When Life Runs Out, the Fun Begins-Chapter 22 – Why did the Peak Master summon me?

Mu Xiaochuan listened to Ye Qingyu's account of the Yunqi Peak Grand Tournament and couldn't help but murmur to himself, "How wonderful these leisurely days are, with time passing peacefully. Why must there be a grand tournament to disrupt everything?" He had originally planned to enjoy the attentive care of Su Yao and Lin Yue within the Qingling Sect, living a life of utmost comfort. However, the arrival of the grand tournament was set to shatter this tranquility.
Unaware of Mu Xiaochuan's thoughts, Ye Qingyu continued to patiently explain, "At Yunqi Peak, after the sect's grand tournament, the number of Inner Sect Elders, including the Peak Master and Vice Peak Master, is set at five, with the same number for Outer Sect Elders. The quota for Inner and Outer Sect disciples is ten each, totaling thirty spots."
She paused, her tone tinged with regret, "In the past, the Heaven Vault Pavilion's performance hasn't been ideal. The Inner and Outer Sect Elders haven't been selected for decades, and usually, only two or three disciples make it. However, this time I've broken through to the sixth level of Foundation Establishment, so I should be able to secure a spot for our Heaven Vault Pavilion. This year, we must strive hard; my goal is for the Heaven Vault Pavilion to secure six spots."
Mu Xiaochuan frowned slightly, calculating in his mind that this task was no easy feat. Yunqi Peak comprised seven halls: the Main Hall, Pill Hall, Artifact Refining Hall, Law Enforcement Hall, Hidden Heaven Pavilion, Spiritual Herb Garden, and Technique Transmission Hall. In previous years, the Main Hall and Pill Hall alone would claim half of the spots. The Hidden Heaven Pavilion was among the least competitive of the remaining halls.
Ye Qingyu continued, "There are only the two of us as Inner and Outer Sect Elders, so there's no choice there. However, you must carefully select the remaining spots. I entrust you with full responsibility for the internal selection of the Hidden Heaven Pavilion. You can decide on your own, hold an internal competition, or select based on cultivation level. Regardless, the list must be submitted within a month, so as not to affect the Yunqi Peak Grand Tournament in a month."
After giving her instructions, Ye Qingyu eagerly returned to her secluded cultivation spot to continue consolidating her cultivation base. Before leaving, she specifically left her personal disciple, Leng Yunjian, to assist Mu Xiaochuan in handling various affairs.
According to Ye Qingyu's intentions, Mu Xiaochuan's appearance on stage was merely a formality, with the emphasis on participation. It was better to fully invest in the selection of Inner and Outer Sect disciples.
However, Mu Xiaochuan secretly pondered that if he was to make an appearance, no one should think they could easily trample over him.
He glanced around, his gaze settling on the seven remaining Inner Sect disciples in the room. These disciples had all reached the eighth or even ninth level of Qi Refining, making them the elite among the Inner Sect disciples of the Heaven Vault Pavilion.
"Among the Inner Sect disciples of the Heaven Vault Pavilion, are your cultivation levels the highest?" Mu Xiaochuan asked.
The disciples exchanged glances and nodded.
The Inner Sect disciples of the Heaven Vault Pavilion were already few in number, and including the Inner Sect Deacon, there were barely a hundred. Holding a grand tournament would be too much of a spectacle.
"In that case, let's skip the cumbersome competitions." Mu Xiaochuan waved his hand and turned to Leng Yunjian, who stood by his side, instructing, "Leng Yunjian, you need to meticulously prepare seven arenas. In three days, let the remaining disciples compete for those seven precious spots over the course of a week. After a week, I will select ten—no, nine participants from these outstanding individuals. During these days, you must remain fully focused and make no mistakes. Furthermore, as a master of the ninth level of Qi Refining, I will directly grant you a spot as a reward."
Leng Yunjian quickly responded, "Thank you, Elder Mu. I'll get to work right away."
Mu Xiaochuan nodded.
Leng Yunjian hurriedly went off to attend to her tasks.
