The Zhao family welcomed them with courtesy. Xiao Jiuge held a broom and smiled while greeting Lin Shuang and the others.
“Apologies, I was rather rude just now.”
“But this is a rule set by my ancestor: if one cannot even sweep a single room clean, how can they properly receive guests?”
Meng Zi opened his mouth to speak.
Lin Shuang returned a courteous bow with a nod of respect.
Huangpu Yuan gently patted the silkworm beneath his hand, smiling warmly, as if it hadn’t been him who had just pinched its mouth shut.
In the blink of an eye, the three were ushered into the main gate of the Zhao family.
[You treat us with courtesy, and we return it in kind.
Zhao Family: Pity you didn’t damage the silk threads; otherwise, we could have kept you here to clean the mountain.]
[Could it be that the five missing disciples of the Shanhai Sect were eliminated because they hurried and damaged the cocoons, giving the Zhao family a legitimate reason to discipline them?]
[This…]
As they spoke,
In the battle scene of the Baihua Sect, Bian Bochai had finally located the Zhao family’s hidden domain through the four seasons’ flowers and spiritual consciousness marks.
The three immediately set off in haste.
“What a pity, Senior Apprentice Sister Lin Shuang is missing; otherwise, we could have taken them along.”
Bian Bochai sighed regretfully and activated the flower boat beneath his feet.
“Senior Sister, I hope we don’t win without a fight? If Lin Shuang and the others cannot even find the Zhao family’s gate, I won’t be able to collect information on her and Huangpu Yuan.”
[…]
[……………]
[What gives you such confidence, writing books anonymously?]
[Fool.]
The Baihua Sect was very confident, after all, they could communicate with the sentient floral entities, giving them a significant advantage in gathering information compared to sects like Qingshui, which focused solely on brute force.
Kong Miaoke was now holding a white rose, gently smelling it, “Southwest, a hot underground location.”
[!]
[This technique, I kind of want to learn.]
[This isn’t something just anyone can learn; the Baihua Sect has the fewest disciples among the twelve sects.]
[Yes, their disciples’ fates are almost always intertwined with flowers and trees; their talents are focused entirely here. Ordinary cultivators would take centuries to learn these floral techniques.]
Projected texts rapidly discussed and praised, showing much admiration, but soon it was broken by Kong Miaoke’s next sentence.
“Senior Sisters and Brothers, what do you think? Should we ask the Qingshui Sect for a spiritual message from Senior Apprentice Sister Lin Shuang?”
Kong Miaoke asked while holding the flower.
“I don’t think she’s the kind of person who sticks rigidly to rules.”
“It’s already been two hours, if they still can’t find the Zhao family’s location, they should be quite anxious.”
“At this point, Brother Bian, if you use ten questions in exchange for Lin Shuang for the Zhao family’s location, she’ll probably agree.”
Bian Bochai paused mid-flutter with his paper fan.
His charming face indeed showed a hint of longing.
Acquiring information on Lin Shuang and Huangpu Yuan would allow him to complete the three books he was currently serializing.
— Records of Single Disciples
— Analysis of Elites
— The Funkiest Cultivation Technique: Lin Shuang battling at the Yuan Condensation stage while only at the Qi Transformation stage—isn’t her technique worth documenting?
Bian Bochai was intrigued and immediately took action.
[The Baihua Sect truly demonstrates the phrase ‘skill emboldens courage.’]
[More like ‘adding unnecessary details.’]
[Bringing shame upon themselves.]
[Too funny.]
[Hey hey hey, playing drinking games?]
[Poor them. Isn’t there a single observing disciple from the Baihua Sect to inform them of the truth?]
In the projections, all disciples marked as from the Baihua Sect had disappeared.
Sending messages to warn them, making these three appear shocked on the screen, would be even more embarrassing.
The observing disciples from the Baihua Sect remained silent, almost blending with the monks from the Wanseng Sect who practiced silence.
But soon, a surprised voice came through.
“What, Junior Apprentice Sister Lin, you’re already at the Zhao family’s place?”
Bian Bochai had actually managed to contact Lin Shuang through spiritual communication, his charming expression completely gone!
“Eh?”
The bud of the white rose in Kong Miaoke’s hand snapped with a crack.
She quickly reached out to repair it.
“How could this happen?”
Zhu Jiao of the Baihua Sect couldn’t hide her astonishment.
“Thank you, Baihua Sect, for informing us of the Zhao family’s location.”
Lin Shuang’s grateful voice came through the spiritual communication.
This made the faces of the three from the Baihua Sect turn red.
Grateful for what?
She was already drinking tea at the Zhao family’s!
The three from the Baihua Sect, all at the peak of the sixth layer of Condensed Yuan, possessed keen spiritual senses and immediately detected the faint clinking of spirit tea cups from the other end of the communication.
