After the Seven Kingdoms Grand Competition, the people of the Jade Balance Sword Palace prepared to return to the Heron Empire.
But at that moment, the communication jade tablet that Yunyi carried with her lit up.
Not long after receiving the message from the jade tablet, Yunyi arrived at an inn in the Dawn Imperial City.
"Yun'er, this time, you've really made the Yun Household proud!"
As soon as Yunyi entered the private room, the person standing facing the window turned around and revealed a face that surprised her slightly. Beside him stood a gentle and beautiful woman.
"Father, Mother, what brings you here?"
She showed a hint of emotion, a touch of joy appearing on her usually cool face.
Yunyi's father, Yun Donglai, looked at his outstanding daughter, smiled, stroked his beautiful beard, and nodded repeatedly.
Although Yunyi is not representing the Yun Household in the battle, it's not really a big problem. Within the seven kingdoms, who doesn't know that Yunyi comes from the Spirit True Empire Yun Clan clan of the Lingzhen Empire?
"As your father, I came here naturally to see you participate in the Seven Kingdoms Grand Competition. You truly live up to your reputation as the daughter of Yun Donglai. Although you weren't the champion, second place did not disgrace the Yun Household's name. However..."
After a brief pause, Yun Donglai turned his head slightly and looked down at the bustling street below. The words he uttered completely wiped the joy off Yunyi's face.
"Had enough of this commotion? Come back now. The elder of the Thousand Sounds Pavilion came again the other day. She thinks highly of your talent and promised that if you are willing to become her disciple, you can become True Disciple and enjoy the benefits of the Thousand Sounds Pavilion's True Disciple."
"Compared to a royal-level power like the Thousand Sounds Pavilion, this mere small sect in this tiny place... I believe you know which choice to make."
The smile on Yunyi's face faded, and she stared blankly at Yun Donglai slowly shaking her head.
She knew best why she had managed to come in second place in the competition.
It was naturally thanks to her master, Lin Xuan. Without the Azure Emperor Scripture and her master's guidance, she wouldn't have been able to comprehend Sword Intent in such a short time, and she wouldn't have been able to win second place.
Moreover, since becoming a disciple of the Sword Pavilion, she no longer cares about any royal-level forces.
Royal-level power?
Are there any Thearch Grade Cultivation Method?
Let alone Thearch Grade Cultivation Method, she might not even have Venerable Grade Cultivation Method. Even if she did, it would be impossible for her to cultivate them.
Venerable Grade Cultivation Method might exist in some ancient forces within the Profound Domain that still maintain their lineage, but it's virtually impossible for ordinary disciples to cultivate them. Only supreme elders, sect masters, or holy sons have the opportunity to do so...
She wouldn't do something like losing the big picture for a small gain.
However... these things must not be said without the master's permission, even if the other party is one's closest relative.
"Nonsense!" Yun Donglai was furious when he saw Yunyi shake her head.
"How long are you going to cause trouble? Do you really think that this tiny, insignificant force can bring you any advancement?"
That's for sure...
Moreover, neither the Jade Balance Sword Palace nor the Sword Pavilion are "small forces".
The Jade Balance Sword Palace is not strong overall, but its master is an incredibly powerful figure.
Needless to say, Master's Sword Pavilion is another matter entirely.
Yunyi silently recited the words in her heart, but lowered her head and remained silent.
"Alright, alright." Yunyi's mother stepped in at the right moment to mediate. She was always a gentle and protective woman, and she was also somewhat displeased to see Yun Donglai scolding Yunyi like that.
"Our child is growing up and has her own ideas. I've already said that we shouldn't worry about it so much. Just trust your daughter."
She smiled gently at Yunyi and stroked her head, warming Yunyi's heart.
But Yun Donglai's expression remained unpleasant, showing a hint of anger.
"You woman! That's the Thousand Sounds Pavilion, not some ordinary force. If you miss this opportunity, you won't get another one!"
Yun Donglai frowned deeply, clearly displeased with Yunyi's passive resistance.
In his view, one was the Thousand Sounds Pavilion, a royal-level power that cultivated the same path as Yunyi; the other was a sect from who-knows-where, one he had never even heard of before. The strongest member of that sect was inferior to even a random elder of his Lineage. How could they be compared?
Anyone who isn't stupid should know how to make the right choice!
But his daughter...
What is she thinking?
Seeing her parents arguing endlessly, and having called her over just for this kind of thing, Yunyi's patience ran out.
