The Sect Leader System-Chapter 230: Praise, Potential, and Points

Kang Lin and the others visited Ma An at the Heavenly Transit Mercantile Association the afternoon after the fight with the Jade Chameleons. The trader, obviously desirous of keeping good relations with the supplier of the Orange Vigor Spirit Wood, was quite polite and promised to keep a lookout for any of the materials they desired, but he didn’t have any immediate leads.

With the danger of a second attack being non-trivial, the trio had headed back to the sect for the evening and set up an appointment with Grandfather for the following morning. The rest of the evening and night was uneventful, and after breakfasting, they all gathered in the elder’s study.

“You three acquitted yourselves, well,” Grandfather said before turning to the twins. “I was impressed at how easily you two beat those juniors. They weren’t exactly the elite of the sect, but they weren’t trash, either. You two made them look like it, though.”

The twins each cupped their hands. “Gratitude, Elder.”

“Nonsense, you earned the praise.” Grandfather eyed Kang Lin. “You did well, too. Though not exactly employing an orthodox strategy, your words caused Fang Changming to retreat without involving himself. And don’t think I didn’t notice how you, Yang Xiu, backed up my granddaughter.” He cupped his hands. “Gratitude.”

Yang Xiu shrugged. “She’s my sister.” She grinned. “Well, almost.”

“The Esteemed Elder knows a lot of details about the fight,” Yang Ru said. “It almost sounds like you witnessed it.”

Kang Lin found the comment to be shocking, not the least of which because of who it came from. Her maybe future intended didn’t talk much, but she’d come to learn that his silence hid a quick mind. She just wished he wasn’t using it to challenge a man who was not only her grandfather but was also a Golden Core cultivator and an elder of their allied sect.

She never would have dared challenge a senior, much less an elder, in a similar situation. Hopefully, those habits didn’t end up getting her talented friends killed.

Her grandfather could have chosen to rebuke Yang Ru or even have him banned from the sect grounds for such an insult, but when Grandfather spoke, he was instead gracious.

“My granddaughter’s life was at stake. Do you think I wasn’t watching?”

Kang Lin hadn’t thought that he was at all. She’d been taught from an early age that sect members learned on their own and lived and died on their own. The best they could expect was, if they perished at the hands of someone outside the sect, for them to be avenged.

That her grandfather had been watching and apparently willing to step in either meant that what she thought she knew was completely wrong or her grandfather cared about her a lot more than she believed he did.

Maybe he and her sect were much more like the Rising Tide Sect than she had believed.

Yang Ru, unbelievably, simply grunted. Kang Lin wanted to rub her glabella and only held off because she didn’t what to show a visible sign of her frustration in front of Grandfather.

“Regardless,” Grandfather said, “I think the three of you have done all you can for the moment to acquire the materials Chao Su requires. It’s probably best if you head back to the Rising Tide Sect.”

Kang Lin wasn’t really surprised by being included in the direction to return to the village. She was, after all, in charge of the juniors still there. More importantly, she was gaining so much from her master that it would be silly for her to be anywhere else.

The only caveat to that was the possibility of an attack from the Jade Chameleon Sect. If that happened, the destruction would be indiscriminate if the attackers got past the sect leader, meaning her life and the lives of the juniors were in danger just from being there.

She and her grandfather hadn’t discussed the matter, but he must have decided that the gains outweighed the risks.

“You all are, of course, welcome to stay here at the sect for as long as you like,” Grandfather said, “but the risks of being out in the city are too high. Fang Changming is surely incensed, and you’re fair game if he catches you out again. You might be highly talented for your realm, but a large enough number of Foundation Establishment cultivators would overwhelm even you, especially since he’ll be sure to include ranged fighters next time.”

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“We’ll leave, Esteemed Elder,” Yang Xiu said.

Kang Lin nodded her agreement. There was no reason to stay any longer. “What is the safest method for us to leave the city?”

“In this case, speed equals safety,” Grandfather said. “I’ve arranged special dispensation from the City Lord for the three of you to fly inside the walls this one time despite the fact that you’re still in the Foundation Establishment realm. He was most impressed that you managed the combat with little damage to the surroundings. The auction house didn’t even complain about the minor repairs to the wall and trees that they had to effect.”

The trio cupped their hands in gratitude one last time, followed by the twins leaving the room to give the two relatives privacy to say their goodbyes.

“Gratitude for all your assistance, Grandfather, and for looking out for me.”

