Chapter 45: A Big Head

Myriad Phenomena Peak.

Luo Qingyue visited again, raising her concerns about advancing the tournament with her younger sister.

“Advancing the tournament a bit isn’t a big deal—just a matter of adding a few rules.”

“But do you really think, with the current strength of your disciples, they can secure a spot in the Four Sects Conference?”

“Why not?”

Luo Qingling propped her head up, lazily swirling a wine cup with her fingertip, responding casually, “I don’t think my disciples are lacking.”

“Tang Yueyao and Lin Yuhe are decent, but that Shen Mu of yours, who’s been in the sect for nearly three years and still hasn’t reached Foundation Establishment, might not even beat an outer disciple of the same realm…”

“How can he compete with the disciples of other peak masters and elders?”

Though Luo Qingyue had confidence in her sister’s strength and foundation, her usual laid-back demeanor made her worry about the quality of the disciples she taught.

“Sister, how about a bet?” Luo Qingling set down her wine cup, a faint smile on her face as she proposed.

“What’s the bet?”

“If Shen Mu secures a spot for the Four Sects Conference in this tournament, you’ll let all three of them use the Pure Essence Spirit Pool until the conference.”

“If he fails, I’ll forgo three years of my salary and upgrade the arrays of all the sect’s cultivation sites for free. How’s that?”

Luo Qingyue’s eyes narrowed, her gaze on Luo Qingling carrying a hint of scrutiny. “Are you serious?”

“Of course.” Luo Qingling’s eyes gleamed with unspoken confidence.

“Fine. I’d like to see what’s so special about that talentless disciple you’ve taken such a liking to.”

Two days later.

Shen Mu and Lin Yuhe safely returned to the sect, bringing Ye Ling to Myriad Phenomena Peak.

As expected, Luo Qingling had no particular thoughts about Ye Ling.

She only gave a brief warning to “avoid causing trouble” before hurriedly summoning Shen Mu to her cave abode.

Shen Mu followed behind Luo Qingling, keeping his head slightly lowered, avoiding her graceful figure.

Only when she stopped did he speak up. “Does Master have any special requests?”

Whoosh!

With a wave of her hand, Luo Qingling conjured an image of the crimson dragon being treated in the rear mountain’s healing array.

“I’ve placed her in the healing array. She’ll recover fully in about a month.”

“I hope, during this special period, you can form a spirit pet contract with her and take her under your wing.”

“This…”

Shen Mu’s expression froze, his eyes showing hesitation. “Master… isn’t this a bit too much for your disciple?”

“Not to mention the innate pride of dragons, their belief in strength above all makes it impossible for me to truly win her loyalty.”

“Let alone… make her my spirit pet.”

The request genuinely shocked Shen Mu.

After all, taming a dragon as a spirit pet at the Qi Refining Realm was something he hadn’t even dared dream of while playing the game.

“Your Master didn’t save her for free. If she can’t be of use to you, I can return her to her near-death state in an instant.”

“Think it over carefully.”

“…”

Shen Mu fell into deep conflict.

“By the way, in half a month, the sect will hold a special tournament. The top ten will earn a spot in the Four Sects Sword Trial Conference.”

“I hope you’ll work hard to secure one of those spots.”

What…

The unexpected news hit Shen Mu like a thunderbolt, leaving him speechless for a moment.

“Uh… Master…”

“You know my strength better than anyone. Joining this tournament… isn’t that just asking for trouble?”

The participants would all be Foundation Establishment and Golden Core cultivators. How could a Qi Refining nobody like him compete?

It was like entering a ranked match without leveling up first.

“All I know is you’re hiding plenty of tricks.”

“…My little tricks are useless against an absolute realm gap…”

His trump cards only ensured invincibility at his own level.

Cross-realm combat? He’d need all five elemental spirit roots awakened for any confidence.

“I don’t care. If you don’t secure a spot, your days of free cultivation are over.”

“I’ll personally oversee your training every day.”

“…”

Hearing his usually carefree Master say such a thing, Shen Mu’s head spun.

Meanwhile.

In her spiritual peak cave abode, Lin Yuhe dressed Ye Ling in a new pink-and-white dress, tying her golden hair into neat twin tails, nodding with satisfaction.

“Not bad… You look pretty cute like this.” She admired the doll-like girl, feeling her heart melt.

Ye Ling tugged at her dress and flicked her twin tails, looking a bit lost.

But seeing Lin Yuhe’s genuinely delighted face, she didn’t say much.

“Can we start? I don’t have much time left.”

“Of course.”

In high spirits, Lin Yuhe took out two prepared meditation cushions and placed them nearby.

She sat cross-legged on one, gesturing. “Come on.”

Ye Ling sat silently on the other cushion, forming hand seals to conjure a golden light orb swirling with incantations, which she sent into Lin Yuhe’s forehead…

It transformed into segments of scripture, gradually merging into her mind.

“This is the Divine Guidance Technique, which can help you awaken the True Phoenix intent within your origin.”

“Once activated, you just need to channel it into me. You don’t have to do much else.”

“If you feel dizzy or disoriented, stop immediately.”

“Got it.”

After his conversation with his Master, Shen Mu arrived outside the rear mountain’s healing array.

Through the verdant array barrier, he quietly watched the wounded, curled-up crimson dragon sleeping inside, his heart filled with mixed emotions.

“Sister Chi Ying… I didn’t want things to turn out like this.”

“But now… Master probably won’t change her mind about making you my ally.”

“So, I’d like to discuss with you and see if we can find a compromise.”

“One that meets Master’s demands while keeping you free from too many constraints.”

“…”

Inside the array, Chi Ying heard his gentle words and slowly opened her dragon eyes, looking at the handsome young man before her.

“You… knew I was a dragon all along?” she asked calmly, without resentment or negativity.