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Lin Qi hummed, "You guys still have the nerve to speak! The Sect Master even said he'd be fair to us, but you all are trembling like quail, silent as mute gourds. It was left to me to speak up, and my master isn't here either. Otherwise, I guarantee I'd send Pang Hai and the others to Disorder Wind Cliff for ten or eight years!"

If she were a Tan Yueqing, she would first cry to the True Immortal Tinghan. Given True Immortal Tinghan's protective nature and face-saving tendencies, he'd probably draw his sword on the spot and hack Lin Elder and Pang Hai to pieces.

Than Yueqing and Xu Ying were both criticized, with helpless expressions.

"That's the Sect Master! How could I, a Qi Condensation disciple, not be afraid?"

Lin Qi looked at her with disdain, "Are you afraid? You're clearly excited, eager to hug the Sect Leader's feet and kiss them."

Xu Ying's mouth twitched: "Can you not say it so disgustingly?"

To even touch her toes, she has this twisted sense of humor?

Tan Yue's voice was as cold and aloof as ever. "Fortunately, the Sect Master is enlightened about this matter, otherwise, the three of us would probably have been severely punished."

After the Tianyi Peak Protector Elder arrived, Lin Qi first reported to Pang Hai.

Pang Hai insisted that he was acting according to the sect rules. Lin Qi didn't want to argue with him pointlessly, so she directly asked the protector elder to take them to the Sect Master's Palace.

Qingyun Zhenjun had already left the sect and was busy running around, only to be called by the Sect Leader when he was exhausted.

Before he could figure out what was going on, he was hugged by Lin Qi and given a good cry.

Xu Ying, who was late to the party, also came to help. She took out a memory stone that recorded a series of ugly faces that Pang Hai had made after entering the disciple courtyard.

Originally, the sect leader had considered this a minor matter. However, upon seeing Pang Hai slander Xu Ying as a thief and ordering his men to strip her clothes, he was instantly consumed by rage.

Murder is as easy as snapping one's fingers, framing and humiliating someone in the disciples' courtyard—this is a malicious attempt to ruin Xu Ying's future. The methods are simply too cruel.

As soon as the stone of inscription appeared, the True Monarch Lihan stood there. Without Lin Qi needing to say another word, Pang Hai and the other disciples who abetted evil were stripped of their disciple status and sent down to mine spirit coal.

Elder Lin arrived late, looking confused and bewildered as if he knew nothing about what Hai Pang and the others had done.

To offend so many people and still be able to sit safely in the position of the Elder in the Affairs Hall proves that Elder Lin is not a simple person.

As soon as the headmaster finished recounting what had happened, he immediately took responsibility and suggested canceling all the rules restricting the acquisition and storage of cold stones, etc.

What kind of sect cannot compete with its disciples for profit?

Lin Qi and the others listened with cold smiles.

Lin Qi also received a sum of compensation at last.

One hundred low-grade spirit stones, two bottles of third-grade water element pills and three-grade crimson pearl spirit grass.

There aren't many things, but they are practical enough. I need these things for the northern mission.

Elder Lin is truly a kind and capable person.

Lin Qi and Tan Yueqing and others readily accepted them.

Compensation was received, but the penalty could not be escaped.

Firstly, a display of martial arts on Tianyifeng Mountain;

Second, maliciously hoarding cold stones.

The Sect Master smiled and asked Lin Qi and the others, "When you were hoarding Cold Stones, the sect rules hadn't changed yet. You broke the rules, and it's not enough to simply punish you to set an example."

But I'm not an unreasonable person. I'll give you two choices: one, pay a fine in cold stones, or two, redeem yourselves with spirit stones."

Lin Qi had acquired over a thousand cold stones. Upon hearing rumors of the sect's intentions, she took most of them to Feng Ling.

A small portion was left in the hands of three people, preparing to test the waters first after reaching the north.

They had also considered forcibly confiscating the cold stone beds, but now that the Sect Leader said they could be redeemed with Spirit Stones, they were naturally tempted.

