Strictly speaking, it was Ping Zhanyue's support for the disciples. She had never thought that the hearts of the people in her sect would actually be … so united!
All of them were willing to stay, without any hesitation?!
Looking at the twenty-three people, Ping Zhanyue almost wanted to roar, "What do you want? If all of you stay here, what will happen to Phoenix Cry Sect's base camp? Are we going to leave a bunch of disciples and Elder Ancestors to fend for themselves? "
Elder Liu, who was the oldest among them, spoke first with a face full of wrinkles and a trembling voice, "I'm old now, and I probably don't have many days left to live. However, my wish in this life has not been fulfilled yet. I have three wishes in my life. One is to walk on the path of Dao, but I'm old now, and this wish is destined to be impossible. My second wish is that Phoenix Cry Sect can flourish, and with the cooperation of the Sect Leader and everyone else, our sect will not decline. However, my third wish is to take in a suitable successor. Unfortunately, my cultivation method is different from the others, and it requires a disciple's talent and physique the most. It's something that can only be found by chance, and I thought that this wish would be difficult to fulfill. Unexpectedly, I've seen several young men who are exceptionally compatible with my unique cultivation method in the Residence of Nine Supremes's territory today. Heaven has truly taken pity on me, giving me this opportunity to fulfill my long-cherished wish … Our sect and the Residence of Nine Supremes's agenda has been set, and someone must be stationed here. I'll be the first to sign up, and I'll definitely do my best to groom them and stand on this last post, so that I can answer to the Elder Ancestors when I die in the future. My fellow disciples, please don't fight with me over this, okay?"
Elder Liu's words were spoken with deep emotion, with the desolation of an old man. Even the declaration that he would not hesitate to die was enough to intimidate everyone present. If it had been any other occasion, his presence would have been a foregone conclusion!
However, just as he finished speaking … Before he finished speaking, the other white-haired Elder Li coughed and faintly said, "What Senior Brother Liu said makes sense. We are old and frail, how can we endure such a long and arduous journey back home? Calculating it, this old man's age is not much younger than Senior Brother Liu's. I think it won't be long before I die … I'll stay here and accompany Senior Brother Liu. Ahem, although I'm in my twilight years, I still have some experience and knowledge. I'm happy to make one last contribution to the sect. I'm duty-bound, duty-bound! "
At this moment, the two of them were completely different from when they first arrived. They had white hair and ruddy complexions. Their faces were ruddy, and their white hair was bleak. Even their eyes seemed to be turbid …
Just then, a female elder with a few strands of white hair let out a long, desolate sigh. "I'm getting on in years … My body isn't as good as it used to be these two years. I don't want to move no matter where I go … Now that I've come to the Residence of Nine Supremes and coincide with the sect's joint appointment, I'll just be lazy and stay here to train a few disciples for the sect …"
She did not want to leave at all!
Gan Tianyan rolled her eyes and said, "Senior brothers and sisters, of course, all of you are loyal. For the sake of the sect, how can I, Gan Tianyan, fall behind? I'm also happy to stay here and contribute to the sect. Besides … I was the one who suggested this, and I'm the one in charge of it. I still need to discuss with Sect Leader Yun and the other peak masters of the Residence of Nine Supremes about the follow-up. Nobody can be absent, but I can't be absent. Moreover, Luo Luo's in-laws are here. The child has always been timid, and she can't get used to leaving me … "
Hearing Gan Tianyan's words, the elders of the Phoenix Cry Sect glared at her.
'You said that you're going to contribute, and that's a fact. No one will object to it, but what did you say next? Luoluo is timid? May I ask, how is that girl timid?
If she's a little braver, she'll probably set fire to the Phoenix Cry Sect, and she'll do it more than once … She's chased her husband from the south to the north alone, and she's never suffered any loss … May I ask, where do you see that she's timid? '
The other female disciples were shocked when they saw the poisonous insects. 'This girl has been playing with poisonous insects since she was three years old … Is this a sign of timidity?'
However, no matter how indignant everyone was, what Gan Tianyan said was reasonable. Whether it was reasonable or not, no one could deny it. Therefore, it was already a foregone conclusion that she would stay here.
