Shi Kun.

Ling Jun would have had no way to see this interaction if not for his spatial sense, causing him to once again realise how useful this ability was. It had allowed him to infer various details regarding the situation at hand.

First, Scar face must have a scary backer or some sort of leverage over Wen Hui. In normal cases, Wen Hui would have no need to subtly warn his daughter about anything, a mere outer disciple would not dare to offend the city lord. Of course, Wen Hui's glance could simply have been concern from a father regarding his daughter, yet the suspicious glance Scar face had sent over seemed to disagree.

Second, Scar face had some sort of scheme underway, which was targeting Meng Li. His eyes had roamed the disciple with purpose, looking for something, and had only been satisfied upon seeing Meng Li.

Thirdly, whatever the scheme was, the two other disciples were likely not in on it. While it did not seem intentional, Scar face was positioned in such a way that his face was unable to be seen by them at all. Also, if he was targeting Meng Li for something and they were all in on it, no one here would dare to stop them if he announced his intention openly. Even Wen Hui would step aside as long as it did not concern his daughter.

After all, no one knew when one of them could be promoted to the inner sect.

Also, more obviously this time, the city lord was aware of Scar face's plan, and possibly the clan heads too. The Meng clan's head, Meng Jian, had his fists clenched tightly as he stared at Meng Li, though his face remained calm. The Tang clan head, Tang Zhelan, had a slightly complacent smile on his face, though his eyes showed a trace of grief. Only the Ling clan head, Ling Yijun, looked truly calm.

Ling Jun could decided to wait and see. His theories so far were just that...theories. He still needed some more information to confirm them. And even if he knew the plan, if the clan leaders and city lord were forced to watch it go through, then it was even less likely that he would be able to stop it.

Still, if Scar face planned to harm Meng Li in any way, Ling Jun would definitely try his best to stop him, though he had no idea how he could fight peak second stage cultivator.

...

Three days earlier. City lord's manor.

In a private chamber sat Wen Hui and Yuan Huan, the man who Ling Jun dubbed as Scar face.

Yuan Huan casually reached out reached out to reach for a fruit on the table before putting his feet up on the expensive wood table. Wen Hui's eyebrows furrowed in displeasure.

Yuan Huan had been acting politely before with his fellow disciples, but now that he was on his own he had suddenly become arrogant. It was he himself who had called for the city lord adding to the city lord's displeasure.

Normally, he would have instantly used his Qi to push Yuan Huan's legs off the table, before scolding him, yet he could tell that something was wrong.

Instead, he only said "Manners, young man. It is never a good idea to act impudently in the presence of a person who could kill you with a finger." He knew how to act cautious and humble, yet one could not remain docile in the face of disrespect.

Yuan Huan laughed for a while, keeping his legs on the table while looking Wen Hui right in the eyes. Wen Hui noted the lack of fear in his eyes warily.

"...What, or who is it you are relying on? And what do you want?" Wen Hui decided to get straight to the point.

"Haha, you sure are smart huh? Look closely at this!" He reached into his robe and pulled out a red badge which had the words Shi Kun engraved on them. Wen Hui's eyes widened in surprise. a red colour badge was the symbol of an inner disciple. An inner disciples status was equivalent to a city lord. However, inner disciples could work hard to become core disciples who would far outreach city lord in status.

However, it would be much harder for for Wen Hui to raise his status. In fact, it would be easier to be demoted. Wen Hui could absolutely not afford to offend an inner disciple. But that was not the only thing.

"...The Shi clan of Cloud city?"

"Of direct descent!" Yuan Huan smirked he bit into the fruit provided. "This tastes like shit by the way." He said as he spat the fruit on to the floor.

Wen Hui ignored the obvious provocation as he stroked his chin waiting for Yuan Huan to continue speaking. The Shi clan was one of the Eight great clans of the kingdom, so Shi Kun's status outstripped his in all ways.

"I want your daughter!" he laughed contentedly. "For Shi Kun, I might add, The beauty of the Wen Shi has been told of far and wide. So hand he-" he had been smiling complacently, convinced that Wen Hui would not dare to refuse.

However, in the next moment, the room was plunged into a piercing cold, and Yuan Huan could sense a frightening killing intent emanating out of Wen Hui. What made it scarier was that he was unable to see Wen Hui's expression change even the slightest.

"Mind repeating yourself?" Wen Hui's icy voice sounded out.

Yuan Huan gulped. "A joke haha...It was just a joke." He quickly took back his statement before it killed him, at the same time taking his feet off the table.

"Mhmm. Don't forget, my daughter also has earthly first rank talent, same as Shi Kun I might add. The sect does not discriminate between the kingdoms status. My daughter is completely off limits."

