Inside the discussion hall, Gu Qinghuan stood frozen in place.
To bring Lu Ning back to the Tianmo Sect, she had not hesitated to reveal her newly attained cultivation, descending upon Baihuagu with the supreme pressure of the Great Ascension stage.
She thought her Master would act as she had in the past—rebuking her recklessness on the surface while feeling relieved deep down.
She had even planned how she would “punish” her Master for her previous “departure without saying goodbye” once they returned to the Tianmo Sect.
Never did she expect that what awaited her would be such a clean and decisive rejection.
“Master…”
Gu Qinghuan’s voice trembled.
“Why… why don’t you want to return with your disciple? Is it because you think I’ve arrived too late, or is it…”
Her gaze snapped to the smiling Su Yuexi, and her eyes turned instantly cold.
“Or is there something in Baihuagu more important than your disciple that makes you reluctant to leave?”
Lu Ning felt a massive headache coming on as she watched Gu Qinghuan on the verge of losing control.
She knew that if she didn’t handle this well, this rebellious disciple who had finally reached the Great Ascension stage might actually tear Baihuagu apart today.
But then again, the disciple herself would likely perish here as well.
She subconsciously glanced at Su Yuexi, and as expected, the other woman still wore a “kind” smile.
‘This woman is threatening me again!’
Lu Ning took a deep breath and met Gu Qinghuan’s paranoid gaze, her face showing a perfectly timed look of “exhaustion.”
“Qinghuan, you misunderstand.”
Lu Ning’s voice carried a hint of weakness.
“It’s not that I don’t want to go back with you. It’s just…”
She paused, seemingly gathering her words.
“I was too heavily injured this time. Although I’ve recovered a lot under Sect Leader Su’s careful care, my foundation is severely damaged and needs a period of quiet recuperation. Baihuagu is rich in spiritual energy and has many rare spirit medicines, making it an excellent place for healing. I want to stay here to recover for a while longer and return to the sect once my injuries are completely healed.”
Hearing this explanation, the frost on Gu Qinghuan’s face did not melt but grew heavier instead.
“Healing? Master, do you think I’m a three-year-old? In all the world, what place is more suitable for your recovery than our Tianmo Sect’s Demon Heart Pool? As long as you return to the sect, I guarantee it won’t be long before I can restore you to your original state.”
Gu Qinghuan’s words were aggressive as she stepped toward Lu Ning.
Just then, a gentle and pleasant voice rang out at the perfect moment.
“Sister Qinghuan, why so angry?”
Su Yuexi stepped forward, gracefully blocking the space between Lu Ning and Gu Qinghuan, instantly neutralizing the invisible pressure.
“I’m afraid no one knows the extent of Sect Leader Lu’s injuries better than I do.”
Su Yuexi wore a “helpless” bitter smile.
“When she was first transported to me, her meridians were all snapped and her dantian was shattered. If not for my Baihuagu exhausting all its resources and using countless heavenly treasures to sustain her life, perhaps…”
She didn’t finish, but the meaning was clear.
“Sister Qinghuan, I know you’re worried about Sect Leader Lu’s safety, but one shouldn’t rush things. Although you’ve broken through to the Great Ascension stage, the Tianmo Sect is currently unstable, and they need you, their Holy Maiden, to return and take charge. With Sect Leader Lu here under my personal care, what do you have to worry about?”
Su Yuexi’s words were sincere, making her sound like a loyal sister looking out for a friend and the greater good.
However, Lu Ning read the blatant threat hidden in that gentle smile.
Lu Ning understood Su Yuexi’s intention.
The woman was telling her to either find a way to persuade Gu Qinghuan to leave, or she would turn hostile on the spot.
Given Su Yuexi’s unfathomable strength, the newly ascended Gu Qinghuan stood no chance if a fight broke out.
Knowing she couldn’t hesitate any longer, Lu Ning spoke up.
“Qinghuan.”
Lu Ning walked up to Gu Qinghuan.
“I will return… in one month.”
One month!
This was the final deadline Lu Ning had set for herself.
She estimated that if she could stay safely in Baihuagu for another month, her mission settlement rating would be at least an A rank.
By then, the rewards would surely grant her the capital to protect herself or even fight back.
“One month?”
Gu Qinghuan’s brows furrowed deeper.
On the side, Su Yuexi’s smile brightened upon hearing this timeframe.
To her, Lu Ning was clearly using a stalling tactic to get rid of the nuisance that was Gu Qinghuan.
Naturally, she would cooperate.
“That’s right.”
Su Yuexi stepped forward and affectionately linked arms with Gu Qinghuan, acting as naturally as if they were old friends.
“With Sect Leader Lu’s current injuries, another month of recuperation should be just enough for a full recovery. Sister Qinghuan, don’t worry. In one month, I promise to return your Master to you perfectly healthy and whole.”
