【 After ten years of Cultivation, you successfully reached Foundation Establishment. 】
【 On the day of your Foundation Establishment, many Senior Brothers came to congratulate you, and Luo Zhiqing also gifted you a high-quality protective Magical Artifact. 】
【 Several years passed, and Luo Zhiqing was no longer an inner Elder. Upon the previous Sect Master's abdication, she assumed the position of Sect Master. 】
【 Her Realm also reached Late-stage Yuanying. 】
【 One day, you prepared breakfast for Luo Zhiqing, planning to surprise her with some Cantonese dim sum. 】
【 Carrying a food box, you entered Luo Zhiqing's Immortal Cave, gently knocking on her door and calling out to her, explaining your purpose. 】
【 After some time, you received Luo Zhiqing's response, granting you permission to enter, though for some reason, her voice today lacked its usual calm. 】
【 Puzzled by this, you pushed the door open. 】
【 You found that Luo Zhiqing was not sitting cross-legged with her eyes closed as usual, but was instead sitting on the edge of the bed in the posture of a Mortal woman. 】
【 Even so, it could not conceal her aura, like that of a Heavenly Fairy. 】
“Master, these are quicksand buns and soup dumplings. Please try them while they’re hot.”
Chu Yuan placed the food box on the jade table and took out a steaming basket of buns.
“Mm.”
Luo Zhiqing maintained her usual cool demeanor, her eyes showing no ripples of emotion.
She nodded lightly and raised her hand to pick up a bun.
However, as her fingertips touched the bun, her delicate brows furrowed sharply, and her hand instinctively recoiled.
“Master?”
Chu Yuan was momentarily stunned, quickly rising to catch the bun she had almost dropped, his eyes filled with disbelief.
He could tell.
His Master had been scalded by the bun.
But how was that possible?
His Master was a Late-stage Yuanying Cultivator; such a temperature should not have been able to penetrate her protective Spiritual Qi at all.
Luo Zhiqing’s slender fingers curled slightly, her fair, delicate fingertips already a little red.
Chu Yuan looked at Luo Zhiqing’s fingertips, feeling worried, but also gradually forming a guess.
He knew that with Luo Zhiqing’s Late-stage Yuanying Cultivation, a mere bun could never scald her, unless—her Cultivation had a problem.
“Master,” Chu Yuan’s voice lowered, carrying an undeniable concern:
“Have you… encountered some problem?”
Luo Zhiqing lowered her gaze, her red lips pressed together lightly.
【 You realized that Luo Zhiqing might be in trouble, and you wanted to help her, to repay her kindness, and not let her bear it alone. 】
【 At first, Luo Zhiqing did not directly answer your question, but after your repeated inquiries and your solemn vow of secrecy, Luo Zhiqing finally relented. 】
【 According to Luo Zhiqing, the Cultivation Technique she practiced seemed to have a flaw; ever since she Broke through to Late-stage Yuanying, on this particular day each year, her Cultivation would be completely lost. 】
【 Currently, her strength was even inferior to that of a Qi Cultivator. 】
【 Amidst your shock, you also understood Luo Zhiqing’s reason for wanting to conceal this matter. 】
【 As the Sect Master of the Piaomiao Sword Sect, Luo Zhiqing inevitably made enemies both inside and outside the Sect while competing and ensuring the Sect’s interests. 】
【 If this matter were to be exposed, it might bring about a devastating calamity for her. 】
【 At the same time, you also realized how much Luo Zhiqing trusted you. 】
【 Knowing this, she was still willing to share her secret with you; if you harbored ill intentions towards her, she would be utterly defenseless. 】
“Master,” Chu Yuan’s voice was deep and firm:
“I will find a way to help you… If there’s anything you can’t do yourself, let me do it instead. Furthermore, I will also search for a solution with you.”
Luo Zhiqing looked up at him, her gaze as clear and cold as autumn water, but a hint of emotion seemed to stir within its depths.
She remained silent for a moment, and in the end, did not refuse, only nodding lightly:
“Since you have sworn an oath, you must not take it lightly. This matter must never be leaked, or the consequences will be unimaginable.”
“I understand.” Chu Yuan nodded solemnly.
“Master, please rest assured… unless I die.”
Luo Zhiqing’s gaze lingered on his face, the light in her clear eyes constantly flickering.
......
【 As time flowed, your Cultivation steadily improved, but you never forgot the oath you had made. 】
【 In addition to Cultivating, you devoted yourself to researching Luo Zhiqing's Cultivation Technique problem whenever you had free time. 】
【 You had perused countless ancient texts and not overlooked any strange records, but faced with the profound flaws of a Nascent Soul Stage Cultivation Technique, he still felt powerless. 】
【 Luo Zhiqing was very touched by this, but she urged you to Cultivate well, Breakthrough early, and not delay yourself because of her. She suggested that these things could be researched together once your Cultivation was higher. 】
【 You agreed, but you still wanted to do something for Luo Zhiqing. 】
【 At Luo Zhiqing's suggestion, you began to learn how to handle Sect affairs for her, helping her alleviate pressure. 】
【 You noticed that whenever issues involving “Demonic Cultivators” arose, Luo Zhiqing’s attitude was always exceptionally ruthless, even to the point of zero tolerance. 】
【 Even an ordinary Disciple suspected of colluding with Demonic Cultivators would be directly imprisoned before the investigation was complete; and those Demonic Cultivators whose identities were truly confirmed were almost without exception swiftly executed, never given any quarter. 】
Once, Chu Yuan couldn't help but ask:
“Master, while these Demonic Cultivators should be eliminated, some among them might have simply gone astray. Perhaps…”
Luo Zhiqing sighed softly, interrupting him, her expression reminiscent, her eyes gradually turning cold, “Demonic Cultivators all follow a bloody Dao, and wherever they go, disaster will surely follow. We must cut the weeds at the root, leaving no room for them.”
