Lin Qing frowned as he looked at Tang Yifeng, clearly displeased that his disciple recruitment had been interrupted.
"They're willing to join our Penglai Mountain, what more are you unsatisfied with? What are your intentions in coming to our Penglai Mountain?"
Don't think that just because they're few in number, they can be bullied.
His fists weren't just for show.
When Lin Qing spoke, Tang Yifeng, despite his deep composure, couldn't help but twitch his expression. He had never admired anyone in his life, but he truly admired Lin Qing's thick skin.
The dignified sect leader of Penglai Mountain could actually lower himself to such shameless words.
If he hadn't secretly taken all the new disciples to Penglai Mountain, how would such a situation have arisen?
Tang Yifeng mentally grumbled about Lin Qing but knew this matter had to be resolved. If Penglai Mountain took all the recruits this time, other sects would surely be unhappy, and Shu Mountain would have a headache again.
After all, the previous trial had cost the major sects dearly, and everyone was expecting new blood. The recruitment of disciples absolutely could not be lacking.
"Sect Leader Lin, even if you can recruit disciples, you can't recruit them all, leaving no choices for other sects."
Lin Qing looked at Tang Yifeng and retorted unyieldingly, "These people chose voluntarily, we didn't force them. Are they going to blame us for not choosing other sects?"
"Our Penglai Mountain hadn't had disciples for nearly a hundred years, did you see me blame anyone then?"
Su Xi covered her face when she heard Lin Qing's words.
Although she supported Lin Qing wholeheartedly, she couldn't stand to hear these words. After all, it wasn't that Lin Qing didn't want to recruit disciples before, but that he didn't have the qualifications, and of course, it had something to do with no one being willing to come.
Moreover, Su Xi knew even better that if these newcomers saw the grandeur and magnificence of other sects, they wouldn't even look at Penglai Mountain, nor would they care about her minuscule influence.
After all, in this world, only strength mattered the most.
Tang Yifeng clearly understood the logic. Faced with Lin Qing's retort, he said neither servile nor overbearing, "Sect Leader Lin speaks the truth, but rules are rules. I implore Sect Leader Lin to give everyone a fair chance."
Lin Qing looked at the solemn Tang Yifeng and frowned.
This young Daoist, like that old Daoist Mengxu, was so annoying. If he had the chance, he would definitely let Tang Yifeng know the true height of the world.
But because Tang Yifeng was a junior and his actions were quite normal, he couldn't find any reason to get angry even if he wanted to.
Thus, he turned his gaze to Su Xi beside him.
Tang Yifeng was a junior, so he would naturally connect with Su Xi, who was also a junior. Su Xi stepping forward was just right.
Su Xi understood the meaning in Lin Qing's eyes but decisively shook her head, refusing. After all, she was a celebrity; could he not ask her to do such a demeaning thing?
Lin Qing knew Su Xi wouldn't help easily, so he transmitted his voice quietly, "If you help me with this, I'll teach you how to draw the Heavenly Lightning Talisman."
Although Heavenly Talismans were powerful, they didn't teach how to draw elements beyond the five elements. Lin Qing had been studying talismans for countless years and naturally had many insights.
"Deal." Su Xi agreed decisively upon hearing Lin Qing's words.
She had already witnessed the power of the Heavenly Lightning Talisman before. If she could use her power to draw talismans, her strength would surely advance to a higher level, and her cultivation of Heavenly Talismans could then reach the second level.
Having received a benefit, Su Xi couldn't stand aside.
She walked towards Tang Yifeng and exchanged a few hushed words. Under Tang Yifeng's scrutinizing gaze, she nodded.
Having received Su Xi's assurance, Tang Yifeng spoke again, "In that case, I'll take them away first."
Su Xi did not stop him but smiled and watched Tang Yifeng leave.
Lin Qing looked at this scene, his forehead filled with question marks.
Didn't he say not to take the people away? Why were they being taken now? Had Su Xi botched the job?
Su Xi saw Lin Qing's curiosity and explained, "I've already arranged with him that he'll only take them around to the various sects for a tour, not inside. As long as..."
When Lin Qing heard Su Xi's arrangement, his old face showed a look of relief.
If it was truly as Su Xi said, then it wouldn't give anyone leverage. When all these disciples returned to him, he eagerly anticipated the expressions on the faces of the other sect leaders.
Su Xi saw the pleased expression on Lin Qing's face and knew he was already fantasizing again.
However, she didn't pay it any mind and instead turned back to her room, picked up her brush, and began to write.
Tang Yifeng was never a kind person. The reason he was willing to help just now was, of course, because he had received some benefits.
Su Xi knew that although the matter of the secret realm had passed a long time ago, the demon race had acted very discreetly.
The people of Shu Mountain had investigated for so long and still couldn't uncover the truth. Therefore, she exchanged exclusive revelations for Tang Yifeng's help.
At the time of interrogation, she had revealed a lot of information. However, there were some details she hadn't disclosed. After all, no one could reveal everything.
Seeing how easily Tang Yifeng agreed now, it seemed the value of this matter was even higher.
However, she also knew that Tang Yifeng was not easily fooled, so while writing, she did not fabricate anything but wrote down exactly what she had seen.
In her heart, she also desperately wanted to know who had plotted against her. But rather than spending great effort to find the culprit herself, it was better to let Shu Mountain investigate.
She just needed to know the outcome.
Tang Yifeng quickly arrived at the agreed-upon location and looked at Su Xi, "Did you bring what I wanted?"
During the last secret realm trial, although Shu Mountain had compensated for many things to smooth things over, it was only a superficial act. Other sects were already dissatisfied.
Shu Mountain absolutely could not suffer in silence. Therefore, they had to find the mastermind behind all this and compensate for all the losses.
Su Xi handed the written document to Tang Yifeng and said, "I've written the detailed process here, and I also discovered a secret in the secret realm."
"A secret?" Tang Yifeng looked at Su Xi, awaiting her explanation.
Although he had entered the secret realm at the time, he hadn't stayed as long as Su Xi and the others, so he might have overlooked some crucial information.
Su Xi pointed in a certain direction with her finger and said, "I discovered that there were many high-level demonic beasts in this trial, and there were also high-level spiritual plants inside."
"High-level demonic beasts and spiritual plants?" Tang Yifeng repeated, a look of gravity appearing on his face, realizing the abnormality of the situation.
What Su Xi said seemed ordinary, but it revealed a great deal of important information.
A place for disciple trials would never have high-level demonic beasts, nor spiritual plants. The only explanation was that this secret realm space was not the place they had chosen.
Someone had altered the formation and deceived everyone.
A thought flashed through Tang Yifeng's mind.