At this moment, the female elders who had deliberately maintained their youthful looks and figures were a little embarrassed. 'This is not right. Everyone's real age is about the same, but now all of you are so slovenly and pretentious, and you're saying that it's reasonable?
This is not right, it's even more wrong! '
"Ahem, although I look young on the surface, my heart is already old. I know that the reason why our sect can prosper so much is because of the countless efforts and hard work that my senior brothers and sisters have put in for the sect. In the past, I've always reaped the fruits of others' labor, and I've long felt guilty and uneasy … This time, no matter what, I must stay here and contribute to the development of the sect. I must train a few more disciples, and only then can I make up for my past mistakes …"
A young and beautiful female elder spoke in a righteous and stern manner.
"That's right, that's right. I've been concentrating on cultivation all these years. Although I've made some personal achievements, I've made no contribution to the development of the sect. I'm very ashamed. I hope that the sect leader can give me a chance to stay here and contribute. I don't dare to say anything else, but I have a lot of say in cultivation …"
"I'm ashamed …"
"…"
Twenty-three people spoke one after another. Their words were filled with all sorts of strange meanings. But in general, there was only one meaning: I want to stay here.
Everyone was like that, no one was an exception!
However, after a while, when they finally saw Ping Zhenyue's cold face that was as dark as water, they slowly shut their mouths and sat there awkwardly, not daring to speak anymore.
Ping Zhenyue took a deep breath, finally suppressing the sudden surge of energy that had just surged.
'I want to stay here too, okay?'
'But now that you've said all the high-sounding reasons, what else do you want me to say?'
'What else can I say?'
Of course, while Ping Zhenyue was thinking further about the cooperation with the Residence of Nine Supremes, she was also thinking about the issue of Phoenix Cry Sect's inheritance.
The Residence of Nine Supremes had relented and given very convenient conditions. The cooperation was already set in stone, and the problem of genius disciples, the hardest to solve, was no longer a problem. However, another problem followed – the candidate for the sect leader's position!
The candidate for the sect leader's successor had always been a big problem, and it could be said to be the most important problem in the sect!
Generally speaking, the successor of the Sect Leader would be chosen by the disciples of the Sect Leader, the best of the best. Only the most outstanding and the most respected person would be able to take up the position of Sect Leader. Very few people would feel dissatisfied or dissatisfied.
This was because the disciples of the Sect Leader's faction had always been the most outstanding in the entire sect.
In fact, whenever there was a new disciple, the sect leader's disciples would be the first to choose.
For example, Ping Zhenyue's first disciple, Qi Lie, was the top person in the entire Phoenix Cry Sect, and no one was above him!
However, with this opportunity of cooperation, the situation was very different. According to common sense, all twenty-four Phoenix Cry Sect's higher-ups could stay, but it was inconvenient for Ping Zhenyue, the sect leader, to stay here to teach disciples. She had to return to Phoenix Cry Sect to preside over the sect. However, the aptitude of Phoenix Cry Sect's disciples was obviously far inferior to the Residence of Nine Supremes' disciples …
Then, what would happen when these disciples grew up in the future? What would happen?!
Forcing the original disciples of the sect leader to continue taking over the power would obviously not convince everyone. However, if she did not do so, would the power not be given to someone else?
If the sect leader, which had been passed down for more than twenty generations since her founding master, was replaced by someone else, Ping Zhenyue would definitely not allow it. She could not tolerate it!
Therefore, seeing her senior brothers and sisters eagerly wanting to stay, Ping Zhenyue could not help but feel a sense of helplessness that could not be dispelled.
What should she do? What was the right thing to do?
"Let's discuss who should stay when we get back to the base. Don't quarrel here. It'll be embarrassing if we let Sect Leader Yun see us as a joke." Ping Zhenyue spoke up to stop the farce.
This made Yun Yang, who was watching the show, cough. His expression turned serious again, and he sat up straight.
As Ping Zhenyue spoke, the twenty-three experts of the Phoenix Cry Sect stopped fighting and sat down awkwardly. It was obvious that they had realized that their actions just now were very inappropriate …
"Let's limit the number of people and the teaching time first." Ping Zhenyue sucked in a breath and suppressed the resentment in her heart.
