The Beloved Master's Mad Dog Disciple - Chapter 44

Shen Yanting and Si Xianling had known each other since childhood. She was very…

Having known Si Xianling since childhood, Shen Yanting was well aware of her two great passions: first, charming the elders of their clan into doting on her, and second, obsessively observing romantic affairs. Si Xianling had always loved playing matchmaker, regardless of whether the matches succeeded or not, and would often sneak into the mortal realm to witness weddings.

Shen Yanting found Si Xianling’s behavior rather frivolous, but Si Xianling considered it her unique source of amusement.

She never imagined Si Xianling would one day use her and Bo Xuenong as fodder for her amusement.

They were master and disciple—how could there possibly be any romantic undertones, as Si Xianling seemed to expect? Si Xianling was truly…

Shen Yanting’s thoughts abruptly halted. She realized she had overlooked something crucial: why was she the only one who understood Si Xianling’s veiled meaning?

When Si Xianling’s laughter reached Wu Qingshu and Bo Xuenong, their first reaction was confusion. Only Shen Yanting grasped the hidden implication.

Unless… unless she truly harbored such feelings.

Someone with purely platonic feelings toward their master would be as open and fearless as Bo Xuenong, not flustered and guilty like her.

A truly innocent person would be like Wu Qingshu, understanding only the literal meaning of words, not like Shen Yanting, who grasped Si Xianling’s veiled implications.

Shen Yanting froze, stunned.

Her turbulent emotions swirled chaotically, preventing her from understanding their source. Instinctively, she pressed closer to Bo Xuenong, hoping to find the answer in her presence.

Wu Qingshu urged the fox formed from talisman paper onward, carrying them swiftly toward Lanshou Village.

The White Porcelain Doll’s body, lacking spiritual power, remained fragile and vulnerable. Normally, it wouldn’t have withstood the journey, but Bo Xuenong enveloped her in spiritual energy, shielding her with meticulous care. Not even a wisp of wind touched her, and she felt no chill, only the soft warmth of Bo Xuenong’s presence against her legs and feet.

Shen Yanting didn’t mean to, but with Bo Xuenong carrying her draped around her neck, her lower body pressed against Bo Xuenong’s chest, it was nearly impossible to avoid physical contact.

The unusual heat gradually stirred a desire to distance herself from Bo Xuenong. Gripping the red cloth, Shen Yanting leaned forward slightly, trying to create some space.

Just as she managed to escape the heat, Bo Xuenong’s hand suddenly pressed against her back, her fingertips pushing Shen Yanting back into a tight embrace. “Master,” Bo Xuenong said, her voice low, “your body is fragile right now. Stay close to me so I can protect you.”

The sudden touch left Shen Yanting momentarily flustered. The White Porcelain Doll’s body had no distinct tactile zones, and Bo Xuenong’s fingertips had landed squarely on her chest. The crimson blush on Shen Yanting’s delicate porcelain skin deepened.

She couldn’t resist reaching up to push Bo Xuenong’s hand away, but even the slightest pressure failed to register as a rejection.

Fortunately, Bo Xuenong didn’t linger. Once she confirmed Shen Yanting was leaning against her chest, she released her grip, still murmuring, “Master, if you feel unwell, you must tell Nong’er.”

“Okay.” Okay? Nothing about this is okay.

Too close. Too warm.

The heat wasn’t just clinging to her body; it was burning from within her chest, accompanied by a faint, ticklish sensation.

Shen Yanting finally realized something was amiss. She had deliberately kept her distance from Bo Xuenong recently, but in their earlier years, they had been incredibly close. She had even bathed Bo Xuenong as a child, touching her skin without any shame, fear, or heat. Back then, she had never felt the urge to escape.

She had never experienced romantic love herself, but she had witnessed her Martial Uncles and Aunts driven mad by it, their hearts consumed by obsession. She had also witnessed others’ unwavering devotion. She understood that both love and desire arose from the heart; fear only emerged when joy was present.

As master and disciple, it was natural for them to be close. So why was she afraid? Unless… she truly harbored improper feelings for Bo Xuenong.

