132: Chapter 132: Eloquent Tongue

"What? Betray the Sect?"

"Entering the Secret Realm under another Sect's identity? This is a major taboo!"

"You've got a lot of nerve!"

The Disciples waiting in line to submit their quests cast sideways glances at Xiao Yuan, their eyes filled with disdain and schadenfreude.

Although this kind of matter was nothing behind closed doors, bringing it out into the open truly made the Sect lose face.

Yun Qingwan furrowed her brows slightly, her gaze falling upon Xiao Yuan.

"Xiao Yuan?" she spoke softly, her voice gentle yet carrying a hint of majesty, "Is what Chen Yin said true?"

Xiao Yuan stood in place with little expression on his face.

He glanced at Chen Yin, then looked at Yun Qingwan, and suddenly smiled.

"Elder, if I say it's not true, would you believe me?"

A trace of amusement flashed through Yun Qingwan's eyes: "Then tell me, which Sect's identity did you use to enter the Secret Realm this time?"

Xiao Yuan sighed and did not hide it: "The Tianjian Sect."

"He admitted it!" Chen Yin was overjoyed, pointing at Xiao Yuan, "Elder, he admitted it! According to the rules, betraying the Sect requires crippling one's cultivation and expelling them from the mountain gates!"

Yun Qingwan ignored him, only looking at Xiao Yuan as she said calmly: "Continue."

Xiao Yuan nodded and said earnestly: "Elder, this Disciple did indeed use the Tianjian Sect's quota. But there was a reason—at the time, this Disciple was training outside, missed the Sect's registration deadline, and didn't want to miss this trip to the Secret Realm. Coincidentally, the Tianjian Sect had a vacancy in their quota, so this Disciple borrowed it."

He paused and continued: "The Tianjian Sect and the Jade Maiden Palace have always been on good terms. This Disciple entering using another Sect's quota was simply to gain more experience, and there was absolutely no intention of betraying the Sect. Besides..."

He looked at Yun Qingwan with a calm gaze: "As a piece of trash at the Qi Condensation 9th Layer, this Disciple is already thanking the heavens just for coming out alive. Where would I get the guts to betray the Sect?"

Hearing this, the people around also felt it made sense.

Indeed, what would a piece of trash at the Qi Condensation 9th Layer gain from betraying the Sect?

Chen Yin became anxious: "You're quibbling! You are simply—"

Xiao Yuan interrupted him, saying righteously: "Elder Yun, this Disciple knows this matter was improper and is willing to use the three foundation establishment pills rewarded by the Tianjian Sect to compensate the Sect!"

As soon as these words were spoken, the entire crowd was shocked!

"Three foundation establishment pills?!"

"He got three all by himself?!"

"How is that possible!"

A trace of surprise also flashed through Yun Qingwan's eyes.

Three foundation establishment pills—what did this mean? It meant that Xiao Yuan's gains in the Secret Realm far exceeded ordinary people!

Chen Yin's expression changed drastically.

Three foundation establishment pills? Where did this brat get so many?!

Right at this moment, a hearty voice came from outside the crowd:

"Fellow Daoist Xiao, I've brought you your foundation establishment pills!"

The crowd turned back to see Yun Feiyang striding over, holding three exquisite jade bottles in his hands.

He walked up to Xiao Yuan, stuffed the jade bottles into Xiao Yuan's hands, and cast a cold glance at Chen Yin.

"Fellow Daoist Xiao, two of these were rewarded to you by my Old Ancestor to thank you for your help along the way. The other one is what you deserve as a Loose Cultivator. Three in total, all here."

He deliberately emphasized the four words "my Old Ancestor," and his voice was loud enough for everyone present to hear clearly.

That Nascent Soul Old Ancestor of the Tianjian Sect!

The way the crowd looked at Xiao Yuan instantly changed.

This brat actually managed to connect with a Nascent Soul Old Ancestor?!

Chen Yin's face turned pale, and his lips were trembling.

Xiao Yuan took the jade bottles, a wave of emotion welling up in his heart.

This Yun Feiyang was truly a real friend! Knowing someone was making trouble for him, he specifically came over to back him up!

He turned around, holding the three foundation establishment pills respectfully with both hands, and handed them to Yun Qingwan.