Lin Shuang calmly said, “Brother Xiao Jiu, don’t bother, we can manage ourselves.”
“???”
Who is this Brother Xiao Jiu?
Bian Bochai immediately opened his folding fan, decorated with floral branches, and pulled out a stack of paper from it.
— The Zhao family has many descendants; among the same generation, they might be addressed by numbers.
— Brother Si refers to brothers ranked between forty to forty-nine.
— However, be careful; outsiders addressing them this way might not please them. Such nicknames are only used among close friends.
Bian Bochai inhaled sharply.
Lin Shuang not only drank tea but was so familiar with the Zhao family?
“How did you find us, Lin Shuang?”
Kong Miaoke was very curious.
What kind of cultivation technique did she have?
But they heard Lin Shuang’s voice from the other side, speaking as if not to them, but discussing with her two companions from the Qingshui Sect.
“It was the Baihua Sect who sent me a message. Senior Brother, they wanted to exchange ten questions and answers for the location of the Zhao family.”
The three from the Baihua Sect: “…”
Enough, Junior Apprentice Sister Lin, you don’t need to publicly humiliate us again for our stupidity!
“Hey, the Baihua Sect is actually good people,” Meng Zi’s cheerful voice came out loudly.
[…]
[Hahahaha.]
[This competition is like watching a play, how could it be like this.]
As everyone was amused by Lin Shuang and the others, they heard Lin Shuang’s voice transmitted through spiritual communication again.
“It seems the senior brothers and sisters from the Baihua Sect aren’t the kind of people who stick rigidly to rules.”
This sounded familiar.
Earlier, the Baihua Sect had said the same about her.
Lin Shuang paused on the other end of the communication and then spoke, “So, Senior Brother, shall we exchange one piece of intelligence for the Baihua Sect allowing us to attack them for three seconds in their upcoming match?”
The three from the Baihua Sect: “?”
[?]
“Traditionally, winning without fighting is the fastest and noblest way in warfare.”
The Baihua Sect: “…”
Standing still and getting beaten for three seconds, that’s called winning without fighting?
If we don’t fight, and you fight, does that mean you win?
We need to redefine this term.
“Agreed.”
Huangpu Yuan’s approving voice came through the spiritual communication.
“The sages say, treating others with courtesy, benevolence and virtue come first.”
[Shameless comes first.]
[Impressive.]
[Is this how the Rongbaozhai is managed, by such shady merchants?]
On the other end of the spiritual communication, Lin Shuang happily said, “Senior Brother from the Baihua Sect, hey, are you still there?”
“I can tell you one piece of intelligence, which you can think about how to deal with during your journey.”
“This intelligence is very important and might affect whether you can even enter the Zhao family’s gate.”
“One piece of intelligence for three seconds, do you want it?”
The three from the Baihua Sect remained silent for a long time.
Cultivators can lie.
But usually, only those cultivators who know their path to ascension is blocked or who have already strayed from the right path would be so self-destructive.
The more talented a cultivator is, the more they uphold their promises to maintain a clear Dao heart.
If Lin Shuang says this intelligence is important, it should indeed be crucial to the success or failure of their visit to the Zhao family.
Three seconds.
In a team battle, if you let the opponent attack for three seconds, you might end up spitting blood.
“One second.”
Zhu Jiao from the Baihua Sect spoke.
“Fine, deal~”
Lin Shuang joyfully agreed.
[Hehe, does Lin Shuang not know about this person’s technique? The Complete Interpretation of the Four Seasons’ Flowers allows time to pass; three seconds are merely a fleeting moment for her spiritual consciousness.]
[Whether it’s one second or three seconds, for Zhu Jiao’s technique, there’s no difference.]
[Zhu Jiao deliberately bargained, making Lin Shuang think she gained the upper hand. During the team battle, Lin Shuang and the others will relax their vigilance. Alas, today’s actions have already sown the seeds for their future defeat.]
No wonder the Baihua Sect ranked first in the previous competition. Not only did they sneak into the Zhao family’s test, but they also gained an advantage in the team battle. Tsk.
“Alright then, listen carefully.”
“Don’t damage the silk threads, but unravel the cocoons.”
Lin Shuang said, and her clear voice completely disappeared from the spiritual communication stone.
Bian Bochai immediately frowned, “What kind of question is this?”
“Cocoons… Fortunately, it was our Baihua Sect that accepted the Zhao family’s encouragement to study.”
Kong Miaoke sighed in relief.
Many disciples of the Baihua Sect were skilled in embroidery.
She flipped her sleeve and pulled out several balls of spiritual silk threads and cocoons from a ring.
“Shall we practice first?”
