Before anything else could be said, there was a crash at the door to the main hall they had found themselves situated in. It rocked the room, echoing like a bell from a bell tower. It felt as if the door had been engraved with some sort of power.
Genesis Runes?
At the exact moment the noise subsided, a figure seemed to walk into the room frantically. She was devoid of the grace Julong had become accustomed to when they met. Her long hair swept down her back, and her variant Yin and Yang Dwelling spewed out an uncontrolled aura. This person was of course none other than Xiao Dai, whom Julong had met the day prior.
What was up with her? She looks far too frantic.
"Master!"
The newly introduced Won Feng tilted his head in intrigue as he gazed upon what appeared to be his Disciple. It would make sense for him to take her as a Disciple, she would have an incredible future with her Yin and Yang Qi Dwelling.
"Xiao Dai..? What is it this early in the morning?"
"I came as fast as I could when I felt them enter the Sect, I wanted to bare witness to their punishment."
She spoke in a tone that attempted to betray her seeming excitement when talking about their demise. Apparently, she also had an intense hatred for the Sacred Palace - that or just a very sadistic personality.
Won Feng shook his head, a little disappointed. Of course, he didn't blame her for assuming he would kill them, he in fact would have, had he not figured out they were not from the Sacred Palace.
"Xiao Dai fix yourself. They are from the Cangxuan Sect, not the Sacred Palace. In other words, we have esteemed guests."
She immediately straightened and the aura she had been releasing curbed itself. Her apparent grace returned, but it only served to make Julong look at her in disbelief. Was that grace just a well-rehearsed act? She seemed far too frantic, clumsy and excitable when she wasn't actively trying.
Won Feng seemed to take notice of Julong's expression and with a small chuckle, spoke to him.
"Yes, she is a bit different than what you'd expect, isn't she? In reality, she is just a young girl who doesn't know how to control herself properly. She becomes far too excited when I even mention that she will be learning something new."
Julong smiled at this, it reminded him of another certain girl back in the Hunyuan Heaven. Su Youwei also shared such a trait, though she went about it in a much cuter and calm kind of way.
"Uhh, allow me to reintroduce myself. My name is Xiao Dai, the Disciple of Master Won Feng of our Swirling Poison Corrupting Sect."
As she looked between the two Cangxuan Sect Disciples, she seemed to give Julong a somewhat goofy apologetic smile. Julong smiled back, he too despised the Sacred Palace, so it was understandable that she would spite him, assuming he was one of their Disciples - even if at the same time it was a little bit irrational to just immediately assume that he was one of their Disciples. In fact if he didn't know any better he would have felt incredibly insulted.
Nodding in approval of the girl's introduction, Qingchan decided to respond, opting to also introduce herself to the girl who had led them here.
"I am Li Qingchan, a Chosen of the Cangxuan Sect."
Xiao Dai's eyes seemed to widen a little at the prospect. A Chosen wasn't quite an unbelievable existence but certainly was a grand one. It represented talent and future prospects. If Qingchan was diligent in her Cultivation, she would definitely be very strong in the future.
Julong who was sitting to the side suddenly felt awkward, as if he was also supposed to introduce himself. Though even if everyone in the room with him was aware of his name his identity was a different story. Even Qingchan still did not know of his origins. He quickly contemplated as to whether he should mention it, but decided not to.
"I believe I am acquainted with everyone here and do not need a reintroduction."
He kept it short, deciding to not waste any time, though he did feel a little arrogant speaking in such a way. Despite this, Won Feng just nodded in affirmation of his statement. Though, soon after, his humble expression became an almost scheming smile.
"Now, back to business. In regards to the Ancient Serpent Scales - if it means that I am able to stop the Sacred Palace from getting their hands on them, I am willing to lend the resources of our Sect to assist in your endeavours."
This caused large and excited expressions to emerge on both Qingchan and Julongs faces. How could they not be excited? They had just essentially allied themselves with the local Sect which ran the town!
"However, naturally this will not be a free exchange."
Julong faltered at his words, but assuming the one before him was actually as humble as he acted, Julong was hoping that the price would not be too high. In the end, it would not be worth it if they were on the losing end.
"In recent years due to the Sacred Palace suppression, we have been falling behind in our quotas. Our commission board is filled to the brim with tasks from local people and official requests from our Sect itself. I do not ask much, but if you could finish some of our commissions, I will be willing to help out. You can of course keep the rewards for said commissions too, so I'm sure it will be worth your while."
Hearing this Julong's previous smile returned. How could this even be considered payment? If they could do commissions and be rewarded for it with both the standard reward and help from the Sect, how could they ever refuse?
"Sect Master is far too generous. How would we ever be able to decline such an offer? Our Cangxuan Sect will definitely clear out some of the commissions for you."
Qingchan seemed to see the benefits in the offer made to them. That was to be expected though, you didn't exactly have to be smart to know that he was basically just making it so it appeared he wasn't giving away the Ancient Serpent Scales for free.
A smile graced Won Feng's lips at that moment.
"I have a feeling that with your arrival, our Sect has had a run-in with good fortune."