Chapter 90: Inner Sect Privileges
Elder Peak, Law Enforcement Hall
Yuan Niya carefully sneaked back into her cave dwelling with Chu Feifei in tow. After disappearing for three days without a word, she felt incredibly guilty. She didn't even want to imagine how her master would react upon realizing she had gone missing during a scheduled lesson.
Though her master appeared gentle and beautiful, Yuan Niya, who cultivated the Heartfire Art just like her, knew better. That warmth was just a facade—her master was truly terrifying.
"Where have you been these past few days?"
Just as Yuan Niya was about to sigh in relief after successfully slipping into her cave, a soft voice rang out. Startled, she stiffened like a frightened kitten, her hair standing on end.
Her eyes darted toward the source of the voice. Seated by a stone table within the cave was a woman dressed in elegant palace robes, her long hair cascading like silk as she absentmindedly arranged flowers in a basket.
"M-Master! Why are you here?"
Swallowing nervously, Yuan Niya hurriedly bowed, and Chu Feifei followed suit.
"I couldn't find you for days, so naturally, I had to come looking."
Zhuo Suzhu's gaze swept over Yuan Niya. She held this disciple in high regard—not just because of Yuan Niya's mid-grade fire spirit root, but also because she saw a reflection of her younger self in the girl.
Always causing trouble.
Her own master had probably worn the same exasperated expression when looking at her back then. But now, her master was no longer around to worry about her.
At the thought of her fallen master, Zhuo Suzhu's heart stirred with sorrow, and for a brief moment, a violent aura flickered around her.
"I'm doomed… Master is angry!"
Sensing the brief surge of hostility, Yuan Niya despaired internally and instinctively covered her backside.
"You've reached the fifth level of Qi Refinement?"
Suppressing the fluctuations in her emotions, Zhuo Suzhu furrowed her brows. With her Golden Core cultivation, she could tell at a glance that Yuan Niya had advanced.
If it were any other disciple, a breakthrough would have been a joyous occasion. But not for Yuan Niya.
The Heartfire Art wasn't something that should be cultivated too quickly. If mishandled, the heartfire's corruption could become a major problem.
"Come here."
Zhuo Suzhu gestured for Yuan Niya to step forward. Without hesitation, the girl obediently approached, only for Zhuo Suzhu to place a jade-like hand atop her head.
"Hmm?"
A flicker of surprise crossed Zhuo Suzhu's eyes.
After a thorough inspection, she found no signs of heartfire corruption on Yuan Niya's body.
"This girl must have had another fortuitous encounter."
Relieved, Zhuo Suzhu let go of her concerns. Though she was curious about how Yuan Niya had avoided the Heartfire Art's backlash—something even she struggled with—she wouldn't pry.
Even as her master, Zhuo Suzhu believed that every cultivator should have their own secrets.
She had long noticed that Yuan Niya's foundation was rapidly strengthening, clearly indicating a complete Marrow Cleansing Technique. Accepting someone else's help with marrow cleansing carried the risk of exposing one's secrets, something Zhuo Suzhu generally disapproved of.
However, she hadn't interfered. Every cultivator had their own path to follow. Her role as a master was to guide Yuan Niya when she strayed, not forcefully alter her choices.
Now, Yuan Niya had even mitigated the Heartfire Art's side effects. One opportunity strengthened her foundation, while the other accelerated her cultivation—complementing each other perfectly.
Feeling her master's hand on her head, Yuan Niya gradually relaxed. It seemed like Zhuo Suzhu wasn't going to punish her after all.
But then guilt crept in. She had discovered a way to suppress heartfire corruption, yet she hadn't shared it with her master. Zhuo Suzhu had always treated her well, but she had never considered helping her in return.
Turning to Chu Feifei, Yuan Niya sought her approval to reveal the secret. If Chu Feifei's unique fragrance could help Zhuo Suzhu resist heartfire corruption, then her master wouldn't have to endure such suffering anymore.
Noticing Yuan Niya's pleading gaze, Chu Feifei nodded. If her scent could benefit a Golden Core elder, she would be forming an even stronger connection than with Yuan Niya.
"Master, I have a secret to tell you!"
With permission granted, Yuan Niya eagerly pulled Chu Feifei forward and explained the reason why she remained unaffected by heartfire corruption.
"Oh?"
Hearing this, Zhuo Suzhu's interest was piqued. She had already sensed that Chu Feifei was unusual when Yuan Niya took her in as a servant, but she hadn't paid much attention. After all, how extraordinary could a mere Qi Refinement cultivator be?
But if this girl's fragrance could suppress heartfire corruption…
That changed everything.
For Zhuo Suzhu, this wasn't just an inconvenience—it was her greatest obstacle.
