"No need for formalities."
Elder Ji strode into the hall. With a casual wave of his hand, a surge of immense spiritual power swept through, gently lifting everyone present to their feet.
Though shocked by the display, everyone stood respectfully and dared not sit.
Old Luo's face turned pale, cold sweat dripping down his back.
He had no idea how much of what that woman surnamed Xiong had just blurted out had reached Elder Ji's ears.
If the elder had misunderstood the situation… his old bones might just be left behind here today.
Elder Ji walked past the crowd, flung his heavy robe aside, and sat down squarely on the main seat. His sharp gaze swept across the group before curling into a smile.
"I believe I overheard someone say that one of you only made it here thanks to some favor from Senior Brother Cai…"
"Is that true?"
Though his voice carried a trace of amusement, the moment the words left his mouth, a wave of icy fear gripped everyone's hearts. The oppressive spiritual pressure was so intense, that they couldn't muster even the slightest thought of resistance.
They wished for nothing more than to confess everything on the spot.
"Elder, please allow me to speak!"
Old Luo stepped forward, his voice trembling.
"That claim is nothing but baseless nonsense! Junior Brother Li Ye was handpicked by me from among the many disciples assigned planting duties he was the most outstanding of them all!"
"He had the highest yield in the spirit rice harvest from the fields this season why would he need anyone's help or favor?"
His voice gained a bit of strength as he turned sharply to point at Xiong Yinxiu.
"The earlier accusation was made without a shred of evidence. It was this woman who maliciously slandered him. I beg Elder Ji to judge fairly!"
With that, Old Luo bowed deeply.
Elder Ji raised an eyebrow as he listened, his gaze sweeping toward the calm-faced Li Ye before shifting to Xiong Yinxiu.
"What do you have to say to that, niece Xiong? Do you deny it?"
Her face turned ghostly pale.
"I… I misunderstood the situation and misspoke. I beg Elder Ji for your forgiveness…"
The three of them had indeed jumped to conclusions based on what little they knew about Li Ye.
But no matter how much they speculated, that's all it was speculation. They had no real proof.
And worse, her accusation had directly implicated the Elder himself.
It was only because of her fiery temper and loose tongue that she'd shouted such words.
Who could've known Elder Ji would arrive right at that moment?
Regret gnawed at her, and she couldn't help silently blaming Li Ye.
If not for you…
"So there is no such thing, then."
Elder Ji shook his head. His eyes blazed as he swept his gaze over the crowd.
"I had intended to find a skilled disciple to manage the spiritual fields. But it seems that before any contest of skill could even begin, some of you decided to hurl baseless accusations for the sake of a few spiteful words…"
"You have disappointed me."
His voice remained calm, but the chill that spread through the room made everyone feel like they'd plunged into icy water.
Well, that's it looks like we're all getting kicked out…
Li Ye's heart sank with frustration, his anger beginning to rise.
If it weren't for that foul-mouthed woman, things wouldn't have turned out like this!
I've been waiting and preparing for this chance for so long am I going to be dismissed because of a farce?
He shot a cold glance at Xiong Yinxiu, resolving then and there that he would make her pay for this.
Yao and Gu both looked at her with similar displeasure.
Even the steward who had recommended her looked furious, his expression dark and tinged with killing intent.
Thanks to this incident, even if the elder didn't punish him directly, he could forget about ever having any future dealings with Elder Ji.
All of it because of her!
"But you… Li Ye."
Just as everyone was bracing themselves for judgment, Elder Ji suddenly changed the subject, pointing at Li Ye.
"I haven't heard a word from Cai Shiwei asking me for any favors on your behalf. However, I have heard of you… from Old Man Wang."
Li Ye looked up in surprise, while the rest turned to glance at him some shocked, others annoyed.
So you didn't get in through Cai Shiwei's backing…
But you've got another elder putting in a word for you, huh?!
How is that any different?!
In the end, it still works out in your favor!
"…Willingly shared his cultivation insights, helping many spirit-farming disciples achieve bountiful harvests. Some were so grateful for his guidance, they even gifted him freshly harvested spirit rice in thanks…"
Elder Ji's smile deepened with interest.
