Seeing Yu Hongyin's shy demeanor, Shi Wenzhong immediately realized something was wrong.

Having spent over ten years together day and night, he understood his disciple better than anyone.

Despite her sweet and charming appearance, there was an unapproachable coldness and arrogance at her core. Of course, she had the talent to be proud of.

Yu Hongyin came from a wealthy family, considered a young lady of a prominent household in Qing Province. Since childhood, she had little interest in feminine crafts, but was fascinated by unpredictable magic, so she directly joined the Netherworld Sect's gate.

She possessed the rare Xuan Yin Body, which was highly compatible with Witchcraft Cultivation Method, and was taken under Shi Wenzhong's wing for personal training.

Yu Hongyin did not disappoint him, showing extraordinary talent and comprehension from the start. Her realm improved at a rapid pace: three months to Qi Cultivation, six months to Entry-level, and reached the Peak of Mortal Body after three years!

Now, at the tender age of twenty-five, she is at the Fourth Grade of Transcendence, with hopes of reaching the Heavenly Human Realm before thirty!

Such qualifications are rarely matched even in top sects, only the heir of the Three Saint Sect may be able to surpass her.

Oh right, now we should add Chen Mo to the list...

"Strangely enough..."

"I remember back in the Cangyun Mountain Secret Realm, Chen Mo stole Yu Hongyin's Enlightenment Golden Core and Creation Gold Contract. During that period, she gritted her teeth hating him whenever his name was mentioned; when did their relationship become so good?"

Shi Wenzhong thought silently.

He himself did not have any ill feelings towards Chen Mo, if he were sect disciples, he would gladly bring them together.

But the problem is, Chen Mo's identity is exceedingly special, not only is he part of the Heavenly Qilin Guard Thousand Households, but he is also protected by that Empress...

Bear in mind, Moon Brilliance Sect used to be the top sect in Qing Province, surpassing the Netherworld Sect, yet it was still obliterated overnight by that person, leaving the mountain gate nothing but scorched earth!

This incident has cast a shadow over the hearts of Qing Province's cultivators that refuses to dissipate.

So gratitude aside, Shi Wenzhong doesn't dare to risk the sect's fate, nor does he want his disciple involved with Chen Mo.

"Ahem, Hongyin, we should also go back to prepare..."

Shi Wenzhong cleared his throat, ready to find an excuse to send his disciple away.

At that moment, a woman in a navy martial robe jumped off a flying boat and walked over leisurely.

"Peak Master."

The disciples of Martial Saint Mountain bowed and saluted one after another.

Upon seeing who it was, Shi Wenzhong's expression became solemn and he cupped his hands, "Greetings, Jiang Fengzhu, didn't expect you to come in person this time?"

As one of the four Peak Masters of Martial Saint Mountain, her status and strength were above his, naturally he dared not act carelessly.

"Master Shi." Jiang Zhiyun nodded slightly, curiously asked, "What were you chatting about just now? It seems you know Guest Elder Chen?"

"Guest Elder Chen?"

Shi Wenzhong was puzzled for a moment, "Which Guest Elder Chen is Jiang Fengzhu referring to?"

"Of course, Mr. Chen Mo Chen." Jiang Zhiyun said knowingly, "Oh, you might not know yet, he is our sect's new Guest Elder Tributor, in terms of status, he's even higher than me as a Peak Master."

???

Shi Wenzhong's expression was dull, full of confusion, wondering if he had misheard.

Before he could react, a group of Daoist Nuns walked over, led by an old lady with a cane, full head of silver hair, and wrinkles, but her eyes were as bright as morning stars.

"Elder Zhu." Ling Ningzhi bowed respectfully upon seeing the old lady.

This person is Zhu Huai, the Law Enforcement Elder of Tianshu Pavilion, responsible for overseeing sect rules and discipline, with great prestige in the sect, even someone like Ling Ningzhi as the chief cannot afford to be negligent.

"Qingxuan, this time you went to experience life outside the mountain for quite a long time, it's been nearly half a year since you returned to the sect, hasn't it?" Zhu Huai remarked casually.

Ling Ningzhi's expression became a bit awkward, "Something indeed delayed me..."

Zhu Huai waved her hand and said, "I know your grandfather's health is poor, I can understand, but you should also be mindful of influence... Although Daoist Venerable revised the sect's general principle, no longer forbidding male-female relationships, as the chief heir, cultivation should still be the priority, how can you be immersed in worldly matters all day?"

"The elder is right."

Ling Ningzhi did not expect such direct words from her, her cheeks involuntarily reddened.

Zhu Huai turned her gaze to Chen Mo, looked him up and down, raised an eyebrow, "I suppose this must be Mr. Chen? Daoist Venerable has informed me, inviting you as the only male tributor of Tianshu Pavilion, which is quite a breakthrough for our sect in the past decades."

"I'm really curious, what kind of charm do you possess to cause Daoist Venerable to make such a decision?"

Faced with Zhu Huai's inquiry, Chen Mo remained calm, "I don't know either, maybe because I'm good-looking?"

"..."

Catching the sarcasm in his words, Zhu Huai's eyelid twitched.

To be honest, she found it difficult to understand, originally Daoist Venerable followed the "Supreme Forget Love" path, not only attempting to cut off the Three Corpses but also asking disciples to maintain calm hearts and reject emotions and desires.

Yet after a trip to the Capital City, his ideas underwent a radical transformation.

First, he revised the general principle, urging disciples to follow their hearts, even saying "Feelings are not shackles, but tempering fires of the heart" - a shocking statement.

The issue is...

Daoist Venerable's realm has indeed improved because of it!

And all of this because of this young man in front of her?

"This time, I took the initiative to descend the mountain just to see if the worldly dust truly hides opportunities for breakthrough?"

Zhu Huai has been stuck in the First Grade for decades without any progress.

At her age, she no longer hopes to prove the Dao and become venerable, only seeking to glimpse the scenery of the heavens would make her satisfied.