“Master!” “Peak Master!”

Seeing the newcomer, the Spirit Beast Peak disciples, who had been kneeling on the ground begging Qin Meran for mercy, were instantly overjoyed.

The arrival was none other than Lu Qingyao!

Qin Meran’s expression softened slightly. However, she was still the Senior Sister, and the Spirit Beast Peak disciples were the ones in the wrong. After a moment’s thought, Qin Meran composed herself, adopting a cold demeanor once again.

She had a plan. She would wait for Lu Qingyao to explain herself, then properly scold these erring disciples in front of her and force them to apologize.

Once that was done, she would seize the opportunity to relent, sparing the disciples to demonstrate her magnanimity. It would be the perfect way to resolve the situation.

Sure enough, her Junior Sister did not disappoint. Upon seeing her own disciples, Lu Qingyao’s face immediately turned icy.

“A bunch of good-for-nothings!”

“Have you fed the spirit beasts in the pens? How much of the Beast Taming Art have you mastered? You have no skills to speak of, yet you dare to run around causing trouble like you’re something special!”

“The Sect rules place respecting teachers and upholding the Dao above all else. Yet you actually dared to offend my Fifth Senior Sister? You bunch of scoundrels!”

These words made Qin Meran feel much more comfortable inside.

However… just as that satisfaction began to settle, she suddenly felt something was off. Lu Qingyao was still berating them:

“Even if my Fifth Senior Sister did something wrong, what qualifications or status do you have to gossip behind the back of a dignified Peak Master of the Azure Mystic Sacred Land?”

The smile on Qin Meran’s face stiffened slightly.

“Whether Ink Scroll Peak is run by a hypocrite or a true villain—what right do you have to say such things?”

The smile on Qin Meran’s face froze completely.

“And just now, you actually dared to criticize Ink Scroll Peak’s talismans? If Spirit Beast Peak is cut off from talismans in the future because of your loose tongues, do you realize what a grave crime that would be?!”

Qin Meran’s smile vanished entirely.

“A bunch of worthless trash. Just seeing you irritates me. All of you, get lost! Go back and clean the beast pens. When I return later, if I see a single speck of dust, see if I don’t punish you severely!”

By this point, Qin Meran’s face was completely covered in a layer of frost.

Lu Qingyao, however, seemed completely oblivious. After watching her disciples scramble away in panic, she turned to look at her Senior Sister, revealing an expression of utter innocence and naivety.

“Senior Sister, those disciples are ignorant. Junior Sister has already scolded them for you. Rest assured, Senior Sister, once we return, I will punish them heavily. They were truly too excessive!”

“A minor matter. I won’t hold onto it stubbornly. It is just that Junior Sister’s method of punishment…” Qin Meran said coldly, “Is quite thoughtful!”

Lu Qingyao continued to grin, as if completely failing to hear the resentment in Qin Meran’s voice. “Hehe, I knew Senior Sister was magnanimous and wouldn’t hold a grudge against lesser people. You definitely wouldn’t be angry over a few ignorant disciples. In that case, when we return later, I won’t impose overly severe punishments either. It will serve to showcase your kind-heartedness, Senior Sister.”

Qin Meran gritted her back teeth, staring fixedly at her Junior Sister as she enunciated every word: “Junior Sister, do you also think I took the Earth Cloud Sprout?”

“Senior Sister, what are you saying? How could I possibly suspect you?” Lu Qingyao looked utterly innocent.

Qin Meran’s expression eased slightly.

But just as it relaxed, it stiffened again.

Because Lu Qingyao added another sentence: “Throughout history, opportunities and fortunes belong to those destined to have them. If Senior Sister is unwilling to admit it and wants to keep the Earth Cloud Sprout for her own use, I understand. I definitely won’t let such a small matter affect our sisterly relationship.”

“I didn’t take the Earth Cloud Sprout!” Qin Meran refuted loudly.

“Hehe.”

“I really didn’t take that Earth Cloud Sprout! I haven’t even seen it! Junior Sister, you have to believe me!”

“Alright, alright, I believe you, Senior Sister.”

