After experiencing the events at Jinlin Mountain, Su Xiaomo’s status in the Taixuan Sacred Sect improved considerably. With a private courtyard provided, as long as she performed slightly well, being promoted to inner sect would have absolutely no problems.

However, becoming neighbors with Xia Shuiyun made her quite panicked. She carefully recalled Elder Wei’s emotional guidance, pondering how to interact with her.

“Junior brother!”

On the way to the cafeteria, Sun Yingquan draped his arm over her shoulder, laughing: “Your status in the outer sect is getting higher and higher now. This brother will have to follow your lead from now on.”

Su Xiaomo said, “Senior brother is joking again.”

“Not joking!”

Sun Yingquan said seriously, “When you truly become inner sect, I really will have to follow your lead, because that status is higher than outer sect disciples. I’ll also have to call you senior brother from then on.”

In the Taixuan Sacred Sect’s system, regardless of when disciples entered, outer sect members had to address inner sect as senior brother.

Of course, what made inner sect special wasn’t just reflected in the title, but also separate cafeterias, separate courtyards, separate elder guidance, and separate cultivation facilities.

Though outer sect and inner sect differed by only one character, the treatment was absolutely worlds apart.

How many outer sect disciples racked their brains trying to become inner sect disciples? Because assuming aptitude limitations only allowed breakthrough to Wuzong level, entering inner sect would definitely raise the upper limit to Wuwang or even higher.

“Sun senior brother will always be senior brother. Whether I become inner sect or core disciple, that will never change,” Su Xiaomo said.

Given her current status in the outer sect, she didn’t really need to deliberately curry favor with Sun Yingquan, but after all, he had a father who was an elder—naturally it was better to butter him up when possible.

“Ha ha ha.”

Sun Yingquan patted her shoulder. “Having you say that makes this senior brother very happy!”

“Quick look! It’s Senior Sister Fang!”

Suddenly, someone shouted, immediately attracting the outer disciples heading to the cafeteria. They all turned to look.

Senior Sister Fang?

Could it be Fang Lingyu?

Su Xiaomo looked in the direction of the voice and saw a woman wearing red school uniform with a graceful figure walking side by side with Xia Shuiyun on the winding path.

This woman appeared about twenty years old. Her eyes emanated a faint arrogance, like a wealthy family’s daughter—a young miss. Her appearance was also quite good, reaching calamity-level beauty.

“Senior brother.”

Su Xiaomo whispered, “Who’s the one walking with Xia Shuiyun?”

Sun Yingquan said, “A core disciple, Fang Lingyu.”

As expected.

It was that woman!

Having been undercover at the Taixuan Sacred Sect for over a year, this was Su Xiaomo’s first time seeing the real person.

Because of her grievance with Senior Sister, she inevitably compared them, finally concluding that though this woman’s appearance was quite good, compared to Senior Sister she fell far short.

Especially—clearly emanating an arrogance and coldness that seemed artificially added, yet wearing red school uniform. Didn’t she find that quite contradictory?

“Wait!”

Su Xiaomo thought: “Senior Sister once said she hated red. Could it be related to what this woman wears?”

“Junior brother.”

Sun Yingquan hastily pulled his sleeve, whispering: “This woman is highly valued by the Council of Elders in the sect, her status is very high, and her temperament is very arrogant. Don’t stare too long to avoid causing trouble.”

Too late.

Fang Lingyu, who was conversing with Xia Shuiyun, had already noticed Su Xiaomo continuously watching her. Her pretty face immediately turned cold.

“Trouble!”

Sun Yingquan hastily pulled him to leave.

“Stop.”

Fang Lingyu spoke.

Though it sounded somewhat crisp, it appeared quite haughty.

As the Taixuan Sacred Sect’s most valued core disciple, every word and action emanated nobility and arrogance—this was perfectly normal.

“Uh…”

Sun Yingquan smiled. “Senior Sister Fang, is something the matter?”

Fang Lingyu walked over, stopping before the two, and said coolly: “This doesn’t concern you. Get lost.”

Damn!

I have a father who’s an elder, yet you tell me to get lost in broad daylight in front of everyone—that’s way too disrespectful!

Any man couldn’t tolerate this, so Sun Yingquan angrily said: “Fine, I’ll get lost!”

Swish!

He instantly vanished from Fang Lingyu’s presence.

