After knocking Lu Renjia over the cliff, the mother beast roared at the crowd, then picked up Xiao Hua Zhu by the scruff of its neck and warily retreated into the forest.
“A demon… a demon beast attacked a disciple in public…” a steward disciple stammered. “Quick… chase it! According to the sect rules…”
“According to the sect rules, what?”
A cold voice suddenly rang out above everyone’s heads.
Everyone shuddered and looked up sharply.
There, at the edge of the cliff not far away, stood a figure in white robes.
She had been standing there for who knows how long, her eyes calmly sweeping over the chaotic scene below.
Ling Qingxue, the youngest elder in the sect.
She was clearly standing right there, yet she seemed to have merged with the moonlight. If she hadn’t spoken, no one would have noticed her at all.
Steward Wang’s forehead instantly broke out in cold sweat. He hurriedly bowed. “Greetings, Elder Ling!”
The other steward disciples and outer disciples also snapped out of their daze and bowed in greeting one after another.
Ling Qingxue’s gaze first lingered on Lin Xiao and Xiao Luoyi, who was in his arms. Then she looked at the others.
“Steward Wang,” Ling Qingxue spoke, her voice completely flat. “You just said, according to the sect rules, what?”
Steward Wang steeled himself. “In response… Elder Ling, according to the sect rules, if a demon beast actively attacks a disciple within the sect’s territory, it should be killed on the spot.”
“Oh?” Ling Qingxue raised an eyebrow slightly. “There are so many outer disciples here. Who among them can kill the Bristleback Boar King?”
“Or do you, Steward Wang, believe that you stewards can handle it effortlessly?”
Steward Wang was left speechless. They truly weren’t confident they could capture this large demon beast.
Ling Qingxue’s gaze shifted to Zhou Min and Wu Min, who were slumped on the ground. The two trembled violently under her cold stare, as if drenched in ice water.
“I have already heard everything you said. As such, that demon beast was protecting its young and taking revenge—a natural course of events. Lu Renjia got what she deserved.”
She paused, looking down at the bottom of the cliff. “Pull her up, treat her injuries, then cripple her cultivation and expel her from the sect. If her family dares to cause trouble, tell them to come find me.”
“Yes!” Steward Wang bowed in acknowledgment. Under Ling Qingxue’s immense spiritual pressure, his back was already soaked with cold sweat.
Only then did Ling Qingxue turn her attention back to Lin Xiao.
Lin Xiao held Xiao Luoyi in his arms, meeting her gaze. The outcome from the previous cycle uncontrollably flooded into his mind again. But he remained impassive on the surface.
“You.” Ling Qingxue finally spoke. “Your name is Lin Xiao?”
“Yes.”
“You were the first to arrive here?”
“Yes.”
“Good.” Ling Qingxue nodded, her tone unreadable. “You and Xiao Luoyi will come to Soaring Moon Peak to recover. I will personally treat your injuries.”
With that, she flicked her sleeve, her figure flickered, and she vanished on the spot.
But the words she left behind were like a stone thrown into a lake, stirring countless ripples.
‘Elder Ling is going to treat their injuries herself?’
Countless gazes filled with envy, jealousy, and curiosity instantly converged on Lin Xiao and Xiao Luoyi.
But Lin Xiao paid them no mind.
He looked down at Xiao Luoyi, who had fallen asleep again in his arms, gently adjusted his hold, then looked up at Steward Wang. “Steward Wang, Junior Sister Xiao’s injuries…”
Steward Wang jolted and quickly said, “I’ll arrange a spirit crane immediately to take you to Elder Ling’s Soaring Moon Peak!”
—
In Soaring Cloud Hall, incense smoke curled up from the censer.
More than a dozen sect elders sat at different levels on both sides of the great hall, their gazes all fixed on the figure in white standing in the center.
Ling Qingxue, elder of Soaring Moon Peak, the youngest Nascent Soul sword cultivator in Soaring Cloud Sect.
She hadn’t accepted any disciples for a hundred years, spending all her time cultivating alone on Soaring Moon Peak and minding her own business. Yet today, for the sake of two outer disciples, she had personally come to the main hall to request an exception.
The sect leader, Xuan Xiao Zhenren’s voice sounded gentle, but still carried doubt. “Are you sure you want to do this? Directly making them true disciples, skipping the outer sect competition, inner sect examination, and true disciple trial… Our sect has been established for over a thousand years, and there’s never been such a precedent.”
“Rules are made by people.” Ling Qingxue’s voice was cold and clear, echoing through the hall.
She didn’t even lift her eyelids, just looked down at the Auspicious Cloud Jade Pendant in her hand, as if fiddling with that pendant was more interesting than talking to the elders in the hall.
“Never before has an outer disciple been able to single-handedly kill an Iron Spine Boar.”
“There are still doubts about that demon beast incident!” A white-haired elder on the right suddenly slapped the table.
“Only the two of them were there at the time. Who can testify that the female outer disciple really killed it by herself?”
Ling Qingxue finally looked up.
The temperature in the hall instantly dropped.
This was no illusion—a flash of ice-blue Sword Intent flickered in her eyes, and a layer of white frost immediately formed on the surrounding floor.
“Are you,” she said word by word, “doubting my judgment?”
“I…” The elder’s face turned bright red, but under her aggressive gaze, he couldn’t utter a single word.
“Enough.”