“I…” Qin Meran was momentarily speechless.

Although Lu Qingyao said she believed her, the look in her eyes showed not a single trace of trust.

She felt a suffocating sense of injustice, an inability to defend herself no matter what she said.

From Master, to Sixth Junior Sister, and now to Seventh Junior Sister—none of them believed her. She found it hard to accept. It shouldn’t be this way.

But it was…

“I will prove the Earth Cloud Sprout has nothing to do with me!”

Gritting her teeth, Qin Meran threw down this sentence and staggered away quickly. She was fleeing.

Watching her retreating back, the innocent expression on Lu Qingyao’s face finally faded. No longer hiding her true feelings, her eyes revealed a trace of pure resentment and hatred…

Qin Meran, of course, didn’t know this. Even if she did, she could only be anxious.

She flew rapidly to Jade Pill Peak. Just as she was about to ascend, she saw her Third Senior Sister, Xu Wanqing, coming out.

Qin Meran hurriedly stopped her. “Third Senior Sister!”

“Meran?” Seeing Qin Meran, delight appeared in Xu Wanqing’s eyes. “I heard you came out of seclusion. I was just about to go find you. You came at the right time. Are the pills I gave you last time enough? I’ve prepared quite a few more for you.”

Looking at the pile of various pills Xu Wanqing brought out, the tears Qin Meran had been holding back finally burst forth.

She threw herself into Xu Wanqing’s arms. “Senior Sister… wuwuwu…”

She was so wronged.

As someone known within the Sect for her integrity, a gentleman who studied the classics of sages, the current situation was simply a nightmare.

Her beloved Master who doted on her now doubted her. The Junior Sister who always liked to cling to her was now sarcastic and mocking. Even within the Sect, unfavorable rumors were spreading about her.

Such unjust accusations nearly drove Qin Meran insane.

Fortunately, Third Senior Sister still believed in her! She was still so good, even at such a time, still concerned about preparing pills for her!

However, just as Qin Meran was feeling moved, she heard Xu Wanqing speak softly.

“Junior Sister, this time, I brought many pills related to the soul. I know they probably can’t compare to your Earth Cloud Sprout, but I still hope, Meran, that you can consider Little Junior Brother.”

What?

Qin Meran’s entire body stiffened.

She looked up at Xu Wanqing, only to see that same kind and gentle expression, now carrying a hint of pleading.

“Little Junior Brother’s soul injury is difficult to heal. Although it won’t have a major impact in the short term, the longer it lingers, the greater the hidden danger becomes.”

“I know such words shouldn’t be said, but I still hope, Meran, that you can think of Little Junior Brother. Right now, he needs the Earth Cloud Sprout more than you do.”

Each word, each sentence, struck Qin Meran with disbelief.

“Senior Sister, do you also think Meran is that kind of selfish person? Someone who dares to act but not admit it?”

“This…” Xu Wanqing hesitated for a moment. “Junior Sister, of course you are not that kind of person. I don’t mean to blame you either. I just hope you can help Little Junior Brother. Consider it me begging you, alright?”

“But I didn’t take it!”

“Meran…”

“I really didn’t take it! Why don’t any of you believe me?”

“This…”

“Senior Sister, we grew up together. You know my character. You should believe me!”

“Meran, don’t get agitated. Let’s talk properly…”

“How can I not be agitated? How can I talk properly?” Qin Meran cried out. “I’m suffering an unjust accusation, yet you all believe the slander of villains! You are my most respected Master, my closest sisters. Why are none of you willing to believe me?”

“This…” Xu Wanqing looked troubled.

After much hesitation, she finally spoke. “Meran, Yu Sihai from the Four Seas Gang in Cloud Firmament City came to the Sect two days ago. He offered a humble apology and confessed his crimes. He was even willing to let Master perform a Soul Search on him…”

Qin Meran immediately asked with expectation, “Then what was the result of the Soul Search?”

“Master didn’t say. Only…” Xu Wanqing glanced at Qin Meran, pursed her lips, and said softly, “Master only announced that Yu Sihai of the Four Seas Gang has become a Steward of our Sect…”