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Chapter 14: Leng Youran's Request:
'Sigh, here we go again.'
Leng Youran put down the wolf hair brush, and looked somewhat helpless.
'Is this what they call a rebellious phase?'
"Alright, I really can't do much with you... Speak your mind," Leng Youran said, turning to the window and opening it.
In the courtyard, birds chirped and flowers bloomed, creating a picturesque scene.
A few maids were collecting morning dew to prepare tea for Leng Youran.
Leng Youran stood expressionless, gazing out the window, waiting for Xu Ze to speak.
"What if I told you that Gu Ling'er has nothing to do with me? Would you believe it?" Xu Ze asked directly.
His master already knew what he wanted to say. Speaking it out would only increase her displeasure. It was better to approach it from another angle.
Leng Youran glanced at Xu Ze and nodded slightly.
"I know Ze'er never lies to me. However, you are at a crucial stage in your cultivation and enlightenment. How can you waste time with a servant disciple? You must understand that I am doing this for your own good. I don't want you to have even the slightest deviation on your cultivation path." Leng Youran said gently.
She knew that Xu Ze wouldn't defy her. No matter how angry he might get, as long as she took a step back, he wouldn’t push too hard.
Looking into her gentle eyes, Xu Ze swallowed, and the words he had planned to say got stuck in his throat. Despite not being related by blood, Leng Youran understood Xu Ze perhaps better than he did himself.
Such a gentle remark made Xu Ze's resolve dissipate. All the arguments he had prepared turned into silence.
After a long silence, Xu Ze took a deep breath and said, "I know you are doing this for my own good. But Gu Ling'er is innocent. She is exceptionally talented, and if nurtured properly, she would be an invaluable asset to the Heavenly Dark Sect. Please, let her return from the cemetery and start as an outer sect disciple."
Xu Ze had compromised.
Initially, he wanted Gu Ling'er to enter the Holy Son Palace for personal training. But seeing his master's reluctance, he decided to settle for having her remain in the sect.
For Xu Ze, who grew up in the Heavenly Dark Sect, it was his home. As the Holy Son, he felt responsible for its prosperity and longevity.
Leng Youran looked into Xu Ze's determined eyes and sighed inwardly. Once Xu Ze made up his mind, it was difficult to change it. However, she didn’t immediately agree.
Gazing at the dim morning sky, she said, "Ze'er, the sect’s disciple test is in half a month."
Xu Ze nodded. "I know."
"I can allow Gu Ling'er to take the test. If she passes, she can become an official disciple of the Heavenly Dark Sect." Leng Youran said.
Xu Ze's eyes lit up, but before he could respond, Leng Youran continued, "But during these two weeks, you must accompany me somewhere."
Xu Ze hesitated but didn't question it. "I understand. Where do you want me to go?"
Leng Youran's eyes narrowed slightly, and a rare smile appeared on her cold face. "To the Howling Wind Valley."
---
The Howling Wind Valley was where Xu Ze trained with Leng Youran during his childhood. It was where she personally taught him cultivation, cultivation skills, and survival techniques.
But, this training had ended when Xu Ze turned ten. Now, his master wanted him to return there. Why?
...
(Back Mountain, Cemetery Garden)
The Heavenly Dark Sect's masters have been buried here since thousands of years ago. Before Leng Youran, it was an ordinary small sect in the world, with sect masters living for hundreds or dozens of years but never reaching the ultimate immortality, ending up here in death.
A young girl in gray robes sat on the steps, a broom lying beside her.
At the moment, Gu Ling'er's vacant eyes stared at the ground, her mind filled with thoughts of Xu Ze.
'Holy Son...'
A sweet smile formed on her lips as she touched her face, imagining it was Xu Ze's hand.
Suddenly, she frowned and looked up at the approaching black-robed figure.
She recognized their robes—it was worn by the Heavenly Dark Sect’s secret guards that served the sect master and the Holy Son.
"The sect master has ordered that you can participate in the disciple test in two weeks. Whether you become an official disciple depends on your own efforts. The Holy Son secured this chance for you; don't let him down," said the black-robed figure, standing still.
Gu Ling'er jumped to her feet, excited. "Where is the Holy Son? Where is he?" She asked urgently.
"The Holy Son left with the sect master. Before departing, he left a letter for you," said the figure, handing Gu Ling'er the letter.
Gu Ling'er eagerly took it and read the few hastily written words: Don't lose heart. Seize this rare opportunity and smile more.
Gu Ling'er trembled with a tear falling from her eye. She bowed her head, and when she looked up again, her face beamed with a sweet, pure smile.
At that moment, Gu Ling'er locked away her inner darkness, covering the time bomb inside her with a layer of pink candy.
"I will do my best for the Holy Son... I will become the person he hopes for..." she whispered, the mix of sweetness and obsession growing into a towering force within her.
-To be continued!