Chapter 67

Chapter 67: Into Seclusion

Ling Bu Fei smiled faintly, brushed sunflower seed shells from his sleeve, and murmured to Bai Meng Jin, “Let’s go.”

They stepped forward together and saluted solemnly.

“Uncle.”

“Sect Master.”

Ling Yun Gao’s expression steadied, the earlier shock smoothed away as if it had never shown. “As long as you’re unharmed.”

He turned toward You Yan and Master Sun. “Is everything cleared up? Do the disciples still have questions?”

“No,” You Yan answered at once. “None.”

Master Sun’s face flushed. “I acted on impulse. I shouldn’t have questioned the Sect Master and the elders’ decision.”

Ling Yun Gao’s smile was polite, controlled. “Take this as a lesson, Junior Brother Sun. If you don’t understand something in the future, come ask me directly.”

“Yes.”

Master Sun turned toward Bai Meng Jin and Ling Bu Fei. His words came awkwardly, like stones he was forcing from his own throat. “I was foolish just now. I spoke harshly before I understood the facts. I… apologize to the Young Sect Master and Martial Niece Bai.”

Ling Bu Fei gave a cool snort. “I’ve always respected Master as someone with a pure heart. I didn’t expect this to happen.

“If it hadn’t been us today, but ordinary little disciples instead, Master’s sharp words would have left them too ashamed to face anyone. They might not have lasted long enough for the truth to come out.”

Master Sun looked stricken. “Young Sect Master…”

You Yan stepped in smoothly. “The Young Sect Master is right. Martial Uncle Sun will think more before acting in the future and leave room in his words, won’t you?”

Master Sun nodded rapidly. “Yes. Yes.”

Bai Meng Jin spoke softly, easing the edge. “It also shows that Master Sun isn’t afraid of power and treats disciples the same, no matter who they are.

“If you fix this rash habit, you’ll be an excellent Master.”

Master Sun blinked at her as if she’d thrown him a lifeline. Gratitude lit his face. “I’ll change. I will. I will!”

This Martial Niece Bai was truly reasonable. No wonder she’d been willing to sacrifice herself to save others.

And if the Young Sect Master healed, with someone like this at his side… Limitless Sect’s future would be bright.

“All right.” You Yan raised her voice. “Everyone disperse!

“Those who should be working, go work. Those who should be in class, go to class. Time is precious—don’t waste it.”

The excitement had ended. With nothing left to see, disciples drifted away in twos and threes, still chattering.

A few bold ones even approached Bai Meng Jin, faces sincere.

“Martial Uncle Bai has lofty integrity. You’re a model for all of us. To be fellow disciples with you is an honor for three lifetimes.”

“This disciple will learn from Martial Uncle Bai from now on, and swear to slay devils and uphold the Dao.”

Only after the crowd thinned did You Yan look at Master Sun. “Martial Uncle Sun, will you go back to teaching?”

There were still disciples waiting at the cave. Master Sun naturally had to return.

Bai Meng Jin bowed. “My older sister was badly frightened today. Please allow me to comfort her.”

Master Sun agreed at once. “All right, all right. You were startled too. Go back and rest.”

Ling Bu Fei clasped his fists to Ling Yun Gao. “Uncle, if you have no other instructions, we’ll head back first.”

“Go.” Ling Yun Gao’s gaze lingered a heartbeat too long, unreadable. Then he said evenly, “What happened today was also Uncle’s fault. I acted without enough care and didn’t inform the disciples ahead of time.

“Yi Nong, prepare a gift later to calm Martial Niece Bai’s nerves.”

Qiu Yi Nong lowered her eyes, obedient. “Yes.”

—

Bai Meng Jin walked Bai Meng Lian and Bai Meng Xing away from the crowd.

“Sister, how did you arrive so quickly?” she asked, voice warm.

Bai Meng Lian gave a small, tired smile. “I heard rumors and worried you’d be surrounded. So I ran.”

