The next day.
Bai Ruxue gradually woke up. She lifted her head slightly and looked at the young man sleeping soundly beside her, feeling both shy and blissfully happy.
At her level of cultivation, she no longer needed sleep and could permanently practice inedia.
However, to prevent her cultivation from going astray, Bai Ruxue would still eat and rest occasionally.
And today was the most peaceful and restful sleep she had had in many years.
Lying on the young man's chest, listening to his strong and steady heartbeat, Bai Ruxue felt a warmth in her heart.
Is this what love feels like? It's truly different.
The two of them had talked late into the night, and at some point, they had fallen asleep together.
Suddenly, Su Jue's fingers twitched slightly.
Sensing that Su Jue was about to wake up, Bai Ruxue quickly closed her eyes and lay still in his embrace.
Soon, Su Jue opened his eyes and slowly woke up. Feeling the warmth in his arms, he glanced at the 'sleeping' Bai Ruxue and smiled knowingly.
He gently shook his shoulder. "Master, stop sleeping. The sun's already up."
The shy Bai Ruxue remained unmoved, only her eyelashes trembled slightly.
"If someone is pretending to sleep, I might have to spank them."
Su Jue laughed heartily.
"Rebellious disciple, how dare you!"
Bai Ruxue blushed and instantly flashed to the side, distancing herself from Su Jue.
"Wasn't Master still asleep?" Su Jue said with a teasing smile.
Bai Ruxue huffed and retorted, "Hmph, never mind that. How dare a rebellious disciple be so bold, just after starting a relationship, to threaten to spank me!"
"Well, that's better than just after starting a relationship, falling asleep on someone, isn't it?"
Su Jue replied with a half-smile.
"Rebellious disciple, don't say that!"
Bai Ruxue, her face flushed with embarrassment, quickly covered Su Jue's mouth.
Su Jue gently kissed Bai Ruxue's soft, white hand.
"You rebellious disciple!"
Bai Ruxue quickly withdrew her hand, playfully scolding.
"No, I'm not a rebellious disciple."
Su Jue shook his finger.
"Still saying you're not? Which disciple would fall in love with their master and boldly confess?"
Bai Ruxue glared at Su Jue.
Su Jue laughed, "I mean, 'rebellious disciple' doesn't accurately describe me."
"Then what does?"
"Defiant disciple!"
"Get lost!"
***
The Sword Sect is divided into four peaks.
They are Cloud Sword Peak, Jade Sword Peak, Sword Bearing Peak, and Main Sword Peak.
Main Sword Peak is the residence of Sect Master Bai Ruxue and also where Su Jue lives.
The other three peaks each have their own characteristics.
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Cloud Sword Peak and Jade Sword Peak are both inner sects.
Cloud Sword Peak only accepts male cultivators and is overseen by the Grand Elder and Second Elder.
Jade Sword Peak only accepts female cultivators and is overseen by the Third Elder and Fourth Elder.
Sword Bearing Peak is for outer disciples and is overseen by the Fifth Elder and Sixth Elder.
On ordinary days, Bai Ruxue would not appear in the Sword Sect, let alone show herself, as she focuses on her cultivation.
The Sword Sect has a legacy spanning tens of thousands of years, with a mature and stable system, each part fulfilling its role, enduring through time.
This is why the Sword Sect has been able to remain in the Central Continent for so long.
Su Jue returned to Main Sword Peak from the maple forest.
Originally, Bai Ruxue planned to return with Su Jue, but she is a decisive person.
Her methods are swift and thorough, leaving no room for future troubles.
The Grand Elder was causing trouble, and she feared more issues would arise, so she needed to resolve it immediately.
On Main Sword Peak, a graceful figure was practicing sword dance.
Under the tree.
The graceful figure held a three-foot-long sword, performing a beautiful sword dance.
Her three thousand strands of hair fluttered in the wind, her white robe flowing elegantly.
Her graceful and exquisite figure was ethereal like a fairy, her flawless face like a flower in full bloom.
Leaves occasionally drifted down from above.
She looked like a fairy dancing among flowers, breathtakingly beautiful.
One glance could make one forget the passage of time.
As the graceful figure stopped her enchanting dance, the mesmerizing sword dance came to an end.
The figure gently smoothed her hair behind her ear and glanced towards a certain spot, a hint of coldness flashing in her eyes. "Senior Brother, if you want to watch, just do it openly. Why sneak around?"
