"Is there a problem?"
"No." However, just in case, Chen Mo still asked for some information about the inner disciples.
Yun Yun briefly introduced the top ten disciples.
Among the inner disciples, the most talented and highest in cultivation was the young sect master, 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.
The tenth place was the former top disciple of the outer sect, Zheng Tian, whose cultivation was at the three-star Dou Shi level.
This meant that every one of the ten people Yun Yun mentioned had a higher cultivation level than Chen Mo.
But to Chen Mo, only two of them mattered.
One was Nalan Yanran, whom Chen Mo was quite familiar with as she was a supporting character who survived until the end of the story.
The other was Mo Li, who, according to the novel, was sent by the Mo family to pursue Nalan Yanran. His cultivation was unknown, but now it was revealed to be at the five-star Dou Shi level.
As for the other eight, Chen Mo had never heard their names.
No name meant no presence, no presence meant no threat, and no threat meant easy targets.
Eight easy targets plus one minor character.
Chen Mo put on a smug face, thinking there was no way he could fall out of the top ten.
He wasn't worried at all; he just needed to prepare for a couple of powerful moves in the next two days to deal with Nalan Yanran and complete his task.
Thus, instead of being anxious, Chen Mo casually asked about what happened last night.
Upon hearing this, Yun Yun became flustered, her face turning red. She quickly turned her body away, avoiding Chen Mo's gaze, stammering and unable to explain clearly.
Chen Mo pressed closer, reducing the distance between them.
The scent was unmistakable; the faint fragrance left on the bedding was emanating from Yun Yun.
Yun Yun could feel Chen Mo getting closer, her heart pounding, but she didn't move away. Instead, she felt a faint sense of anticipation.
"There's a chance," Chen Mo's eyes brightened, his gaze growing more intense.
Just as the atmosphere between them grew increasingly ambiguous and they were about to embrace, a cool voice came from outside the palace.
"Teacher."
"It's Yanran." Yun Yun snapped out of it, glancing down at Chen Mo's hands, which were almost touching her waist. Her brows furrowed, and she turned to glare at Chen Mo.
"Ahem." Chen Mo's face turned red, his hands suddenly unsure where to go, wondering why Yun Yun said Nalan Yanran was in seclusion, yet she was here.
"Come in." Yun Yun motioned with her eyes, and Chen Mo quickly stepped back.
In a moment, a noble girl in a tight-fitting moon-colored long robe entered with a smile.
As she walked in, the system's voice rang out.
"Ding, seven-star Dou Shi detected. You can spend 1070 luck points to peep."
Chen Mo clicked cancel.
Nalan Yanran's smile faded when she saw the unfamiliar man in the side hall.
She had never seen a man in her teacher's palace before. This was the first time, and his casual demeanor suggested a special relationship with her teacher.
"Teacher, who is he?"
"Hello, senior sister, my name is Chen Mo. I'm the teacher's new personal disciple." 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 an engagement.
The novel described her as high and mighty, her actions like charity, trampling on Xiao Yan's last bit of dignity.
This left Chen Mo with a poor impression of her.
However, seeing her today, Chen Mo finally understood what it meant to let principles follow appearance.
Breaking off the engagement was a good move.
"Teacher's new personal disciple?"
Nalan Yanran looked at Yun Yun in surprise. Even after Yun Yun nodded, she still found it hard to believe. After a moment, she smiled slightly and extended her hand, "Hello, I'm Nalan Yanran."
Contrary to expectations, Nalan Yanran wasn't aloof and didn't refuse to shake hands with Chen Mo.
They shook hands briefly, and Chen Mo didn't linger, which gave Nalan Yanran a good first impression.
Of course, this had little to do with Chen Mo's looks.
"Yanran, it's late. What brings you here?" Seeing that their first meeting went well, Yun Yun didn't avoid Chen Mo and asked directly.
"It's about a Dou Technique." Nalan Yanran said softly, glancing at Chen Mo.
Chen Mo, naturally hearing this, tactfully said, "Teacher, you two talk. I have no problem with the sect competition."
"Okay, then you rest." Yun Yun, still unsure how to be alone with Chen Mo after the earlier atmosphere, took the opportunity to leave as Yanran came to ask about the Dou Technique.
As soon as they left the side hall, Nalan Yanran couldn't help but ask, "Teacher, didn't you go to the Magical Beast Mountain Range? Why did you take a personal disciple?"
"This is a long story," Yun Yun gave a brief account, omitting the details about sharing a cave and other intimate moments.
"So, he saved your life, teacher." Nalan Yanran's impression of Chen Mo improved.
"Alright, let's get to business. Where's your Dou Technique problem?"
"I always feel like I'm missing something."
"..."
The night passed.
The next day.
The news that Chen Mo would participate in the inner sect disciple competition and be recognized as a personal disciple if he ranked in the top ten spread throughout the Yun Lan Sect.
As time went on, even the Jia Ma Empire royal family and the three major families received this news.
"Yun Yun has taken another disciple. Since she took Nalan Yanran as a disciple seven years ago, she hasn't taken another one. What's this Chen Mo's background?"
"A personal disciple of a Dou Huang powerhouse. It seems there will be something new to see in this Yun Lan Sect competition."
"Interesting, interesting. A sixteen-year-old one-star Dou Shi, not much inferior to that Nalan girl from the Nalan family."
"..."
In the palace.
Chen Mo slowly exhaled.
The fire seed was finally refined.
But should he devour it?
Looking at the purple flame in his palm, Chen Mo had three big question marks over his head.
Xiao Yan wanted to devour the fire seed to evolve the Flame Mantra.
But I don't have the Flame Mantra.
Forget it, let's not devour it for now.
Meanwhile.
In a small valley.
"Focus your mind and create a small space in your qi whirlpool to accommodate the purple fire."
Two hours later.
"Boom!"
Xiao Yan extended his palm, lightly rubbing his fingers together, and a tiny purple flame flickered to life between them.
"Teacher, I did it! Come out and see." Xiao Yan said excitedly.
A figure flashed out from the ring. Yao Lao looked at the rising purple flame and said, "I thought this cave trip was a waste, but this purple fire is a pleasant surprise."
"Teacher, that guy must be behind this. When I meet him again, I won't let him off."