Chapter 322: Shizun’s Trickery

Looking at Mo Changxing’s visibly displeased expression, Yun Qingxue couldn’t help but cautiously ask, “Senior Brother, what exactly is the matter?”

“Qingxue!” Mo Changxing turned to her with a serious expression. “I don’t agree with our master taking in disciples at this time!”

“Why?” Yun Qingxue was puzzled, though she suddenly felt as if she understood something.

She recalled the various unusual behaviors of the Purple Melody Sage. Could it be that her master had already discussed the idea of taking in disciples with the eldest senior brother? And when the eldest senior brother disagreed, her cunning and unreliable master had turned his attention to her?

He had tricked her into agreeing to the idea of accepting disciples, then conveniently used the excuse of finding medicine to cure her illness to leave Luoyun Mountain!

And then, he dumped the entire responsibility of accepting disciples and persuading her senior brothers onto her!

Yun Qingxue suddenly felt a sense of being deceived.

She looked at Mo Changxing and asked with a last glimmer of hope, “Senior Brother, did Master already tell you about his idea of establishing a sect?”

“Is that what he calls establishing a sect?” Mo Changxing shook his head with a cold laugh. “He just thinks our lives are too peaceful and wants to stir up trouble for us!”

“Does Senior Brother Jinlin know about this?” Yun Qingxue asked again.

“Yes, and neither of us agreed. I didn’t expect him to turn to you! But don’t worry, Junior Sister, you can just ignore it.”

“Senior Brother,” Yun Qingxue looked at Mo Changxing with utmost seriousness. “I’m afraid we can’t ignore it now!”

Mo Changxing frowned at her. Yun Qingxue gave a bitter smile. “Master tampered with Luoyun Mountain’s protective barrier. If we don’t go to the designated location to select disciples tomorrow morning, the entire mountain’s barrier will activate! At that point, Luoyun Mountain will lose all its protection.”

“Did Master tell you this?” Mo Changxing asked with a darkened expression.

“Not just me!” Yun Qingxue smiled faintly and gestured for Mo Changxing to turn around. “To be precise, this is what Master told *us*!”

Mo Changxing turned in confusion and saw several lines of large characters written on the ground behind him, appearing as if out of nowhere.

The message was exactly what Yun Qingxue had just said: if they didn’t obediently go to the designated location to accept disciples tomorrow morning, Luoyun Mountain’s protective barrier would activate automatically.

At the end of the message, the Purple Melody Sage shamelessly added a threat: “Disciples may disobey their master’s orders, but if the aspiring disciples gathered here cause trouble, I hope you will handle the aftermath and protect our shared home!”

When Mo Changxing turned back after reading, Yun Qingxue could clearly see his face darken even further…

When he was angry, an ominous aura seemed to radiate from his body, one that was terrifying enough to make one tremble.

Yun Qingxue had no doubt that if their master were here right now, her senior brother wouldn’t hesitate to commit the ultimate act of defiance—betraying his master.

“Since Master has given his orders, I will wait for you at the designated location tomorrow morning, Senior Brother,” Yun Qingxue said with a faint smile before turning and walking away gracefully.

“Xuexue.” Before she could even leave Mo Changxing’s courtyard, she saw Jinlin approaching quickly.

Yun Qingxue brightened and smiled. “Jinlin, I was just about to look for you.”

“Xuexue was looking for me?” Jinlin grinned brightly.

“Yes.” Yun Qingxue repeated the Purple Melody Sage’s instructions about accepting disciples.

After hearing her words, Jinlin’s expression darkened just like Mo Changxing’s had.

He had rushed over upon hearing that Xuexue was with Mo Changxing, fearing that this demonic senior brother might take the opportunity to charm her.

Ah, liking someone truly wasn’t easy—not only did he have to fend off outsiders, but there was also one within their own ranks!

And to make matters worse, they had a troublemaking master.

First, he had sent Xuexue alone to the dangerous Yunhuang Illusory Realm, and now he had come up with this ridiculous idea of establishing a sect!

Yes, it was absolutely ridiculous!

Xuexue’s identity was far too sensitive—how many people in the Xuanling Continent were eyeing her?

She had only just arrived at Luoyun Mountain and hadn’t even enjoyed a few peaceful days.

If Luoyun Mountain started accepting disciples, it would inevitably attract all sorts of people. Xuexue’s whereabouts would be exposed, and spies might sneak in…

Though he and Mo Changxing were strong enough to protect her without question, even tigers had moments of carelessness…

“Master is really too much!

The three of us—a Dragon King, a Flower King, and the Young Master of the Demon Clan—are already his disciples. Isn’t that impressive enough? Why does he need more disciples?

I refuse!” Jinlin’s stance was firm.

Mo Changxing gave him a cool glance, his tone unreadable. “What’s the use of refusing? Master has already spread the word without consulting us. Right now, countless spirits and creatures who admire Luoyun Mountain have gathered at its base!”

“Hah! Whoever spread the word should deal with the consequences! If things get out of hand, I’ll just take Xuexue back to the Water Clan with me and avoid all this trouble!” Jinlin retorted coldly.

“See for yourself!” Mo Changxing waved his hand through the air, and an image of Luoyun Mountain’s base appeared like a mirage.

The once peaceful Luoyun Mountain was now bustling with activity at its base—creatures of all shapes and forms.

Some were in human form—men, women, old, young.

Others had human bodies but animal heads—cats, dogs, pigs, sheep, tigers.

And that wasn’t all—some had half-human, half-animal features. It was a vivid display of the wonders of the world.

“Ugly and unworthy!” Jinlin spat out four words after seeing the scene.

Yun Qingxue, however, smiled faintly. She understood the desire of these lesser spirits to seek refuge under a powerful master.

In them, she saw a reflection of her past self. In a place like the Xuanling Continent, the weak were bullied or even killed.

Who wouldn’t want to become strong and control their own fate?

Moreover, she believed that her master’s decision to establish a sect wasn’t made on a whim. There had to be a deeper meaning behind entrusting her with the task of selecting disciples.

“Alright, since Master has already decided, we’ll begin accepting disciples tomorrow,” Yun Qingxue said.

“No! Who knows what kind of people these are?” Jinlin objected without hesitation—the first time he had ever opposed Yun Qingxue so directly.

“No?” Mo Changxing sneered. “If we don’t follow Master’s orders, the mountain’s barrier will activate tomorrow! Master lured these spirits here, but if we refuse to accept them, what do you think will happen?”

“Hmph! Senior Brother, are you saying the two of us can’t handle these lesser spirits?” Jinlin shot back.

“Whether we can or not is one thing, but have you considered how many of them there are? Even if they stood still, it would take us a long time to clear them out with spells.

And they’re not powerless—they have cultivation and abilities!” Mo Changxing analyzed coldly.