Junior Sister, What is Your Biggest Secret?

She remembered the medicinal fields of Qing Xu Temple.

Although the temple didn't provide spiritual plants to outer disciples, they did give some ordinary mountain herbs.

These were uniformly planned and distributed seasonally by the supervising elders based on the cultivation and contributions of all outer disciples.

While there weren't such fertile spiritual fields, everyone got their share, and everything was orderly.

Direct disciples and inner disciples would receive spiritual plants, with direct disciples even obtaining them without needing to complete tasks.

But no one would fight over it.

Fierce conflicts within the sect were absolutely forbidden.

Sparring was allowed, but for any reason, one could not kill another.

There were no overt fights there, at most just a few sarcastic remarks.

Since many troubles stemmed from careless speech, disciples were also disciplined in their words and actions.

But here...

What kind of "fairness" was this?

They deliberately placed the best resources and most tempting benefits in plain sight for everyone, yet without any rules.

This was clearly instigation!

It was encouraging the lower-level disciples to fight amongst themselves, to slaughter each other, for these petty gains, for this twenty percent profit!

By making them expend all their energy on fighting each other, where would they have the strength left to question or challenge the rule of the higher-ups?

This was exactly in line with the strict hierarchical division of the Food Pavilion, and the vast disparity between thatched huts and immortal residences!

They were all being tamed using the most direct benefits and the cruelest laws!

Making them accustomed to the law of the jungle, making them numb through internal strife!

What malicious intentions!

Su Ling'er's thoughts raced, but she dared not show any of it on her face. She could only lower her head and reply:

"Senior Disciple Brother is right, Ling'er has learned her lesson."

The two continued forward, passing by a noisy medicinal field.

In a secluded corner ahead, the scene was somewhat bizarre.

Disciples all skirted around that area from a distance, their faces showing a hint of apprehension.

Su Ling'er looked closely.

She saw that in the corner grew a plant about half a person's height, with a sign below it.

The words "Shen Nong" were written on it.

It was entirely black, with twisted vines, and at the top bloomed a large, dark purple flower bud that constantly opened and closed.

An ominous aura was faintly emanating from the bud.

"Junior Sister, look at this."

"This is the masterpiece of our sect's Junior Brother Shen Nong. He originally intended to try and integrate the devouring path of the 'Soul Devouring Vine' with the illusionary path of the 'Bewitching Immortal Flower'. Although he didn't succeed, he found a new path and refined this wondrous item."

A flash of admiration shone in his eyes.

"This flower doesn't harm the physical body, but it can see into the heart."

"Anyone who approaches it will have the deepest fears in their soul reflected."

"Junior Sister, do you know what this means for cultivators like us?"

"Junior Sister doesn't know, please enlighten me, Senior Disciple Brother."

The junior sister looked at her senior disciple brother with some confusion, trying to probe the secrets of this plant.

"The greatest hurdle on the path of cultivation is the 'Inner Demon Tribulation'. This tribulation is formless and shapeless, directly targeting the core of one's being. Many exceptionally talented individuals have fallen at this stage. However, this flower allows us to foresee the shadow of our inner demon in advance and confront our deepest fears. If one can observe it constantly and remain vigilant, they will have an extra measure of composure and a greater chance of success when facing the tribulation in the future."

Su Ling'er felt speechless upon hearing this.

Inner Demon Tribulation?

I haven't even touched the threshold of Foundation Establishment yet, and you're talking to me about the Inner Demon Tribulation that Nascent Soul Ancestors need to worry about?

You're thinking way too far ahead!

Given this demonic den's survival environment, whether I can even live to return to Qing Xu Temple to reshape my meridians is still up in the air.

She grumbled inwardly but didn't dare to slacken her expression, merely feigning an obedient demeanor.

Lin Qingfeng seemed to see through her doubts, changing the subject before circling back.

"Does Junior Sister feel this tribulation is still far from you?"

He sighed, speaking with earnest sincerity.

