"Fine! I will trust you this time, but if I haven't cultivated the 'Ice Jade Sword Technique' to the eighth level after five years, either you give me the antidote to remove the Palace Guarding Poison from my body or I will kill myself," An Qi threatened, leaving no retreat for Xuji True Master.

Actually, the one truly without an escape was her. Now, she either had to die or reluctantly choose this five-year cultivation term. It was really a helpless situation.

Death was a last resort, not to be chosen unless absolutely necessary; because by doing so, not only could she not marry Lin Yifan and have children, but she also couldn't stay with Lin Yifan for life, a rather heavy loss.

"Fine, fine, fine! I agree! I agree!" Xuji True Master hastily concurred, seeming rather overjoyed.

As long as An Qi agreed to cultivate the 'Ice Jade Sword Technique', she would agree to anything.

Thinking about it, she found her own behavior somewhat funny.

In the past, so many people had wished to cultivate the 'Ice Jade Sword Technique', but she had rejected them all; now, she had to swallow her pride and beg someone to cultivate this top-notch swordsmanship, which was ridiculously ironic.

It was only because An Qi possessed the Extreme Yin Jade Body that she could make her bow and capitulate; had it been anyone else, she would have incapacitated them with a slap long ago.

Having finished drinking the Palace Guarding Tea, it was now time for the grand assembly.

At this moment, disciples from both the Outer Palace and Inner Palace gathered together.

Before the arrival of the Palace Master Xuji True Master, they buzzed with speculation, discussing why such a grand gathering was called today.

"It has been many years since a full assembly was held; why call for one today?"

"I heard it is to announce the first Junior Palace Master."

"The first Junior Palace Master? Has the senior sister managed to cultivate the 'Ice Jade Sword Technique' to the seventh level?" someone questioned.

The master had once declared that a disciple of the Inner Palace who got the chance to cultivate the 'Ice Jade Sword Technique', the Treasure of the Palace, and could take it to the seventh level, would be eligible for the position of Junior Palace Master.

Among all disciples of the Inner Palace, the one with the best chance to cultivate the 'Ice Jade Sword Technique' to the seventh level was none other than the senior sister, Xiao Bingbing.

Xiao Bingbing was the most outstanding disciple among them all. Her talent was exceptional, matching the young prodigies of any major sect.

That year, she had managed to cultivate the Cinnabar Palace's hardest Treasure of the Palace, the 'Ice Jade Sword Technique' to the third level within just five years, which was quite terrifying.

You should know, for most people, cultivating to the first level in five years was commendable. Thus, her strength was proven unparalleled.

So, when they heard the Palace Master was going to announce a Junior Palace Master, the first person they thought of was the senior sister, Xiao Bingbing.

"Some disciples from the Inner Palace said it seems to be a new girl, not the senior sister Xiao Bingbing."

"A new girl can directly become the Junior Palace Master? How... how is that possible? Unless her strength is extraordinary, surpassing the senior sister."

"Not exactly, the disciples from the Inner Palace said, this girl is an ordinary person with no mana whatsoever."

"What? A mortal to be our Junior Palace Master? We don't accept this!"

"Calm down, I'm just passing along what I've heard, without any basis. Later, you can express your own opinions to the Palace Master."

...

The crowd below buzzed with discussion, and on hearing that a mortal was to be their Junior Palace Master, everyone exploded with indignation, unanimously feeling injustice on behalf of the senior sister.

Seeing this outcome, Lin Yanping was somewhat excited; because she also felt that the position of Junior Palace Master belonged to the senior sister, although she coveted the position herself, in front of the senior sister, she had to concede.

This gathering, Xiao Bingbing did not attend; for she had already known everything. Rather than subject herself to embarrassment here, she would rather focus on her cultivation and prove to her Master who truly possessed the most strength.

Not long after, Xuji True Master arrived with An Qi, who was dressed in new clothes and adorned anew.

Upon entering the Cultivation World, one must follow local customs. Modern clothing was far too scant, therefore it was prohibited, especially within the Cinnabar Palace, a sect that demands its female members to be conservative.

Xuji True Master led An Qi along a red carpet, through the crowd, step by step towards the high platform.

Looking at this soon-to-be Junior Palace Master, the male disciples of the Cinnabar Palace's Outer Palace were captivated by her beauty.

They had not expected the new Junior Palace Master to be such a great beauty; now, any resistance or dissatisfaction was cast aside by them.

However, the female disciples of the Cinnabar Palace saw the future Junior Palace Master with dim expressions, filled with nothing but jealousy in their hearts.

"Dressed so seductively, one can tell she's up to no good. I don't know why the Palace Master wants her to take up the position of Junior Palace Master," one remarked.

"Exactly, our senior sister is much more outstanding than her."

"Hmm?"

Listening to these murmurs, Xuji True Master stopped and glared furiously at the female disciples who were speaking.

Feeling that terrifying gaze and presence, those gossiping female disciples immediately knelt down, trembling with fright as they pleaded, "Palace Master! The disciples know their mistake, please spare us."

"To malign me is one thing, but to dare to malign your Junior Palace Master, I cannot forgive!"

With those words, Xuji True Master immediately cast several mana spells, seizing the necks of those female disciples.

"Cough, cough, cough!"

Seeing how those female disciples suffered, the kind-hearted An Qi immediately urged, "Master! Please let them go, they didn't mean it."

"They clearly did it on purpose, you don't need to plead for them, they don't deserve sympathy," Xuji True Master still held the necks of those female disciples without letting go.

At that moment, An Qi shook her hand and coaxed pleadingly, "Master!!"

She was truly afraid of causing a fatality on just her second day there, as it would impact her reputation severely.

Seeing An Qi's urgent and pleading eyes, Xuji True Master's heart softened; she was still fond of An Qi and didn't want her to be upset.

Thus, she snorted coldly and said, "Humph! For the sake of the Junior Palace Master, I will let you off this time, but if I ever find you daring to malign the Junior Palace Master or bully her, I will take your heads."

After the warning, she withdrew her spiritual power and spared those disrespectful female disciples.

Having returned from the brink of death, those female disciples were terrified. They were all disciples of the Inner Palace, supposed confidants of Xuji True Master, yet they had not imagined receiving such punishment—it was truly terrifying.

From then on, they never dared to speak disrespectfully towards An Qi again.

This was a warning to every disciple and Elder present. The Junior Palace Master would not allow anyone to slander her; otherwise, anyone would pay a grievous price.

Now, those dissatisfied disciples swallowed the words stuck in their throats, not daring to utter them.

After punishing these few female disciples, Xuji True Master continued leading An Qi, step by step, onto the high platform.

An Qi had never walked such a long red carpet or witnessed such a solemn occasion before.

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