Asking for a Beating

After the Immortal Sprout Assembly ended, those who had been chosen and those who had not felt entirely different emotions.

Especially Long Zitian and the others; needless to say, they were so ecstatic they felt like they were flying.

In this life, not only could he win back the hearts of his master and senior sisters, but heaven had also sent him a new girl—Huo Huang, whom he had loved but could never have in his past life.

She was a descendant of the ancient Phoenix bloodline, possessing a true bloodline of the Immortal Dao.

Long Zitian's intense, unblinking gaze made her uncomfortable. Huo Huang's brows furrowed, and she snapped mercilessly, “Tsk, what are you looking at? If you have nowhere else to put your eyes, throw them away.”

“...”

Atop the white crane's back, Huo Huang's angry shout caught the attention of the few people in front of them. They all turned around and asked what was going on.

“Master, Senior Sister...”

Just as Long Zitian was about to speak up and admit his rudeness, Huo Huang cut him off and said directly, “Senior Sister, it's nothing. This kid's eyes were wandering, so I scolded him a bit.”

Hearing this, Leng Ning'an instantly frowned in displeasure and said coldly, “Junior Brother, you have just entered the sect and do not yet understand many of the rules. I can forgive your rudeness this time, but I hope you will not make such a mistake again.”

“Yes, Senior Sister,” Long Zitian replied with a bow.

But in his heart, he thought:

“In my previous life, once I melted your icy exterior, you were more passionate and affectionate than anyone. I can do the same in this life, and I'll do it even better.”

“Senior Sister, our junior brother is a young man, after all. It's only normal for someone his age to like looking at beautiful girls. There's no need to make a big fuss over it,” Wen Sining spoke up from the side, a slight smile playing on her face.

With just a few words, she not only calmed Huo Huang down but also defused the minor tension among the three of them, proving herself a true master of conversation.

“Thank you, Senior Sister.”

Long Zitian bowed once more.

In his previous life, Wen Sining had been exactly like this—beautiful and gentle, the dream of countless cultivators, and the hardest female lead for Long Zitian to win over.

Although she appeared gentle and generous, she was actually guarded against everyone, forever separated from others by an invisible, intangible veil.

“By the way, Senior Sister, how many people are there on Tianyun Peak in total?”

After this little interlude, Long Zitian asked.

According to his memories of his past life, there were at most seven disciples on Tianyun Peak. Aside from Wang Xuanyi and himself, who were male, the other five were all top-tier beauties.

Because of this, in order to claim ownership over them, Wang Xuanyi had fought with him both openly and secretly for many years, only to end up dying like a stray dog on the street in the end.

Since he had been reborn, Wang Xuanyi should be on Tianyun Peak as well.

Wen Sining said softly, “Junior Brother, our Tianyun Peak only has the few of us.”

“What about Wang Xuanyi?” Long Zitian asked subconsciously.

“An ungrateful wretch,” Leng Ning'an said coldly.

“Senior Brother Wang is a disciple of Tianzhu Peak. Why do you ask about him?” Wen Sining's response was gentler, her tone calm and unhurried.

The name Wang Xuanyi was rather special.

Or more accurately, the person was rather special, and his way of thinking was remarkably bizarre.

When Master had rescued him and brought him back to the sect, he hadn't chosen to join Xiao Hongye's lineage. Instead, he had become exceptionally close to Mo Yan of Tianzhu Peak, calling him “Grandpa” at every turn.

This had made Master a bit sad, and it was why Leng Ning'an called him an ungrateful wretch.

She saved his life, yet he acted close with someone else.

That was no different from being an ungrateful wretch.

“Ning'an, do not be rude. No matter what, Xuanyi is still your senior brother,” Xiao Hongye, who had been silent for a long time, spoke up to defend Wang Xuanyi.

“Master, that guy really is just an ungrateful wretch. Why do you always favor him?” Leng Ning'an was puzzled.

Every time Wang Xuanyi was mentioned, Master would always show a doting expression, as if that guy were her... illegitimate son, spoiling him to no end.

The previously hot-tempered Huo Huang closed her mouth, quietly waiting for the gossip. She had completely lost her haughty attitude and demeanor as a young lady.

Although she didn't know who Wang Xuanyi was, that didn't stop her from enjoying the drama.

“I am not favoring him. I simply feel that while I have the affinity of a master and disciple with that child, we do not have the destiny to be master and disciple. Thus, it is only right to show him a bit more care,” Xiao Hongye said calmly.

Since Master had said so, the others couldn't say anything more.

She had watched Wang Xuanyi grow up. No matter what, he could be considered an unofficial disciple under her lineage, so it was normal to show him some care.

But...

“Has that child been avoiding me these past few years?”

Xiao Hongye murmured to herself.

Ever since Lin Ang eloped for love, Wang Xuanyi had rarely appeared in public. He made no effort to hide his avoidance, especially when it came to the disciples of Tianyun Peak.

For instance, if he ran into Leng Ning'an and the others at the martial arena, he would slip away immediately. Even if it meant being despised by everyone, he was unwilling to appear before them.

“Could it be that he is afraid of hurting my disciples, and a sense of guilt is at play?”

Xiao Hongye kept thinking this way until she arrived at Tianyun Peak, where she finally stopped her train of thought.

Tianyun Peak, as the name implied, was the highest of the twelve main peaks of the Heavenly Martial Immortal Sect, shrouded in mist and clouds all year round. The towering peak resembled an immortal ladder leading straight to the heavenly gates, which was why their ancestors had named it the Sky-Facing Cloud Ladder.

Later generations took the two words “Tian” and “Yun” as the main name, changing it to Tianyun Peak.

“Master, Senior Sister, I will take our new junior brother and sister to familiarize themselves with the environment first,” Wen Sining said.

Leng Ning'an had a cold personality and wasn't very suited to guiding people.

Furthermore, Wen Sining already had a basic understanding of Huo Huang's personality. It was completely identical to Leng Ning'an's, yet also completely opposite.

One spoke with cold words, while the other had a fiery temper.

Both were also somewhat stubborn.

They were practically carved from the same mold.

Fearing that a feud might develop between the two, Wen Sining took on the responsibility of guiding them.

“Thank you for your hard work. I still have to attend the sect meeting, and I will teach you Dao techniques tomorrow,” Xiao Hongye said.

After every Immortal Sprout Assembly, the Heavenly Martial Immortal Sect would hold a routine meeting to summarize the results of the assembly and discuss future matters of importance.

“Safe travels, Master.”

The four bowed in unison, and under their watchful eyes, Xiao Hongye departed on her white crane.

...

“You brat, I have to attend the sect meeting. Deliver these gifts to Tianyun Peak.”

Mo Yan waved his hand and tossed out a series of cultivation items that Wang Xuanyi wasn't very interested in, including a Thousand-Year Flesh Ganoderma, Marrow-Cleansing Bone-Forging Pills, Qi-Gathering Pills, and so on.

“Hey, if you want to go, you go. I'm not going,” Wang Xuanyi muttered.

He already had every intention of avoiding Tianyun Peak, yet his master loved sending him to deliver warmth. Wasn't this completely contrary to his plans of staying alive?

“Tsk, you're really asking for a beating, aren't you?” Mo Yan clicked his tongue, rolled up his sleeves, and grabbed Wang Xuanyi by the collar. “Your Martial Aunt Xiao saved your life. Today, she has happily taken in highly talented disciples. By all rights and reason, you should deliver a modest gift. Stop giving me your lip.”

“Alright, alright, I'll go, okay?”

“That's more like it.”

Mo Yan set Wang Xuanyi down, then flew off toward the main peak of the Heavenly Martial Immortal Sect.