from the courtyard behind the palace. Seeing the three people chatting and laughing, they felt somewhat aggrieved.
Speaking of which, after Chen Shuangbai defeated Wei Zheng that day, Fu Qianlan also defeated Ji Ruohua.
Logically speaking, even though the two are friends, they shouldn't have gone easy on each other.
However, Fu Qianlan waved her hand, indicating that she conceded defeat, thus denying Chen Shuangbai the chance to continue the fight.
After everyone gathered, they exchanged a few words.
While we may not have hit it off immediately, we did leave a good impression and established a basic relationship.
after all.
We are all fellow disciples, and there is no discord or deep-seated hatred between us. Maintaining a good camaraderie among fellow disciples may be of great help to our cultivation in the future.
Not long after.
Everyone then received their rewards.
Chen Shuangbai looked at the things being carried on the wooden tray in front of her.
Aside from the Foundation Establishment Pill that the top five participants would receive, the majority of the rewards were consumables such as Merit Points, Spirit Stone, and cultivation materials. Chen Shuangbai simply picked up the Storage Bag and hung it on her waist.
Wei Zheng also picked up the Foundation Establishment Pill and stuffed it directly into his Storage Bag.
Fu Qianlan, however, was quite interested and carefully examined the Foundation Establishment Pill.
Compared to the three of them, Lin Jingtao and Ji Ruohua were much more cautious, carefully examining the item before happily putting it away.
Seeing the two of them like this, Chen Shuangbai understood why.
One of them came from the Lin Immortal Clan, a Accumulated Emerald School under the Jade Spring Sect, and the other from the Jade Spring Dharma Lineage, a lineage of the Yuquan Sect. They were both supported by their respective forces and entered the Jade Spring Sect. Naturally, they should give back when the time is right.
Unlike the three of us, who were all single and had no worries about food or drink.
clang!
A melodious sound of a jade chime rang out.
Exalted Cultivator Huo arrived riding on a crystal rainbow, his body shimmering with golden and water-colored magical light. The great cultivator was elegant and captivating, displaying the demeanor of Foundation Establishment cultivator!
Chen Shuangbai and the others immediately knelt down and said in unison:
We respectfully welcome Exalted Cultivator Huo.
Exalted Cultivator Huo flicked his whisk, and a gentle force lifted the group up, saying, "No need to be so formal."