Ning Daoran was somewhat speechless.
This matter wasn't actually hard to guess; although Senior Brother Lin Sheng was approaching the peak of the Qi Refining Ninth Level, he never belonged to the most core disciples of the Inner Sect.
There was no other reason; his Spirit Root was simply too poor, and his reach to the Qi Refining Ninth Level hinged entirely on his courage to fight and contend, supported by half of the True Yang Furnace Technique.
Such disciples were numerous in the Inner Sect; essentially, the Sect's most dangerous missions were always assigned to them, so even if some were lost, the Sect wouldn't feel too much pain.
These people were like the Sect's "disposables," only that Lin Sheng and the like didn't realize it themselves.
As for Liu Ruyan, she had fallen in love with Lin Sheng at first sight, won over by his heroic spirit and presence; subsequently, her feelings grew deep-rooted.