By the next day, the entire Disaster Countermeasures Bureau was covered with banners welcoming the Seven True Disciples.
Overnight, Four Leaves, Six Leaves, Yumo, and Yarrow all became big stars in the Disaster Countermeasures Bureau.
Of course, what Shion couldn't understand the most was how they managed to produce so much material in one night.
There were light sticks, fans, photo booth pictures, and banners.
When Shion arrived at the square, on the path outside the school where cherry blossoms were falling, she looked up.
Then you can see the two somewhat silly smiling faces of Four Leaves Six Leaves appear on the screen of the teaching building.
The screen, originally used for advertising, was used by them to promote the champion of this assessment.
I don't know why the sponsors didn't complain; the Disaster Countermeasures Bureau makes money really easily.
"How is Shion!" A confident and beautiful figure suddenly blocked her way, with a large patch of ointment on her forehead.
"My brilliant idea, my financial resources, my popularity, Sister Golden Tea's connections, and the General Administration's publicity! Today, the Azure Cloud Sect will receive even more enthusiastic attention and a grand spectacle! No need to thank me further; offering my best wishes to the nemesis of my supreme and powerful magical girl is only right."
After Iris finished speaking, she pointed to a large group of people walking in from not far away.
"The band and choir are ready," "You can go without worry," "We'll be waiting for you to come out and celebrate—"
After enduring the constant chatter from the side, Yumo finally snapped and, before the sect leader could speak, unleashed a gust of wind.
It blew that annoying magical girl away.
Unexpectedly, even without the Miracle Seed or transformation, the opponent could still manipulate gravity and continue chasing after them.
It wasn't until Shion pressed down one of her fingers with her backhand that she finally calmed down.
In reality, there's no such thing as a champion in the assessment; after all, it's a process of observing the magical girls' abilities before the Mental Landscape Trial.
As long as it passes, there's no need for rankings or anything like that.
It was purely because the Disaster Countermeasures Bureau wanted to allocate quotas for the Azure Cloud Sect this time— Shion naturally felt that it was better for them to compete for these quotas themselves.
It feels a bit unfair that she and Bingtang decide the distribution.
The Azure Cloud Sect places great emphasis on fairness when it comes to cultivation resources.
If you have the strength, you can take whatever you want.
Just like the Yarrow, even if she likes Harry Potter, as long as she can defeat the Seven True Disciples, the Azure Cloud Sect will still allow her to be among the Seven True Disciples.
Even her sect leader couldn't say anything.
In this Mental Landscape Trial, whoever wins gets the spot—this is considered an ancestral rule in the Azure Cloud Sect.
However, the eventual victory of the Four Leaves Six Leaves was naturally beyond Shion's expectations.
She certainly knew that her Cognitive Obstruction would shine brightly, but her ultimate victory was somewhat unexpected.
Because the disciples within the sect are aware of their abilities, as long as they are careful enough in controlling their magic, the Cognitive Obstruction is actually unlikely to affect magical girls of this level.
It can only be said that the two Yarrow and Dandelion, were so engrossed in their fight that they forgot all about this.
I still need more experience; I simply don't have enough.
This morning, Bingtang went to Golden Tea to discuss the entry order for the Land of Mental Image, but she didn't come with me.
Following behind her was Yumo, who had already rested. This time, she didn't need to hide where no one could see her, but instead followed the sect leader openly.
As the ribbons behind Shion fluttered, Yumo would reach out to touch them from time to time, skipping and hopping around as if trying to catch a butterfly.
However, as soon as the sect leader turned around, Xiao Yumo immediately became obedient.
The headquarters flies in the sky, and the climate is probably altered by magic, as Shion noticed from the moment she stepped into this place.
The warm breeze around us kept causing the falling cherry blossoms to drift off course, let alone the cherry blossoms themselves.
Even a speck of dust, Yumo can blow away completely.
Upon entering the school, they were immediately surrounded by many magical girls.
No one dared to touch Shion, after all, she was the sect leader of the Azure Cloud Sect, and given her previous performance.
