"Is there a problem?"
"Not really." But just to be safe, Chen Mo still inquired about some relevant information regarding the Inner Sanctum disciples.
Yun Yun briefly introduced the top ten among them.
Among the Inner Sanctum disciples, the one with the best talent and highest cultivation level was undoubtedly the Young Sect Leader, Nalan Yanran, followed by Yun Leng's personal disciple and grandson, Yun Hai.
Next was Mo Li from the Mo family.
Then came the descendants of several elders.
Ranking tenth was Zheng Tian, the top disciple from the previous outer sect, with a cultivation level of a Three-Star Battle Master.
In other words, the ten individuals Yun Yun mentioned all had higher cultivation levels than Chen Mo.
But for Chen Mo, only two of them mattered.
The first was Nalan Yanran, whom Chen Mo was certainly familiar with—she was the supporting female character who survived until the end of the story.
The other was Mo Li, who had been mentioned a few times in the novel. He was sent by the Mo family to pursue Nalan Yanran, and while his cultivation level was unspecified in the story, he was now a Five-Star Battle Master.
As for the other eight, Chen Mo hadn't even heard their names.
No name meant no presence, no presence meant no threat, and no threat meant they were essentially freebies.
Eight freebies and one extra.
Chen Mo put on a smug expression. With this lineup, how could he possibly fall out of the top ten?
Chen Mo didn't take it seriously at all. Over the next two days, he just needed to charge up two big moves to deal with Nalan Yanran and complete his mission.
Therefore, far from being nervous, Chen Mo instead asked casually about what had happened the previous night.
Hearing this, Yun Yun became flustered, her cheeks turning crimson. She quickly turned her body away to avoid Chen Mo's gaze, stammering and unable to explain clearly.
Chen Mo pressed closer, the distance between the two of them shrinking.
The scent was unmistakable—the faint fragrance lingering on the bedding earlier was indeed emanating from Yun Yun.
Yun Yun could feel Chen Mo's approach, and her heart skipped a beat. Yet, instead of fleeing, she felt a faint sense of anticipation deep inside.
"This is promising." Chen Mo's eyes lit up, his gaze gradually growing more intense.
Just as the atmosphere between the two became increasingly ambiguous and they were on the verge of embracing, a cold voice rang out from outside the palace.
"Teacher."
"It's Yan Ran." Yun Yun snapped out of her daze. When she looked down and saw Chen Mo's hands almost touching her waist, her brows suddenly furrowed, and she turned to glare at him fiercely.
"Ahem." Chen Mo's face turned red, and his hands suddenly didn't know where to go. He thought to himself, "Didn't Sister Yun Yun say she was in seclusion? Why is she here?"
"Come in." Yun Yun signaled, and Chen Mo quickly stepped back to create distance between them.
Moments later, a noblewoman in a tight, floor-length moon-colored robe walked in with a smile in her eyes.
The moment she entered, the system's voice rang out.
"Ding, a Seven-Star Battle Master detected. You can spend 1070 Luck Points to Plunder."
Chen Mo clicked "Cancel."
When Nalan Yanran saw the unfamiliar man in the side hall, the smile on her lips instantly vanished.
She had never seen a man enter her teacher's palace before—this was the first time. And judging by his composed demeanor, it was clear that he had an unusual relationship with her teacher.
"Teacher, who is he?"
"Hello, Senior Sister. My name is Chen Mo, the new personal disciple of our teacher." Chen Mo extended a hand of friendship.
Chen Mo's impression of Nalan Yanran was based on the novel, where she went to the Xiao family to break off the engagement.
The novel depicted her as aloof and condescending, her actions trampling over the last shred of Xiao Yan's dignity.
This left Chen Mo with a rather unfavorable impression of her.
However, upon meeting her today, Chen Mo finally understood the saying, "One's moral compass follows their aesthetic preferences."
Breaking off the engagement was a good decision.
"A newly accepted direct disciple by the teacher?"
Nalan Yanran glanced at Yun Yun in surprise. Even after receiving Yun Yun's nod of confirmation, she still found it hard to believe. After a moment, she smiled slightly and extended her hand, saying, "Hello, Nalan Yanran."
Contrary to expectations, Nalan Yanran wasn't cold or distant, and she didn't refuse to shake hands with Chen Mo.
Their handshake was brief, and Chen Mo didn't linger, which left a decent first impression on Nalan Yanran.
Of course, this had little to do with Chen Mo's good looks.
"Yan Ran, it's quite late. What brings you here?" Seeing that the first meeting between the two went well, Yun Yun decided not to avoid Chen Mo and asked directly.
"It's about a Battle Skill," Nalan Yanran replied in a low voice, subtly glancing at Chen Mo.
Chen Mo naturally heard her but tactfully didn't pry. Instead, he said, "Teacher, you two talk. I'll be fine for the Sect Competition."
"Alright, then you should rest." The earlier atmosphere had left Yun Yun unsure of how to interact with Chen Mo alone. Now that Yan Ran had come to discuss Battle Skills, it was a good opportunity for her to step away.
As soon as they left the side hall, Nalan Yanran couldn't help but ask, "Teacher, weren't you supposed to be in the Magical Beast Mountain Range? How did you end up taking on a direct disciple?"
"It's a long story," Yun Yun said, keeping it brief. She omitted the details about their time in the cave and some of the more intimate moments but didn't hide much from Nalan Yanran.
"So, he's your savior." Nalan Yanran's impression of Chen Mo improved even more.
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"Alright, let's get to the point. What's the issue with your Battle Skill?"
"It just feels like something's missing."
""
...
The night passed.
The next day.
News spread throughout the Yunlan Sect that Chen Mo would participate in the Inner Sanctum disciple competition, and if he ranked in the top ten, the sect would officially recognize him as a direct disciple.
As time went on, the royal family of the Jia Ma Empire and the three major families also received the news.
"Yun Yun has taken on another disciple. Since she accepted Nalan Yanran seven years ago, she hasn't taken on any new disciples. Who is this Chen Mo?"
"A direct disciple of a Battle Emperor. It seems this year's Yunlan Sect competition will have something interesting to watch."
"Interesting, indeed. A one-star Battle Master at sixteen years old. He's not far behind that girl from the Nalan family."
"..."
Inside the palace.
Chen Mo slowly exhaled a breath of turbid air.
The Fire Seed had been fully refined.
But should he absorb it?
Looking at the purple flame flickering in his palm, Chen Mo was filled with doubt.
Xiao Yan wanted to absorb the Fire Seed to evolve his Flame Mantra.
But I don't have the Flame Mantra.
Forget it, I won't absorb it for now.
Elsewhere.
In a small valley.
"Focus your mind and create a small space within your Qi Vortex to accommodate the Purple Flame."
Two hours later.
"Pop!"
Xiao Yan extended his hand, and with a gentle rub of his fingers, a tiny wisp of purple flame ignited between them.
"Master, it worked! Come out and see," Xiao Yan exclaimed excitedly.
A figure flashed out from the ring, and Yao Lao looked at the rising Purple Flame with a sense of relief. "I originally thought this trip
to the cave would be a waste, but it turned out to be a blessing in disguise. This Purple Flame is indeed an unexpected delight."
"Master, it must be that kid's doing. When I see him again, I'll make sure he pays for it."
(End of Chapter)