"Precisely because it is far, the ordinary path of cultivation appears even more... long and powerless."

"Junior Sister, forgive my bluntness, but with your aptitude, if you follow the usual steps, you might truly be destined to miss that step in this lifetime."

"But you still have the Sword Refining Art!"

"A heaven-defying path created for those of humble origins!

It is painful, but it is not bound by aptitude!

Even if you have a Pseudo Spiritual Root with poor bone structure, you can break through limitations with it and advance to Foundation Establishment in one go.

If you feel it's not secure enough, you can also take more Foundation Establishment Pills when you establish your foundation. Our sect's Foundation Establishment Pills are definitely cheaper than those outside, and their quality is guaranteed.

Moreover, you've seen our sect's spiritual plant reserves, which can ensure you won't die on the spot.

If you cultivate the Sword Refining Art, those Senior Disciples who also practice it might even fight for a larger share of cultivation resources for you!

Junior Sister! Aren't you tempted?"

BOOM!

Su Ling'er's mind began to conjure images.

In the vision.

An earth-shattering battle was erupting.

A Gui Xi Sect disciple, clad in dark robes, stood amidst the wind.

Since Su Ling'er had the longest interaction with Lin Qingfeng, that figure bore a seven or eight-tenths resemblance to him.

He faced a ferocious Yao Beast with an indifferent expression.

He reached out towards the void with his right hand.

"Sword, come!"

He shouted.

Immediately after, Su Ling'er felt her body fly out uncontrollably.

Not flying towards his side.

But... flying towards his hand.

Her ankle was tightly gripped by a warm, powerful hand.

Then, she was lifted upside down.

Head below feet.

Gales rushed into her nose and mouth, her long hair flailing wildly in the air.

She saw the Yao Beast's sharp claws strike down from above.

And Lin Qingfeng, holding her ankle, swung her entire body like a long sword!

CLANG--!

Her head collided with the Yao Beast's claws, producing a sound like metal striking metal!

Sparks flew!

No--!!!!!

Su Ling'er let out a piercing scream in her imagination.

What kind of thing is this!

Using my head to hack at others or Yao Beasts?!

Is this a cultivation method a human could conceive of?!

Wicked and heretical!

Utterly wicked and heretical!

These lunatics, instead of focusing on improving their own cultivation, are only thinking of these crooked ways!

"Junior Sister? Junior Sister?"

Lin Qingfeng's voice pulled her back from the terrifying imagination.

Su Ling'er jolted, her face deathly pale.

"I... I'm fine,"

"It's just... the path Senior Disciple Brother speaks of is too... too shockingly unconventional."

"Ling'er still needs time to slowly comprehend; I dare not rush it."

"Alas, the Dao heart is indeed the root of cultivation. Take your time and understand it."

Lin Qingfeng sighed, seemingly unsurprised.

He took two steps forward and stopped before the strange black flower.

"Since that's the case, let's not talk about cultivation."

He turned around, his gaze intensely fixed on Su Ling'er.

"Junior Sister, do you want to… go and try?"

"I'm very curious, what will it turn into in your eyes?"

"The greatest fear deep within your heart, or rather…"

"What is your greatest secret?"

Thump!

Su Ling'er's heart pounded heavily.

Subconsciously, she took a sudden step back.

Her heel landed on a protruding stone, and her body stumbled, nearly falling.

She looked at Lin Qingfeng in terror.

Could it be…

Could it be… he was testing me?!

This evil flower could reveal the deepest fears and secrets of the human heart!

If I were to step forward, what would it turn into?

Would it be the gates of Qing Xu Temple?

Would it be the Sect Master's worried face?

Or the Gu盅 I use to pass information?!

Or perhaps the insect gu used to relay messages in case of an emergency?!

No matter what it turned into, if I exposed myself, I'd truly be finished!

At that time…

Whether I'd be refined into a pill or a "humanoid flying sword"…

I probably wouldn't get to choose.

What should I do?

What should I do?!

Sect Master, where are you? Please come and save your disciple QAQ!