Chapter 3: The Qin Family is Screwed, One Sword to Kill
"Sister?"
Beside Qin Yue'er, her seven or eight-year-old sister, Qin Muxi, suddenly spoke up.
"Hmm?"
"There's a big lecher on the third floor of the attic, always staring at you," Qin Muxi pouted.
Qin Yue'er looked over and was startled.
On the third floor of the attic, there were two sect masters, one from Sword Mountain Sect and the other from Azure Sea Pavilion. How could there possibly be a big lecher?
Qin Yue'er didn't know Wang Zhong, but anyone sitting with those two sect Masters couldn't be ordinary.
Qin Yue'er quickly covered Qin Muxi's mouth, "Muxi, don't talk nonsense."
Qin Muxi broke free and didn't continue, but she made a face at Wang Zhong.
Wang Zhong gave an embarrassed smile and touched his nose.
He was mistaken for a big lecher?
Those had reached the Myriad Manifestation Realm could hear any conversation from the square if they wanted.
Song Hongyan also heard it too, and she burst into laughter. However, she was inwardly resentful.
If only Wang Zhong really were a big lecher!
The next moment, Wang Zhong's expression darkened.
Song Hongyan looked over and saw a person approaching Qin Yue'er.
The newcomer was also from Qingzhou Prefecture, and his name was Liu Yifei. The Liu family was also one of the three major families in the city and had always been at odds with the Qin family.
"Qin Yue'er, I'll give you one last chance. Marry me, and I will protect your Qin family," Liu Yifei arrogantly stated.
"Keep dreaming!" Qin Yue'er retorted angrily.
"Hmph! Don’t make me force you out of it. I'll tell you the truth, you can't join Sword Mountain Sect or Azure Sea Pavilion, because I've secured the reserved spot for participants from Qingzhou Prefecture," Liu Yifei sneered.
What?
Upon hearing this, Qin Yue'er was completely stunned.
Sword Mountain Sect and Azure Sea Pavilion had an unwritten rule that when recruiting disciples in Qingzhou Prefecture, there would generally be a limit on the number in each city or region. This was to ensure that the lower-ranked sects could recruit disciples of a certain caliber.
Otherwise, there would be unnecessary for this Ascension Conference.
And in Qingzhou Prefecture, the usual number was one.
Unless someone had exceptional talent, but that was a different story.
Though Qin Yue'er was outstanding in Qingzhou Prefecture, but in the entire Qingzhou Prefecture, she could only be considered average.
It was incredibly difficult for Sword Mountain Sect or Azure Sea Pavilion to break the rules and recruit extra disciples.
As difficult as reaching the sky!
Thinking of this, Qin Yue'er's face was filled with despair.
Was God really going to destroy her family?
Thinking of the appearance of the Young Lord from Mountain Moving Sect, Qin Yue'er couldn't help but shiver.
"Reserved spot? Sect Master Yan, Sect Master Song, do you know about this?" Wang Zhong asked.
"I, Azure Sea Pavilion, cannot possibly recruit such a disciple," Song Hongyan directly shook her head. Although she saw Qin Yue'er as a competitor, Liu Yifei's words irritated her.
"Let me check." Yan Tiesheng spoke and promptly left. He returned soon after.
"This young man is favored by an elder from our Sword Mountain Sect. Because the elder in Sword Mountain Sect had a previous connection with Old Master Liu, a favor was granted," Yan Tiesheng explained.
Yan Tiesheng felt a headache coming on.
Originally, this wasn't a big deal, and it was considered a privilege for the elders within the sect.
But unexpectedly, it had caused an issue with Wang Zhong.
Yan Tiesheng didn't want this to affect his friendship with Wang Zhong.
"Sect Master Yan, Sword Mountain Sect does not have a reserved spot in Qingzhou Prefecture. I owe you a favor," Wang Zhong calmly stated.
"As long as it's Sect Master Wang asking, there's no problem," Yan Tiesheng replied with a smile. He hadn't expected that what he thought was a bad thing would also bring him a favor.
Yan Tiesheng immediately gave his orders.
Afterward, Qin Yue'er and Liu Yifei from Qingzhou Prefecture, among others, gradually participated in the testing.
"Qin Yue'er from Qingzhou Prefecture, Gathering Qi fifth stage, with Yellow-Stage aptitude."
"Liu Yifei from Qingzhou Prefecture, Gathering Qi fifth stage, Yellow-Stage aptitude."
...
Compared to the outstanding performances of Qi Heng, Xi Chengcheng, and Wu Yifeng, Qin Yue'er, Liu Yifei, and others could only be considered average.
Yan Tiesheng and Song Hongyan were slightly disappointed.
Originally, they thought Qin Yue'er would have a special performance.
Unexpectedly, it turned out like this.
Had Wang Zhong made a mistake?
Or was Wang Zhong focused on Qin Yue'er's actual combat strength?