“It was my pleasure, Granddaughter. This old man is proud of you. There is danger that comes with your association with Chao Su, but your progress is astounding. If I were you, I would latch yourself to him for as long as he’ll have you and hold on tight.”

“Of course, Grandfather.”

“My belief is not universally held, but I believe that our sect will come out much stronger for our association with him. In my mind, your actions benefit the entire sect, not just yourself.”

It was good to hear him say that.

His tone lightened. “I couldn’t help but observe that you feel some affection for the young man. If not, he wouldn’t have exasperated you so.”

Kang Lin felt heat rise to her face.

“I am not your father to arrange a match for you, but he listens to me. My inclination is to advise him to write to Sect Leader Chao Su with haste before someone else places a claim on his star pupils.” Grandfather sighed. “But then again, your father is a cautious man. Maybe too cautious. He will probably wait to see how the situation with the Jade Chameleon Sect plays out before being willing to make a move.”

Kang Lin agreed with her grandfather about her father’s temperament, and she was very glad of that thoughtful nature. While she was somewhat fond of Yang Ru and understood it was her duty to both her family and her sect to find a good match, she couldn’t help but be reluctant to take that final step. The longer the situation with the Jade Chameleons took to resolve, the better.

“Understood, Grandfather.”

“Take care, little one, or, I guess, not so little one anymore. Seize those opportunities but try to be safe.”

It genuinely touched her that Grandfather was showing so much concern. She’d always known she had his favor but not to the extent he showed today.

“I will, Grandfather. If it helps, I truly believe that Master is more protective of his disciples than any cultivator I’ve seen, especially his favorites. And I appear to be one of his favorites.”

“It would help more this old man worry less if one of his favorites hadn’t already been killed, but yes, it does ease my concern an iota to know that someone else is looking out for you.”

With him expressing those sentiments, there wasn’t much more to say, and Kang Lin soon took her leave, joining the twins outside. The three walked to the very edge of the sect branch grounds.

“Ready?” Kang Lin said.

“Ready,” Yang Xiu said, speaking, as usual, for both the twins.

“Let’s go.”

The three pulled their gliders from their respective spatial rings, hopped on, and quickly accelerated to top speed toward the Rising Tide Sect. Their devices were obviously not as fast as a flying sword, but that limitation was why they’d done their best to minimize the time an enemy cultivator would have to prepare for their departure.

Either the surprise factor worked, or the Jade Chameleon Sect wasn’t prepared to fight them again because they encountered no resistance in the little less than three and a half hours it took them to reach their destination.

When they arrived, they thought they would need to go to the Administration Hall to report to Master. Instead, they found him working in the area he’d reserved for the main gate. There were all manner of materials strown about—huge piles of small rocks, even bigger piles of large stones, two eighty-foot-long logs, and several big piles of branches.

Master was in a hole that was at least forty feet deep, one of two that marred the grounds at that location, but as soon as the trio landed, he Quickstepped up to the surface.

“Master,” each of the three cupped their hands.

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“Is there anything we can do to help, Master?” Yang Xiu said.

He looked back at the mess lying around. “No. Not really. This is all stuff you’d need technique to help with. Besides, your time is better spent getting stronger. Your trip to Sixth Flawless Flowing City has probably already been enough of a distraction. Tell me what you found.”

Kang Lin stepped forward, told him about Grandfather’s contacts for the materials, and handed over the metals.

Master looked them over for a moment. “These should work. You’ve done well. I’m stoked about the cauldron. I really didn’t think you’d be able to even get me a lead on one, and finding three of the materials for trade is a lot better than I had thought you’d accomplish.”

Kang Lin let out a relieved sigh and cupped her hands. The twins followed her lead.

“Did you run into any trouble?” Master said.

Yang Xiu caught Kang Lin’s eye, and she nodded.

“Five Foundation Establishment cultivators from the Jade Chameleon Sect attacked us,” Yang Xiu said, “but they were trash. Yang Ru and I beat them without suffering a scratch.”

Master grinned. “Excellent. Sounds like you three did great. I’ll have to think of a suitable reward. For now, tell Peng Zhen that you each earned ten thousand Contribution Points.”

The twins were much more excited to receive the praise and the promise of a suitable reward than they did the award of so many Contribution Points, but Kang Lin knew much better about how the economies of sects worked. At the moment, those points were only starting to hold value, but as the sect grew, that form of wealth would become as precious as spirit coins.

She was excited about all three.