The Beloved Master's Mad Dog Disciple - Chapter 40

Si Xianling was only speaking in jest; she would never truly…

Si Xianling was only joking. She would never actually advise Wu Qingshu to abandon her cultivation. Yet she couldn’t fully comply with Shen Yanting’s wishes either, allowing Wu Qingshu to kill her someday.

Beneath the Spirit Mist Lamp, the bizarre girl with long, furry ears wielded her sword, repeatedly severing the Flame Beasts’ limbs. The eerie sight of those furry ears striking the beasts again and again caught Si Xianling’s attention, finally revealing something amiss.

These Flame Beasts were guardians of the Heavenly Cuisine Sect, intimately connected to the Sect-Protecting Grand Formation. Even the weakest among them possessed cultivation comparable to a Nascent Soul cultivator, while the strongest reached the Out-of-Body Stage. Their demon beast hides were exceptionally tough, and their innate connection to flames made them terrifying combatants.

Even Shen Yanting struggled against them.

Yet Bo Xuenong, a mere early-stage Nascent Soul cultivator, moved through their ranks with effortless ease.

The flames on Flame Beasts intensified exponentially with their cultivation level. Despite being burned repeatedly without spiritual power protection, Bo Xuenong’s arms remained unscathed—not even her skin was scorched. Even more bizarrely, her fluffy ears, which looked like they would ignite at the slightest spark, repeatedly dispersed flames as she struck the Flame Beasts, yet never caught fire.

Against Shen Yanting’s ferociously powerful Flame Beasts, Bo Xuenong seemed to move with unnatural ease, as if time itself slowed around her.

There was only one plausible explanation: Bo Xuenong’s Bloodline possessed a natural counter to Flame Beasts.

Beasts differed fundamentally from humans. Their Bloodline hierarchies were rigid; a sufficiently rare Bloodline could render even demon beasts of equal cultivation levels utterly helpless. Yet Flame Beasts themselves possessed a rare Bloodline.

Si Xianling’s gaze shifted to Shen Yanting’s shoulder. The Greyfur Rabbit had shrunk considerably, now nestled docilely against her shoulder, utterly still. Her Lifebound Beast seemed far more obedient when near Shen Yanting.

Speaking of which, Si Tingxuan’s Bloodline was already exceptionally rare, yet even she couldn’t suppress Flame Beasts.

A Bloodline capable of suppressing such a unique demon beast’s Bloodline… Si Xianling suddenly recalled the Fierce Beast Bloodline, which had been jointly eradicated by the Three Great Sects and the Divine Pavilion five hundred years ago. The Divine Pavilion publicly announced the destruction of the Fierce Beast Bloodline a full century later. Si Xianling, who knew the timing of the Three Great Sects’ operation, had been puzzled at the time. But if Bo Xuenong possessed the Fierce Beast Bloodline, it would explain everything. The Divine Pavilion had delayed the announcement to conceal the fact that Shen Yanting had left the Cloudmist Sect with the Fierce Beast Bloodline.

Si Xianling was startled by her own conjecture.

She bit her lip, trying to suppress the thought, but it only grew clearer against her will.

Si Xianling felt no joy at uncovering this secret, only a sense of unease.

Only now did she understand why Wu Qingshu had refused to reveal the truth about Shen Yanting’s departure from the Cloudmist Sect, no matter how persistently Si Xianling had pressed her.

Si Xianling couldn’t fathom the purpose behind their arrangement. All she knew was that Shen Yanting was her longtime friend, a woman of unparalleled virtue and beauty.

Unconsciously, she bit her lip harder, drawing bl00d and tasting a faint, metallic tang.

The metallic taste jolted Si Xianling’s mind into sharper focus.

Shen Yanting had spoken truly: Bo Xuenong’s rescue was also due to Bo Xue’s efforts.

Si Xianling finally made up her mind. Suppressing her voice, she said, “Sister Shen, as long as you don’t intend to kill her, I swear to protect her with my life if anyone else tries. Once we’re out of here, I’ll immediately take an Immortal Oath.”

With Si Xianling on her back, Shen Yanting soared into the air. Two Fifth-Grade Azure Talismans shot from her fingertips, instantly scattering the dozens of Flame Beasts converging on them. This created a momentary opening for her to glance sideways at Si Xianling. Seeing Si Xianling’s usual playful demeanor replaced by solemn resolve, she gently pursed her lips and said, “Thank you.”

