Discipline Department.
Hearing that name, Mu Ningxue’s heart sank.
What kind of place was it?
It was the place where disciples who had committed offenses were punished. Moreover, only disciples who had committed major transgressions were sent there.
Mu Ningxue bit her lower lip slightly and nodded with difficulty before walking toward the Discipline Department.
Watching Mu Ningxue’s lonely, desolate figure receding into the distance, the Eldest Senior Sister felt a whirlwind of emotions.
Previously, Mu Ningxue had been the apple of the eye of the Divine Maiden Palace, with almost all the palace’s resources skewed in her favor. Their Master also showed extreme favoritism toward Mu Ningxue, perhaps even spoiling her to a fault.
Generally speaking, disciples of the Divine Maiden Palace had to report to their respective Elders before going out, but Mu Ningxue did not.
As for the reason, there was only one.
It was because Mu Ningxue was the first person in the history of the Divine Maiden Palace to comprehend the Goddess Cultivation Technique so quickly and deeply, showing the potential to stand alongside the technique’s creator.
However, Mu Ningxue was still not satisfied. She had actually fallen for the Fifth Heavenly King of the Demon Cult and even lost her body to him.
It was truly shameless.
“Ningxue, oh Ningxue, how could you be so foolish?”
The Eldest Senior Sister shook her head slightly in pity before walking in a different direction — toward the training ground.
The winds of change were likely about to blow through the Divine Maiden Palace.
It was a foregone conclusion that Mu Ningxue would no longer hold the position of the Divine Maiden. The role of the Divine Maiden was of paramount importance to the palace. Therefore, every disciple in the entire Divine Maiden Palace would surely have their eyes fixed on that position, each hoping to become the next Divine Maiden and enjoy the preferential treatment of the sect’s resources.
The Eldest Senior Sister was no exception.
‘The next Divine Maiden — it must be me!’
The Eldest Senior Sister clenched her fists, her expression one of determined ambition, and she made no effort to hide the burning desire for the Divine Maiden position in her eyes.
***
Before long, Mu Ningxue arrived at the Discipline Department.
Looking at the heavy gates before her, Mu Ningxue felt a pang of pain in her heart. Before returning, she had considered many possibilities.
For instance, being expelled from the sect.
For instance, having her cultivation base destroyed by her Master.
For instance, being ordered to die by her Master.
Although she had prepared herself mentally for various outcomes, her heart still couldn’t help but fill with sorrow when she actually had to face it. She didn’t know what punishment awaited her next, but she would not run away.
The reason was simple.
It was because her Master had raised her and nurtured her.
Mu Ningxue pushed open the gates with a heart like dead ashes. She was met with a blast of chilly wind that made her delicate frame shudder. When she looked up, her expression froze in surprise. The space before her was completely empty, with no punishment tools in sight.
‘Was it cleared away?’
While Mu Ningxue was lost in thought, an aged voice called out.
“Mu Ningxue, do you know your mistake?”
Mu Ningxue looked toward the voice and saw an old woman standing at the far end of the room. The old woman stood with her hands behind her back, her back toward Mu Ningxue.
The old woman was dressed simply, but her temperament was extraordinary. Every movement she made carried the imposing aura of a high-ranking authority. She turned around, her aged face full of gravity, but her eyes held a trace of disappointment and heartache.
This person was Mu Ningxue’s Master and also the Palace Master of the Divine Maiden Palace.
Mu Ningxue walked over quickly, then knelt down, prostrating herself on the ground. She opened her mouth and finally spoke.
“Your disciple, Mu Ningxue, knows her mistake.”
Hearing this, the Palace Master slowly closed her eyes, her heart feeling like cooling embers. This was karma. But then, what could she really say to Mu Ningxue?
Had she herself never made a mistake?
If there was someone to blame, it could only be the Demon Cult Leader.
The Palace Master didn’t want to say anything more. She simply asked with a blank expression — or perhaps still harboring a sliver of hope:
“Is your Primordial Yin still intact?”
Upon hearing this, Mu Ningxue’s face turned pale. She struggled to reply, “Your disciple is ashamed.”
The last bit of light in the Palace Master’s eyes vanished, and she said nothing.
Mu Ningxue panicked, terrified that her Master would misunderstand, and explained, “Master, the rumors in the streets are all lies. I have never fallen for the Fifth Heavenly King of the Demon Cult, and I never intended to lose my body to him. It was just… there were reasons. Neither he nor I wanted that situation to happen…”
The more she spoke, the quieter her voice became. She realized that such an explanation seemed like she was speaking up for the Fifth Heavenly King, which instead seemed to confirm her unspeakable relationship with him.
At this point, what else could she say?
Her Primordial Yin was lost, and her Goddess Cultivation Technique was broken. No matter how she explained it, it was impossible for her to serve as the Divine Maiden again.
She said with a trembling voice, “Master, I am willing to accept any punishment.”
“Even if it means forgetting him?”
Hearing her Master’s sudden question, Mu Ningxue was stunned, unable to react for a moment.
‘Him?’
Quickly, Mu Ningxue realized what her Master meant. She lifted her beautiful, pale face and said, “Master, I really have nothing to do with him. I truly never liked him. Please believe me, really.”
As she spoke, she felt so aggrieved that tears began to well in her eyes. She really didn’t know how to explain it anymore. It truly was an accident. There was absolutely no romantic relationship between her and him.
The Palace Master crouched down and gently stroked Mu Ningxue’s face, saying softly, “Ningxue, this may be very difficult for you, but I still hope you can take this step.”
Hearing this, Mu Ningxue felt as if the sky had collapsed. Her Master didn’t believe her words at all and hadn’t truly listened to them.
“Master, Master… I really… I really…”
She hurriedly spoke, trying to explain again, but once she opened her mouth, she realized she didn’t know where to start.
“Enough, Ningxue, there is no need to explain. I do not blame you.”
The Palace Master paused and said gravely, “I only want to ask you one thing now. Are you willing to practice the Path of No-Emotion?”
“I am willing.”
Mu Ningxue nodded hastily. Afterward, however, a look of worry appeared on her face. “Master, I have committed such a great error. Even if you wish to spare me, the Elders will certainly not agree.”
“You don’t need to worry about that.”
The Palace Master stood up abruptly, her back to Mu Ningxue, and said, “I will arrange for you to fake your death and then replace you with a corpse that has a similar build to yours. However, from now on, you will only be able to stay in seclusion, concentrating on cultivating the Path of No-Emotion until you reach mastery. Are you willing?”
“I am willing.”
Mu Ningxue nodded and agreed without hesitation.
Seeing Mu Ningxue nod, the Palace Master felt very pleased. The Path of No-Emotion might not be as good as the Goddess Cultivation Technique, but at its peak, its power could rival 70% of the Goddess Cultivation Technique’s strength.
Mu Ningxue was exceptionally talented; not only did she cultivate quickly, but her speed of comprehending techniques also far exceeded that of ordinary people. The Palace Master believed that with Mu Ningxue’s aptitude, there would come a day when she would make a name for herself across the world through the Path of No-Emotion.
Therefore, she truly couldn’t bear to let such a talented disciple lose her life just because she had lost her Primordial Yin.
As for the Fifth Heavenly King of the Demon Cult…
Hmph.
One day, she would definitely end him with her own hands to clear the obstacles for Mu Ningxue’s cultivation of the Path of No-Emotion.
And the Demon Cult Leader.
A cold glint flashed in the Palace Master’s eyes, and her killing intent surged.
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