After class, Zhang Xian remained behind as usual, walking slowly toward Liu Qingxuan, who was organizing her teaching materials.

“Supervisor Liu,” he slightly cupped his hands, his voice gentle. “Regarding the Azure Emperor’s Rejuvenation Art, this disciple has some questions I’d like to ask for guidance.”

Liu Qingxuan was slightly taken aback but then began explaining carefully to Zhang Xian. As she spoke, her emotions gradually stabilized, returning to her normal role as a Supervisor.

Other disciples glared angrily. This shameless Zhang Xian had such thick skin, always finding excuses to approach Supervisor Liu after every class. Supervisor Liu, being a teacher and somewhat naive, was completely deceived!

After the explanation ended, Zhang Xian continued asking, “Supervisor Liu, has there been any progress in the research on the Immortal Ascension Grass?”

Liu Qingxuan shook her head. “Not yet. I secluded myself for a period to study it and only have a preliminary idea. I haven’t had the chance to implement it yet.”

“It’s fine. Supervisor Liu, feel free to experiment boldly. If both plants fail, I have more here. Don’t feel any psychological burden.”

Her breath hitched slightly, and she instinctively shrank back. “N-no need for now.”

Not far away, several disciples pretending to tidy spiritual plants pricked up their ears, their expressions twisted.

“This bastard still wants to give more? Isn’t that too shameless?”

“Beast! Does he think Immortal Ascension Grass is common cabbage?!”

“His advances are too fierce. Even I might not be able to withstand them.”

Lu Rendong finally couldn’t take it anymore. He stood up with a swish and righteously shouted, “Zhang Xian! Mind your words and actions! Supervisor Liu is busy with affairs; how can you keep disturbing her?! The Supervisor already said she doesn’t want it, yet you still insist on giving it. What are your true intentions?”

Zhang Xian turned his head, looking confused. “Senior Brother Lu, why do you say that? I merely wish for Supervisor Liu to help me research and cultivate spiritual plants. What other intentions could I possibly have?”

“This is clearly persistent pestering!”

Zhang Xian sighed lightly, his face full of righteous indignation. “Senior Brother Lu, if you choose to think of me that way, there’s nothing I can do. My heart is devoted to the Dao; I’ve never had much interest in matters of romance. Bothering Supervisor Liu to help me research spiritual plants is solely to aid the minor world behind me. There is absolutely no personal motive.”

The disciples: “…”

Damn his ‘no interest in romance’! Junior Sister Lin Yinyin has already been thoroughly corrupted by him!

“I believe Supervisor Liu also trusts my character, right?” Zhang Xian turned to look at Liu Qingxuan.

Liu Qingxuan’s face flushed bright red instantly. “Y-yes!”

“I have matters to attend to!” She abruptly stood up, turned, and ran outside, disappearing from the classroom in the blink of an eye.

Zhang Xian withdrew his gaze, leisurely straightened his sleeves, and smiled slightly at everyone. “It seems Supervisor Liu is indeed very busy.” He then cupped his hands in farewell.

Lu Rendong clutched his chest. This guy’s skin was thicker than imaginable. It seemed only the Peak Master could suppress him.

This fellow was simply too loaded with resources. Lu Rendong worried Supervisor Liu wouldn’t be able to hold out much longer.

The next day.

A green streak shot through the sky from the horizon at such speed that it tore a long-lasting rift through the clouds.

The mountain-guarding disciples had just looked up when that figure crashed down before the mountain gate with the force of wind and thunder, causing the entire peak to tremble slightly.

“P-Peak Master?!”

“Master!” Lu Rendong was overjoyed.

Great! Master rushed back early! Finally, someone would uphold justice for them!

The arrival was none other than Green Wood Peak’s Peak Master, Liu Huaigu, who was also Liu Qingxuan’s biological father.

Liu Huaigu appeared to be an elder in his fifties with a naturally somewhat fierce countenance. Having received his disciple’s message, he rushed back without rest or sleep; his hair bun was now somewhat disheveled.

“Lu Rendong! Come see me at my cave abode!” Liu Huaigu shouted lightly. “And summon Qingxuan for me!”

With a flick of his sleeve, he entered the cave abode. Lu Rendong secretly rejoiced inside.

Master is very angry!

Inside the Peak Master’s cave abode.