Yun Yang said, "Sect Leader Ping, please speak your mind."
"I think that the teaching time shouldn't be too short, but it can't be too long either." Ping Zhenyue said, "What do you think, Sect Leader Yun? I would like to hear your opinion first. "
Yun Yang thought about it and said, "I believe that Sect Leader Ping and all the seniors have seen the condition of these disciples. The youngest among them is only about five or six years old, while the older ones are no more than fifteen or sixteen years old at most."
"To train these disciples, even if they have some minor achievements, I believe that it'll be difficult to do so without eight to ten years of training."
When Yun Yang said this, everyone nodded in unison. They were all experts in cultivation, so naturally, they would not have any doubts about this.
As the saying went, it took ten years to grow a tree, but a hundred years to nurture a person.
Ten years was still too little.
"This is what I think. If we limit the teaching time to three or five years, then we, the Residence of Nine Supremes, will be taking advantage of all of you and harboring evil intentions … I'm afraid that it'll be difficult to finish teaching them in such a short amount of time, and it'll be even more impossible for the disciples to feel touched and follow you willingly …"
Yun Yang looked at the people of the Phoenix Cry Sect as he said this.
The twenty-four people nodded in agreement once more.
What Yun Yang had said was very reasonable and he had put it in the light.
"If that's the case, why don't we set a slightly longer time limit? How about ten years?"
Yun Yang looked at Ping Zhanyue for her opinion and said, "Ten years is enough for a five- or six-year-old toddler to grow into a young man who can basically understand everything … Besides, I'm not afraid of angering all of you seniors, but if you can't change someone after ten years, I'm afraid the other party will still not leave with you even after a few more decades. This may not sound nice, but it's the truth. I hope all of you seniors will consider it."
The people nodded, still agreeing that what he said was true and reasonable.
Ten years later, a sixteen or seventeen-year-old young man would already have the sense of right and wrong to distinguish between good and bad, as well as a personality with independent opinions and thoughts.
If he was still unwilling to follow them by then, then as Yun Yang had said, even if he taught them for another fifty or a hundred years, their relationship would still remain at the stage of forming a good relationship. It would never be able to change his mind, and he would still be a member of the Residence of Nine Supremes!
"Ten years is fine!" Ping Zhenyue nodded.
The time was set just like that.
"Then there's the number of people. May I know how many people you are aiming for, seniors?" Yun Yang asked.
When he mentioned the number of people, the people of the Phoenix Cry Sect widened their eyes again.
Teaching one or two disciples was obviously a different concept from teaching a hundred or two hundred disciples!
However, to the people of the Phoenix Cry Sect, the more people, the better.
Yun Yang said, "Seniors, there's something I have to say first. The number of disciples we're planning to give up is not a lot. I hope that seniors can understand …"
Upon hearing this, the faces of the people from the Phoenix Cry Sect immediately became gloomy and uncertain. They no longer had the amiable expressions they had before.
However, what Yun Yang had said was within reason. Anyone would be able to understand it.
The sect had recruited many talented disciples, but it was their own ability. Why should they give up a lot of disciples? Should they let you do whatever you want? It's already good enough to let you have a share of the profits, alright?
Ping Zhenyue said cautiously, "May I ask how many disciples Sect Leader Yun is planning to give to us?"
Yun Yang chuckled and said, "Sect Leader Ping, I think it's better for you to tell us what the number is in your heart? Give us a rough number, and we'll discuss it on this basis and adjust accordingly. "
Ping Zhenyue was immediately conflicted.
Give a number? What should she say?
How could she be satisfied if she said too little?
However, if she really said too much, there would definitely be a conflict of words, causing the originally harmonious atmosphere to become estranged. Furthermore … she would seem too greedy and become a laughing stock.
Yun Yang encouraged/bewitched her as much as he could, "Actually, this number of people is just a business to me. Sect Leader Ping, feel free to say it. As the saying goes, ask for as much as you want. If Sect Leader Ping asks for too much and exceeds the bottom line of my heart, I won't agree to it no matter what, will I?"