Although the magical girls from the Disaster Countermeasures Bureau were somewhat naive, they had witnessed her strength firsthand and were in awe of Golden Tea's strict orders, so they dared not approach her.
But Yumo is different.
Although she displayed great strength in her previous battle with Yarrow, Yumo is not usually that aggressive.
Moreover, Golden Tea said that one should communicate more with true disciples and become friends with them.
As soon as Yumo peeked out, a group of magical girls swarmed around Yumo, chattering excitedly.
Some people even brought paper and pens, saying, " Dandelion, Dandelion, can I get your autograph? Your final lightning strike was so cool!"
" Dandelion is the strongest true disciple."
"Yes, yes, the Dandelion is the real winner!"
" Yarrow is maggots!"
"Don't push me! I want to take a picture with Dandelion!"
"I was here first!"
Someone even took out a small screen and played a loop of the final attack that Yumo delivered to the Yarrow during its battle, before it was devoured by the Buddha's Fury Flame Lotus.
Those focused yet slightly arrogant eyes were filled with confidence and determination.
Combined with her adorably dirty face and the messy strands of hair that had been blown off her hood by the howling wind.
He's both adorable and handsome, a striking contrast that makes him very attractive.
But when everyone crowded around her, Yumo Mo panicked.
He gripped his hood tightly and squatted down.
"Zong, sect master!"
"No magic allowed."
", huh?"
After issuing a warning, Yumo was swallowed up by the crowd and couldn't even speak.
Shion then turned and entered the school.
After all, she would agree to let the Seven True Disciples and the Magical Girls of the Headquarters handle things properly.
Yumo's Mental Image Domain was given to Yumo by the magical girls of the General Administration, who voluntarily gave up their own opportunities.
Both Yumo and Yarrow displayed such strength that the magical girls of the General Administration were extremely popular with them.
Many of the magical girls who secured the spots felt inferior to them; even if they obtained the domain, they couldn't compare. They felt it was better to give the domain to the true disciples so they could better defeat the Calamity Beast and the World Ghost of the Old World.
In this respect, magical girls are always reassuringly innocent.
The opportunities that the cultivation world would fight tooth and nail for, they could casually give away to others.
For us cultivators, opportunities may be useless, but I cannot live without them.
Even if I can't use it now, I have to grab it first; I might need it later.
Even more extreme is the idea that even if you can't have it, you should destroy it; if I can't use it myself, no one else should either!
Even the patriarch of the Azure Cloud Sect, known as the [ First Sage ] and who protected the Void-Dark Sea of Light in his palm, the [ Mysterious Nexus Change-Wielding Dao Venerable ], deeply understood this point.
Deceit and intrigue, backstabbing and scheming, the upper class cultivates cunning and the lower class cultivates talent; the illusory winds and turbulent seas ultimately lead to their demise!
These magical girls felt that if they didn't need it, it wouldn't be a bad idea to give it to someone else.
Although it may seem naive, it is ultimately a good thing for the Azure Cloud Sect.
As a reputable sect, since the other party has offered this opportunity with open arms, both Yarrow and Yumo are now entangled in karma, and they should repay the kindness of these magical girls from the General Administration.
Therefore, even if you are chased and fawned over like a celebrity, you have to accept it.
Compared to the opportunities in the Mental Image Domain, this little bit of hardship is nothing.
If you can't endure the hardship of "befriending influential people," you'll have to endure the hardship of "being detached from worldly affairs."
However, when they entered the school, Yumo was behind them, finally emerged from the crowd, clutching her head.
After all, Yarrow had also arrived, and another group of people came to surround Yarrow, giving her a chance to escape.
Yarrow behaved much better than Yumo, sitting confidently on her broom and greeting everyone.
They quickly took control of the situation, even getting the magical girls from the Disaster Countermeasures Bureau to line up properly.
"Everyone, what do you think about renaming the headquarters to Hogwarts?"
The school is divided into four houses: Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin. Its motto is: Never tease a sleeping dragon.
It's best to never tease a sleeping section.