"That old man seemed quite eager to recommend you to me, but I couldn't be bothered to accept any favors so I turned him down…"
"I didn't expect you'd end up right in front of me anyway!"
What the hell how does this even work?!
Yao, Gu, and Xiong's eyes nearly popped out of their sockets.
Sharing techniques? Gratitude offerings? A recommendation from an elder?
Could this kid have planned it all out from the beginning?
Such foresight and scheming it was terrifying!
"This disciple merely did what little he could. That it led to such an opportunity is truly my honor," Li Ye replied tactfully.
Old Luo looked at Li Ye, unable to hide his astonishment.
After all, he was the one who had personally told Li Ye about this chance. He didn't believe for a second that all of this was just a coincidence.
Most likely, the moment Li Ye heard about the opportunity, he began carefully laying his plans!
To fight for this chance and go to such lengths… Even if Li Ye's talent wasn't outstanding, Old Luo no longer dared to underestimate him in the slightest.
Instead, he felt all the more fortunate for having taken the initiative to befriend him.
Hmph! Look at the ones you all picked nothing but useless trash. Do you dare compete with me?
When Junior Brother Li makes a name for himself, you won't even have the right to stand beside me!
The three accompanying steward disciples caught Old Luo's smug glance, and their hearts burned with jealousy and resentment.
If it weren't for the setting, they would've already rushed over
to demand how on earth Old Luo managed to build ties with someone like Li Ye!
"Enough."
"Since I already turned down Old Wang's favor, I won't go back on that by appointing someone directly."
Elder Ji waved his hand.
"And searching for someone new would be troublesome… So I'll give you all one more chance."
In an instant, all four spirit-farming disciples including Li Ye showed visible joy.
Especially the other three they had assumed Elder Ji was going to hand the position to Li Ye outright. They never expected they'd get another shot.
Yao and Gu, in particular, couldn't help but look at Li Ye with a mixture of relief and a bit more friendliness than before.
Li Ye, after a moment of surprise and a silent curse at the elder for being so fickle, quietly let out a breath of relief.
With his current mastery of spirit planting even handling Tier-2 spirit herbs was within reach. As long as the opportunity still stood, what fear did he have of a fair competition?
Still… having to stand here, completely at the mercy of a Foundation Establishment elder's whims
It only stoked the fire of ambition burning in his heart for higher cultivation even more.
Elder Ji ignored their reactions and continued in a steady tone.
"My spirit fields are mainly planted with Sunfire Flower and Blood Grain Rice. The former is a Tier-2 spirit herb, the latter is top-tier Tier-1."
"I'll personally tend to the Sunfire Flower you'll only assist me. But even so, I can't risk letting anyone with poor technique ruin my precious herbs."
"You will each write down your methods for tending to both plants and present them to me. If you don't know what you're doing, there's no need for you to stay."
As he spoke, the young attendant beside him stepped forward and handed jade slips to the four disciples.
"Thank you,"
Li Ye offered a quick word of thanks. After a brief moment of thought, he pressed the jade slip to his forehead and began imprinting his knowledge.
Within a few breaths, all four had handed in their slips nearly simultaneously.
They glanced at each other none of them looked nervous.
Especially when they saw how calm and composed Li Ye remained.
Xiong Yinxiu looked displeased. Though she'd started to realize her mistake, she stubbornly maintained a confident front.
Yao and Gu, seeing this, couldn't help but regret their earlier assumptions.
From what Elder Ji had said, it was clear this guy's knowledge of spirit planting was no joke. Yet they had blindly judged him and nearly ruined their chances.
It was only because of him that they now had another shot.
If we'd known earlier, we never would've provoked him and made an enemy for no reason!
Idle gossip can ruin lives…
For Li Ye to have sacrificed benefits and schemed so patiently for this opportunity
That kind of foresight and composure… paired with his willingness to strike when needed…
He wasn't someone a few field-working nobodies like them could compare to.
No matter the outcome of this trial, one thing was certain they had to find a way to build a good relationship with Li Ye…
Lest they end up on the receiving end of his wrath someday.