This realization struck Shen Yanting like a cold wave. Her gaze darkened, and her fingers unconsciously curled inward, pressing hard against her palm.

If that were true, she would be unworthy of being a teacher.

A master who had already spoiled her disciple beyond forgiveness, now harboring such twisted thoughts? Death would be too merciful a punishment.

The warmth in Shen Yanting’s chest plummeted, the itching sensation quelled by a sharp pain.

Refusing to dwell on these thoughts, she hastily suppressed them, murmuring softly, “Fellow Daoist Si, Nong’er and I are master and disciple.”

She hoped Si Xianling would acknowledge their proper roles, and perhaps even remind herself of this truth.

Si Xianling, a notorious rebel within the Great Sect, would never be swayed by Shen Yanting’s appeal to tradition.

Si Xianling continued to laugh merrily, the pain from her injuries unable to stifle her laughter. “In this vast Cultivation World, how many Masters would willingly die for their disciples?”

Si Xianling seemed determined to tear through Shen Yanting’s facade and pretense. Her words struck a painful truth: it was not uncommon for disciples to die for their Masters. As long as the Master possessed decent character and the disciple retained a shred of conscience, the weight of moral obligation would compel the disciple to value their Master’s life above their own. Yet Masters willing to die for their disciples were exceedingly rare. After all, a good Master rarely had only one disciple. Mo Tingshu, for instance, now had four disciples, including Si Xianling.

Shen Yanting found herself speechless.

Never adept at verbal sparring, she now realized her own feelings were skewed, leaving her utterly incapable of justifying why she would rather die herself than let Bo Xuenong perish.

Shen Yanting could, of course, deceive herself by claiming it was guilt. But she knew deep down that even guilt had its limits.

What she owed Bo Xuenong was freedom—the inability to treat her with genuine honesty. Was that truly worth sacrificing her life?

She… she had likely developed feelings for Bo Xuenong that transcended the boundaries of the Master-disciple relationship.

Shen Yanting couldn’t pinpoint the exact moment her feelings had shifted. She meticulously reviewed every past event that had touched her heart: when she realized Bo Xuenong’s will to live was too weak and blamed herself for not raising her properly; when Bo Xuenong repeatedly shielded her with her frail body; perhaps… perhaps it was when she granted Bo Xuenong freedom, and Bo Xuenong willingly surrendered control to her; or perhaps it was when Bo Xuenong declared she would die for her, willingly offering her life.

Was it because Bo Xuenong was so obedient and compliant?

Or was it because she was willing to die for her?

Shen Yanting struggled to pinpoint the precise moment her heart had been moved, but she suddenly realized she had likely crossed a line.

She had never lacked followers, and she had also amassed many enemies who, enraged by her rejections, sought revenge. To her former self, these were trivial matters; a person single-mindedly pursuing the Dao cared nothing for worldly affections. Shen Yanting had never imagined she would develop feelings, let alone for her own disciple.

Indeed, I am no good Master, she thought. My thoughts are impure, and I have disgraced the sect’s reputation.

If Bo Xuenong knew, she would likely never willingly follow her again. And if this reached Mo Tingshu’s ears, Mo Tingshu would likely despise her as well.

She regarded Mo Tingshu as a mother, so why hadn’t she treated Bo Xuenong as a child? Bo Xuenong held her in such reverence and admiration, and what had she been doing in return?

The more Shen Yanting pondered, the greater her guilt grew. She couldn’t help but wonder how her Master would view her if her feelings were exposed. And how would Bo Xuenong see her then?

The White Porcelain Doll gripped the red cloth tighter and tighter, until, in a moment of carelessness, she snapped the “swing” supporting her body. She tumbled instantly into Bo Xuenong’s robes, her delicate form sinking completely into the soft, warm embrace. Shen Yanting struggled to climb out.

Before she could escape on her own, Bo Xuenong gently lifted her out with both hands.

Bo Xuenong’s eyes were clear and bright, yet a hint of worry flickered in their depths. “Master, what’s wrong?”

It had been easier when she hadn’t understood. But now, suddenly realizing she might have harbored improper thoughts, Shen Yanting felt a pang of guilt so intense she couldn’t meet Bo Xuenong’s gaze. She lowered her eyes and murmured, “Nothing.”

