At this moment, the morning light gradually brightened. Accompanied by the fresh air of dawn, the aroma of things like cured meat, rice porridge, and sesame sugar cakes greatly stirred people’s stomachs.

Some sect disciples with shallow cultivation, upon hearing these words, actually responded with several stomach rumbles, creating quite an appropriate atmosphere.

The elder from Ebony Peak angrily stroked his beard and waved his hand at Xiaoxiao, who was standing on the table: “What is all this nonsense! Are you trying to evade the issue and delay time?”

Xiaoxiao couldn’t wait for them at all. Her filial grand-disciple Tang Youshu, upon hearing that his grand-master was hungry, hurriedly returned to the house to fetch a bamboo basket and handed his grand-master a peanut sesame cake.

Xiaoxiao unceremoniously took a big bite. The sugar filling in the cake overflowed, and it was truly delicious!

After she had eaten two bites to satisfy her hunger, she regained her composure and earnestly reasoned with the Ebony Peak elder: “You came here to capture the perpetrator who massacred the village. I have already proven that I am not that person, and Miss Ling from Miaoxian Mountain and her fellow disciples can also testify to our innocence. The reappearance of these evil formations in the martial world is a calamity for all under heaven. The real culprit is Wan Lian Shi from Lord Can’s mansion, who is also the demon that harmed the predecessors of your four great sects. He is severely injured, and his arm is here. If you are determined to eliminate this menace, you might as well eat your fill of breakfast here before going to investigate the prince’s mansion. While Wan Lian Shi’s strength is weakened, you could avenge your sect and clear the shame of your masters.”

Ling Zhishan had been standing silently to the side. Now, hearing Xiaoxiao mention her in her speech, she finally spoke: “When the village was under siege, Cui Xiaoxiao and her disciple Wei Jie were indeed with us. It certainly wasn’t her doing.”

Although the sect leader of Miaoxian Mountain was no longer present, his daughter’s words carried great persuasive power.

However, the current sect leader of Miaoxian Mountain sneered with contempt, and several of his trusted followers immediately understood his meaning, mocking Ling Zhishan for not staying properly in her sect but running down the mountain to associate with this Cui Xiaoxiao. Had she been bewitched by this demoness to speak for her?

Ling Zhishan glanced sideways at her sect leader uncle, her voice slightly cold: “When my father was in trouble, it was Young Master Wei Jie from the Wei family who came to help. Although my father was too deeply poisoned to be saved and died, I am someone who repays kindness. I remember Wei Jie’s kindness in my heart, and could never use false accusations to frame my benefactor! Otherwise, my father’s spirit in heaven would not rest in peace, and would lament that Miaoxian Mountain would only produce ungrateful scoundrels in the future!”

Hearing her indirect criticism, several disciples from Miaoxian Mountain became too angry to bear it. However, the current sect leader calmly restrained them.

Now that Ling Zhishan couldn’t stay on the mountain, it suited his purposes perfectly. Why would he need to bully this orphaned girl in front of so many people and give others grounds to criticize him?

It was even better that Ling Zhishan defended Cui Xiaoxiao. Even if these murders weren’t committed by Cui Xiaoxiao, her demonic possession was an undeniable fact.

He wanted to see what fate would befall Ling Zhishan for currying favor with these demonic path people!

However, hearing Ling Zhishan speak this way, many people present felt somewhat embarrassed and turned their heads away.

Because many of them had initially received Wei Jie’s assistance. Now they were surrounding and attacking the master and disciple, which indeed appeared rather ungrateful.

Taking advantage of the internal conflict between the Miaoxian Mountain uncle and niece, Cui Xiaoxiao launched into another round of colorful flattery: “Everyone is concerned that I might harm others after becoming possessed, traveling thousands of miles to come here. You are truly models of righteousness! However, please rest assured that although I was temporarily possessed by a demon pearl and cannot currently break free from it, I won’t go mad and harm people. If you cannot tolerate even a trace of evil, you might as well wait until I truly go insane and massacre people before coming to execute me. At that time, not only will my Talismonger Sect disciples not obstruct you, but we’ll even contribute silver to erect demon-subduing monuments for you, placing them all over the mountains and fields to demonstrate your immeasurable virtue…”

After finishing her soft words, the smile disappeared from Xiaoxiao’s face, her eyes suddenly reddened, and while chewing her sugar cake, she choked up: “Even if something has grown on my arm, Young Sect Leader Qin shouldn’t have so rudely pulled at my sleeves in front of everyone! Is Lingyun Pavilion so informal with women? I may have injured the pavilion leader of Lingyun Pavilion, but I saw with my own eyes him meeting privately with that demon Wan Lian Shi, calling each other ‘big senior brother’ and ‘little junior brother’… Oh, I understand now… Even if I misheard, can’t that be acceptable? You, father and son of Lingyun Pavilion, please be merciful and don’t always think about killing me to silence me. Even if you want to silence me, please do it personally rather than troubling elders and disciples from other sects to make such journeys each time. Are they all so idle that they don’t need to refine pills, meditate, and improve their cultivation?”

