Why is the fairy who adopted me plotting against me?

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"The sect leader said they've been neglecting their cultivation and studies lately, and have been lazy and gluttonous—in short, they deserve punishment! Starting today, their studies will be increased..."

"You need to practice for three hours every day," Fifth Uncle said gloatingly.

Three hours isn't much. For ordinary sect disciples, three hours of daily cultivation is quite common, and not even considered a long time.

It was bitter. But for the usually carefree and lazy senior sisters of the Sleeping Flower Sect, this was a punishment that was practically deadly.

"Fifth Uncle, don't be too happy yet. While you were away, the Sect Leader said that all of you uncles should redouble your efforts in cultivation starting today."

She personally sparred with you all every day, checking each one of you. "The senior sisters hummed in agreement."

"What?!" Fifth Uncle let out a wail, his little face immediately falling. Su Mu and Su Zhixiao felt sorry for him, but were powerless to help. Just then

At this moment, Gu Zhaorong's voice rang in their ears, gentle: "Mu'er, Xiaoxiao, come to the main hall of the main peak."

"Yes, Aunt Gu."

The two exchanged a glance, bid farewell to their gloomy Fifth Uncle and all their senior sisters, and headed together toward the cloud-shrouded main peak.

The closer they got to the hall that symbolized the sect's highest authority, the more nervous Su Zhixiao became, her small hands unconsciously tightening around Su Mu's hand.

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Su Mu gently returned her hand, offering comfort. Reaching the tightly closed palace door, he took a deep breath and lightly knocked.

"Come in." A voice came from inside the door, slightly deep and hoarse.

As soon as Su Mu entered, she saw Aunt Gu and... a screen.

The screen depicts a misty, cloud-shrouded landscape in delicate ink wash, behind which a graceful figure can be vaguely seen, seated in a hazy, indistinct manner.

Judging from the rim, it was a woman.

That must be the sect leader, Shen Qingshang.

Su Mu and Su Zhixiao stepped forward and bowed respectfully: "Disciples Su Mu/Su Zhixiao greet the Sect Leader/Master."

"Hmm." A voice came from behind the screen, its tone unreadable, and asked directly, "Zhixiao, do you know your mistake?"

Su Mu was about to speak up for his sister, but Su Zhixiao preemptively bowed her head and admitted her mistake: "Master, this disciple knows her mistake. This disciple's cultivation is shallow."

I failed to defeat the enemy in the peach blossom forest and instead became a burden. Please punish me, Master.

After a moment of silence behind the screen, he slowly said, "Your cultivation is insufficient, but you can make up for it through diligent effort. However, there were two major mistakes on this trip:"

Firstly, if encountering a powerful enemy, the priority should be to avoid danger and maneuver, rather than to recklessly confront them; secondly, seeing Su Mu trapped, you became flustered and lost your composure.

"In this critical moment, one should immediately seek help from one's sect, rather than anxiously worrying oneself. Remaining calm in the face of danger is fundamental to cultivation."

Although the words were harsh, they were all reasonable and not simply harsh criticism. Moreover, Su Zhixiao was never made to kneel down to be reprimanded, which was a significant improvement over...

The almost strict and harsh way of training disciples that Su Mu had heard from Ling Suxin was already much milder than the way Shuyu Sect had done.

However, Gu Zhaorong, who was standing to the side, couldn't help but let out a very soft sneer.

Did they lose their composure? I wonder who was it that rushed out as soon as they learned the two were injured?

The voice behind the screen abruptly stopped, then took on a distinct tone of anger, even a hint of embarrassment: "Consort Gu! You..."

If you have any objections to my methods of teaching disciples, either speak frankly or leave!

"Hehe, alright, alright, I won't disturb you." Gu Zhaorong wasn't angry. She gave the screen a meaningful look, then turned and left gracefully.

"Mu'er, Xiaoxiao, Aunt Gu will come to see you again later." Before leaving, a sly smile played on her lips.

