Seeing their reflective expressions, Ling Luo Yi nodded with satisfaction.
Fortunately, they knew how to reflect; they weren't beyond saving.
"Alright, now that you know where the problems lie, just solve them," Ling Luo Yi glanced at the sky. "That's all for today. You can all go back."
After everyone dispersed.
Ling Luo Yi and her group headed to the flower hall. Ling Luo Yi and Ling Luo Chen walked behind.
Noticing Ling Luo Yi's furrowed brow, Ling Luo Chen asked, "Luo'er, what's wrong?"
"Too weak. The Ling family is still too weak," Ling Luo Yi sighed.
"Luo'er, don't push yourself too hard."
"There's no other way. There's too little time for the Ling family. I must make the Ling family appear in a different light to the world next month, otherwise..."
Ling Luo Chen understood when Ling Luo Yi trailed off.
If Luo'er couldn't improve the Ling family's strength in a short period, it would prove she didn't possess what those influential figures desired, rendering her valueless. Their hope would turn to disappointment, and in their rage, the Ling family would be lost.
"Brother, I want to take them for training, where no one will protect them."
"Experiencing life and death?"
"Only by experiencing life and death will they know how weak they are. Brother, don't tell me you didn't see it just now. When I pointed out their problems, they were all unhappy. Yet, with just a little progress, they became so overjoyed they forgot themselves."
"They have indeed been protected too well."
"Fledglings who haven't weathered storms."
"It's good for them to experience it. Have you chosen the time and place?"
"Let's go to the Falling Sunset Forest. We can also capture some contract beasts."
"You've been through it all, haven't you? The issues you just mentioned. Although I don't know your strength, what you've shown so far wasn't easily obtained."
"Likewise, Brother, aren't you hiding something too?"
Ling Luo Chen smiled. They truly were alike, brother and sister, though she hid even more.
After the group finished their meal, Ling Luo Yi brought up the matter.
Ling Qi hesitated. Letting the children go without protection, wouldn't they encounter danger?
Sensing his hesitation, Ling Luo Yi said, "Second Uncle, seedlings that are overprotected cannot grow into towering trees."
Seeing Ling Luo Yi's determination, Ling Qi agreed and asked, "When do you plan to go, Luo'er?"
"The matters in the manor are almost arranged. The Pill Pavilion and the auction are also ready. We just need Second Aunt to arrange for people. Third Sister won't be going with us this time; she can help Second Aunt with the arrangements." Ling Luo Yi thought for a moment. "I plan to leave after attending the royal banquet and will return on the afternoon of the eighteenth."
"Going for six days? Who will be going?"
"Everyone in the manor who is participating in the genius selection will go."
"You're taking so many people?"
"Yes. Perhaps when we return, Second Uncle will see a vastly different appearance."
"Alright," Ling Qi agreed.
"Oh, right!" Ling Luo Yi suddenly produced a sack. "Second Uncle, this tea is for everyone to drink. You can ask the tea room to brew this for everyone from now on."
"Luo'er, what kind of tea is this?" Bai Jingzhi pointed at the sack at Ling Luo Yi's feet and asked. Knowing this girl, anything she produced was never ordinary.
"This, this is Five Elements Spiritual Tea. Cultivators who drink it can nourish their spiritual roots, and ordinary people can strengthen their bodies."
"Spiritual Tea!"
A collective gasp echoed through the hall.
"What's wrong?"
"Nothing. It's just that this item is already lost, isn't it?"
"It's just rare, not lost."
"Oh," Bai Jingzhi nodded foolishly.
"Luo'er, since it's so rare, you should drink it yourselves. It won't do us much good."
"Second Uncle, this tea was prepared for you all. Please drink it. I'll bring another bag when this is finished."
"Judging by what you're saying, you have quite a lot?"
"Yes, I don't really like drinking tea, so I just set it aside. Please take it, Second Uncle."
"Yes, Second Uncle."
Under everyone's persuasion, Ling Qi accepted it.
"Alright, Second Uncle, we're leaving now."
"Go ahead."
After everyone had left, Bai Jingzhi said, "That child thought everything through before returning."
"Yes, Luo'er is also thinking of us."
"She hasn't had an easy time these past few years," the three ladies said with concern.
*
On the way back to their courtyard, Ling Luo Fu asked, "Eldest Sister, do we need to build momentum for the auction?"
"No need."
"Then when should we release the news?"
"After the Flowing Cloud Pavilion auction ends, have someone release the news. With my current popularity, there will be plenty of people without needing to build momentum. At that time, also spread the news about the Azure Nether Longevity Pill, but only to the Wei family. You prepare the entrance tickets these few days; it must be done secretly."
"Okay," Ling Luo Fu replied enthusiastically.
*
The next morning, at the Ling family's training grounds.
"Go back and pack your things. The day after tomorrow morning, we will go to the Falling Sunset Forest for training. Everyone participating in the genius selection must go!"
"Are only we going?" someone asked uncertainly.
"Only we are going this time. The elders are not going! This means that this time, apart from yourselves and your companions, no one will protect you!"
"Isn't that courting death?" someone faltered.
Ling Luo Yi said angrily, "Listen up! The country you reside in is Tianwu Kingdom, a lower-tier country on the Ancient Spirit Continent, the most peripheral region of the Ancient Spirit Continent, and the place with the thinnest spiritual energy!
The Ancient Spirit Continent also has middle-tier countries, upper-tier countries, and even super-powers. In those places, people your age are far stronger than you.
Perhaps you don't understand, having lived here your entire lives. Why don't you ask those around you who have entered the Ancient Spirit Academy about their treatment within the academy! They've probably been scolded and humiliated countless times!
Do you know why, besides the Ling family, no other family's disciples from Tianwu Kingdom can enter the Ancient Spirit Academy?
It's because they are weak. Even the Ling family's entry into the Ancient Spirit Academy was due to a quota given by the Dean of the Ancient Spirit Academy. If, one day, they stop giving it, then not only will you be unable to enter, but those who have already entered might be expelled!"
Seeing the humiliation appearing on their faces, Ling Luo Yi continued, "Are you willing? Are you all willing? Willing to become playthings in their hands?! Willing to be their jokes?!"
"What's the point of being unwilling!" someone finally couldn't help but shout angrily. "Their cultivation is higher than ours, their talent is better, their resources are more abundant. What's the point of being unwilling!"
"So, have you resigned yourself to fate? It's true they have better talent and more resources than you, but there's one thing they can't compare to you?"
Everyone stared blankly at Ling Luo Yi.
"They dare not risk their lives because they live too comfortably, just like you now, too well-protected. Have you forgotten what happened ten years ago? Why did the Ling family fall from the head of the five great families to its current state? Isn't it precisely because they were too weak! Do you want to continue like this? Enjoying the protection of your elders, and when they can no longer protect you, you will be like a group of grasshoppers, toyed with by them. Do you accept this outcome?"
"No! We don't accept it!" someone shouted.
Ling Luo Yi smiled and said, "Those who don't accept it, meet me at Qingfeng Pavilion, five li outside the North City Gate, at the beginning of the hour of the snake the day after tomorrow. As for the others, go back and take a good look at your parents, see how long they can protect you. That's all I have to say. Think about it carefully."
Ling Luo Yi then left directly.
Soon, Ling Luo Yi's words spread throughout the entire Ling family, and the Ling family members fell into deep thought.