At this point, Wei Jie silently turned around. In such a confrontational situation, it would diminish their momentum if the chief disciple under Sect Leader Cui burst into laughter.

But he was so amused by Xiaoxiao’s tearful, pitiful appearance that he could only silently laugh, facing the corner of the room.

When it came to such nonsensical skills, if Sect Leader Cui claimed second place, who would dare claim first?

However, his turning away appeared to outsiders as if he was saddened by his master’s humiliation. Men don’t cry easily, but Wei Jie, such a coldly handsome and mysteriously charming man, was so distressed that his shoulders trembled.

Combined with Tang, the scholar who was heartbroken for his grandmaster with a mournful face, and the fox-woman Yu Ling’er, who was genuinely moved to tears by Xiaoxiao’s words and was sobbing,

The entire Talismonger Sect was filled with misery and suffering, while those surrounding the sect unconsciously began to feel like they had become accomplices to bullies.

Having said about enough, Xiaoxiao sniffled and wrapped up: “…So, why don’t you all consider your priorities – whether to continue staying here to help Qin Lingxiao bully a young girl like me, or to go to Lord Can’s mansion to capture that blood-soaked demonic sect fiend and avenge your tragically dead fellow disciples and ancestors?”

When she said this, she truly looked like an innocent and pitiful girl next door.

Moreover, the young lady’s words were as clear as mountain spring water – where was the logic in treating someone as a murderer before they had killed anyone?

The elders from other sects had long since caught on: there was deep private enmity between the Lingshan Talismonger Sect and the Lingyun Pavilion. And Lingyun Pavilion seemed to be using the other sects as pawns, utilizing them to deal with the Talismonger Sect’s disciples.

Although the four great sects had always had a tradition of mutual support, in recent years, Lingyun Pavilion had been setting too high a tone, frequently rallying the four great sects to launch expeditions everywhere.

But after several instances, it was always the other three sects charging ahead while Lingyun Pavilion hid behind to reap the benefits. After this happened multiple times, the elders had long felt uncomfortable about it.

The young lady was right – were all three great sects so idle that they didn’t need to refine pills, meditate, and improve their cultivation?

However, what truly made them consider retreating wasn’t merely Cui Xiaoxiao’s words, but the profound Inner Core strength that Wei Jie had displayed during his confrontation with Qin Lingxiao.

This previously unknown Lingshan Talismonger Sect was truly a place where tigers and dragons hid.

If the disciples had already formed Inner Cores, then how terrifying would Cui Xiaoxiao be when her demonic nature fully erupted, given that she already showed signs of possession?

After all, among the four great sects, Qin He’s cultivation was already quite advanced, yet he was still severely injured in his spiritual bones by her. Moreover, despite being surrounded by so many people, Cui Xiaoxiao had the leisure to eat sugar cakes – wasn’t this being at ease and confident?

So while everyone had been boldly scolding and arguing based on their numbers, no one had been willing to step forward and be the first to stick their neck out.

There were even old foxes like Elder Ebony Peak who had been secretly cursing Lingyun Pavilion for being dishonorable, actually stirring up such a hard bone for them to gnaw.

When Cui Xiaoxiao had wanted to confront and examine Qin He’s palm earlier, that old fox from Lingyun Pavilion had suddenly felt unwell and hurriedly fled.

Who knew if he had connections with that Wan Lian Shi!

The elders from other sects weren’t stupid either – their mental calculations were clicking away!

Now, Cui Xiaoxiao’s gentle and soft-spoken words truly provided these people who were caught between a rock and a hard place with a long stairway to climb down.

Compared to crusading against a demoness who hadn’t yet caused innocent killings, going to crusade against the remnant of the Ghost Sect hiding in a treacherous prince’s mansion with one arm missing seemed more capable of demonstrating justice!

So the three great sects, along with righteous warriors from other sects, sternly warned the female demon to be careful with her words and actions and to quickly turn back from the precipice, absolutely not to continue single-mindedly cultivating demonic arts. After this, they withdrew from the village with dignity and marched grandly toward Luoyi City.

