Junior Sister, it's time to take your medicine.

In stark contrast to Su Ji's carefree and leisurely life, the Outer Sect of the Xiangsi Sect was entirely different.

The atmosphere completely lacked its usual clamor, permeated instead with a lifeless, oppressive gloom.

Disciples gathered in twos and threes, not to spar or practice their cultivation methods, but to whisper among themselves.

A lingering anxiety clouded everyone's faces.

"Have you heard? The new Sect Master's succession ceremony is tomorrow."

A shifty-eyed disciple lowered his voice, speaking mysteriously.

His companion rolled his eyes, his tone full of irritation. "Can you cut the crap? Who in the entire sect doesn't know about such a huge event?"

"They've practically built the plaza up into the sky. They say it's made entirely of high-grade spirit stones. Since when has our Xiangsi Sect ever been this wealthy?"

"Wealthy? I call it a dying gasp!"

The first disciple sneered, his tone dripping with sarcasm.

"You guys haven't seen it. For the past month, Elder Li Fan has been acting like a madman, staring down the handyman disciples every day as they work. His soul-cultivator Dao companion has practically emptied the Sect Master's storehouse, stacking up drawn talismans as high as a mountain."

"With this kind of setup, how is this hosting a ceremony? They're clearly preparing to fight to the death!"

These words made the expressions of the surrounding people even uglier.

How could they not know?

The new Sect Master, Su Ji, had taken the position in a truly unimaginable way.

Slaying the former Sect Master with a single sword strike and forcing five Golden Core elders into submission—such a battle record sounded like an absolute fantasy.

But the sect's main hall, which had been leveled to the ground, remained a pile of rubble, constantly reminding them that it was all real.

They originally thought that the new Sect Master's ascension would lead to diligent governance and the sect's revival.

But who could have imagined that the first thing this guy did was announce to the world that he would hold a succession ceremony in half a year, inviting guests from all directions.

That wasn't the main issue.

None of that was a problem.

The problem was that he also casually beat up the Great Elder of the Puppet Heaven Holy Land and forced him to write an IOU.

That was where the massive problem lay.

What was this called?

This was called lighting a lantern in an outhouse—actively courting death.

Over the past few months, the news had spread throughout the entire Great Xia cultivation world.

The Xiangsi Sect had produced a madman who not only killed the previous Sect Master but also offended the Puppet Heaven Holy Land.

"Sigh, I don't think we can stay in the Xiangsi Sect any longer."

A rather mature-looking disciple let out a long sigh, his face full of gloom.

"I heard that a few days ago, Senior Brother Zhang, Senior Sister Li, and others from the Inner Sect all packed their things overnight, defected from the sect, and went to join the Blood Fiend Sect."

"What?!"

As soon as these words came out, an uproar swept through the surroundings.

"The Blood Fiend Sect actually took them in?"

"Joining a sect when you already have cultivation techniques is usually frowned upon. It's hard to get many sect resources, let alone access core cultivation methods."

"They took them! Why wouldn't they? Special circumstances call for special treatment."

"The reason it's usually frowned upon is just the fear that you might be a spy from another sect, right?"

The mature disciple gave a bitter smile.

"They said that anyone coming from the Xiangsi Sect with a cultivation base at the Foundation Establishment stage or higher will immediately receive Inner Sect disciple treatment. Moreover, half a year after joining, they will be gifted ten mid-grade spirit stones straight away!"

"Even if they only have Qi Condensation cultivation, as long as their aptitude and spirit root are decent, they'll be accepted too, though they'll only be given ten low-grade spirit stones."

"Hiss—"

The sound of people gasping in cold air rose and fell.

Ten mid-grade spirit stones. To Outer Sect disciples like them, this was simply an astronomical figure.

"This... isn't this blatantly poaching from our Xiangsi Sect?"

"It's more than just poaching; they're trying to tear down our entire wall!"

The mature disciple shook his head and lowered his voice.

"Isn't cultivation just like this? It's all about connections and methods. Our newly appointed Deputy Sect Master Su was originally just an Inner Sect disciple, but because... because of her deep relationship with the Sect Master, she ascended to the heavens in a single bound."

"What abilities could a woman who rose to power by relying on a man possibly have?"

"Now the Sect Master doesn't even manage affairs. Every day, people see him holding his lower back as he climbs over the wall out of the Deputy Sect Master's courtyard. The way I see it, the Xiangsi Sect is doomed sooner or later."

"Are they doing that kind of thing every day?"

"I don't know. Senior Brother Li tried to take a peek, but there's an array in the courtyard so he couldn't see or hear anything. But it's most likely that kind of thing."

"A man and a woman spending half the day together—could they really just be chatting?"

Rumors and gossip spread through the sect like a plague.

The disciples were in a state of panic, losing all desire to cultivate. They gathered together all day, sighing and discussing which sect they should defect to.

...

Meanwhile.

At the mountain gate of the Xiangsi Sect.

