The Beloved Master's Mad Dog Disciple - Chapter 49

Si Xianling’s affection for Shen Yanting was both reasonable and justified.

Unlike Si Xianling, Feng Yingbo appeared outwardly healthy but was actually a frail invalid hiding beneath her Nascent Soul cultivation.

Thanks to her demon beast bloodline, Si Xianling possessed a physique comparable to that of an average Body Cultivator. Moreover, having consumed healing and qi-replenishing medicinal pills, her recovery far surpassed that of ordinary cultivators.

Originally so severely injured that she needed to be carried, Si Xianling regained the ability to walk unaided after absorbing the pill’s medicinal energy for just a few hours.

Once mobile, she immediately positioned herself at the front of the crowd, eagerly watching the spectacle. She even joined Feng Yingbo in cheering on Gui Nian’an and the others, urging them to show no mercy against Hua Jinshi and Wu Liangyi. Now that Hua Jinshi and Wu Liangyi were dead, the spectacle had ended, and she remembered Feng Yingbo, who had acted similarly earlier. Approaching to introduce herself, she was surprised to find Feng Yingbo unconscious.

Si Xianling’s timing was impeccable, as she arrived just as Bo Xuenong began to speak.

Though she only heard the latter half of Bo Xuenong’s words, Si Xianling still found them somewhat presumptuous.

Regardless of Shen Yanting’s feelings, Si Xianling couldn’t shake the impression that Shen Yanting’s disciple was excessively obedient, especially after suspecting her bloodline might be connected to a family of feral beasts.

Si Xianling felt that Bo Xuenong’s attitude toward Shen Yanting wasn’t like that of a disciple toward her master, but rather like that of an admirer.

As for Shen Yanting herself…

Shen Yanting’s thoughts ran deep, making her difficult to decipher.

However, based on Si Xianling’s understanding of Shen Yanting, it was unlikely she would truly harbor any romantic feelings. At most, she might show a slight favoritism toward this particular disciple. Shen Yanting wasn’t one for rigid adherence to convention; she was the epitome of self-restraint and propriety.

Si Xianling simply found it amusing to tease Bo Xuenong.

Her words carried a teasing tone, mostly meant in jest, but Bo Xuenong completely missed the humor. “Are you trying to steal Master from me too?”

Si Xianling stared, momentarily doubting her hearing.

Bo Xuenong’s way of thinking seemed utterly different from that of ordinary people.

When had Si Xianling ever suggested she wanted to steal Shen Yanting?

Before Si Xianling could voice her confusion, Bo Xuenong had already glanced furtively in Shen Yanting’s direction. Confirming that their master wasn’t watching, she lowered her voice menacingly. “If you try to steal Master from me, I’ll kill you.”

Bo Xuenong dared to threaten her?

Si Xianling found this astonishing. She had always been the one issuing threats, even when she was deeply embroiled in the Heavenly Cuisine Sect’s affairs.

This was the first time Si Xianling had ever been threatened, especially by a cultivator in the Nascent Soul Stage.

Does this little disciple have boundless courage? Or is she simply too attached to Shen Yanting?

If it was the latter, that would be even more intriguing.

Deep down, Si Xianling still took after Wu Qingshu. While Wu Qingshu secretly sought amusement, Si Xianling practically declared her love for watching drama.

Si Xianling narrowed her eyes, a mischievous smile playing on her lips. “Little disciple, I never said I wanted to steal your Master. Your Master was never yours alone to begin with.”

Bo Xuenong instinctively retorted, “Master only has one disciple—me.”

“She may only have one disciple, but she also has friends, a Master, a Grand Martial Aunt, a Junior Sister…” Si Xianling listed several people before turning the question back on Bo Xuenong. “How can you claim she belongs to you alone?”

Bo Xuenong frowned, finding Si Xianling’s sly smile remarkably fox-like—malicious and slightly infuriating.

Unfortunately, as Shen Yanting’s friend, Si Xianling couldn’t be killed and deserved a proper response to every word.