“It seems a bit difficult. We cannot damage the silk threads but have to unravel the cocoons, and we don’t even know what level the silk is.”
“We still have at least two hours before we arrive.”
Zhu Jiao, the senior apprentice sister of the Baihua Sect, thought for a moment.
“I will use the Complete Interpretation of the Four Seasons’ Flowers to extend the time inside the flower boat, about twenty hours.”
“Let’s practice quickly.”
After speaking, the three began to peel the cocoons with their bare hands.
The silk threads were so fine and densely entangled that they formed round, white cocoons, making it inconvenient to apply force.
This required cultivators to have very refined spiritual energy and highly flexible spiritual consciousness to separate the cocoons without damaging the silk threads.
Even if a disciple was talented and had high cultivation, they might not be able to do it.
This practice really required the use of a time array to master it before reaching the Zhao family!
The three from the Baihua Sect immediately fell into the practice of peeling silk from cocoons.
Their three eyes were almost bulging out like those of a black chicken.
Their spiritual consciousness was rapidly consumed.
Practicing all the way, their minds and spirits were exhausted.
Not even entering the Zhao family yet, but it felt as if they had fought for three days and nights.
Their vitality, energy, and spirit were all waning.
[…]
The observing disciples couldn’t help but shift their sighing gazes to the first position, the Qingshui Sect’s projection.
There, Lin Shuang was currently sitting by a sparkling tea table made of spiritual stones in the Zhao family’s large reception hall.
Sipping a fifth-grade spiritual tea, which was said to be equivalent to a night of meditation with just one sip, she happily took a delicate sip.
“Will they fall for it?”
Meng Zi’s hands couldn’t even lift from the table carved from a single piece of spiritual stone.
Lin Shuang’s eyes widened instantly, “What, Senior Brother, what did you say? Who fell for it?”
“How could anyone fall for it?”
“I was so kind as to tell Senior Sister of the Baihua Sect the secret to entering the Zhao family, word for word. Who else could fall for it?”
[!]
[…]
[……………]
[I suddenly feel that the Qingshui Sect deserves to be in the first projection position.]
[… Amazing. Others cultivate using their dantian, but she uses her brain.]
[I told you everything—my great sincerity makes my Dao heart as clear as this spiritual stone.]
“Junior Apprentice Sister, your strategy is excellent.”
Huangpu Yuan put down the scroll he was holding.
“How to Get Rid of Being Single”—an anonymous senior brother from the Baihua Sect.
At this moment, his finger was pressing on the page with a vivid portrait of Zhu Jiao from the Baihua Sect, the icy beauty.
— Zhu Jiao: Sixth Layer of Condensed Essence
— Zhu Jiao is beautiful and seductive, but not easily pursued. Her Complete Interpretation of the Four Seasons’ Flowers allows the rapid passage or stagnation of time across the four seasons. Before you even catch up to her, she may have already moved far away, or you may have been frozen by her.
— The Complete Interpretation of the Four Seasons’ Flowers, practiced for three months, can be condensed once. Each use can accelerate or decelerate time tenfold, limited to two days (this upper limit is based on the level of the technique at the time of the author’s writing).
— If you truly have feelings for her, be patient.
Lin Shuang put down her tea cup, “I wonder how many times she has accumulated for time manipulation. Alas, each use is one less.”
Huangpu Yuan closed the scroll, “Wang Jian used it once, and today she used another. She has already used two rounds.”
[!]
[Sorry, I was naive just now. It was only the Baihua Sect that was tricked!]
Huangpu Yuan picked up the teapot and poured tea, “Well, it doesn’t matter how many times.”
“During the team battle, Zhu Jiao will definitely wait for us to propose yielding one second. Before that, she won’t use the time manipulation technique of the Complete Interpretation of the Four Seasons’ Flowers.”
Lin Shuang lowered her head and pressed her hand to her forehead, forcibly stopping an impolite smile.
An excellent hunter often suddenly attacks when the prey is most relaxed.
Zhu Jiao intended to make them relax their vigilance during the team battle.
Unfortunately, Zhu Jiao’s belief that they didn’t know her technique was merely her imagination.
The only one truly relaxing was Zhu Jiao herself.
Sorry, the hunter is the Qingshui Sect, not the Baihua Sect.
Lin Shuang picked up her spiritual tea cup and clinked it crisply with Huangpu Yuan’s and Meng Zi’s tea cups.
“Just now, our coordination was quite good.”
“Oh, so we were plotting against them not only for passing the Zhao family’s test but also for the upcoming team battle!”
Meng Zi, upon hearing them, suddenly realized the truth like a dream and slapped the table in epiphany.
“We not only consumed their technique reserves but also made them slack off in the team battle later. Why didn’t you tell me earlier? I just figured it out!”