“Why are you being so formal?” Si Xianling, unaccustomed to such formality from Shen Yanting, waved her weakened hand dismissively. “If you don’t want to kill her, I doubt anyone else will…”

Shen Yanting interrupted her. “Nong’er’s Lifebound Sword is flawed. It could very well lead her down a demonic path.”

“What?!” Si Xianling exclaimed in disbelief. “You gave it to her? How could you give her a flawed sword?”

Guilt instantly flooded Shen Yanting’s eyes. “Fellow Daoist Si, I was deceived.”

Si Xianling seemed to understand the source of Shen Yanting’s remorse, but a new question arose. “Who would dare deceive you?”

Shen Yanting couldn’t say for sure. “The sword came from the Nethergate Sect. The messenger claimed it was a gift from Sect Leader Ju.”

Si Xianling’s eyes widened. “You mean Ju Huaifang?”

Si Xianling’s shocked expression perfectly mirrored Shen Yanting’s own astonishment when she first realized the Suspended Ink Sword was abnormal. The Three Great Sects had always stood united against common enemies, and they had jointly established the Divine Pavilion. Even minor disputes among disciples were quickly resolved. Every century, the sects held a grand competition to foster camaraderie. The Sect Leaders maintained exceptionally close ties; Ju Huaifang and Mo Tingshu were particularly close friends, both renowned for their impeccable reputation.

If Ju Huaifang had agreed to give Bo Xuenong a chance at life, why would she tamper with her Lifebound Sword?

Could it have been Sang Fan?

If not for the Nethergate Sect’s Supreme Elder leading the opposition, the Three Great Sects’ trials for Bo Xuenong wouldn’t have been so harsh.

Shen Yanting suppressed her doubts, keeping them unspoken. She lowered her gaze to the white Bl00d Lotus Mark on her wrist. When Bo Xuenong killed Guan Caimei, only one petal had turned a faint crimson. Now, that petal had deepened into a vivid, bl00d-red hue.

Vivid, like bl00d.

The first petal of the Bl00d Lotus had bloomed.

Every Inner Sect Disciple of the Heavenly Cuisine Sect knew the truth. When their secret was exposed, their first thought was to silence Bo Xuenong by any means necessary, without a shred of remorse. Did any of them deserve to live? If they denied Bo Xuenong the right to exist, Shen Yanting would never accept it.

For the first time, Shen Yanting considered defying Mo Tingshu and even challenging the authority of the Three Great Sects.

Bo Xuenong was willing to die for her, and she would gladly die for Bo Xuenong.

But… when Shen Yanting had asked Si Xianling to take an Immortal Oath to kill her, she had been resolute. Now that she harbored thoughts of opposing the Three Great Sects, she hesitated to drag her old friend into the conflict.

“Fellow Daoist Si, forget everything I just said.”

Si Xianling understood Shen Yanting’s concerns immediately. Her gaze drifted to Bo Xuenong, who was ignoring the flames engulfing her body while still using spiritual power to protect the centipede and turtle clinging to her. Wu Qingshu had taught her from childhood to repay kindness with gratitude.

Though not particularly mature, Si Xianling still possessed some admirable qualities.

She thumped her chest. “Sister Shen, who do you think I am?”

Already severely injured and weakened, the blow caused a mouthful of coppery-sweet bl00d to surge into her throat. Si Xianling quickly covered her mouth and swallowed the bl00d back down, unwilling to let anyone see her cough up bl00d from her own self-inflicted injury.

Tasting the salty tang of bl00d, Si Xianling cursed the Heavenly Cuisine Sect inwardly once more.

Recovering slightly, she spoke before Shen Yanting could respond, “This young lady has the Beast Taming Sect and Cloudmist Sect backing her. My mother is the foremost Talisman Cultivator, my stepmother is the second-ranked Pill Cultivator, my great-aunt is the top Beast Tamer, my aunt is the second-ranked Beast Tamer, and my younger aunt is the third-ranked Beast Tamer… The top twenty Beast Tamers are all from my family. In the Cultivation World, while I wouldn’t say I can walk sideways, I certainly have some clout. If I say I’ll help your junior disciple, I won’t be implicated. Anyone who dares to target me will have to answer to my mother first.”

Shen Yanting dispersed five Flame Beasts and turned to Si Xianling. “Zhu Ningfu is the second-ranked Pill Cultivator?”

“I was exaggerating!” Si Xianling showed no shame in her boast. She coughed twice, a faint thread of bl00d drifting out, yet her voice grew even louder. “Actually, her name isn’t on the Heavenly Talent Register. But Spirit Transformation Realm Pill Cultivators are rare, aren’t they? The omission is likely due to incompetence from those Divine Pavilion bureaucrats, not any lack of skill on Zhu Ningfu’s part.”

