The respectful greetings echoed over the Fleeting Storm Sword Sect's summit a few times.
The disciples bowed respectfully and even Zhang Baichi still had his head lowered.
"Mh. At ease.", Jian Wubai said in a calm, light voice. He casually strolled around the tables and moved to the family heads of the Ji and Lu family and Jian Fu.
"This year's disciples are quite outstanding." He glanced at the youths of the Ji and Lu families. His gaze lingered on Lu Zheng for a short while as surprise flashed through his eyes.
"This is Lu Zheng?", he questioned, to which the burly leader of the Lu family faintly smiled. "Yes, Lu Zheng is the most outstanding Body Forging Realm cultivator of my Lu family. Sect Master might remember him from last year's excursion."
Jian Wubai faced Lu Zheng with a neutral look. "I do remember. You did not make great contributions last year, but your progress was outstanding. From the 7th Layer to the 9th in one month. It's good to have someone like you join this years excursion as well."
Lu Zheng deeply bowed his head with a humble expression. "Sect Master flatters this disciple too much. This disciple will do his best to bring glory to the sect this year."
Jian Wubai nodded with a smile. "Good. Our Fleeting Storm Sword Sect will rely on you." He turned to the rest of the disciples. "And on you all as well."
"We will do our best for the sect!", the disciples shouted as one and bowed their heads.
Still accepting their words with a smile, Jian Wubai then turned to Zhang Baichi. "Baichi, come over here. Everyone else, come and sit at the table. We shall eat before discussing the matters concerning the Beastwilds Mystic Realm."
The Outer Sect disciples and even the youths from the Ji and Lu families hurriedly found themselves a seat at the tables. The various Spirit Foods lined up before them had long since drawn their eyes.
They looked like starved wolves who just found a fat sheep, but no one dared to eat before Jian Wubai. The Sect Master casually grabbed a pear-shaped fruit and smiled. "Eat until your hearts' content."
"Thank you, Sect Master!"
They buried their faces in the Spirit Foods as if scared that someone might steal their portions and ate. Zhang Baichi sat beside Jian Wubai and also started to eat.
'Keep an eye out for Lu Zheng in the Mystic Realm. He's not simple.' Zhang Baichi stopped chewing when Jian Wubai's voice resounded in his head, but continued after a moment to not draw suspicions.
Jian Wubai glanced at him and also took another bite from his pear-shaped fruit. 'Last year, four people died in the Mystic Realm while Lu Zheng was the one who reaped the greatest harvest, breaking through two times.'
While Zhang Baichi already had his own thoughts about this matter, he could only listen to Jian Wubai's warning, as he had no way to answer without the other Elders hearing him.
'His strength has reached the peak of the Body Forging Realm and he knows the terrain better than any of you. Be careful not to run into a trap.', Jian Wubai spoke in another sound transmission.
Zhang Baichi took the last bite from the food in front of him and nodded repeatedly with a contented expression, making sure to glance at Jian Wubai to show that he understood.
"Master, is Li Yao not here?", Zhang Baichi whispered, changing the topic to further keep suspicions low.
The only ones who could hear him were the Sect Master and the three Elder, who all knew Li Yao, so there shouldn't be a problem.
Indeed, Jian Wubai smiled and answered in a teasing whisper. "Oh? Do you already miss your Senior Sister?"
Zhang Baichi smiled wryly. "That's not it. I was just asking because of all the food."
"She's not good with groups of people and chose to remain in her room.", Jian Wubai explained with a chuckle.
"I see." Zhang Baichi lowered his head and munched on another fruit. The Lu and Ji family heads glanced at each other, most likely speaking with sound transmissions.
Jian Fu drank some wine and chuckled to him. Then also sent a sound transmission to Zhang Baichi. 'Good kid. Just you talking about little Yao already makes those old fogeys nervous. You really know how to infuriate people.'
Zhang Baichi smiled mischievously as the banquet continued.