Chu Yuan looked at her, his heart slightly shaken.
Although his Master had a cold personality, she was not usually harsh; instead, she treated people kindly.
But when it came to Demonic Cultivators, she became like this…
Perhaps, regarding Demonic Cultivators, his Master had some past she did not wish to touch upon.
......
【 As you gained more control over Sect affairs, you learned that the Sect's strongest fighting force was not the Sect Master, but an Old Ancestor who completely ignored worldly matters. His Cultivation was unfathomably deep, but he had been in secluded Cultivation for many years, never interfering with Sect affairs. 】
【 Therefore, all the pressure fell upon Luo Zhiqing, the Sect Master. 】
【 You felt pained for Luo Zhiqing, and at the same time, you thought that perhaps only when the Sect faced a devastating calamity would the Old Ancestor appear. 】
【 Several more years passed. At the borders of the Righteous Path Sects, a trial Secret Realm jointly managed by several major Righteous Path Sects opened. Disciples below the Golden Core Stage could participate in the trial and obtain a Legacy from it. 】
【 This was because after entering the Secret Realm, no matter how high one's Cultivation, it would be suppressed below the Golden Core Stage; only those in the Soul Transformation Stage could forcibly break this restriction. 】
【 As a Foundation Establishment Stage Disciple of the Piaomiao Sword Sect, you were also one of the participants in the trial. 】
The Piaomiao Sword Sect was shrouded in thin mist in the early morning.
Inside Luo Zhiqing’s Immortal Cave, Chu Yuan stood behind Luo Zhiqing, his brows tightly furrowed, his voice tinged with unconcealed worry.
“Master, are you truly going?”
Chu Yuan’s voice was low, “While the Secret Realm trial is important, given your current condition, it’s really not suitable for you to appear today…”
Luo Zhiqing paused slightly in the act of putting on her outer robe, turning to look at him. Her appearance was still cool and detached, but her tone was gentle:
“Chu Yuan, as the Sect Master, there are some things I cannot shirk. The Secret Realm trial is not just a grand event for the Sects’ alliance, but also a symbol of the Sect’s strength and Legacy. I cannot be absent due to personal reasons.”
“But today is your… special day! If an accident occurs, and your Cultivation is completely lost, you won’t be able to protect yourself at all. Master, how can I be at ease?”
Luo Zhiqing looked at him, and after a moment, she said softly:
“I have already considered what you are worried about. This time, I will bring several Elders with me to the Secret Realm trial. They are all Nascent Soul Stage Cultivators, sufficient to handle any unforeseen circumstances. Rest assured, I will not take risks.”
She paused, with a hint of almost imperceptible anticipation, “Furthermore, there is an important matter I wish to observe during this trial.”
Chu Yuan was startled.
“What matter?”
“To see your outstanding performance.”
【 You no longer tried to stop Luo Zhiqing, but instead decided to live up to her expectations. 】
【 That day, the Sect Masters and many Elders from various Sects were present. 】
【 You entered the trial Secret Realm under Luo Zhiqing’s watchful gaze. 】
【 In the Secret Realm, you blazed a trail, showcasing your prowess, not only gaining recognition from the Legacy stele and inheriting Divine Abilities, but also acquiring many precious resources. 】
【 You knew that Luo Zhiqing and other high-ranking Sect members could observe the situation within the Secret Realm through detection Magical Artifacts, thus being aware of your activities. 】
【 Just as you rejoiced at being able to bring honor to Luo Zhiqing, an unexpected turn of events occurred. 】
【 For some unknown reason, a large number of Demonic Cultivator death warriors suddenly appeared in the Secret Realm, launching attacks with extremely cruel methods, slaughtering the trial Disciples one by one, draining their flesh, blood, and Spiritual Qi. 】
【 You also suffered attacks from several Demonic Cultivators and engaged in battle with them. 】
【 Fortunately, you possessed many protective treasures and a strong foundation, so you did not unfortunately perish like the other Disciples, but you were struggling to hold on. 】
【 To your despair, more and more Demonic Cultivator death warriors surrounded you, and you feared you would soon suffer the same fate as the other Disciples. 】
Outside the Secret Realm, the Elders of the various great Sects were all anxious and uneasy.
Intermittent images came from the detection Magical Artifact, showing the tragic scenes of Demonic Cultivators chasing and slaughtering Righteous Path Disciples. Some Disciples were even dismembered on the spot, blood flowing like rivers.
“The Demonic Cultivators infiltrating the Secret Realm is clearly a conspiracy targeting our Righteous Path Sects!”
“But the Secret Realm’s rules are special; only Cultivators above the Soul Transformation Stage can ignore the suppression. If we enter rashly, even we will be suppressed to Foundation Establishment, with the possibility of perishing!”
“We can only report to the Old Ancestor… but setting aside the time it would take for the Old Ancestor to arrive, whether they are willing to act is another question…”
The Sect Masters and Elders of the Righteous Path Sects held differing opinions, yet no one dared to enter and rescue their own Sect’s Disciples.
However, just as everyone was arguing endlessly, Luo Zhiqing resolutely stepped into the air towards the Secret Realm entrance.
The others were stunned.
“Sect Master!”
An Elder urgently advised, “The Secret Realm’s suppression is extremely strong; even you might not be able to return unscathed if you enter!”
As he spoke, Luo Zhiqing had already transformed into a streak of light, rushing into the Secret Realm’s gate.
Even though she was only Late-stage Yuanying, and only those in the Soul Transformation Stage could ignore the Secret Realm’s suppression.
Even though she knew that in less than an hour, her Cultivation would be completely lost.