The chances of evading the Divine Pavilion’s notice were slim, but breakthroughs in Pill Cultivation were notoriously difficult.

A Spirit Transformation Realm Pill Cultivator willing to forgo further advancement could already attempt to become a First-Grade Alchemist. Zhu Ningfu’s absence from the Heavenly Talent Register seemed truly illogical.

Si Xianling was determined to help them, leaving Shen Yanting no room to refuse.

Since the Cultivation World revered strength above all else, would the Three Great Sects reconsider Bo Xuenong’s trial if enough powerful figures spoke in her favor?

Shen Yanting’s contemplation didn’t last long.

Si Xianling glanced sideways at Gui Nian’an, who was beginning to struggle against the Flame Beasts. “Sister Shen, that girl can’t hold out much longer.”

Although Bo Xuenong and Shen Yanting had managed to contain most of the Flame Beasts, the occasional stragglers that slipped past to attack Gui Nian’an at the rear were proving too much for her. Without any corpses to control here—her greatest advantage rendered useless—and with the added burden of protecting the cultivation-less Liu Huairou behind her, Gui Nian’an couldn’t disperse her corpse qi too widely. Numerous wounds already marred her body.

Shen Yanting circled around to Bo Xuenong’s side, grasped her sword-wielding hand, and swiftly retreated.

“Master, I can—”

Before Bo Xuenong could utter the words “protect you,” Shen Yanting pressed her fingertip against her lips, silencing her completely.

The faint, cool fragrance dispelled the cloying scent of bl00d that had been clinging to Bo Xuenong’s nostrils, restoring a sliver of rationality to her obsessive mind.

Bo Xuenong instinctively sniffed, trying to capture more of the fragrance.

The scent on Shen Yanting’s skin was faint and cool, reminiscent of bamboo leaves glistening with morning dew. Strangely, this delicate aroma completely masked the overwhelming bl00d scent that threatened to ignite her very bloodline.

Craving this calming fragrance, Bo Xuenong pressed Shen Yanting’s fingertip even tighter against her nose.

Bo Xuenong almost kissed her fingertip, and Shen Yanting quickly withdrew her hand.

Without thinking, Bo Xuenong instinctively followed the cool scent, her nose tracing the path of Shen Yanting’s retreating fingertip.

Even after Shen Yanting’s hand had returned to her side, Bo Xuenong leaned sideways, her nose once again pressing against Shen Yanting’s fingertip, gently nuzzling it.

This bizarre behavior caught the attention of many onlookers. Si Xianling gasped audibly, and Shen Yanting’s fingers brushed across Bo Xuenong’s nose before firmly grasping her long, furry ears. With a tug, she straightened Bo Xuenong’s posture and steered the conversation back to serious matters with unwavering composure. “Nong’er,” she said sternly, “until you’ve grown stronger, Master will protect you.”

Her face remained impassive, her expression utterly serious.

It was as if nothing had just happened.

Si Xianling’s curious gaze darted between them, while Gui Nian’an covered her own mouth with one hand and reached behind her to cover Liu Huairou’s mouth with the other.

Bo Xuenong, however, saw nothing wrong with what had just occurred. She was simply eager to prove to Shen Yanting that she wasn’t weak. “Master, I…”

Shen Yanting released her grip on Bo Xuenong’s long, furry ears, her fingers softening into a gentle caress. “Be good.”

The tingling sensation in her ears made Bo Xuenong’s tongue tie itself in knots. “O-okay…”

Cool fingertips pressed against her ears, tender palms cradling the soft fur. Shen Yanting gently stroked the fur, coaxing each strand to stand on end, causing the long ears, which had been twitching wildly, to droop obediently. The ears gradually shortened, transforming into two thick, semicircular ears that settled against her head, trembling cautiously against Shen Yanting’s palms.

Perhaps the dense, fine fur was too thick; Shen Yanting suddenly felt her palms growing warm.

She withdrew her hand and summoned a Third-Grade Purple Talisman.

Third-Grade Talismans were considered high-grade talisman paper, vastly superior to mid-grade and low-grade versions. Simply revealing the talisman sent the Flame Beasts hovering in place, too intimidated to advance.

They observed cautiously, seeking an opportunity.