Lin Shuang and Huangpu Yuan: “…”
[…Meng Zi’s expression is exactly the same as mine right now.]
[Is there anyone from the Qingshui Sect? How did he end up by Lin Shuang’s side?]
[Bian Bochai sent a message to Lin Shuang, no more than five seconds, right? In such a short time, Lin Shuang thought of so many steps ahead, and Huangpu Yuan even pulled out the bachelor’s manual and cooperated with her. In just a few words, they reached an agreement and completely outsmarted the Baihua Sect.]
[Why did the Baihua Sect choose to go with the Qingshui Sect to the Zhao family! How foolish of the Baihua Sect! Couldn’t they have fought with the Wanseng Sect or persuaded sea snails in the deep sea instead! Alas…]
[The Baihua Sect wrote books and ended up ruining themselves. You shouldn’t have written your secret techniques into the books!]
[Bian Bochai: I actually lost to my own book.]
[Didn’t they also want to trick Lin Shuang into revealing her technique? It’s even.]
[I have to say something for the Baihua Sect. Bian Bochai’s set of bachelor scrolls probably hasn’t sold much at all. Six thousand spiritual stones, you have to climb to the two-thousandth layer of the trial to redeem it. Serious cultivators would rather buy techniques than this.]
[I bet the Dangqi Sect are all couples and wouldn’t buy these scrolls, hahaha.]
[…The Wanseng Sect wouldn’t read them either.]
“Senior Sister, are you okay!”
As everyone was discussing heatedly, a dove-like blue-clothed figure rushed into the Zhao family’s reception hall.
It was none other than Zhao Keran, who had been dragged in by her cousin earlier.
Lin Shuang was pulled by her and checked from head to toe by Zhao Keran.
Zhao Jiajiu stood at the back, feeling helpless and amused, “Xiaoran, I’ve told you, no one harmed them.”
Zhao Keran turned around and glared at him.
They didn’t even tell her beforehand—it was so disrespectful.
She had at least reached the Ningyuan stage by now.
Under her piercing gaze, the formidable Divine Refinement cultivator Zhao Jiajiu could only offer a helpless smile, “Fine, fine, I’ll take my leave. You two have your chat.”
But just as he was about to leave, a deep voice rang out.
“Are you the disciple of Clearwater Sect who has been taking care of my Xiaoran, Lin Shuang?”
The voice arrived before the person did.
In the reception hall, the spirit stone table that Meng Zi was tightly clinging to began to vibrate.
The bluestone floor quivered in pieces.
This was the fluctuation of spiritual energy caused by a high-level cultivator.
The entire projection screen rippled like water.
Lin Shuang turned her gaze toward the main entrance of the reception hall.
Huangpu Yuan leisurely put down his teacup and stood up.
Meng Zi, together with the table, was lifted from the ground by Lin Shuang and stood upright.
“Lin Shuang greets Senior Zhao.”
She replied calmly and respectfully.
“The word ‘care’ is inaccurate. My junior and I merely cultivate together.”
“There’s no concept of one taking care of the other in cultivation.”
Who goes to school intending to take care of others?
If she agreed today, then A, B, and C would all expect her to take care of them in the future—then she’d be ruined.
She’d waste so much time just refusing.
No way.
Lin Shuang had to correct this mindset.
Suddenly, a hearty laughter accompanied the appearance of a handsome middle-aged man beside the tea table in the reception hall.
[Appearing in an instant—Pioneer of the Tribulation!!]
This Tribulation-Transcending expert, clad in white robes and holding a fifth-tier glazed teacup, teleported in an instant. Unexpectedly, the spirit stone tea table was no longer in its original place. He found himself sitting alone on the tea chair.
His laughter abruptly stopped. His gaze fell on Meng Zi, who was lifted together with the spirit stone table by Lin Shuang. His eyelid twitched violently.
His image of a graceful and lofty expert was instantly diminished.
Lin Shuang: “…”
Huangpu Yuan: “…”
Mencius also sensed something was amiss and attempted to return the Spirit Stone table to its original position?
(Note: “Meng Zi” is translated as “Mencius,” the Latinized name of the ancient Chinese philosopher 孟子. If this refers to a modern person named Meng Zi, it could be rendered as “Meng Zi” with context. “灵石” is translated as “Spirit Stone,” a common term in fantasy/xianxia contexts. Adjustments can be made based on specific setting.)
“Daddy!”
Luckily, Zhao Keran’s urgent cry relieved the awkwardness among the four present.
The handsome middle-aged man immediately turned to Lin Shuang and smiled, “You can call me Uncle Seventeen or Master De.”
Zhao Mingde, ranked seventeenth.
His eyes and brows were gentle, similar to Zhao Keran’s slightly round face, without many sharp edges.