Although this is equivalent to paying twice the price for a batch of cold stones, judging from the sect's movements, anyone with a brain knows that they will definitely be able to make a profit.

According to the rules, Lin Qi and others will also be punished with a few days of confinement.

But with the northern mission imminent and after hearing True Lord Han's plea, she spared them and brought them back unharmed.

But even Han Zhenjun put on a good show.

As soon as he got on the flying boat, he was holding three people's faces and reciting scriptures against the wall. He was alone and irritable on the side.

Lin Qi took the newly issued punishment notice in her hand. Seeing that it still required the master's signature, she couldn't help but let out a deep sigh.

Why are they still using player signatures in the cultivation world?!

On the other side, Xu Ying was almost scared to tears.

Under normal circumstances, in a few days it will be three months. Then these disciples living on Tianyifeng can start to pay respects to their masters at the peak.

Now that she doesn't have a master, the punishment slip must be signed by an elder who oversees the new disciples of Heavenly One Peak.

This elder can greatly influence a disciple's choice of master.

All performance evaluations for the past three months have to go through her.

Once this disciplinary notice reaches the elders, Elder Xu's impression of her will certainly drop by half. A few added or removed lines in her evaluation record could significantly influence her fate.

Lin Qi also realized this, reaching out to pat Xu Ying's shoulder and comforting her: "Things aren't as bad as you think!"

Xu Ying had always trusted Lin Qi. Her misty eyes stared at her intently, "Really?"

Lin Qi nodded certainly, "Although the sect regulations stipulate that disciples can be assigned to peaks and accept masters after three months, how many True Humans or True Lords do you see accepting disciples at this time?"

"You can't tell much from daily assessments, the real test is on the stage. If you train hard from now on, by the time of the sect tournament in three months, you can shine. As long as your assessment doesn't have a failing grade written all over it, you won't worry about finding someone to take you on as an apprentice."

Tan Yueqing also comforted from the side, "This northern mission is also an opportunity. If you can make a contribution or shine in the mission, your assessment will naturally look much better."

"You're right! I can't let all this hardship go to waste!" Xu Ying suddenly perked up. "I will definitely work hard to cultivate from now on!"

Lin Qi and the others were thrown out of the room by the formation inside soon after.

Master Yuanxi walked back and forth anxiously outside.

Just then, he caught Lin Qi.

"Xiao Qi, are you okay?!"

Lin Qi smiled and gave Yuan Xi a big hug, "Sister, I'm fine. Yue Qing and I are together, listening to Han Zhenjun reluctant to punish us harshly!"

Just then, a cold snort echoed through the air. Lin Qi felt a wave of chill envelop him instantly.

Yuan Xi raised her hand and gently brushed away the pressure from Lin Qi, bowing towards where the True Monarch Ting Han was. "This time, many thanks to the True Monarch for your assistance. I will report this to my master and visit you to express my gratitude in the future."

Lin Qi's coldness dissipated instantly.

Back in her own room, Yu Xi held Lin Qi's punishment note, just about to unleash a torrent of reprimands upon him.

Lin Qi has already taken the initiative to apologize.

"Senior sister, I was wrong."

"Where did I go wrong?" Yuan Xi was caught off guard.

Lin Qi is accustomed to putting on an innocent act, saying, "One shouldn't be impulsive and reckless, disregarding the sect rules and starting a fight within the sect."

Yuan Xi deliberately turned cold, "Tell the truth!"

Lin Qi blinked innocently, "Sister, you don't know how much Pang Hai irritates me!"

"Alright..." Yuanxi raised her hand to stop him, "There are still ten days until we reach the north. You stay in your cabin for these days and don't run around. Learn a few more spells so you can hold your own when we get to the north."

"Mhm." Lin Qi acted obediently.

Chapter Two, I'll work hard. Three chapters tomorrow. Today... it's over.

(The End)

(Editor in charge:novel definition)