Shen Ying, following her newly acquired master's lead, grinned cheekily and greeted the disciples of Lianrou Peak.
"Since we're all family now, starting today, I'll be your senior sister."
Several bearded disciples well into their middle-aged years: "..."
How did they suddenly drop a generation just by being disciples?
One disciple mustered the courage to ask, "Master, why have you suddenly taken Shen Ying as your disciple—and as your first disciple, no less?"
Lian Ying replied nonchalantly, "Didn't I already declare your junior brother as my last disciple? I made it clear he was the final one."
"But your senior sister here possesses such extraordinary talent that I couldn't resist. Yet, words once spoken cannot be taken back."
"Since I couldn't add her to the end, I had to slot her in at the beginning."
Wait… was that even allowed?
Not only were the Lianrou Peak disciples dumbfounded, even Ye Qingchen was bewildered.
He glanced at Shen Ying, utterly baffled by how she had pulled this off.
Lian Ying wasn’t in the mood to entertain his disciples further. After making the announcement, he turned to leave.
That troublemaker Shen Ying had given him several recordings, and he was eager to enjoy them.
But Shen Ying quickly called out, "Ah, Master, your disciple has one more request."
Lian Ying: "Speak."
Shen Ying: "As you can see, Master, your disciple is blessed with peerless beauty. Roaming the world alone, I’m bound to attract unwanted attention."
"But as cultivators, if we avoid venturing out for experience, how many opportunities and insights would we miss?"
"So, Master, what do you think—"
Lian Ying glanced at her face again. He had to admit—with looks like hers, wandering around was indeed a cause for concern.
Though they had just become master and disciple, and their bond was still new, Lian Ying couldn’t bear the thought of anything happening to Shen Ying. So he generously said, "Wait here."
With that, he vanished, reappearing before Shen Ying moments later and tossing her three items: a jade pendant, a finger-sized jade sword, and an ancient-looking talisman.
Pointing at the pendant, Lian Ying said, "This was passed down by your grandmaster. It can withstand even a Mahayana-stage cultivator’s attack for a short time. With this, you need not fear powerful enemies or ambushes."
Then he gestured to the jade sword. "This contains the full force of one of my strikes—eighty-one in total. Use them sparingly, and they should be enough to let you roam unhindered."
Finally, he indicated the talisman. "This is a teleportation charm forged with a drop of my heart’s blood."
"If you encounter an enemy who destroys the first two items and leaves you helpless, tear this talisman, and I will be instantly transported to your side."
These were no ordinary treasures. Lian Ying’s strength ranked within the top ten in the entire cultivation world. With layers of protection like this, it was practically like having him personally escort her.
Whether facing peers, or even opponents far beyond her level, Shen Ying now had nothing to fear.
With these items, she could practically stride through the world unchecked.
The Lianrou Peak disciples were stunned speechless by their senior sister’s treatment.
How come they felt like adopted children in comparison?
Even Ye Qingchen felt a little dazed. Just last night, he’d been worrying about how to handle Ji Liantan if Shen Ying’s reckless provocation actually drew him here.
Yet in just a day, she had secured a powerful backer and armored herself with protection.
Lian Ying was known for favoring his disciples, but was he really this indulgent? Shen Ying had just joined!
Ye Qingchen stared at Shen Ying, suddenly overwhelmed by an indescribable surge of emotion.
Why did situations that seemed like dead ends to others always become so effortless in this demoness’s hands?
Once Shen Ying cheerfully stored her new treasures and bid her master farewell, she was immediately swarmed by the Lianrou Peak disciples.
After finally breaking free, she hurriedly waved at Ye Qingchen. "Come on, let’s go! If we stay any longer, disciples from other peaks will come to gawk."
So Ye Qingchen let her drag him away, fleeing back to Youyun Peak like escaping a storm.
Only after entering the courtyard and shutting the door did Shen Ying finally relax, pulling out her new gifts to admire them gleefully.
Honestly, she hadn’t expected her cheap master to be this generous. It even exceeded her expectations.
Seems his dreams of stardom burned brighter than she’d thought.
Ye Qingchen watched her, about to speak, when Shen Ying suddenly pulled out the blood-jade talisman she used to communicate with Ji Liantan.
Compared to yesterday, her confidence had soared even higher.
Then she rapidly tapped out a message—
["I’m right here in Xuanji Sect waiting. Come and slap me if you dare!"]