Except for the depth of experience in his eyes, his appearance bore no trace of middle-aged man’s greasiness.
Lin Shuang thought her junior apprentice sister’s mother must be quite fortunate.
“Little one,” the father couldn’t help but smile, “when you’re three steps away from Tribulation, better avoid thinking about their private matters casually.”
Lin Shuang: “…”
Let her die of embarrassment!
Huangpu Yuan and Meng Zi looked at her curiously, unaware of what she had just been thinking.
But Zhao Mingde, a middle-aged man whose real age far exceeded Lin Shuang’s imagination, instantly felt a surge of affection toward Lin Shuang.
In his gentle smile toward Lin Shuang, there was full approval of “this little one really knows quality.”
Zhao Mingde put down the teacup, “Knowing when to advance and retreat—excellent. If you had claimed credit in front of me just now, I would have considered replacing Xiaoran’s senior sister.”
Lin Shuang’s eyelid twitched.
“Dad!” Zhao Keran glared in disapproval.
Zhao Mingde glared back, with the same childish expression as his daughter.
“Look at yourself—someone’s taking care of you, yet after three years you’re still at Huàqì. Who would dare call that being taken care of—hmm? You’ve reached Níngyuán?”
Zhao Keran immediately looked displeased. “I’m already at the first stage of Ningyuan and about to reach the second. Dad, you didn’t even notice I had advanced while we were talking for three incense sticks. You don’t care about me at all.”
Zhao Mingde’s gentle, round eyes momentarily lost focus. “When you left home… you were at the third stage of Huaqi.”
[What? From the third stage of Qi Transformation to the second stage of Yuan Condensation in just three years…]
[What speed is this?]
[…She would be a genius in any sect.]
Zhao Mingde’s gaze toward Lin Shuang finally changed, “It seems you truly have taken care of my daughter. She’s always been the slowest in cultivation at home.”
The underachiever suddenly became an outstanding student.
After three years apart.
Zhao Mingde couldn’t help but glance again at his daughter’s dantian.
“Ah, don’t blame your dad. Your mother didn’t notice your Ning Yuan advancement either.”
Zhao Keran: “…”
You two really are my real parents.
“At the Qi Transformation and Core Formation stages, to a Tribulation-Transcending expert like me, you’re just a plate of stir-fried soybeans your mom made. To gauge your true strength, I’d have to pick you up with chopsticks and examine you closely—whether you’re flat or round, big or small.”
(Note: “化气” and “凝元” are translated as “Qi Transformation” and “Core Formation,” common terms for early cultivation stages in xianxia/xuanhuan contexts. “Tribulation-Transcending” retains the cultivation tier’s grandeur. The colloquial “一盘你妈炒的黄豆” is localized to natural English phrasing while preserving the dismissive tone.)
Zhao Mingde spread his hands toward Zhao Keran.
“These soybeans are just too small. Your father didn’t notice. You’ve actually reached the second stage of Ningyuan.”
(Note: “凝元” is translated as “Ningyuan” as it appears to be a cultivation stage term. If it’s part of a specific cultivation system with an established English equivalent, please provide context for adjustment.)
Zhao Keran: “…”
[…Suddenly, I understand a bit about Tribulation-Transcending recluses.]
[So, they don’t come out much because looking at us makes them hungry, right?]
[That’s why past battles only involved Refining Spirit disciples. To the elders, Condensing Essence is still too immature.]
[Nine stages of Ningyuan might barely catch their attention.]
After speaking, Zhao Mingde looked at Lin Shuang and the other two ‘soybeans,’ his expression showing affection and gratitude toward the juniors.
“My Xiaoran is fortunate to have you taking care of her outside. Now that you’re here, treat this place as your home. Don’t be formal with Uncle.”
“Stay as long as you like.”
As soon as he finished speaking, a figure somewhat resembling Zhao Keran hurried in.
“Brother Ming, Xiaoran has reached the second stage of Ningyuan?! Really? I’ll go inform the Ancestor and prepare a feast. We’ll celebrate for three days and nights!”
Another Tribulation-Transcending cultivator.
Zhao Keran’s mother, like her, loved hugging people but was even faster.
Overjoyed, she grabbed Zhao Keran and examined her from all sides.
“She has truly reached the Ningyuan stage. Just now, your mother was too preoccupied with asking questions and didn’t pay enough attention to you, failing to notice your cultivation level.”
Before Zhao Keran’s mother could ask more details, Zhao Keran, blushing, interrupted.
“Dad, Mom, the projection is still on.”
“It’s fine. Dad already checked. It’s safe. Regarding Zhao family secrets and cultivation techniques, Dad has set up wards to block sight and sound. No one will see or hear anything.”
