Chapter 2509

The doubts regarding their cultivation had been clarified on the journey. Now, the focus shifted from cultivation to mental preparation.

Psychological resilience was crucial. With a strong mind, one might even challenge opponents of higher realms. Zhu Yanyi and Yan Aohan did not know how far the Azure Sovereign Qingdi Sect would go, but Zhu Yanyi trusted her disciples deeply. She knew they were not easily defeated.

However, this very stubbornness worried her. She did not fear them losing; she feared their minds becoming too heavy. If they lost, they might become obsessed with failure. Zhu Yanyi did not want her disciples to be short-sighted. She wanted them to conquer their own selves.

For a cultivator, the most terrifying enemy was not a higher-level opponent, but oneself.

Often, the self was the greatest inner demon. If one could not break through this barrier, they would never advance in their lifetime.

Zhu Yanyi hoped her disciples would not be bound by external factors. She wanted them to understand the importance of defeating their own limitations.

Thus, mental preparation before the competition was vital.

"Counting it up, this is your first true battle," Zhu Yanyi said, looking at the ten disciples kneeling seriously before her. "Among you ten, there are direct disciples and inner sect disciples. Regardless of type, one thing is certain: you are the elites of the Azure Sovereign Qingdi Sect."

Zhu Yanyi’s eyes were clear. Her tone was incredibly kind. But Yan Aohan, who knew her well, understood that this kindness was meant to relax the ten disciples. Only then would her following words take effect.

Yes, that was exactly Zhu Yanyi’s plan.

In this world, only Yan Aohan truly understood Zhu Yanyi.

Seeing the ten disciples relax, Zhu Yanyi continued, "But the world is vast. You are elites in the Azure Sovereign Qingdi Sect. Outside? Do you think you are still elites? The outside world is wonderful, and there are many talented people there. What ability do you have that makes others consider you elites?"

The ten disciples looked confused, not understanding why the Sect Master was saying this.

Zhu Yanyi saw their confusion and spoke slowly, "You don’t understand?"

Cui Wan spoke as the representative, "Master, please speak directly. If we are wrong, we will correct ourselves."

Zhu Yanyi looked at Cui Wan and said slowly, "It is not about you being wrong. I am telling you that the world is huge, and danger is everywhere. You are elites, but you must know the truth: there are always people better than you."

Zhu Yanyi pointed to the sky. "This sky is our environment. But you may not know that beyond this sky, there are other skies. The universe and chaos are infinite. No one knows the edge. Similarly, human ability is infinite. Your talent and ability are top among the youth. But there are others with the same or higher qualifications. Let’s not talk about those with higher qualifications. Just consider those with the same qualifications. You must know that in the Azure Sovereign Qingdi Sect, all disciples have the same qualifications as you."

This was no secret. The ten disciples knew this.

"You stood out to participate in the Heavenly Fortune Competition this time only because your cultivation time was longer, so your realm is slightly deeper. Or perhaps, you were let in, like your Senior Brother Xiao Qiang," Zhu Yanyi said.

Guan Xiaoqiang was Zhuge Hongwen’s direct disciple. His talent and cultivation were good, comparable to the ten disciples before them. But he disliked fighting. He preferred using strategies to crush opponents. Moreover, he was lazy. He was so lazy he didn’t even want to walk. He had specially asked the alchemy disciples to forge a wheelchair for him. Although his limbs were healthy, he liked sitting in the wheelchair every day, fanning himself with a feather fan, imitating some figure of tragic beauty.

According to Shen Jinsong, Guan Xiaoqiang was imitating Zhuge Hongwen’s appearance when he was disabled.

Well, everyone had different ideas. As long as everyone was healthy, imitation was acceptable. So Zhu Yanyi never interfered with Guan Xiaoqiang’s habit. Zhuge Hongwen seemed very satisfied with this direct disciple, even more so than with the eldest disciple, teaching her many things personally.

Zhu Yanyi mentioned Guan Xiaoqiang now mainly to make the ten disciples understand that they were not the only young elites of the Azure Sovereign Qingdi Sect.

"Master, we understand that our fellow disciples are all good," Cui Wan said.

Zhu Yanyi nodded. "Cui Wan, you have been by my side for many years. Your qualification is good, and you are willing to endure hardship. These are your strengths. But you should also know your weaknesses. Because you have been by my side for so long, and the disciples of the Azure Sovereign Qingdi Sect love each other, with no jealousy, you have developed a sense of self-inflation. Is that true?"

Zhu Yanyi looked at Cui Wan and spoke very seriously.

Cui Wan was slightly stunned, then pondered for a moment, reflecting on her situation.

As Zhu Yanyi said, Cui Wan had worked hard these years. She always ranked first or second in the sect’s internal exams. This caused her confidence to slowly inflate.

Although the sect had regular assessments and competitions, there was little killing intent. They stopped at a certain point. This made Cui Wan feel proud.

She had never fought outsiders. Because she had not passed the Ten-Step Heavenly Ladder ten times, she could not leave the sect alone. When the sect had missions, elders usually led them.

This method did not affect her much. After several times, her team’s performance outside was still good.

Zhu Yanyi noticed Cui Wan’s emotion and brought it up today intentionally. Not only Cui Wan had this emotion; many inner sect disciples in the Azure Sovereign Qingdi Sect did too. Zhu Yanyi wanted them to understand the cruelty of reality.

"If you fail in the Heavenly Fortune Competition, but you have tried your best and it is due to insufficient cultivation, I will not blame you. But if it is caused by your pride and vanity, I will punish you. I say this in advance today."