Bo Xuenong forced a stiff smile. “Senior Si, I never said Master belongs to me alone. Those were your words.”

Si Xianling realized Bo Xuenong wasn’t playing along with her, finally realizing the girl wasn’t as dim-witted as she’d assumed.

Driven by her insatiable curiosity, Si Xianling seized this rare opportunity to spend time with Bo Xuenong away from Shen Yanting. She was determined to uncover her little disciple’s true feelings. Stealthily calculating the distance between them and Shen Yanting, she silently widened the gap, ensuring Shen Yanting, who lacked spiritual power, couldn’t possibly overhear their conversation. Only then did she continue, “Little disciple, you said earlier that you’d kill anyone who tried to ‘steal’ Sister Shen from you. What kind of ‘stealing’ did you mean?”

“Stealing is stealing, isn’t it?”

Confusion clouded not only Bo Xuenong’s eyes but also Feng Jin’s, who was eavesdropping on their conversation.

Si Xianling patiently pressed on, making her question more specific. “Can I be friends with your Master?”

“Of course,” Bo Xuenong replied, her confusion deepening. It was only natural for someone as wonderful as Shen Yanting to have many friends. “Not just you, Aunt Feng and the Sect Leader can be friends with Master too.”

Si Xianling: “Then can I stand next to your Master?”

Bo Xuenong: “Yes.”

Si Xianling: “Can I talk to your Master?”

Bo Xuenong: “Yes.”

Si Xianling: “Does that mean I’m trying to steal your Master?”

Bo Xuenong: “Of course not.”

Bo Xuenong had little patience for others. She was only answering Si Xianling’s questions word for word out of respect for her friendship with Shen Yanting. But Si Xianling kept circling around the point, clearly just teasing her for amusement. Bo Xuenong felt Si Xianling was being excessively bored.

No longer willing to waste time on this, Bo Xuenong suddenly snapped, her voice turning cold: “What exactly do you want to say?”

Bo Xuenong’s expression changed faster than she usually flipped through the Talisman Arts scrolls Wu Qingshu kept shoving at her.

Just moments ago, her face had been warm and welcoming, like a spring breeze. Now it was cold and fierce.

Shen Yanting’s little disciple is two-faced, Si Xianling thought darkly, then snapped back, “I’m asking you, what do you consider ‘stealing’? Being near her? Kidnapping her? Taking her away from you? Or possessing her?”

Bo Xuenong’s expression turned even colder. “You want to bind my Master?”

She stole a glance toward Shen Yanting, confirming that her Master wasn’t paying attention to them.

In an instant, Bo Xuenong seized Si Xianling’s wrist, yanking her close and glaring coldly. “You want to harm my Master.”

Si Xianling’s smile froze on her face. She had intended to coax Bo Xuenong into revealing her true feelings, hoping to finally understand the depths of her heart. Instead, Bo Xuenong had completely deviated from her expectations. Si Xianling now suspected that if she nodded in agreement, the seemingly fierce young girl might bite her throat in her sleep.

Speechless, Si Xianling retorted, “Why would I bind Sister Shen? I just wanted to ask if you’re in love with your Master! That’s why you’re so possessive of her!”

The four of them had fallen to the back of the crowd. Wu Qingshu and Shen Yanting were busy comforting the people of Lanshou Village, completely oblivious to their conversation and with no time to eavesdrop. The others were even less likely to pay attention.

Wu Qingshu had forcibly shrunk all of Si Xianling’s Beast Tamers and placed them on her own person.

Besides Bo Xuenong, only Feng Jin heard these words.

Feng Jin glanced at Si Xianling in astonishment, both shocked by her directness and realizing she had hit the nail on the head.

She instinctively looked toward Shen Yanting, but Bo Xuenong didn’t react as expected. “Of course I love my Master! Wouldn’t you love yours? You’d be quite unfilial if you didn’t.”

Si Xianling rolled her eyes, finding Bo Xuenong rather dim-witted. “I don’t have a Master, and the kind of ‘love’ I’m talking about is clearly different from yours.”