Lin Shuang immediately felt relieved and exchanged glances with Huangpu Yuan and Meng Zi.
They could be assured now that nothing suspicious was left at Sea and Mountain Sect.
Zhao Keran tugged at her mother’s sleeve and shook it, “My matters can wait. Mom, please convince Uncle Sixteen to let him return to Sea and Mountain Sect.”
At this, Zhao Mingde stood up.
“Don’t mention this again.”
His gentle eyes showed a hint of warning toward Lin Shuang and the others.
“You’ve taken good care of Xiaoran. As fellow disciples, you’re welcome guests here at Zhao family.”
“But if you overestimate yourselves and attempt to interfere in Zhao family affairs, not even I can protect you. I’ll have to ask you to leave the same way you came.”
Zhao Keran tugged at her mother’s sleeve, pleading.
But her mother stopped her.
“Xiaoran, Mom understands the mindset of your generation. Without stepping out even once and seeing the outside world with your own eyes, you won’t be able to settle down and cultivate at the Zhao family’s Lingshan. That’s why the Ancestor doesn’t oppose your outings, and your uncles are happy to see it.”
“We let you go out and play.”
“But five years—each of you can be away for a maximum of five years.”
Upon hearing this, Lin Shuang couldn’t help but frown and look at Zhao Keran.
Was this a Zhao family rule?
Then Zhao Keran would also have to return home in five years?
Only two more years left at Clearwater Sect?
Zhao Keran lowered her head. Upon hearing her mother, she didn’t dare to look at Lin Shuang.
“Your cousin’s five-year period ended long ago. It was only delayed for eight years because Uncle Sixteen was drunk when he was supposed to fetch him back.”
“Because of that, your other cousins couldn’t go out. Remember, only ten people are allowed to leave the mountain each time. What about your other cousins? Would they willingly stay on Ling Mountain year after year? Furthermore, if everyone breaks the rules for one person, the Zhao family’s regulations will completely collapse.”
[…So that’s how it is.]
Zhao Keran looked listless. When she noticed Lin Shuang looking at her, she even felt panicked.
Yes.
Once her five-year period ended, she would have to leave her senior sister.
But her senior sister’s《Fastest Learning》said, there’s always a way out.
Until the last moment, she would hold onto hope.
Her cousin hadn’t returned from Sea and Mountain Sect in thirteen years. She believed that when her five years were up, she might not be recalled by Zhao family either.
That’s why she never told her senior sister.
At first, she thought it wasn’t necessary. Didn’t Senior Bai also stay in cabin 99 for a while before leaving?
It’s normal for cultivators to come and go.
But later, Zhao Keran dared not tell her senior sister.
Because she herself didn’t want to think about it.
As long as she didn’t speak of it, maybe that day would never come.
Her parents, uncles, and aunts were all Tribulation-Transcending experts.
The more she thought about it, the more likely she was to awaken the recluses in seclusion… making them remember and drag her back.
Better to delay one day at a time.
Better not to think about it at all.
Postpone until the end, maybe her parents would get busy with “loving” activities and stay in seclusion for at least ten years.
Zhao Keran bit her lip, looking pitifully at Lin Shuang secretly.
Their eyes met, then she hastily looked away.
“Enough. Don’t talk about your cousin. This rule was set by the Ancestor. His matter is decided by Uncle Sixteen.”
Lin Shuang looked at Zhao Keran, who didn’t even dare to glance at her.
Though Huangpu Yuan and Meng Zi didn’t know the details of their daily lives, they instinctively sensed a subtle tension in the air.
Both wisely remained silent.
As Zhao Mingde and his wife were about to leave to arrange lunch, Lin Shuang called them back.
“Senior, how can the five-year rule be broken?”
Zhao Keran’s shoulders trembled.
Her senior sister wasn’t angry about her hiding the truth.
This question wasn’t for her cousin—it was for her.
She bit her lip.
“You said it was a rule set by the Zhao family Ancestor. Can I understand this as,” Lin Shuang looked at Zhao Mingde and his wife, “if I can convince the Zhao family Ancestor to change his mind, the five-year rule can be broken?”
Zhao Mingde and his wife were taken aback.
For the first time, their gaze toward her shifted from seeing her as merely their daughter’s senior sister, a junior, to regarding her seriously.
“Little one, you have quite the audacity.”
A Ningyuan cultivator, daring to ask a Tribulation-Transcending Ancestor to change his decision?
Regardless of temperament, just her boldness was sky-high.
“Father has been in seclusion for years. Not even if Xiaoran returned would he necessarily come out.”
Zhao Mingde shook his head, looking down at Lin Shuang.
“To be honest, if there was a way, I would have already told you. Unfortunately, there isn’t.”
Indeed.
The Zhao family were all straightforward people.
If they really wanted them to join the family, they would have already told them how to handle the silkworm cocoons.
Not saying meant there was no path.
Huangpu Yuan silently shook his head.
Human cultivation wasn’t all bad.
He seemed to understand his mother’s words a bit now.
Unfortunately, this mission couldn’t be completed.
He looked at Lin Shuang, then at Zhao Keran who was clearly dejected, and mused, “Senior sister Zhao still has two years. Thinking about this now is just unnecessary worry.”
“In two years, we… Senior Sister Lin, you might have reached the Divine Refinement stage or gained favor from the secluded Ancestor of the Clearwater Sect. Then there would be help.”
Zhao Mingde looked at him strangely upon hearing this.
He was indeed good at leveraging situations.
A Ningyuan cultivator was no match for a Tribulation-Transcending expert, so he sought assistance from another Tribulation-Transcending master to abduct someone.
“Hmph, you can try then.”
Huangpu Yuan nodded at him, then turned to Lin Shuang and said, “When the time comes, act decisively. Abandon Zhao Ming’s mission of persuasion and head for the deep sea.”
[!]
[Abandoning…]
[Heading to the deep sea for persuasion to study? But Zhao Ming was the first assignment given to Clearwater Sect. If they go to the deep sea, would they receive the same recognition from the River Spirit?]
Huangpu Yuan narrowed his phoenix eyes, flashing a hint of fox-like cunning.
“Even if our mission evaluation isn’t high, as long as the other five sects face obstacles in the deep sea and the northern regions, their final rewards can’t surpass ours.”
[!]
[…He plans to cause trouble in both the deep sea and the northern regions…]
[Luckily, they’re mid- to low-level cultivators. I wouldn’t want to face these two in a high-level battle!]
[Same. Except for Meng Zi, these two from Clearwater Sect really give me headaches!]
“No.”
Zhao Keran and Lin Shuang spoke simultaneously.
Lin Shuang raised an eyebrow.
Zhao Keran had already spoken first, opposing Huangpu Yuan, “Senior brother, this goes against《Fastest Learning》.”
Huangpu Yuan: “…”
Lin Shuang: “…”
Zhao Keran took a deep breath, “Senior sister wasted three incense sticks watching silkworm cocoons at my place. If the mission of encouraging study isn’t completed, wouldn’t her precious time be wasted?”
“No way!”
Lin Shuang: “…”
[…]
[Are you referring to her leisurely lying there, idly reading novels for the duration it takes three incense sticks to burn, inside a silkworm cocoon?]
[I can testify she was quite happy just now.]
Zhao Keran bit her lip, her cute round face forming a tearful smile.
But she held back the tears.
Because crying would also waste time.
This wasn’t the time for her senior sister and her to exchange feelings.
“Senior sister,” Zhao Keran left her parents and walked to Lin Shuang, looking at her with red eyes, “I was wrong to hide this from you before.”
“Actually, I knew in my heart that I couldn’t escape it, but I still avoided it, thinking avoidance could prevent it from happening.”
“But as you told me on the first day I received《Fastest Learning》, avoidance solves nothing. Only by actively seeking solutions can we move forward.”
Zhao Keran lowered her gaze, clenching her fists.
“My grandfather is at the peak of Tribulation, my dad and mom are at late Tribulation. My more than twenty uncles and aunts, all the way down to my aunts and uncles, are at least mid-Tribulation.”
[…]
“What Senior Brother Huangpu said is actually incorrect. Even if Senior Sister gains the favor of the Clearwater Sect’s Ancestor two years later, he probably wouldn’t oppose my family for a mere Condensation Realm disciple like me.”
Zhao Keran sighed, “Moreover, even if I have extraordinary talent, I am ultimately a member of the Zhao family. The ancestor of the Clearwater Sect must know that even though I am at Clearwater, my heart is with the main family.”
“Why would the Clearwater Sect go to the trouble of fighting for me?”
“It’s like when you tried to persuade my older cousin. Why didn’t the elders come themselves, but sent disciples instead?”
Zhao Keran had long been taught by Lin Shuang to think several steps ahead.
The reason why disciples were sent to persuade her was because those disciples were already considered expendable by the sect.
“Gaining me is fortunate; losing me is fate.”
It wasn’t worth the elders coming personally to demand me.
Lin Shuang could only smile bitterly. She seemed to have taught her junior sister too well. What should she do now?
Huangpu Yuan’s fox-like eyes flickered slightly.
These human cultivators were so eloquent.
Intrigues and scheming.
They were more cunning than foxes.
He took a step back and fell silent.
He withdrew into himself.
“Senior sister, according to this analysis, I probably can’t avoid it.”
Zhao Keran had never been so clear-headed before.
