Once Yuan and the other disciples left the place, Long Yijun turned to look at Elder Shan and Elder Xuan with a serious expression on his face.
"Tell me everything that has happened," he said to them with a listening look on his face.
Elder Xuan nodded and said, "Allow me to explain first."
He then proceeded to explain everything that had happened during their time outside the sect, leaving almost no detail out, such as Elder Shan's scandalous behavior.
"I see…"
Long Yijun turned to look at Elder Shan and asked, "Do you have anything to add."
"Only one thing," she quickly responded before continuing, "I am certain that there's a Spirit Grandmaster watching over Disciple Yuan in the shadows."
"What!"
Both Long Yijun and Elder Xuan looked at her with wide eyes.
"Tell me more!" Long Yijun said in a somewhat demanding tone.
Elder Shan nodded and explained her encounter with Xiao Hua's voice that occurred when she got too clingy to Yuan.
"Qi manifestation… Indeed, only Spirit Grandmasters would be able to achieve such a feat..." Long Yijun pondered with a serious look on his face.
Even as a peak Spirit Master, he could barely use qi manifestation, much less make it stiff enough to hit someone with it.
"If this is really the case, we won't have to worry too much about Disciple Yuan's safety. However, we can't let our guard down even after learning this information. After all, we want to show this Spirit Grandmaster that we truly care about Disciple Yuan and his well-being."
"I agree." Elder Xuan nodded.
"Good, now let's talk about their rewards. How should the sect award them for their contribution? I think they deserve more than just some contribution points," Long Yijun said.
"How about we let them cultivate at the Dragon's Peak?" Elder Xuan suddenly suggested.
"The Dragon's Peak? That's very generous of you…" Elder Shan looked at him with wide eyes.
"Can I hear your reason for this, Elder Xuan?" Long Yijun did not refuse and asked for his reason instead.
"Simple. Disciple Yuan. I wouldn't have even thought about it if not for Disciple Yuan. However, with his talents, he'll definitely benefit greatly from the Dragon's Peak. Perhaps he'll even feel indebted to us afterward." Elder Xuan said.
"Hmmm…" Long Yijun closed his eyes to ponder.
A few moments later, he opened his eyes again and mumbled, "I'd originally planned on letting him enter the Dragon's Peak after the Mystic Realm and before the Dragon Temple, but if I let him go there before the event, it'll definitely increase our chances of obtaining a higher rank."
"The other Core Disciples won't be happy once they learn of this, especially since Disciple Yuan is still an Outer Court disciple." Elder Shan suddenly said.
"Hmmm… Good point. The Mystic Realm is only two weeks away, and I don't intend on having Disciple Yuan participate as an Outer Court disciple. Although this is a little bit earlier than scheduled, let's have Disciple Yuan take the Inner Court disciple examination next week." Long Yijun said.
Sometime later, Elder Xuan asked, "What about the matter with the Carp Leaping Over Dragon's Gate Tower? Have the participating sects sent their disciples yet?"
Long Yijun then said, "I was just about to talk about this. Yes, they have already sent their disciples here. We are waiting on just a couple more people to arrive before we begin, and they are expected to arrive tomorrow."
"I see…"
At the same time, after leaving the Sect Master's headquarters, Yuan returned to his own home with the others still following him.
"We should celebrate your victory at the Dragon Pavilion," Xuan Wuhan suddenly suggested to them.
"That's a great idea. The treat will be on me." Fei Yuyan nodded.
And then she continued, "Of course, I am only treating Disciple Yuan. The two of you can pay for your own food."
"How stingy," Xuan Wuhan snorted.
"Why should I spend my precious contribution points on you who did nothing for me other than giving me headaches? What did you do to deserve it?" Fei Yuyan sneered back without hesitation.
Sometime later, Yuan and the others made their way to the Dragon Pavilion.
The people there were ecstatic when they saw Fei Yuyan's pretty face at the Dragon Pavilion because they thought that she had finally decided to practice there again.
"Welcome back, Senior apprentice-sister Fei! The stage has been lonely without you lately. Thankfully, you're finally back." One of the workers there quickly approached them.
"Senior apprentice-sister Xuan and senior apprentice-sister Min as well— welcome to the Dragon Pavilion."
"I'm sorry, but I did not come here today to play the zither. I'm here to eat. Give me your best table," Fei Yuyan said to the disciple who ignored Yuan because he didn't think Yuan was with them at first.
"Oh… Is that so…" The disciple showed a disappointed look on his face after learning that Fei Yuyan was only there to eat.
"Anyway, please follow me."
Fei Yuyan and the others proceeded to follow him.
However, the disciple frowned when he noticed that Yuan was also following behind them, and he said in a somewhat cold voice, "Excuse me, Outer Court disciple. Unless you're with these seniors, please wait outside."
Yuan raised his eyebrows slightly, and he said, "I am with them."
"Eh?"
The disciple turned to look at the three beauties who now held a small frown on their faces, and it was at this moment that the disciple realized that he'd fucked up big time.
"I-I deeply apologize for the misunderstanding!" The disciple bowed to Yuan.
"Just bring us to our table." Fei Yuyan said.
"R-Right away!"
The disciple turned around and led them to their table shortly later.
"Please take your time looking at the menu, seniors. I have another table to attend to so I'll go look for a replacement now…"
The disciple then scurried away without returning, almost like he didn't dare to continue being around them after his mistake, and he went to find another worker there to serve them.
A few minutes later, a disciple with a familiar face, Chu Bo, who had served Yuan previously, appeared before them to take their orders.
Author's Note: This might come as a surprise but check out my new novel 'Inferior Cultivation System' if you like OP MC, smart MC, knowledgable MC, Systems, and face-slapping. Don't worry, it won't affect my release rate for Cultivation Online.