Chapter 20: Master, Something Is Wrong With You!

Bai Lian was truly remarkable!

Observing the girl as she sheathed her sword, Yan Yue couldn't contain her excitement.

Her fondness for Bai Lian had grown even stronger. She could hardly wait to snatch her away from An Lan.

Yan Yue cast a glance at Xiao Jinse, who stood beside her, and clenched her fists in excitement. This beautiful girl was An Lan's second disciple.

An Lan, don't be so possessive!

Yan Yue felt dissatisfied.

It was evident that An Lan intended to take in another new disciple. That's why she disappeared at the start of the Immortality Promotion Meeting, leaving all the work to her senior disciple, Bai Lian.

Taking care of Xiao Jinse, restoring her Deteriorating Spiritual Root, guiding her cultivation...

Ugh.

Had there ever been such an irresponsible master?

Was Xiao Jinse An Lan's disciple or Bai Lian's disciple?

This woman was a prime example of being irresponsible!

Yan Yue had an urge to punch An Lan's face to vent her anger.

Gradually, Yan Yue's gaze shifted to Bai Lian, who was engaged in a conversation with Wen Ren Ya Le.

This child...

From a young age, her Master had been absent. Although she appeared strong, she had likely endured many hardships while single-handedly supporting Qiongming Peak.

It was just too cruel!

Yan Yue finally understood why Bai Lian carried herself with such calmness at such a young age.

It was because An Lan had forced everything onto her!

Sigh.

An impulse surged within Yan Yue, compelling her to hold Bai Lian in her arms and tenderly say:

"Bai Lian, you don't have to work so hard. Come with me. I will treat you well."

But she couldn't.

At least, not at this moment.

Yan Yue knew Bai Lian was fiercely self-sufficient and independent. If she were to make such a declaration rashly, Bai Lian would likely reject her.

However, Yan Yue had other methods in mind.

"I will report An Lan's misdeeds to the Sect Leader. I believe the Sect Leader and the elders will understand my intentions!"

Hehe hehe.

Yan Yue chuckled secretly, mentally berating An Lan.

At this moment, the disciple standing beside her was fraught with nervousness.

Master, something seems off with you!

Why are you fixated on negative thoughts?

Sigh, it would be great if the Blood Tree Patriarch were here. Unfortunately, the Blood Tree Patriarch was merely a tree and couldn't move.

...

Atop Yunluo Peak.

Sect Leader Jue Yunzi gazed skyward and let out a sigh.

Here we go again!

Not too long ago, he had received a message from a deacon, reporting that Yan Yue had stormed Qiongming Peak and forcefully brought Bai Lian and An Lan's new disciple down the mountain.

This wasn't good.

"If this isn't managed correctly, the Duxian Sect might end up with only four main peaks!"

Jue Yunzi shuddered.

If An Lan were provoked, she might very well bring ruin upon Zhuyan Peak.

"I must intervene before Junior Martial Sister Yan Yue does something rash."

Jue Yunzi hurriedly left the hall without even bothering to put on his shoes. As he descended the mountain, he realized that he might not be able to handle Junior Martial Sister Yan Yue alone. Thus, he turned back to gather Gaoyi and the others first.

"Sect Leader, is something amiss?"

"I fear that trouble is brewing."

Jue Yunzi said.

Gaoyi inquired, "Who dares to cause trouble within the Duxian Sect?"

"An Lan."

"What? Junior Martial Sister An Lan?"

"Close enough."

Upon learning that the destination of their trip was Zhuyan Peak, Gaoyi immediately grasped the gravity of the situation.

Upon discovering that Yan Yue had apprehended Bai Lian in a fit of rage, Gaoyi's anxiety mirrored that of Jue Yunzi.

Since the day the former Sect Leader of the Duxian Sect had taken in An Lan from the outside, the sect had scarcely enjoyed any tranquility!

Reflecting on this, Jue Yunzi, Gaoyi, and the others arrived at the entrance of Yunluo Peak.

"Sect Leader and esteemed elders!"

The gatekeeper greeted them with a respectful salute.

"All right, all right." Jue Yunzi responded, "Where is your Master?"

The gatekeeper replied, "Master is at the meditation tree."

"Very well."

Jue Yunzi hastened his steps.

The meditation tree?

A place typically reserved for disciplining errant disciples.

Yan Yue, what are you up to?!

Honestly...

Jue Yunzi was unsure of what to say.

He feared that Yan Yue might string up Bai Lian in a fit of rage and subject her to a brutal beating.

Just the mental image left Jue Yunzi with a throbbing headache. If it weren't for the restrictive arrays scattered across Zhuyan Peak, he could've reached the meditation tree in a single step to curtail Yan Yue's actions.

Nonetheless, it took Jue Yunzi several minutes to reach the summit.

As he neared the end of the stone staircase, Jue Yunzi called out, "Junior Martial Sister Yan Yue!"

His voice echoed powerfully.

"Sect Leader?"

