7: Luo Jinghong, will they continue their... past relationship?

"Elder Luo?"

Even before seeing the person, Zhao Linger already knew who it was.

Luo Jinghong, Elder Luo!

Because in the entire Xuantian Holy Land, she was the only one who used an Ice Phoenix as a mount.

"Why would Elder Luo come looking for Young Master?"

Zhao Linger was quite surprised.

After all, as far as she knew, Elder Luo Jinghong had always been a loner. She was the only person on the entire Jinghong Peak. She was usually elusive, and most Disciples in the Holy Land had only heard her name but never seen her in person.

Why would such a solitary person take the initiative to seek out a Disciple?

"Could it be that the Holy Revered Master asked her to deliver a message?"

Few in the Holy Land knew that while the Holy Revered Master and Elder Luo appeared to be strangers or even somewhat antagonistic on the surface, they were actually fellow Disciples.

The kind who shared the same Revered Master.

"Or did Elder Luo regret not taking Young Master as her Personal Disciple?"

She remembered that Young Master was originally brought to the Xuantian Holy Land by Elder Luo, but upon arrival, she simply tossed him to her Senior Brother, the Xuantian Holy Master.

Afterward, Young Master was taken in as a Personal Disciple by the Holy Revered Master, and Elder Luo remained in seclusion for many years, so the two had almost no contact.

Regardless, Zhao Linger did not dare to be negligent. Without time for further thought, she went out to greet her.

"This servant pays her respects to the Elder."

"Mm."

Luo Jinghong stood atop the Ice Phoenix's head, solitary and independent, as cold and aloof as a snowy mountain.

She wore an ice-blue long dress, its hem fluttering and swaying in the wind, looking as if she might ascend to immortality at any moment.

Seeing that the person who came out to greet her was not the one she expected, Luo Jinghong's slender, slightly cold, and detached eyebrows furrowed slightly.

"Where is Gu Qingchen?"

"Reporting to the Elder, Young Master has gained some insights recently and is currently in seclusion for a Breakthrough."

Zhao Linger replied cautiously.

"Seclusion for a Breakthrough?"

A flash of surprise crossed Luo Jinghong's eyes, which she quickly concealed.

"Then when will he emerge?"

"Probably in two days."

Zhao Linger thought for a moment before giving a definite answer.

After all, two days from now was the day the team would set out for the Underground Cave Trial; Young Master surely wouldn't miss it.

Furthermore, in her view, with her Young Master's peerless talent, breaking through a Realm's Bottleneck was not a difficult task. Perhaps he had already succeeded and was merely consolidating his gains.

"Two days?"

Upon receiving the answer, Luo Jinghong left immediately without the slightest hesitation, leaving behind a confused Zhao Linger.

"Wasn't Elder Luo here to deliver a message for the Holy Revered Master?

Could she really want to continue the... bah bah bah, continue the fate of Revered Master and Disciple with Young Master?"

...Setting aside Zhao Linger's confusion.

As time passed, the atmosphere within the Xuantian Holy Land gradually became tense and fervent. Almost all elite Inner Sect Disciples were preparing for this Underground Cave Trial.

Because the Underground Cave Trial was the only way for Inner Sect Disciples without background to be promoted to True Disciples!

If one were lucky enough to be favored by an Elder and taken as a Personal Disciple, it would be a meteoric rise.

Rumors still circulated within the Holy Land about Inner Sect Disciples who had used the Underground Cave Trial to change their destinies against the heavens, eventually rising powerfully to become great experts of a generation.

However, opportunities and risks coexisted.

Even for these elite Disciples of the Holy Land, true Geniuses, no small number fell in the Underground Demon Grotto every year.

There, they not only had to face the savage Subterranean Demon Race, various demonic monsters, dangerous lands, and geographical death traps, but they also had to constantly guard against assassinations from Disciples of other Holy Lands and Sects!

In the face of absolute profit, even fellow Disciples from one's own Holy Land were not entirely reliable.

At such a time, a strong and responsible leader was of paramount importance!

"Have you heard? There's the latest news regarding the leader for this Underground Cave Trial!"

"Have you heard? This Underground Cave Trial..."

"..."

At the Holy Land's Inner Sect contribution point exchange, someone had set up a stall and was leaning back lazily, with an Echo Talisman in front of him repeating that single sentence.

Immediately, almost all the Inner Sect Disciples who came to exchange contribution points were drawn over.