Bo Xuenong’s lips moved slightly, but she said nothing.

She tucked the White Porcelain Doll back into her chest pocket, secretly reflecting on whether she had done anything to displease Shen Yanting. Lately, she had sensed Shen Yanting growing much closer to her. Perhaps she had been spoiled, but Bo Xuenong now found Shen Yanting’s curt “Nothing” cold and distant.

Just moments ago, Shen Yanting had been asking her to speak. Now, she was completely silent, even resisting being held and constantly trying to wriggle free. Could it be that Shen Yanting still resented her for turning her into a White Porcelain Doll?

It wasn’t impossible.

The White Porcelain Doll’s body was delicate and fragile, lacking the imposing presence of an Immortal Elder.

Had she embarrassed her Master?

It was entirely possible. After all, since becoming a White Porcelain Doll, Shen Yanting had encountered many people she knew, including her highly respected Grand Martial Aunt.

The more Bo Xuenong thought about it, the more it made sense. Lowering her gaze to the White Porcelain Doll, she pleaded softly, “Master, please don’t be angry with me, okay? I promise, once you’re healed, I’ll turn you back to normal. If… if you’re still angry, I’ll become a White Porcelain Doll too, okay?”

Bo Xuenong was already planning how to earn enough Points to exchange for a Substitute Doll for herself. But before she could even open the System Panel, her mind suddenly cleared. “Master, let me transform after you’re back to normal, okay? You have no spiritual power right now, so I need to protect you. I don’t trust anyone else to take care of you—I’m the best choice. I’ll definitely protect you well. I’m still a bit weak now, but I’ll work hard. I’ll… I’ll become incredibly strong in the future, and I’ll never let you get hurt again.”

Shen Yanting barely registered Bo Xuenong’s words, her mind a chaotic whirlwind of emotions.

The White Porcelain Doll stood stiffly, her neck rigid as she stared ahead at Wu Qingshu, who was cradling Si Xianling in her arms.

Wu Qingshu’s presence served as a constant reminder of Shen Yanting’s true identity and seniority, forcing her to focus on her mission.

The thought of her mission deepened Shen Yanting’s sense of loss. She had always feared that Bo Xuenong would resent her if she ever learned that Shen Yanting had killed her own kin. Now, with her own twisted desires exposed, Shen Yanting feared Bo Xuenong would hate her forever if the truth were revealed.

Burdened by unspoken worries, Shen Yanting couldn’t be as direct as Bo Xuenong. She wanted to say nothing at all, her heart heavy with melancholy and frustration, but she dared not even sigh, remaining silent.

Wu Qingshu, oblivious to the strange tension between master and disciple, only heard Bo Xuenong’s fervent desire to grow stronger. Recalling Bo Xuenong’s status, she couldn’t resist offering a cautionary remark: “If you keep saying things like that, once you surpass your master in strength, she’ll lose all control over you.”

“Impossible!” Bo Xuenong retorted, her voice rising with emotion. “I’ll always be obedient. If Master tells me to go east, I won’t take a single step west. If she forbids me from killing, I won’t kill a single soul. I swear it!”

Bo Xuenong’s passion grew with each word, her impulsive nature mirroring that of Xiang Manyu and her group, easily provoked by others’ words.

Before Shen Yanting could stop her, Bo Xuenong had already sworn an Immortal Oath.

Wu Qingshu hadn’t expected Bo Xuenong to go this far, and her respect for the girl grew. “Yan Ting, your disciple is truly devoted.”

Devoted.

Bo Xuenong was genuinely devoted, while Wu Qingshu’s affection was a sham.

The word “devoted” now grated on Shen Yanting’s ears, and she dared not reply.

Si Xianling, however, was eager to chime in, ready to make a scene. Before she could speak, Shen Yanting shot her a warning glare. “Fellow Daoist Si!”

As Shen Yanting’s longtime friend, Si Xianling wasn’t entirely oblivious to boundaries. Sensing Shen Yanting’s genuine anger, she immediately dropped the subject and tactfully shifted the conversation. Pointing to the greyfur rabbit nestled against her chest, she whined to Wu Qingshu, “Mother, Si Tingxuan is bullying me! She kicked me in the chest!”

