Within the outer sect quarters of Pure Heart sect, somewhere in the female quarters, a young and prideful woman was ordering a bunch of people to quickly pack up their belongings and clean their rooms.
"Miss Ye, everything is packed up and we are ready to leave for the inner sect quarters" a young and sweet feminine voice sounded.
"Tai Xue, how many times have I said to call me sister Ling? We are longer in the town and in this sect, I am not someone who should be addressed this way" Ye Ling chided gently while trying to make a serious face.
"Yes Xue 'er, you both are almost the same age. It has been four years now and should get used to addressing each other normally" another melodious voice sounded as an average looking woman doted on Tai Xue.
"Then, can I call you sister Rui?" Tai Xue asked to which Ye Ling seriously nodded her head and wanted to hear her reply.
"How is it possible? You are going to be my daughter-in-law and should properly only call me aunt for now" Ming Rui replied with a hint of cheekiness.
"Y-You always say that Aunt Rui. It has been four years and Ming Shin should also be soon selected as an entourage to enter a sect" the former responded with low voice while rolling her eyes.
Ming Rui also missed her son and husband very much. Every day she only hoped to see them again and being a family of three.
Ning Shu also sighed looking at how these three bonded over the past four years. Even her horizons were broadly expanded during this time.
Most of the four years, Ming Rui barely even left the outer sect, while Tai Xue only twice came out with them on a mission. Most of their time was either spent on cultivating or refining herbs. Ning Shu and another young girl from the clan always accompanied Ye Ling for any sect competitions or to complete tasks outside.
Remembering about Ming Shin and the reason for him being left behind, Ye Ling was a bit guilty but her pride overcame her. Huh, a child dared to look directly at her with no respect or awe. This irked her much then, but now, she couldn't care less after seeing the outside world.
"Aunt Rui will of course want you to be her daughter-in-law. You are so pretty, gentle and talented but, Hao Min is also a very good person unlike his sister. I hear only great things about him in the sect. He is the son of third elder and has great talent whilst not being arrogant or unruly" Ye Ling sighed and asked Tai Xue.
The latter shook her head like a rattle and hid behind Ming Rui "No, I won't leave Aunt Rui". Ye Ling can only shrug with helplessness. She is also facing pressure since an year regarding this issue.
Hao Min once saw Tai Xue and was captivated by her beauty. He directly courted her to be his companion. Hao Yin has been conspiring all kinds of methods to take Tai Xue for her brother, but the latter did not leave the outer area again after the incident.
It is only now that Ye Ling successfully ascended to Foundation realm after taking Ning Mei dan after making contributions to the sect. Ming Rui played a main role in refining high quality herbs and as a follower, most of the credit was given to Ye Ling.
Both Ming Rui and Tai Xue are very talented and have already stepped into Foundation realm even before Ye Ling. Ming Rui is in Foundation realm fourth layer while Tai Xue is third layer foundation.
The only abnormality no one knows is that Ming Rui has already opened sixty meridians and has the strength to overwhelm a sixth layer foundation strong man. The Jade Yin fruit she took before has shown more effect over the years and it's essence is yet to dissipate.
She began to feel all the internal changes taking place and her demeanor has also become somewhat cold and instant over the years. Due to applying some special herbs to disguise her beauty, except Ning Shu, no one knows how beautiful Ming Rui was.
They soon walked towards the inner courtyard where inner disciples are trained with more resources. Most of the internal disciples have followers who act as eyeliners for them and also to maintain connections within their factions.
Mai Hue the deacon who previously attended the assessment at Henji town in one of the internal deacons of the sect, but very few know that she is the sister of the sect master.
She was offered the position of an elder with her cultivation and wisdom, but she declined it as she was not interested in petty politics. Pure Heart sect adheres to little to no rules and mainly believes in the principle of 'acting true to the heart'.
They teach all the disciples and sect members that one should always be true to their thoughts be it evil or good. There is very less possibility of inner demons due to this in cultivation. Due to this, there is also freedom in obscene nature, cruelty and strength.
Every month, the outer court holds a battle platform where anyone can solve their issue. The challenger cannot challenge anyone lower than his own realm. Here is where having followers adds an advantage as they can represent the challenger in fighting low level battles when needed.
The inner court holds battle platform once an year and all the elders except the sect master preside over it. Life and death is always inevitable in such battles. Mai Hue is the referee for internal sect battles.
Ye Ling and group have arrived at the inner court and a few of the young women were enthusiastic about meeting a new person while others wanted to join her in their faction. The internal court is mainly of two factions.
One is headed by Hao Yin and has majority of the influence while the other is lead by a young man named Fang Chen who is known for his righteousness and heroic valor.
He is from a prominent Fang clan similar to the Kang clan but a bitter enemy. Hence Kang Bin joined Hao Yin as the deputy of her faction while Di Shu the burly man belongs to the Fang faction.
Su Wen did not join any faction. There is third neutral faction which is the alchemy faction where Ye Ling also wanted to join, as it isn't involved in these disputes and holds a high position among the sect.
Hao Min who heard that the woman he was enchanted with has entered the inner court was elated and immediately set forth towards where Ye Ling stayed. There were also other people who followed him to guide the way.
Soon he saw a lively scene where many people are trying to poach Ye Ling into their faction. As she was feeling helpless so as to not outright reject them, she saw a person approaching.
The others also noticed it and immediately greeted Hao Min with friendly smiles. Unlike his sister who people are more wary of, Hao Min is well liked for his gentle and upright nature.
"Congratulations to senior sister Ye for getting promoted to Foundation realm" he tried to sound sincere while looking for Tai Xue.
"Thank you younger brother Hao" she responded with a smile while noticing his intentions.
"Cough, did you come all the way just to congratulate me?" she asked with some cheekiness and a hint of envy for she did not get such attention.
Hao Min was red with embarrassment and Ye Ling laughed at this childish behavior and called for Tai Xue to come out. Tai Xue who was unpacking the things and organizing the room came out after hearing Miss Ye call out to her.
As soon as she came, the followers behind bowed with respect and shouted " I have seen sister-in-law". She was confused at first and then saw Hao Min and was bewildered with such a stunt.
Even Hao Min was caught of guard and coughed but he was a bit happy and secretly gave a thumbs up to them.
"Miss Tai Xue, you have grown even beautiful in the past year" Hao Min tried to act like an adult and complimented in a gentleman manner. All the women present were trying to stop their laugh while Tai Xue was amused at this boy an year younger than her.
She just politely nodded at him and looked at Ye Ling. Noticing this, Ye Ling was helpless and knew this girl though naive looking, but was clever at such things.
"Tai Xue, let's go to the deacon hall and collect my inner disciple token. We also have to get the newcomer resources" she suggested to which Tai Xue agreed. Ye Ling politely bid farewell to Hao Min and made her way to the deacon hall.
Hao Min was left there standing not knowing how to continue talking with the woman he liked. Should I follow her to the deacon hall? Is it creepy? Now that she's here in inner court, there will be more chances in the future.
He sighed and smiled at the others and left. The news was quickly sent to Hao Yin who laughed happily at her brother's innocence and embarrassment. Hao Yang was waiting outside the sect master residence to inform him of the great news.