Ye Qingchen: "…"
After a long silence, he finally said, "If I recall correctly, Ji Liantan’s hatred for me stemmed from his belief that I escaped to a comfortable life while he remained trapped in the ruthless, icy world of the demonic sect."
He gave Shen Ying a look. "But I’m not seeing much ‘ruthlessness’ in your demonic sect."
These two troublemakers seemed to be having the time of their lives.
Shen Ying waved a hand. "Ruthless or not, who cares? The point is, we’re out now. Why should we let Senior Brother push us around?"
"If it weren’t for the Sect Master’s backing, would I have obeyed him? Now’s my chance—I’m going to show him what real skill looks like."
Her attitude made Ye Qingchen feel like continuing the conversation would be inappropriate.
Sure enough, it wasn’t long before Ji Liantan replied—
["You just wait."]
Shen Ying: ["Waiting right here. If you don’t come, you’re a coward."]
On the other end, Ji Liantan trembled with rage. He’d cooled down after yesterday’s argument, but now? There was no holding back.
He abruptly stood, threw on a crimson outer robe, and stormed out of the Hehuan Sect, murderous intent radiating from him.
Ji Yu sensed his troublesome son’s departure but chose to let him go.
Meanwhile, Shen Ying contentedly put away the blood-jade talisman and started pondering what to eat today.
Ye Qingchen, who had been about to retreat to his room, paused after seeing Shen Ying’s last taunt—the one practically begging Ji Liantan to come.
He realized he might have misjudged her.
This wasn’t just about spite. She seemed to be luring his "dear brother" here on purpose.
So he asked, "Why are you so determined to bring him here?"
Shen Ying flashed him a sly grin. "Did Brother Ye figure it out?"
Ye Qingchen: "If yesterday was just impulsive anger, today’s provocation was unnecessary."
"Combined with your sudden enrollment under Senior Uncle Lian, one might think you’re eager to sever ties with the Hehuan Sect—that you’re provoking a conflict to justify cutting ties."
Shen Ying waved dismissively. "Not at all. I’m the Demon Venerable’s personal disciple, the Hehuan Sect’s senior sister. Sure, my dog of a senior brother orders me around, but my treatment in the sect is excellent."
"I’ve no plans to leave the Hehuan Sect anytime soon."
Ye Qingchen raised a brow. "Then, Junior Sister—?"
Shen Ying’s gaze deepened. "Brother Ye, did you know? I owe my life to Senior Brother."
"If not for him, I might’ve been skinned, deboned, and stewed into a pot of meat."
"Even if I’d survived, even if I’d grown up, I’d have been a wandering beggar—or worse, ‘discovered’ by some ‘connoisseur’ and left as a footnote in some brothel’s register."
"Senior Brother might be a scoundrel, but he’s also the greatest benefactor of my life."
Ye Qingchen listened, his eyes flickering as a realization dawned on him.
After several days of interaction, he had assumed Shen Ying was a noble-born daughter of a prominent demonic sect.
Her identity as a direct disciple of the Demon Sovereign aside, her composed and unruffled demeanor hardly suggested someone with a tragic background.
Yet, to his surprise—
This meant Ji Liantan’s place in her heart was far more significant than he had anticipated.
Now, when Ji Liantan—who had once been her savior—asked for her help, she only half-heartedly entertained the idea, never truly intending to take it seriously.
She harbored no desire to seduce him at all.
Why?
As expected, Shen Ying continued, "My feelings for Senior Brother are genuine, but alas, he’s a complete blockhead."
"Not only is he utterly oblivious, but he even asked me to seduce another man."
Her gaze settled on Ye Qingchen. "If I didn’t feel resentful about this, I wouldn’t be human."
Ye Qingchen’s forearm tingled slightly, his voice softening. "So, Junior Sister Shen, you’re saying—"
Shen Ying: "Naturally, I’ll double my efforts to reel him in."
Ye Qingchen chuckled. "With just a slight maneuver from Junior Sister Shen, he’s already losing his composure."
"He’s likely just young and inexperienced. Deep down, he must already hold a place for you in his heart."
"If that’s the case, I hope you achieve what you desire."
Shen Ying wore a confident expression, and the two didn’t speak further.
Only after watching Ye Qingchen’s retreating figure disappear did she finally smile.
To her system, she remarked, "And just like that, he took the bait."
The system had lost count of how many times it had witnessed this woman disguise herself as prey to lure in those who fancied themselves hunters.
Exhausted, it checked Ji Liantan’s current location—his movement speed was astonishingly fast.
In the blink of an eye, he was about to cross the boundary of the realm.
