What to do if things go wrong?

Winning the new disciple competition was a victory that easily resolved all suspense.
But Tao Lingling dared not slack off, because the “Disaster of the Mystic Abyss” was about to begin.
The so-called Mystic Abyss referred to the notorious Mystic Abyss Cult.
They had united with other demonic cults to wantonly harm disciples who had not yet achieved mastery, killing them while they were out on training or accepting commissions.
The reason this was related to her master was because of the Sword Immortal.
This incident drew the intense attention of the Spirit Pivot Governance Court, who immediately summoned cultivators from various sects to form the Spirit Pivot Alliance for Defending the Dao.
As a highly respected figure renowned throughout the four seas, the Sword Immortal temporarily took on the role of Alliance Master, and naturally had to leave the Mystic Sky Sword Sect.
During her absence, her master suffered all sorts of things, including but not limited to internal suppression within the sect, hurtful rumors, gender discrimination, and humiliation of her cultivation level.
It could be said to be her darkest hour.
The elders had even initiated a council meeting to expel her master from the Heart-Sword Hall.
Therefore, Tao Lingling didn’t trust the people here.
Even if they could sit at the same table and eat peacefully, how could she guarantee they wouldn’t turn against her when it came to deeper matters?
How to protect her master from harm became Tao Lingling’s most pressing anxiety.
Unable to think of a solution, she could only rely on desperate cultivation to alleviate her worries.
Returning to the courtyard and removing her weights, Tao Lingling nourished her body with spirit energy.
This step was essential.
The body’s muscles would grow stronger with exercise, but would rapidly decline if one stopped.
But if nourished with spirit energy, they could be maintained without gaining flesh.
The latter was the most important thing.
After all, she had to grow up fragrant and soft, so that her master couldn’t resist picking her up.
But as soon as she turned her head, Tao Lingling saw an unforgettable figure.
Not because she was particularly memorable, but because she hated her to the point of grinding her teeth.
Especially since the other party was currently right next to her master, her body pressed against hers, while her master could only passively be harassed by her.
“Elder, aren’t you a girl? Why can’t you bear it when I touch you? Oh, there’s a difference between men and women? But I can’t see it.”

Gong Ning was feeling very conflicted. She didn’t know who had taught this girl to speak in such a way that was unpleasant to the ear, and her physical contact was also overly intimate.
As someone who had been influenced by another world, Gong Ning didn’t think these things were a sign of moral decay, but she had, after all, lived honestly according to the local customs for a hundred years, and for a moment, she really couldn’t change her way of thinking.
“Sect Master’s daughter, this is for your own good. If others knew you were in such close contact with me, they would inevitably harbor resentment towards you…”
“Aiya, how gentle. I thought you would be secretly pleased, after all, you have someone as cute as me pestering you…”
Tao Lingling was so angry her head was steaming, “Hey! Get away from my master!”
How could Tang Qiaohuan be captured so easily?
She was well aware of her two senior sisters’ weaknesses, having practiced specifically after her rebirth.
But how could Tao Lingling not know her tricks?
Before shouting, she had secretly sent her ethereal spirits to sneak up on her and grab her by the collar.
The small figure was lifted into mid-air before she could even execute her footwork, momentarily stunned.
‘No, I can’t struggle, that would be too unsightly.’
“Elder, it seems your disciple is jealous.”
Seeing her in this state, Gong Ning actually felt a sense of relief, but still said to her disciple, “Lingling, don’t be rude. She is the Sect Master’s daughter and will be staying in our Heart-Sword Hall for now.”
She thought Tao Lingling would obediently listen, but instead, she heard her say, “Then she needs to be reasonable first! Who comes up and harasses someone else’s master?”
Although her disciple disobeyed her, Gong Ning felt a little happy in her heart.
This showed that her disciple wouldn’t blindly follow her instructions but could distinguish right from wrong.
But in matters of human relationships, who was right and who was wrong could not always determine the outcome.
“Alright, don’t bicker with her.”
“That’s right, I just want to get close to the beautiful master. What could I have done wrong?”
“You dare!”
“Hmph, so anxious, so anxious… Don’t you touch me! It’s disgusting!”
It was over.
Seeing Lingling rush up to grab Tang Qiaohuan’s cheeks, kneading and pulling them, Gong Ning could only facepalm, not knowing what to say.
She figured her deliberate provocations were either to cause trouble or just to win a verbal battle.
If it was the former, she couldn’t stop it.
If it was the latter, then nothing would happen.
She could only slowly sip her tea and wait for the two of them to finish their squabble.
Finally, when her disciple’s spirit energy was depleted and the ethereal spirits disappeared, their fight came to an end.
“Lingling, put her down first and go take a bath.”
“Yes.”
Tao Lingling shot a fierce glare at Tang Qiaohuan.
“I apologize, my disciple is a bit reclusive. Please don’t mind her.”
“It’s more than that,” Tang Qiaohuan rubbed her stinging little face, straightened her clothes, and then sniffed her hands, revealing a disgusted expression.
“She’s clearly like an impotent husband who sees his wife being violated, hehe.”
Gong Ning was considering whether to use a Sound-Locking Curse on her.
This child would surely cause trouble every time she opened her mouth.
No wonder the Sect Master never let her out.
“By the way, Elder, there’s something I need to tell you.”
She suddenly leaned against Gong Ning’s side again, her tone conspiratorial.
“What is it?”
“Well, I was very curious about why the Heart-Sword Hall couldn’t recruit anyone this year, so I went to investigate. And guess what? I found out.”
“Someone was spreading rumors, right? I already know.”
“But I know who did it.”
“Who?”
Gong Ning asked hurriedly.
Jiang Yuyao might not care, but Xue Yingdong would probably love this news.
“That person is named Tao Lingling.”
Gong Ning’s tea-drinking hand paused.
She turned to look at Tang Qiaohuan, whose curved eyes were exceptionally cunning.
“Evidence?”
“None, but whether you believe it or not is up to you. However, I heard that before she entered the sect, she shouted that she wanted to join the Heart-Sword Hall…”
‘Hee hee, aren’t you getting suspicious now?’
Tang Qiaohuan had known all along that it was Tao Lingling who did it, but she hadn’t told anyone.
Because once people knew that the person who committed such a heinous act was Gong Ning’s disciple, she would be severely implicated.
But if she only told her…
‘Master, how will you choose?’
‘Will you deal with it impartially and punish her, or will you violate the sect’s rules and follow your heart?’
She hoped more that Gong Ning would choose the latter.
After all, that was the only way she could step beyond her own bottom line.
However, her forehead was suddenly flicked, and immediately after, she saw Gong Ning’s cold gaze.
“I see it now. You are the most shameless instigator. The Sect Master must have sent you here so that the Sword Immortal could keep you in check. It’s only because the Sword Immortal was also called away at the last minute that you’ve become so arrogant.”
“But no matter. Although I am easygoing, I am not without some knowledge of stricter educational methods.”
This time, Tang Qiaohuan was truly dumbfounded.
‘Wait, I’m just providing information, why are you taking your anger out on me? And this attitude…’
‘Oh no, could it be that her feelings for Tao Lingling are too strong, and for a moment, she’s unwilling to consider her disciple’s rights and wrongs, so she’s turned her spearhead on me? How come I didn’t notice Tao Lingling was so good at currying favor in my past life?’
‘Is it going to be this stiff right from the start? Did I overplay my hand…’