Tian Yao was deliberating. She felt the light weight of the bag in her left hand and saw the forced smile of the girl kneeling below. Since she wasn't losing anything, she nodded in answer.
Xiaomeng's face bloomed in a genuine smile. She was saved! Getting up, she placed her right foot on the stage. The next moment, Tian Yao's hand appeared in front of her and flicked her forehead with force. She found herself falling back onto the stairs.
Tian Yao caught the falling girl and once again pulled her up. "Second hit." And she once again flicked Xiaomeng down. Not again, Xiaomeng shouted in her mind.
However, being prepared this time, Xiaomeng turned her body midair and landed on her own two feet, her body stabilizing with ease. Looking up, she gave Tian Yao an accusing look and got silence as a reply. But since she had made the best exit from the stage today, she decided to let it go. Ignoring the cheers from the audience, she hurried back to her seat, where her Senior Sister Lan welcomed her with open arms.
On the stage, Tian Yao focused her attention on the Third Elder. Realizing what she meant, the Third Elder proclaimed, "First Place, Tian Yao from First Peak. Second Place, Xiaomeng from Fourth Peak. The tournament is now officially over." Announcing the result, he disappeared from his place and emerged beside the other Elders.
Fourth Elder was trembling while sitting in his seat. Still, a little laughter was leaking from him, drawing the ire of others. Stifling his laughter, he gazed at Lu Wancheng. "Sect Master, about the distribution of the spirit stone mine?"
"You two can divide a half among yourselves," Lu Wancheng lazily replied. "But you will have to send disciples from your own peaks to guard it. As for the other half…" His eyes glanced at the others sitting around, lingering on the Fifth Elder for a moment longer. "Let the Fifth and the Sixth Elder handle its extraction. It will be stored with the sect reserves."
Not satisfied with the arrangement, Fourth Elder wanted to argue. He tried getting up. But two hands emerged from his sides and pushed him down. First Elder and Second Elder were glaring at him.
Meanwhile, Tian Yao stepped off the stage, making her way to the First Peak. The surrounding audience also gradually dispersed. In no time, the previously bustling arena was completely empty.
Gazing at the unoccupied pavilions, Lu Wancheng gestured at them. The constructs swiftly shrank. After becoming the size of fingers, they floated towards their owner. Moving from above the elders, they entered Lu Wancheng's extended hand and were stored in his storage ring. After discussing important sect matters, the elders also adjourned their meeting.
First Elder returned to his peak. Instead of going inside his residence, he proceeded towards Tian Yao's living quarters. Entering the large courtyard, he saw her sitting on the stone bench. The newly brought maple tree protected her from the midday sun's heat.
Tian Yao was applying medicine to her injured hand. Not reacting to the footsteps coming from behind, she continued to apply ointment over the swollen pink surface. After feeling satisfied, she wrapped it with a bandage. It would heal in just three days, she thought. Then her attention turned to the First Elder standing beside her.
After opening and closing his mouth a few times, First Elder finally gathered his thoughts. "You should stop being so extreme all the time. Even if you had taken it easier, you would still have won."
Tian Yao tilted her head. "He challenged me, so I responded in kind. Also, weren't you smiling broadly when I was throwing everyone off?"
Being caught, First Elder cleared his throat. Before he could say anything, Tian Yao extended her hand. Looking at the open palm, First Elder's face fell. He resignedly took a small pouch from his storage ring and handed it over. Tian Yao opened the pouch and carefully counted the spirit stones inside. Exactly one hundred middle-grade ones.
First Elder's eyes twitched. He cried inwardly at his dwindling finances. But thinking about the mining revenue, his mood lifted. His moods were changing as quickly as a pendulum swing. His attention went to the bandaged hand. Standing there, he thought for a few moments.
"I will get someone to permanently stay here and look after you," the First Elder moved towards the exit. "The way you are going, your body may very well be destroyed from reckless actions, rather than cultivation backlash or tribulations." Tian Yao simply observed his back as he moved away.
At least say thank you, First Elder cursed in his mind. Exiting the courtyard, he spread his spiritual sense towards Tieshan's living quarters. The burly boy was sleeping face down on his bed. His hand appeared normal, unlike Tian Yao's. It seemed only one helper was needed. Floating in the air, First Elder made his way to the Fourth Peak.
At that time, in the central hall of the Alchemy Peak, Fourth Elder was laughing with reckless abandon. Standing in front of him were Xiaomeng and Lan Xue. Winning the rights to the spirit stone mine, even a little, had put him in a good mood.