Shion listened from afar and let out a cold laugh.
However, Harry Potter is already a well-known work within the Disaster Countermeasures Bureau, and there are even people in Beihai who have gone astray imitating Harry Potter. There are quite a few Harry Potter fans within the General Administration.
Yarrow's call was met with overwhelming response, even winning over many of Yumo's original fans.
A large group of people headed towards the principal's office.
Shion turned her head to look at Yumo, who was still carefully fixing her hair. Her clothes and hair were a mess after being touched by a group of magical girls. "Go and report this to Bingtang."
"Huh?" Yumo blinked, looking confused. "Why?"
" The Yarrow is causing trouble and provoking conflict within the General Administration, sowing discord between the Azure Cloud Sect and the Disaster Countermeasures Bureau."
"Well, not really—" Xiao Yumo tilted her head, watching the Yarrow flying around in the distance, still collecting the followers.
Soon a large group of people followed her, and they rushed towards the principal's office.
"I'll contact them right away!"
Before long, you could see Bingtang flying out from the tower complex.
Ice blocks in the air formed a slide, and the ice-blue magical girl gracefully slid down the tower all the way to the high floor where the principal's office was located.
They strolled in slowly.
Before long, Yarrow, who had been causing trouble with the magical girls from the Disaster Countermeasures Bureau, was dragged out by the ear.
This true magical girl, who had almost destroyed the world in her battle with Yumo, was now too afraid to breathe, her eyes brimming with tears as she looked pitifully at Bingtang, muttering something as if she were admitting her mistake.
Ignoring her, Bingtang simply broke off and threw away all the brooms flying around her.
Then, while apologizing to the principal and teachers in the teaching building, he grabbed Yarrow by the ear and led her away from the building.
Seeing the rare smile on the sect leader's lips, Yumo couldn't help but chuckle as well.
After all, the disciples are most afraid of Master Bingtang. Even Senior Sister Bai Mei had to obediently accept the scolding after angering Master Bingtang. When she first returned to Beihai, she was scolded by Bingtang Tang for spending money recklessly on toy guns and didn't dare to say a word.
And what's more, it's Yarrow. To so brazenly lead a group of magical girls to storm the headquarters' school, intending to turn the headquarters into Hogwarts, just shows how fearless they are.
She's in for a rough time now.
"If you were to fight her again, what are your chances of winning?"
Upon hearing the sect leader's question, Yumo paused for a moment, then her eyes shone like stars.
Just like her unrestrained spirit, her usually timid expression also carried a hint of madness!
"Ten percent, one hundred percent! Sect Master, Yumo is absolutely certain of winning!"
Shion then patted her head with satisfaction.
As true disciples, there is no distinction of rank.
Although Yarrow had already reached the Lush Leaves, it is now aiming for the Branching, and its Divine Sense progress is also faster than that of the other true disciples.
However, if we fight again and we don't have a sure chance of winning, then we've already lost from the start.
What she wanted was Yumo's confidence.
The path to greatness is fraught with difficulties. If you lack self-confidence, you might as well be sent to the Disaster Countermeasures Bureau to retire early.
After their exchange, Yumo gained some understanding of Divine Sense. Once she takes a further step and masters Divine Sense, the outcome remains to be seen.
He was pondering whether he should devise a super-real-skill free-for-all later on.
Let's see who has the stronger ability to fight in chaotic battles.
However, the troubles of the Old World have not yet disappeared. The sect is expanding and needs manpower everywhere. We cannot let our own selfish desires hinder the development of the sect.
Let's deal with the troubles of the Old World first.
Through the prince of the Mirror Kingdom, all the ambitious and threatening remnants of the old world are wiped out.
With a grand plan in mind, he and Yumo headed to a small lake behind the tower.
Keke and Yinlian had already arrived.
Shion glanced at Keke.
Keke glanced at the teacher nervously.
During the chaotic assessment, she helped Four Leaves Six Leaves unleash a Seven-Colored Fire Lotus, and at the time, she was quite confident that they could win.
