As Nangong Yao finished speaking, Jiang Bailu's face showed shame. He could only bow and admit his fault before sitting down dejectedly.

Seeing this, Liu Yunjian and the other elders wanted to offer words of comfort, but they didn't know how to start. They too felt quite upset.

"Sect Master, the current consumption of resources within the sect is quite high. If this continues, in two months, I'm afraid we won't be able to distribute spirit stones to the disciples and elders each month."

Liu Yunjian said with a bitter expression.

The sect had imposed a ban on going out for quite some time now, and the imbalance between resource consumption and replenishment had become severe.

At any time, resources are the core of maintaining the sect's balanced operation, and now this balance has been broken.

Of course, the Dao Heaven Sect still had a large amount of hidden resources in its inventory, but those could only be used in times of life-and-death crisis for the sect, and the current situation was far from that.

Nangong Yao remained silent, pondering something in his mind.

"Sect Master, in my opinion, why not lift the ban? It's been so long already, and I don't believe the Demon Sect is still lying in ambush around us. Besides, for our Dao Heaven Sect, those from the Demon Sect must also be wary."

Second Elder Liu Xuanyin said in a firm voice.

Jiang Bailu quickly added, "I agree. Recently, I have been outside the sect and secretly patrolled the surroundings, but I have not found any trace of the Demon Sect."

Liu Yunjian said blandly, "The two elders are being too optimistic. The Demon Sect is in the dark while we are in the light. Not to mention, the Demon Sect is adept at concealing themselves. If they could be easily discovered, they wouldn't be the Demon Sect."

Hearing Liu Yunjian's words, Liu Xuanyin and Jiang Bailu were momentarily speechless, their faces showing embarrassment.

"The ban cannot be lifted."

Suddenly, Nangong Yao spoke, "Our sect does have a method. It may not restore the balance of the resource vault, but it can extend the sect's operation time."

The elders were puzzled, not understanding how the resource vault could be supplemented without lifting the ban.

Could it be that they were going to use the hidden resources?

Nangong Yao tightened his grip on the list in his hand and said sternly, "Fifth Elder, Ninth Elder, hear my command."

Immediately, an elder on each side stood up, left their seats, and bowed in the center of the hall, "Present."

The elder on the left, with white hair, was the Fifth Elder, Wang Tianfu.

The one on the right, appearing youthful due to taking a youth-preserving pill, was the Ninth Elder, Zhou Tong.

Nangong Yao nodded and said, "After you leave, select some disciples and elders from the Human Profound Peak and Earth Profound Peak to go out, and you two core elders will personally lead the team."

Upon hearing this, the elders were shocked but nodded slightly.

At this time, having two core elders lead a group of inner and outer sect disciples and elders out was relatively safe.

The elders also understood the Sect Master's earlier words. This method could indeed temporarily maintain the sect's operation.

As for why the sect arranged for the Fifth Elder and Ninth Elder, the elders quickly understood.

There was no need to mention Ninth Elder Zhou Tong, who had a Treasure-Seeking Spirit Pet, the Mysterious Yellow Mouse, making him the perfect choice to lead the team.

And Fifth Elder Wang Tianfu was the strongest elder they could send out.

Because Liu Yunjian, Liu Xuanyin, Jiang Bailu, and Chu Ningshang were often busy within the sect and couldn't leave.

"Understood."

Wang Tianfu and Zhou Tong bowed in agreement.

Just as the two were about to leave the Inner Pavilion, Chu Ningshang's sudden words made them pause.

"Sect Master, are we not sending any Purple-Robed Disciples this time?"

Upon hearing this, Jiang Bailu's eyes flashed with pain and shock, while some elders with true disciples averted their gaze.

What a joke, a Purple-Robed Disciple had already been captured by the Demon Sect. Purple-Robed Disciples are so precious; how could they send another one out?

Nangong Yao was slightly surprised, "Fourth Elder, what do you mean?"

Chu Ningshang bowed and said, "Sect Master, my disciple Zhao Ting has been immersed in cultivation for years and has reached a bottleneck. Could the Fifth Elder and Ninth Elder take Zhao Ting along?"

As she finished speaking, Nangong Yao's eyes flickered.

However, before Nangong Yao could say anything, the elders couldn't sit still and spoke up.

"Absolutely not, Fourth Elder. Zhao Ting is the most talented among all our disciples. How can you send him out during such dangerous times?"

"Indeed, Zhao Ting is too important. It's safer for him to stay within the sect."

"......."

"Hmph." Chu Ningshang snorted coldly, "I, as Zhao Ting's master, am willing to let him go out, yet you elders are unwilling?"

The elders were momentarily speechless.

Chu Ningshang continued, "It's one thing for you elders not to send your true disciples out, but why stop me?"

After speaking, Chu Ningshang looked at the contemplative Nangong Yao and said solemnly, "Sect Master, with the Fifth Elder and Ninth Elder leading the team, it should be relatively safe. Moreover, forgive me for being blunt... Purple-Robed Disciples are still disciples. They shouldn't be overly coddled. Cultivation is fraught with uncertainties and often accompanied by danger. Without experiencing trials and hardships, how can one's character grow if they remain sheltered?"

The elders nodded, unable to argue, feeling somewhat ashamed inside.

Jiang Bailu said seriously, "Fourth Elder, my disciple has already been captured by the Demon Sect, his fate unknown. What if something happens to Zhao Ting as well?"

Chu Ningshang replied calmly, "It's not that I, as his master, don't cherish my disciple. I just want to say... if Zhao Ting truly encounters misfortune, it is his fate. Cultivation is never a smooth path."

Jiang Bailu was stunned into silence, realizing that his understanding in this regard was far inferior to Chu Ningshang's.

"Very well, let Zhao Ting go out as well. Zhao Ting hasn't been in the Cultivation World for long. Although his cultivation level has risen rapidly, he has yet to experience anything and is like a child. Fifth Elder and Ninth Elder, please take care of him on the journey."

At this moment, Nangong Yao spoke.

"Yes."

Wang Tianfu and Zhou Tong agreed.

The elders sighed, having nothing more to say, not knowing how to respond, as Chu Ningshang's words had truly struck a chord with them.

.........

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After Wang Tianfu and Zhou Tong left the Inner Pavilion, they went to inform the presiding elders of the Human Profound Peak and Earth Profound Peak, conveying the Sect Master's order to select a group of disciples to gather outside the mountain gate.

The presiding elders of the two peaks immediately agreed and went to select the disciples for the outing.

After returning to the Hall of Punishment, Chu Ningshang also informed Zhao Ting, expecting him to be afraid, but he was unexpectedly excited.

After bidding farewell to Chu Ningshang, Zhao Ting flew towards the mountain gate using sword flight. Three years had passed, and he was no longer the mortal without cultivation he once was, but a true cultivator at the late Foundation Establishment Stage.

Halfway through his sword flight, Zhao Ting thought there was no rush, so he changed direction and flew towards the Servants' Peak.

Servants' Peak.

A servant disciple saw a figure flying in on a sword and quickly bowed, calling out "Senior Brother," only standing up slowly after the figure disappeared to the west.

The servant disciples exchanged wry smiles.

Nowadays, who at the Servants' Peak didn't know that was the Purple-Robed Disciple, Senior Brother Zhao Ting? He often visited the Servants' Peak to see Chen Xun, and the disciples had long been accustomed to it.