Yan Yue, who had been quietly observing Bai Lian and Wen Ren Ya Le draw closer, turned gradually. She spotted Jue Yunzi and the others hurrying toward her.

"Where's Bai Lian?"

Jue Yunzi inquired directly.

Yan Yue extended her finger and indicated, "There she is."

She pointed towards the meditation tree.

Jue Yunzi directed his gaze in that direction, dreading the sight of Bai Lian's battered form. To his astonishment, he found Bai Lian and Wen Ren Ya Le seated side by side on a stone bench, seemingly unharmed.

"?"

Yan Yue snorted, "Elder Martial Brother, did you really think I would mistreat Bai Lian?"

Jue Yunzi and the others exchanged sheepish glances, "Well..."

Yan Yue retorted, "It's not that I'm afraid of An Lan, it's just that I genuinely care for Bai Lian. I can't bring myself to discipline her."

"Yes, yes, indeed." Jue Yunzi quickly concurred, coughing softly, "Junior Martial Sister Yan Yue, the truth is I have important matters to discuss with you."

He cast a soundproof enchantment and shared the details of Bai Lian's awakened Holy Body with Yan Yue.

"Whenever she walks, a Tao Halo forms beneath her feet!"

"What?"

Yan Yue was taken aback, her hand instinctively covering her mouth.

Jue Yunzi spoke with gravitas, "I trust that you won't divulge this secret, Junior Martial Sister Yan Yue."

Yan Yue fervently nodded.

Of course.

She wouldn't breathe a word.

She had planned to take Bai Lian as her disciple. How could she betray her in such a manner?

Jue Yunzi heaved a sigh of relief. With this assurance, he felt confident that Yan Yue would cease her harmful actions toward Bai Lian.

Congratulations, the Duxian Sect had successfully averted disaster!

As Jue Yunzi and the others departed, Xiao Jinse let out a sigh of relief. She hoped that Senior Martial Sister Bai Lian was now safe.

In reality, Wen Ren Ya Le, who was mustering the courage to speak with Bai Lian, had the most dramatic reaction of all.

Just moments ago, the girl had been nervously fidgeting, her fingers twisting and intertwining, "Martial Sister Bai Lian, in the Medicine Pavilion, you mentioned that you had deep feelings for me. Well, I, I also have... I also have..."

Suddenly, the distant voice of "Junior Martial Sister Yan Yue" reached her ears. Wen Ren Ya Le trembled, her words stammering, "Actually, I also greatly admire Martial Sister Bai Lian!"

"..."

"..."

Oh no.

Wen Ren Ya Le's face turned pale. How had "admire" transformed into "greatly admire" when she spoke?

Bai Lian silently regarded the new task options that appeared before her.

The three choices were: confess her feelings, offer encouragement to Wen Ren Ya Le, and tease playfully. What was even more intriguing were the task rewards—every one of them awarded skill points!

The system seemed to be employing a new tactic.

Bai Lian gradually comprehended.

From an optimistic standpoint, within this perilous game world, the system could be likened to a crisis alarm. Accomplishing tasks was tantamount to problem-solving. The more challenging the problem, the greater the rewards reaped upon its resolution.

From this perspective, it made sense that all three task options yielded skill points—

Wen Ren Ya Le was no longer a direct threat to her.

This was limited to direct threats because this world was rooted in an R18 gal game. In such games, attractive female characters often spelled trouble!

Bai Lian wouldn't have taken on the role of guiding these younger Martial Sisters if not for An Lan!

Bai Lian chose Task 2: offering encouragement to Wen Ren Ya Le.

Of course, she wouldn't dare confess her feelings.

The various death endings had made Bai Lian cautious.

"Younger Martial Sister Wen Ren Ya Le, cultivation is about discovering the truth—your true self. Constantly surpassing your limitations is at the core of cultivation..."

Bai Lian's words bewildered Wen Ren Ya Le. She couldn't grasp their meaning!

Nonetheless, what she did understand was that Elder Martial Sister Bai Lian cared about her!

But she had treated Elder Martial Sister Bai Lian so cruelly. She truly was a terrible person!

She wasn't deserving of Elder Martial Sister Bai Lian.

Wen Ren Ya Le resolved to better herself. One day, she would muster the courage to express her true feelings.

...

"Master, Senior Martial Sister Bai Lian has left." Wen Ren Ya Le reported.

Yan Yue commented, "Indeed, she has departed."

Her gaze remained fixed on Bai Lian's retreating figure.

Wen Ren Ya Le regarded her Master with an odd expression. Why is my Master so focused on Senior Martial Sister Bai Lian's feet?

This...

This was strange.

Wen Ren Ya Le couldn't help but inquire, "Master, why are you staring at Senior Martial Sister Bai Lian's feet?"

Yan Yue blurted out, "They look nice."

"..."

... Something's off!

Master, do you have a foot fetish?

Wen Ren Ya Le was dumbfounded.

Yan Yue waved dismissively, remarking, "Go about your own business. I have matters to attend to."

It was time to lodge a complaint against An Lan before the Sect Leader!