268: Chapter 268 What if things fail? Who will bear the consequences?

"Leading this training expedition to temper your Junior Brothers is only one part of it," his Revered Master said solemnly. "Once you return, you should enter seclusion to attempt Foundation Establishment. If you succeed, I will nominate you as a candidate for the future Sect Master."

Lu Ya knelt on one knee at the time, remaining silent.

"But the Sect Master candidate is not something I can decide alone," his Revered Master looked at him. "Will the Elders acknowledge it? Will your Junior Brothers be convinced? Therefore, besides your cultivation, you must have something impressive to show for yourself."

Lu Ya understood.

His Revered Master wanted him to accomplish something during this expedition that would leave everyone speechless—combat records, prestige, and absolute status among his peers. These were things that couldn't be cultivated through bitter training behind closed doors.

"I have prepared some things for you." His Revered Master pushed two Storage Pouches in front of him. "How you proceed is for you to weigh. If you truly intend to vie for the position of future Sect Master, the items inside should help you shine brilliantly during this expedition."

Lu Ya put away the Storage Pouches, stood up, performed a formal bow, and exited his Revered Master's Immortal Cave.

From that day on, he had been calculating what kind of achievement would carry enough weight.

Hunting a Foundation Establishment Yao Beast was the best answer he could think of.

The Foundation Establishment Elder from the Qingxuan Sect who was leading the team did not stop him; the Sect Master had personally given instructions before they left the Sect.

“Let Lu Ya do as he pleases. Follow him in secret, and only intervene if something goes wrong.”

Upon hearing this, the Elder naturally understood. This wasn't about indulging recklessness; it was the Sect Master providing a safety net while allowing his Personal Disciple to undergo a trial by fire.

Lu Ya's attitude was remarkably steady, without any arrogance or ostentation. He simply announced his final decision to the Disciples, and he did so just as they were all starting to grow weary of the expedition.

“Tomorrow we enter the mountain range's hinterlands. The target is one Early Foundation Establishment Stage Yao Beast. Each group will proceed according to our usual coordination. I will take the lead at the front. When we engage, I will act as bait to lure the Yao Beast out, and you will set up a formation to surround and kill it. If we can't win, retreat; no one is allowed to force the issue.”

No one objected. Among the twenty-seven Disciples, the highest two were also at the Tenth Level of Qi Refining, equal to Lu Ya's cultivation but significantly lacking in foundation.

The others were between the seventh and ninth layers of Qi Refining. Trying to deal with a Foundation Establishment Yao Beast was practically seeking death; only by uniting did they stand a chance—or at least, that's what they believed.

In the early hours of the twenty-first day, the team of twenty-eight quietly left the south gate of Heming City, advancing deep along the Beast Paths on the inner side of the mountain range.

Su Yunling received news that morning that the people from the Qingxuan Sect had headed out early toward the depths of the mountain range, seemingly targeting a Foundation Establishment Yao Beast.

But she just listened and let it be. She didn't care what Disciples of other Sects did, but her own Disciples could not act in such a manner.

Leading the Disciples for training this time was only to complete the mission. Following the established plan was enough; there was no need to cause unnecessary complications, and she had neither the time nor the energy to indulge these Disciples in their antics.

There were only a few days left until the Disciples' training was complete. After returning, she would continue her bitter cultivation behind closed doors, striving for an early Breakthrough to Foundation Establishment Mid-stage.

At dusk, the seven squads of the Tiangang Sect returned to camp on time to report their harvests and injuries as per routine.

After everyone had dispersed, two Disciples at the Tenth Level of Qi Refining, Liu Ce and Zhou Hong, remained behind.

Liu Ce spoke first.

“Junior Martial Uncle Su, the people from the Qingxuan Sect have entered the mountain range's hinterlands. I heard they are going to hunt a Foundation Establishment Yao Beast.”

“Mm.”

“Can we... also go and try?”

Su Yunling was organizing the Yao Cores handed in by each group today. Hearing this, her brows furrowed.

“No.”