Bo Xuenong: “How so?”

Feng Jin chimed in softly, “Eldest Senior Sister, she means romantic love.”

“Romantic love?” Bo Xuenong nodded matter-of-factly. “Of course I feel that too! My Master is so wonderful—everyone should adore her! Worship her! Look up to her!”

She wished everyone would revere Shen Yanting as she did. Her eyes, sparkling like starlight, betrayed her true feelings; she never concealed her respect and admiration for Shen Yanting.

Si Xianling, who dealt with Beast Tamers daily, felt even the beasts were smarter than Bo Xuenong. They were still talking about completely different things.

Si Xianling grew exasperated with Bo Xuenong’s denseness. “Even your Junior Sister understands what I’m asking, but you don’t? I’m asking if you have any desire to claim Sister Shen as your Dao Companion.”

“Of course not!” Bo Xuenong denied quickly.

Si Xianling remained skeptical. “You haven’t wanted to get closer to Sister Shen?”

“No.”

This wasn’t a lie. Rather than approaching Shen Yanting herself, Bo Xuenong preferred that Shen Yanting approach her.

Every day, she yearned for Shen Yanting to like her, to stroke her head, her face, her neck. Perhaps once her fluffy tail grew in, Shen Yanting might consider her a furry demon pet to hold in her arms.

Si Xianling scrutinized Bo Xuenong suspiciously. “You haven’t wanted to kiss Sister Shen? Touch her?”

“No.”

The answer remained firm, without a trace of guilt. Her clear eyes held no ulterior motives.

Bo Xuenong could honestly say she had no qualms. She had never entertained the thought of offending Shen Yanting, whether through kisses or touches. She had, however, imagined Shen Yanting touching her, and if Shen Yanting were willing to kiss her… she certainly wouldn’t refuse. She would accept any action Shen Yanting took toward her, whether good or bad.

As Si Xianling’s questioning grew less resolute, she asked, “You really haven’t ever wanted to possess Sister Shen?”

“Of course not.”

Each denial grew more emphatic, reflecting Bo Xuenong’s genuine feelings.

Owning Shen Yanting was something Bo Xuenong dared not even dream of. But if Shen Yanting wanted to own her, she would undoubtedly agree.

Bo Xuenong’s thoughts suddenly stalled. While she had none of the desires Si Xianling had asked about, she found herself wishing Shen Yanting would treat her that way. Her longing for Shen Yanting to draw closer—wasn’t that a form of closeness? Her yearning for kisses and touches—weren’t those intimate contact?

The difference between Shen Yanting owning her and her owning Shen Yanting seemed negligible.

She craved Shen Yanting—her affection, her caresses, her… The sound of Shen Yanting calling her “Langjun” echoed softly in her mind. A peculiar flush rose on Bo Xuenong’s cheeks, her lips parted slightly, her breaths growing hotter with each exhale, and her tongue felt faintly numb.

Her love for Shen Yanting was not the respectful affection a disciple held for her Master.

Bo Xuenong struggled to process this sudden realization. She couldn’t accept that she harbored such feelings for Shen Yanting. How was she any different from Guan Caimei and the others…? No, there was a difference. She would never harm Shen Yanting; she would only protect her. Nor would she ever reduce Shen Yanting to a mere plaything.

All her desires hinged on Shen Yanting’s consent.

This was unlike Guan Caimei and the others’ greedy possessiveness. It was more akin to a moth drawn to the light.

The world of feral beasts is governed by two primal instincts: the love of killing and the love of drinking bl00d. Bo Xuenong, however, possessed a third instinct: the love of Shen Yanting. Shen Yanting was like the only ray of light piercing through her dark, bl00d-soaked world. She would instinctively cup that light in her palm, yet dare not hold it too tightly, fearing she might extinguish it.

Maintaining a respectful distance would protect Shen Yanting from harm.

This thought eased her heart slightly. In the moment she had felt like Guan Caimei, Bo Xuenong had even considered killing herself.

Bo Xuenong never questioned why she loved Shen Yanting.

