Chapter 132

Chapter 132: Hard Training

Li Shuang stayed calm, which made Lin Qing Ling pause, then say with surprise: “Little Shuang, why aren’t you shocked at all?”

Li Shuang answered softly: “Master, Ye Zhao Zhao hid for so long without leaking a hint of demonic aura, yet at the last moment she suddenly exposed it. Before that, she was only going to have her meridians cut and be expelled from the sect, so she still had a slim chance to live. Once her demonic aura was exposed, she had only one path left, and that was death. Her actions were strange from the start. The only possibility is that this demonic aura can protect her life. We cultivators are not mortals. The body is just a shell. As long as the soul remains, there might be a chance to start over.”

She wanted to say the words Devil Seed outright, but she had tried before. Anything related to the Devil Seed could not be spoken or even written. It felt like some odd rule was stopping the world from knowing it. So she followed Lin Qing Ling’s line of thought and offered guesses, hoping the sect would pay attention.

Lin Qing Ling nodded in approval: “You’re sharp. We also suspect that Ye Zhao Zhao has already used Borrowed Soul Rebirth. But that method is very rare, and someone else’s body will never match your own. In the future, she won’t be able to stir up any big waves.”

From her tone, Lin Qing Ling did not care much about Ye Zhao Zhao.

Li Shuang sighed in secret. [If Ye Zhao Zhao were only someone from the Devil Path, Master’s reasoning would be flawless. But Ye Zhao Zhao carries a Devil Seed.] No one knew what power a Devil Seed from the Heaven Severing Lands might hold. In Li Shuang’s mind, Ye Zhao Zhao still wore a bright red label: extremely dangerous.

After thinking it over, Li Shuang still said, calm but firm: “Master, if the Sword Sect had a Ye Zhao Zhao inside it, other sects might also have Devil Path spies. With the Demon Clan outside and the Devil Path inside, the Righteous Alliance should stay alert.”

Lin Qing Ling smiled: “Don’t worry. We know what to do. Your task now is to raise your cultivation quickly. Let me check your current realm.”

Her divine sense swept over Li Shuang, and she froze on the spot. It hadn’t been long since leaving the Langya Secret Realm, but Li Shuang’s cultivation was already close to Mid Foundation Establishment. This speed was even scarier than the founding Ancestor’s.

Lin Qing Ling quickly had Li Shuang run through her technique. After confirming there was nothing wrong with her cultivation, she finally relaxed: “Maybe it’s because you’re rebuilding your path. Your growth is truly shocking. But in cultivation, a solid foundation matters most. Do not rush.”

Li Shuang agreed obediently.

Lin Qing Ling had accepted a new batch of disciples and was far busier than before. After a few more instructions, she dismissed Li Shuang.

Li Shuang left respectfully, eyes thoughtful. [Ye Zhao Zhao… is definitely still alive. Where would she be now?] She was not in a hurry. Ye Zhao Zhao hated her to the bone. Even if Li Shuang did not go looking, Ye Zhao Zhao would come to her sooner or later. [And that day won’t be far.]

Before Ye Zhao Zhao appeared again, Li Shuang’s only job was to raise her realm as fast as possible.

Back at her place, she first entered the Jade Slip Space to temper her sword work. Her progress had slowed, but with Su Mu’s guidance, she still improved a bit each time. Once her Way of the Sword accumulated enough, she could start shaping the second move of the Emotionless Sword Dao.

After using up the time inside the jade slip, Li Shuang went to the Disciples Hall. She kept five hundred contribution points as backup and exchanged the rest for various resources, with many being First Tier and Second Tier materials. Then she went straight to the forging room and began another round.

This time, she forged. She practiced. Her days were packed full.

Emotionless Peak.

Sheng Yuan finished his seven days of confinement. After that week of torment, his face was pale, like it had never seen daylight. The secret chamber was cold and biting, and his state of mind was unsteady. Even his legs now carried hidden injuries that spiritual power could not disperse, making his steps uneven.

He slowly walked to Ling Xu Peak. For a moment, he seemed to see many people greeting him: “Senior Brother Sheng, you’re back.” “Senior Brother, come see the new sword move we’ve practiced.” He seemed to see that plain-robed woman staring at him with worry: “Second Junior Brother, what’s wrong? You don’t look well. Did someone bully you? Senior Sister will stand up for you.” He answered on reflex: “I’m fine, I…”

The next instant, all the visions vanished. In front of him lay only the silent grounds of Ling Xu Peak.

The peak that used to be lively now held only two or three people. They had been left behind because their cultivation was not diligent enough, and they had been rejected by other peaks. Anyone who had the chance to leave, left. No one chose to stay.

Sheng Yuan’s lips trembled. [Has Ling Xu Peak really been ruined like this?]

He turned and limped to Emotionless Peak. The contrast was sharp. Emotionless Peak bustled with life. The disciples who had come from Ling Xu Peak seemed to be adapting well. They did not even show a trace of longing for their old peak.

A spark of anger rose in Sheng Yuan’s chest. [How can they? How can they abandon their own peak so easily?]

Yan Xiao spotted him and called out with an easy tone: “Senior Brother Sheng, your confinement is over?”

Sheng Yuan’s eyes cooled: “Yan Xiao, even you think you can mock me now?”

Yan Xiao blinked. “Mock you?” He hadn’t even started. But since Sheng Yuan said it, Yan Xiao spoke plainly: “I just want to ask, Senior Brother Sheng, when are you going to repay the resources you owe us? I did say we could skip one month so we could leave Ling Xu Peak faster, but the Sect Master didn’t allow it. The Sect Master said debts should still be paid.”

Others joined in at once: “Right. Senior Brother Sheng, when will you repay it?” “It’s not that much. You won’t drag this out for ten years, will you?” “Exactly.”

They weren’t in a rush for that one month of resources. If Sheng Yuan’s attitude had been better, paying later would be fine. But he came in acting like they had wronged Ling Xu Peak, so they were not going to let it slide.

Sheng Yuan gritted his teeth, eyes flashing with anger: “I will pay you back. But remember this. Leaving is easy. Coming back is hard. Ling Xu Peak is down today, but it will rise to the top again.”

Yan Xiao answered without hesitation: “Relax. Even if Ling Xu Peak reaches the top again, I will never return.”

The others echoed him: “That’s right. You can be at ease about that.”

Sheng Yuan’s words made it sound like they had left only because the peak was weak, while he ignored all the unfair treatment they had suffered.