Dual cultivation makes you stronger, everyone else is a prodigy, and I'm the only one slacking

"Your talent is indeed extraordinary, but the Xuanming Heavy Water technique requires you to remain a virgin and never fall in love, otherwise your cultivation will be like a burst dam, flowing away uncontrollably."

Old Lei stroked his beard, his eyes filled with undisguised admiration.

But Yu Luoning, who was below, was struck dumb upon hearing this.

Cannot develop feelings? Cannot engage in dual cultivation?

Isn't this rule a bit too extreme?

Wouldn't her plan to get something for free fall apart?

Yu Luoning raised her hand to cover her forehead, feeling that the sun was inexplicably strong, making her head throb with pain.

Shi Shangxu turned his head, his gaze sweeping over Yu Luoning, then remained silent before looking back at the stage.

Elder Lei continued, "With such talent, you are perfectly suited to join my Sword Peak and cultivate the Path of Ruthlessness. Coupled with the Profound Nether Heavy Water, you will surely be able to step into the Purple Mansion Realm within ten years."

These words caused a stir among those around them.

"Purple Mansion? That's outrageous! Only ten years?"

"Is this the strength of the Dongbao Upper Sect? It's terrifying."

"I heard his name is Shi Shangxu? He only has one relative. Good heavens, I have to inform my young master immediately and secure the other two relative slots."

"..."

Cheng Min, seated at the head of the table, nodded and looked at Shi Shangxu, saying, "Elder Lei is right. Would you like to practice the Profound Nether Heavy Water?"

"A single stream carries immense weight, a single sword seals off a hundred miles... This technique is one of the most precious treasures of the upper sect, and it cannot be used in ordinary times. However, considering your exceptional talent, I can approve it here."

The square fell silent, and everyone's eyes were on Shi Shangxu, waiting for him to speak.

Shi Shangxu remained silent. He cupped his hands in greeting and addressed the elders present, saying, "Thank you for your kindness, elders, but Xuanming Chongshui is incapable of falling in love. I cannot do it."

The scene erupted in uproar.

Elder Lei was stunned for a moment, clearly not expecting this answer; his hand, which was stroking his beard, froze in mid-air.

Immediately, a feeling of cherishing talent arose within them.

"Boy, do you know what you're saying? Do you know what you've missed?"

"Romantic love is nothing but the most useless thing in this world. Is it worth abandoning the great path for a momentary romantic attachment?"

People around also chimed in.

"Yes, Young Master Shi, this matter concerns your entire life's cultivation. Please think it over carefully."

"Even if we can't cultivate together, can't we still communicate spiritually? To give up a once-in-a-century opportunity for something like this is foolish."

Of course, some people in the audience also took the opportunity to stir up trouble, "Elder, if he's not willing, then so be it. Look at me, I'm willing. I'll never marry, I'm willing to cultivate the path of ruthlessness, I'm willing to be a virgin for life..."

Elder Lei frowned, raised his hand, and the audience instantly fell silent.

"Kid? Have you thought it through?"

Shi Shangxu stood still, slowly raising his eyes: "I've thought it through. Thank you for your kindness, elders, but I will not cultivate the Xuanming Heavy Water."

He offered no explanation, nor did he say another word.

The square fell silent for a moment, and everyone assumed that he was unwilling to accept the price of remaining a virgin for life.

In the crowd, Yu Luoning stood still, watching his back, and breathed a sigh of relief.

If Shi Shangxu really chooses to cultivate Xuanming Heavy Water, she really will have to find a different person to copy.

It is immoral to damage someone's moral character.

Moreover, Shi Shangxu is a good person, and she doesn't want to harm him.

At that time, the reason why Feng Qiguang broke her pure yang body was simply because she was in danger and could not protect herself, so she had no choice but to do so.

In the crowd, Mo Fei stood next to Lu Mingyu, staring at the stage. Suddenly, he turned his head and looked incredulous.

"No, is he out of his mind?"

"The Purple Mansion Realm? My grandfather is already halfway to the grave, and he's only at the half-step Purple Mansion Realm. If my grandfather had had that opportunity back then, my father and I probably wouldn't have been born."