Shen Yanting had no intention of granting them one. She tossed the Purple Talisman into the air, her fingertip brushing lightly across its surface. A drop of bl00d welled from her fingertip, soaking into the talisman. The purple Spirit Patterns instantly blazed with light, a dazzling radiance that forced the Flame Beasts to instinctively close their eyes.

Seizing the moment, Shen Yanting thrust the Purple Talisman forward. It ignited instantly, the Spirit Patterns leaping from the talisman to coalesce into a Purple Phoenix.

The Purple Phoenix raised its head and let out a piercing cry, instantly intimidating hundreds of Flame Beasts.

Their massive bodies swayed, and an overwhelming urge to prostrate themselves swept through the herd.

Suddenly, the Flame Beast at the rear lifted its foreleg and emitted a low growl. The other beasts snapped out of their daze and surged forward in a frenzy.

Shen Yanting flicked her fingertip, and a second drop of bl00d landed in the Purple Phoenix’s eyes.

The Purple Phoenix once again tilted its head and let out a piercing cry. The shadows of the Flame Beast horde reflected in its eyes as it charged into the fray, its wings spreading wide as if truly alive.

This was the wondrous power of the High-Grade Beast Transformation Talisman: a single drop of bl00d granted life, while a second drop guided the beast’s path.

Before the talisman’s power faded, it was as if a true phoenix had appeared before their eyes.

The Purple Phoenix flew low, its wings as sharp as the world’s most resilient blades, instantly severing the heads of two rows of Flame Beasts. The Flame Beasts were utterly defenseless as the raging flames devoured their corpses one by one. In the blink of an eye, only the strongest-looking Flame Beast remained standing.

It bared its fangs at the Purple Phoenix and roared fiercely.

The Purple Phoenix lunged forward, enveloping the Flame Beast in its wings, and soared toward the burning pyre of Flame Beast corpses.

Both the Flame Beast and the Purple Phoenix were engulfed in flames. The battlefield was utterly cleansed by the fire, leaving not a single fragment of flesh behind.

The moment the Purple Phoenix vanished, Shen Yanting’s lips paled slightly, and her steps faltered involuntarily.

Bo Xuenong quickly reached out to steady her. “Master, are you alright?”

“I’m fine,” Shen Yanting replied.

Bo Xuenong knew Shen Yanting was merely trying to reassure her. She silently fed her a Vitality Restoration Pill.

While the creations of Auxiliary Cultivators were excellent, they were primarily beneficial to the cultivators themselves.

For example, Pill Cultivators could consume medicinal pills like candy, but other cultivators who tried the same would likely be overwhelmed and explode.

The same held true for Talisman Cultivators.

Talisman paper required corresponding spiritual power to activate. Talisman Cultivators needed far less spiritual power to use talismans compared to other cultivators. In fact, other cultivators required more than three times the spiritual power to activate the same talisman paper. The lower one’s cultivation level, the more difficult it became to use high-grade talisman paper. If Bo Xuenong had used that Purple Talisman, half her spiritual power would have been drained instantly.

This was why most people only used high-grade talisman paper as a last resort.

Shen Yanting had studied Talisman Arts and could even craft her own talismans, but she wasn’t a true Talisman Cultivator.

While using her own talismans reduced the spiritual power required for activation, it still couldn’t compare to the efficiency of a Talisman Cultivator.

Sword cultivators were always at a disadvantage when using talismans.

Si Xianling immediately recognized the craftsmanship of the talisman Shen Yanting had just used. “Sister Shen, why didn’t you use one of your own Purple Talismans? Have you not yet broken through to the Spirit Transformation Realm? That’s impossible, right?”

A hint of subtle resignation crept into Shen Yanting’s voice. “Fellow Daoist Si, I have indeed broken through to the Spirit Transformation Realm, but I am a sword cultivator, not a Talisman Cultivator.”

In theory, those in the Spirit Transformation Realm could begin crafting Third-Grade Purple Talismans, but Shen Yanting was not a true Talisman Cultivator. Even genuine Talismasters struggled to produce high-grade talisman paper, and for Shen Yanting to attempt such a feat would require an even greater effort—a pointless endeavor for someone who merely sought an additional means of self-preservation.

Bo Xuenong confirmed that Shen Yanting’s breathing had stabilized, yet she didn’t immediately release her grip. Still supporting Shen Yanting, she asked, “Didn’t Master rank among the top hundred Talisman Cultivators on the Heavenly Talent Register?”

Shen Yanting paused for a moment before replying slowly, “There are very few Talisman Cultivators.”

