Senior Sisters, I Don’t Want To Work Hard Anymore

Chapter 3: Teaching Until Dawn

In the sky, a cluster of white clouds gently descended.

Two figures stood on the clouds. The woman had skin as fair as snow, exuding an air of nobility and beauty that was beyond comparison. Every movement she made carried a faint sense of dignity. The masked young man had clear and bright eyes, exuding an inherent grace. His gaze swept over the vast jungle below and the fields of spiritual herbs between the mountains.

From the outside, this branch of the Cloud Dream Heavenly Palace's dojo seemed relatively small. The protective mountain formation covered an area of only a few thousand miles, encompassing over a hundred peaks.

However, this place housed the most important medicinal garden of the sect. Located in the core area of the Grotto-Heaven secret realm, within a large spatial formation, the meticulously cultivated garden spanned millions of acres. It contained countless rare spiritual herbs, exotic fruits, and some holy and divine medicines that were extremely difficult to find outside.

Xue Bingxuan smiled brightly, her bright eyes examining Qin Muling up and down without pause.

"...Originally, as a core disciple, a separate mountain peak should have been arranged for you to cultivate in," Xue Bingxuan gently caressed Qin Muling's hand and spoke in a warm and gentle tone, "But your identity is too sensitive. Once it is known to outsiders, various troubles will inevitably follow, causing you unnecessary annoyance. So, until your cultivation reaches a sufficient level, you should stay in my Cave Mansion."

"And you should act as discreetly as possible, not leaving the premises. If you need to move around the sect in the future, it would be best to temporarily disguise yourself as a woman, using spells to change your appearance, so as not to arouse suspicion from those with ill intentions."

"..."

Qin Muling hesitated for a moment before reluctantly nodding. Although it was difficult for him to accept mentally, it was only right. Otherwise, if a male disciple suddenly appeared in a sect consisting solely of female cultivators, even a fool would notice that something was amiss.

There might be undercover agents from other sects or forces within the Cloud Dream Heavenly Palace. Some moles of a high enough level might have been lurking in the dark for thousands or tens of thousands of years, only to be activated in the event of something particularly significant.

Of course, the Cloud Dream Heavenly Palace's secret intelligence network was not lacking either. Any sect with a long enough heritage would have a similar level of proficiency in this area.

Qin Muling looked around, as one beautiful and unique mountain peak after another slowly passed by.

According to the ancient rules passed down by the sect, anyone who became a core disciple could be assigned a separate mountain peak as their exclusive dojo. If they were only inner disciples, they would share a mountain peak with a dozen or so people.

As for the treatment of outer disciples, it was even lower. They didn't have the qualifications to live on a mountain peak with relatively abundant spiritual energy. They could only gather in the mansions and courtyards at the foot of the mountain, each person having their own small courtyard. As for the menial disciples, they had to squeeze into a courtyard with multiple people, enduring a miserable existence.

In addition, the sect's scripture hall, council hall, workshop, pill refining hall, and beast taming garden, among other important locations, were all located on different mountain peaks. Coupled with the residences of certain influential elders and managers, almost all of the hundreds of mountain peaks had already been claimed.

As the senior sister of the Cloud Dream Heavenly Palace and the personal disciple of the sect's Supreme Master, Xue Bingxuan naturally occupied the best territory. In the core area nestled among the continuous mountains, the most towering and magnificent peak belonged to her. It was round and straight, with breathtaking scenery and an abundance of spiritual energy that surpassed other dojos.

In addition to Xue Bingxuan, there were eight other core disciples living in this branch of the dojo, along with hundreds of inner disciples, a group of elders, and various levels of managers and officials, all belonging to the lineage of the Supreme Master. As for the outer disciples, there were over ten thousand, and the number of menial disciples was even greater. Adding in the millions of servants and maidservants, it was equivalent to a magnificent city in the mundane world.

"...Over there is the Shadow Moon Peak, the dojo of your third senior sister, Qi Yalan. Her swordsmanship attainments are undoubtedly the best among the younger generation disciples of the sect. Even I am inferior to her by a few points."

