The Incident Comes to Light

Shopping with a woman was an exhausting ordeal—because she would endlessly linger, meticulously comparing items that looked identical to you.

Standing by, you became invisible—unable to stand, unable to sit.

Especially in a crowded, noisy market, where the chaos was unbearable.

Better to spend a whole day fishing—even if you caught nothing.

But if you were the one shopping? Everything changed.

Those once-identical items now seemed full of unique charm.

Even in the midst of a roaring crowd, you felt like the center of the world.

Back home, the ever-troublesome Tang Qiaohuan was still in the room.

The Sect Master had returned—yet she refused to leave.

Her own disciple, Tao Lingling, was drenched in sweat—clearly having trained hard again.

“Master!”

Tao Lingling ran to her, eyes instantly drawn to the earrings.

The delicate pendants nestled against Gong Ning’s ears, grazing her pale, smooth lobes.

With every turn of her head, they brushed lightly against the side of her neck.

Even her smiling eyes seemed softer, glistening with a watery shimmer—so lively, they looked ready to dance with the drifting spiritual energy.

“Master, this is…”

She remembered—her Master had never worn earrings in her past life.

Not even at the end had she seen her dressed up like this.

People always craved recognition—especially from those they cared about.

Even if already praised, they wanted more.

“Is it… pretty?”

Gong Ning gently touched her earlobe, feeling the weight of the ornament—then suddenly realized she might have said something inappropriate to her disciple.

“Beautiful!”

Did Master just blush? Then pile on the compliments!

“No one is more beautiful than Master.

Even without makeup, you surpass every woman in the world.

With these earrings… I can’t take my eyes off you…”

“Flattery won’t save you. Go bathe. Your cultivation is entering a new stage.”

This disciple—such a handful.

Gong Ning shook her head, returning to her room.

Tang Qiaohuan stepped out from the bedroom, stretching with a yawn.

Her face was flushed, slightly tired.

Since returning from the Central Land, she’d been absorbed in writing Waste Immortal, oblivious to the world—now her stomach was growling.

“Elder, did you have fun with your dear lady friends today?”

Dear lady friends… Wasn’t that just girlfriends?

Now that she thought about it, Bai Peilan and Zhou Yu’an did have that kind of vibe.

“Since the Sect Master is back, shouldn’t you return to Xuantian Peak?”

“Why go back? And my father already entrusted me to you.

When will you take me as your disciple?”

Gong Ning frowned.

Absolutely not.

This girl’s character was already set—hard to discipline.

And her motives were impure.

At her age, already chasing after such intimate matters?

One Lingling was already unbearable.

Another would be impossible.

Gong Ning couldn’t help recalling that absurd experience in the secret realm.

Even now, remembering it made her heart race.

“Out of the question.”

“Hmph. So stingy.”

She cooked dinner, ate a meal.

Jiang Yuyao didn’t return that night—likely delayed by something.

Back in the bedroom, Gong Ning took out the Frostbound Star Core.

Whenever it was near, her cultivation technique flowed on its own.

Thanks to the unique ice energy, she always seemed ethereal, floating.

The newly formed ice spiritual root was extraordinary.

Mutated roots were rarely inferior—hers was top-tier.

Just one step away from breaking into Qi Refining Layer Three.

With the Frostbound Star Core, even rushing to Layer Four wasn’t impossible.

Still a genius after returning.

What better time to cultivate?

Cultivate! Cultivate!

Gong Ning carefully locked the door.

Not trusting it, she pasted two talismans over it.

Then sat before the dressing table, removing her accessories one by one.

Removing makeup—still unfamiliar, still awkward.

But not as resistant as before.

She was getting used to this body.

Now, she could look at her reflection in the mirror, fully undressed, without hesitation.

She thought about making some underwear from her past life.

These traditional undergarments weren’t practical.

After walking all day, her shoulders ached.

She cupped her chest—her own touch sent a sharp thrill through her.

The weight in her hands made her think—better make two pairs.

Dressed in a thin sleeping robe, Gong Ning began to cultivate.

The moment she actively circulated her technique, her mind drifted far away—clear, cold, yet comfortable.

Only a slight resistance remained… a faint, unavoidable desire.

Small, only noticeable in moments like this.

A bodily instinct.

The taste of pleasure, once experienced, never forgotten.

When Jiang Yuyao returned, she’d find a time to relieve it.

It was disrupting her cultivation.

Cultivation was the most boring thing in the world.

Sit somewhere, circulate the technique, endure.

Watch the spiritual sea slowly grow.

When full, squeeze it—expand the sea.

That was how you broke through a layer.

Morning came.

Gong Ning opened her eyes, stretched comfortably—her thin robe slipping off one shoulder.

She stood before the mirror, combing her hair.

She noticed a change in her eyes—slightly pale, rimmed with a faint blue.

Even the tips of her hair carried a hint of silver.

Must be a quirk of the technique. Nothing to worry about.

Today, she had to go to the Hall.

And… discuss her disciple with Elder Xue.

Just as she was preparing breakfast, a knock came.

Gong Ning walked to the courtyard and opened the door.

A group stood there—dressed in black.

The Punishment Sword Division.

“Elder Gong Ning?

Someone has reported that your disciple, Tao Lingling, is a remnant of Great Yuan—and cultivates two heretical arts.

We’d like you both to come with us for questioning.”

Gong Ning’s heart sank.

She hadn’t expected it to happen so soon.

But she kept her composure.
“Let me prepare. I’ll be right out.”

Back in the room, her disciple had just woken—drowsy, about to greet her Master.

But seeing her grave expression, she realized something was wrong.

“Master… what’s this?”

“The Punishment Sword Division is here.

Your identity has been exposed.”

Tao Lingling’s heart froze.

This hadn’t happened in her past life.

She didn’t know how to respond.

Seeing her disciple so distressed, Gong Ning’s heart softened instantly.

“In the Punishment Sword Division, don’t speak much—but stay sharp.

And don’t provoke them.

They wield the law.

If angered, they’ll lose impartiality.”

Tang Qiaohuan stepped out.

“Hm? Such a thing—why didn’t you call me?”

Who knew what she’d been up to last night—dark circles under her eyes.

“What are you getting involved for?”

“I’m the Sect Master’s daughter.

I just need to stand there, declare my stance—they’ll have to be fair.”

That… hadn’t occurred to her.

Annoying as she was, Tang Qiaohuan never failed when it mattered.

“Thank you.”

“What’s with the thanks?

We’re close—why not give me something more practical?”

Fine. Still as annoying as ever.

Tao Lingling sensed something off—but in this situation, she couldn’t dwell on it.