Shen Yanting was so perfect—how could loving her be wrong? Shen Yanting deserved everyone’s love.

She didn’t presume to be worthy of Shen Yanting. Serving as a loyal Demon Pet by her side should be within her reach. If not, she could cultivate her strength further and become Shen Yanting’s sharpest blade. Whether as a Demon Pet or a blade, one condition remained paramount: there must be no betrayers.

Her Master would never willingly let her disciple remain by her side forever. Shen Yanting would love many in this world, but that love would never be romantic.

She would become the Immortal Elder’s most devoted follower, ensuring the Elder never learned of her yearning for her.

As Bo Xuenong pondered these things, Si Xianling was deep in thought, still sensing something amiss. “Could I really have been wrong?”

Bo Xuenong snapped out of her thoughts just in time to hear Si Xianling’s words. Her sharp gaze instantly locked onto the younger woman.

Perhaps because Si Xianling shared a Bloodline with demon beasts, Bo Xuenong’s own Bloodline exerted a slight suppressive effect on her. Under that intense stare, Si Xianling felt her limbs grow numb, unable to move. “What are you doing?”

“It seems you guessed correctly,” Bo Xuenong replied.

Si Xianling’s curiosity nearly overflowed. “You really like Sister Shen? When are you going to tell her? If you’re too scared, I’ll do it for you!”

So she really was planning to tell Shen Yanting.

If Bo Xuenong denied it today, Si Xianling might still ask Shen Yanting about it later. And if Shen Yanting distanced herself because of those questions, Bo Xuenong wouldn’t even know where to go to cry.

Bo Xuenong’s tone darkened as she gripped Si Xianling’s wrist tightly. “I won’t tell her, and neither will you.”

Si Xianling let out a sly laugh, raising an eyebrow at Bo Xuenong. “Little disciple, you can’t control me.”

Bo Xuenong took a step forward, her presence overwhelming. “I’ll kill you.”

Unfazed by the threat, Si Xianling’s smile grew even more cunning. “You can’t kill me.”

With so many people standing behind her, even a first-rate sect like the Heavenly Cuisine Sect had fallen because of her. How could she be threatened by a mere Nascent Soul Stage cultivator? Si Xianling was about to tease Bo Xuenong further when Bo Xuenong suddenly pinched her cheeks, forced her mouth open, and shoved something wriggling inside.

Si Xianling felt an itch in her throat and coughed violently. “What did you make me eat?”

Bo Xuenong ignored her, feeding herself a red object.

After Bo Xuenong swallowed the unknown substance, two golden lights instantly enveloped them, then vanished with lightning speed. As the light faded, a warm current wrapped around Si Xianling’s injured meridians, healing them completely in an instant.

Within her Dantian, the trembling spiritual root suddenly solidified. The half-human, half-rabbit creature nestled within it, previously on the verge of death with its eyes closed, snapped its eyes open as the warm current surged. A faint golden light flickered from the creature’s eyes, and as the warm current intensified, the gray fur at the tip of its rabbit tail gradually turned pale gold.

This half-human, half-rabbit creature was Si Xianling’s Nascent Soul. It had undergone a transformation when she broke through to the Out-of-Body Stage, a natural consequence of her advancement. But now, she hadn’t broken through, nor had she experienced any fortuitous encounter. What was happening?

Moreover, the significantly more solidified spiritual root held a clear meaning for Si Xianling:

Her spiritual root’s rank had increased.

Cultivators’ spiritual roots were classified into ten ranks. Half-Rank to Fourth-Rank were considered low-grade, Fifth-Rank to Seventh-Rank were mid-grade, and Eighth-Rank to Tenth-Rank were high-grade. Si Xianling’s initial spiritual root had been merely Second-Rank. Despite abundant supplies of medicinal pills and Spiritual Qi, it had taken her thirty years to reach the peak of Qi Condensation and nearly two centuries to complete Foundation Establishment. Had she not taken the Youth Preservation Pill early on, her appearance likely wouldn’t have lasted this long. Her cultivation path truly smoothed out after her Dao Selection, when she formed a contract with Si Tingxuan, a Rabbit Demon with a unique bloodline.