After settling the Inner Sect disciple selection matters, Mu Xiaochuan turned his attention to the remaining six disciples. The Heaven Vault Pavilion had over four hundred Outer Sect disciples, and without a proper selection process, it would be difficult to convince everyone.
"As for the selection method for the Outer Sect disciples, I still need to think it over carefully. Do you have any suggestions?" Mu Xiaochuan asked.
"I think a grand tournament is the most straightforward, but it's a bit troublesome."
"Actually, just looking at cultivation levels would suffice."
"Or we could follow our Inner Sect's rules and hold arena battles."
"Elder Mu, could you also directly grant us six spots?"
The disciples began discussing animatedly, with some hoping to directly receive Inner Sect competition spots.
After sitting for a while and seeing no mature solution, Mu Xiaochuan ended the meeting and returned to the Listening Bamboo Pavilion.
Back at his residence, Su Yao and Lin Yue attentively helped Mu Xiaochuan sit down, change his clothes and shoes, and then gently massaged him.
Mu Xiaochuan enjoyed this comfort and suddenly glanced at Su Yao, asking, "Do you want to participate in the Yunqi Peak Grand Tournament this time?"
"Of course, we want to participate," Su Yao's eyes lit up at his words, but then dimmed again, "But we only have cultivation at the third level of Qi Refining. The Outer Sect Grand Tournament usually requires at least the fifth level of Qi Refining, with only a few geniuses at the fourth level making it to the top ten of our Heaven Vault Pavilion."
Mu Xiaochuan chuckled, "I decide who participates from the Heaven Vault Pavilion. Even if you're at the first level of Qi Refining, you can still participate."
Lin Yue said considerately, "Thank you, Elder Mu, for your concern. Our low cultivation might make others dissatisfied if we take up spots."
Mu Xiaochuan laughed heartily, "You've served me well, and if I say you're geniuses, then you're geniuses."
Suddenly inspired, he took out the remaining Qi-Gathering Pills from his storage pouch, "Here, ten each. Cultivate well."
Su Yao and Lin Yue's eyes sparkled, and they immediately knelt down, "Thank you, Elder Mu. With these, we can definitely break through to the fourth level of Qi Refining. We will repay Elder Mu's kindness, even if it means working tirelessly for you in the future."
Mu Xiaochuan quickly helped them up, and when he met Su Yao's affectionate gaze, he suddenly felt that what he did was right.
"Ding! Congratulations to the host for feeling content and gaining 10 Thrill Points." The voice of the Thrill System echoed in Mu Xiaochuan's mind.
Haha, Mu Xiaochuan lay down contentedly and checked his panel again.
[Host: Mu Xiaochuan]
[Thrill Points: 225]
[Realm: First Level of Foundation Establishment]
[Cultivation Technique: Withered Tree Revives Technique (Minor Achievement), Dragon-Subduing Staff Technique (Entry Level)]
[Secondary Cultivation: None]
[Spiritual Artifact: Greenwood Spirit-Pattern Staff (Mid-Grade Spiritual Artifact)]
He thought to himself that he should exchange some mid-grade Qi-Gathering Pills for Su Yao. With their low cultivation, they would only get beaten if they went up, and he couldn't bear to see Su Yao get hurt.
Just as Mu Xiaochuan was immersed in the meticulous service of the two female disciples, a sudden knock on the door interrupted the tranquility.
Su Yao opened the door to find Liu Yunxia, Liu Ruyan's attendant disciple, hurriedly arriving. She respectfully said, "Elder Mu, Hall Master Liu requests your presence at Purple Mist Peak for an important matter."
Mu Xiaochuan nodded slightly and said, "Alright, you may leave. I'll tidy up and come over."
Mu Xiaochuan knew that Liu Ruyan might want to ask about last night, and just as he was feeling a bit invigorated from the massage by the two female disciples, he thought it was a good time to go.
He had just finished dressing and was eagerly preparing to head to Purple Mist Peak.
As he stepped out, he encountered Yun Wange's disciple, who said that the Peak Master wanted him to go to the main hall. Mu Xiaochuan wondered, "Why is the Peak Master summoning me?"