Junior sister took first place again

The atmosphere in the Xuanling Sect's main hall was so solemn it was almost suffocating. The sect's top leaders gathered together, with the Sect Master, Immortal Jiyun, sitting in the main seat, a solemn expression on his face.

Immortal Master Mengze sat on one side, playing with a jade slip in his hand, with a faint smile on his face, as if everything was under control.

Wen Xingzhou stood beside the sect leader, his brow furrowed, a hint of vigilance in his eyes. He knew that Immortal Master Meng Ze had summoned everyone this time not to simply discuss matters, but to provoke a dispute over that quota.

As expected, Immortal Master Mengze slowly stood up, his gaze sweeping across the crowd, his tone carrying a hint of unquestionable majesty: "Everyone, the Qingzhou Competition is approaching, and as one of the three major sects in the cultivation world, our Xuanling Sect naturally cannot fall behind. The number of Nascent Soul Stage disciples in this competition is crucial, especially the spot that directly enters the top ten. It is a matter of pride for our sect."

He paused, his gaze fixed on Sect Master Li Xuanfeng, his tone questioning, "Sect Master, why hasn't this position been confirmed yet? Is there no one available within the sect, or does... Sect Master have other plans?"

Immortal Master Jiyun remained expressionless as he said calmly, "Immortal Master Mengze is worrying too much. This spot hasn't been decided yet because Ning Jiasheng's disappearance remains unsolved. She was originally the representative of this competition, but now her whereabouts are unknown. Naturally, we need to consider this carefully."

Immortal Master Mengze sneered, his tone tinged with sarcasm. "Ning Jiasheng has been missing for several days. Are we going to delay the entire sect's plans because of her? Sect Master, the cultivation world has always respected strength. If your indecision leads to the Xuanling Sect's defeat in the competition, who will bear the responsibility?"

Upon hearing this, Wen Xingzhou stepped forward and bowed, saying, "Immortal Master Mengze, Junior Sister is Master's last disciple. Her disappearance not only concerns the honor of the sect, but also the inheritance of Master. I believe that the most urgent task is to find her whereabouts as soon as possible, rather than rushing to replace her."

Immortal Master Meng Ze's eyes turned cold, and his tone was filled with disdain: "Wen Xingzhou, your words are too pedantic. The Qingzhou Competition is no joke. Are we going to delay the entire sect's plans because of a missing disciple?"

Inside the hall, everyone looked at each other in bewilderment, the atmosphere growing increasingly tense. The disciples of Immortal Master Mengze's lineage echoed the sentiment, their voices tinged with a hint of aggression.

"Meng Ze Immortal Venerable is right. The interests of the sect are above everything else. We can't let one person delay important matters!"

"Ning Jiasheng has been missing for a long time. Are we going to keep waiting?"

"Master, this matter must be resolved as soon as possible, otherwise how will the Xuanling Sect maintain its reputation?"

Immortal Master Jiyun frowned slightly, glanced at the crowd, and said in a deep voice: "Everyone, please be patient. This matter is of great importance, and I will make the decision."

Upon seeing this, Immortal Master Mengze curled his lips into a cold sneer, his tone carrying a hint of provocation, "Sect Master, since you've been unable to make a decision, then I'll boldly propose that my disciple Xiao Han replace Ning Jiasheng and compete in the Qingzhou Competition. Xiao Han has reached the middle stage of the Nascent Soul stage and possesses exceptional talent. He's fully qualified to represent the Xuanling Sect."

Wen Xingzhou's heart tightened upon hearing this. Xiao Han was a direct disciple of Immortal Master Meng Ze. He had an aloof and proud personality, but his cultivation was indeed impressive. If he were to replace Ning Jiasheng, the influence of Immortal Master Meng Ze's lineage would be further enhanced, undoubtedly posing a significant threat to both the Sect Master's lineage and the Qinglian Immortal's lineage.

"Master, I believe this matter requires careful consideration," Wen Xingzhou said in a deep voice. "Although Xiao Han possesses exceptional talent, he lacks experience. The Qingzhou Competition is filled with numerous experts. If he makes even the slightest mistake, it could negatively impact the reputation of our Xuanling Sect."

Immortal Master Mengze snorted coldly, his tone tinged with sarcasm. "Wen Xingzhou, you're being too conservative. The world of cultivation has always respected strength, and Xiao Han's cultivation is more than enough to handle any challenge in the competition. Are you so opposed because you're worried that the influence of Immortal Master Qinglian's lineage will be weakened?"

Wen Xingzhou's face darkened and he was about to retort, but Immortal Master Jiyun raised his hand to stop him.

"That's enough." Immortal Master Jiyun's voice was filled with a hint of majesty. "I will consider Immortal Master Mengze's proposal, but this matter is of great importance and requires further consideration."

Upon seeing this, Immortal Master Meng Ze's eyes flashed with a hint of coldness, and his tone was a little aggressive: "Sect Master, time waits for no one. If your indecision leads to the Xuanling Sect's defeat in the competition, who will bear this responsibility?"

The atmosphere in the hall suddenly grew tense. The disciples of Immortal Master Mengze's lineage echoed the sentiment, their voices tinged with a hint of aggression.

"Master, this matter must be decided as soon as possible!"

"Mengze Immortal Venerable's proposal is reasonable. Why should Sect Master hesitate?"

Immortal Master Jiyun's brow furrowed, a look of solemnity in his eyes. He knew that Immortal Master Mengze's attack was not simply a dispute over a quota, but rather an attempt to further expand his influence. If Xiao Han replaced Ning Jiasheng, Immortal Master Mengze's lineage would become even more difficult to contain.