Lu Mingyu also lowered his voice: "Brother Shi must have his reasons for making this choice..."

"What reason? If I had that talent, I'd agree without hesitation. Forget about being moved or not, cultivation is the priority! If you can't have a woman, just take care of it yourself..."

Lu Mingyu: "...I...I don't really want to talk to you."

"Tch, you think I want to talk to you?"

The two turned their attention back to the stage.

Mo Fei stared at Shi Shangxu's back, remained silent for a while, and then suddenly moved closer to Lu Mingyu.

"You think he refused because...?"

He gestured with his lips toward Yu Luoning.

Lu Mingyu followed his gaze, then looked at Shi Shangxu on the stage, and lowered his head without saying a word.

"No, you're still thinking about it! Take my advice, you'd better just give up. A toad can't eat swan meat..."

Lu Mingyu's face turned red with anger.

He moved half a step to the side; he really didn't want to talk to him.

Lu Feishuang stood a little further away, her expression somewhat dazed.

If this is the price she has to pay for this opportunity, would she be willing to accept it?

Without a doubt, Lu Feishuang was willing in the past.

Why do I say "in the past"?

Because Lu Feishuang sensed that something was wrong with her.

She didn't know when it started, but her gaze would involuntarily drift towards Jiang Yuxing.

There's an urge to get closer to him, to be intimate with him.

This feeling is extremely unfamiliar.

She used to pursue Li Yunyu, admiring his talent and strength, and wanted to marry into the Li family.

But I've never felt this way about Li Yunyu before, that kind of heart-pounding excitement.

It's ridiculous. She had previously mocked Yu Luoning for wanting to get into the Dongbao Upper Sect by relying on men, just so she could marry into a good family.

In just a few days, my heart has fallen so low.

Lu Feishuang frowned and mentally scolded herself.

Just then, she heard her name being called.

She took a deep breath, suppressed the jumbled thoughts in her mind, and walked onto the stage.

Lu Feishuang placed her hand on the spirit-testing stone.

The spirit stone lit up, and its color was normal. Just then, an elder squinted and stood up.

"Wait a moment," Elder Yun of Lingwen Peak suddenly spoke up.

"You have a mark on your body."

The square fell silent abruptly, and Lu Feishuang's expression changed.

Elder Yun made a hand seal, and a wisp of spiritual energy, like a fine mist, surrounded Luffy Frost.

A moment later, Elder Yun opened his eyes, his brows furrowed. "The mark on your body is too vicious. It's a bewitching technique that makes people feel good about the person who cast the mark and lose control of themselves."

Upon hearing this, Lu Feishuang raised her head, her pupils slightly contracting.

She explained why she had developed feelings for Jiang Yu, even though the two of them had practically no connection.

The emotion came on inexplicably; she thought she had lost her mind for a moment, but she never expected that someone had marked her.

hateful!

Wait, their connection indirectly stems from the jade tablet they crushed on Shattered Soul Slope.

It was given to her by Luo Ning.

Lu Feishuang's gaze fell on the crowd and landed on Yu Luoning.

She stared intently at her, her gaze icy. "It's you."

Yu Luoning stood in the crowd, looking completely bewildered.

The next moment, a spell pulled Yu Luoning out of the crowd and slammed her into the center of the square.

Lu Feishuang was furious: "Luo Ning, I never thought you were so despicable, actually trying to destroy my Dao Heart?"

Luo Ning was completely bewildered.

The elder on the platform spoke, his voice deep and resonant.

"Was it her who left the mark on you?"

Lu Feishuang said coldly, "That's right, it's her."

Yu Luoning laughed angrily, "No, it's not you, sister. You've been cursed, why are you blaming me?"

"Only you handed me a jade token at Shattered Soul Slope. Who else could it be but you? I thought you were being so kind, not intending to harm me here?"

"I was just trying to help you! The jade pendant was given to me by someone else. Can't you be reasonable?!"

Yu Luoning couldn't help but raise her voice, feeling an urge to chop off her own hand.

