The three of them entered the house together. Once the formal bows were complete, Qin Xiao had accepted his second disciple with a Heavenly Spirit Root.
"Here, these are your cultivation Supplies for the first month. Take them for now. If they aren't enough, come find me. I have some matters to attend to, so I will return to my room."
Qin Xiao placed the six hundred drops of Spirit Liquid and two thousand Middle Grade Spirit Stones he had prepared earlier on the floor, then went straight back to his room.
[Congratulations, Host. You have successfully accepted a second disciple with a Heavenly Spirit Root. New resource unlocked: Saint Origin Fruit Tree. The tree produces one Saint Origin Spirit Fruit every hour.]
[Congratulations, Host. Unlocking a new resource grants one additional Spirit Stone per second and one additional drop of Spirit Liquid per minute.]
[Saint Origin Spirit Fruit: Consumption increases Primordial Spirit Power. Without a Primordial Spirit, it increases Soul Power.]
"What is this thing? I don't have a Primordial Spirit, and what use is Soul Power?"
He originally thought he would get some Supplies he could use himself, but it turned out to be this useless fruit. Qin Xiao was slightly disappointed.
However, he wasn't completely disappointed. Not only had his Spirit Stone generation become three per second, but his Spirit Liquid generation had also increased to two per minute. This little surprise left Qin Xiao quite satisfied; it wasn't a total loss.
"Forget it. Although this thing can't be used for Body Refinement, it should be useful for my disciples. I'll ask them about it later."
After grumbling to himself, Qin Xiao paid it no more mind.
Now that he had unlocked the Saint Origin Fruit Tree, Qin Xiao could produce approximately two hundred and sixty thousand Spirit Stones, two thousand eight hundred and eighty drops of Spirit Liquid, and twenty-four Saint Origin Spirit Fruits every day.
He was fine on Spirit Stones and did not lack them for the time being. The increase in Spirit Liquid, however, was a great help, finally allowing him to cultivate without restraint. As for the Saint Origin Spirit Fruit, he still didn't know its use, so he would deal with it later.
After Qin Xiao returned to his room, Lin Shimeng found another room under Yun Man's guidance. From now on, this would be Lin Shimeng's room.
"This is it?"
Looking at the dusty room, Lin Shimeng instantly lost interest. Compared to her own room, this looked like a storage closet.
"Clean it yourself. I'm going back to cultivate."
Yun Man naturally noticed Lin Shimeng's disgust, but it was none of her concern. It was up to her whether she wanted to stay or not.
"Hey, wait a minute. Can I decorate this room however I want?"
Lin Shimeng hastily called out to the departing Yun Man.
"Do as you please. Master doesn't manage these things. You can do whatever you want with it. If there's nothing else, I'm going back to cultivate."
Although Yun Man was cold and disliked Lin Shimeng, they were now fellow disciples, so she forced herself to answer patiently.
"That's good."
Lin Shimeng knew that Yun Man didn't get along with her, so she said no more. She now needed to return to her room on the Main Peak to move all her belongings over. This room had nothing but a dusty, broken bed.
Shortly after Lin Shimeng left, two figures hidden in the dense forest not far from the courtyard began to converse.
"Senior Brother, it seems the Sect Leader is determined to protect Qin Xiao. Even the Holy Maiden is running to Seven Stars Peak."
These two were Scouts sent by Immortal Sword Peak to monitor Seven Stars Peak and keep a constant eye on the movements of Qin Xiao and the others. The moment Qin Xiao dared to leave Seven Stars Peak, they were to notify the Great Elder.
"Stop talking nonsense. We just need to do our own job well. What the higher-ups intend to do is not for us to question."
The one called Senior Brother harshly reprimanded him.
In truth, it wasn't just Scouts from Immortal Sword Peak outside Seven Stars Peak right now. The other peaks had also stationed people nearby. Although this was a struggle between the Sect Leader and the Great Elder, Qin Xiao was the center of the whirlpool, so they all had to keep a close eye on the movements at Seven Stars Peak.
Lin Shimeng had just returned to her room and was packing her things when Lin Tiancheng walked in.
"Meng'er, what are you doing?"
Lin Tiancheng looked at Lin Shimeng with a curious expression.
"Father, I have already joined Seven Stars Peak. I am packing my things to move there."
