After My Rebirth, I Ended Up Happily Ever After with the Saintess - Chapter 76

The news of Ye Li’s return, bringing back crucial intelligence from the Northern Frontier, was like a giant stone dropped into a calm lake, stirring up far more violent waves within the Xuan Yun Sect than her previous exploits. If her earlier rise to prominence due to her Secret Realm inheritance and performance in the minor competition still carried a hint of “luck” and “controversy,” this time, it was based on solid merit—a testament to her undeniable strength, which could withstand any scrutiny.

Venturing alone into the perilous Northern Frontier, investigating the root cause of the Black Fiend Demonic disturbance, uncovering clues to the ruins of the ancient sect, the Ice Soul Profound Palace, and, most notably, turning the tide during the demonic horde on Broken Blade Cliff, saving numerous fellow disciples… Each of these achievements clearly outlined the image of a genius: brave, resourceful, exceptionally skilled, and of paramount contribution to the sect.

The public proclamation of her promotion and rewards by Sect Master Xuan Chengzi elevated this recognition to its peak. Inner Gate Elite Disciple, enjoying True Heir Treatment! This meant Ye Li’s standing within the sect now surpassed that of the vast majority of Inner Gate disciples, bringing her infinitely close to the true core circle. The three-day access to the top floor of the Scripture Repository was an opportunity coveted by countless disciples, as it housed the sect’s truly core cultivation methods and secret arts.

For a time, Ye Li was unrivaled in prominence. As she walked through the sect, disciples constantly paused to bow, calling her “Senior Sister Ye,” their eyes filled with awe and envy. The subtle difficulties and exclusion she had previously faced from War Maniac Peak or other peak factions vanished almost overnight. Strength and merit were the ultimate pass.

Cloud Pill Peak, in particular, felt a surge of pride. Having previously been somewhat inferior in combat power due to its focus on miscellaneous arts, Cloud Pill Peak’s prestige now skyrocketed because of Ye Li, attracting more talented disciples. The smile on Resident Mu Yun’s face became more frequent, and his satisfaction with his disciple grew immensely.

However, Ye Li herself remained unusually calm. She knew that behind this glory and status lay the life-and-death struggles in the Northern Frontier blizzards—earned at the cost of countless potential dangers. Unbeguiled by the immediate vanity, she went straight to the top floor of the Scripture Repository the day after her official commendation.

The top floor of the Scripture Repository was distinctly different from the lower levels. The space was small, containing only a few jade slip bookshelves. The environment was quiet, filled with spiritual energy, and guarded by a dedicated repository elder. Every jade slip here contained the foundational principles of the Xuan Yun Sect or the painstaking efforts of generations of past sages.

Ye Li presented the Sect Master’s token. After careful verification by the guarding elder, she was finally permitted entry. She did not waste the precious three days, hungrily reading the profound cultivation methods and secret arts. She focused her search on classics related to Ice-element cultivation, Spatial Laws, formations and restrictions, and soul cultivation.

Although most of these core techniques required extremely high clearance or a vast amount of contribution points to actually practice, merely reading their general outlines and underlying principles proved immensely beneficial, resolving many of her cultivation doubts. In particular, she gained clearer ideas for perfecting the second stage of her Boundless Universe Trace Step, “Void Walk,” and for refining her self-created sword move, Star Solitude.

Three days passed in a flash. When Ye Li emerged from the Scripture Repository, although her cultivation level hadn’t immediately increased, her eyes were deeper, and her understanding of her path was more thorough.

Subsequently, she went to the Deacon Hall to officially update her Sect Jade Talisman. The talisman was upgraded from the ordinary white Inner Gate Disciple Talisman to a purple-gold Elite Disciple Talisman. Its authority greatly increased, allowing her to accept higher-level missions, exchange for more valuable resources, and even granting her the right to mobilize lower-level deacons within a certain range and access some confidential sect archives.

The Elder at the Deacon Hall was respectful and highly efficient in handling her procedures. During the process, the Elder tactfully mentioned that with her current strength and status, she already possessed the qualifications to serve as a “Deacon Candidate,” and could formally join the ranks of Deacons, participating in the management of some sect affairs, after completing certain sect duties and passing an assessment.

Becoming a Deacon meant officially stepping into the sect’s management hierarchy, gaining greater power and resource allocation, but also incurring more responsibility and constraint. Ye Li temporarily declined the suggestion, as her immediate priority was free cultivation and increasing her strength, rather than getting entangled in sect administration. However, she made a mental note of the matter—it might be part of her future strategy.

The most direct benefit brought by the status elevation was a significant abundance of cultivation resources. After receiving the True Heir Treatment, the quality and quantity of her monthly allowance of spirit stones and pills multiplied several times. Coupled with the fifty thousand contribution points and ten thousand spirit stones awarded for this mission, she instantly became one of the most “wealthy” disciples in the sect.

