Blood trickled from the corner of Yue Liang Ze’s mouth as he struggled to wipe it away. The sword hummed continuously, and he could hear the excitement and killing intent within it.

The young woman stood before him against the light, her long sword’s edge sharp and gleaming, reflecting the drifting white clouds above.

Ling Luo truly couldn’t bear to watch anymore.

If these worthless people could beat Yue Liang Ze to this state, why couldn’t she?

If anyone was going to beat him, it should be her!

In her previous life, she had always wanted to see him kneeling under her sword, begging for mercy!

“Ling Luo… let’s talk this through calmly, please don’t be impulsive!” Qin Yuan watched trembling at the side. She had thought Ling Luo was going to rescue him, but who would have expected that the sword tip would suddenly be pointed at Senior Brother Yue!

Ling Luo said through somewhat gritted teeth: “Stand up, draw your sword.”

Yue Liang Ze wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth and slowly stood up.

He was half a head taller than Ling Luo. Now he lifted his eyelids slightly to look at the person before him.

The sword tip pressed against his throat. If Ling Luo thrust forward just a bit more, it would slice open his skin and pierce straight through.

“Private dueling is forbidden here.” A gentle voice came from above as Yu Xiu could no longer stand by and watch.

“Hall Master…” Senior Brother Xiu Man, who had just gotten up from the ground, saw the two figures at the top of the steps and turned pale with fright.

Hong Mao and the other two were also terrified. They immediately knelt and said, “Disciples acknowledge our mistake!”

Hall Master Fan was so obese that even walking on the ground was difficult, so he always sat cross-legged on a velvet mat, moving in the manner of sword flight. He arrived at the bottom of the steps, his face kind, his gaze sweeping around. He chuckled and said, “Since you know you were wrong, go to the Discipline Hall now to receive your punishment.”

“Yes!” Hong Mao and the others immediately stood up and retreated.

One of the most fearsome Hall Masters among the three sects was this man before them.

Because he was fair in rewards and punishments, strictly enforcing the sect rules and regulations, showing absolutely no mercy or leniency.

Hall Master Fan looked at the two who hadn’t moved and smiled, “Are you two unwilling?”

Yue Liang Ze lowered his eyes, offering no defense. He sidestepped Ling Luo’s sword and walked away.

Ling Luo, well aware of Hall Master Fan’s temperament, didn’t waste words either, following behind Yue Liang Ze.

Qin Yuan wanted to follow but didn’t dare. She could only watch with helpless concern as Hall Master Fan made a spirit seal and flew towards the notice board.

“Let’s go,” Yu Xiu said to her gently. “Today’s martial test is about to begin.”

Qin Yuan turned away dejectedly. Since Ling Luo had been punished for going to the Discipline Hall, she couldn’t participate in today’s martial test.

If Ling Luo had only used her sword to send Hong Mao and the others flying without pointing at Senior Brother Yue and saying “Draw your sword,” Hall Master Fan wouldn’t have punished her for private dueling.

But why was Senior Brother Yue, who had only been beaten, also being punished?

Discipline Hall.

Fighting between fellow disciples, private dueling.

According to sect rules, the punishment was kneeling in contemplation for three hours, fasting for one day, and being assigned to work in various compounds for seven days.

So generally, even during conflicts, people wouldn’t resort to fighting.

And if they did fight, they would avoid being seen by Hall Master Fan.

Ling Luo knelt in a small, dark chamber. Hanging on the wall was a portrait of East Island Tianji’s founding Sect Master.

The portrait style was extremely simple, like a line drawing. With just a few strokes, it depicted the silhouette of an exquisite figure. Although the surrounding immortal mountains, white clouds, flowers, and all things were more detailed than he was, when appearing in the same painting, they were merely accompaniments to this person.

The founding ancestor had led a legendary life, leaving East Island Tianji with a legacy spanning thousands of years.

The title of a great immortal sect was not just for show.