Liu Ce grew anxious: “Junior Martial Uncle, it's not that we're being disobedient, but look at what's being said outside. That group from the Qingxuan Sect went in quite openly, and the Hundred Beasts Gate is also making moves.

Not to mention the Wanfa Pavilion, but our Tiangang Sect is just huddled within a three-hundred-mile radius hunting first-rank Yao Beasts. The Disciples feel like they're losing face.”

Zhou Hong added: “We're not trying to show off; we just want to go in and try. Even if we encounter an Early Foundation Establishment Stage Yao Beast, if we work together, we might not necessarily be unable to fight it.”

Su Yunling dropped the last Yao Core into a cloth bag and looked up at the two of them.

“You can't fight it.”

Liu Ce's expression changed slightly upon hearing this. He opened his mouth to argue further, but Su Yunling continued.

"Lu Ya of the Qingxuan Sect is at Peak Tenth Layer Qi Refining and is the Sect Master's Personal Disciple. He must have many life-saving trump cards on him for this trip. How can you compare to him?"

Liu Ce fell silent.

"And do you think Lu Ya is doing this on his own?" Su Yunling took a sip from her teacup. "During this time, my Divine Sense has captured the aura of that Qingxuan Sect lead Elder more than once, wandering near the Disciple team and never leaving.

Lu Ya entering the depths of the mountain range to hunt a Foundation Establishment Yao Beast—that Elder will certainly be watching from the shadows, ready to intervene at any moment. To put it bluntly, this is just the Qingxuan Sect Revered Master letting his Disciple go through the motions to gain some fame."

Liu Ce was stunned for a moment, then his eyes lit up: "Junior Martial Uncle Su can also follow and protect us in secret! Our Tiangang Sect is the number one Sect in Qinghe Prefecture. If our Disciples could also hunt a Foundation Establishment Yao Beast, then if word got out..."

Su Yunling let out a scoff, interrupting him.

"What if word gets out? Should all Four Sects praise the Tiangang Sect's Disciples for being remarkable?" She said with a serious expression, "If it were any other time, or if I weren't the one leading this trip, you could do as you pleased. But the Sect's purpose for this trip is to temper your combat experience and teamwork, not to compete in vanity with other Sects."

"A Foundation Establishment Yao Beast is on a completely different level than a Qi Refining Yao Beast. There is a whole Realm's difference in the quality of spiritual power, and they completely crush you in speed, strength, and intelligence.

Even if I follow in secret, the situation can change in an instant during a fight. If something goes even slightly wrong and I can't rescue you in time, even if only one person dies or is injured..."

Su Yunling's voice trailed off, and she then let out a sigh.

"How would I explain it to the Sect Master when I return? How would I face the families of the dead or injured Disciples? By saying the 'Tiangang Sect Disciples also hunted a Foundation Establishment Yao Beast' for the sake of a title?"

Liu Ce lowered his head and stopped speaking.

Beside him, Zhou Hong also lowered his gaze. His lips moved, but in the end, he made no sound.

"Go back and rest." Su Yunling's tone softened slightly, but she immediately added, "Additionally, pass my words to the other Disciples. Without my command, no one is allowed to cross the three-hundred-mile activity range.

Who violates this, don't blame me for handling it according to the Sect rules. I will also report it truthfully to the Sect Master upon our return."

"I mean what I say."

Liu Ce and Zhou Hong withdrew.

Wenren Zimo stood at the corner of the courtyard, only speaking after the two had walked far away.

"What you said makes sense, but they might not necessarily be able to understand. They are all little Geniuses in the Sect; seeing someone else do what they can't will certainly make them feel frustrated."

Su Yunling felt helpless and could only give a bitter smile, a faint sense of worry growing in her heart.

She wasn't worried about the Disciples being unconvinced in their words, but rather that these people might take secret action behind her back.

She feared that these Disciples would get hot-headed and throw all Sect rules and commands to the back of their minds—something she had seen more than once in the Sect.

They all delusionally think that after the deed is done, the Sect won't pursue the matter. But what if things go wrong? Who will bear the consequences?