Chapter 107

Chapter 107: Tally

The Ling Xu Peak disciples suddenly broke into open complaints. Meng Yi Fei blinked, glanced at Immortal Ling Xu, and asked: “What is going on? Did Ling Xu Peak fail to distribute the ordinary disciples’ resources this month?”

Immortal Ling Xu’s face darkened. He had known about Sheng Yuan’s approach and hadn’t cared, as long as the problem got solved and didn’t land on him. But once it blew up in public, it was a different story. With resources withheld from ordinary disciples, where was he supposed to put his Peak Master’s face?

He rounded on Sheng Yuan and demanded: “Sheng Yuan, explain.” Pale and flustered, Sheng Yuan said: “Junior Sister had to repay the Artifact Pavilion’s spirit stones. I had no choice, so I…” He turned to Ye Zhao Zhao with hopeful eyes and said: “Zhao Zhao, since you kept so many precious talismans, take them out and exchange them for spirit stones. Then everything will be solved.”

Ye Zhao Zhao’s lips trembled as panic rose: “First Senior Brother, I kept those talismans to gain bigger benefits in the Langya Secret Realm. Now they’re all used up. I really have nothing left.”

“So this is what you got in exchange for such precious talismans?” Luo Ming Yue glanced with open disdain at the tiny pile Ye Zhao Zhao and Chang Le An had produced. Even ordinary disciples had done better. This was the result after using rare talismans. [How useless are the two of you.]

This time, Sheng Yuan didn’t rush to shield Ye Zhao Zhao. Looking at her, he pressed his lips thin and said: “Zhao Zhao, don’t be willful. If you have resources, bring them out.”

Ye Zhao Zhao looked miserably wronged. [I wish I had any, but my sleeves are empty. I don’t even have those talismans. Wasn’t that all made up?] She forced out: “I really have nothing left,” and stared at Sheng Yuan with watery eyes. [First Senior Brother, how could you push me like this.]

Yan Xiao asked at once: “First Senior Brother, what now? You said once we were back from the Langya Secret Realm, our resources would be returned.” Others from Ling Xu Peak grumbled too. One disciple started, voice tight with frustration: “Things used to be fine. Ever since Senior Sister Li left, Ling Xu Peak has been more and more…” A companion yanked his sleeve, and he shut his mouth in fright. He hadn’t finished the sentence, but everyone caught the point. After Li Shuang left and Sheng Yuan took over as First Senior Brother, they had claimed life would get better. Now even they didn’t believe that line.

“Enough,” Meng Yi Fei said in a low voice, “look where we are. In front of the other Five Sects, what are you doing?” Immortal Ling Xu bowed slightly and said: “Sect Master, once I understand everything, I will handle it.” Meng Yi Fei let it drop for now and turned to Liu Jun Cheng and Li Shuang, saying: “Only your tallies are left. Go.”

Li Shuang and Liu Jun Cheng answered and walked to the disciples in charge of counting. Yun Qing Yu told Yan Fan: “Yan Fan, Cangyuan Sect is only missing you. Go.” Yan Fan headed over too.

This time the Demon Clan had forced its way in, and the Six Sects suffered heavy losses. Out of the three hundred disciples who entered, a little over two hundred returned. Many stayed forever inside the secret realm. The others had already tallied their gains. Because of the Demon Clan, their harvests were much less than the last time.

By total resources, the Ranking Champion was still Cangyuan Sect, followed by Unity Sect, Thousand Mechanisms Sect, Bright Light Sect, and Absolute Resolve Sect. Sword Sect was last. The amounts roughly matched the usual sect rankings. No one expected this to change. Even though Sword Sect had two people left and Cangyuan Sect had one, few believed Liu Jun Cheng and Li Shuang could shift the standings. Even if Ye Zhao Zhao called Li Shuang a peerless genius, most figured the Goldenwing Eagle fell mainly to the talisman, with Yan Fan contributing second and Li Shuang only assisting. After all, she was just at the Qi Refining Stage.

Soon, the final tally began on both sides. Liu Jun Cheng went first. He patted his storage bag, and a heap of resources appeared. Meng Yi Fei’s eyes lit up. Liu Jun Cheng’s haul was larger than expected. [Maybe Sword Sect can climb a little.]

Steward Chen led a group to count, calling out as they went: “One section of five-hundred-year First Tier green bamboo.” “Three Third Tier Mystic Light Fruits.” “Three Second Tier Lotus Pod Fruits.” “Oh? One whole Fourth Tier Nine-Tailed Fox Herb.” “This is a Third Tier ore, Red Wolf Stone.”

Liu Jun Cheng’s gains were solid, and the Sword Sect crowd brightened. But soon the Cangyuan Sect tally started.

Voices rose from that side one after another: “Second Tier Glimmergold, fifteen pieces.” “Three Fourth Tier Agarwood Fruits.” “Heavens, what’s this, a whole plant of Fifth Tier Golden Dragon Grass.” “Wait, there’s Fifth Tier Purple Qi Earth.” “And Fifth Tier Frost Jade.”

Yan Fan had brought out three kinds of Fifth Tier treasures. Just those three outweighed nearly everything else. Fifth Tier resources were usually guarded by very powerful Demonic Beasts. For Yan Fan to carry out three kinds showed frightening talent.

Yun Qing Yu smiled in quiet satisfaction and said: “Well done.” Then, in a mild voice, she added: “It seems the result of this tally is already clear.” Cangyuan Sect would still be first.

Meng Yi Fei let out a small sigh. With Liu Jun Cheng’s haul, Sword Sect was close to Absolute Resolve Sect but still a little short. With only Li Shuang left, they might barely reach fifth at best, and that would be all.

Lin Qing Ling smiled and said to Li Shuang: “Little Shuang, your turn.” She didn’t care about winning or losing. If both disciples returned safe, she was content. “Yes,” Li Shuang answered sweetly, then stepped before Steward Chen.

Yan Fan couldn’t help looking over, eyes solemn. He had always seen Li Shuang as his biggest rival, and that had not changed even after she chose to rebuild her foundation. Noticing his gaze, Yun Qing Yu paused and thought: [Oh? My disciple seems to take Li Shuang very seriously.] She, too, turned to look at Li Shuang.