Bai Meng Jin’s own smile held genuine satisfaction. “Good timing. Truly.”

Today’s chaos hadn’t been entirely planned—but once Master Sun publicly tried to humiliate her, Bai Meng Jin had seen the shape of a greater danger.

Her entry into Limitless Sect hadn’t been announced to the disciples at all. Even a Nascent Soul Stage cultivator like Master Sun hadn’t known the inside story.

Even if Ling Bu Fei was only an empty shell, he was still Limitless Sect’s Young Sect Master. How could they not explain to the disciples when he suddenly had a fiancée who looked like a devil cultivator?

Immortals and devils did not coexist. Without clarity, suspicion would spread and rot Ling Bu Fei’s reputation from within.

Worse, that kind of damage was slow and hidden. Even if the truth surfaced later, rumors would have already crawled through every corner and could never be fully erased.

So Bai Meng Jin had stopped Ling Bu Fei and deliberately provoked Master Sun, forcing the issue to erupt now—before whispers could ferment.

With Master Sun leading the charge, with so many disciples watching, someone in authority had been forced to step forward and clarify.

Bai Meng Lian’s arrival hadn’t been part of the plan, but having her and Bai Meng Xing testify as eyewitnesses worked even better than You Yan explaining it herself.

Better still, Ling Yun Gao himself had arrived and backed the explanation on the spot.

Now Bai Meng Jin’s background wasn’t merely accepted. It was official. And her reputation—tied to “sacrifice” and “integrity”—had been polished bright.

Most importantly, Master Sun had planted a seed in every disciple’s mind:

The Young Sect Master would be cured.

He wouldn’t be a cripple forever.

Three goals, achieved in one burst of chaos.

If heaven had a hand in it, Bai Meng Jin wouldn’t deny it.

She asked about their recent days, then said, “Sister, do you want to come back with me and sit for a bit? We haven’t talked properly in days.”

Bai Meng Xing’s eyes lit up. He clearly wanted to agree, but he didn’t dare. He looked to Bai Meng Lian.

Bai Meng Lian shook her head with a smile. “I borrowed a flying ship from a Martial Uncle. I need to return it. And our assignment isn’t finished yet. If we don’t go back, we’ll trouble others.

“Give it a few days. When we have time off, we’ll come find you and play.”

Bai Meng Jin nodded. She handed over the spatial pouch she’d packed earlier. “I picked up some things for you. Since we happened to meet today, it saves me a trip.”

Bai Meng Lian accepted it without false modesty. “All right.”

Elsewhere, Qiu Yi Nong followed Ling Yun Gao back to the main peak.

All the way there, Ling Yun Gao didn’t speak.

Qiu Yi Nong’s nerves tightened with every step.

He shouldn’t know, she told herself. She hadn’t told him anything. He shouldn’t—

That Bai girl was truly uncanny. Qiu Yi Nong had only meant to plant a bit of spite, make her suffer some cold looks. Who would have thought it would turn into this?

“Yi Nong,” Ling Yun Gao suddenly said, calling her name.

Qiu Yi Nong’s heart lurched. She kept her face calm. “Master…”

“Your cultivation hasn’t improved much lately.” Ling Yun Gao’s tone stayed gentle, but it carried no warmth. “Have I given you too many chores and wasted your time?”

Qiu Yi Nong began, “No,” then caught Ling Yun Gao’s gaze and swallowed the rest.

Ling Yun Gao smiled faintly. “You’ve been at the Golden Core Stage for years. Your foundation should be more than enough.

“Your peers, You Yan and Lin Bai Yu, have already formed their Nascent Souls. As the Sect Master’s chief disciple, you can’t fall too far behind.”

“Master, I—”

“Go into seclusion tomorrow.” Ling Yun Gao cut her off as if he hadn’t heard. “I’ve prepared everything for you. If you don’t form a Nascent Soul this time, don’t come out.”