The greyfur rabbit’s front paws stiffened, and she stared at Si Xianling in disbelief.

As the System’s biographical notes revealed, Si Tingxuan, though Si Xianling’s Lifebound Beast, harbored a deep loathing for Wu Qingshu. Having long regained her ability to speak, she had remained silent to avoid Wu Qingshu’s attention. She never imagined Si Xianling would deliberately expose her, forcing Wu Qingshu to notice her.

With a subtle flex of her hind legs, the greyfur rabbit stomped hard on Si Xianling’s abdomen.

Si Xianling felt only a mild twinge, but her scream amplified the pain tenfold. “Mother, she’s bullying me!”

Wu Qingshu glanced sideways at Greyfur Rabbit. “Then you’d better come over here.”

A rope materialized from spiritual energy, binding Greyfur Rabbit and pulling her closer to Wu Qingshu. The rabbit resisted fiercely, clawing twice with her front paws before finally letting out a thin, girlish voice: “You wicked woman! Let me go! Wu Qingshu, release me!”

Her shrill cries drew the attention of Bo Xuenong and Shen Yanting.

Ignoring Greyfur Rabbit’s protests, Wu Qingshu used the spiritual rope to forcibly drag the rabbit onto her shoulder. To better support the rabbit’s weight, she used spiritual power to compress Greyfur Rabbit’s body, which had only just begun to grow larger as her spiritual power recovered, shrinking it several times smaller again.

Greyfur Rabbit’s eyes widened into perfect circles. Gathering spiritual power in her hind legs, she leaped twice against Wu Qingshu’s shoulder.

Wu Qingshu didn’t even flinch. A swirling mist of purple light quickly enveloped her shoulder.

As Greyfur Rabbit continued to leap, her straining hind legs began to swell. Exhausted and with her legs swollen, she finally collapsed onto Wu Qingshu’s shoulder, whimpering softly, “Wu Qingshu, you’re truly a vicious woman!”

Wu Qingshu chuckled softly. “Your insults don’t hurt me. But you…”

The Greyfur Rabbit’s slender body trembled as she craned her neck toward Si Xianling, her voice indignant. “Your mother is abusing me! Help me!”

Si Xianling raised an eyebrow slightly. “Si Tingxuan, if you stopped insulting my mother, she wouldn’t bully you.”

The Greyfur Rabbit’s fury intensified, her rabbit eyes widening until sparks seemed to fly from them. “You little brat, you…”

Wu Qingshu cut her off with a sharp glance, not giving her a chance to finish. A beautiful purple mist coiled around the rabbit’s three-lobed lips, instantly silencing her. The rabbit could only stare wide-eyed at Wu Qingshu, unblinking.

Wu Qingshu’s lips curled into a smile. “You didn’t want to talk to me earlier, so you won’t talk to me now.”

The Greyfur Rabbit rolled her eyes in exasperation, while Wu Qingshu wore a triumphant smile.

Wait, something was off.

Bo Xuenong suddenly realized that Wu Qingshu’s attitude toward the Greyfur Rabbit didn’t match the story from Zhu Ningfu’s perspective in the System’s expanded life history. In Zhu Ningfu’s eyes, Wu Qingshu was a pitiful figure, constantly bullied by the Beast Taming Sect, even her own Lifebound Beast disliking her. Her kindness was misunderstood, leaving her repeatedly alone and dejected.

But what Bo Xuenong and the others were witnessing was entirely different. Wu Qingshu showed no sadness over the rabbit’s dislike; instead, she seemed to find amusement in teasing her.

At the Heavenly Cuisine Sect earlier, Wu Qingshu hadn’t seemed to suffer any losses.

Apart from those two mild insults, Wu Qingshu hadn’t been disadvantaged in any other way. In fact, she had outmaneuvered Xiang Manyu and her group.

Xiang Manyu’s group numbered in the hundreds, with over a thousand Beast Tamers and their beasts combined. Each member was a formidable cultivator, yet none had escaped Wu Qingshu’s scheme. They had all been forced to swear an Immortal Oath to protect Bo Xue. Bo Xuenong couldn’t see any connection between Wu Qingshu and the concept of pity.