Liu Qingxuan stood obediently to the side. Lu Rendong and several other disciples recounted Zhang Xian’s actions over these past days. While appearing neutral in their descriptions, they secretly added inflammatory details.

“At that time, I saw Supervisor Liu had already said she didn’t want it, but that dog—that junior Zhang Xian insisted on giving it.”

“Indeed. Zhang Xian isn’t even a disciple of our Green Wood Peak. These days he pretended to study diligently while openly and covertly getting close to Supervisor Liu. Initially, this student didn’t want to interfere, but later I simply couldn’t stand by any longer.”

“Yes, he even reached out to touch Supervisor Liu. It was completely improper.”

Liu Huaigu turned to look at Liu Qingxuan. “Is this true?”

Liu Qingxuan pursed her lips and replied, “Zhang Xian did give me two Immortal Ascension Grass plants for research and also a Beauty Preservation Pill. However, there were no other transgressions.”

Liu Huaigu snorted and said to the disciples present, “Tell me then, what is this Zhang Xian’s background?”

Some enthusiastic disciples had already prepared their statements. “This Zhang Xian has a low-grade Wood Spirit Root. He looks around forty-something years old but cultivates the False Core technique; his bone age is already over a hundred years old and he’s barely at Foundation Establishment Stage Four. He also has a Dao Companion named Lin Yinyin. Both are registered as nominal disciples under Spirit Sword Peak.”

“I heard they were recommended here holding a token letter; Elder Wangya was the one who received them at the time.”

“Hmph! Reaching his hand into my Green Wood Peak? I’ll summon Wangya here for a confrontation!” Liu Huaigu waved his sleeve dismissively and had all the disciples leave except for Liu Qingxuan.

Lu Rendong led the disciples out of the cave abode but didn’t go far; they hid nearby waiting for the show.

“Excellent! Senior Brother Lu! This matter has escalated now!”

Lu Rendong wore a pleased expression. Elder Wangya held a lofty position; among the seventy-two peak masters of the Yunmiao Sect, he ranked within the top three—a true heavyweight of the sect. However, he had been brought into the sect by Liu Huaigu back in the day and always addressed him as ‘Teacher,’ showing great respect and affection.

“You old lecher Zhang Xian! You think Wangya is your backer? Today we’ve directly summoned your backer’s teacher! Let’s see if you dare act arrogantly now!”

Inside the cave abode.

Liu Huaigu sat upright on a rosewood chair, lightly tapping his fingertips on the armrest while staring intently at his daughter.

“Take them out,” he said calmly.

Liu Qingxuan pursed her lips again and retrieved two jade boxes from her storage ring, gently placing them on the table. Lifting the lids revealed two Immortal Ascension Grass plants lying quietly inside.

Liu Huaigu glanced at them; his expression remained unchanged. “Just these?”

Liu Qingxuan curled her fingers slightly and whispered, “There’s also one Beauty Preservation Pill.”

“The pill?”

“I… ate it…”

“Ate it?!” Liu Huaigu’s beard twitched violently.

“Mhm.” The tips of Liu Qingxuan’s ears turned bright red.

Liu Huaigu let out a long sigh and fell silent.

Just then, hurried footsteps sounded outside the cave abode. Wangya entered hurriedly, clearly having rushed over swiftly.

“Teacher!” He cupped his hands respectfully, his tone earnest. “Although Zhang Xian is merely a nominal disciple, his identity is somewhat special… I hope Teacher will show leniency and not expel him from the mountain sect.”

Liu Huaigu glanced sideways at Wangya. “How is he special?”

“He is likely the young master of some unknown minor world; his status isn’t ordinary—quite wealthy indeed… The female disciple who entered alongside him named Lin Yinyin possesses extremely high innate talent—a top-grade Water Spirit Root.”

“Oh? This Lin Yinyin is his Dao Companion then?”

“Well…” Seeing Liu Huaigu’s displeased expression, Wangya could only sigh lightly. “After all… those two were personally recommended by Cloud Raiment Pavilion’s Pavilion Master Yun… If we expel Zhang Xian from our mountain sect… this student will find it difficult to explain things properly to Pavilion Master Yun…”

“Moreover… if Zhang Xian leaves… Lin Yinyin won’t stay either… Our Yunmiao Sect cannot afford losing such talented disciples…”