Chapter 394: Dispute

The Mission Hall is located in the southwest of the Cangxuan Sect. On a mist-shrouded mountain peak stands a majestic hall, with long stone steps stretching down from the peak, presenting a magnificent sight.

The Mission Hall is also a popular place within the Cangxuan Sect. At all times, countless disciples arrive, treading on Origin Qi, to accept and hand in missions.

And today, the Mission Hall was exceptionally bustling.

Numerous purple-sash disciples from various peaks gathered here, creating a clamor. The subject of their clamor was clearly the Heaven-Tier mission to "Black Flame Prefecture," which was officially commencing tomorrow.

"The selection for this mission is too unfair!" someone exclaimed. "It's fine for others, but Zhou Yuan is merely a newly promoted purple-sash disciple. What qualifications does he have to participate in a Heaven-Tier mission?!"

"Exactly. Although Zhou Yuan's talent is decent, he ultimately lacks experience," another chimed in. "For a Heaven-Tier mission, he might be qualified after another year or two, but now... he's probably a bit short."

"Heh heh, I heard that Senior Sister Li Qingchan recommended him," someone else remarked. "I don't know what's so good about that kid that he could gain Senior Sister Li's favor."

"Nonsense! Don't imply anything else!" someone retorted. "What kind of person is Senior Sister Li Qingchan? She's seen countless prodigies. How could a mere Zhou Yuan catch her eye? There must be some other reason."

The noisy voices echoed through the Mission Hall's mountain peak. Among them were not a few tinged with jealousy. After all, this time, Zhou Yuan was unexpectedly strongly recommended by Li Qingchan, the Cangxuan Sect's famously cold beauty. Countless disciples within the Cangxuan Sect admired Li Qingchan, and seeing their goddess so strongly recommend Zhou Yuan, they naturally felt deeply uncomfortable.

Inside a side hall on the mountain peak.

There were ten figures in the room. In the seats of honor, Li Qingchan's beautiful face was as cold as frost. Beside her sat a young man with narrow eyes, a long sword resting on his lap, and his slender fingers lightly tapping on it.

A faint but extremely sharp sword intent emanated from his body, and faintly, the hum of a sword echoed.

This person was precisely Zhao Zhu, the second Saint Son of Sword Coming Peak.

Below the two, stood several young figures with extraordinary presence. Upon closer inspection, they were all exceptionally famous purple-sash disciples from various peaks of the Cangxuan Sect. Compared to them, even Xu Yan was somewhat weaker.

"Heh heh, Senior Sister Li," Zhao Zhu said with a faint smile, "you should be well aware of how important this mission is. When we go to Black Flame Prefecture, we will have to face the three major powerhouse sects: the Sacred Palace, the Hundred Flowers Immortal Palace, and the Northern Sea Suppressing Dragon Hall. The disciples they send this time will certainly be their elite. This poses no small challenge for us."

The atmosphere in the side hall was somewhat oppressive. Zhao Zhu, however, smiled slightly and continued, "And now Senior Sister Li insists on having this Zhou Yuan join the team. Isn't that taking the sect's interests a bit too lightly?"

As soon as Zhao Zhu spoke, several figures in the side hall couldn't help but nod.

Li Qingchan's exquisite face was covered in frost as she coldly stated, "As the captain, I have this right. I believe he is capable."

"Hmph."

Below Zhao Zhu, a disciple scoffed. The man had disheveled hair, but his fingernails were entirely dark, emitting a chilling and sharp aura.

This person was Qin Hai, a very famous purple-sash disciple from Sword Coming Peak.

"Senior Sister Li, this mission is a team effort," Qin Hai said with a smile. "If our mission fails because you insist on bringing this burden, and we can't obtain Heaven Contribution points, then even if you are a Saint Son, we would find that somewhat unacceptable."

"Whatever effort he lacks, I will make up for it," Li Qingchan said, staring coldly at Qin Hai. "Or are you questioning my strength?"

Faced with Li Qingchan's chilling gaze, Qin Hai froze and let out a dry laugh. Although he had a considerable reputation among purple-sash disciples, he was naturally still far inferior compared to a Saint Son ranked third like Li Qingchan.

