Ji Wusi's expression instantly changed!
He feared nothing Lin Xiao did and could casually deal with him.
But Yun Jin!
That's his precious disciple, the one who would inherit his legacy!
For Lin Xiao to suddenly drag Yun Jin into this made Ji Wusi's heart jolt.
Even Qing Yun and Liuli grew a little tense.
Originally, the three of them were competing fairly. Even without a result yet, it was already difficult enough.
Now, Lin Xiao suddenly also wanted to intervene as well. And since Tianxing Sect was indeed under the jurisdiction of Qingxiao Pavilion, with Lin Xiao now invoking his priority right, they seemed to have no grounds to refuse.
Originally. if Yun Jin had already been taken away by them, then Lin Xiao would have no say.
But as it was, Yun Jin was still a disciple of Tianxing Sect. In theory, this rule really did have to be respected.
Yun Jin's expression also shifted slightly. She couldn't help but ask, "Honored seniors, what does this priority right mean? Must I go to Qingxiao Pavilion?"
Of the Four Holy Lands, Qingxiao Pavilion was the one she felt no fondness for at all.
Isn't that pure torment for her to enter Qingxiao Pavilion!
Qing Yun looked at Yun Jin with some anticipation, "Not necessarily. This priority right only means he can be the first to extend an invitation to talents within his domain. If the invited person is unwilling, naturally he cannot force it."
So, as long as Yun Jin was unwilling, Lin Xiao naturally could not compel her.
However.
In thousands of years, the Four Holy Lands had only exercised priority rights five times, and always for the most exceptional geniuses.
And every one of those geniuses, without exception, joined the Holy Land that exercised the right.
The reasoning was simple.
First, the Four Holy Lands had no obvious hierarchy in strength, only different paths. Under normal circumstances, they wouldn't clash. For example, an alchemy genius would naturally join Xuandan Sect, the other Holy Lands would gain nothing from seizing him. Even if there was a genius who excelled in multiple fields, once one Holy Land exercised its right, the others would no longer compete. After all, they were all Holy Lands and had to give each other face. It wasn't worth fighting for the sake of one disciple.
Second, the Holy Land exercising its right was also the administrator of that region. Even if you wanted to refuse, your family, friends, and sectmates were still in that region. If you refused and went elsewhere, you yourself might be fine, but what about those left behind? More or less, they would likely face pressure.
Of course, such a thing had never yet happened in these thousands of years. No one knew what refusing a Holy Land would actually bring. But who would dare try?
"Xiao Jin." Lin Ya spoke softly, "Refuse him. Follow the three seniors away, and Qingxiao Pavilion will not be able to touch you."
As for whether those left behind would suffer Qingxiao Pavilion's retaliation, Lin Ya couldn't care that much right now.
He only knew that if Yun Jin entered Qingxiao Pavilion, with Zhao Ling and Zhao Wuji father and son there, how could she live peacefully?
His little disciple is a heaven-blessed genius!
Her life shouldn't be wasted in petty scheming.
She should focus on cultivating and walking her own great Dao!
"That's right, Little Junior Sister. I heard that Qingxiao Pavilion is extremely hierarchical and suffocating. That place isn't suitable for you." Yue Zhao also spoke.
Among the Four Holy Lands, each had its own style. Qingxiao Pavilion was the strictest about rankings. With Yun Jin's temperament, she would definitely feel stifled.
"Little Junior Sister, just directly refuse." Si Wanning said as well.
Yu Songnian didn't speak, but nodded firmly.
They all knew.
Qingxiao Pavilion would only waste Yun Jin's talent. She should have a vaster, wider world!
"Yun Jin." Ji Wusi said softly, "I'll speak plainly with you. Though Lin Xiao is a Sect Master, he is also a petty man. If you refuse him, with my protection, he will not dare openly move against you. But in secret, he will have countless tricks waiting. A gentleman is easy to guard against, a petty man is hard to guard against, and he is the hardest kind to guard against."
Qing Yun glanced at Ji Wusi.
Well, this sword cultivator actually phrased his insult with some subtlety and didn't directly call Lin Xiao a petty man. Should he be praised for that?
But they all knew Ji Wusi's words were true.
Lin Xiao was indeed one to bear grudges.
"It's better to follow me back to Xuandan Sect." Qing Yun said. "A sword cultivator must temper himself, inevitably breaking through at the edge of life and death. If he suddenly plays tricks, it will be hard to avoid. But if you stay in seclusion refining pills with me, he will find no chance to act."
Liuli was about to speak, but Qing Yun cut her off directly, "Beast tamers aren't much better. Even if you don't have to constantly hover between life and death, you still have to venture into dangerous places to subdue spirit beasts. In the current situation, only by entering Xuandan Sect can you escape this calamity."
Qing Yun's words, unexpectedly, made sense.
Ji Wusi and Liuli were momentarily speechless.
This disciple was one they would never willingly give up. But Lin Xiao was not the kind to let bygones be bygones. If Yun Jin refused, she would definitely attract his hatred.
But if she agreed…
Life in Qingxiao Pavilion might not be any better.
Lin Xiao's voice rang out again, "Earlier, there were but some small misunderstandings. My Qingxiao Pavilion has always valued strength above all. As long as one really have talent, I, Lin Xiao, will never treat them poorly. Next year is the sect evaluation. I see Tianxing Sect is close to becoming an upper-sect, perhaps it will advance further."
This was an implication that if Yun Jin entered Qingxiao Pavilion, he would help Tianxing Sect be promoted.
Below, the disciples of Tianxing Sect faintly stirred.
If the sect could be promoted, the territory they could claim and the resources they could obtain would greatly increase. The resources distributed to each person would also naturally grow. This was a matter directly concerning each of their interests.
But…
Would Yun Jin join Qingxiao Pavilion?
If it were anyone else, being personally invited by the Sect Master of a Holy Land, they would definitely be ecstatic.
But Yun Jin?
The disciples of Tianxing Sect weren't so sure.
Although Yun Jin had only joined the sect three months ago, they had all been observing her conduct.
She's always been someone who would rather break than bend, who always challenged enemies far stronger than herself. Yet in the end, she always miraculously won.
And Qingxiao Pavilion, because of Zhao Wuji and Zhao Ling father and son, likely left Yun Jin with no good impression.
So in the end… what choice would she make?
Ye Danxia gritted her teeth, eyes full of jealousy!
She had long yearned to climb up to Lin Xiao, yet he had only given her one look before completely ignoring her.
And Yun Jin?
She wasn't even here, yet Lin Xiao was still calling out for her, wanting to recruit her into Qingxiao Pavilion.
Anyone could feel this difference in treatment.
She and Yun Jin, were they really so far apart?
Yun Jin only has a Five Element Root!
Ye Danxia had always felt like things shouldn't be like this.
The one who should have the glory, the one invited to join Qingxiao Pavilion, should be her!
How could it be Yun Jin?
Why?
On what grounds?