Brother, how come you're a witch?

Su Yan glanced at the rewards for the top ten in the competition again. After discovering that it was a considerable amount of spirit stones, he understood why they were so enthusiastic.

"You all want to go?"

"Uh-huh."

Why didn't you say so before?

"We couldn't afford it before. There were requirements for the flying swords used in the competition. They had to be one of a few limited models, and there were strict restrictions on their modifications. There was also a registration fee."

"It sounds like this competition is just a money-making scheme between the organizers and the sword sellers."

Su Yan tossed the flyer aside and scanned the crowd:

"I understand. You see that Flow is making good profits and you'll be able to get a big share of the money, so you can't wait to try your luck, is that right?"

"As expected of the team leader, he understood immediately. Besides, we're in the secondhand recycling business, so getting flying swords that meet the requirements is easy for us." One team member gave Su Yan a thumbs up, and the others quickly followed suit with applause.

"Ha, dream on."

Su Yan sneered, not buying it:

"Not approved."

"No!"

The group members immediately burst into groans:

"Team leader, we really need to prove ourselves in this competition."

"What are you trying to prove? Swordsmanship is about killing and conquest, not about how fast you fly. Look at Ye Jingqiu, he didn't even participate," Su Yan lectured.

"I'll participate."

Ye Jingqiu suddenly opened his eyes.

"Team leader, listen to this!"

The team members immediately perked up.

"You...shouldn't you cooperate with me at a time like this?" Su Yan covered his face.

"oh."

Ye Jingqiu blinked and said calmly:

"But what if I say I don't want to participate, and you really won't let me participate?"

"I can't control you anyway."

Su Yan's lips trembled slightly, as if the Little Sword Ancestor would obediently listen as long as he didn't let Ye Jingqiu go.

They were nominally the head and deputy, but there was no actual superior-subordinate relationship between them.

Ye Jingqiu remained silent, only his lips seemed to twitch slightly, before he closed his eyes and went back to contemplation.

Now Su Yan has to face it alone.

"Sigh, Junior Brother Su, please grant my request."

Lu Jing raised his arm and put his arm around Su Yan's shoulder, advising him.

"Senior Brother Lu, you can't fly on a sword, why are you making a fuss with them?" Su Yan felt betrayed by the entire group.

"They said I contributed the most money and had a lot of influence, so they dragged me along."

Lu Jing smiled helplessly and said:

"But I understand them too. Which sword cultivator doesn't want to shine as brightly as a sword? Given the chance, everyone wants to show themselves."

This statement is correct, and it's one of the reasons why sword cultivators are generally considered inferior—they love to show off.

"Ugh."

Su Yan also sighed:

"It's not that I don't want to approve it, it's that I can't. Liu Liu's business is getting bigger and bigger, and I'm waiting for you all to become familiar with the process and share the appraisal work. If you all go off to participate in a competition for three days and three nights, how can we continue doing business?"

"Team leader, we know all this, which is why we asked for leave so many days in advance. We all want to go, but not all of us will. We'll select from within first, and then only half of us will go," a team member said, raising his hand.

"Given the fact that Liuliu is growing at a rate that is almost doubling every day, it will be quite difficult for even half of you to go by then," Su Yan said.

"If half the people are just for identification, we can manage by gritting our teeth. It's just that we still need manpower for odd jobs like guarding the warehouse."

Lu Jing stroked his chin and suggested:

"We already had plans to expand our staff, so why don't we take this opportunity to recruit?"

"The right person is hard to find."

Su Yan shook his head:

"Here's what we'll do: if you can conduct independent assessments before the competition, and I can recruit enough people, I'll grant you leave."

"The team leader is brilliant!"

Another person gave a thumbs up, and everyone followed suit with applause. Putting aside everything else, this group of sword cultivators certainly provided excellent emotional value.

Su Yan waved his hand and smiled to himself.