Qin Lingxiao hadn’t expected that Cui Xiaoxiao could use such clever tactics, eating sugar cakes while using verbal artillery to persuade the assembled crusaders to retreat.

And the other three great sects had abandoned Lingyun Pavilion’s people like this, leaving without even a greeting, each with a sour expression.

Qin Lingxiao could sense that the people from the other three great sects seemed to have many grievances against Lingyun Pavilion and were no longer following Lingyun Pavilion’s lead as they had before…

Seeing that everyone else had left but Qin Lingxiao still hadn’t, Cui Xiaoxiao brushed off the sesame crumbs stuck to her hands and asked him with a cold smile: “Why hasn’t Young Sect Leader Qin left yet? Do you want to pull at my sleeves again?”

Qin Lingxiao pressed his lips together, knowing that Xiaoxiao must be angry with him. If he stayed, it would only be asking for trouble.

Looking at Xiaoxiao’s cold expression, his heart was filled with mixed feelings. If there had been another way earlier, he wouldn’t have wanted to be enemies with Xiaoxiao. Last time they had been able to talk peacefully…

He could only say in a low voice: “What I told you about the demon pearl is true… With a demon pearl in your body, you should be able to sense the other one better than I can. If it possesses someone with ulterior motives, the consequences would be unthinkable… You’ve invested too much care in the people here, I’m afraid you’ll be trapped by your web. Don’t you… want to go back?”

After saying this, Qin Lingxiao led his people away swiftly.

Qin Lingxiao’s heart was filled with too many questions to ask his father, so he also wanted to catch up with his father and ask him what dealings he had with Lord Can.

But Wei Jie had heard the last few words Qin Lingxiao whispered to Xiaoxiao.

He couldn’t help but narrow his eyes slightly: Go back? Where did that surname Qin want Xiaoxiao to return to?

After the group dispersed noisily, the villagers didn’t dare provoke these demon heads who were on the government’s wanted list and continued to keep their distance.

The Talismonger Sect could finally light a fire to cook porridge and let their grandmaster eat a bowl of hot rice porridge.

Xiaoxiao felt she should also fulfill her duties as a master and took the opportunity to educate the Talismonger Sect.

“Did you see that? This is what’s called subduing the enemy without fighting. If you can avoid using force, try not to, especially you! Wei Jie, yes, I’m talking about you! Stop raising your eyebrows and glaring! Remember, the thing under your nose is called a mouth! When people wrongly accuse you, don’t just curl your lip and sneer coldly – you need to open your mouth and explain! Remember, we Talismonger Sect disciples will eat anything except losses!”

This speech made Tang Youshu nod repeatedly. He didn’t even bother eating and hurriedly pulled out his notebook, his pen dancing like dragons and phoenixes to record his grand-master’s golden words.

Wei Jie continued to curl his lip in a cold sneer, then lowered his eyes to think about his matters, looking somewhat stubbornly unreachable.

Yu Ling’er was immersed in the disillusionment and loss regarding her benefactor Qin Lingxiao, tears streaming down her face as she choked on her sugar cake, still unable to believe that Qin Lingxiao could be so ungentlemanly as to pull at a girl’s sleeves and betray Xiaoxiao.

It was Tang Youshu who couldn’t bear to watch and consoled Yu Ling’er, saying that Young Sect Leader Qin had his difficulties, and that people in different circumstances would think differently – one couldn’t demand consistency. Besides, Young Sect Leader Qin’s actions had nothing to do with her, Yu Ling’er. If Young Sect Leader Qin faced difficulties in the future and she found a way to help him, that would repay the debt. One really couldn’t expect a life-saving benefactor to also be morally perfect.

Hearing Tang Youshu’s gentle and careful words, Yu Ling’er felt much more comfortable. But thinking about how she had originally admired Young Sect Leader Qin and planned to offer herself to him,

Now she had a feeling of having entrusted herself to the wrong person. Their fox clan had always emphasized following one’s heart from beginning to end – would she have to become an oddity among the fox clan, unable to remain constant?

Wei Jie couldn’t stand listening anymore and snorted coldly, expressing that they should have let some toothless old man with a wheezing voice save Yu Ling’er back then. He wanted to see if Fox clan people would fall for anyone’s looks and offer themselves to just anyone.

Yu Ling’er couldn’t help but imagine herself confessing and promising lifelong commitment to a walnut-skinned old man. Immediately, like having her tail stepped on, she started yelling at Wei Jie again.

At the side table sat Ling Zhishan and her fellow disciples.

Because she had helped Cui Xiaoxiao, Xiaoxiao couldn’t very well let the young lady leave on an empty stomach, so she invited her and her fellow disciples to stay and have a bowl of porridge before leaving.

