Zhu Yanyi raised an eyebrow. "Four years ago, you asked me to handle the New Yu Dynasty in the Dayu Plane. You promised a student quota in the Medical Realm as payment. You haven’t forgotten, have you?"
"Of course not. So?" Xi Muzheng was not a man who broke his word. He had indeed promised this, so he would not refuse.
Zhu Yanyi smiled faintly. "I know. Since it is a student quota, I intend to give it away. Therefore, I will now compete for an Elder quota."
Xi Muzheng coughed. Who was she? Even if her cultivation was lower than Zhu Yanyi’s, she understood her clear intent. She stared at her steadily. "You want to compete for an Elder quota? There are only three spots."
"Yes." Zhu Yanyi nodded. "I value rules above all. Since you made me an Elder, I must compete for an Elder spot. I originally wanted an Elder quota, but with so many Elders, taking one without cause would cause resentment. So, I decided to compete fairly. However, the student quota is my reward, so it cannot be lost. I will simply gift it to a student friend."
Xi Muzheng understood perfectly. If he didn’t, he would be a fool. After a long pause, he asked, "When did you decide this?"
"I have always planned this. Since you tricked me four years ago, I had this idea. I thought if I were a student, I would give my reserved spot to others and fight for another myself. Unexpectedly, I became an Elder, so I must fight for an Elder spot."
Zhu Yanyi sounded aggrieved, but Xi Muzheng wished she would fight for a student spot. There were seven student spots, but only three Elder spots.
She knew Zhu Yanyi’s cultivation. She was the only Dongxu Laojun in this plane. Which Elder could oppose her? Getting one of the three spots would be as easy as picking something from a pocket. It was too simple for her.
Yet, she could not refuse. She was using an open strategy, a righteous one. She stated clearly: student spots are many, Elder spots are few. Swapping a student spot for an Elder spot would be unfair to the Elders. But since she is now an Elder, she cannot use a student spot. Thus, she gifts the student spot and openly competes for an Elder spot.
Xi Muzheng felt three black lines appear on her forehead. Zhu Yanyi’s calculation was too precise. Most importantly, she could not refute it.
To get Zhu Yanyi to take Dan Sheng and the others to the Dayu Plane, she had indeed sacrificed a quota. She never expected her to break through and become a Dongxu Laojun. Even without the breakthrough, her cultivation was above her, so becoming an Elder was inevitable.
Xi Muzheng was speechless. "There are only ten spots in total. You take two at once. What if others are dissatisfied?"
"The student quota is reserved. It was the price for me taking Dan Sheng and the others to the Dayu Plane. If they are dissatisfied, let them complain to you. The Elder quota, I compete for openly. If anyone is dissatisfied, they can challenge me. If they defeat me, they get my spot. I am always easy to talk to and believe in the rule of the strong. So rest assured. Just let the Elders challenge me then."
Zhu Yanyi sounded so generous, but Xi Muzheng’s face turned dark with anger.
Challenge her? Only those seeking death would challenge her. She knew the level of the Elders in the Sage Academy well. She took a deep breath. It seemed she had no choice this time. Well, Zhu Yanyi’s ability was undeniable. If they had the skill, they could challenge her. As she said, the strong rule. She never took spots casually; she earned them. Although earning it was nearly the same as taking it for free, she at least went through the motion. Thus, she had nothing to say.
Seeing Xi Muzheng had no more words, Zhu Yanyi nodded slightly. "Well, since the Dean has no objections, it is settled. I need to tidy up my residence. It has been years, and it is dusty."
Dust? A cultivator’s residence could be cleaned with a single cleaning spell. Who was she trying to deceive?
Knowing Zhu Yanyi was making an excuse, Xi Muzheng could not stop her. She could only watch her leave.
Zhu Yanyi never doubted Xi Muzheng’s ability to handle this. She simply wanted what belonged to her. Moreover, she had been tricked and calculated against before. This time, she had to get it back. Zhu Yanyi always believed that repaying kindness with kindness and revenge with revenge was excellent.
Take Dan Sheng, for example. If Yan Aohan had not altered Dan Sheng’s memories, she would have gone to beat her up long ago. she dared to covet her? she was simply courting death.
After returning, Zhu Yanyi tidied up slightly. Then, she leisurely read books, drank tea, and ate snacks in the courtyard. She did not go out. However, Sikong Xuran had already informed Ouyang Tianyun, Bai Haochen, and Yuan Yanqiu that Zhu Yanyi had emerged. The four of them decided to visit her together.
Although Zhu Yanyi’s attitude toward them had not changed, she was now an Elder. Many people could not visit her frequently while they were not Elders. Thus, only a few could visit.
Zhu Yanyi smiled as she saw the four enter. "You four are quite leisurely."
Ouyang Tianyun smiled. "Knowing you emerged from seclusion, we naturally came here to chat, drink tea, and eat snacks. Your things here are always good."
Zhu Yanyi smiled faintly, brewed a pot of Five-Flavor Tea, and poured it for them. "Drinking a cup of Five-Flavor Tea and tasting the flavors of life is not a bad thing."
The four took a sip. Their faces showed surprise. They closed their eyes, sensing the five flavors of life within the tea.
For each sip, the shortest reflection lasted fifteen minutes. The longest lasted an hour. The one who reflected the most was Yuan Yanqiu.
"Sister Yanqiu is clearly better at reflection than you three," Zhu Yanyi said with a smile. This showed that Yuan Yanqiu’s heart was much more stable than the men’s.
"Junior Sister Yanyi, your tea is a treasure," Sikong Xuran said with a smile.
"Don’t you call me Captain? Now you call me Junior Sister. Speak. What is your scheme?" Zhu Yanyi saw through Sikong Xuran’s intentions at a glance.