Back when Qinglu Sect's only Nascent Soul cultivator, her master, perished, the sect fell into unprecedented turmoil. To protect it, Zhuo Suzhu had recklessly cultivated, forcing her way to the peak of Golden Core at the cost of deepening her heartfire affliction.
Because of this, she could no longer attempt the breakthrough to Nascent Soul. The immense heartfire surge during advancement would drive her completely mad.
Now, she rarely even fought, instead spending her days tending flowers and meditating—doing everything she could to suppress the aggression caused by heartfire corruption.
But if she could solve this issue…
If she could finally attempt a breakthrough…
With her combat prowess, she could crush any other Nascent Soul cultivator of the same level.
"Take this Marrow Cleansing Pill and try it."
Realizing that Chu Feifei's scent only activated after undergoing a perfected Marrow Cleansing Technique, Zhuo Suzhu immediately handed her a pill. Though neither she nor Yuan Niya had mastered the perfected technique, as a Golden Core cultivator, she had alternative methods.
"Thank you, Elder!"
Chu Feifei respectfully accepted the pill. A top-grade first-rank elixir like this was rare even among inner disciples. The sect produced only a few batches each year, making it a coveted treasure.
After consuming it, Chu Feifei felt a sensation similar to when Gu Mo had used the perfected Marrow Cleansing Technique on her. Soon, a rich fragrance emanated from her body.
"Master, does it work?"
Yuan Niya asked eagerly. While Chu Feifei's scent worked wonders for her, she wasn't sure if it would have the same effect on her master.
"It helps, but not enough."
Zhuo Suzhu opened her eyes.
The difference in cultivation was too vast. The fragrance worked for Yuan Niya, but for a Golden Core expert like herself, its effect was minimal.
Unless Chu Feifei also reached the Golden Core stage, her scent wouldn't be potent enough to cure Zhuo Suzhu's affliction.
But she couldn't afford to wait that long.
Letting out a quiet sigh, Zhuo Suzhu made a decision.
"From now on, you will receive the same treatment as an inner disciple in the Law Enforcement Hall. If you have any cultivation questions, you may ask me directly."
Even if Chu Feifei's scent couldn't help her, it could at least ensure that Yuan Niya remained unaffected by heartfire corruption.
Moreover, by elevating Chu Feifei's status, she could keep her cultivation on pace with Yuan Niya. If their levels remained close, Chu Feifei's scent would always be effective, allowing Yuan Niya to cultivate freely without the same constraints Zhuo Suzhu faced.
Perhaps one day, Yuan Niya would surpass her and reach the Nascent Soul stage.
"Thank you, Elder!"
Chu Feifei bowed deeply, excitement shining in her eyes.
She had bet on the right opportunity.
---
Qinglu Sect Main Peak
"Senior Brother, the True Inheritor Trials are about to begin. How are our preparations?"
He Shaogang asked, glancing at the middle-aged steward beside him.
"Everything is in place. Once the inner disciples leave the sect, we can carry out the ambush."
If successful, they would cripple Qinglu Sect's future elite and accelerate its downfall.
The steward suddenly pulled out a contract.
"We also received an assassination request. The target is one of the trial participants."
He Shaogang's eyes narrowed as he read the name.
"Yuan Niya?"
His brows furrowed.
Who would dare target the disciple of a Law Enforcement Hall elder?
Then his eyes landed on the client's name.
"Yao Shifeng."
After some thought, He Shaogang dismissed the middle-aged steward and then called for Yao Shifeng.
"Young Master!"
Yao Shifeng bowed respectfully.
"Has Yuan Niya offended anyone recently?" He Shaogang inquired. Yao Shifeng was currently responsible for gathering various pieces of intelligence within the sect for him.
"She shouldn't have."
Yao Shifeng pondered for a moment before shaking his head. Yuan Niya was the disciple of an Enforcement Hall elder—who would dare provoke her? "However, there is one recent matter involving Yuan Niya and another inner disciple, Ye Yuqi. It started when Ye Yuqi wanted to take a female servant disciple from the Formation Peak as his attendant. But that servant disciple refused him and ended up becoming Yuan Niya's attendant instead." Yao Shifeng reported the details of the incident thoroughly.
When mentioning the female servant disciple from Formation Peak, his tone remained calm, without the slightest hint of bias—even though he knew this person personally. His duty was to provide He Shaogang with raw intelligence, free from personal emotions or subjective influence. That was the mark of a competent intelligence officer.
"Could Ye Yuqi be the one who issued the assassination mission?" He Shaogang couldn't help but suspect after hearing Yao Shifeng's account. However, it seemed excessive to hire assassins just because he lost a potential attendant.
After pondering for a while, He Shaogang eventually shook his head. There wasn't enough information to draw a conclusion. But Ye Yuqi was definitely someone worth keeping an eye on.
After all, they now had a common target, didn't they?
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