Chapter 4: Bringing Down the Altar

A soft sensation came, carrying a faint chill and a delicate, cold fragrance.

For a moment, Lu Ning’s mind went completely blank.

Instinctively, she wanted to push away the audacious rebel disciple on top of her.

However, her meager strength now was no different from a kitten’s claws in the face of Gu Qinghuan, who was in the Integration stage.

Gu Qinghuan easily suppressed her resistance, even deepening her actions with effortless ease, like marking her territory in a declaration of sovereignty.

When Gu Qinghuan finally straightened up, Lu Ning was still dazed.

She stared wide-eyed at Gu Qinghuan, her lips slightly parted, as if she had not recovered from the shock.

Gu Qinghuan reached out and gently wiped her lips, gazing at the tiny bead of moisture on her fingertip, the mirth in her eyes almost overflowing.

“Shizun is just as soft as I imagined.”

Looking at Lu Ning’s bullied appearance, an unprecedented sense of satisfaction welled up inside her.

The once aloof Shizun, who wouldn’t even spare her a glance, was now forced into such close proximity.

To pull a deity down from the altar and desecrate her at will—what an exhilarating feeling.

“You… you…”

Lu Ning trembled all over, unable to utter a complete sentence for a long while.

She wanted to curse, but her limited vocabulary failed to capture the outrageousness of this rebel disciple’s actions.

“Shizun, it’s getting late. Let’s rest early.”

Gu Qinghuan seemed oblivious to the fury in her eyes.

She lay down of her own accord, pulling the quilt over the two of them.

She even “considerately” tucked the covers in around Lu Ning.

“Goodnight, Shizun.”

With that, she closed her eyes, and her breathing soon became steady, as if she’d really fallen asleep.

Only Lu Ning was left staring into the darkness, questioning her life choices.

That night, Lu Ning didn’t sleep a wink.

She lay there with open eyes until the sky outside began to lighten.

As the first ray of morning sunlight streamed through the window lattice into the sleeping chamber, Gu Qinghuan opened her eyes right on time.

Noticing the faint dark circles under Lu Ning’s eyes, she curved her lips in amusement.

“Didn’t sleep well last night, Shizun? Was this disciple’s… service unsatisfactory?”

Lu Ning glared at her fiercely, unwilling to exchange words.

“It seems Shizun is still not comfortable with me.”

Gu Qinghuan got up at her own pace.

“No matter. You’ll get used to it after a few more times.”

Lu Ning: “?????”

After dressing, Gu Qinghuan did not leave.

Instead, she walked over to the bedside, looking down at Lu Ning, who still lingered on the jade bed.

“Shizun, time to get up.”

“We have something important to do today.”

Lu Ning felt a warning bell go off in her heart.

“What is it?”

“Did Shizun forget?”

“This disciple told you yesterday—I’ve prepared new clothes for you. Today is the day to try them on.”

At these words, Lu Ning’s face instantly darkened.

That rebel actually meant to make her wear women’s clothes!

“I won’t wear it!”

Lu Ning refused flatly.

She had not even adjusted to her body yet, there was no way she’d put that thing on!

“Oh?”

Gu Qinghuan raised an eyebrow.

“Is Shizun certain?”

She leisurely walked to the window and pushed it open.

Morning sunlight and a light breeze flowed in, along with the shouts of disciples practicing on the palace square.

“The weather is nice today.”

“If, at this very moment, everyone found out their esteemed Sect Master is actually a woman, I wonder how they’d react?”

That trick again!

Lu Ning gnashed her teeth in anger.

That rebel only knew how to threaten her with this!

“Gu Qinghuan, don’t push it!”

“Am I?”

Gu Qinghuan turned back, face full of innocence.

“This disciple just cares about Shizun… this chest binder is so tight, it must be uncomfortable.”

“Changing into a loose dress would be good for Shizun’s recovery, wouldn’t it?”

Gu Qinghuan’s reasoning was flawless, but Lu Ning knew all she wanted was to tease her.

The two stood at an impasse for a long time.

Finally, faced with Gu Qinghuan’s “if you keep refusing I’ll call someone in” look, Lu Ning surrendered once again.

She replied with difficulty, “Bring it here…”

“Yes, Shizun.”

Gu Qinghuan smiled like a blooming flower and clapped her hands.

Soon, two maids entered, carrying a tray.

On the tray, a set of clothing was neatly folded.

It was a light purple Immortal-Retaining Dress, with complex cloud patterns embroidered in silver along the hem.

The sleeves were wide and layered, giving it a celestial air.

The fabric was the finest flowing brocade, shining faintly in the morning light.

It was beautiful.

But Lu Ning only felt darkness before her eyes.

Gu Qinghuan dismissed the maids, then personally picked up the dress and walked to the bedside.