She paused, wearing a “righteous” expression.
“To be honest, Baihuagu has emptied more than half of its resources to treat Sect Leader Lu. But I do this willingly! Sect Leader Lu has shown me great kindness. When I went to the Dahuang Dynasty with you, I wasn’t doing it for some alliance, but because I truly wanted to repay her.”
Su Yuexi spoke with such emotion that anyone listening would be moved to tears.
If Lu Ning hadn’t experienced everything herself, she might have believed the nonsense.
Gu Qinghuan looked at Su Yuexi’s “loyal” act, her suspicions deepening.
She felt that something was off.
Everything about Su Yuexi felt strangely eerie.
Her gaze fell back on Lu Ning, her eyes clearly asking for confirmation.
Lu Ning looked at her persistent gaze and sighed inwardly.
In the next moment, to the shock of both Gu Qinghuan and Su Yuexi, Lu Ning opened her arms and took Gu Qinghuan into a hug.
The soft sensation and familiar, cool fragrance made Gu Qinghuan freeze.
Her Master… had actually initiated a hug?
Before she could recover from this sudden burst of happiness, a soft voice whispered in her ear.
“Qinghuan, be good. Go back to the Tianmo Sect first and guard our home for me. When I return…”
Lu Ning paused, seemingly having made a decision, and lowered her voice even further.
“I will unconditionally grant you any one request. I will not go back on my word.”
Boom!
Gu Qinghuan’s mind went blank.
Any one request?
Was her Master… making a promise to her?
This realization made her heart beat wildly.
She stared blankly at Lu Ning, showing a mix of childish panic and ecstatic joy for the first time.
“Ma… Master… are you… are you serious?”
Her voice was shaking.
“Yes.”
Lu Ning sighed in relief inwardly while maintaining her “sincere” expression.
“Don’t worry, Master! I will definitely guard the Tianmo Sect for you! I’ll wait for your return!”
Gu Qinghuan’s voice was filled with unprecedented determination and joy.
After a long moment, she reluctantly let go of Lu Ning.
She turned her head, her gaze icy as she looked at Su Yuexi.
“Sect Leader Su. I’ll leave my Master in your care for now. If I find out she has suffered even the slightest grievance during this month… I guarantee the Baihuagu cannot withstand the wrath of the Tianmo Sect.”
As if remembering something, she added, “Of course, if the Dahuang Dynasty or other righteous factions come looking for trouble, you can message me anytime. The Tianmo Sect will be Baihuagu’s strongest support.”
This gave Su Yuexi a way out and served as insurance for Lu Ning’s “peaceful life” here.
“Sister Qinghuan, why talk like that?”
Su Yuexi immediately showed a very sincere smile.
She stepped forward again and took Gu Qinghuan’s hand affectionately.
“We call each other sisters, so your Master is also my Master. I will spare no effort in taking care of her. You can rest assured, sister.”
Having received this “guarantee,” Gu Qinghuan finally felt at ease.
She gave Lu Ning a deep look, her eyes overflowing with obsession.
Then, she nodded and didn’t stay a moment longer.
Her figure flickered, turning into a streak of light that shot into the sky and disappeared.
Watching Gu Qinghuan leave, both Lu Ning and Su Yuexi breathed a sigh of relief.
The biggest trouble had finally been sent away.
However, before Lu Ning could catch her breath, a warm arm wrapped around her waist again.
Su Yuexi’s gentle and beautiful face leaned close to hers, her smiling eyes now full of playfulness and mockery.
“My dear disciple, now… I am very much looking forward to continuing our cultivation of the Joyful Union Canon together.”
Hearing this, all color drained from Lu Ning’s face.
She knew the woman wouldn’t let her off so easily!
A moment later, inside the cave dwelling, Lu Ning was led back—half-carried and half-hugged—to the warm jade bed that gave her psychological trauma.
“Sect Leader… Sect Leader Su… didn’t we… didn’t we agree? As long as I convinced Qinghuan to leave, the thing between us…”
“Hmm?”
Su Yuexi’s fingertip pressed lightly against Lu Ning’s lips, stopping her words.
Her gentle, watery eyes narrowed slightly.
Then, she let out a feigned, aggrieved sigh.
“I did promise that if you convinced that little jealous jar to leave, our ‘master-disciple’ relationship could temporarily come to an end. But…” Su Yuexi’s tone shifted, her beautiful eyes sparkling with cunning.
“I never said we couldn’t continue spending time together in a different kind of relationship. For example…”
She slowly leaned into Lu Ning’s ear, her warm breath enveloping her.
“How about you be the Master, and I’ll be your most beloved eldest disciple?”
Lu Ning: “????”
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