I told you to be kind, I told you to be a saint, even old ladies wouldn't help you up, I'm impressed with yourself.

"Why didn't you say anything when I gave you the jade pendant to save your life? I protected you in your time of crisis, and now that everything is safe, you turn around and criticize me. Doesn't your conscience hurt?"

Shi Shangxu stood to the side, his face darkening.

He quickly realized what was going on.

He remembered that Luo Ning had told Lu Feishuang that the jade pendant came from Jiang Yuxing.

He had previously thought that Luo Ning was hostile towards Jiang Yuxing.

She said the other person was like a toad trying to eat swan meat.

He initially thought it was just Jiang Yuxing's attraction to Luo Ning, which was harmless, but he never expected that Jiang Yuxing's thoughts were even more wicked than he had imagined.

Shi Shangxu remained silent, took two steps closer to Yu Luoning, and said to the elder, "Elder Yun, Luoning is my cousin and also my relative. There must be some misunderstanding in this matter."

Elder Yun chuckled, "I don't care what misunderstandings you have, but you two are already inner disciples of the Dongbao Upper Sect. I absolutely will not allow anyone in the sect to use such evil methods."

"What happened today must be explained, otherwise your relatives will have to leave the Dongbao Sect."

Mo Fei and Lu Mingyu were both completely stunned.

This was completely beyond their imagination.

The atmosphere on the field became tense, and everyone in the audience pricked up their ears, eager to see what would happen.

Yu Luoning gave a cold laugh and said nothing.

She raised her hand, her slender fingers making a grasping motion in the air, and the phoenix-feather bow instantly solidified in her palm.

The next moment, an arrow shot out from the sky, turning into a streak of light and heading towards Jiang Yuxing.

At that moment, Lu Feishuang felt a sharp pain in her heart.

His body moved faster than his mind; he raised his hand and unleashed a burst of spiritual energy, shattering all the spiritual energy arrows.

The square fell silent for a moment.

Yu Luoning sheathed her bow and smiled: "Lu Feishuang."

"The elder just said that the mark would make the recipient feel favorably towards the mark. I shot him, what are you doing blocking it?"

Lu Feishuang stood frozen in place, speechless.

What else needs explaining? Everyone understood her actions perfectly.

A murmur of discussion immediately arose from the audience.

Someone exclaimed, "This is too insidious! They actually have this kind of mark?"

"Hey? Where can I buy this mark? I want to buy one too, so the girl I like will fall in love with me."

"Give me one too!"

"I want it too. With it, my love will no longer be one-sided."

Seeing that public opinion was gradually going astray, Elder Yun shouted sharply, and a beam of light suddenly spread out from him. A terrifying pressure pressed down, and the square instantly fell silent.

Elder Yun's gaze fell on Jiang Yuxing, his voice cold and deep: "Jiang Yuxing, do you have anything to say? If this mark was indeed placed by you, then I'm sorry, your entry qualification is immediately revoked."

Upon hearing this, Lu Feishuang felt a pang in her heart and involuntarily looked at Jiang Yuxing.

Then he pleaded with Elder Yun, "Elder, there's probably a misunderstanding. Besides, he didn't give me the jade token himself..."

Yu Luoning sneered, "I really didn't expect that Miss Lu would be so love-struck?"

Yu Luoning sneered inwardly. Just a few days ago, she said not to pin her happiness on a man, but now she's contradicting herself.

If the other party was controlled by that strange mark and did these things, Yu Luoning could barely understand it.

But as soon as the brand was discovered, Lu Feishuang blamed her, which made Yu Luoning feel quite disheartened.

If she had just spoken to him in a more polite and respectful manner, she wouldn't have gotten so angry.

She didn't speak again, but simply looked away from Lu Feishuang.

She possesses powerful purification techniques, so removing this mark from the other party shouldn't be difficult for her.

But that was before Lu Feishuang protected Jiang Yuxing.

Now, you'll just have to carry it yourself!

Becoming the kind of person you hate most is truly a fitting retribution!

...This is a dividing line indicating a plot twist later; I'm just laying the groundwork for now...