The elders of the Lingxiao Sword Sect gathered to discuss the selection of disciples for the upcoming Grand Competition.
"Let's have Wangshu lead the team. She's always been diligent, and the disciples trust her implicitly," one elder suggested.
"I agree that Wangshu is a good choice for the leader. Then how should we choose the other disciples?" another elder inquired.
Many of the core disciples had already reached the Golden Core stage, leaving them with a large pool of candidates. However, the team for the Grand Competition had a limited number of spots, and they couldn't possibly send everyone.
"Wangshu has been busy with matters on Fu Peak lately, I'm afraid..." Xu Lan knew her disciple was currently prioritizing these affairs, and having her lead the team might disrupt her current work.
Furthermore, the incident of the Tantai family's destruction had not been fully investigated, and she didn't want Wangshu to gain too much fame. While her Golden Core tribulation ceremony had been grand, she was then known merely as Fairy Wangshu of the Lingxiao Sword Sect. If she were to participate in the Grand Competition of the entire Southeast Domain, people would undoubtedly delve into her background.
"Why don't we summon Wangshu and ask her? She understands the impact of this Grand Competition on the sect and shouldn't refuse," another elder proposed.
When Lin Yan was summoned, Xu Lan wanted to object, but she refrained from speaking in front of everyone.
Lin Yan did not refuse to lead the team but declined to participate as a contestant.
"Why?" one of the elders asked, frowning. He couldn't understand why Lin Yan would agree to lead but not compete. She was, after all, the strongest among the younger generation, and their sect could only achieve good results with her participation. With her not competing, her role as team leader seemed rather pointless.
"To the esteemed elders, I have already broken through to the Nascent Soul stage. However, my rapid advancement might attract undue attention, so I have been using a magical artifact that conceals my cultivation to hide my true strength," Lin Yan explained. As she spoke, she put away her Spirit Concealing Jade Pendant, revealing her early Nascent Soul stage power to them.
"What! You've formed a Nascent Soul!" All the elders, including Xu Lan and Sect Leader He, stood up, their faces filled with disbelief. However, the aura emanating from Lin Yan was undeniable, confirming her early Nascent Soul cultivation.
"Wangshu, when did you break through to the Nascent Soul stage?" Xu Lan asked with concern.
Lin Yan could only provide a timeframe – before she returned to the sect. Naturally, this was not the actual time.
"This is too willful of you. Why didn't you return to the sect to undergo your tribulation? Without anyone to protect you, what if you encountered danger..." As she spoke, she was suddenly reminded of what happened during Lin Yan's Golden Core tribulation. Judging by Lin Yan's expression, Xu Lan realized that this Nascent Soul tribulation had likely been as anticlimactic as the Golden Core one. In that case, it might indeed be unsuitable to undergo tribulation within the sect, as it could create inner demons for other disciples and even shake the Dao hearts of their older generation.
"Sect Leader Brother, what do you think?" Xu Lan turned to Sect Leader He. The other elders also looked towards the Sect Leader. They had not expected Lin Yan to reach the Nascent Soul stage so quickly. They also recalled what had happened during Lin Yan's Golden Core tribulation. With so much merit, it was no wonder she advanced so rapidly. She had no need to worry about an unstable foundation leading to an unstable realm and an inability to survive the heavenly tribulation.
Sect Leader He surveyed Lin Yan's cultivation with his divine sense. Lin Yan felt an almost tangible gaze sweep over her. A Nascent Soul cultivator would certainly not be able to detect the Sect Leader's divine sense. However, Lin Yan had once been a god, and thus, as soon as Sect Leader He's divine sense landed on her, she detected it.
Subsequently, Sect Leader He withdrew his divine sense. "Little Wangshu, do you truly not wish to participate in this Grand Competition?"
"Sect Leader Uncle-Master, you should understand the concerns I have."