As he said this, he laughed twice, with a hint of self-mockery.
Immediately, everyone's gaze focused on Ping Zhenyue.
Ping Zhenyue gritted her teeth and took a deep breath. Her bright eyes scanned the faces of her fellow disciples, and she finally said resolutely, "Sect Leader Yun, the fundamental reason for our cooperation this time is that your sect doesn't have enough teachers. How about … a fifty-fifty split?"
When the upper echelons of the Phoenix Cry Sect heard this, they were immediately shocked to the point that they were thrown into a state of disarray.
'Sect leader, you really dare to ask for a sky-high price? You're really asking for a sky-high price just because he said so?'
A fifty-fifty split!
This Sect Leader Yun must have gone crazy when she heard this!
'We want a lot, but … a fifty-fifty split is something we've never even thought about!'
'Otherwise, she's the sect leader, and we can't compare!'
As expected, Yun Yang vetoed it decisively. "No, no! Absolutely not! There's no such logic. If Sect Leader Ping were to split it like this, wouldn't you be giving half of the Residence of Nine Supremes to her? "
Ping Zhenyue was already prepared for Yun Yang's attitude. She snorted, not offended, and said, "Then, Sect Leader Yun, please state the number."
Yun Yang said, "How about a hundred?"
One asked for seven thousand, while the other countered with a hundred. The difference was just … too much!
Everyone immediately felt a toothache again.
That was exactly what the old saying was true. Asking for a sky-high price and then returning it on the ground. It was a textbook deduction!
Both sides were too ridiculous.
"Six thousand!" Ping Zhenyue's eyes shone as she lowered the price. However, this number was still ridiculous, and the people of the Phoenix Cry Sect still thought so.
"No, no! It's still too much! I'll compromise again. How about a hundred and fifty? "
"Five thousand!"
"No, no, two hundred at most!"
…
The two sect leaders began to bargain like street peddlers, gradually testing each other's bottom line.
Ping Zhenyue's ideal number was around five hundred. If they could really get five hundred genius disciples from the Residence of Nine Supremes, it would be a great victory for the Phoenix Cry Sect.
It was because of this mentality that she had asked for seven thousand, a number that would have sounded ridiculous to anyone. She was not the least bit angry at Yun Yang's rejection, for she knew that it was absolutely impossible.
"Three thousand!" Ping Zhenyue continued to test him.
"The basis of the cooperation is the sincerity of both sides. I can only give you four hundred disciples at most. I really can't go any higher." Yun Yang clenched his teeth and took every step carefully.
"Sect Leader Yun, we've already shown enough sincerity for this collaboration. With how loyal those children are to the Residence of Nine Supremes, we might end up with nothing. How can we not cast a wider net? If the number is less than two thousand, there's no point in working with us anymore." Ping Zhanyue retreated in order to advance, and she began to make hidden threats.
According to Ping Zhenyue's calculations, there was a high chance that Yun Yang would not give in and might even fly into a rage. However, as long as she took a step back and reduced the number of disciples to eight hundred, Yun Yang would be able to save his face. When he was in a good mood, he might even agree. Even if Yun Yang still did not agree, she could just let him decide the number.
Anyway, it had already reached four hundred, which was very close to her target!
She believed that the final number would be higher than this number. Even if it was four hundred people, it would be enough!
However, as soon as she said two thousand, she saw Yun Yang frown and actually fall into deep thought!
The eyes of all the Phoenix Cry Sect's higher-ups lit up.
There's … a way?!
… …
This chapter has five thousand words! I wish everyone a happy Lantern Festival.
I've received feedback that one chapter a day is too little. Even if one chapter has eight thousand words, it would be better to split it into two chapters with two thousand words each …
After all, one chapter is not as much as two chapters.
It's hard for me to understand the truth. Most of the brothers who had followed Feng Ling for more than ten years wouldn't be calculative about this. They especially wouldn't be calculative about the number of chapters with me. After so many years of working with each other, we already knew about this. However, now that there was such a comment, I didn't know if I was happy or sad.
Hahaha …
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