Xue Bingxuan pointed to a distant peak covered in abundant spiritual energy and clouds, introducing it to Qin Muling. She also explained the locations of the other senior sisters' Cave Mansions, but currently they were either in seclusion or traveling and had not returned. Therefore, any plans to visit them would have to wait for later.

"...Master has mentioned that you have already mastered the entry-level techniques of our sect," Xue Bingxuan said, tilting her head slightly and speaking gently. "And you are cultivating the purest foundational method of our sect. Currently, you have reached the pinnacle of the Qi Refining Realm and are about to formally break through and step into the Profound Comprehension Realm. This is obviously not something that can be achieved overnight. Did Master personally teach and guide you?"

Qin Muling hesitated for a moment and replied, "Yes, before coming up the mountain, Master had privately taught me for three years. She wanted to accept me as her disciple when she first met me, but I disagreed, which is why it has been delayed until today."

Once entering a sect, it is as deep as the sea. In such a powerful force with a long history of inheritance, there must be numerous factions and power struggles. Who knows how deep the water is inside? If Qin Muling attracts the attention of the higher-ups in the sect too early, who knows what might happen? Mu Yinghua cannot keep an eye on him all the time, so he is unwilling to go up the mountain too early. He wants to have at least the minimum ability to protect himself before doing so.

Xue Bingxuan's eyes flickered slightly, and her tone carried a hint of displeasure. "Do you still think that the senior sisters cannot protect you? The sect is abundant in spiritual resources, and there is no shortage of good things. Isn't it better than living at the foot of the mountain?"

"By the way, what is your background, little junior brother? Can you tell the senior sisters?"

With Xue Bingxuan's cultivation level, she can only see that Qin Muling is incredibly lucky, with a dense and majestic aura of merit enveloping him. The quasi-substantial purple aura resonates with the surrounding void, surpassing even herself. But what is Qin Muling's current cultivation level?

In the cultivation world, having high luck does not necessarily mean having high cultivation level, but those with high cultivation level definitely cannot have weak luck. As Xue Bingxuan, who is qualified to compete for the position of the next Supreme Sect Leader, she can count on one hand the experts whose luck clearly surpasses hers in the entire Cloud Dream Heavenly Palace.

Qin Muling's luck now can already far surpass hers. If his cultivation level continues to improve in the future, it will be difficult for even the Master and the several perennially secluded Elders to match him. It's no wonder the Master is willing to break the iron rule of Cloud Dream Heavenly Palace, which never accepts male disciples, and insists on accepting him as a disciple.

Qin Muling shook his head. "I dare to say, but are you willing to listen? Master has given strict orders that anyone, regardless of their status or position, who wants to inquire about my background will be severely punished!"

The more people who know a secret, the easier it is to leak. It's just a matter of time. That's why Mu Yinghua decided to keep it a secret at all costs and never revealed a word, even to her most trusted disciple.

"...," Xue Bingxuan furrowed her brows slightly and pondered. "Master did indeed say this, so be it. I won't ask any more for now."

Perhaps she will have to wait until she takes over as the Sect Leader in the future, or until Qin Muling grows to a level that is not inferior to her own, to have a chance to learn his secret.

After thinking for a moment, Xue Bingxuan continued, "With your terrifying luck and extraordinary aptitude, it should be a breeze for you to complete the Qi Refining Realm in just three years. After breaking through the Profound Comprehension Realm, there may not be any bottlenecks in the Core Condensation Realm, Infant Formation Realm... or even the Perfected Being Realm, as long as the resources are sufficient. What do you think?"

"As long as the resources are sufficient, it should be a matter of course," Qin Muling did not hide this fact.

Xue Bingxuan nodded in satisfaction. "Then you can break through in the senior sisters' Cave Mansion, and I will protect you. And in order to avoid arousing suspicion from outsiders, I will try to arrange your cultivation guidance at night, resting during the day, and teaching until dawn. How does that sound?"

Qin Muling: "..."

(End of this chapter)