I'm off then, but I have a surprise for you.

"Take care, Aunt Gu."

After Consort Gu left, the atmosphere in the hall seemed to ease slightly. The figure behind the screen adjusted her posture slightly, remained silent for a moment, and then began to speak.

Turn to Su Mu.

"And you, Su Mu." Her voice paused, as if carefully choosing her words, "Although you were born with superhuman strength, you ultimately cannot cultivate. That..."

When the demon cultivator uses magic to trap you, your own safety should be your top priority; finding a way to escape is the best course of action.

Upon hearing this, Su Mu and Su Zhixiao were both taken aback and subconsciously exchanged a glance.

The sect leader/master... didn't know?

Seeing that Shen Qingshang seemed about to continue lecturing, Su Mu quickly interrupted her, saying, "Sect Leader, don't you know that your disciple has already..."

"Can I begin my cultivation now?"

"You...you, what did you say?!" The voice behind the screen sounded incredulous.

"Disciple says I can begin cultivation now; I have reached the peak of Qi Refining." As he spoke, Su Mu released his aura; though only at the Qi Refining stage, the oppressive presence was palpable.

But it was approaching the Golden Core stage.

"You can begin your cultivation now," the voice behind the screen murmured, repeating the phrase, the tremor in its tone growing increasingly pronounced, as if it had heard some kind of...

A miracle that is absolutely impossible.

"boom--!"

A dazzling ray of light shot up from behind the screen without warning, instantly illuminating the entire hall and even penetrating the ceiling.

The night sky over Liaomian Flower Peak!

The senior female disciples, who were being forced to practice diligently, all stopped what they were doing and looked in astonishment toward the main peak.

Gu Zhaorong, who had just walked a short distance, stopped and turned back to look at the soaring light. A knowing smile slowly appeared on her lips.

Standing inside the main hall, Su Mu and Su Zhixiao, who were closest to the main hall, felt the impact most acutely.

"The sect leader...she's broken through to the Nascent Soul stage?"

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Chapter 45 The Relationships Are a Mess

Shen Qingshang's mind was in turmoil, a chaotic and unsettling state.

Upon learning that Su Mujing was able to embark on the path of cultivation again, she felt an indescribable surge of joy welling up from the bottom of her heart, instantly dispelling all pent-up emotions.

The gloom and heaviness that had weighed on my heart for eleven years seemed to have been lifted off my feet, and even my breathing became light and easy.

The immense joy of finding what was lost overflowed my heart, bursting forth from my chest, and finally transforming into a dazzling, radiant light that pierced the clouds and illuminated the night sky, reaching towards...

The entire Sleeping Flower Sect was abuzz with her earth-shattering transformation into a Divine Realm expert.

The disciples' noisy congratulations could be heard from outside the hall.

"Congratulations, Master!"

Congratulations, Senior Sister!

"Sect Leader, can we go back to sleep now?"

These junior disciples, who were still unaware of the reason for her breakthrough, were relatively easy to deal with. But Su Mu and Su Zhixiao, who were standing in front of the screen at this moment…

"Congratulations to the Sect Leader/Master on breaking through to the Nascent Soul stage!" The two bowed in unison, their voices filled with genuine joy, clearly expressing their heartfelt congratulations.

happy.

"Master is probably the youngest Nascent Soul cultivator in the cultivation world now, right? That's amazing!" Su Zhixiao said excitedly, her face flushed with excitement.

And it turns reddish.

But then she blinked her bright eyes, a hint of confusion in her eyes, "But...why did Master immediately..."

A breakthrough has been achieved? Is there... any connection between these events?

This girl... has been so clever since she was little! Shen Qingshang secretly groaned, as if he had returned to that small village eleven years ago.

When Su Zhixiao was just over three years old, she tugged at her sleeve, looking up with her innocent little face and asking:

"Fairy Shen, you and my brother are so close, are you like the Daoist couple described in the books? Or are you husband and wife? Otherwise, why are you so good to my brother?"