Over a dozen disciples with packed bags were currently in a tense standoff with the gatekeeping disciple.

"Senior Brother Liu, are you truly going to stop us?"

The leading young man had a dark expression, his hand gripping the hilt of his sword tightly.

The gatekeeping disciple called Senior Brother Liu was precisely the tall man who had previously caused the death of his companion.

He was now at the mid-Foundation Establishment stage.

He looked expressionlessly at the group before him, his voice devoid of joy or anger.

"The sect has issued an order. With the grand ceremony approaching, no one is allowed to leave the mountain without authorization."

How should one put it?

If they had left a few days ago, it wouldn't have been such a big deal.

The main issue was that in recent days, Li Fan's soul-cultivator Dao companion had been working tirelessly day and night to set up so many arrays.

Such a huge commotion couldn't be hidden even if they wanted to.

It's always better to be safe than sorry.

Although the possibility was slim.

They couldn't stop people from gossiping.

One person says a word, another adds a word.

One must know that some things easily become more and more outrageous as they spread.

Perhaps by the end of it, absurd rumors would spread that the Xiangsi Sect had laid down a Heaven-Imprisoning Grand Array capable of slaying Soul Formation experts.

If that made other sects wary and unwilling to attend the banquet, the losses would be disastrous.

"Hmph! What bullshit grand ceremony!"

The young man spat, his face full of disdain.

"I think it's more like a beheading ceremony!"

"That Su Ji is a madman! If he wants to court death, he shouldn't drag us down to be buried with him!"

"Exactly! We've cultivated so painstakingly up to this point, and it wasn't to serve as cannon fodder for a lunatic!"

"Senior Brother Liu, we respect you as a real man, so don't force us to make a move!"

The disciples behind him also began to clamor, their emotions running high.

Senior Brother Liu's eyes remained perfectly calm.

He simply raised his hand slowly and rested it on the hilt of the sword at his waist.

A fierce and sharp aura emanated from his body.

Struck by this aura, the group of disciples who had been so aggressive just a moment ago couldn't help but take half a step back.

Only then did they remember that the man standing before them was no longer the Outer Sect disciple they could casually push around.

From a distance, he had personally witnessed the new Sect Master's heaven-shaking, earth-shattering sword strike.

And relying on his destiny, he had managed to imitate three-tenths of its true essence.

"The Sect Master has ordered: with the grand ceremony approaching, no one is allowed to leave the mountain without authorization."

Senior Brother Liu's voice was as cold as forged ice.

"Those who trespass through the mountain gate shall be killed!"

The faces of the dozen or so disciples turned pale and green. They looked at each other, all seeing the intent to retreat in the others' eyes.

Finally, the leading young man gritted his teeth and stomped his foot in hatred.

"Let's go!"

The group had arrived with fierce momentum, but they left dejectedly, like a pack of stray dogs.

Watching their retreating, miserable figures, Senior Brother Liu slowly released his grip on the sword hilt.

He raised his head and looked toward the newly built, magnificent plaza, his gaze profound.

Su Ji had indeed ordered that disciples were not allowed to come and go as they pleased.

But he had also said that if they really wanted to leave, let them.

Sigh...

Born so stupid, why must they walk the path of cultivation?

Could someone capable of slaying a Golden Core expert with a single sword strike really be a fool?

Since that new sect master dared to be so arrogant, he naturally had the backing for it.

Just like that day, when his single sword strike pierced through the clouds.

As fellow disciples, this is the only time I will warn you.

...

Night.

The moonlight was as cool as water.

In Su Jiu's courtyard.

Su Ji was lying on the edge of the courtyard wall, a piece of foxtail grass he had plucked from who knows where dangling from his mouth. His legs were crossed, swinging leisurely.

Su Jiu sat opposite him, holding an ancient tome. She appeared to be reading intently, but her cold, clear eyes would occasionally steal a glance in Su Ji's direction.

For the past month, Su Ji had reported to her place almost every single day.

In name, it was to check on her condition and consolidate her treatment.

In reality, he was just here to freeload on food and drink, and take the opportunity to get handsy.

Su Jiu had gone from feeling utterly humiliated and furious at the beginning, to eventually becoming numb to it.

"Junior Sister."

Su Ji suddenly spoke, breaking the tranquility.

"Hmm?"

Su Jiu replied absentmindedly.

"Tell me, among the people arriving tomorrow, do you think there will be any exceptionally beautiful fairies?"

Su Jiu: "..."

She snapped the ancient tome shut with a smack, raised her head, and glared dead at Su Ji.

"If Senior Brother likes, I will keep a close eye out for a few on your behalf tomorrow."

"That won't be necessary."

Su Ji chuckled, sat up, leaned in close to Su Jiu, and planted a kiss on her cheek.

"Having my little fox is more than enough."

A touching blush crept up Su Jiu's cheeks at a visible speed.

But this tender moment was quickly shattered.

This time, she was once again pinned against the wall by Su Ji.

"Junior Sister, it is time to take your medicine."