Yuan Huan nodded quickly whilst trying to regain the initiative. Inside he was quite shocked at Wen Shi's talent. He consoled himself with the thought that Wen Hui would not go too far before his daughter had grown up.

"I want Meng Li. Shi Kun asked to bring him a beautiful plaything so I will do so. She only has sixth grade talent, so there shouldn't be any problem no?" Yuan Huan asked whilst trying to sound like he was in control.

"Hmm, you are aware of her name and her talent. It seems your information network is quite thorough." Wen Hui smirked.

Yuan Huan quickly realised he had slipped up in his nervousness. "I always do my research beforehand." He came up with a lame excuse. He would never tell the truth, nor would he reveal that Shi Kun had actually asked for Wen Shi, not knowing of her talent.

Wen Hui weighed the pros and cons. Honestly he couldn't care less if it didn't affect him. However, it would be a hassle to convince Meng Jian to sacrifice his daughter. he could lie and tell him it would be a marriage, yet Meng Jian was no fool and would instantly see through the clues.

He decided he would not tell him at all, instead opting to let him think she had died in the sect recruitment. But of course, things never go to plan. The very next day, Meng Jian had stormed up to him in anger, demanding an explanation for giving away his daughter to be used as a plaything.

Yuan Huan, angry at being on the losing side of the exchange with Wen Hui, had decided to retaliate by letting Meng Jian know of the plan, and that Wen Hui had given his permission. Meng Jian was unable to argue at all against Yuan Huan after he revealed his backing and had therefore gone to make trouble for Wen Hui.

Of course, Meng Jian knew his effort was futile, and that Wen Hui was just as helpless as he was against the name 'Shi'. But he felt like he had to do something, even if just to appease his guilt at abandoning his daughter for the second time.

He still had nightmares about the first time. He remembered the despair on the face of both mother and daughter as he watched on without helping. How his daughter had begged him to save her mother, yet he had refused. It was the reason she had run away from home after.

He shook his head to get rid of the depressing thoughts. Yet he could not help the bubbling feeling of self hate within him. He hated himself for his lack of courage. As the Meng clan leader, he was looked up to by the whole clan, yet only he and his daughter knew what a cowardly and weak human being he was.

He continued to hurl insults at Wen Hui to mask his own guilt, before leaving. Both Ling and Tang clan leaders were aware of the incidents that had taken place. Ling Yijun was simply relieved that nothing would happen to his own family.

Wen Hui then told his daughter to act haughty, to scare Yuan Huan off in case he had any thoughts. If she acted too humble and submissive, Yuan Huan may begin to see her as an easy target.

...

"You may rise." The somewhat pretty female disciple spoke. She introduced herself as Shao Yuhui whilst the man introduced himself as Xing Feng. Shao Yuhui had brown hair and large brown eyes, which curves in the right places. Xing Feng, seemed like a brutish man, with all brawn and no brains. He had scraggly sideburns and unkempt hair which gave him a wild look.

Both held obvious apprehension towards the third, who introduced himself as Yuan Huan. His scar reached across his pale cheeks and his black hair made him seem somewhat handsome and charming. He took the lead in speaking.

"The rules are as follows. You will spend a week in the forest. According to your age, you will have to bring back a certain number and level of cores to meet the requirements.

"For fifteen year olds, 100 late fourth stage beasts, or 10 peak fourth stage beasts. For sixteen year olds, 100 late sixth stage beasts, or 10 peak sixth stage beasts. For seventeen year olds, 100 late eight stage beasts, or 10 peak eight stage beasts. And eighteen year olds, 100 late ninth stage beats, or 10 peak Qi realm beasts."

All the disciples gasped. Even if they teamed up, they might not get enough to even send one person to the sect! Only those with at least fifth grade talent seemed to have a chance. The disciples could not help but lose hope, and some almost decided to leave. Yet the allure of the sect was too much.

"We don't care how the cores are obtained, as long as you don't bring them in beforehand."

At this, some disciples regained hope whilst shiftily looking around.

"No one will be able to interfere from outside. However, I will be entering forest and will look out for who I can, though I can't save everyone."

For the first time, Yuan Huan was happy about Wen Shi's talent. It gave him the perfect excuse for what was to come next.

"Brother Huan... that is not appropriate. We will judge from outside like normal." Shao Yuhui said hesitantly with some fear.

Yuan Huan leaned down and whispered into her ear "There is a earthly first ranked talent with wind affinity amongst these people, if she dies will you take responsibility?"

"What!" exclaimed Shao Yuhui in surprise. She was truly shocked.

As Yuan Huan stared at her shocked face, he vaguely felt something was not right, yet even after careful study he could see that it was genuine shock on her face. Yet he still felt something was wrong. However, he decided to squash those unfounded feelings down and focus.