(MC POV)
Both Sect Master Qing and I entered the Hall at the same time, finding Sect Master Feng and his entourage waiting patiently at the other entrance.
"Master Lin, Sect Master Qing! We hope we did not come at a bad time?" Sect Master Feng greeted with cupped hands.
You technically did but I guess your situation is desperate enough for me to overlook that fact, at least for now.
I cupped my hands and returned his greeting, "Not at all, for Sect Master Feng to personally come here himself, there must be something important right?"
Sect Master Feng chuckled, "Oh, can't we just visit an old friend?"
We barely know each other much less for a long period of time so I highly doubt we can call each other 'old friends'. If you're really here to visit just to interrupt my disciples' training time, I'll toss you out myself.
I chuckled with the same mirth he had, "Oh, but of course. In that case, shall I leave you and Sect Master Qing to catch up?"
"Ah… Ahahaha! Master Lin surely knows how to joke! I was talking about visiting you of course!" He laughed nervously.
"Oh, why didn't you say so? Well we shouldn't be standing around to talk, shall we take a seat?" I asked, gesturing to the nearby table and chairs.
"Of course, of course! After you, Master Lin!"
I did a quick count of at least twelve Elders and four Masters that Sect Master Feng had brought along, pretty sure this lineup of his could easily crush most of the other Sects in a fight.
"How are your disciples doing? Last I saw Master Lin there were only three, now I heard you've taken in even more?" Sect Master Feng asked, sitting down after me in his chair.
I looked at him cautiously, "Oh, they're actually doing quite well, thank you for asking. Didn't Sect Master Feng have a few disciples of your own?"
"Hahaha! Regrettably, none of them are as talented as yours, Master Lin. At this rate, I might just ask if you would take me in as a disciple instead!"
No way am I letting an old fart like you near my cute disciples, you'll traumatise them with your constant beard stroking.
I cupped my hands together, "This young one is not qualified, Sect Master Feng. I am but a beginner as a teacher while everyone here has decades of experience ahead of me. I should be the one asking for guidance."
"Hoho! Master Lin is too humble indeed! If Master Lin claimed to be number two in the world, I believe no one would dare say they are number one!"
As though they had rehearsed this, the other Elders and Masters from Phoenix Sect laughed at his bad joke.
Sect Master Qing joined in, "I believe this is actually the first time you have visited Heaven Sect, is that right, Sect Master Feng?"
Sect Master Feng pursed his lips, "That… That is correct. Your Sect really is wonderful."
"Hoho~ That is very interesting indeed~"
I wonder what Sect Master Qing was trying to hint with that?
Not entirely sure how long I should be dragging this courtesy talk for, I decided to prod him a little, "I apologise for not visiting Phoenix Sect since the Festival. I have been quite busy these few months."
I noticed a few of them visibly flinch when I mentioned that I was 'busy', seriously what are they here for?
Wait, did they think I would be the one that will carry out Guiying's purge on the Sects? Hell no, even if she asked me to do it in that cute tone of hers, I won't agree to such a troublesome thing!
What would my disciples learn if they knew I had been the executioner of a purge? No, no, no, absolutely not. Everything else can be burning outside but as long as my disciples and I are completely fine here that will be no issue.
Hmm? What if my disciples are the ones to ask me to do it?
Pfft, like those cute angels of mine could ever ask such a thing! A purge is the furthest thing from their minds!
Sect Master Feng's smile became a little strained, "Ye… Yes. We have heard the events Master Lin had been involved in… It was deeply regretful that we had not been able to offer our help."
I shrugged, "Oh don't worry about it. The issue was really too big for anyone else to handle without losing their lives, honestly."
Yeah, no offense, but I honestly don't think anyone here could have stood up to Lilith even if they all fought her together. She would have just steamrolled them and I honestly got lucky that she wasn't fighting me seriously at all.
Not to mention the fact that I had a small army backing me up who were immune to whatever mind control Lilith had since they were bound to the Sealing Orb I had.
"Ah… Hmmm… I… I see… That is erm… Well… I see…" Sect Master Feng muttered.
Hmmm? Why is he stuttering like that? Was it something I said?
Sect Master Feng gulped audibly, "Did… Did Master Lin lose anything of value?"
I thought for a moment if I did indeed lose anything, I can't say that I lost nothing after making such a big claim like that. Maybe I can make it sound like even I had to struggle a bit?
"Mmm… I was kind of tethering in between life and death during that time, I will admit. It was only through a stroke of luck that I returned safely. It was an oversight on my part to not prepare for that calamity better."
A few of the Elders sucked in a breath as though what I said tied a noose around their necks.
I wasn't lying though, had those busybodies not interfered with the fight, she might have killed me. Not permanently of course, since I had a backup plan in case that happens. But I should have prepared more before I confronted her, like placing several inscription traps around the place or even just taking more time to learn the StarPower first.
Sect Master Feng sucked in a breath before exhaling slowly, "Is Master Lin aware of our Royal Queen's plans?"
"Well, considering how I am her Royal tutor, it would be weird if I didn't know, right?"
That was a total lie by the way, I have no idea what Queen Guiying was planning to do but it would be bad if they knew I didn't know. I don't even know what time she wakes up in the morning, much less what grand plans she has for the country.
I have my hands full taking care of my cute disciples already, thank you very much.
Sect Master Feng turned back to look at the Elders and Masters, all of them nodding at him before he turned back to face me.
"Master Lin… As the Sect Master of Phoenix Sect, I hereby formally propose, with the assembled Elders and Masters as witness, a permanent merger between the Phoenix Sect and Heaven Sect. Phoenix Sect shall submit as the new branch Sect of Heaven Sect."
It took me a few moments to register his words.
"What?"