The more Bo Xuenong pondered this, the stranger it seemed. She couldn’t help but ask Wu Qingshu, “Senior Wu, you don’t seem to mind that Senior Si’s Lifebound Beast dislikes you?”

“Why should I?” Wu Qingshu glanced at the still-puffed-up Greyfur Rabbit, whose fur stood on end in anger. Her smile deepened. “Isn’t it rather amusing? It hates me, yet it’s forced to stay close. It loathes me, yet it must see me. It wants to curse me but fears my retaliation. It’s terrified of me, yet it keeps provoking me.”

Wu Qingshu spoke these words while looking at the Greyfur Rabbit, but they seemed directed at more than just the rabbit.

Si Xianling smiled at Wu Qingshu. “Mother, if Aunt and the others heard you say that, they’d be furious.”

Bo Xuenong suddenly understood.

From Zhu Ningfu’s perspective, Wu Qingshu’s story was heavily biased. Zhu Ningfu subconsciously felt that everyone owed Wu Qingshu, that everyone had wronged her. In her eyes, everyone was at fault except Wu Qingshu, and Wu Qingshu was the most pitiful person in the world. In reality, as the foremost Talisman Cultivator, Wu Qingshu rarely suffered any setbacks in the Cultivation World. She possessed absolute power to ensure her actions had consequences for others and to make others suffer.

Wu Qingshu was also remarkably intelligent, easily manipulating the simple-minded members of the Beast Taming Sect.

After parting ways with Tu Gaojun, it wasn’t that she couldn’t return to the Beast Taming Sect; she simply didn’t want to.

The Sect-Protecting Grand Formation couldn’t stop her. When Si Xianling went missing, Wu Qingshu had forcefully breached the sect’s defenses to discover her daughter’s runaway.

Bo Xuenong finally understood.

Wu Qingshu, having given up on becoming a god, found herself bored with her unparalleled strength and extraordinary lifespan. Her desire for a daughter stemmed from sheer boredom. Choosing Tu Gaojun as her Dao Companion wasn’t solely to leverage the Beast Taming Sect’s Beast Tamer inheritance to mitigate the risk of her daughter’s weak constitution preventing her from cultivating; a small part of her motivation was likely due to boredom as well.

Throughout the entire Cultivation World, no sect’s bloodline entanglements ran deeper than those of the Beast Taming Sect.

While others might find youngest aunts and uncles troublesome, and family affairs tedious, Wu Qingshu felt no such sentiments.

Other cultivators had to cultivate, seclude themselves in meditation, and seek out cultivation resources and fortuitous encounters. But Wu Qingshu’s cultivation and Talisman Arts had reached their peak, requiring no further practice or research. Her Storage Ring was a vast repository of resources. Without finding some amusement, her days would become unbearably dull.

Dealing with Xiang Manyu and the others was entertaining, as was vying for custody of the children. Perhaps Si Xianling’s occasional “escapes” from home, deliberately waiting for Wu Qingshu to come find her, were the daughter’s way of adding some excitement to her mother’s monotonous life.

Most cultivators never reached the Great Ascension Stage before perishing. Others ascended to the Divine Realm upon breaking through. Wu Qingshu was likely the only Great Ascension Stage cultivator still alive and remaining in the Cultivation World. Perhaps only someone blinded by gratitude like Zhu Ningfu could pity her.

What Zhu Ningfu saw as flaws, Wu Qingshu considered virtues. The entire Beast Taming Sect was likely just another source of amusement for her.

Perhaps even Shen Yanting and Bo Xuenong themselves were part of her game.

This realization ignited fierce resentment in Bo Xuenong. She could accept Wu Qingshu using her for amusement, but she couldn’t tolerate Wu Qingshu treating Shen Yanting as a plaything.

Shen Yanting was an Immortal Elder, meant to be revered at all times. No one had the right to treat her as mere entertainment.

Kill her… Bo Xuenong couldn’t defeat Wu Qingshu today, but perhaps she could in the future.

But Shen Yanting would never agree to such a thing.