Many of them would be participating in the Underground Cave Trial in two days.

"Eh?"

"Latest news on the Underground Cave Trial leader? Wasn't it said that Senior Brother Gu would be the leader? Has there been a change?"

"Hey, Senior Brother, don't keep us in suspense. Tell us exactly what's going on!"

"..."

Seeing that the surrounding Inner Sect Disciples were all attracted, the green-robed man leaning on the lounge chair smiled slightly.

"That will be ten contribution points per person."

He took out a contribution token and held it out, adding, "Contribution points for news, a fair trade."

"You actually want contribution points? Are you starving for money?!"

Some were annoyed, but others immediately transferred ten contribution points, took the news, and left.

Some clever ones, after buying the news, sold it at a lower price to others, making a small profit.

Seeing this, a purple-robed youth's eyes flickered with thought. He stepped forward and asked, "May I ask how to address you, Senior Brother?"

"Le Ren."

"So it is Senior Brother Le."

Although this Senior Brother Le Ren had a scruffy beard and an unkempt appearance, the purple-robed youth did not show the slightest contempt.

He knew well that someone who could obtain this kind of inside information within the Xuantian Holy Land was definitely not simple.

Whether it was his strength or his background that was not simple, an Inner Sect Disciple like himself could not afford to offend him.

"I am Shen Tianxiao. I wonder if I can tell others after I buy this news?"

"As you wish."

Le Ren shrugged.

He hadn't intended to rely on this to earn contribution points anyway; he was just looking for some fun.

After getting the reply, Shen Tianxiao directly paid the ten contribution points to buy the news and then immediately made it public.

"According to the news provided by Senior Brother Le, this Underground Cave Trial will be divided into two teams. One team will still be led by Senior Brother Gu, while the other team will be led by Reserve Holy Son Ye Wushuang."

"..."

Le Ren was momentarily stunned by Shen Tianxiao's move.

He had indeed agreed to share the news with others, but he hadn't expected this kid to share it with everyone directly.

"Haha."

At that moment, a boisterous laugh rang out. A burly man, built like an iron tower, walked up and patted Le Ren on the shoulder, saying, "I didn't expect you, the Fun-Seeker, to have a day where you're outmatched, and by an Inner Sect Disciple at that."

Saying this, he turned back to look at Shen Tianxiao. "Kid, I like your style."

"Forget it."

With his fun ruined, Le Ren lost interest in staying. He patted his rear and left.

"Wait up, Fun-Seeker, my movement techniques aren't as good as yours. By the way, you're helping that little punk Ye Wushuang with publicity, aren't you afraid Old Gu will beat you up when he comes out of seclusion?"

"Would I be afraid of him? On the contrary, you've got quite the nerve, daring to call Ye Wushuang a little punk."

"Haha, I, Old Tu, have never feared Ye Wushuang in my life!"

...Only after the two left did someone speak up in an uncertain tone. "Was that burly man just now Tu Heju, ranked thirteenth on the Reserve Holy Son list, nicknamed 'Unbreakable Bastion'?"

"It... should be. Only that person would call himself 'Old Tu' and dare to address Saint Ye Wushuang like that."

"It seems the Senior Brother selling the news isn't simple either..."

"Stop looking. It's too late to cling to their legs now. Better think about which team to join for this Underground Cave Trial."

"Definitely Senior Brother Gu. He's strong and protective of his own. Most importantly, Senior Brother Gu is handsome!"

"Shallow! What use is being handsome in a place like the Underground Cave Trial? You need to be ruthless!"

"..."

Seeing everyone discussing endlessly, Shen Tianxiao suddenly spoke. "Do you think this Underground Cave Trial might be a test from the Holy Revered Master for the two Reserve Holy Sons?

The one who performs well will be promoted to Saint?"

"Now that you mention it... there's a very high possibility. After all, Senior Brother Gu and Senior Brother Ye are the ones with the best chance of becoming official Saints among the Reserve Holy Sons."

"Then doesn't our choice this time also mean picking a side for the Saint position? It seems we need to be even more cautious."

"No, I have to go back and discuss this with my Junior Sister."

"Discuss with your Junior Sister? What's there to discuss? You definitely have to join Saint Ye Wushuang's team. Otherwise, if you join Senior Brother Gu's team, will your Junior Sister still have eyes for you?"

"Whoa, thanks for the reminder, Senior Brother!"

"..."

...