"Father, Mother, I will not join the Thousand Sounds Pavilion. My fellow disciples are waiting for me. I take my leave."
"You!"
"You unfilial daughter, come back here!"
After bidding a curt farewell, Yunyi ignored her angry father behind her and turned to leave.
When she returned to the Jade Balance Sword Palace's residence, the timing was perfect, and no one noticed that Yunyi had left.
Thinking of her father's words, Yunyi smiled and put Thousand Sounds Pavilion out of her mind.
She wouldn't choose either the Thousand Sounds Pavilion or the Myriad Sounds Pavilion.
Because... she has found the sect that best suits her: Sword Pavilion!
Beside the Jade Balance Sword Palace's encampment, many people watched with complex expressions as the Jade Balance Sword Palace packed up its belongings, and its spirit boat was about to take off.
No one could have imagined that the first place in the Seven Kingdoms Grand Competition would be snatched away by the Heron Empire, which was ranked last among the seven kingdoms... No, not only first place!
Not only did they rank first, but the top three spots were all taken by this force from the Heron Empire called the Jade Balance Sword Palace.
When the news got out, it was hard to believe, but it really happened.
It is conceivable that in the coming days, this force called Jade Balance Sword Palace will become famous throughout the seven kingdoms!
When Yunyi returned to the spirit boat, she saw several fellow disciples inside, and sitting at the very front was their master, Lin Xuan.
You're back?
Lin Xuan glanced at Yunyi, his gaze sweeping over the information box above her head. He knew perfectly well why she had gone out this time, but he didn't ask any questions. Instead, he tapped the table lightly, revealing a hint of consideration.
"You all performed very well in this Seven Kingdoms Grand Competition."
As he spoke, he tallied up the spoils of this Seven Kingdoms Grand Competition.
This was also a reward for Su Lianxin and the others.
After receiving their rewards, they all handed them over to Lin Xuan.
For them, the reason they were able to achieve such good results was all due to their teacher's guidance, and they had no way to repay him.
No matter how valuable these things are, they can't compare to the priceless treasures their master bestowed upon them before—things they wouldn't even dare to dream of owning...
For example, the Azure Emperor Scripture!
Only Wang Yan showed a ashamed expression, hanging his head in frustration, feeling very upset that he hadn't even made it to the third round.
After pondering for a moment, Lin Xuan made a decision about where to put these treasures.
The top three treasures from the competition were all extremely valuable, but they were not of much use to Lin Xuan himself. However, they could be used to bestow upon his disciples.
However, we need to exchange them.
After all, if the treasures Su Lianxin obtained from the competition were returned to her, it wouldn't trigger the system's refund mechanism. However, it would be possible to give them to Yunyi, Wang Yan, and others!
The first place winner, Su Lianxin, received a high-grade sixth-rank pill that could enhance her cultivation.
Lin Xuan directly bestowed this pill upon Wang Yan.
Wang Yan's cultivation level is the lowest, so he definitely deserves a mention.
The jade bottle containing the pills fell into Wang Yan's hands. He looked up at his fellow disciples and saw only encouragement on their faces. They didn't seem to mind, so he gritted his teeth and accepted it.
However, Lin Xuan didn't return any pills related to cultivation; instead, he returned one...
"Ding! Congratulations, host! You have invested in a Grade 6 Spirit Ascension Pill and received a rebate of 1 Ultimate Dao Spirit Fusion Pill [Nine Patterns]"
Ultimate Dao Spirit Fusion Pill!
It's an eighth-grade spiritual pill that helps people integrate with the Great Dao, and it even has nine pill patterns!
This is precisely what Lin Xuan lacks.
With this pill, he can fuse at least five or six Great Dao.
This is an incredible leap in skill level!
Lin Xuan accepted the Ultimate Dao Spirit Fusion Pill without hesitation.
The second-place winner, Yunyi, received a sixth-tier spirit sword as a reward. The hilt of this spirit sword had a Spirit Stone containing hidden Netherworld power, which was perfect for Wang Yan to use.
Therefore, it also belonged to Wang Yan.
"Ding! Congratulations, host, for investing in a sixth-tier spirit sword. You will receive a seventh-tier spirit sword as a reward."
Seventh rank, equivalent to Imperial Grade Spirit Artifact, Lin Xuan felt a sense of relief.
The foundation of the Immortal-Slaying Sword Array no longer needs to be that fifth-tier sword...
He glanced at his sword, the fifth-tier spirit sword that had accompanied him through thick and thin, and sighed inwardly.
My old friend, it's finally time for you to retire...