“Master,” Bo Xuenong called out, her voice heavy with frustration. She reached out to touch Shen Yanting, hoping to soothe the sudden surge of murderous intent with the elder’s cool touch.

Before her fingers could make contact, Shen Yanting retreated, hiding herself within the folds of Bo Xuenong’s robes.

Was Shen Yanting deliberately avoiding her?

Bo Xuenong was dazed, but mostly heartbroken. Her voice grew even more pitiful as she called out, “Master.”

Shen Yanting undoubtedly heard her, but ignored her completely.

Wu Qingshu also heard and turned to look. “Yan Ting,” she called out.

Hearing Wu Qingshu’s voice, Shen Yanting finally emerged again. “Aunt Shu,” she greeted.

The moment Shen Yanting appeared, Bo Xuenong couldn’t resist reaching out to poke her arm.

Shen Yanting looked up, her gaze complex and unsettling. Bo Xuenong felt a surge of anxiety. “Master, has Nong’er done something wrong? Please tell me, and I’ll fix it. Don’t look at me like that, okay?”

As Bo Xuenong spoke, the fluffy ears on her head twitched, like a small beast pleading for mercy.

Shen Yanting frowned slightly. “Put your ears away first.”

With a mental command, Bo Xuenong successfully retracted her ears.

Shen Yanting glanced at Bo Xuenong’s hand. “And your hand too.”

Bo Xuenong hastily withdrew her hand, gazing at Shen Yanting with wide, expectant eyes, awaiting her next instruction.

Seeing her so docile and obedient, Shen Yanting suddenly found herself at a loss for words.

Seeing this scene, Wu Qingshu genuinely sighed in admiration. “Yan Ting, you’ve trained your disciple to be even more obedient than a Beast Tamer’s beasts. You’ve truly raised her well. No wonder you’re so protective of her. Rest assured, Xiang Manyu and the others have sworn oaths. If you don’t want anyone to harm her, there will be those who will protect you both.”

Bo Xuenong couldn’t help but glance at Wu Qingshu. Though Wu Qingshu treated everyone in her life as mere diversions from her loneliness, her emotions were undeniably genuine. She had invested time and care in Shen Yanting, her concern and worry were real.

Forcing Xiang Manyu and the others to swear oaths wasn’t just for amusement; Wu Qingshu had recognized Shen Yanting’s protectiveness toward her disciple.

Bo Xuenong’s murderous intent flared quickly but faded just as swiftly.

Shen Yanting had her own unspoken struggles. Her mind was still in turmoil. She couldn’t bring herself to utter heartless words, nor could she face the sudden awakening of her own feelings.

She remained stubbornly silent.

Wu Qingshu’s gaze circled her, scrutinizing the White Porcelain Doll’s body. “Did you transform Yan Ting into this? What method did you use?”

Bo Xuenong couldn’t explain the method, and she initially refused to speak. But when Shen Yanting’s gaze drifted over to her along with Wu Qingshu’s, the urge to speak became overwhelming.

Shen Yanting was the person she cared about most. She shouldn’t keep secrets from her, whether it was the Substitute Doll or the System. She should tell Shen Yanting everything.

If she told her everything…

Shen Yanting would surely believe she was being good and obedient, right?

Bo Xuenong mentally rehearsed what she wanted to say, slowly opened her mouth, but instead of words, fresh bl00d gushed out.

As if an invisible hand had crushed her throat, bl00d flowed uncontrollably, and she couldn’t utter a single word.

Could it be that she was forbidden from discussing the System with anyone other than Feng Jin?

Come to think of it, Feng Jin had only ever shared these secrets with her, even though she was clearly closer to Feng Yingbo.

Bo Xuenong’s vomiting bl00d showed no signs of stopping. Great mouthfuls of crimson liquid surged from her mouth as she doubled over, one arm outstretched to shield Shen Yanting from the splatter.

The crimson bl00d blurred her vision, and Shen Yanting felt a panic she had never experienced before.

She hadn’t yet figured out how to face Bo Xuenong in the future, but seeing her vomiting bl00d, she instinctively reached out in concern. “Nong’er, what’s wrong?”

