Chapter 1339: Chapter 1294: The Xuanyin Sect’s Plot (Part 3)

"Yes, Sect Master!"

Everyone replied with folded hands.

It was naturally easy to deceive those disciples.

Using the pretext of a trial, almost no one would doubt it.

However, this made Hua Nu even more suspicious.

Not even allowed to enter the sect gate, yet sent directly to the trial—it felt like a trap.

Ye Guichen hadn’t waited long at the gate before seeing Li Yuanshou.

Li Yuanshou seemed extremely enthusiastic and even scolded the disciple blocking Ye Guichen, personally escorting Ye Guichen up the mountain.

The scolded disciple was quite disgruntled.

"Who is this guy? He’s about to die, yet Elder Li favors him so much?"

"Keep it down; if anyone hears us, we’ll be in trouble."

"Hah, who cares? They’re just a bunch of mortal ants, their deaths mean nothing!"

The disciple sneered, evidently knowing something about the upcoming events.

...

"Please, come in, Boss Ye, have a seat," Li Yuanshou warmly invited Ye Guichen to sit.

Ye Guichen didn’t stand on ceremony, politely asking after sitting, "Elder Li, what brings you to call on me specifically?"

"Ah, I felt a kinship when we first met, Boss Ye. I’m thinking of making you my direct disciple. Are you interested?" Li Yuanshou asked straightforwardly.

Ye Guichen wasn’t particularly interested in being a direct disciple.

But since the offer was made, he didn’t intend to refuse.

"Thank you for nurturing me, Elder Li!" Ye Guichen quickly folded his hands.

Li Yuanshou laughed heartily, grabbing Ye Guichen’s hand: "However, there’s something I want to discuss with you, Boss Ye."

Ye Guichen asked curiously, "What guidance do you have, Elder Li?"

"I wouldn’t presume to instruct. I’m actually here at the behest of the Sect Master. As you know, our Xuanyin Sect is a major sect in the area, but the days are quite tight. Not only do we have to support the training of several thousand disciples daily, but we also have to constantly guard against evil forces. Moreover, I recently received word from the Sect Master that our Xuanyin Sect’s spirit stones are nearly depleted..."

At this point, Li Yuanshou looked deeply at Ye Guichen: "Boss Ye, those disciples at the foot of the mountain will be our Xuanyin Sect members eventually. We initially thought of giving each a spirit stone, but with over three thousand people, that’s over three thousand spirit stones at once. We don’t want to fail our disciples, but some issues have arisen, and we can’t distribute the spirit stones for now. I wonder if Boss Ye could..."

Ye Guichen understood.

This Li Yuanshou was treating him with courtesy, seeing him as a patsy for money.

However, Ye Guichen didn’t hurry to refuse, instead smiling: "Elder Li, as a member of Xuanyin Sect, I, Ye Guichen, naturally won’t shirk any responsibilities. It’s just a matter of how many you need, Elder Li?"

"Actually, not much, thirty thousand spirit stones would suffice." Li Yuanshou smiled like a teaching infant.

Ye Guichen saw this but felt that Li Yuanshou was extremely hypocritical.

To request thirty thousand spirit stones straight away—you think spirit stones are just lying around like stones outside?

Moreover, joining the Xuanyin Sect was only for gleaning information, and it was Qin Muge who roped him in initially.

Now asking for money right away—you really think I’m easy to fool?

"Elder Li, thirty thousand spirit stones." Ye Guichen immediately showed a difficult expression, "In truth, it’s not a lot, but I don’t have that many with me."

Now, Ye Guichen had to create the impression that he was a wealthy heir, only this way could he fool the greedy elder before him, facilitating future actions.

Li Yuanshou hurriedly asked, "Then how many do you have on you?"

This reaction fell into Li Yuanshou’s vision, clearly as that of a wealthy heir.

Ye Guichen extended a finger.

"Ten thousand?" Li Yuanshou, somewhat pleasantly surprised, nodded: "Alright, ten thousand is fine, consider it a temporary loan to the sect. Once past this hurdle, Xuanyin Sect will surely repay you."

"No matter, Elder Li, actually, I meant to say I have none at all." Ye Guichen shook his head.

Li Yuanshou’s smile suddenly froze: "None at all?"

"Yes, I brought about ten thousand spirit stones when I came out, spent it on the restaurant and now it’s gone. I thought I’d get some from the restaurant, but it seemed the place wouldn’t run well without spirit stones. Plus, thinking that life on the mountain would be provided for, I didn’t think I’d need spirit stones, so I simply didn’t bring any. Apologies, Elder Li!"

Ye Guichen showed a helpless expression.

Li Yuanshou’s face gradually darkened.

"Ye Guichen, I actually didn’t want to mention certain things, but this trial is extremely dangerous. I was originally thinking of keeping you safe from such perilous trials, yet since you’re a part of Xuanyin Sect, all new disciples must undertake trials, even if I make you my direct disciple, there’s no exception."

The implication of Li Yuanshou’s words was very clear.

He was telling Ye Guichen that if spirit stones weren’t provided, he would be sent to the trial.

As for survival, that was his own concern.

Ye Guichen thought silently, indeed, quite ruthless.

However, Ye Guichen was completely unfazed, promptly rising and saying: "Elder Li, I understand your point. Trials are essential for a disciple’s cultivation; if I can’t pass a trial, I don’t deserve to be your direct disciple. I will put extra effort into this trial!"