The twelve great immortal sects, each had existed for several hundred or even a thousand years.

Among them, East Island Tianji, South Mountain Snow River, North Court Moon Palace, and West Sea Primordial—these four had the highest seniority, all being immortal sects with over a thousand years of history.

This was not Ling Luo’s first time at the Discipline Hall. She had been punished before and had the honor of experiencing two of the Discipline Hall’s four major tortures.

In this life, she would undoubtedly experience it again, in the not-too-distant future.

The chamber was so small it could only accommodate one person. Under the portrait of the founding ancestor was an oil lamp. One had to kneel until the oil lamp extinguished to complete the punishment.

Ling Luo looked up at the portrait for a while, then lowered her head in boredom. She formed a seal with three fingers, conjuring a small flame flower.

In the past, she had spiritual power but didn’t know how to use it properly, relying entirely on her master’s guidance. Now, having avoided those detours, she knew various sword techniques and talisman seals by heart and had even created some of her own.

However, her current spiritual power was not what it used to be. Even knowing how to use it, she lacked the strength to sustain it.

Moreover, her magical instruments were not at hand.

Without experiencing the hardships of the past, she wouldn’t be able to obtain the power of demonic cultivation.

Ling Luo gazed absently at the flickering flame flower on her fingertip.

If she had been reborn two years earlier, perhaps she would have made different choices.

But at this point, everything was too late.

Ling Luo extinguished the flame flower on her fingertip and formed hand seals, practicing her previous sword techniques and talisman seals.

The three hours passed quickly without her noticing.

Outside, it was already noon, the sun at its zenith.

After the oil lamp burned out, Ling Luo stood up and rubbed her knees. Her legs were somewhat stiff, so she leaned against the chamber door for a while before going out.

With a creaking sound, the door had just opened when she encountered Yue Liang Ze coming out from across the way.

His figure was thin, like a green bamboo—seemingly resilient yet easily broken. His clothes were stained with blood, and the broken skin at the corner of his mouth added a touch of sensuality to his bloodied appearance.

A person who should have looked miserable had clear eyes and a calm expression, seeming completely unconcerned.

Their gazes met. Yue Liang Ze hesitated slightly, while Ling Luo snorted heavily, passing him with an expression of disgust.

Fool!

Big fool!

Serves you right for getting beaten!

Ling Luo grumbled inwardly.

Yue Liang Ze walked silently behind her.

The two arrived at the front hall.

“Hey, here’s yours,” the Discipline Hall steward tossed an assignment tablet to Ling Luo through the window. “There’s another one for your senior brother. Take it to him.”

Ling Luo: “…”

The term “senior brother” triggered her nerves, making her temple throb violently.

Yue Liang Ze walked to her side, and Ling Luo handed him the tablet.

She heard him say softly, “Thank you.”

Ling Luo said in a strange tone, “So you’re not mute after all.”

Yue Liang Ze remained silent at her mockery, lowering his head and averting his gaze, about to walk outside.

“Stop right there!” Xiu Man, coming out from behind, still looked furious. “Yue Liang Ze, you stop right there for me!”

Yue Liang Ze turned back to look, but before Xiu Man could come over to hit him or berate him, the young woman beside him impatiently spoke, “Why should he listen to you? If you dare take another step forward, do you believe I’ll give you another slash with my sword?”

These words successfully frightened Xiu Man. He immediately halted his steps and glared at Ling Luo, saying, “This is between him and me. Stay out of it!”

“Oh, what’s this? You all just came out and want to go back in again, is that it?” The senior brother on duty at the Discipline Hall leaned against the window, yawning. “Isn’t this annoying!”

“Xiu Man, this is the Discipline Hall. Show some respect for the rules.”

Hong Mao and the others had also come out. Now they put on a facade of loving senior brothers, coming to Yue Liang Ze’s side, smiling as Hong Mao put his arm around his shoulder, saying, “What we did today was indeed somewhat rash. Hall Master Fan’s punishment is not unjust.”

