Pay-to-Win Cultivation: I Get 10,000x Returns

Chapter 246: Without a Flying Boat, How Can I Court Junior Sisters?

Southern Region, Yunmiao Sect.

Today, the sect was as tranquil as ever. Amidst the mist-shrouded peaks, immortal cranes cried out clearly. Disciples flew on swords or sparred in the martial arts arena, painting a picture of a peaceful, thriving immortal paradise.

On Green Wood Peak, inner sect disciple and star webnovel author Lu Renbing had just finished his daily word count. He stretched lazily, feeling refreshed and invigorated.

Ever since the sect collaborated with various forces to clear the [Demon Nest] secret realm three years ago, the resources flowing into the sect had become increasingly abundant. Naturally, the treatment of the disciples had risen with the tide.

Nowadays, even the monthly Spirit Stone allowance for an ordinary outer sect disciple was comparable to the old standard for inner sect disciples. As for an inner sect elite like him, the benefits were practically maxed out. He received so many auxiliary cultivation pills—like Foundation Establishment Pills and Golden Core Nourishing Pills—that his hands cramped from counting them. He simply had no need to worry about resources.

Rumor had it that during the high-level sect meetings a few months ago, some meritorious Inspectors and Head Seats were even rewarded with legendary items like Nascent Formation Pills and Immortal Ascension Pills, sparking envy in countless disciples.

Currently, the most prominent peak in the sect was no longer the traditionally dominant Heavenly Palace Peak, but Spirit Sword Peak.

The reason was simple: last month, Spirit Sword Peak’s Head Seat, Li Fuxi, successfully crossed her Nascent Soul Tribulation, officially joining the ranks of the Southern Region’s top powerhouses. Furthermore, their Inspector, Lin Yinyin, was progressing at a godlike speed, having already reached the eighth level of the Golden Core realm—just one step away from the Great Dao of the Nascent Soul.

It was terrifying to consider that when she first entered the sect, she was only at the early Foundation Establishment stage. In just a few short years, she had skyrocketed to Golden Core level eight. This record was unmatched not only in the Yunmiao Sect but throughout the entire Southern Region—except, of course, for that person.

Spirit Sword Peak was now overflowing with people, crowded with disciples eager to join and listen to the teachings.

However, the two main figures were rarely seen. A magnificent flying boat was perpetually suspended above the summit of Spirit Sword Peak. Rumors said Li Fuxi was in secluded cultivation aboard the vessel, consolidating her Nascent Soul realm. Inspector Lin Yinyin was equally elusive, her whereabouts a mystery.

Daily affairs on Spirit Sword Peak were currently managed by Senior Brother Zhen Hai and Chen Tiexin.

Word on the street was that Zhen Hai had just picked up the latest luxury flying boat model from the Cloud Raiment Pavilion last month, costing a cool one million Middle Grade Spirit Stones. This purchase had caused many female disciples to cast admiring glances and subtle, flirtatious waves his way. Although they couldn’t see the legendary Honorary Elder Zhang Xian, Senior Brother Zhen Hai was robust and muscular—he looked very… secure.

As for whether they liked him for the flying boat or his personality… cough, they insisted the boat was secondary.

Lu Renbing read the gossip circulating on his communication jade talisman and smacked his lips. He wasn’t jealous. Not at all. His novels were bestsellers throughout the Southern Region and were even starting to sell in the Central Continent. His royalty payments were soft to the touch.

Gazing out the window at the cloudless azure sky, he sighed with emotion. “That old scoundrel Zhang Xian might be a bit of a lecher, scoping up our sect’s three top goddesses in one go, but at least his energy is limited. He knows to leave some soup for the brothers.”

He rubbed his chin and chuckled, a plan forming in his mind. “In a few days, I’ll go to the Cloud Raiment Pavilion and get the latest model flying boat too! In this day and age, if you don’t have a luxury flying boat, how can you have the nerve to come out and court junior sisters?”

His mind drifted to a junior sister from Jinghong Peak he had encountered at the market a few days ago. She had been visibly awed by his lavish spending, her heart secretly moved.

If I invite her onto my new flying boat, he thought, cruising above the sea of clouds under the bright moon, watching her dance gracefully… and then… hehe, wouldn’t that be exquisite?