Xiaomeng smiled while looking at her peak master. All her willpower was being used to control herself from lashing out at this moment. After all, she had lost all her wealth in a single day. From the richest new disciple on her peak, she had turned into a penniless one. And the one who made her that way was busy enjoying his laurels.
After feeling satisfied, the Fourth Elder lightly waved his hand and a spirit stone pouch appeared in his palm. "Since you have brought glory to my peak, I will give…" But he was interrupted by the First Elder, who had appeared in the hall.
First Elder's eyes scanned the gathering of three and he nodded. Everyone he had work with was present. He sent a voice transmission directly to the Fourth Elder, sitting at the head of the hall. "I want this girl to take care of Tian Yao." That girl would at least get along with someone her age, he thought.
Fourth Elder made a baffled expression, eyes wide and mouth open. The only person he could think of who could get the First Elder to come here was his fourth disciple. He fixed his eyes on Lan Xue, who, after noticing it, gave him a questioning look.
"None can do," Fourth Elder retorted. How could I give away my prized disciple! "She is my personal disciple." It was already hard to get a decent disciple in these times; he would really be an idiot if he really let a caught fish slip away.
"What?" First Elder blurted out. Confusion clearly written all over his face. It was unusual for making a Qi Refinement Realm cultivator a personal disciple, unless there were special circumstances or they showed heaven defying talent. And from his observations, although Xiaomeng was talented, there were already a dozen disciples better than her. There must definitely be something special about her.
Both Elders were completely taken in by the other while discussing a completely different person in the room, leading to some unexpected developments. All while both the girl in the hall gave them weird looks, watching them stare into each other's eyes for an extended period of time. Gathering his thoughts, First Elder again transmitted, "State your demand. I will definitely not be cheap like you. I can even increase your share in the spirit-stone mine."
Hearing these words, the Fourth Elder's mind reeled. The share not only gave spirit-stones but also spiritual liquid. And at his level, he needed at least mid-grade spirit stones or good quality spiritual liquid for cultivation.
While he was thinking, the Fourth Elder's eyes fell on Xiaomeng. This brat also seemed good and was quick on her feet. He had heard from Lan Xue that this one had some talent in alchemy but he had yet to see it for himself. It seemed like a good idea to let her go to the first peak for some time.
"You do know that the young one is nearly a grade-one alchemist?" Fourth Elder transmitted, not knowing that Xiaomeng was nearing the second grade.
First Elder simply nodded. He had already expected that. That was the reason she was the most ideal candidate. Seeing his calm reaction, Fourth Elder continued. "So, you can take her with you. And in return, we will split the spirit stone mine evenly."
Instead of being happy, First Elder felt something was very wrong. But he couldn't place a finger on it. Since a good opportunity had presented itself, he decided to just go ahead with it. "Okay. Send her to the first peak tomorrow morning." Finishing the transmission, First Elder disappeared from his place, going back to his peak.
Left alone in the hall, the two girls gazed at the Fourth Elder for answers. Scratching his scrawny beard, the Fourth Elder replied while looking straight at Xiaomeng. "You will be going to the first peak tomorrow. Stay there for some time."
Lan Xue was confused. And Xiaomeng completely dumbfounded. Didn't she already risk her life once just to stay here? Why was she being thrown out so suddenly? The restraints holding her back snapped, and glaring at the Fourth Elder, she shouted, "You..."
Wealth. We are all slaves of wealth. And Xiaomeng was certainly not an exception. After seeing an extra bag in Fourth Elder's hand, her words caught in her throat. Pointing her hand, she could only mutter, "That…"
Fourth Elder smiled at this response. Using his spiritual energy, he sent both the bags towards Xiaomeng. Catching them, Xiaomeng felt the sharp edges and warmth radiating from them even through the cloth. From their weight, she estimated them to be around a thousand low-grade spirit stones each. Did this cheapskate peak master think that she would sell her dignity for such a measly sum?
"When should I get going?" Xiaomeng asked with a cheerful voice. Facts proved, she would definitely sell it.
Fourth Elder gave a light laugh at this. "Get going tomorrow morning. Take your things with you; they would have prepared lodgings for you there."
Xiaomeng bowed one last time and went out. As for Lan Xue, she was still standing at her place, frozen. The only thought running through her mind was, I'm going to lose another assistant. Coming out of her reverie, she gave the Fourth Elder an angry glare before heading out.
"What is wrong with her? Did she eat something wrong this morning?" Fourth Elder muttered.