Wu Qingshu hurriedly set Si Xianling down, handing her to Gui Nian’an to hold, and rushed forward to stop the bleeding. But she found herself powerless to stem the flow.

Wu Qingshu gripped Bo Xuenong’s wrist, her gaze fixed on the still-coughing Bo Xuenong. “You… what kind of backlash are you experiencing?”

Probably a System rule, Bo Xuenong thought.

Bo Xuenong wrenched her hand free from Wu Qingshu’s grasp and continued to bend over, vomiting bl00d.

Only when the System-related thoughts in her mind subsided did the bleeding finally stop.

Wiping the bl00d from the corner of her mouth, Bo Xuenong hurriedly checked on Shen Yanting. Only after confirming that not a single drop of bl00d had stained Shen Yanting’s robes did she breathe a sigh of relief. “Master, I’m so glad you’re alright.”

Wu Qingshu shoved a bl00d-replenishing pill into Bo Xuenong’s mouth, her gaze turning peculiar. “You’re truly devoted.”

Bo Xuenong swallowed the pill, feeling much better. Without a trace of modesty, she declared, “Of course! Master is the most important person to me. No one could care for Master more than I do!”

Wu Qingshu found this unsettling but instinctively retorted, “Ting Shu and I both care deeply for Yan Ting.”

“Senior Wu has a daughter, Sect Leader Mo has four disciples, but I only have Master!” Bo Xuenong’s voice rang with conviction. Though her words carried an air of loneliness and dependence, Wu Qingshu couldn’t shake the feeling that they were laced with pride and self-satisfaction. Her gaze grew increasingly strange. “In all these years, haven’t you made any close friends?”

“Of course I do,” Bo Xuenong said, lifting her chin proudly. “My Master’s dearest friend is my dearest friend! The person my Master loves is the person I love! The person my Master hates is the person I hate!”

Si Xianling, supported by Gui Nian’an, had been laughing so hard her wound ached, but she couldn’t resist a snarky remark: “Why don’t you say your Master’s master is also your master, and your Master’s grand martial aunt is also your grand martial aunt!”

“That’s obvious!” Bo Xuenong didn’t miss a beat. After all, that’s exactly how she felt. She had no inherent connection to those people; her only link to them was through Shen Yanting’s affection for them. In essence, her world consisted solely of Shen Yanting. Though she couldn’t suppress the murderous intent that often surged within her, she could secretly mimic Shen Yanting’s affection for others. “My Master’s master is naturally my master, and my Master’s grand martial aunt is naturally my grand martial aunt! If my Master wishes to honor them, I will honor them wholeheartedly as well!”

Bo Xuenong saw nothing wrong with her attitude.

Wu Qingshu, observing Bo Xuenong’s earnestness, grew increasingly convinced of her filial piety.

Though she sensed something was off, Wu Qingshu nodded in agreement. She praised Shen Yanting, “Yan Ting, you’ve truly raised a remarkably well-behaved disciple.”

The White Porcelain Doll’s face flushed crimson with embarrassment. She lowered her head, completely at a loss for words.

Fortunately, Bo Xuenong had been soothed by her earlier show of concern and stopped pestering her.

As they drew closer to Lanshou Village, Wu Qingshu’s superior perception allowed her to sense something the others couldn’t. Standing atop the fox’s back, she glanced toward the village and exclaimed, “Why am I sensing Cen Wan’s bl00d essence? She should still be at the Sect, preparing for the Scale Mountain County Cultivation Journey.”

Realizing she hadn’t mentioned it before, Wu Qingshu turned to Shen Yanting and said, “Yan Ting, Yu Cenwan is a disciple your Master took in two centuries ago. You haven’t met her yet. If there’s an opportunity during the Scale Mountain County Cultivation Journey, I…”

She had intended to suggest introducing Yu Cenwan to Shen Yanting, but the familiar bl00d essence grew stronger. Without thinking, Wu Qingshu urged the fox to accelerate, leading Bo Xuenong and the others toward Lanshou Village. As soon as they reached the village entrance, she followed the bl00d essence’s trail and spotted a ten-year-old child effortlessly lifting a thousand-kilogram cauldron…