With that, her eyes, like limpid autumn waters, looked towards the cherry blossom tree, as if someone was there.
The long sword gleamed with silver light under the sunlight.
The thin blade gave off a sense of sharpness and strength, clearly of extraordinary quality.
Coincidentally, Su Jue emerged from that spot, walking straight towards his residence without a glance.
On Main Sword Peak, Bai Ruxue had built a residence for him, which was where he lived.
"Stop! I'm talking to you!"
The graceful figure called out.
"Do you need something?"
Su Jue turned to look at his fellow junior sister, asking in return.
Due to the plot, he had little interaction with this junior sister and feared it might disrupt his plans.
So, although they were fellow disciples, their relationship had always been lukewarm.
Now, being so cold and firm with his junior sister, he guessed she held a grudge against him for drugging their master, which he understood.
However, he felt no need to explain anything. Once the master returned, everything would become clear.
"Why did you poison Master?"
Lin Qingchen stepped forward and asked.
"Adults' matters, children shouldn't meddle."
Su Jue couldn't be bothered with her. He had just received a bunch of system rewards and hadn't had the chance to explore them yet, feeling very eager.
"You're the child! I asked why you poisoned Master when she treats you so well?"
Lin Qingchen was infuriated by Su Jue's nonchalant demeanor.
"Which eye of yours saw me poison Master?"
Su Jue asked.
"Both!"
Lin Qingchen pointed to her limpid eyes.
Su Jue clicked his tongue, "You must be blind. Go see the Third Elder, who is skilled in medicine."
"Bastard, Master may forgive you, but I won't!"
Lin Qingchen glared at Su Jue with hatred, never expecting the senior brother she once admired to be so malicious.
Despite his handsome appearance and extraordinary talent, he had chosen such a path of no return.
"You won't forgive me? What can you do to me?"
Su Jue looked at Lin Qingchen with a smile, not taking her seriously.
Lin Qingchen was also a first-class beauty, comparable to their master, though still young and lacking the master's ethereal charm.
But she had her unique style, youthful and lively, like a girl next door.
"Fight me, Senior Brother!"
Lin Qingchen drew her sword, her face cold as frost.
"Fight? Can you beat me?"
Su Jue didn't deny his junior sister's extraordinary talent, but she couldn't compare to him.
Though reaching Foundation Establishment perfection at sixteen was a genius level, her talent was not far behind his.
Due to various reasons, he only started cultivating at fifteen.
If you ask why, that's how the original story was, and Su Jue was just following the script.
Reaching late Foundation Establishment at eighteen, the gap between his and his junior sister's cultivation levels was significant.
Being a few years younger, the difference in cultivation was inevitable.
Moreover, times had changed, and he was now the protagonist.
As the protagonist, he feared no one.
However, he couldn't be careless, as protagonists often had the ability to surpass levels.
"You'll know if you try. Today, forgive your junior sister's rudeness, but I must make you pay the price!"
Lin Qingchen, seeing Su Jue's unscathed appearance, felt indignant for her master and shouted.
Su Jue didn't want to entangle with her. He was very curious about the rewards, but at that moment, a voice sounded in his mind.
[Ding, choice triggered.]
[1. Agree to fight, help the junior sister clear her meridians, and assist her in successfully establishing her foundation! Reward: Unknown.]
[2. Refuse the junior sister's challenge and leave, reward: Earth-grade Sword Technique, Three Dragon Shadow Swords.]
Su Jue smiled. Isn't this straightforward?
The Earth-grade Sword Technique was tempting, but Su Jue was a man who had refused a Celestial Sword Technique.
He was a true gambler.
His gaze fell on Lin Qingchen, suddenly finding his junior sister particularly adorable at this moment.
He had always been hiding his strength, focusing on playing a villain. It seemed it was time to test his true level.
At this moment, he decided to completely drop his disguise.
"I'll oblige you."
A snow-white long sword appeared in Su Jue's hand, pointing at Lin Qingchen.
His eyes burned with passion, and his sword intent surged.
As the long sword was drawn, the Heavenly Prodigy, renowned throughout the Central Continent, had returned!
It felt so good to let go!
Lin Qingchen, seeing Su Jue's inexplicable smile, felt a bit apprehensive, as if she was being watched by a fierce tiger.
Proofreader & Editor: Peter Pan