Just as Lu Renbing was lost in his romantic fantasy—

Dang— Dang— Dang—

A heavy bell tolled. Then another. And another.

Each ring was heavier than the last, the sound waves instantly sweeping through every corner of the Yunmiao Sect.

“Holy shit! Nine rings?”

Lu Renbing jolted upright, the leisurely expression vanishing from his face instantly. It was replaced by shock and gravity.

The Yunmiao Sect had a rule regarding the Bell of the Hall of Eternal Life: nine was the ultimate number. It would never ring nine times unless there was an earth-shattering event—such as the Perishing of a Sect Leader or Supreme Elder, or the sect facing imminent annihilation.

“What happened?” His heart sank. The relaxed satisfaction of finishing his writing was gone without a trace.

Yunmiao Sect, Heavenly Palace Main Peak, Discussion Hall.

The atmosphere was oppressive.

Acting Sect Leader Wang Ya sat at the Head Seat, his expression calm but grim. Below him, to his left and right, sat the Heavenly Puppet Peak Inspector, Zhiyin, and the Spirit Sword Peak Head Seat, Li Fuxi. As the only three current Nascent Soul cultivators of the Yunmiao Sect, they constituted the highest decision-making body.

Streams of light flashed into the hall continuously. Upon receiving the emergency summons, the Head Seats of various peaks, Inspectors, and acting Elders holding critical positions arrived at top speed. Every face bore confusion and a hint of unease.

Two streaks of azure light flew into the hall, solidifying into human forms. They were the Green Wood Peak Elder, Liu Huaigu, and the current Head Seat, Liu Qingxuan.

As Liu Qingxuan entered the main hall, her gaze met Li Fuxi’s for a brief, tacit second. She gave a slight nod.

As soon as Liu Huaigu took his seat, he looked at Wang Ya and asked gravely, “Sect Leader, you summoned us urgently with nine bell tolls. What exactly has happened?”

Wang Ya’s gaze swept over the high-ranking members present. He let out a long, heavy sigh.

“I just received an urgent report from the disciple on duty at the Hall of Eternal Life. The Sect Leader’s soul lamp has gone out.”

“What?”

“The Sect Leader?”

Many present were momentarily stunned. They didn’t react immediately—wasn’t Acting Sect Leader Wang Ya sitting right there, perfectly fine?

But then, realization struck like a thunderbolt. Wang Ya was referring to the orthodox Sect Leader, Xing Jie.

“Sect Leader Xing Jie? Didn’t she go out four years ago to seek an opportunity to break through to the Nascent Soul realm? How could she suddenly…” an Elder exclaimed in shock.

“Could it be she failed while crossing the Nascent Soul Heavenly Tribulation?” another Elder speculated, his tone filled with regret. The Heavenly Tribulation was extremely perilous; failing and Perishing was a common tragedy.

Wang Ya slowly shook his head, his brow tightly furrowed.

“That shouldn’t be the case. The Sect Leader’s identity is vital to the sect. If the Heavenly Tribulation were truly descending, she would definitely notify us in advance. Like Head Seat Fuxi, she would choose to undergo the tribulation within the sect’s territory so we could provide Dharma Protection. She would never undergo it silently in the outside world. This matter… is suspicious.”

Immediately, an Elder spoke up. “Since Sect Leader Xing Jie has passed away, the Yunmiao Sect cannot be without a leader for a single day. Acting Sect Leader Wang Ya, you have managed the sect for many years with great order and deep prestige. By reason and logic, the position of Sect Leader should be formally assumed by you!”

These words immediately garnered agreement from many in the hall. Objectively speaking, Wang Ya was modest yet decisive, and his administrative ability was exceptional. Under his leadership, the Yunmiao Sect had thrived. His succession was the general expectation.

Especially recently, with the sect establishing strong ties with the Cloud Raiment Pavilion and the Great Xia Dynasty, the Yunmiao Sect had faintly taken on the momentum of becoming the leader of the righteous path in the Southern Region.

However, Wang Ya waved his hand, his expression grave.

“The transfer of the Sect Leader position is no trivial matter. It requires the final appointment by the Supreme Elder. This matter needs careful deliberation and prudent consideration.”