She did not squander these resources, instead investing the majority into the development of the Shadow Pavilion and her own cultivation. Through covert channels, she passed a massive amount of resources and new instructions to Lin Feng: accelerate the strength increase of the Shadow Pavilion’s core members, focusing resources on the alchemy, talisman, formation, and intelligence aspects; attempt more secretive infiltration outside the sect, especially towards the Northern Frontier; and continue to closely monitor the movements of War Maniac Peak and the Scarlet Flame Sect.

For her own progress, she used her contribution points to exchange for a large number of auxiliary materials needed to refine her Natal Artifact, particularly space-attribute materials compatible with the Void Divine Crystal. At the same time, she began preparing to assault the Peak of the Vein Condensation Realm, laying the most solid foundation for her future breakthrough to the Spirit Mansion Realm.

Just as Ye Li was systematically consolidating her status and increasing her strength, the high-level sect discussion concerning the Ice Soul Profound Palace ruins in the Northern Frontier also entered a fervent stage.

Inside the Lingxiao Palace Secret Chamber, Sect Master Xuan Chengzi, Resident Mu Yun, Situ Kuang, Ling Yunzi, Grandmaster Miao Yin, and other core high-level figures gathered once more. The contents of the jade slip Ye Li brought back had been repeatedly studied.

“The Ice Soul Profound Palace ruins are of immense importance! The ancient inheritances and resources they might contain are enough to significantly increase the strength of our Xuan Yun Sect! We must quickly organize forces to explore!” Situ Kuang, despite being displeased with Ye Li’s merit, was covetous of the ruins’ value.

Ling Yunzi cautiously stated, “Exploration is essential, but prudence is needed. The ruins are linked to the demonic disturbance; the danger is unknown. We must dispatch an elite team led by a master of formations and strong cultivators.”

Grandmaster Miao Yin nodded, “Junior Brother Mu Yun is proficient in miscellaneous arts, especially formations and talismans, and might be able to take on this important role.”

Resident Mu Yun shook his head, “The ruins are located in the Northern Frontier, a unique environment requiring those highly adapted to extreme cold. I am old and fear I am not up to the task. In my opinion, the younger generation should be the main force for this exploration—it is both a trial and an opportunity. Ye Li is familiar with the Northern Frontier and possesses excellent strength and temperament; she can be one of the core candidates.”

Upon hearing this, Situ Kuang immediately objected, “Although Ye Li has merits, she is ultimately young and her cultivation is still shallow! The exploration of the ruins is immensely dangerous; how can she assume a core role? My War Maniac Peak is willing to send elite disciples, led by Gao Sheng!”

Sect Master Xuan Chengzi pondered for a moment, then made the final decision: “The exploration of the ruins indeed requires young blood. Let’s do this: the sect will issue a Special Conscription Order, targeting all True Heir Disciples and some top Elite Disciples (including Ye Li), who may volunteer. The final list of personnel will be jointly selected through assessment by Junior Brother Mu Yun, Junior Brother Ling Yun, and the Elders of the Artifact and Formation Halls. Junior Brother Mu Yun will serve as the Chief Consultant for this exploration, coordinating from the rear. Additionally, a late-stage Spirit Mansion Realm Elder will be secretly dispatched for protection.”

This plan offered opportunities to the younger generation while accounting for safety, which was reluctantly accepted by all parties. A sect operation revolving around the ancient ruins was about to unfold. Ye Li, by virtue of being the discoverer and her performance in the Northern Frontier, was undoubtedly one of the most popular candidates.

The news quickly spread, once again causing a sensation within the sect. Exploring ancient ruins—what a tremendous opportunity! Countless True Heir and Elite Disciples eagerly prepared to sign up.

Upon hearing the news, Ye Li’s expression was calm. The Ice Soul Profound Palace ruins were a must for her. It might hold the chance for her to increase her strength more rapidly, and perhaps conceal deeper secrets regarding the Black Fiend Demonic disturbance.

However, she also knew that this exploration would be no smooth journey. Internally, War Maniac Peak would surely not allow her to gain benefits easily; externally, the Scarlet Flame Sect and other forces who might learn of the news would never sit idly by and watch the Xuan Yun Sect monopolize the ruins.

This was bound to be a fierce contest.

She returned to her small courtyard on Cloud Pill Peak, activated the formation, and began her final preparations for the upcoming ruin exploration. Refining more talismans, honing the Star Solitude sword move, further familiarizing herself with the power of the Star Core…

The elevation of her status brought temporary tranquility, but an even greater storm was already gathering in the distance. Ye Li was like a calm chess player, quietly making her moves on the board, awaiting the evolution of the situation. Her ambition had never been limited to this one sect and region.