That contract had triggered a similar transformation in her spiritual root, elevating it from Second-Rank to Seventh-Rank.

With a Seventh-Rank spiritual root, coupled with the support of the Beast Taming Sect and Wu Qingshu, she had broken through to the Out-of-Body Stage at the age of 1,200. Combined with her five Beast Tamers, each chosen from ten thousand candidates, this had given her the audacity to venture alone into the Heavenly Cuisine Sect.

Judging by the solidity of her spiritual root, its rank had increased by at least two levels, making it a Ninth-Rank spiritual root.

While Ninth-Rank and Seventh-Rank might seem only two ranks apart, the difference between them was as vast as the distance between heaven and earth. With her injuries healed, her spiritual root’s rank elevated, and her Nascent Soul strengthened, such a terrifying improvement…

Even Si Xianling, who was accustomed to rare treasures, was stunned. “What exactly did you feed me?”

“A Life-Bound Gu.”

Upon hearing it was a Life-Bound Gu, Si Xianling finally understood.

She had previously suspected that Bo Xuenong might be a descendant of the feral beasts annihilated five hundred years ago. Now, it seemed her guess was correct. She hadn’t forgotten that the so-called ancestor of the Fierce Beast Bloodline was a Divine Beast. As a Beast Tamer, sharing a life-bound connection with a Divine Beast would naturally enhance her spiritual root. In fact, this level of improvement was even considered modest.

Si Xianling couldn’t help but feel a surge of secret joy. In the Cultivation World, innate talent largely determined the heights one could reach. While she had little interest in pursuing immortality, she desperately needed breakthroughs to extend her lifespan. After all, Wu Qingshu would live for a very long time, and as a conscientious daughter, Si Xianling couldn’t bear the thought of dying before her mother and causing her grief.

Bo Xuenong’s Life-Bound Gu had unexpectedly solved her dilemma.

Bo Xuenong suddenly remembered Si Xianling mentioning the Life-Bound Gu. It was then she realized she could have Feng Jin exchange one for her to use on Si Xianling.

She pressed a blade formed from spiritual power against her neck. “I can’t kill you, but I can kill myself.”

Si Xianling frantically snatched the spiritual blade away. “Let’s talk this through calmly! You’re willing to share your Bloodline with me, and now I owe you another favor. Since you don’t want Sister Shen to know your feelings, I’ll definitely keep your secret.”

Si Xianling not only made this promise but also retrieved another Storage Ring from her own and handed it to Bo Xuenong. “As a token of my gratitude, take this.”

She didn’t want to owe Bo Xuenong too many favors. Bo Xuenong found her behavior strange. “Since when have you been so generous?”

Si Xianling pressed the Storage Ring into Bo Xuenong’s hand. “Do I look like someone who doesn’t appreciate kindness?”

It was only then that Bo Xuenong remembered Si Xianling’s ancestor being a Divine Beast. She finally understood why Si Xianling was so delighted to have the Life-Bound Gu implanted.

She casually tossed the Storage Ring to Feng Jin. “I already have one from my Master. You take this.”

Resources in the Cultivation World were starkly unevenly distributed. Even Storage Tools weren’t universally available; most cultivators had only small, plain Storage Pouches. Only a select few possessed high-tier Storage Spirit Tools like Jade Bracelets or Rings. Feng Jin and Feng Yingbo both used Storage Pouches, which naturally couldn’t compare to Si Xianling’s superior items.

Si Xianling was astonished that Bo Xuenong had tossed the Storage Ring to Feng Jin without even glancing at its contents. Though she rarely used the ring, its contents were undoubtedly of exceptional quality—enough resources to sustain an entire Third-Rate Sect’s cultivation for a century. “Aren’t you going to check what’s inside?”

“What’s there to see?” Bo Xuenong rolled her eyes at Si Xianling, pointing to the Jade Bracelet on her wrist. “I already have one from my Master.”

