Moxi’s Persuasion and Feiluo’s Secret Escape Plan

“Phew~ I’m full~ So full~”

Feiluo patted her round, dinner-filled belly, her expression utterly relaxed as she slumped onto the soft, comfortable sofa, much like a puddle of melted chocolate. Her eyes were slightly narrowed, her expression languid and content, giving the impression that she might drift off to sleep at any moment.

‘Indeed, it’s so easy to feel sleepy after a good meal.’

‘Perhaps I should just go straight to bed,’ Feiluo thought to herself. ‘But it’s still too early; wouldn’t sleeping now be a waste of my free time?’

“Ugh…”

While Feiluo was still caught in her troubled indecision, she remained completely oblivious to Moxi approaching her. Moxi wiped her hands dry after washing the dishes, untied the apron she had worn, folded it neatly, and put it away. She then walked directly to the sofa and settled down beside Feiluo.

“Cough, cough.”

Noticing her obedient disciple’s drowsy, listless posture, Moxi let out a soft cough to catch Feiluo’s attention. Once Feiluo looked her way, Moxi paused, seemingly organizing her thoughts before speaking, “My dear disciple, you’ve probably heard a lot about the ‘Saintess Selection’ recently, haven’t you?”

“I have, yes. Why do you ask?” Feiluo tilted her head, a hint of confusion in her eyes, wondering why Moxi had suddenly brought up the ‘Saintess Selection’. She pondered Moxi’s reason for asking this question and quickly arrived at a conjecture.

‘Could Moxi be wanting me to participate in the ‘Saintess Selection’?’

Sure enough, Feiluo’s guess was immediately confirmed.

Moxi spoke with a serious tone, posing the question after Feiluo’s initial response, “So, my dear disciple, do you wish to participate in the selection?”

“No!” Upon hearing the question, Feiluo didn’t even pause to think, shaking her head vigorously like a rattle drum, terrified that even a moment’s hesitation might lead Moxi to mistakenly believe she harbored any desire to participate in the ‘Saintess Selection’.

Recalling the sight of her fellow disciples in the Battle Arts Hall earlier that day, drenched in sweat and utterly exhausted, Feiluo felt a subtle wave of that same body-and-mind-wearying fatigue wash over her. She had previously heard that those individuals were undergoing such arduous training precisely to prepare for the selection, as cultivation couldn’t be significantly improved in a short period, but battle arts were a different matter. A month of intensive training, even if it couldn’t instantly transform one into a master who had immersed themselves in battle arts for years, could still greatly enhance one’s original skill level.

However, such high-intensity training was simply too exhausting; the mere thought of potentially training to the point of utter collapse, like those other disciples, filled Feiluo with dread. The red-haired, golden-eyed loli shivered with fear.

“Hmm…” Moxi tapped her index finger against her lips, contemplating her next words. “How about this: if you participate, I’ll cook you a grand feast every single day from now on?”

“…Still no!” Feiluo hesitated almost imperceptibly, a pause so fleeting that anyone else would have completely missed it.

Yet Moxi knew Feiluo intimately, understanding virtually every facet of her disciple and having it deeply etched into her mind. Detecting Feiluo’s momentary waver, she continued to fan the flames, “Not only that, but there will also be after-dinner desserts, delicious drinks, afternoon tea, late-night snacks… so many delicious things! Are you truly not going to consider it?”

“I’m not listening, not listening! There’s no way I’m participating! Besides, I’m the Holy Land’s Chief Disciple, aren’t I? How could you possibly be at ease letting me join such an important ‘Saintess Selection’?” Feiluo covered her ears and turned her head away, refusing to look at Moxi.

“But you’re my obedient disciple, aren’t you? How could I ever not trust my own apprentice?” Moxi declared with unwavering certainty, her tone devoid of any hesitation.

“……” Upon hearing Moxi’s words, a smile tugged at the corners of Feiluo’s lips, a fleeting expression that she quickly suppressed.

Seeing that Feiluo had no intention of turning back around, Moxi let out a soft sigh and said, “My dear disciple, I know you don’t want to participate in the selection, but even if you don’t, you’ll still face challenges from many disciples, and perhaps even the winner of the Saintess Selection itself.”

Feiluo’s expression froze; she couldn’t fathom what Moxi meant.

‘Why would I face challenges from so many people even if I didn’t participate in the selection?’

Moxi didn’t see Feiluo’s stunned expression, as Feiluo was still facing away from her, but she knew Feiluo could hear her words.

“Because you are my disciple.” Moxi gently patted Feiluo’s head from behind. “As the Sect Master’s disciple, you would typically become the next Sect Master. This directly conflicts with the Saintess, as the Saintess is also a strong contender for the position of the next Sect Master.”

“However, because the Sect Master’s disciple is usually the foremost among their generation, they typically become either the Saintess or the Saint Son. Thus, it’s rare for a sect to encounter a situation where their Saintess/Saint Son and the Sect Master’s disciple are not the same person.”

“So, what happens if that situation arises?” Feiluo turned around, asking with a hint of nervousness.

Seeing Feiluo finally turn back, Moxi smiled and said, “After all, the cultivation world respects strength above all else. If such a situation truly arises, then naturally, they’ll have a fight, and the victor will become the next Sect Master.”

“What if I refuse the Saintess’s challenge?” Feiluo pressed on.

“You will agree,” Moxi replied, shaking her head helplessly. “Or rather, they will find every possible way to make you agree. Even if not to contend for the position of Sect Master, merely to establish her own prestige, the Saintess would never let you off the hook.”

“Hiss~” Hearing this, Feiluo couldn’t help but gasp, drawing a sharp breath. She could already envision the Saintess doing nothing all day but pestering her, constantly demanding a duel. The thought of a Saintess fixating on her every day like a fanatic sent shivers down Feiluo’s spine.

Observing Feiluo’s startled expression, Moxi offered a faint smile. “So, rather than waiting for others to challenge you, my dear disciple, why not take the initiative, participate in the selection, and defeat all of them? That way, they won’t challenge you again; instead, they’ll be completely convinced by your formidable strength.”

At these words, Feiluo appeared to be deep in thought, though in reality, a plan to run away from home was already brewing in her mind!

‘What a joke! I am the Holy Land’s Chief Disciple!’

‘If I truly became the Demonic Sect’s Saintess, how would that even work?’

‘That would be completely defying the natural order, wouldn’t it?’

‘No, no more sleep; I have to run away from home tonight!’

Feiluo feigned agreement, nodding her head. “Well, if that’s the case, then there’s no other choice, is there? It seems I can only participate in the ‘Saintess Selection’.”

Hearing Feiluo finally agree, Moxi smiled cheerfully and patted Feiluo’s little head.

Watching the delighted smile on Moxi’s face, a hint of guilt stirred within Feiluo.

‘She’s your enemy!’

‘There’s no need to feel guilty about deceiving an enemy.’

Still, she admonished herself inwardly, forcefully suppressing the feeling in her heart.