Ling Zhishan had been silently watching the chaos at the next table – this Talismonger Sect was truly different from other cultivation sects. The people in the sect seemed to have no rules or taboos, chattering away in front of their sect leader without any of the pure-hearted detachment from love, hate, and desires that cultivation practitioners should have.

And Cui Xiaoxiao seemed not to manage her disciples at all. Seeing such a lack of proper hierarchy at the dining table, she could smile and join in…

This table full of worldly atmosphere once again stunned Ling Zhishan, who came from an orthodox sect background, and somehow made her feel envious.

Miaoxian Mountain had always been extremely strength-oriented. To cultivate the Qi Shield, one had to constantly screen and eliminate others. Only those who could endure three years of waterfall training could be considered successful.

Precisely because of this atmosphere, fellow disciples all viewed each other as competitors.

Except for being gentle and somewhat yielding to her as the master’s daughter, the other fellow disciples competed fiercely in open and hidden struggles. Where would there be scenes of playful banter like in the Talismonger Sect?

She truly hoped to sit at the same table as that man with clear, bright eyes. When that time came, would he also treat her with the same gentle care as he showed when serving porridge and food to Cui Xiaoxiao…

When they had nearly finished breakfast, Cui Xiaoxiao politely and tactfully hinted that Ling Zhishan should leave.

But Ling Zhishan and her Miaoxian Mountain fellow disciples didn’t leave and continued to linger in the courtyard.

When she finally asked, Ling Zhishan seemed to have made up her mind. She bit her teeth and led her people to kneel before Cui Xiaoxiao with a thump: “We admire Sect Leader Cui’s superior techniques and wish to join Lingshan Talismonger Sect. Please have mercy, Sect Leader, and accept us!”

Ah? Xiaoxiao choked on a mouthful of sugar cake, truly stuck between swallowing and spitting it out.

Fortunately, Wei Jie promptly patted her back, preventing a generation of Demon Lords from choking to death on a cake.

Xiaoxiao had never expected that this Ling Zhishan, after going around in circles, would want to join her sect.

As someone from two hundred years in the future, Xiaoxiao knew that both Ling Zhishan and Qin Lingxiao were rebellious by nature, capable of betraying and destroying their masters.

She was already unlucky enough to have taken on Wei Jie’s fate of demonic possession. If she recruited another such “beloved disciple,” she would be close to death!

So after coughing for a while, Xiaoxiao said gently: “Well… Miss Ling, you are the daughter of Miaoxian Mountain’s late sect leader, with unlimited cultivation prospects. Our Talismonger Sect is unknown and now wanted by the government, with a terrible reputation. If I accepted you, I would be harming you. You should seek another famous master.”

But Ling Zhishan thought Xiaoxiao was truly being modest. She hurriedly said, “I was blind before and underestimated the Talismonger Sect. Now, seeing you all treat the common people and your noble character, you surpass those hypocrites. Moreover, your and your disciples’ skills are extraordinary and make people admire you at first sight. I have made up my mind and must take you as my master. If you won’t accept me, I will kneel here forever.”

After speaking, she remained motionless in prostration, looking as if she truly wouldn’t get up unless she could join the Talismonger Sect.

Having a delicate beauty kneeling there made people’s hearts ache with pity.

Xiaoxiao sighed and decided… not to look anymore.

She waved her arm and ordered the Talismonger Sect to pack their luggage and leave, abandoning this Miaoxian Mountain leech to kneel in the courtyard.

After all, Ling Zhishan kneeling forever was better than Cui Xiaoxiao, sleeping forever and croaking.

Xiaoxiao felt she had already slid quite far down the path of courting death. The Talismonger Sect’s membership was already too mixed – there was no need to add more people.

Ling Zhishan felt that Cui Xiaoxiao was easier to talk to than Wei Jie and more easygoing, so she was certain that someone of her prestigious background would be welcomed with delight and accepted without hesitation if she offered to become a disciple.

She never expected that after swallowing her pride to worship a young lady of similar age to her master, she would be cruelly rejected.

She had said so much, yet Cui Xiaoxiao had led the entire Talismonger Sect away silently and cleanly.

Now, Ling Zhishan had lost both face and dignity, kneeling in the farm courtyard. For a moment, tears of shame and anger burst forth, and she could only glare hatefully at the retreating figures of the Talismonger Sect.

A Miaoxian Mountain disciple nearby came to help up his junior sister, then said to her: “Actually, that Cui Xiaoxiao was right. The Talismonger Sect isn’t a famous great sect, and they were just surrounded by orthodox sects. Why should we join such a wild chicken sect?”