Gui Nian’an, enduring the pain, asked, “But aren’t Auxiliary Cultivators highly valued by the Great Sects? How could there be so few?”

Shen Yanting handed Gui Nian’an a bottle of Healing Pills before explaining, “Most Human Cultivators pursue immortality, aiming to become gods. Unless their spiritual root is particularly unsuitable, they’ll choose paths closer to divinity—the so-called Eight Great Orthodox Paths of Cultivation. Historically, sword cultivators and Spirit Cultivators have always been the most numerous, followed by Body Cultivators. Next comes Pill Cultivators, who are in high demand, then Artifact Cultivators, Formation Cultivators, and finally, Talisman Cultivators and Demon Cultivators.”

“The number of Demon Cultivators depends on the half-demon population. Humans have always been relatively few. Talisman Cultivators are scarce because Pill Refinement allows for mass production, and formations and Spirit Tools can last for extended periods. Only Talisman Cultivators must draw each talisman paper individually, and they are consumed rapidly—each talisman paper can only be used once. Even special talisman papers, crafted with immense effort, can only be used up to seven times.”

Si Xianling nodded vigorously. “Crafting talismans is incredibly difficult. The spiritual ink must be perfectly mixed, the Spiritual Qi distribution must be precise, and even slight material imperfections can ruin the process. The crafting process is arduous and the consumption rate is rapid. Moreover, activating talismans requires vast amounts of spiritual power. Even mastering the basics is challenging; achieving true mastery is even harder. That’s why all Talisman Cultivators aspire to create Human Talismans—immortal, indestructible talisman papers that can self-evolve, and…”

“Fellow Daoist Si,” Shen Yanting called out, cutting off her words.

Si Xianling finally noticed Gui Nian’an and Liu Huairou’s ghastly pale faces. With belated realization, she remembered that Gui Nianqin was a Human Talisman. She awkwardly moved her lips. “I… my mother would never have such thoughts.”

Gui Nian’an lowered her head even further.

Her slender, deathly pale neck, stained with bl00d and radiating a faint aura of death, revealed bluish veins beneath the skin.

Si Xianling grew increasingly disgusted with the Heavenly Cuisine Sect. “Just wait until we get out of here,” she vowed. “I’ll definitely help you get revenge.”

Gui Nian’an’s lips trembled slightly. “Thank you,” she whispered.

The task of carrying Si Xianling fell back to Gui Nian’an. The four Beast Tamers climbed back onto Bo Xuenong’s shoulders. Shen Yanting’s breathing quickly returned to normal, but the Flame Beast wasn’t the most challenging aspect of this formation. The true difficulty lay in breaking it.

They were now deeply trapped within the formation, and their only way out was to force their way through.

But the Heavenly Cuisine Sect’s Sect-Protecting Grand Formation was no ordinary barrier.

With the Flame Beast dealt with, the path ahead became much easier.

The Golden Butterfly smoothly led them to the Formation Core. As Bo Xuenong gazed at the Ten-Petaled Lotus blooming at the center of the pool, her heart pounded in her chest.

Formation Cultivators typically concealed their Formation Cores as carefully as possible. A formation with its core so openly displayed meant the creator was utterly confident in its invulnerability. Moreover, Bo Xuenong recognized the Ten-Petaled Lotus from a book Shen Yanting had given her. Formations were incredibly diverse, and even Formation Cultivators struggled to master them all. Within a Sect, formations were often categorized into Trapping Formations, Killing Formations, Spiritual Formations, and Death Formations, each assigned to different cultivators for specialized study, allowing them to reach peak mastery in their respective domains.

This approach made it easier for Formation Cultivators to master a single type of formation, but specializing in only one type also had significant drawbacks. When deploying Grand Formations, sects would typically divide the task among several Formation Cultivators, each responsible for a specific formation. The Formation Cores of these individual formations would converge to form a petal of a lotus, and the petals would then be combined into a complete lotus flower. By integrating multiple formations into a single Grand Formation, they could ensure both offensive power and defensive capabilities, achieving peak performance in all aspects. Moreover, only high-grade formations could solidify their Formation Cores into tangible objects.

The Ten-Petaled Lotus signified that the Heavenly Cuisine Sect’s Sect-Protecting Grand Formation was composed of ten high-grade formations.

The power of a formation depended not only on the cultivator’s cultivation level but also on the resources invested, such as spirit stones and Spirit Bones.

The Heavenly Cuisine Sect had clearly spared no expense in this regard, making it exceedingly difficult for anyone to breach their defenses.