After the explosion, the Yarrow and Dandelion still had the ability to continue fighting, while she was the one whose magic was exhausted and who was even thrown into chaos by the explosion.
I wanted to show off in front of the teacher, but I ended up embarrassing myself again.
When Ms. Shion walked over, Keke shrank her neck even further.
I felt a little timid and wanted to back away.
Yinlian supported her back, preventing her from dodging, and said, "Stand still, in front of your teacher."
Upon hearing Yiyi's words, Keke said "Oh," and finally stood up straight, though her head remained droopy.
"I'm sorry, teacher----"
I've embarrassed you.
Before she could finish speaking, Ms. Shion patted her head. "Well done."
The Dandelion behind Ms. Shion gave her a thumbs up and whispered, "You almost killed me, Keke, you're amazing!"
Keke, who had been feeling down, paused for a moment before her face lit up with uncontrollable joy.
Then he scratched his head, "Really? I saw you were all fine, I thought it had no effect—"
"The efficiency of magic circulation, the reserves, the durability of magical equipment, and the properties of magic—all of these were destroyed by your attack—" Yumo said earnestly. "If it weren't for Keke, it might have taken us much longer to determine a winner."
And there's no way they could possibly lose to Four Leaves Six Leaves.
No matter how Four Leaves Six Leaves operate, as long as their magical power and operational precision don't decrease, Four Leaves and Six Leaves will never have a chance.
It was because the destruction caused by that single Buddha's Fury Flame Lotus was simply too great.
Both she and the Yarrow lost their ability to defend against Four Leaves Six Leaves clovers.
He ultimately lost because someone easily knocked him unconscious with a magic wand.
But can Cognitive Obstruction really tell at a glance who possesses the strength to threaten the true master? Or are they simply taking a chance and Keke to run into Coco?
Yumo was quite curious about this.
Keke breathed a sigh of relief.
It can only be said that the true disciple's strength was too exaggerated, to the point that Keke even began to doubt her own Seven-Colored Fire Lotus.
"I will continue to work hard!"
Although Shion didn't say anything more, Yumo clenched her right fist and waved at her, "Go for it!"
Yinlian tugged at Keke's hand, then looked at the Dandelion and awkwardly asked, "What about me?"
Dandelion simply pulled her hood down a little. "Whatever."
"This is discrimination! We've known each other for so long, why don't you cheer me on?"
The Dandelion muttered to itself, "What a hassle."
Yinlian immediately hugged her friend. " Keke, she bullied me—"
Keke, feeling somewhat helpless, tugged at her friend's sleeve and smiled Dandelion.
"Actually, Yiyi has always admired you, Senior Dandelion ----"
Yinlian immediately covered her mouth and said fiercely, "No, don't talk nonsense!"
Dandelion followed closely behind her sect leader. Before leaving, she turned her head and peeked out her tiny fingers from her sleeve, waving them away.
"Go for it, Yinlian!"
Yinlian, who had been so aggressive just moments before, immediately softened.
Keke waved in front of her, Yinlian snapped out of her daze, immediately slapping her hand away. "What are you doing!"
Are you looking at Shion- sensei or Dandelion?
"I can't watch either of them."
Amidst the laughter and chatter, Winter Lord from the Azure Cloud Sect soon arrived with Yarrow and Champion Four Leaves Six Leaves.
Four Leaves Six Leaves each wore the crowns that Bingtang had personally made for them, and their expressions showed how happy they were. They kept exchanging crowns and wearing them, clearly enamored with them.
As for the Yarrow, it was weak and listless.
It was obvious that she had been scolded severely; her expression was both pitiful and aggrieved.
He stood behind the Bingtang, too afraid to move, looking just like a child who had done something wrong.
Bingtang then had a brief discussion with the staff at the General Administration.
Then she turned around and nudged Yarrow, "Go on, stop fooling around."
"Oh."
Yinlian and Keke, watching from the side, both felt a bit pressured and dared not utter a sound.
The atmosphere was like when guests came to visit after an elder in the family had just disciplined a child.
So when Winter Lord smiled warmly at them, the two of them nodded in response.