“I see that both junior brother and sister have passed the entrance examination line. In a few days, you’ll enter the inner sect and become my junior disciples in the inner sect. Your senior brothers will certainly take good care of you.”

These peculiar words were full of threats.

Yue Liang Ze remained silent, neither servile nor overbearing.

Ling Luo, however, mocked without courtesy, “Senior brothers should know that assisting others in cheating during the entrance examination is punishable by expulsion from the sect according to the rules.”

Hearing this, Xiu Man’s face changed slightly.

“Little junior sister, what nonsense are you talking about?” Yin Wen said with a false smile.

Hong Mao frowned and said sternly, “Junior sister, you can’t make up accusations against us just because you harbor resentment over today’s incident.”

“Senior Brother Hong, you know clearly what you said in your anger earlier. If you don’t remember, don’t worry—I can ask Hall Master Fan to conduct a thorough investigation. We’ll see then whether your methods are sophisticated or if Hall Master Fan is more skillful.” Ling Luo glanced at Yue Liang Ze and scoffed, “Your junior brother and sister cannot accept Senior Brother’s care. But if you truly wish to do so, then I’d also like to ask Hall Master Fan to take good care of several senior brothers.”

Given Hall Master Fan’s character, if she went to him raising a fuss, he would investigate thoroughly.

Hong Mao’s face turned black in an instant.

The Discipline Hall disciple on duty by the window, watching the drama, said, “Hey, why trouble the Hall Master? Our Discipline Hall can investigate right now. How about it? Shall I—”

“Senior Brother! There’s no such thing!” Yin Wen hurriedly stepped forward.

“Is that so?” The disciple on duty spread his hands. “But what this little junior sister says seems quite plausible.”

“The junior sister has been punished today, so she’s certainly harboring resentment and speaking confusedly,” Hong Mao said in a deep voice. “As senior brothers, we naturally won’t take it too seriously.”

Ling Luo smiled, revealing her adorable canine teeth. She raised her hand, pointing at Yue Liang Ze, saying, “Yes, everyone punished today harbors resentment. So if senior brothers ‘take special care’ of Senior Brother Yue in the future, this junior sister will be jealous.”

Yue Liang Ze couldn’t help but glance at her.

Hong Mao withdrew his hand from Yue Liang Ze’s shoulder, suppressing his anger, saying, “What are you talking about, junior sister? We treat everyone equally.”

“Since that’s the case, senior brothers are busy, so I’ll go receive my punishment first.” Ling Luo swept a contemptuous gaze over Hong Mao and the others, then turned to leave.

Behind her, Xiu Man and Yin Wen were grinding their teeth in anger. But after walking a few steps, they saw her turn back and say to the silent young man, “Senior Brother Yue, aren’t you coming?”

Yue Liang Ze’s fingers holding the wooden tablet curled slightly, and he followed without a word.

Hong Mao and the others also bid farewell to the senior brother on duty and left the Discipline Hall.

All of their faces looked grim.

“Where did this little girl pop up from?” Yin Wen said viciously. “Meddling in affairs!”

Xiu Man sighed dejectedly, “What should we do? She knows about our arrangement. If she goes to Hall Master Fan…”

It was unimaginable!

“What are you panicking for? She’s probably bluffing us. She has no evidence at all,” Hong Mao said solemnly. “But it’s strange that she dared to stand up for Yue Liang Ze. She doesn’t understand anything.”

“But this incident has left a bad impression on Hall Master Fan. Let’s keep a low profile for now. This grudge—we’ll have plenty of time for it later.”

Ling Luo also knew that Hong Mao and the others wouldn’t let matters rest.

But she just couldn’t stand seeing Yue Liang Ze being ordered around like a dog and beaten and kicked on a whim.

Why should that happen?

If anyone was going to beat him, it should be her!

She had never beaten him like that before, so why should these worthless people get to do it before her?

Ling Luo couldn’t accept it.