Seeing Shen Yanting’s expression turn grave, Bo Xuenong hastily opened her System Panel and, noticing the additional three thousand Points, silently requested to exchange them for the Formation-Breaking Method.

A system notification popped up on the Exchange Panel:

The System has detected that the Assistant is facing a top-tier Sect-Protecting Grand Formation composed of ten integrated formations. Formation-breaking difficulty: ten stars. Based on the Assistant’s current strength, the System recommends exchanging for two bottles of Top-Grade Qi Restoration Pills, two bottles of Top-Grade Spirit Gathering Pills, ten First-Grade Golden Talismans, and two First-Grade Heart Protection Pills to ensure safety while consuming the medicinal pills and activating the high-grade talisman paper. Total cost: 12,000 Points.

Bo Xuenong instantly empathized with Feng Jin.

The Dead System really is expensive.

The points she had just earned didn’t even cover half of what she needed for the exchange.

Wait a minute.

How did her points increase so much?

Bo Xuenong had only killed a dozen or so Inner Sect Disciples of the Heavenly Cuisine Sect outside. Even if each kill was worth 100 points, it couldn’t account for this massive increase.

Bo Xuenong instinctively glanced at the True Love Endures Plate and suddenly noticed several new system notifications:

Assistant Bo Xuenong has received 200 points for Shen Yanting’s guilt. System notification: Guilt is the beginning of affection. Assistant, please continue your efforts.

Assistant Bo Xuenong has received 200 points for Shen Yanting’s guilt level up.

Assistant Bo Xuenong has received 200 points for Shen Yanting’s promise of eternal companionship.

Shen Yanting’s guilt toward Assistant Bo Xuenong has reached its peak. Bonus: 500 points.

Shen Yanting is willing to die for Assistant Bo Xuenong. Bonus: 1000 points.

She had gained a total of three thousand Points, with twenty-one hundred of them coming from Shen Yanting. No wonder Feng Jin had said that “True Love Endures” was the System’s primary mission. The Points Bo Xuenong earned from her own tasks were only half of Feng Jin’s. If Feng Jin were to target a golden-tier character, her Points would multiply exponentially.

Bo Xuenong glanced again at the required twelve thousand Points, gritting her teeth in frustration.

Feng Jin had to target Yu Cenwan!

She had said so herself!

But… what did Shen Yanting’s guilt and his willingness to die for Bo Xuenong mean?

What could her Master possibly feel guilty about?

What was her Master planning?

Did her Master intend to commit suicide right now?

Panic surged through Bo Xuenong as she frantically reviewed her actions. The people of the Heavenly Cuisine Sect were villains; Shen Yanting shouldn’t be disappointed by her killing them.

Could it be that her Master was troubled by her fleeting thought of killing Si Xianling earlier?

But she had concealed it so well! Her Master shouldn’t have noticed.

The more Bo Xuenong pondered, the more anxious she became.

By the time she snapped back to reality, Shen Yanting was already preparing to act.

“Master,” Bo Xuenong said, feeling an unprecedented wave of panic. She grabbed Shen Yanting’s sleeve. “Master, let me handle this instead.”

She lacked the strength.

But with Shen Yanting’s guidance, breaking through two more formations might still be possible.

Bo Xuenong wanted to ease Shen Yanting’s burden. Shen Yanting patted the back of her hand reassuringly. “Nong’er, you can’t break this formation.”

Si Xianling, perched on Gui Nian’an’s back, leaned forward, craning her neck to examine the Ten-Petaled Lotus closely. “Sister Shen, the brilliance of combining these ten formations lies in this: if you can’t break all ten in one swift strike, the formation will immediately replenish its spiritual power and reform. Are you confident you can do it?”

Shen Yanting retrieved a Spirit Sword from her Storage Ring, but after a moment’s hesitation, she returned it and instead drew a Silver Talisman. “Yes.”

Bo Xuenong noticed Shen Yanting’s initial choice of the sword, her hesitation, and her eventual switch to the talisman. This made it clear that Shen Yanting was more confident with the sword, but a standard Spirit Sword likely couldn’t withstand the formation’s full force.

She handed the Suspended Ink Sword to Shen Yanting. “Master, take this!”

Shen Yanting stroked the Suspended Ink Sword, her expression conflicted. After a brief pause, she spoke, “Nong’er, I can’t use this sword. You… you should use it sparingly too.”

Asking a sword cultivator to use her Lifebound Sword sparingly felt absurd even to Shen Yanting herself.

