"S-Sect Master! That's only two names! What happened to the third spot? I thought we were given three spots for the Mystic Realm?!" One of the disciples there decided to ask him.
Long Yijun turned to look at the disciple who just spoke and responded in a calm voice, "Indeed, the Dragon Essence Temple has been given three spots, and there will be three disciples participating in the Mystic Realm. However, I won't be naming the third disciple for now."
Long Yijun's words dumbfounded the disciples. He won't be naming the third disciple? Is it because they haven't decided on the third person yet or do they want to keep this individual hidden for some reason?
"..."
Gao Dongya narrowed his eyes with an uncertain expression on his face.
Meanwhile, Xue Jiye raised her eyebrows and thought to herself, 'The Sect Master is clearly trying to hide this individual… But why?'
After pondering for a moment, the image of two glowing golden eyes behind a black jade mask appeared in her thoughts, causing her body to tremble.
'It couldn't be!' Xue Jiye cried inwardly after recalling the cultivation prodigy who'd managed to comprehend 100 percent of the Tablet of Comprehension when she participated as an observer.
While the Dragon Essence Temple has never sent a disciple that wasn't a Core Disciple to the Mystic Realm, there were no rules stating that it must be a Core Disciple!
'It's possible! That masked person might take the third spot!' Xue Jiye thought to herself.
However, she hasn't heard of this person ever since the disciple examination ended.
'What happened to that person, anyway? Did he join the sect? Or did he leave?' Xue Jiye wondered to herself, feeling the desire to meet with this cultivation genius once again.
Sometime later, another disciple raised his hands and asked, "Sect Master, does that mean you've already picked a disciple for the third spot or you're still thinking?"
The disciples there swallowed nervously after hearing that question, as they also had the same question in their mind.
Long Yijun quickly responded, "The third spot is already occupied by a disciple."
"If that's the case, why can't you tell us who this disciple is? While we have no complaints about Disciple Gao and Disciple Xue participating in the Mystic Realm since they definitely qualify more than us, we cannot say the same for this third disciple," said a disciple.
And he continued, "And if I'm correct, we're allowed to challenge the sect's decision if we, the Core Disciples, believe that someone isn't qualified to participate in the Mystic Realm, as that's how it's always been."
"Indeed, you may challenge the sect's decision. However, that only applies when the disciple in question is questionable. In this case, it is without a doubt that this disciple qualifies for the Mystic Realm." Long Yijun said in a confident voice.
The disciples exchanged puzzled glances with each other. Just who is this disciple that has so much support and confidence from the Sect Master? Hell, even the sect elders there showed no signs of doubt, clearly showing their support for the Sect Master.
Seeing the doubtful atmosphere, Long Yijun suddenly smiled and said, "How about this? I am willing to bet my position as Sect Master of this sect that this disciple will, without a doubt, bring the Dragon Essence Temple to at least rank 3 at the Mystic Realm. If we achieve any less, I will resign from my position."
"WHAT?!"
Not just the disciples but even the sect elders there were greatly baffled by Long Yijun's announcement.
"S-Sect Master! That's a little…" Elder Xuan said to him in a nervous voice.
While he also believes that Yuan would achieve a high rank in the Mystic Realm, nothing in this world is certain, especially when it comes to the Mystic Realm.
"Sect Master, you don't have to do that. We won't doubt your decision any longer, so please, take back that statement!"
The disciples said to him in a panicked manner, as they couldn't have expected such a turn of events.
However, Long Yijun remained resolute and said, "This is not about your trust in me— but my trust in this disciple and my own judgment! If my judgment turns out to be wrong and it costs the Dragon Essence Temple the Mystic Realm, I don't deserve to be the Sect Master! That's all!"
The place quickly turned dead silent as nobody there could find any words to say to Long Yijun who was clearly very adamant about keeping to his words.
"Does anyone here have anything else to say before I let you all go?" Long Yijun asked them after a moment of silence.
The disciples remained silent, as their only question could not be answered at this moment.
"Then everybody but Gao Dongya and Xue Jiye may leave." Long Yijun said to them a few moments later.
Once all of the disciples beside the two Mystic Realm participants left, Long Yijun said to them, "Follow me."
Gao Dongya and Xue Jiye nodded their heads before following Long Yijun back to the sect master's headquarters, where Long Yijun proceeded to give them more details about the Mystic Realm.
"As you already know, the Mystic Realm is a month-long event where disciples from their respective sect must work together to obtain points by accomplishing feats within the Mystic Realm. Of course, this means that the sects with more slots have the advantage since they have more hands helping each other. But don't worry, I am confident that even with three people, we'll do fine. Teamwork is a must in the Mystic Realm, and I want the two of you to get used to each other over the next four days."
Hearing Long Yijun's words, Gao Dongyu spoke in a calm voice, "If that's the case, wouldn't it be better if all three participants are here? How can we strengthen our relationships with each other if one of us is missing?"
Long Yijun then said, "He's currently cultivating at Dragon's Peak right now so that's impossible. However, once he's done, I will definitely let you guys meet."