"You're so good to me, you're like my parents to me?"

Alas, a child being too smart and sensible isn't always a good thing.

"Hmm," Shen Qingshang adjusted his posture slightly behind the screen, trying to make his voice sound calm and normal.

"Hearing that Su Mu was able to resume his cultivation path, I felt greatly relieved. Such a miraculous escape from adversity and his inspiring determination touched my own heart."

The movement grew ever more resolute. With a clear mind, the bottleneck that had hindered them for years suddenly cleared, allowing them to finally break through.

That reason should sound good enough, right? She prayed silently.

"I see!" Su Zhixiao nodded in understanding, her face showing admiration. "Master's unwavering Dao heart is a model for all! Zhixiao will definitely take Master as my role model."

"Exemplary example! I will diligently cultivate and strive to condense my Golden Core as soon as possible!"

"Hmm... It's good that you have this ambition." Shen Qingshang secretly breathed a sigh of relief and smoothly changed the subject, "Speaking of which, the reason for hastily recalling you all this time..."

It was my oversight. But now that I'm back, I should settle down and cultivate within the sect for a while.

"With the Gathering of Prodigies approaching, Zhixiao, since you are interested in participating, you need to work even harder."

"Although Su Mu will not participate in the Heavenly Pride Gathering, you will inevitably have to deal with the elders of various sects. It would be good if your cultivation were more profound."

"Understood!" the two replied in unison.

"If there's nothing else, you can go back now." Shen Qingshang had intended to end this exhausting conversation, but a long-standing...

I couldn't help but ask the question after all.

"Su Mu, there's one more thing. How exactly were your damaged meridians repaired?"

Upon hearing this, Su Zhixiao, standing in front of the screen, visibly stiffened. She and her brother had been practicing dual cultivation, and she had completely surrendered her primordial yin body.

The Sleeping Flower Sect has always only accepted female disciples. Making an exception by accepting my brother was already a violation of the sect's rules. Now, I, the sect leader's personal disciple, have become his wife.

Will Master Zhishi be furious? Will he expel my brother from the sect?

Before she could explain, Su Mu calmly stepped forward and replied frankly, "Reporting to the Sect Leader, some time ago Xiaoxiao accidentally obtained a scroll on dual cultivation..."

The cultivation method. I studied and practiced it with her, and that's how we managed to repair our meridians.

His gaze was calm, his tone firm: Everything Xiaoxiao did was for me. Whatever decision the sect leader makes, I will bear all the punishment.

Responsible.

Having said that, he lowered his head slightly, awaiting his decision.

The figure behind the screen stiffened almost imperceptibly for a moment.

Is that so? I see. These two children, though they call each other brother and sister, are not related by blood. They have relied on each other since childhood and have a very deep and extraordinary bond.

general.

Now that they've grown up, it's only natural that they've developed feelings for each other and gotten together.

But why does a faint, undeniable ache rise in my heart? A tiny, poignant feeling of grievance quietly wells up within me, as if it were a precious secret.

Half of the treasure was taken away.

But who can she blame? It was all her own doing. It was her weakness and retreat that pushed away the happiness that she could have held firmly in her hands.

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If it were Zhixiao, perhaps she could barely accept it.

After all, in her heart, she had long regarded the well-behaved and sensible Zhixiao as her own daughter, and Zhixiao also regarded her and Su Mu as her parents.

Wait a minute! If that's the case, then wouldn't Zhixiao and Su Mu be...?!

Shen Qingshang gasped in shock at the chaotic thoughts that suddenly popped into his mind, and quickly forced himself to stop this dangerous association.

"Ahem," she cleared her throat, trying to restore the sect leader's authority to her voice, "Since you two had feelings for each other before, and now you're in love again..."

I hope that I will not interfere.

She paused, her tone turning serious, "However, my Sleeping Flower Sect is ultimately a female cultivation sect, with strict rules. Your actions within the sect still require..."