Lin Shimeng had accepted her new status. With so many resources on offer, what did her pride matter? If she lived elsewhere and Qin Xiao gave Yun Man extra supplies, she would miss out!
"Even though you've taken Qin Xiao as your master, you don't necessarily have to move to Seven Stars Peak, right? Wouldn't going once a month be enough?"
Lin Tiancheng asked with some concern.
The Great Elder had yet to make a move, so Seven Stars Peak was still relatively safe. But if the old man suddenly went senile and crazy, launching a forceful attack on Seven Stars Peak, wouldn't his daughter be in danger as well?
"Ah, Father, just don't worry about it. I'm now a disciple of Seven Stars Peak. What is wrong with moving there?"
Lin Shimeng wanted to tell Lin Tiancheng her true thoughts, but she chose to remain silent. Qin Xiao held far too many secrets, so it was best to keep them confidential for now. She couldn't even tell her father.
"Ah, a grown daughter has a mind of her own. Alright, it's your decision."
Seeing Lin Shimeng's determination, Lin Tiancheng said no more. At worst, he would just send a few more disciples to keep a close watch on Immortal Sword Peak and Seven Stars Peak.
What he was truly curious about now was what exactly Qin Xiao had said to his daughter. Not only had he convinced her to take him as a master, but she even wanted to move to Seven Stars Peak. He knew his daughter's proud personality well—just what kind of benefits had Qin Xiao offered her?
"Sect Leader, the manager of the Immortal Dao Merchant Association, the Elder of Pure Yang Sect, and the Elder of Mysterious Yin Sect have all arrived. The Tenth Elder sent me to call for you."
Just as Lin Tiancheng was pondering this, a disciple came to report.
"Mm, I understand. You may go."
Lin Tiancheng gave the order, dismissing the reporting disciple.
"Daughter, take your time packing. I have matters to attend to. Once I am finished, I will come visit you at Seven Stars Peak."
Lin Tiancheng said to Lin Shimeng before turning to leave.
All three factions were stronger than the Tianyuan Sect. They had agreed to meet here out of regard for Qin Xiao: he had rescued their prodigies from the second layer, and they owed him that much courtesy.
The three who arrived were the exact same three who had led the teams before. Regarding the matter of the secret realm, their respective forces had assigned them to handle the task.
"Your visit truly honors our Tianyuan Sect, Fellow Daoists."
Upon stepping into the reception hall, Lin Tiancheng greeted them politely.
"You are too kind, Sect Leader Lin. The honor is ours."
Wu Li of the Immortal Dao Merchant Association was quick to respond.
"Alright, enough pleasantries. May I ask Sect Leader Lin, why isn't Elder Wen joining us to discuss matters? She was also the team-leading Elder for your Tianyuan Sect."
Li Huan, an Elder of the Mysterious Yin Sect, bluntly bypassed the pleasantries. He had come specifically to see Wen Yuanying. Otherwise, he would never have accepted this assignment.
"Brother Li is still as straightforward as ever. I've already sent someone to notify Junior Sister Wen. She will arrive in a moment."
Although Lin Tiancheng was somewhat speechless, he still offered an explanation.
Lin Tiancheng knew Li Huan, of course. In their younger days, Li Huan had often visited the Tianyuan Sect to court Wen Yuanying, Lin Tiancheng's junior sister. Lin Tiancheng had even beaten him up while standing up for her.
"Straightforward, my ass! Lin Tiancheng, you mean I'm a toad dreaming of a swan, don't you? That she's out of my league? Becoming Sect Leader has turned you into a hypocrite. I don't know what she sees in you."
Li Huan made no effort to be civil to Lin Tiancheng. He knew Wen Yuanying liked the man. Why should he be pleasant to his rival in love?
"Enough, Li Huan. Give it a rest."
Elder Qi Hu of the Pure Yang Sect couldn't stand it anymore and spoke up.
"What are you playing the peacemaker for, you old fossil? You've only grown in age. You're nearly four hundred years old and still only at the late-stage of Soul Formation!"
Li Huan was like a lit powder keg, lashing out at anyone he caught sight of.
"Why are you snapping at everyone like a mad dog? I can't be bothered to argue with you."
Qi Hu was famously good-tempered and truly couldn't be bothered to stoop to Li Huan's level.
"Li Huan, if you want to throw a fit, go back to your Mysterious Yin Sect. This is my Tianyuan Sect."
Just as the group was bickering, Wen Yuanying arrived.