"What do you think could be the reason this time? You should know that even the disciples ranked in the Gracious Sword Rankings are not allowed to go to the Upper Floor unless they are in the Top Ten."
"Maybe there is a change in rewards from this Hunt? Could there be a secret reward for the top disciples this time?"
"Most probably. But why is Mu Xing looking as if he met his mortal enemy?"
"Well, I can only think about two reasons for him to be frustrated."
"Bai Qing'er?"
"Yes, that's one of the reasons indeed. Bai Qing'er's talent is something that could easily frustrate someone like him. And this is natural when it comes to Sword Cultivators."
"What could be the other reason?"
"The Upper Floor of course. It could be something that he got, met or saw on the Upper Floor that is making him so frustrated. Oh, there were some other disciples who also headed to the Upper Floor. Who were they?"
"I didn't see their faces clearly."
Another disciple who was standing beside them said,"I am pretty sure one of them was Fang Chen of our peak, I couldn't see clearly who was following him."
"Which peak are you from and who is this Fang Chen?"
The disciple replied,"I am from the seventh peak and Fang Chen is the top disciple of our peak."
"Seventh peak? Isn't that the peak with the worst talent disciples?"
The others beside him also agreed.
"Yeah, I heard only 4000 disciples took part in Inner Court Entrance Hunt this time."
"That's so low. That is less than the number of disciples who passed the first stage at our ninth peak."
"To be a top disciple of Seventh Peak? I think Fang Chen is most probably a Seventh Level Qi Refining Realm disciple."
"That's too weak. I wish I was from Seventh Peak, I could have easily obtained the First Rank, ha-ha."
The disciple from the Seventh Peak shook his head and said, "All your assumptions are based on the previous hunts. This time the top disciples were very powerful. Especially Fang Chen and Zheng Xiang. One was undefeated, while the other one was unstoppable."
"Zheng Xiang? This name sounds familiar, and if I am thinking of the right person, then let me tell you, this guy may be a low key kind, but once I met him once during a mission and was really amazed. He is really talented in sword. I dare say that in terms of sword talent, he is on par with Mu Xing if not higher."
Mu Xing, who had just crossed through the group, halted for a moment when he heard the disciple proclaiming Zheng Xiang to be more talented than him. Surprise and a hidden emotion of anger filled his eyes as he walked out of the Resource Hall.
…
The disciples continued to chatter and wait to get their token and robes.
It was then Ye Tian Yun and Zheng Xiang finally came down from the Upper Floor after receiving their things from Elder Lai Chang.
Like Mu Xing, these two also instantly became the centre of attention. However, this time there wasn't much commotion, except for a few Seventh Peak's disciples, not many continued to pay attention to them.
Soon, Ye Tian Yun and Zheng Xiang were outside the Resource Hall.
As they headed towards the Martial Book Pavilion, Ye Tian Yun broke the ice, "I know what you meant to say when we were coming down. We have really underestimated Elder Lai Chang's influence in the sect, in fact not only us, all the disciples who know about him have."
"Yes, Brother Fang. I thought he was just an Outer Court Elder when I saw during the sect entrance, later I came to know he is also a part of Martial Mission Hall. But now I think his sphere of influence is much bigger."
"Elder Lai Chang is actually the Deputy In-charge of Martial Mission Hall."
"What!?" Zheng Xiang was very surprised when he heard this, "You are not kidding me right?"
"No, I am not."
"Then doesn't that mean that Elder Lai Chang, who is an Outer Court Elder, has power equal to that of a Core Elder?"
"Yes, in fact now it looks like Elder Lai Chang is even more influential than a normal Core Elder. Not anyone can arrange a counter and do as he pleases in the Resource Hall."
Zheng Xiang nodded and said, "Exactly. This is the most intriguing part. And the fact that he is balatantly supporting the Heavenly League kind of shows us a glimpse at this League's power in our sect."
Ye Tian Yun agreed with him and remarked, "Also, what I think is that Elder Lai Chang isn't a core member of Heavenly League. He wouldn't go to the lengths of organizing a counter just for the new Inner Court disciples."
"Yeah, you do have a point. A core elder of such a big organization must have his own pride and many talented disciples under them. He clearly isn't a core member."
Ye Tian Yun stopped in his tracks and said, "Heavenly League is very interesting. Are you still thinking of going solo? Don't forget that the Grand Spirit Hunt will be a team event. And you will definitely need powerful and talented teammates."
"I have made my decision."