This was no different from telling Bo Xuenong outright that the sword had a problem. She worried Bo Xuenong might press her about whether she had given her a flawed Spirit Sword. She wouldn’t know how to face Bo Xuenong’s burning, sincere gaze. Fortunately, Bo Xuenong asked nothing and immediately sheathed the Suspended Ink Sword. “Alright.”

Bo Xuenong paid no attention to the sword, her gaze fixed on Shen Yanting’s hand, which was now glowing with spiritual light.

She felt an overwhelming urge to stop Shen Yanting from taking such a risk, but she knew she shouldn’t interfere. All she could do was watch Shen Yanting’s every move with unwavering attention.

Sensing the burning, concerned gaze beside her, Shen Yanting reached out and gently stroked Bo Xuenong’s ear. “Nong’er, I’ll be fine.”

Bo Xuenong nodded obediently, but her heart remained uneasy, her eyes still locked on Shen Yanting.

Shen Yanting swallowed a Spirit Gathering Pill and retrieved three Purple Talismans, five Blue Talismans, and finally, a Golden Talisman from her Storage Ring.

With a light tap of her fingertip, all ten talismans—golden, silver, purple, and blue—floated into the air. With a gentle flick of her left sleeve, Bo Xuenong and Gui Nian’an were swiftly propelled backward, stopping only ten meters away.

“Master,” Bo Xuenong called out, trying to return to Shen Yanting’s side, but a sudden barrier of light blocked her path.

She couldn’t advance even half a step. Shen Yanting had already begun casting her Talisman Arts.

The ten talismans ignited simultaneously. A powerful surge of energy shattered the light barrier, erupting outward and forcing Bo Xuenong and Gui Nian’an to retreat further.

The fierce gale scattered the Spirit Mist Lamps, leaving only the light from the Spirit Talismans to illuminate Shen Yanting’s flawless face. It was as if the radiant glow of a cold moon had descended upon her features, an indescribable beauty.

As each Spirit Talisman transformed into a phantom and surged toward the Ten-Petaled Lotus, the spiritual power swirling around them intensified to a frenzied pace. Bo Xuenong and her companions could barely keep their eyes open, while the beautiful woman standing before the talismans gradually showed signs of distress.

The gale whipped her meticulously arranged hair into disarray, dark strands dancing wildly alongside her crimson bridal robes, rustling like dry leaves.

Bo Xuenong channeled her spiritual power to block the gale, her eyes fixed on Shen Yanting.

With the activation of all five Blue Talismans and three Purple Talismans, fatigue began to creep across Shen Yanting’s face, weariness etching itself onto her brow.

Shen Yanting swallowed a Vitality Restoration Pill and forcefully pushed the Silver Talisman forward. Bl00d surged from her fingertips, staining the talisman crimson. The Silver Talisman erupted with light, instantly shattering two formations. Shen Yanting’s expression darkened as a hot surge coursed through her throat, and crimson bl00d spilled from the corner of her lips.

The stark contrast of crimson staining the flawless white jade was jarring. Bo Xuenong instinctively leaned forward, but the overwhelming spiritual power pinned her in place, preventing her from moving even half a step. In that moment, her desire for Points and Cultivation reached its peak.

Her eyes were bloodshot, tears dripping unconsciously.

Si Xianling caught sight of her tears and quickly said, “Don’t cry yet! Sister Shen isn’t dead.”

Bo Xuenong suddenly remembered something. They hadn’t needed to enter the formation in the first place. It was Shen Yanting who had insisted on coming in after hearing Hua Fangqi say that the Beast Taming Sect’s Young Sect Master had given up resisting inside. In other words, Shen Yanting had entered to save Si Xianling.

Rage and murderous intent surged through her heart simultaneously.

Bo Xuenong couldn’t help but wonder if Shen Yanting would have been spared injury if Si Xianling hadn’t been involved.

Si Xianling had already guessed Bo Xuenong’s identity. Seeing the strange glint in her eyes now, her heart leaped into her throat. “You’re not going to kill me, are you?”

Her thoughts exposed, Bo Xuenong took a half-step forward.

She slowly raised her hand, but lowered it before touching Si Xianling. Clenching her jaw, she let out a cold snort. “Master worked so hard to save you. I can’t kill you.”

So this little brat really wanted to kill me, Si Xianling thought, her heart sinking. But hope quickly resurfaced. Bo Xuenong hadn’t lost her ability to reason. The fact that she was willing to suppress her murderous intent for Shen Yanting proved she was different from the feral beasts—worth helping.

