“Hmph.”

Ye Qingxuan cast a cold glance at the girl kneeling before her. “Speak. Which of the sect’s secrets did you reveal to the Sun Moon Sect?”

“Reporting to Master… this disciple did not reveal any major secrets,” Bai Ling stammered, her voice shaking. “Only…”

“Only what?” Ye Qingxuan’s tone dropped, turning icy.

Bai Ling swallowed nervously, her throat dry. She answered truthfully, trembling like a leaf in the wind. “Only… the Ten Thousand Blood Pagoda Art you gave me last time. Disciple made a copy and handed it over.”

Crack! Crack!

The moment Bai Ling finished speaking, a bone-chilling cold erupted from Ye Qingxuan. The temperature in the room plummeted instantly. Frost crawled rapidly across the floorboards, climbing the walls and sealing the ceiling in a layer of profound ice.

Han Lie stood frozen to the spot, too frightened to move a muscle.

According to Bai Ling, the Ten Thousand Blood Pagoda Art was a top-tier cultivation technique—a treasure whose value could not be measured in mere Spirit Stones. That Ye Qingxuan did not immediately strike Bai Ling dead was already an act of supreme restraint.

“I’m sorry… Master!”

Knowing Ye Qingxuan was furious, Bai Ling slammed her forehead against the icy floor. “This disciple is willing to serve as your slave for life to atone!”

Ye Qingxuan stared at her for a long, suffocating moment before withdrawing the killing intent from her eyes.

“You are no longer worthy of calling This Senior ‘Master,’ Bai Ling,” she said coldly.

“You are expelled from my tutelage. However… This Senior will retain your title of Saintess.”

“Yes…” Bai Ling kept her head low, not daring to voice any objection.

Only then did Han Lie let out a long, silent sigh of relief. It seemed Bai Ling had survived this calamity.

He also understood why Ye Qingxuan was retaining Bai Ling’s title. She likely wanted to prevent the Sun Moon Sect from discovering that their spy had been exposed.

It seems the female demon has her own plans.

The Sun Moon Sect had planted Bai Ling as a spy by her side; why couldn’t she turn the tables and use Bai Ling as a weapon against them?

“From now on, without This Senior’s command, you are not to leave the sect even half a step.”

Ye Qingxuan’s gaze remained sharp. “As for your family, This Senior will personally verify whether what you said is true.”

She turned, looking down at Bai Ling from above, her voice stern and unyielding.

“Remember, This Senior spared your life not out of mercy, but because you still have use.”

“Whether you can atone for your crime, and whether This Senior will help you rescue your family, depends entirely on whether the value you create is sufficient.”

“Yes… this dis… Bai Ling understands, Sect Leader.”

Deeply bowing her head, tears streamed down Bai Ling’s face like a spring. These were tears of relief after narrowly escaping death. For her, this outcome was already a miracle.

Ye Qingxuan’s words were harsh, but Bai Ling was grateful. Usefulness meant survival. Usefulness meant hope.

“Han Lie!”

“Sect Leader, this old servant is here.” Han Lie stepped forward immediately.

“From now on, you are responsible for watching over Bai Ling. If she makes any unusual moves, you may apprehend her at any time and hand her over to This Senior for punishment,” Ye Qingxuan ordered.

“Yes, Sect Leader. This old servant obeys.”

Han Lie bowed low to hide the gleam in his eyes.

There’s actually such a good thing?

Ye Qingxuan waved her jade hand dismissively. “Leave.”

Han Lie hurried to lead the shaken Bai Ling out of the Violet Heaven Palace.

“Saintess, why the long face? Not happy?”

Stepping out of the main gate and into the fresh air, Han Lie turned to tease the silent girl beside him.

Bai Ling sighed, her expression solemn. “It’s not that… it’s just hard to feel happy at a time like this.”

Ye Qingxuan had spared her life, yes. But today marked a turning point. She had lost her master’s trust and was now walking a tightrope between life and death.

“Heh, you don’t need to take the Sect Leader’s words so seriously,” Han Lie chuckled lightly. “The Sect Leader often has a sharp tongue but a soft heart. You only need to listen to half of what she says.”

In plain terms: she was a tsundere.

“Really?” Bai Ling looked at him, half-convinced, half-doubting.

“Of course,” Han Lie said confidently. ” This Senior has accompanied the Sect Leader for over a hundred years. I have some understanding of her temperament.”

“If you perform well in the future, you might even return to her tutelage.”

“Mhm… thank you today, Old Man Han.”

Only then did a faint, genuine smile appear on Bai Ling’s face. She looked at him earnestly. “Thank you for being willing to help me. If not for you, I might already be dead.”

“I treated you so poorly before; I’m sorry!”

The punishment Ye Qingxuan gave her sounded severe, but upon reflection, it was incredibly lenient. A ray of hopeful dawn shone once again upon Bai Ling’s previously dim path.

“If you really feel sorry for This Senior, just make it up to me more in the future,” Han Lie grinned, his tone carrying a double meaning.

“How annoying,” Bai Ling blushed instantly, turning her head away.

By now, Han Lie was certain that Bai Ling truly wasn’t scheming by nature. Those ruthless methods she used against him previously were likely forced upon her by her handlers in the Sun Moon Sect.

It made sense. Bai Ling had come to the Heavenly Void Sect when she was barely twelve. How could a child have such innate cunning? Strip away her identity as a spy, and she was probably the most innocent person in this entire demonic sect.

“Grrr—!”

When Bai Ling followed Han Lie back to his small wooden hut, Xiao Zi, who was lazing on the tea table, immediately arched her back and hissed aggressively.

The cat stared at Bai Ling with hostility, clearly regarding her as an enemy.

“Is this the Sect Leader’s pet?” Bai Ling raised an eyebrow slightly.

“Mhm.” Han Lie casually tossed another Thousand Flower Pill to Xiao Zi and gently stroked her fur to calm her down.

“Saintess, do you want to know how This Senior discovered you?”

Bai Ling nodded. She was genuinely curious. She had been careful last night, yet Han Lie had intercepted her with perfect timing.

Han Lie gestured with his eyes toward the cat. ” This Senior sent this little one to monitor you. I learned your every move through her.”

“…”

Bai Ling was speechless. Despite all her precautions against cultivators and formations, she had completely failed to guard against a cat.

“That’s good… well done, little one.”

After a moment of shock, Bai Ling smiled with relief.

Come to think of it, she actually had to thank Xiao Zi. If she hadn’t been stopped, the pressure from both the Sun Moon Sect and Han Lie would have eventually crushed her mental defenses, leading to inner demons or death.

Xiao Zi blinked, puzzled. She happily chewed her pill, unaware of the complex human drama unfolding around her.

“By the way, Old Man Han.”

Bai Ling looked around the small, modest hut, then turned her gaze back to him.

“The Sect Leader told you to watch me. How are you going to do that? Are you going to move into the Violet Cloud Palace and live with me?”