Even though they’re both for storage, the contents must be different, right?

Surely she can understand something so obvious?

In truth, Bo Xuenong understood perfectly well. She gently nudged the stunned Feng Jin. “Xiao Jin, after you claim the ring with a bl00d oath, remember to check if there’s anything inside that my Master might find useful. If there is, give it to me. Though Master probably lacks nothing.”

Si Xianling gazed skyward, speechless. “Do you have a lot of cultivation resources? Why don’t you ask for some for yourself?”

“Of course I do!” Bo Xuenong said proudly, stroking her jade bracelet. “I’ve been saving everything Master has given me over the years.”

Si Xianling nearly thought she’d misheard. “You mean you’ve been hoarding all the cultivation resources Sister Shen gave you without using them? Tell me honestly, are you a squirrel demon? Or maybe a hamster demon?”

“Why are you making such a fuss?” Bo Xuenong said, a hint of disdain in her voice at Si Xianling’s sudden outburst. “Of course I cherish what Master gives me. It’s not that I haven’t used them, just that I use them sparingly. Besides, with Master watching me so closely, it’s hard not to use them.”

Si Xianling’s face twisted slightly.

Feng Jin, clutching the storage ring, murmured softly, “Forget cultivation resources, Eldest Senior Sister rarely even uses Healing Pills.”

Si Xianling’s expression contorted completely. Now she understood why Bo Xuenong’s Nascent Soul Realm exerted such oppressive pressure on her.

Besides her Fierce Beast Bloodline, Bo Xuenong’s excessively solid cultivation was another reason for her rapid progress.

Comparing oneself to others only leads to frustration.

Si Xianling felt a surge of resentment. Despite hoarding vast resources, she had only broken through to the Nascent Soul Stage at six hundred years old. Yet Bo Xuenong, relying on virtually no resources, had achieved the same breakthrough by her early five hundreds. It was one thing to lag behind innate prodigies like Wu Qingshu and Shen Yanting, who were born with full spiritual roots, but now even Shen Yanting’s disciple was surpassing her.

Si Xianling’s anger dissipated relatively quickly.

In the Cultivation World, only a tiny fraction of cultivators possessed high-grade spiritual roots, and full spiritual roots were rarer still, appearing in perhaps one out of every ten million people. Divine beast bloodlines were even more scarce; Bo Xuenong might be the only living descendant left. Given her unique heritage, her rapid cultivation speed was understandable.

Having inherited a trace of Bo Xuenong’s bloodline, Si Xianling was now close to achieving a full-grade spiritual root herself. Her cultivation speed would undoubtedly accelerate.

However, Si Xianling’s joy at her enhanced innate talent was short-lived. The frail child suddenly spoke, “Eldest Senior Sister, the Gu I gave you earlier wasn’t a Life-Bound Gu. It was a Parasitic Gu.”

Si Xianling’s smile froze on her face.

The Life-Bound Gu and Parasitic Gu are two distinct entities. The Life-Bound Gu binds the lives of two individuals together, similar to a contract with a Lifebound Beast. If one party is injured or dies, the other will suffer the same fate. The Parasitic Gu, however, operates differently. It binds the host’s life to the caster’s. While the host receives a portion of the caster’s Bloodline, the host will die if the caster dies, unless the bond is severed. Conversely, if the host dies, the caster will only suffer a backlash from the Gu worm. The host cannot sever the bond, but the caster can dissolve the connection at any time.

This was an utterly unfair agreement!

Feng Jin lowered her head in embarrassment, supporting Feng Yingbo with one hand while clutching the Storage Ring Si Xianling had given her with the other. “Um… the Life-Bound Gu is a bit expensive.”

Si Xianling nearly lost her composure. “If you thought it was too expensive, you should have told me! I have money, spirit stones—I lack nothing! I would have bought it myself!”

Feng Jin extended the Storage Ring toward Si Xianling. “As long as Eldest Senior Sister doesn’t actively kill the Parasitic Gu worm, she won’t be injured or die. In that sense, the Parasitic Gu is actually quite similar to the Life-Bound Gu.”