They were afraid of angering the other party.
Even the Seven True Disciples, who are so powerful, have been disciplined like this.
It's somewhat scary.
Soon, everyone was standing by the lake.
The lake shimmered with bursts of light.
A magnificent and intricate magic circle suddenly unfolded in the lake!
Then, a door appeared in front of each person.
"By traversing the Land of Mental Image, one can obtain their own Mental Image Domain."
Standing on high ground, Golden Tea addressed the crowd, "No one knows what the trials of the Land of Mental Image are, or what they will see. In short, we cannot linger; the longer we stay, the more dangerous it becomes."
"It's similar to the Mental Image Remnants of Senior Mujin," Hongmian added. "Just don't be misled."
"However, the conditions for obtaining the Mental Image Domain are still unclear. Some people weren't misled and quickly emerged without obtaining the Mental Image— "
The two of them talked for a long time, but Shion didn't listen to a word they said.
That's too wordy.
They couldn't even provide any useful information.
When the gate to the Land of Mental Image opened before her, she checked the Black Dragon and the Emperor, and after confirming that they had been suppressed, she walked straight in.
"Etc----"
Someone called out, but Shion didn't pay any attention.
Upon opening the door, a bright light shone through, and a cold wind blew in.
It's snowing outside.
He looked up and glanced around. The alleyway resembled one from the 1980s or 90s, with garbage piled up haphazardly around it. Fortunately, most of the garbage and sewage had Freeze under the snow.
The foul odor was not obvious.
The cold, hard ground was full of potholes, and when covered with snow, the road conditions were unclear. Sometimes, you could accidentally step into a pothole and stumble.
Panting, warm breath filled my mouth and nose, my nose was a little wet, but it quickly froze and became painfully cold.
All around was silent except for the falling snow. Occasionally, the thick snow piled up on the roof would slide down and hit the ground with a dull thud, then silence would return.
He looked down at his shoes: simple sneakers and cotton socks.
It felt both familiar and unfamiliar.
As I continued walking along the alley, I heard a weak meow.
I saw a kitten nestled in a snowdrift by the roadside.
Its body was already stiff, and it was only trembling slightly over there; it looked like it would freeze to death in a moment.
So he went over, grabbed the cat's leg, and lifted it up.
The cat, frozen stiff, could no longer even scratch, and let him carry it.
As I continued walking, I saw the familiar dilapidated houses.
There was no renovation, and even the door was very rustic, looking like a cave inhabited by primitive people.
However, there was a sign hanging on the door: Soaring Jade Hall.
Pushing open the door, an antique alchemy furnace, surrounded by carvings of auspicious clouds and ancient dragons, suddenly appeared before my eyes.
The white smoke kept shooting up to the ceiling along with the furnace, then falling back down to the surroundings, filling the entire room with smoke.
It looks like some kind of celestial abode.
However, the dilapidated state of the walls was also evident.
It's just a cheap mud house.
Beside the alchemy furnace squatted a middle-aged man wearing a dark green Daoist robe, his face covered in soot.
Holding a fan, he kept blowing on the fire beneath the alchemy furnace, coughing and muttering incantations as he did so.
"Realgar water, alum water, salt, brine, ochre, oyster shell, red ochre, talc, lead oxide—not bad, not bad at all."
Even after Jiang Si entered, the middle-aged man didn't notice, his eyes fixed intently on his alchemy furnace.
He counted on his fingers again, "It's already the thirty-sixth day."
He sniffed the aroma, and a slightly manic smile spread across his tense face, "All diseases cured, all diseases cured—haha, I've succeeded!"
"I've succeeded, Daoist Master!"
He was hunched over there, almost as if he was about to dance.
Then, the alchemy furnace exploded with a bang, knocking the middle-aged man to the ground. After a long while, he threw away his fan.
"Damn it, how could this be!"
Then he looked towards the doorway, his dark face filled with madness.
"Son, come and light the stove!"
Jiang Changshou, unemployed vagrant, forty-seven years old.
It's Jiang Si's father.