So My Master Values Me This Much

At this gathering, among all those present,

only Li Yingling and Chen Baiqing knew what was really going on, casting sympathetic glances at Cui Hao.

It was as if today would be Cui Hao's memorial day.

Back when Li Yingling and Yuan Kong were testing the medicinal concoctions, Lin Luoyu and Cui Hao hadn't even joined the sect yet.

By the time Yuan Kong returned to absorb the sacred relics, it happened to coincide with the disciple recruitment ceremony.

Thus, the matter of testing the medicine had been postponed.

Ning Qianqian had heard some commotion, but she always adhered to the principle of not listening too much, not asking too much, and not looking too much.

All she knew was that the two of them had gone through a rather miserable period, with occasional agonized screams echoing out.

But as for what exactly had happened, Ning Qianqian truly had no idea, so now she could only look at Cui Hao with slight confusion.

Li Yingling had always been excellent at keeping her master’s dark secrets, playing the role of the perfect, considerate "little cotton-padded jacket."

Lin Luoyu watched Cui Hao with a puzzled expression.

Though Cui Hao’s body was immobilized, his mouth could still move. With a tone of tragic resolve, he pleaded,

"Master! I believe the greatest taboo in cultivation is rushing for quick success!"

Chu Xingchen let out a cold laugh and slowly walked toward him.

"That’s a concern for after Foundation Establishment. As a mere Qi Refining ant, you’re not qualified to say such words."

"Master! I think cultivation also depends on one’s state of mind!"

"State of mind has nothing to do with a Qi Refining weakling like you!"

Hearing this, Cui Hao finally snapped.

"Master! I’m begging you—just let me cultivate on my own!"

Chu Xingchen released the immobilization spell and said leisurely,

"So, you don’t want this 'Supreme Flaming Heaven’s Golden Great Dao Heart Sutra'?"

"In that case, I’ll dig out the 'Basic Spirit-Nurturing Art' for you. You can practice that diligently."

Freed from the spell, Cui Hao immediately turned to look at his master.

In his master’s hand was a golden, radiant manual, its cover adorned with bold, majestic calligraphy.

Just the spiritual glow emanating from it made it seem like a peerless divine technique.

Li Yingling caught a glimpse of the manual and looked at Cui Hao with even deeper pity.

She had seen all the cultivation manuals their master had given his disciples—most were plain and unadorned.

The only exception was the one given to Li Xingtian, which had slightly unusual materials.

But that small peculiarity...

Whenever Li Yingling saw her second junior brother practicing, she couldn’t help but feel like he was cultivating some demonic art.

Now, seeing this gaudy golden book in their master’s hand—could it possibly be a good one?

Whether or not it was a top-tier divine technique,

the sect was about to gain another eccentric.

Li Yingling withdrew her pitying gaze and turned to Ning Qianqian, who was busy cleaning fish.

As the senior sister, there wasn’t much she could do except silently wish him safety...

and avoid watching when misfortune befell him.

Chen Baiqing didn’t fully understand, but she could read her senior sister’s expression.

This... probably wasn’t a good thing.

She, too, silently shifted her gaze to Ning Qianqian. After all...

the master’s word was law.

Only Lin Luoyu was left utterly astonished.

So, the reason their master hadn’t given Cui Hao a cultivation manual all this time was because he was saving up for something big!

Still, it was good that Cui Hao could finally catch up with the rest of them.

After all, Cui Hao often looked at her and the other senior sisters with envy.

The "Basic Spirit-Nurturing Art" was too mild and balanced—when casting simple combat spells, its power was noticeably weaker.

When Lin Luoyu practiced flame control, a casually summoned fireball was far larger than the one Cui Hao struggled to produce after much effort.

The senior sister had comforted him,

"It’s the technique’s problem, not yours. Don’t worry."

But judging by Cui Hao’s frustrated expression, he clearly didn’t believe that.

Now, seeing Cui Hao finally on the right path, Lin Luoyu felt relieved.

After all, they were all fellow disciples under the same sect.

Whether it was their easygoing master, the slightly stern senior sister, or the soft and adorable third senior sister—

everyone was genuinely good-hearted.

None of the scheming and backstabbing Lin Luoyu had imagined between sect disciples existed here.

Instead, the senior sister would personally check if anyone had encountered difficulties.

And if problems arose, she would patiently guide them.

Every interaction, no matter with whom, carried a sense of sincerity.

Though the sect wasn’t as bustling as others, it felt like home.

She was truly fortunate to have come here.

Cui Hao’s eyes locked onto the divine manual in his master’s hand.

With such an awe-inspiring aura emanating from it, who wouldn’t call it "terrifyingly powerful"?

He hurriedly turned and rushed toward his master.

"No need to trouble yourself, Master! This divine manual looks perfect for me. Why bother searching for some 'Basic Spirit-Nurturing Art'?"

Chu Xingchen sighed and shook his head. "You’re right. Cultivation does forbid rushing for quick success..."

"Master, the words of a mere Qi Refining ant like me hold no weight!"

"State of mind..."

"Master, rest assured! Your disciple’s state of mind is as steady as a boulder—unshaken by wind or rain!"

"Is that so? Well, I happen to have a newly refined..."

As Chu Xingchen spoke, he reached into his robe as if searching for something.

Seeing this, Cui Hao immediately grabbed his master’s sleeve, his eyes pleading, his voice desperate.

"Please, Master, anything but this!"

Cui Hao tossed the cultivation manual toward Chu Xingchen with a sigh:

"Ah, fine. Who told you you're my disciple? Don’t think being the fifth disciple means you’re at a disadvantage—your master always dotes on the youngest."

Cui Hao hurriedly caught the thrown manual and flipped open the first page.

Marvelous! Marvelous! Marvelous!

Just like before.

Individually, Cui Hao understood every character, but strung together, they might as well have been ancient riddles.

This manual looked identical to the one Fourth Senior Sister Lin Luoyu had.

Well, not entirely. Each character in this book shimmered with an elusive spiritual glow, radiating an aura of profound mystery.

What an extraordinary manual!

Chu Xingchen nodded in satisfaction at Cui Hao’s expression.

"This manual’s content is far too profound. No need to trouble your Eldest Senior Sister—your master will personally guide you."

Cui Hao’s gaze shifted to his master.

A surge of emotion flooded his heart.

All this time, he had assumed his master held little regard for him.

After all, on that day, it was clear Chu Xingchen had only truly taken a liking to Lin Luoyu.

Cui Hao knew full well he’d barely scraped through the final test, stumbling upon the right answer to his master’s deliberately thorny question.

That day, he’d only been admitted by the sheer grace of his master’s whim.

Especially when he saw everyone else practicing divine-level techniques,

while he was stuck with the mediocre "Qi Refinement and Spirit Nourishing Art."

Even someone as easygoing as Cui Hao couldn’t help but feel a pang of discouragement.

Yet he understood—it all boiled down to his own lack of talent.

Blaming others for his shortcomings wasn’t in his nature.

Just being able to cultivate as an immortal was already a blessing Cui Hao deeply cherished.

And the sect’s warm, familial atmosphere made it a place he truly loved.

Who would’ve thought?

His master actually valued him this much!

It must be because his talent was lacking, and Chu Xingchen sought to bridge the gap with a supreme cultivation manual.

Cui Hao glanced at his Eldest Senior Sister.

Would she feel slighted by this?

But when his eyes met hers, all he saw was an unfathomable gaze—one brimming with pity.