Ling Zhishan slowly stood up, took a deep breath, and barely stopped her tears before slowly saying: “Didn’t you see? That Wei Jie could skillfully use our Miaoxian Mountain’s Qi Shield, and his technique was even more profound than our own sect’s! Cui Xiaoxiao stole Miaoxian Mountain’s mental cultivation methods and improved them. I swore at my father’s grave that I would reclaim Miaoxian Mountain and must improve my cultivation. Since Cui Xiaoxiao can teach someone like Wei Jie, she’s naturally the best choice for me to worship as a master!”

Most importantly, if she worshipped Cui Xiaoxiao as master, she could become fellow disciples with that mysteriously charming man and spend day and night together, practicing morning and evening…

Hearing her explanation, the others all understood. They were all followers of the deceased old sect leader who weren’t tolerated by the new sect leader, which was why they had followed junior sister Ling Zhishan down the mountain.

When Wei Jie had fought Qin Lingxiao earlier, he had indeed used Miaoxian Mountain’s Qi Shield, but when applying the Qi Shield, he had compensated for Miaoxian Mountain’s weakness of being clumsy and insufficiently flexible.

If Ling Zhishan could reach Wei Jie’s level, returning to overthrow the current sect leader would be as easy as turning her hand. That’s why junior sister had the idea of taking a master’s.

But that Cui Xiaoxiao refused to accept them – there was nothing they could do about it!

However, Ling Zhishan took a deep breath, stopped her tears, and said with firm determination: “Earlier, the four great sects were hostile toward the Talismonger Sect. It’s understandable that Cui Xiaoxiao is wary of the four great sects and wouldn’t accept us. This was only my first attempt at worship, not enough to show my sincerity in taking a master’s. When I try a third or fourth time and she sees our sincerity, she should no longer refuse.”

Having made up her mind, Ling Zhishan led her fellow disciples to follow far behind Lingshan Talismonger Sect, determined to pester them persistently until she could join Cui Xiaoxiao’s tutelage.

After the Talismonger Sect group left the village, they soon discovered that Ling Zhishan’s group was following them like ghosts from a distance.

Yu Ling’er, having heard about Ling Zhishan’s circumstances, felt she was similar to the homeless fox clan people and said to Xiaoxiao: “A few more people wouldn’t matter anyway. Why don’t you just accept them?”

Xiaoxiao was sitting in the carriage meditating. Hearing Yu Ling’er’s words, she snorted coldly: “Our Talismonger Sect is already supporting enough idle people. Why don’t you leave and give your place to her? It makes no difference to me who I support.”

Hearing this, Yu Ling’er didn’t dare speak anymore and could only silently make faces at Cui Xiaoxiao, no longer mentioning letting Cui Xiaoxiao accept more people.

Just then, Wei Jie, who had gone somewhere unknown, returned. He had seen that Xiaoxiao’s clothes were torn by Qin Lingxiao, so he had gone to a nearby town to buy her several new outfits.

Wei Jie had good taste. The clothes he bought were light and elegant in color, made of fine fabric that was ethereal and otherworldly. When Xiaoxiao put them on and they swayed in the wind, she emanated an immortal aura, making Yu Ling’er envious as she praised Xiaoxiao for being extremely beautiful.

Xiaoxiao had always worn coarse clothes before. The most exquisite outfit she had ever worn was when she disguised herself as a dancer to sneak into the city.

She hadn’t expected Wei Jie to buy her the kind of expensive dresses that young ladies from wealthy families wore. She was so delighted that she kept stroking the fabric, her eyes sparkling as she asked Wei Jie: “Wearing this… isn’t it too formal?”

Wei Jie leaned against the side of the carriage, watching his little master like a happy little white butterfly, constantly spinning and dancing with her long skirt flowing. He couldn’t help but curve his lips into a smile, showing his cute canine teeth.

After smiling for a while, he beckoned for her to come over.

Xiaoxiao was in a joyful mood and obediently came to Wei Jie’s side, holding up her skirt. Wei Jie reached into his robe and pulled out a white jade hairpin, inserting it into Xiaoxiao’s half-upswept hair.

The expensive hairpin indeed matched well with the flowing dress, making Xiaoxiao’s delicate, pale face appear even more ethereal.

Looking at Wei Jie’s face so close to hers, the smile on Xiaoxiao’s face gradually faded as she sensed something was amiss.

Although it was proper for a disciple to show filial respect to his master, for a disciple to both buy his master beautiful dresses and give her expensive hairpins… this didn’t look like a disciple at all, but rather like a lover.