It's not easy to recruit people. If we don't find enough, we'll just say we didn't. You want to form a team to participate in the sword-fighting competition? No way, you'll all stay and work with me!

The group members, unaware of his thoughts, were filled with a cheerful atmosphere, and the morning class quickly passed by.

Su Yan yawned and got up, only to realize with surprise that they were chatting so happily that Liu Baishuang hadn't even glared at him.

Normally, if he spoke even a few words to Ye Jingqiu, he would be met with a cold and disdainful gaze.

Could this be proof that my relationship with her is progressing?

Su Yan felt a pang of emotion and looked towards the stage ahead. He saw the little demoness's figure drift away quickly, and he wondered what urgent matter she had to attend to.

"Team leader, let's get started on our studies."

"Don't worry, team leader. We've been trying to verify it according to the chart these past few days, and it's mostly correct. It'll definitely be fine in another two days."

The team members were all full of energy and enthusiasm for their work and study. After saying goodbye to Su Yan, they dispersed in twos and threes, waiting to meet up at the shop later.

This atmosphere where employees treat the company like their own home is exactly what Su Yan wants to see.

Although the employees haven't done much work yet, he hasn't paid them any money.

Are you practicing your sword again today?

Su Yan looked at Ye Jingqiu.

She shook her head, picked up her sword, and stood up: "I have to go out tonight, and the accounts can't be left unresolved for two days. I can settle yesterday's accounts this afternoon."

"Master Ye, your kindness and virtue are beyond measure..."

"I want my flying sword fully upgraded."

Ye Jingqiu casually rebuked Su Yan.

"..."

Su Yan quickly calculated the price of a fully modified flying sword in his mind during the Ultimate Sword Cultivator Challenge, and the corner of his mouth twitched uncontrollably.

"Alright."

He finally nodded. This was the first time Ye Jingqiu had expressed his desire so directly, aside from sword energy. He wanted to protect this feeling.

"It's settled."

Ye Jingqiu's lips curled up slightly:

"I'll go to the market outside the gate to buy some egg yolk cakes first, then I'll come find you later."

The sale of ordinary items such as pastries and clothes is conducted in a special market near the residences of outer disciples. The rent is relatively low, and many ordinary people come here to do business.

Su Yan really wanted to go shopping with her and complete Liu Baishuang's task, find out what style of white stockings Ye Jingqiu was wearing, buy a few pairs for Little Sword Ancestor, and a few pairs for Little Demoness.

But due to the high work pressure, Liu Liu couldn't live without him.

"Let's go pick out some clothes together next time. Master Ye gave me clothes that day, which saved me from an urgent problem. Otherwise, I would have had to come to Xuanqing Sect naked. I should repay this kindness tenfold."

Su Yan patted Ye Jingqiu and promised to do it again next time.

"Um."

A subtle ripple appeared in Ye Jingqiu's deep, still eyes, and he nodded slightly.

"It's settled."

"It's settled."

Su Yan smiled, just about to give Ye Jingqiu a few more instructions.

But then the latter lowered his head, his drooping eyelashes trembled, and he suddenly turned and left.

Su Yan hadn't even retracted his raised hand when he scratched his head, not understanding what was going on.

I always thought Liu Baishuang's thoughts were hard to fathom, and Ye Jingqiu was always straightforward, but how come Little Sword Ancestor also seems to have become unpredictable?

"Strange thing."

Su Yan chuckled lightly, then turned and left, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword.

Regardless, at least Ye Jingqiu didn't seem angry just now.

Instead of following the crowd, Su Yan chose a secluded spot and slipped into the sect's greenery.

The route Liu Baishuang took when she sneaked out to play last time reminded him that he didn't need to go into the market every time and then carefully go around to Liuliu through the back door. He could just go through the greenery outside the market and go through the back door!

Su Yan walked through the greenery, and could already see the roof of Liu Liu's illegally constructed warehouse ahead.

He parted a clump of grass and suddenly froze.

He saw five burly men squatting in the grass, staring at him with hostile expressions.