The prerequisite was that they had to escape successfully. Otherwise, any future assistance would be impossible.

Only one Golden Talisman remained before Shen Yanting, and only one layer of the formation remained. She swallowed another Spirit Gathering Pill, placed her hand on the talisman, and felt it fuse into her palm. The Spirit Pattern sank into her flesh, transforming into a Golden Dragon that instantly soared toward the Ten-Petaled Lotus.

The final petal of the lotus was devoured by the Golden Dragon, and the formation finally began to crumble. Sunlight gradually pierced through the dissolving barriers, turning the world within the formation into a massive sieve. More and more light streamed in until the formation completely collapsed.

They were once again exposed to the sunlight, but the ordeal was far from over. A massive crowd, numbering in the thousands, had gathered outside the formation, led by Hua Fangqi. He had been lying in wait like a hunter watching his trap.

Hua Fangqi sneered at Shen Yanting’s pale face and bloodstained lips. “I never thought you’d actually break our Sect-Protecting Grand Formation. But you must be at your limit now. I advise you to surrender. If… if you’re willing to become my Dao Companion, I might spare your life and plead with the Sect Leader to forgive your crime of destroying our Sect-Protecting Grand Formation.”

“You’re asking for death.”

Bo Xuenong was consumed by uncontrollable rage, but Shen Yanting remained composed.

The backlash from overusing the talismans hadn’t broken her. Noticing Hua Fangqi’s gaze repeatedly drifting behind him even as he spoke, she smirked. “You seem quite afraid. Are you worried the Beast Taming Sect will come looking for you?”

“Shut your mouth!” Hua Fangqi roared, lunging forward.

Shen Yanting raised her hand, and the Golden Dragon circling above her head suddenly charged toward Hua Fangqi and his group. The terrifying power of the Golden Talisman swept through the thousands of people in an instant, crushing some into fragments while others struggled to maintain their defenses. Even Hua Fangqi, a formidable Elder, sustained varying degrees of injuries.

Only then did Bo Xuenong realize that Shen Yanting’s reckless expenditure of spiritual power to activate all ten talismans had been calculated. She had anticipated the presence of enemies outside the formation. If she had waited to use the talismans after exiting the formation, Hua Fangqi and his group would likely have denied her the opportunity. But by unleashing the remaining power now, they had no way to stop her.

As the last vestiges of power from the Golden Talisman dissipated, Shen Yanting’s body began to sway, her strength failing her as she collapsed toward the ground.

“Master!” Bo Xuenong quickly hung the spider back on Si Xianling’s back and rushed forward, catching Shen Yanting’s falling body in her arms. The frail, slender figure landed softly in her embrace.

“Cough, cough.” Shen Yanting was truly exhausted. She had already expended considerable spiritual power outside the formation, then battled the Flame Beast, forcibly activating too many Talisman Arts to break through ten formations. Her body was now suffering from a spiritual power backlash.

With each cough, streaks of bl00d appeared. Yet, she instinctively tried to soothe the agitated Bo Xuenong, leaning against her chest and gently stroking her cheek. “Nong’er, I’m fine.”

Bo Xuenong wasn’t blind; she could see perfectly well.

Shen Yanting looked anything but fine.

She fed Shen Yanting two Healing Pills, but her master’s body was like a dried-up well, utterly incapable of absorbing the pills’ spiritual energy.

While channeling medicinal energy into Shen Yanting, Bo Xuenong frantically accessed the System Panel, mentally chanting, “Exchange for something that can heal my Master.”

The System’s exchange options primarily offered Healing Pills and Spiritual Herbs. Growing desperate, Bo Xuenong pleaded, “I already have these Healing Pills! Can’t you give me something I don’t have? Something that can instantly relieve my Master’s pain! Something that will make her feel no pain at all!”

Ding! Special Universal Item: Substitute Doll successfully exchanged.

Substitute Doll?

What is that?

Before Bo Xuenong could react, a pink, spherical object that didn’t quite resemble a medicinal pill appeared in her palm. An invisible force guided her hand to feed the doll to Shen Yanting. Shen Yanting instinctively opened her mouth as Bo Xuenong offered it, only realizing after swallowing to ask, “Nong’er, what is this?”

The moment Shen Yanting finished speaking, a flash of pink light erupted, and her body began to shrink rapidly. The woman who had been leaning against Bo Xuenong’s chest suddenly shrank dozens of times, transforming into a palm-sized, porcelain-white doll…