Once the aptitude tests were completed, the next step was grouping for practical combat.
Unfortunately, Liu Yifei and Qin Yue'er happened to be in the same group, they were evenly matched and ended in a draw.
In the next match, Qin Yue'er lost to a cultivator at the Gathering Qi sixth stage.
Qin Yue'er had already tried her best, but the gap in strength was clear.
This result left Yan Tiesheng and Song Hongyan somewhat puzzled.
Wasn't this Qin Yue'er quite ordinary?
Why was Wang Zhong so concerned about her?
"Sect Master Wang, do you still insist on taking her?" Song Hongyan asked.
"I've made up my mind," Wang Zhong nodded.
By the time the comparisons were finished, it was already afternoon.
Some began to announce the results.
This was the most nerve-wracking moment.
All the cultivators participating in the Ascension Conference had their hearts in their throats, especially Qin Yue'er.
The elders of the Qin family knew that according to her performance, she didn't have much chances, but they still held a glimmer of hope.
The first to be announced were the cultivators joining the less prestigious sects, followed by those joining the lower-ranked sects. Of course, this didn't include Spacious Spirit Sect.
After the announcements, neither Qin Yue'er nor Liu Yifei's names were heard.
Qin Yue'er's hands slipped into her sleeves, clutching her clothes tightly.
Qin Muxi stood beside Qin Yue'er, her small hand slipping into Qin Yue'er's sleeve and holding on hers tightly.
Afterward, the names of the Sword Mountain Sect and Azure Sea Pavilion were announced.
"Qi Heng from Xi Mountain, joins the Sword Mountain Sect."
"Xi Chengcheng from Liang Mountain, joins the Azure Sea Pavilion."
...
Even after the announcements, Qin Yue'er's name was still not heard.
Her petite face turned pale, her head buzzing, and she almost couldn't stand straight. Fortunately, Qin Muxi steadied her.
This was it! She was doomed! The Qin family was done!
Her heart now felt as lifeless as ashes. The Qin family elders standing behind Qin Yue'er shared the same thoughts. They could already see the fate of the Qin family – a scene too horrifying to contemplate.
Joining Qin Yue'er in her stunned state were Liu Yifei and Wu Yifeng. They couldn't believe that no one had chosen them.
Liu Yifei immediately stepped forward, "I am Liu Yifei from Qingzhou Prefecture. May I inquire if there has been an oversight in the list for Sword Mountain Sect?"
"No oversights have occurred," replied the elder announcing the names.
"It can't be! Elder Mo promised my family a reserved spot. How can he go back on his word?" Liu Yifei urgently demanded. For this spot, the Liu family had invested significant resources, besides the goodwill they held. If Liu Yifei couldn't join Sword Mountain Sect, he would surely face trouble upon his return.
"Are you questioning Sword Mountain Sect?" Yan Tiesheng's voice resonated, and a surge of spiritual energy enveloped him.
Liu Yifei's face turned ashen, and he couldn't find his words.
Afterward, no one else dared to question the outcome.
Wang Zhong stood up and looked in the direction of the Qin family. "Qin Yue'er, would you be willing to become my direct disciple?"
What?
A direct disciple?
Originally, Qin Yue'er's heart was as lifeless as ashes. She hadn't expected anyone to be willing to accept her as a direct disciple. This reignited hope within her.
However, when Qin Yue'er saw who spoke, and it was none other than Wang Zhong, her expression shifted from despair to hesitation.
If Yan Tiesheng or Song Hongyan had made the offer, Qin Yue'er would have immediately knelt and paid her respects to her master. However, she didn't know this Wang Zhong. Even though he was on equal footing with Yan Tiesheng and Song Hongyan, what was his true strength?
If he wasn’t powerful enough to assist the Qin family, then what was the use of becoming his direct disciple?
"Qin Yue'er, I never expected you to be so cheap. You knew very well that you couldn't join Sword Mountain Sect or Azure Sea Pavilion, yet you attempted to cozy up to a lower-ranked sect. Did you really think this could save your family?" Liu Yifei sneered from the side.
Liu Yifei was filled with frustration knowing that he couldn't join Sword Mountain Sect. Now, he saw another sect willing to accept Qin Yue'er as a direct disciple, he was both jealous and irritated.
As for who Wang Zhong was, Liu Yifei couldn't care less. As long as he didn't provoke Sword Mountain Sect and Azure Sea Pavilion, the Liu family's strength was more than enough to safeguard themselves in Qingzhou Prefecture.
However, as soon as Liu Yifei spoke, a surge of power erupted from Wang Zhong. In an instant, an overwhelming pressure filled the area, causing everyone present to shudder.
At the same time, with a simple movement of his finger, Yan Tiesheng's large sword at his feet unsheathed, and a sword beam directly cleaved Liu Yifei!
Gifts
-- Gift
received Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone