Seeing Yun Qingxue getting angry, Jiao Xiaoxiao immediately reverted to her naturally rough, somewhat androgynous voice.
“Oh dear! Honestly, I didn’t want to pretend either! Pretty girl, now that I’ve switched back to my real voice, can you accept me?”
“Where did you cultivate before?” Yun Qingxue asked again.
“I’ve always cultivated in a desolate mountain range right next to the northernmost part of Luoyun Mountain! And I’ll be straight with you—I’ve had my eye on Saint Purple Melody for ages!
But it’s a shame he never takes disciples, just never does! Ugh!” Jiao Xiaoxiao sighed dramatically, then suddenly brightened as she looked at Yun Qingxue. “Big sis, just consider how much I admire Saint Purple Melody, how devoted and unwavering I am—please take me in!”
“Alright—”
“Rejected! Next!”
Before Yun Qingxue could even finish her “alright,” Jin Lin forcefully cut her off.
Jiao Xiaoxiao was stunned, staring disbelievingly at Mo Changxing, Jin Lin, and Yun Qingxue. “Why?!”
Yun Qingxue turned to Jin Lin—since he was the one who rejected her, he should be the one to answer.
She had no idea why anyway!
“Because…” Jin Lin smirked mischievously and asked Jiao Xiaoxiao, “Do you know who’s in charge of Luoyun Mountain? Who calls the shots here?”
Jiao Xiaoxiao looked at him blankly. “Of course, it’s Saint Purple Melody!”
Jin Lin smirked again. “Wrong! It’s my junior sister!”
“Cough!” Yun Qingxue nearly choked on her own saliva. His words made her feel like some kind of villain betraying her master.
“Jin Lin…” She shot him a weak glance.
We’re supposed to be friends—don’t set me up like this! If our master heard this, what would he think of me?
But Jin Lin gave her a reassuring look before turning back to Jiao Xiaoxiao. “On Luoyun Mountain, my junior sister makes the decisions, and my senior brother and I run things.
Our master doesn’t interfere!
So if any of you want to join Luoyun Mountain, you’d better think carefully about whose side you’re on!”
“So what you’re saying is… Saint Purple Melody basically has no say here?” Jiao Xiaoxiao raised an eyebrow.
“Oh, he does,” Jin Lin said innocently, blinking. “Luoyun Mountain is very democratic. If anyone wants to improve, they can challenge our master anytime.”
“Hah…” Jiao Xiaoxiao scoffed. “What kind of joke is that?! Saint Purple Melody could crush us in seconds. Challenging him is no different from asking to die!”
Jin Lin immediately gave her a look like she was an idiot. “Once you’re part of Luoyun Mountain, you’re our master’s disciple. Sparring with him is just training, not a challenge.
Have you ever heard of a master who just kills his own disciples for no reason?”
“Then… then what you’re saying is, if we join Luoyun Mountain, we… we can spar with the master anytime and ask for… for… his guidance?!” A scrawny man with gleaming eyes stammered excitedly.
“Exactly! You got it perfectly!”
“Th-that’s amazing!” The man’s face lit up with excitement. If he could receive Saint Purple Melody’s guidance anytime, his cultivation would skyrocket!
Jiao Xiaoxiao’s eyes also sparkled, and without hesitation, she batted her lashes at Jin Lin. “Oh, handsome~”
Her voice turned sickly sweet again.
Jin Lin shuddered—the sheer force of that voice gave him instant goosebumps.
“Speak properly!” he snapped.
Jiao Xiaoxiao flinched at his tone.
Wasn’t it said that delicate, fragile women were endearing? Like that fox spirit living on the next mountain over—just one flutter of her lashes and a sugary voice, and all the male spirits nearby would fall over themselves to serve her.
So why didn’t it work for her?
“Hehe! Handsome gentlemen, and this indescribably beautiful lady, please let me stay!” Jiao Xiaoxiao pleaded, unwilling to give up her chance to become Saint Purple Melody’s disciple.
“Look at how strong I am! I can wash clothes, cook, clean—any hard labor, I can do it all! And the best part? I hardly eat anything!
If you take me in, I’ll handle all the dirty, exhausting work on Luoyun Mountain!”
“Hmm…” Jin Lin feigned hesitation.
That flicker of hesitation made Jiao Xiaoxiao see hope, so she doubled down. “If I can join Luoyun Mountain, I’ll follow your lead, senior brothers and sister!”
“And our master?” Jin Lin asked.
Jiao Xiaoxiao hesitated, watching Jin Lin’s expression carefully. “I’ll obey the master too!
But I promise, I’ll listen to you first! The master comes second!”
“Good.” Jin Lin nodded slightly, as if considering.
Jiao Xiaoxiao watched him nervously as he slowly said, “You’re teachable! Perfect timing—Luoyun Mountain could use some extra hands. You’re in!”
“Thank you, senior brothers! Thank you, senior sister!” Jiao Xiaoxiao grinned foolishly.
Yun Qingxue, however, was speechless.
Why did she feel like she was helping her senior brothers form a faction to betray their master?
“Jiao Xiaoxiao—that’s not your real name, is it?” Yun Qingxue picked up her brush and glanced at the register on the table.
Jiao Xiaoxiao chuckled. “Senior sister is so sharp! That name… well, I just made it up to seem more delicate.”
“Then what’s your real name? I need it for the records.” Yun Qingxue sighed.
“Uh…” Jiao Xiaoxiao scratched her head. “Everyone calls me Mighty Girl!”
Yun Qingxue: “…”
What kind of name was that? It was beyond ridiculous.
“Since you’re now part of Luoyun Mountain, you’re one of us. The sect will give you a new name.”
“Really?!” Jiao Xiaoxiao’s eyes lit up.
“From now on, you’ll be called Cuihua.”
“Cuihua?” Jiao Xiaoxiao repeated, beaming. “What a lovely name! So pretty!”
“Alright, you’re accepted. Go stand over there.”
Yun Qingxue pointed to an empty spot behind her, and Cuihua obediently went to stand there.
“Next!” Jin Lin said lazily.
The second man in line eagerly stepped forward. “Here, sir!”
“Name, true form, cultivation level, origin, and reason for seeking apprenticeship?”
“I’ve just reached the late stage of Illusory Form and haven’t chosen a name yet. I come from the northern wilderness, and my true form is a green snake.
I’ve long admired Saint Purple Melody’s immortal grace and came to seek his guidance. But after seeing you, senior brothers and sister, I realize what true celestial beauty is.
I’m willing to serve you all, running errands and offering my utmost loyalty!”
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