Her words carried genuine sincerity, and they reflected the truth.

Si Xianling struggled for a moment before pushing the Storage Ring back toward Feng Jin. “My dear disciple, you must promise me never to consider killing the Parasitic Gu.”

In the Cultivation World, countless cultivators had murdered and plotted for spiritual roots, slaughtering demons and consuming them, all in pursuit of enhancing their own spiritual roots with the lives of others. The children of Lanshou Village were a living testament to this cruelty. Over the past seven centuries, they had slaughtered countless innocents through unspeakable methods, yet their spiritual roots had barely reached the mid-tier. Now, an opportunity presented itself to Si Xianling—a chance to obtain a high-tier spiritual root without sacrificing anything or staining her hands with bl00d. Desperate to stay by Wu Qingshu’s side for as long as possible, she couldn’t bear to let this chance slip away.

Bo Xuenong pushed away Si Xianling, who was trying to embrace her. “Then you must promise not to reveal my feelings to Master, and you must never disclose the existence of the Parasitic Gu to anyone. It might be impossible to hide it from Senior Wu, but if you must tell her, wait until we part ways.”

Bo Xuenong feared that Shen Yanting might use the Parasitic Gu to enhance Si Xianling’s spiritual root, suspecting that she had discovered the truth about the Fierce Beast Bloodline.

Bo Xuenong cherished the current distance between herself and Shen Yanting, which wasn’t too far. She couldn’t be certain if Shen Yanting’s attitude toward her would change once she learned about her Fierce Beast Bloodline—whether their relationship would revert to its former, perpetually distant state, or even worsen.

Since leaving the Imperial Tranquility Sect, things seemed to have spiraled out of control.

More and more people had suddenly appeared, some seeking to kill Shen Yanting, others aiming to sabotage her relationship with Shen Yanting.

All these people deserved to die, including Si Xianling.

Yet Bo Xuenong couldn’t kill Si Xianling.

Bo Xuenong wasn’t afraid of the forces backing Si Xianling, but she dreaded Shen Yanting’s potential disgust.

If the Parasitic Gu could dissuade Si Xianling from disrupting her current dynamic with Shen Yanting, that would be ideal. Otherwise, she might lose control of herself.

Si Xianling had already been completely swayed by her Bloodline’s power, gazing eagerly at Bo Xuenong. “You’re probably heading to Scale Mountain County for your Cultivation Journey too, right? Let’s go together! With your special Bloodline, you’ll easily attract trouble. I can protect you.”

Bo Xuenong tried to force a polite smile, but the corners of her lips twitched as soon as they curved upward. “Si Xianling, your smile is far too cunning right now. You should give up already—I won’t agree to your request.”

Bo Xuenong couldn’t even bring herself to treat Si Xianling with the respect due to a senior anymore. When Shen Yanting wasn’t looking, she addressed Si Xianling by name.

Don’t think I don’t know that the closer you are to a shared Bloodline, the more you receive.

Si Xianling simply believed she could cultivate faster by staying near Bo Xuenong.

I’m not one of your gullible aunts, Bo Xuenong thought.

Having long been limited by her Innate Talent, Si Xianling had finally found a shortcut to cultivation and refused to give it up easily. “Why can’t I join you? I’m at least an Out-of-Body Stage cultivator with five high-level Beast Tamers at my side. I’d be a perfect bodyguard!”

Bo Xuenong hadn’t even managed to become Shen Yanting’s blade yet.

She didn’t need bodyguards; she needed Points.

Bo Xuenong remained unmoved. “If you join us, the entire Beast Taming Sect will follow.”

Si Xianling raised her hand and gestured. “There won’t be that many.”

Feng Jin suddenly spoke up, “Eldest Senior Sister prefers to be alone with Martial Aunt Shen. We’re all a bit superfluous, let alone you.”

Bo Xuenong and Si Xianling exchanged glances, each giving Feng Jin a second look. One sighed, impressed that Feng Jin truly understood her, while the other’s curiosity was piqued once more.