"Elder Yun, this Disciple is willing to hand over these three foundation establishment pills to the Sect to express my sincerity."

Yun Qingwan looked at him, a trace of appreciation flashing in her eyes. To a Qi Condensation Cultivator, foundation establishment pills were literally their lifeline; she hadn't expected Xiao Yuan to actually hand over all three foundation establishment pills!

She took the jade bottles, opened them to take a look, and nodded.

"All three foundation establishment pills are of good quality." She pondered for a moment, then handed two of them back to Xiao Yuan, "Keep two for your own Foundation Establishment. Your Spiritual Root Aptitude is average, so one might not be enough."

Although Xiao Yuan had concealed his cultivation, his Spiritual Root still manifested as a five-element Spiritual Root.

The other party probably felt that Foundation Establishment wasn't easy for Xiao Yuan, so she didn't take them all!

Xiao Yuan was slightly startled and hurriedly declined: "Elder, how can I do this..."

He hadn't expected the other party to actually return two foundation establishment pills to him. The Elder before him was truly as the rumors said: upright, selfless, and protective of her Disciples!

Yun Qingwan waved her hand: "Handing over one is already enough to show your sincerity. Keep the rest for yourself. Whether you succeed in Foundation Establishment depends on your own fortune."

Hearing this, Xiao Yuan shook his head. He reached out to take a small jade bottle and said with a smile to Yun Qingwan: "Elder Yun, this Disciple has thought about it. I will hand over two foundation establishment pills to the Sect. I will only keep one!"

Yun Qingwan was startled: "Why?"

Xiao Yuan said righteously: "This Disciple's Spiritual Root Aptitude is poor—a five-element mixed Spiritual Root. No matter how many foundation establishment pills are used, success in Foundation Establishment is not guaranteed. Rather than wasting them, it is better to let the Sect cultivate two more Foundation Establishment Cultivators."

He paused, his smile calm: "This Disciple will keep one and try my luck. Success is fortune, and failure... is just fate."

He had already reached Foundation Establishment, so he naturally didn't need a foundation establishment pill. Saying this was merely to win Yun Qingwan's favor and pave the way for his subsequent plans!

As soon as these words were spoken, the gazes of the surrounding crowd towards Xiao Yuan changed completely.

A five-element mixed Spiritual Root was universally recognized as a trash Spiritual Root.

Using one foundation establishment pill gave less than a 10% success rate for Foundation Establishment. Using two gave at most 20%.

Under these circumstances, he was actually willing to hand over the remaining two to the Sect?

Such magnanimity, such vision...

A clear look of appreciation flashed in Yun Qingwan's eyes.

She did not decline, taking the jade bottle and nodding: "Very well, your sincerity... the Sect accepts it."

Pausing, she looked at Xiao Yuan, her tone softening a bit: "Xiao Yuan, although you used another Sect's quota this time, there were extenuating circumstances and it is excusable. Furthermore, you secured two extra foundation establishment pills for the Sect, which deserves a reward."

She asked: "Is there any reward you desire?"

Xiao Yuan's heart stirred; this was precisely what he was waiting for!

He took a deep breath and said sincerely: "Elder Yun, this Disciple wishes to join Dan Peak and become an Inner Sect Disciple."

Yun Qingwan raised an eyebrow: "Oh? Why do you want to enter Dan Peak?"

Xiao Yuan thought to himself, of course it's because several of my romantic confidantes are all in Dan Peak and the Inner Sect!

Su Li was an Inner Sect Disciple, Ye Qingcen was a Dan Peak Disciple, Luo Ziyan would definitely enter the Inner Sect after reaching Foundation Establishment, and Liu Qingqing and Zhou Ruoxi were already Inner Sect Disciples.

Su Ruotong was even the Dan Peak Master's Personal Disciple; if he entered Dan Peak, how convenient would it be to meet them in the future!

Moreover, entering the Inner Sect could reduce a lot of trouble.

Clowns like Chen Yin would have to think twice if they wanted to trouble him again.

Of course, these words could not be said out loud.

He said righteously: "This Disciple is quite interested in the Dao of Alchemy and wishes to join Dan Peak to study Alchemy. Moreover..."