“…”

Regarding this kind of cowardice performed with such backbone, Su Xiaomo could only express admiration through inner collapse.

“You.”

Fang Lingyu said coolly, “Are you Su Jintang?”

“Correct.”

Su Xiaomo’s expression didn’t change.

Sun Yingquan could be a coward—she couldn’t, since the other party wasn’t a sect leadership elder.

“Shuiyun.”

Fang Lingyu said, “In the future, you’re destined to become a core disciple. It’s better to have less contact with ordinary disciples like this to avoid others gossiping behind your back.”

“Senior sister.”

“He and I have no relationship.”

While speaking, Xia Shuiyun discreetly signaled Su Xiaomo from behind, seeming to hint she should quickly leave.

The two had cooperated multiple times during this period, naturally establishing a tiny bit of rapport. However, Su Xiaomo acted as if she hadn’t seen, saying: “Senior Sister Fang’s words—are you saying I, Su Jintang, am not worthy of Senior Sister Xia?”

Xia Shuiyun was stunned.

Sun Yingquan, who’d gotten lost far away, was also dumbfounded.

Holy crap!

This guy’s gotten cocky, actually daring to openly argue with Senior Sister Fang!

Fang Lingyu was also surprised an outer sect disciple would say such words before her, so she said disdainfully: “Remove the words ‘are you saying.'”

“Of course.”

She added, “Though your master has some ability, in terms of aptitude, strength, or even appearance, you don’t match up to Junior Sister Xia in any way.”

“Senior Sister Fang…” Xia Shuiyun was about to speak when Fang Lingyu stopped her. “Don’t come pestering her anymore in the future. I also don’t want to hear any gossip from the sect.”

The first half was merely somewhat arrogant, but the second half clearly carried a warning tone.

“Damn!”

Sun Yingquan, hiding in the distance, cursed inwardly: “If Lu Qianqian hadn’t been expelled, how would you have smoothly risen to power, how would you have become a heavily cultivated core disciple, how would you be here showing off!”

“Yes.”

Su Xiaomo lowered her head. “Senior Sister Xia is heaven’s proud daughter. How could I, Su Jintang, be worthy of her?”

“Having self-awareness is best.”

Fang Lingyu said coolly, “Junior Sister Xia, let’s go.”

Xia Shuiyun looked at Su Xiaomo with apologetic eyes, then followed her senior sister away.

“As expected, Junior Sister Xia has a connection with Senior Sister Fang!”

“The two cultivated together when young, and both possess ice-element physiques.”

“Su Gousheng has been getting very close with Junior Sister Xia lately. Senior Sister Fang couldn’t stand watching, so she specially came from the inner sect to teach him a lesson.”

Everyone whispered amongst themselves.

Looking at Su Xiaomo who kept her head lowered, their gazes showed some sympathy.

However, being lectured by the sect’s most valued core disciple didn’t seem particularly shameful.

“Gousheng.”

Sun Yingquan rolled back over, smiling: “Come on, let’s go eat.”

“Swish!”

Suddenly, Su Xiaomo brushed aside the hand on her shoulder, then raised her head with clenched fists and shouted: “Xia Shuiyun! I, Su Jintang, may not be worthy of you now, but that doesn’t mean I won’t be worthy in the future!”

The outer disciples preparing to eat, hearing this sudden loud shout, all stopped in their tracks, turning their heads with expressions of disbelief.

Sun Yingquan, who was closest, also stared wide-eyed.

Xia Shuiyun, who hadn’t gone far, stopped, surprise showing in her eyes.

“Listen well!”

Su Xiaomo shouted loudly, “One day, I’ll make everyone in the sect believe that I, Su Jintang, can be worthy of you, Xia Shuiyun!”

Having just been warned by Fang Lingyu, yet daring to say such words—this was truly awesome!

“Right!”

Stimulated by Gousheng, Sun Yingquan finally manned up. His face red and neck thick, he shouted loudly: “Su Jintang will definitely be worthy of Xia Shuiyun! I, Sun Yingquan, swear on my life today!”

Brother, don’t be afraid!

With me here, I’ll always support you!

“Junior sister!”

Fang Lingyu’s bright eyes gradually turned cold. “This guy is quite annoying.”

“Senior sister.” Xia Shuiyun frowned. “This is between him and me. Can you not get involved?”