A while later, everyone had stuffed themselves full and the mountains of food on the tables were reduces to leftovers.
Jian Wubai gave all of them a few minutes to sit and rest in peace before smiling. "Very well. Now that everyone seems satisfied, let's talk about the Beastwilds Mystic Realm."
Everyone focused almost immediately and looked at Jian Wubai with a serious expression.
The latter nodded. "Good attentiveness. Your Elders should have already explained the basics about the Mystic Realm to you, so I won't go over that again. Instead, I'll focus on another important matter."
"Our Fleeting Storm Sword Sect will cooperate with the Willow Tree Pavilion this year." His words surprised the disciples; Usually, it was a free for all between the three sects, yet now they would cooperate?
Jian Wubai continued after the initial shock subsided. "Investigations of our people and the Willow Tree Pavilion have shown that the Broad Wisdom Sect is colluding with outsiders this time. To ensure our own safety, Pavilion Master Xiao and I have decided on this cooperation."
"Sect Master, is that really necessary? I believe we are already plenty powerful.", Lu Zheng lifted his hand with a concerned expression. "Even if it is the Willow Tree Pavilion, we can never be too careful about outsider's intentions."
"That is a good point, but you all have to understand what it means for the Broad Wisdom Sect to collude with outsiders: The Grand Mo Kingdom in whose territory all of our sects are located, is considerably weak compared to the surrounding powers. Outsiders will most likely be much stronger than your average cultivator of the same level.", Jian Wubai explained.
The youths looked serious, but also somewhat uncertain. Jian Wubai shook his head. "You don't have to worry too much. Pavilion Master Xiao and I are just being cautious since we don't know who allied with the Broad Wisdom Sect. All of you are outstandingly strong."
His words were enough to lift the moods of these youths and he swiftly answered a few more questions about the Mystic Realm, clearing up any possible misunderstandings.
At the end, he looked at the youths again and spoke. "Very well, that should be all you need to know. There is one more thing we need to consider, though. Who among you should lead the excursion?"
Everyone turned silent for a moment. Among them, the only people qualified to lead them were naturally the three strongest: Yun Ye from the Outer Sect, Lu Zheng from the Lu family and Zhang Baichi, the Sect Master's disciple.
Surprisingly, the usually flippant and confident Yun Ye shrank back in his seat; He didn't want to compete for the position of leader.
Lu Zheng and Zhang Baichi glanced at him and then turned to each other. Zhang Baichi was the firs to speak in a neutral tone. "Brother Lu Zheng, what do you think? Your prior experience will be an invaluable boon for the whole team."
"Brother Zhang is right, but I would rather like to support Brother Zhang from the sides. As I said, I prefer to keep a low profile.", Lu Zheng spoke with a smile. "I also wouldn't want to bring the seniority in disorder."
Zhang Baichi nodded. "Since that is the case, I will lead the team then. I will rely on Brother Lu Zheng's experience when the time comes. And on everyone's strength, of course."
The matter was settled just like that and Yun Ye smiled at Zhang Baichi. "Haha, Brother Zhang, you don't have to worry! With you, Brother Lu and myself together, the Broad Wisdom Sect won't have a chance."
Zhang Baichi looked at him in surprise. This guy had hidden himself when it was important, but he had the gall to call him 'Brother Zhang' after Zhang Baichi allowed Lu Zheng to do so. 'He's highly opportunistic. That's not a bad thing, but I need to keep an eye on him.'
He still smiled at Yun Ye and nodded again. "Of course, I'll rely on Brother Yun's strength, as well."
Since Yun Ye was from the Outer Sect and was well known among the Outer Sect disciples, Zhang Baichi thought that it would be advantageous for the team's dynamic to have him on his side.
'I have to worry about the Ji and Lu families, the mission from Master, protect the Willow Tree Pavilion's young miss and even keep the Broad Wisdom Sect in check', Zhang Baichi mused and sighed in his heart. 'What a mess… But, at least it'll start tomorrow.'