Si Xianling’s plan to join their group had completely failed. She sized up Bo Xuenong, then stole a glance at Shen Yanting. “Hey, little disciple,” she said, “have you ever considered… what if your Master also likes you?”

Seeing Si Xianling still fixated on her feelings, Bo Xuenong immediately conjured a short blade and pressed it against her arm. Beneath the skin of her right arm bloomed a red plum blossom—the mark left by the Parasitic Gu after it had entered her body. Si Xianling hastily reached out to stop her. “Don’t! I was just asking. She can’t even hear us right now.”

“Curiosity killed the cat,” Bo Xuenong warned.

Her words rang true. According to the original novel’s plot, Si Xianling would chase that Demonic Cultivator all the way to the Heavenly Cuisine Sect, seeking to uncover the truth, only to meet her end there. Her body would never be found.

Si Xianling’s eyes darted around. “I’m your Master’s close friend. If she knew you weren’t answering me, she might think you’re being disrespectful.”

Bo Xuenong glared fiercely at Si Xianling, then suddenly plastered on a fake smile.

She forced her voice into a strained tone. “Master is an Immortal, destined to hang high above. I only need to look up to her.”

The smile was false, but the words were true.

Si Xianling sighed inwardly. In the Cultivation World, where many viewed Dao Companions as shortcuts to advancing their cultivation, Bo Xuenong’s devotion—treating her beloved like the moon, without any possessive thoughts—was exceedingly rare.

The more Bo Xuenong acted this way, the more curious Si Xianling became. “What if she were to fall one day?”

“That day will never come. I’ll slaughter anyone who tries to drag Master down.” Now that Si Xianling was bound by her Bloodline, Bo Xuenong spoke more freely, her voice dripping with malice. “If she did fall… I’d hang her back up myself!”

Watching Bo Xuenong’s almost divine reverence for Shen Yanting, Si Xianling suddenly understood everything.

Bo Xuenong wasn’t foolish; she was remarkably intelligent. She was simply too fixated on Shen Yanting’s every word and phrase, which occasionally made her seem a bit dazed.

A feral beast willingly shackled itself, and the one holding the chain was a good person with stable emotions and a deep love for all living beings. Bo Xuenong was unlikely to make any major mistakes, thus avoiding accumulating too many enemies or meeting an untimely end. Si Xianling’s resolve to cling to this suddenly bestowed high-tier spiritual root grew even stronger. She affectionately looped her arm through Bo Xuenong’s. “Little disciple, I can travel separately from you for now. But when we reach Scale Mountain County for our training, will you let me join your group? Your Imperial Tranquility Sect has so few members; you’ll definitely be at a disadvantage. Traveling with our Beast Taming Sect will be much safer.”

Bo Xuenong initially wanted to refuse, but then she remembered the original novel’s plot where they were ambushed by Shen Yanting’s enemies, giving the Male Lead a chance to play the hero and rescue the damsel in distress. She nodded. “Alright.”

The thought of using Bo Xuenong’s powerful Bloodline to enhance her cultivation made Si Xianling burst into laughter.

Ignoring Bo Xuenong’s struggles, she tightened her grip on the younger woman’s arm. “Little disciple, I’ve just realized you’re such a good person!”

Bo Xuenong straightened her back and stopped struggling.

She saw Wu Qingshu approaching with Shen Yanting. Shen Yanting must have heard Si Xianling’s praise.

Bo Xuenong expected Shen Yanting to be pleased. After all, she had always hoped that Bo Xuenong, the feral beast, would become a good person who didn’t slaughter innocents indiscriminately. But things didn’t go as Bo Xuenong had anticipated.

A thin layer of frost seemed to coat the White Porcelain Doll’s face, and she didn’t look particularly happy.

Instead of addressing Bo Xuenong first, she turned to Si Xianling. “Fellow Daoist Si, calling Nong’er by that name isn’t appropriate. She’s my disciple.”

Didn’t Shen Yanting hear me?

Could Si Xianling praise her again?