No, actually, she had always been very clear. She just hadn’t wanted to think deeply about it because she was reluctant to leave.
“As long as the Zhao family needs me, I will definitely return.”
“Our separation is inevitable; it’s just a matter of time—whether it’s two years, ten years, or… two days…”
Her voice gradually softened, but soon she became resolute and looked at her father.
“Therefore, senior sister, I’ve already figured out the solution to this problem.”
“Dad, mom, I’ll stay. I’ll use my two years to exchange for my cousin’s two years outside the valley.”
“Let the Sixteenth Uncle release my cousin.”
“In this way, senior sister’s mission of persuasion will be completed.”
One in exchange for another.
Zhao Ming could return to the Mountain Sea Sect.
Meng Zi pressed his head with the sheath of his sword.
What’s going on…
His eyes felt a burning sensation… His vision blurred.
Huangpu Yuan stood in a corner, his phoenix eyes slightly lowered.
‘Yuan’er, you will surely also find… a companion who is willing to stand in front of you or someone you are willing to protect…’
His gaze fell on Zhao Keran, who was still trying hard not to cry. His expression was one of unexpected envy.
“Dad, mom…”
Zhao Keran turned back with red eyes.
“Have you thought it through?”
Zhao Mingde stood with his hands behind his back. His wife, Su Qing, beside him, was also looking at Zhao Keran with concern.
“If you regret it later, even if you cry, your mother and I won’t agree.”
“Okay.” Zhao Keran nodded heavily.
Zhao Mingde nodded, “Okay—”
“Not okay.”
Lin Shuang interrupted.
Zhao Mingde: “?”
Lin Shuang reached out, placed her hand on her junior sister’s shoulder who was standing in front of her, and moved her behind her.
“Zhao Ming, I’m taking him with me.”
“Junior sister, I’m also taking you with me.”
Lin Shuang looked straight at the Zhao couple, not yielding an inch.
“Senior cultivators, you haven’t answered my question yet.”
“Isn’t the five-year term breakable if the Zhao family’s ancestor changes his mind?”
Zhao Mingde frowned.
But Lin Shuang spoke first.
“There must be a reason for the five-year rule. As long as we find it, we can break it!”
“Junior sister, today senior sister will teach you another lesson: when solving a problem, don’t just look at the surface; you must dismantle the enemy from the core!”
Zhao Keran: “…!”
Immediately, she took out a brush and ink from her spatial pouch and began to record energetically.
She even forgot the tears in her eyes!
Zhao Mingde and his wife: “…”
Who is the enemy?
Little girl, are you talking about their dad, who is at the peak of the Tribulation Ascension?
“Senior Zhao, you just said that before my Tribulation Ascension, I shouldn’t think about his personal matters, or he would easily sense it.”
“So, the ancestor’s retreat into seclusion isn’t something that can’t be interrupted.”
As Lin Shuang spoke, she took out several sound-amplifying talismans from her spatial pouch.
Su Qing, Zhao Keran’s mother, widened her eyes instantly.
Wanting to stop her, but already too late.
Lin Shuang placed the homemade sound-amplifying talisman to her lips and, with a rhythmic tone, shouted loudly.
“Grandpa Zhao, the five-year term isn’t something you just made up off the top of your head, right!?”
In an instant, her powerful and crisp voice spread throughout the Zhao family’s spiritual mountain.
Zhao Mingde’s couple: “!”
Zhao Keran: “…!”
[!]
Huangpu Yuan and Meng Zi: “…”
They both quickly grabbed the teleportation talismans on their waist pouches.
They felt like they would have to run away with her soon!
The next moment, indeed, a terrifying pressure descended.
The spiritual stone table in the tea room shattered into dust.
Meng Zi immediately staggered, knelt down in pain, and cried, “Ao, Senior Zhao, you could have told me earlier. I could have put it into my spatial pouch earlier…”
Zhao Mingde’s couple: “……”
[……]
Lin Shuang looked toward the sky, her eyes twitching.
This mission to take her junior sister away, wouldn’t really end in disaster, right?
But in an instant, a solemn voice came from high above.
“Little brat, daring to scheme against this old man!?”
[! It’s over!]
[……An angry Tribulation cultivator could cause corpses to float for thousands of miles!]
Zhao Keran quickly stepped forward to block Lin Shuang.
But the next moment, the elder’s voice solemnly echoed in the tea room.
“What is this ‘fastest learning’ you were talking about just now?”
Huangpu Yuan, who was already bristling with alarm, and Meng Zi, whose hands were trembling: “……??”
Zhao Keran let out a sound of surprise.
Zhao Mingde’s couple: “……”
Lin Shuang: “……”
Senior ancestor, how long have you been eavesdropping?
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