After being scolded once again, the disciples responsible for guarding the Martial Skill Pavilion immediately skedaddled, all sneaking away...
Ling Yue's beautiful eyes flickered a few times as she glanced at Xu Sheng and then sternly spoke to Lin Moxue, "Xu Sheng, Mo Xue, what exactly happened? Are you keeping something from me?"
Suddenly, Lin Moxue moved closer to Ling Yue, reached out her arms to embrace her slender waist, and whispered in her ear, "Ling Yue, how could we? Don't overthink it."
The warm breath from her mouth spread directly onto her earlobe, causing it to turn red...
Embarrassed, she pleaded, "Mo... Mo Xue, you're too close... move... move back a bit, Xu Sheng is watching!"
After these little interludes, they continued to practice their martial techniques...
...
Meanwhile, inside the Tianlong Sect's grand hall...
The man sitting in the center was none other than Luo Yun, and beside him sat six elders whose cultivation levels had reached above the eighth level of the Profound Immortal Boundary...
Luo Yun's deep eyes first swept over the elders before he began, "I've called you here to discuss the matter of the Five Sects' Grand Tournament!"
Upon hearing his words, the faces of the seated elders immediately darkened...
One of the elders, with a troubled face, said, "Sect Master, I believe we should postpone our participation in the Five Sects' Grand Tournament, citing troubles within the Tianlong Sect; otherwise, we are certain to end up last!"
Another elder agreed, saying, "Indeed, Sect Master, our sect has lost those disciples with the greatest talent to the hands of demon cultivators; Tianlong Sect no longer has any standout disciples."
Are you saying that Tianlong Sect lacks other disciples at the sixth or seventh level of the Profound Immortal Boundary?
There are!
However, they are over the age allowed for participating in the Five Sects' Grand Tournament, and thus ineligible!
And sending those below the seventh level of the Profound Immortal Boundary to compete would be utterly humiliating!
Faced with opponents of higher cultivation levels, they would be at a massive disadvantage even before the fight begins, let alone during the battle itself?
"Sect Master! As long as we don't tell, the other four sects will surely agree to a postponement!"
"Sect Master, I think even if we end up last, we must participate, otherwise we'll be criticized by the other sects!"
"Sect Master, I also agree to participate. Even if we lose, what of it? We simply need to seize victory in the next Great Sect Tournament!"
Hearing the increasingly excited elders, Luo Yun calmly said, "We will certainly participate in the sect tournament..."
No sooner had his words fallen than they were refuted...
"Sect Master, you must be joking, we have no disciples able to compete!"
"In my opinion, we should just make an excuse and bow out. Nobody will need to know!"
"Everyone shush, let the Sect Master speak!"
As soon as these words were spoken, the elders, though they had suggestions, forcibly held their peace and quieted down...
Luo Yun's lips curved into a smirk as he announced, "Elders, no need to worry, I have already found a disciple to compete! And this one is very strong!"
At his statement, the elders' eyes all lit up, then dimmed again...
If the Sect Master could think of a disciple, could they not?
They all sighed, saying, "If it's a disciple found from within Tianlong Sect, then let's forget it!"
"Sect Master, we are more aware of the young disciples' abilities than you. There's not much to hope for..."
However, one slightly aged elder narrowed his eyes in inquiry, "Sect Master, may I know how many disciples you have found?"
He knew Luo Yun's character well; he wasn't one to speak carelessly!
Thus, the disciple he had chosen must be extraordinary!
Luo Yun, without any intention of concealing, said lightly, "Just one!"
The entire great hall fell silent in an instant, the atmosphere oppressively tense to the extreme...
"Sect Master, may I inquire what this disciple's cultivation level is..."
Luo Yun's gaze fixed on the Elder, word by word he said "Earth Immortal Realm, Fifth Level!"
Of course, the one speaking was none other than Xu Sheng!
Upon hearing this, the Elders swallowed hard, exclaiming in disbelief, "Earth... Earth Immortal Realm, Fifth Level?? Do we have such a disciple in Tianlong Sect?"
"Four levels higher than my cultivation level! How... how is that possible! Sect Master, you must be trying to console us, right?"
"Our sect's most talented fallen disciple was only at the Seventh Layer of the Profound Immortal Boundary, if you're not joking then what is this!"
It was simply too unbelievable! A disciple at the Fifth Level of the Earth Immortal Realm unexpectedly emerged at such a sudden moment...
Facing their queries, Luo Yun did not show any irritation but calmly explained, "His name is Xu Sheng, he is the one who joined forces with Yin Luo to kill the demon cultivator! I had already asked him to represent our Tianlong Sect in the competition a few days ago!"
"Naturally, there was a corresponding price, martial techniques and spirit stones! As for the cultivation level..."
Upon saying this, his gaze turned towards one of the Elders...
The Elder who was being observed understood immediately, hastily affirming, "It was both I and the Sect Master who personally sensed his cultivation was at the Earth Immortal Realm Fifth Level, especially when just his pressure alone knocked me back, flying out! There's absolutely no falsehood."
If it had only been Luo Yun stating this, these Elders would surely not believe it...
But now, their faces all showed a contemplative expression...
"If he truly has reached the Earth Immortal Realm Fifth Level and is willing to represent the disciples of our Tianlong Sect in the competition of the Four Great Sects, it is understandable to give some rewards!"
"Mm! With the strength of the Earth Immortal Realm Fifth Level, I'm afraid even all the participants from the other Four Great Sects combined might not be able to defeat him!"
"Perhaps, with him present, we really might have a chance at victory!"
Luo Yun nodded solemnly, "Then it is decided. Elders, just select some disciples at random from within Tianlong Sect to compete!"
Their loss or victory doesn't matter, the real determining factor of victory lies with Xu Sheng!
The Elders answered in unison, "Yes, Sect Master!"
...
After a few more days, the day of the big event among the Five Great Sects was finally closing in!
During this time, the Elders of Tianlong Sect had already picked some passable disciples to participate in the competition of the Five Great Sects!
Adding Xu Sheng, there were nearly twenty disciples in total!
At this moment, standing on the upper level of the pavilion, his gaze looking down at the disciples gathered below, ready to depart from Tianlong Sect at any moment...
He spoke in an exceedingly stern tone, "This competition among the Five Great Sects is a rare opportunity for your cultivation! It also concerns the status of our Tianlong Sect, so I hope that every disciple will give their all!!"
"Yes, Sect Master!"
However, from below, Xu Sheng, looking surprised, glanced at the two women beside him, "Ling Yue, Mo Xue, why are you two participating as well?"
Lin Moxue coughed and said, "Cough cough... My cultivation is at the Fifth Level of the Profound Immortal Boundary, and Ling Yue is at Level Six. Among the younger generation of disciples in Tianlong Sect, we can be considered as outstanding!"
Ling Yue next to her batted her beautiful eyes and said earnestly, "What Mo Xue said is true..."
Upon hearing this, Xu Sheng nodded thoughtfully...
The Profound Immortal Realm Fifth and Sixth Levels, he hadn't paid much attention to it before...
And at that moment, Luo Yun's high-spirited voice rang out...
"All disciples of Tianlong Sect participating in the competition among the Five Great Sects, now, depart!!!"
...
...