Xuan Xiao Zhenren quickly stepped in to mediate. A wave of gentle spiritual energy swept through, dispersing the chill.
He looked at Ling Qingxue, his eyes full of helplessness. “Elder Ling, retract your Sword Intent. Elder Li also means well for the sect.”
He paused, his gaze sweeping over the elders. “However, this matter is indeed negotiable. Let’s hear your opinions.”
The elders exchanged glances, and immediately someone chimed in.
“I do think that Elder Ling makes a point. How has our Soaring Cloud Sect stood among the Thirty-Six Immortal Mountains for thousands of years? Not by clinging to outdated rules, but by daring to be the first.”
“Regardless of the process, these two did kill the Iron Spine Boar. Their talent and character must have exceptional qualities.”
“I cannot agree with that statement.”
“No matter how good their talent and character, they still need to go through the proper steps! Skipping the assessments and becoming true disciples directly—without a solid foundation, the earth will shake and the mountains will tremble.”
“Making an exception for them today means other disciples will follow suit tomorrow, all thinking they can leapfrog challenges to reach the top. In the long run, where is our sect’s discipline? Where is its authority?”
“Elder Li is right.”
“Moreover, Lin Xiao comes from a humble background, with mediocre aptitude. He hasn’t made a name for himself in the outer sect before. Suddenly becoming a true disciple will likely not be accepted by others.”
“And as for Xiao Luoyi… an orphan from the Kingdom of Moonlight, with a complicated background. When Elder Ling brought her to the sect, there were already objections. Now directly making her a true disciple will likely invite unnecessary trouble.”
At these words, several elders nodded slightly.
The atmosphere in the hall stiffened again.
“Trouble?”
Ling Qingxue suddenly let out a light laugh.
“The trouble Elder Mo refers to—does it mean the case of the Kingdom of Moonlight’s destruction involving internal royal struggles, or are you insinuating that I am abusing my authority for personal gain?”
Elder Mo’s face changed color. “What do you mean by that, Elder Ling?!”
Ling Qingxue didn’t look at him anymore. She turned to face Xuan Xiao Zhenren and cupped her hands in a bow.
It was the first time she had performed a formal salute since entering the hall today.
“Sect Leader, my decision is made. Please do not let the elders speak further on this matter.”
“Ling Qingxue! How dare you! Do you think Soaring Cloud Sect is your personal fiefdom?!”
“Enough.”
Xuan Xiao Zhenren’s voice was not loud, but it instantly silenced all the noise.
He slowly stood up, walked down the steps, and came before Ling Qingxue.
The sect leader suddenly let out a sigh.
“Elder Ling, how long has it been… since you insisted on something like this?”
Ling Qingxue’s gaze flickered slightly, but she didn’t answer.
“After that incident thirty years ago, you only cultivated in seclusion on Soaring Moon Peak. The recent entrance ceremony was your first attendance in all these years. I imagine that was also for Xiao Luoyi’s sake.”
“Now that you are willing to take disciples, it’s a good thing.”
He turned to face the elders, and his voice suddenly became severe.
“I have decided. From today onward, Lin Xiao and Xiao Luoyi will enter Soaring Moon Peak as true disciples under Elder Ling Qingxue. All benefits and offerings will be at the highest true disciple standards.”
“Sect Leader!”
Xuan Xiao Zhenren raised his hand to stop them. “No more discussion on this matter. Anyone who has objections…”
“…you may go to Soaring Moon Peak and discuss swordsmanship with Elder Ling.”
The hall fell into dead silence.
Discuss swordsmanship? With Ling Qingxue? The same woman who, thirty years ago, overwhelmed every peer of the Thirty-Six Immortal Mountains with a single sword stroke. After years of secluded cultivation, who knows how much more powerful she has become. And you want me to discuss swordsmanship with her?
Several elders who had intended to speak silently shut their mouths.
“This matter is settled.”
Xuan Xiao Zhenren sat back down in his seat, his expression returning to calm, as if the earlier tension had never happened.
“Next, we move to the second matter.”
“This matter also concerns you, Elder Ling.”
“?” Ling Qingxue frowned slightly.
“That’s right.” Xuan Xiao Zhenren said. “Chu Qingchen, the third princess of the Great Chu Immortal Dynasty, will personally visit our sect three days from now. Ostensibly for an exchange study visit, but her true intentions are unknown.”
He looked at Ling Qingxue, a hint of curiosity flashing in his eyes. “This third princess… has specifically requested to see you.”
Ling Qingxue was taken aback.
“She said that a few days ago, in a dream, she received a sword technique pointer from you, which greatly benefited her.”
Xuan Xiao Zhenren said slowly, “Now that her sword path has achieved initial success, she wishes to seek your guidance again.”
“I don’t recall teaching any princess anything.” Ling Qingxue replied coldly.
“Whether you recall or not is not important.” Xuan Xiao Zhenren shook his head. “What matters is that she represents the imperial family. Soaring Cloud Sect and the dynasty have always maintained interactions. We must give face.”
He pondered for a moment, then said, “The reception will be handled by your Soaring Moon Peak.”
Ling Qingxue was silent for a long time before slowly nodding. “Fine. But if she is only here to go through the motions, I will not play along.”
“Up to you.” Xuan Xiao Zhenren smiled. “Just don’t chase her down the mountain.”
Premium Chapter
Login to buy access to this Chapter.