Who would have thought that she would come?

In the Sword-Steering Hut, Lu Yunling stood before the Hut Master, unable to meet her eyes.

“Wang Cheng told me you went to the Heart-Sword Hall yesterday.

I ask you—this Master you’ve been thinking of… is she in the Heart-Sword Hall?”

Of course she couldn’t hide it.

A simple check would reveal her movements.

No point in denying.

Lu Yunling answered straightforwardly: “Yes.”

“It’s Gong Ning, isn’t it.”

“Yes.”

“Why?”

Her voice carried a quiet anger.

“Disciple has known her for a long time.
Long ago, I made my choice.”

The Hut Master closed her eyes, leaning back in her chair.

She couldn’t understand.

For so long, she’d been suppressed by that group from the Heart-Sword Hall.
Just as she finally found a disciple with Sword Immortal potential…

“If that’s the case, why did you come to my Sword-Steering Hut in the first place?”

Lu Yunling didn’t answer.

The Hut Master remained silent, studying her.

Finally, she sighed.

“Get out. Don’t stain my sight.”

She didn’t even ask why she’d gone to the Heart-Sword Hall.

She didn’t need to.

Yesterday, the Heart-Sword Hall had just been in trouble.

And you—someone who eavesdrops on everything—ran straight there?

What else could it be but leaking secrets?

Lu Yunling understood.

It wasn’t just that she’d angered her.

The secrets she’d given Gong Ning would eventually be discovered.

Staying in the Sword-Steering Hut would only make things worse.

“Thank you, Hut Master, for your kindness.
As for the Azure Cloud Sword Flight Formula—Yunling will cultivate it with all my heart.”

Lu Yunling clasped her hands, then turned and left.

The Hut Master shook her head, murmuring:
“Obtaining her was my fortune.
Losing her… is my fate.”

Meanwhile, in the distant Heart-Sword Hall.

“Not allowed? What do you mean—no new disciples?”

When Xue Yingdong delivered the news, Gong Ning nearly fainted.

Xue Yingdong sighed.
“New disciple trials are only for new disciples.
At least one is required…”

Yes.

Because of Tao Lingling’s exile, the Heart-Sword Hall had zero new disciples this year.

“So the priority now is finding a disciple.”

Tang Qiaohuan finally saw her chance—she raised her hand eagerly.

“Me! Me! Me!”

“You’re not suitable.”

Gong Ning rejected her flatly.

“Why not?”

“I can’t take a disciple like you.”

“Not even a reason? You’re so annoying.”

“If you find me annoying, why do you want to be my disciple?”

“I was just joking! How could I hate you? Hehe…”

Banter was just seasoning.

There were real problems to solve.

Gong Ning tapped her fingers on the table, frowning.
“Where can we find a disciple with decent talent?”

“Hard.
We just recruited a batch.
The leftovers are all low talent.
Best option—transfer one from another sect.”

But which sect?

Talented ones wouldn’t agree to transfer.

Untalented ones? The Heart-Sword Hall wouldn’t take one just for a trial.

Gong Ning sighed.
“If it comes to it… just take anyone…”

Suddenly, the duty disciple shouted from outside:
“Lu Yunling of the Sword-Steering Hut requests an audience!”

That girl again?

Gong Ning’s eyes widened in surprise.

She waved. “Let her in.”

The moment the words left her mouth, Lu Yunling stepped into the hall.

Her Sword-Steering Hut robe was dusty, but her gaze was clear and bright.

She bowed deeply to Gong Ning.
“Disciple Lu Yunling comes today to formally join your discipleship.
I beg Master to accept me.”

“What did you say?”

Gong Ning’s eyebrows shot up.

Even Xue Yingdong sat bolt upright.

Tang Qiaohuan jumped out of her chair.

Lu Yunling met her gaze steadily.
“Yesterday, Elder Wang Cheng discovered what I told you.
The Hut Master, kind-hearted, feared I’d be targeted in the Sword-Steering Hut—so she allowed me to transfer to the Heart-Sword Hall.”

Xue Yingdong reacted first, clapping her hands.
“Talk about searching high and low!
Miss Yunling has exceptional talent—and she’s a new disciple.
Perfect for the trial.”

She had every reason to be excited.

Lu Yunling was a true prodigy—someone who didn’t need effort or sweat.

But Gong Ning couldn’t act rashly.

“What you did was righteous.
Even if targeted, the Hut Master would protect you.
Why go this far?”

Lu Yunling, of course, couldn’t say the truth—that the Hut Master was furious.

The Hut Master had repeatedly asked her to become a direct disciple.

She had repeatedly refused.

Now she revealed her heart belonged to her lifelong rival.

Not expelling her—just allowing the transfer—was already saintly.

Gong Ning and Xue Yingdong exchanged a glance.

She really wanted this disciple.

Saying she didn’t was impossible.

“What are you hesitating for? Take her!
If you don’t, I will.”

Xue Yingdong was hungry too.

She’d seen Lu Yunling’s talent during the freshman competition.

Her bones were like naturally tempered steel.

Sword energy flowed through her without damaging her meridians.

Her every move was precise—clearly a sign of Sword Heart Enlightenment.

For a sword cultivator, that was the ultimate gift.

And she was born with it.

Hearing Xue Yingdong threaten to steal her, Gong Ning finally made her decision.

“Are you certain you want to become my disciple?
To recognize me as your Master?”

“Disciple Lu Yunling pledges this life to Master Gong Ning.
From this day, the Heart-Sword Hall is my home.
Your teachings are my guiding principle.
If I ever betray this vow, I accept any punishment from my Master.”

Lu Yunling knelt before Gong Ning, her forehead touching the cold stone floor.

Her voice echoed in the hall—clear, resolute, like the fall of a sword.

Gong Ning looked at her bowing form, her fingers unconsciously tracing her own palm.

This girl’s talent—something countless sects would fight over—was now bowing to her.

And precisely because she was so precious, Gong Ning hesitated.

“Entering the Heart-Sword Hall isn’t as comfortable as the Sword-Steering Hut.
We’re poor.
Monthly rations must be carefully managed.
No Jade Tempering Pool like yours.”

Xue Yingdong shot Gong Ning a glare.

This rich woman actually thought the Heart-Sword Hall was poor?

Well, they were poor.

Lu Yunling’s forehead still pressed to the floor—her voice even firmer:

“Disciple seeks not comfort, but the truth of the sword.
If resources are scarce, I will make up for it with diligence.
If the technique is hard to grasp, I will study it day and night.
But… disciple has one request.”

“Speak.”

“The Hut Master entrusted me with the Azure Cloud Sword Flight Formula.
I must honor that expectation.”

Was this a bad thing?

Wasn’t this great?

“No issue.
I have no true inheritance technique.
You may cultivate whatever you wish.”

She truly had no true inheritance.

But the techniques she held could become one.

“Rise.”

Gong Ning took Lu Yunling’s arm and helped her up.

“You choosing to become my disciple is my fortune.
I’m not strict.
You may relax.”

The Hut Master was surprising.

Who’d have thought she’d send a disciple?

Gong Ning couldn’t help but marvel.

This was peak Phoenix Arrogant Heaven—even her escape was elegant.

Only Tang Qiaohuan stood to the side, biting her lip in frustration.

She’d wanted to say something scheming.

But it wouldn’t help her.

And Senior Sister’s authority was a little intimidating.

So she held back.

She’d thought—once Tao Lingling was gone, it would be her turn.

To enjoy her Master’s teachings.
Her Master’s affection.

Who could’ve predicted she would come?