“Shizun, please change.”

“I’ll do it myself!”

Lu Ning snatched the dress away, voice stiff.

She never wanted to experience being treated like a doll by this rebel again.

Gu Qinghuan didn’t insist, only crossed her arms, watching with interest.

Turning her back, Lu Ning slowly started to take off her nightclothes.

The moment the chest binder was undone, she felt a wave of relief—followed by a surge of shame.

She could feel the scorching gaze behind her.

Flustered, she grabbed the dress and tried to put it on.

As a straight man who had never worn such a thing, Lu Ning immediately ran into trouble.

The skirt was layered upon layer, three on the left, three on the right.

She studied it for a long time and still had no idea where to begin.

“Pfft.”

A muffled laugh came from behind.

“Let this disciple help.”

Gu Qinghuan stepped forward and took the sash from her hands without waiting for permission.

“Shizun, turn around.”

Lu Ning stiffly turned, head bowed, not daring to meet her eyes.

Gu Qinghuan’s nimble fingers danced around her waist, and soon the complex dress was arranged perfectly.

“Done.”

She stepped back, looking up and down at her handiwork, a flicker of amazement in her eyes.

Lu Ning’s body was already outstanding.

Delicate features, brows and eyes like a painting.

Only years of cross-dressing and a deliberately cold demeanor had concealed her stunning beauty.

Now, dressed in a celestial purple gown, with her hair down, her suppressed femininity burst forth in an instant.

Chilly, aloof, with a hint of frail fragility.

She was… breathtakingly beautiful.

For a moment, Gu Qinghuan was lost in a daze.

“Shizun, look.”

With a flourish, Gu Qinghuan produced a mirror and held it up to Lu Ning.

Reluctantly, Lu Ning raised her head to look.

In the mirror was a completely unfamiliar figure.

A peerlessly beautiful woman in ancient attire.

Her brows and eyes vaguely resembled her former self, but the greater impression was a beauty that made one’s heart pound.

Fair skin paired with the purple gown made her look even more pitiable.

Yet her gaze still carried a touch of icy arrogance.

The contradiction of these qualities combined into a deadly allure.

Lu Ning froze.

So this… was what she looked like now?

She had always avoided facing her new body, her new face.

Only now did she begin to accept it.

“Well?”

Gu Qinghuan whispered by her ear, “Isn’t this much prettier than those plain men’s robes?”

Lu Ning gave no reply.

She just stared at her reflection, a confusion and disarray that words couldn’t express.

“Alright, you’ve tried on the clothes.”

Gu Qinghuan put the mirror away, satisfied.

“From today, Shizun will wear this in the sleeping chamber.”

“As for going out…” She paused, a glint of mischief in her eyes.

“You’ll still have to wear the Sect Master’s robe. After all, I won’t let others catch even a glimpse of Shizun’s true beauty.”

[This appearance belongs to me alone.]

Gu Qinghuan added silently in her heart.

Lu Ning took a deep breath and said coldly, “Enough. Leave. I need to cultivate.”

All she wanted now was to be alone.

Gu Qinghuan asked with a hint of doubt, “Shizun, can your body even cultivate now?”

“Even if not, I still need to rest and recuperate.”

Lu Ning replied slowly.

“Resting is certainly necessary.”

“But, I’m afraid you’ll have to wait a while.”

“What do you mean?”

“This disciple just received news.”

The smile faded from Gu Qinghuan’s face, replaced by gravity.

“The people of Qingyang Sword Sect injured several of our outer disciples on our turf and declared that our Heavenly Demon Sect has no one left.”

Qingyang Sword Sect?

Lu Ning’s brow furrowed.

That was a second-rate orthodox sect—not strong, but always posturing as righteous vanguard and eager to provoke others.

“The elders are arguing in the Yushi Hall as we speak.”

Gu Qinghuan looked at her and continued, “They’re all waiting for you, the Sect Master, to make a decision.”

Lu Ning was stunned at this news.

Now, with her cultivation gone, she couldn’t handle a sect, let alone defeat even a Qi Refining disciple.

What decisions could she make?

Instinctively, she looked at Gu Qinghuan.

At this point, in the entire Heavenly Demon Sect, the only top combat power she could trust was Gu Qinghuan.

Moreover, given Lu Ning’s current state, this rebel already knew everything.

“Why are you looking at me?”

Gu Qinghuan spread her hands, looking helpless.

“This disciple’s words carry little weight. Such matters must be decided by you, Shizun.”

“You are the Sect Master—surely you can’t hide in the sleeping chamber forever?”

“Shizun, please.”

“The elders and disciples are all waiting for you.”

“Don’t worry. If necessary, I’ll help you. But—if I do, I’ll expect compensation.”