9: The key to winning the trial: Jiang Yourong!

"Elder Luo Jinghong? Why is she looking for me?"

Hearing this name suddenly, Gu Qingchen couldn't help but be slightly taken aback.

Twelve years ago, when he was brought back to the Xuantian Holy Land by Luo Jinghong, he thought he would be taken in as her Personal Disciple.

Who would have thought that after simply dumping him on the Xuantian Holy Master, she would stop caring about him.

Gu Qingchen had gone looking for her several times, expressing his desire to take her as his Revered Master, but each time she refused on the grounds that she was focused on bitter cultivation and would not take on students.

Later, he stood out through his own hard work and talent, earning the appreciation of the Xuantian Holy Master and being accepted as a Personal Disciple, thus letting go of his obsession with becoming Luo Jinghong's Disciple.

In these twelve years, Luo Jinghong spent most of her time in secluded meditation.

Meanwhile, Gu Qingchen was busy with his own cultivation, striving to increase his strength and develop his influence; there was almost no contact between the two.

So now, why did she suddenly come looking for him?

"I don't know. She only asked about the time of your exit from seclusion, Young Master, and then left immediately."

Zhao Linger shook her head slightly and answered with some confusion.

"That really is her style..."

Gu Qingchen pondered for a moment, but couldn't think of any reason that would make her take the initiative to find him.

It couldn't be that after twelve years, she suddenly wanted to take him as a Disciple... "Heh..."

Thinking of this, even Gu Qingchen himself couldn't help but let out a soft laugh.

"Well, is there anything else besides that? How are the preparations for this Underground Cave Trial going?"

"This..."

Seeing the Young Master ask about the Underground Cave Trial, a look of difficulty appeared on Zhao Linger's exquisite little face.

"There has been a variable in this Underground Cave Trial..."

"A variable?"

"Yes. Ye Wushuang proposed to the Holy Revered Master that you and he each lead a team of elite Inner Sect Disciples to participate in this Underground Cave Trial, and the Holy Revered Master agreed."

Speaking of this, Zhao Linger was still somewhat indignant.

"This is simply nonsense. There has never been such a precedent before, and isn't the Holy Revered Master the Young Master's Revered Master? How could he agree to such a clearly ill-intentioned proposal from Ye Wushuang?"

If you grabbed any random Disciple in the Holy Land, they would know that Ye Wushuang's move was clearly intended to take the Opportunity to suppress the Young Master and compete for the position of Saint; she didn't believe the Holy Revered Master couldn't see through it.

"Just this small matter?"

Gu Qingchen shrugged: "Don't worry, a mere Ye Wushuang is not worth my concern."

Among the many Reserve Holy Sons, Ye Wushuang was indeed one of the more powerful ones.

Not only was his personal strength formidable—reaching the eighth level of the Profound Insight Realm at only twenty-seven years old—but the Family power behind him was also not to be underestimated.

Unlike the Gu Family which was far away on another continent, the Ye Family was right inside the Xuantian Holy Land and possessed immense influence.

Their Old Ancestor was a Grand Elder in the Holy Land, and there were members of the Ye Family in various halls such as the Law Enforcement Hall and the Mission Hall.

However, Gu Qingchen was the Holy Revered Master's Personal Disciple, so he was not at a disadvantage in terms of background and influence.

As for personal strength, it went without saying.

Before entering seclusion, he was already at the ninth level of the Profound Insight Realm. Although he only presented himself as being at the ninth level of the Spirit Soul Realm to the outside world, his age of twenty was enough to demonstrate his potential.

After all, with the cultivation speed of prodigies like them, seven years was enough to erase any gap.

And after this seclusion, his strength had even reached the fifth level of the Profound Insight Realm. Even if Ye Wushuang might have hidden strength and trump cards, Gu Qingchen still had absolute certainty that he could suppress him!

"As for why Revered Master would agree to this proposal, it's not surprising. To become the Saint, one must ultimately sweep through everything and suppress all the Disciples of the entire Holy Land. Revered Master probably also believes my strength is sufficient to deal with Ye Wushuang."

Of course, besides this possibility, it was also related to his Revered Master's personality of considering the overall situation. As the Holy Revered Master of the Xuantian Holy Land, there were many things he had to weigh comprehensively.

However, there was no need to tell the little maid about this.

"Then Young Master, shall we go to the Central Sky Island now? I imagine Ye Wushuang has already arrived there and started recruiting Disciples."

Zhao Linger was a bit anxious.

One must know that the competition in this Underground Cave Trial was not purely about personal strength.

As leaders, what they needed to do in this Underground Cave Trial was to ensure the survival rate of the Disciples as much as possible. At the same time, the Spirit Medicines, Heaven And Earth Treasures, and other opportunities collected by these Disciples could be handed in to be exchanged for Contribution Points.

In the end, whichever side had a higher Disciple survival rate and more Contribution Points would naturally win.

If all the elite Disciples participating in the trial were already picked, leaving only the dregs, then even if her Young Master's personal strength was greater, it would be to no avail.

"No rush."

Gu Qingchen smiled confidently: "Go and call Jiang Yourong over. Perhaps the key to winning this trial lies with her..."

...Central Sky Island!

This was the core of the entire Holy Land's Inner Sect.

At this moment, on the central plaza of this massive sky island, countless Inner Sect Disciples had already gathered.

The soaring clamor reached the clouds, shattering the drifting clouds for ten thousand miles!

"It's the annual Underground Cave Trial again!"

Shen Tianxiao looked at the lively scene before him and couldn't help but feel a bit emotional.

A flash of reminiscence and sadness passed through his eyes, as if he had thought of some unforgettable past.

The Inner Sect Disciple beside him was also infected by the mood and took a deep breath, saying: "Yes, every Underground Cave Trial is a grand event, and this year especially so."

"Senior Brother Gu and Senior Brother Ye are each leading a team to compete in the Underground Cave Trial simultaneously. This kind of situation is truly rare."

"But it's also a good thing. In previous years, there were only a thousand slots for the Underground Cave Trial. Our Xuantian Holy Land has many elite Inner Sect Disciples, and someone with my strength would normally have no chance. Now it's better; there are a full two thousand slots!"

Hearing this, Shen Tianxiao frowned.

For some reason, his impression of Ye Wushuang had always been poor.

At this time, that Inner Sect Disciple continued: "We have to thank Senior Brother Ye. If not for his proposal, I'm afraid we would have to wait several more years to have a chance at the Underground Cave Trial!"

"Who says otherwise? By the way, Senior Brother, which Reserve Holy Son's team are you planning to join?"

"Naturally, Senior Brother Ye's team."

"Oh? Why is that? I heard Senior Brother Ye's personality is a bit... cough cough."

"I have inside information. It's said that in order to surpass Senior Brother Gu this time, Senior Brother Ye specifically prepared a Treasure-Seeking Mouse. Any opportunities or treasures found later will be credited to us Disciples, making it convenient to exchange them for Contribution Points!"

*Hiss!*

"Is that for real?! Isn't that the same as giving away Contribution Points for free?"

"Would I lie to you? How immense is Senior Brother Ye's wealth? He doesn't care about a few Contribution Points at all. Winning this victory and suppressing Senior Brother Gu in the competition for the Saint position is what he values."

"..."