"Heh heh, Senior Sister Li, Qin Hai didn't mean to question your strength," Zhao Zhu said with a smile, seeing the situation. "However, what he said earlier is indeed correct. We are a team, so we cannot allow a burden."

"Zhou Yuan does indeed have some talent, I won't deny that," he continued. "But he is, after all, just a newly promoted purple-sash disciple, lacking considerably in experience. Therefore, I suggest that Junior Brother Wang Lei take his spot."

His gaze turned to the far end of the side hall. There, he saw a man whose physique was as tall and sturdy as if cast from iron. A fierce surge of Origin Qi emanated from his body.

This Wang Lei was also a disciple of Sword Coming Peak.

Evidently, having finally encountered a Heaven-Tier mission, Zhao Zhu was trying his best to bring in disciples from Sword Coming Peak. However, the disciples he brought in matched their strength with their reputation, so even if others saw his intention, there was nothing they could say.

Li Qingchan's eyes were cold.

"Senior Brother Zhao Zhu, although this mission is important, in fact, not everyone will necessarily act in the end," a female voice interjected. "Senior Sister Li Qingchan hasn't even brought many disciples from Snow Lotus Peak this time, while Senior Brother Zhao Zhu has already secured four spots for disciples from Sword Coming Peak."

"I think it would be best if everyone took a step back, and we finalize the spots quickly," she continued. "Then we can work together to complete the mission, wouldn't that be best?"

The speaker was a woman seated below Li Qingchan. Dressed in black clothes and long pants, her lithe figure appeared exceptionally slender, especially her long, straight legs, sheathed neatly in her trousers.

She was also exquisitely beautiful, and her hands, clasped in front of her, gleamed like white jade.

This woman was Bai Li, a purple-sash disciple from Hongya Peak with considerable fame. Although she didn't understand why Li Qingchan insisted on bringing Zhou Yuan, she was, after all, acquainted with Li Qingchan and naturally spoke up to help her out of a difficult situation.

Her words implied that this time, to protect Zhou Yuan, Li Qingchan had already conceded to Zhao Zhu, which was why there were already several Sword Coming Peak disciples present. But Zhao Zhu was still being aggressive, which was a bit excessive.

Zhao Zhu gently stroked his sword, then smiled faintly and said, "Junior Sister Bai Li, my actions are not for selfish reasons. They are solely for the sake of our mission."

"Presumably, Junior Sister Bai Li also doesn't want the mission to fail and everyone to return empty-handed, right?"

Bai Li fell silent. Rationally speaking, she felt that Zhao Zhu's words weren't wrong, as nobody wanted to bring a burden who would just freeload on the Heaven Contribution points.

Seeing this, Zhao Zhu's lips curved into a smile as he continued, "Senior Sister Li must have sent someone to inform Zhou Yuan earlier, right? Look, we've waited for a long time, but this Junior Brother still hasn't shown his face. He's completely left Senior Sister Li to bear the pressure here. This action truly shows a lack of courage."

His words were truly vicious.

Once he said this, even Bai Li's delicate brows furrowed in displeasure. She evidently also felt that Zhou Yuan's behavior showed a lack of responsibility. Why would Li Qingchan strongly defend someone like this?

After all, Li Qingchan had recommended him, yet even now, he didn't dare to show his face. He must be afraid of enduring the pressure of so many people's doubts, right?

Li Qingchan's beautiful face remained cold, showing no emotion, but a flicker of annoyance crossed her eyes.

However, just as she was about to speak, a sudden commotion came from outside the side hall. Then, they saw a tall, slender young figure step inside, entering the side hall.

"I was cultivating earlier, which caused a delay," the young man said. "I hope all Senior Brothers and Senior Sisters will not mind."

The young figure's gaze swept across the side hall; he clasped his hands and smiled, finally looking directly at Zhao Zhu, who was beside Li Qingchan.

"Senior Brother Zhao Zhu," he said, "what would it take for you to not consider me a burden?"

"Why don't you lay down the terms? Today, I, Zhou Yuan, will accept them."