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

Just then, a figure strode out from the crowd.

Ye Yanshan composed herself and knelt down, her voice urgent, "Elder, this matter has nothing to do with my young master. This mark is an agreement between me and my young master. Yan'er swore that she would only love my young master in this life, but my young master did not believe her, so Yan'er took the initiative to ask my young master to use this mark. This jade tablet was originally for me to use, but who knew that it would be taken away by someone else."

Yu Luoning: "..."

People do laugh when they're speechless. At this moment, Yu Luoning wanted nothing more than to clap and cheer.

Jiang Yuxing is all show and no substance. When things get tough, only women step in to help him out, and he doesn't dare utter a single word.

What right does someone like that have to covet me?

Yu Luoning felt disgusted, as if she were being targeted by a rotten person.

Shi Shangxu stood to the side, his voice turning serious as he looked at Ye Yanshan: "Miss Ye, are you saying that my cousin stole this jade pendant?"

Ye Yanshan quickly waved her hand, her tone tinged with grievance: "I didn't say that, it's just that it's really puzzling how Miss Luo Ning was able to get the jade pendant and then give it to Miss Lu. She keeps saying it was given to her by my young master, but this thing was originally meant for Yan'er, why would my young master give it to her?"

Yu Luoning clapped her hands and cheered, "What a wonderful show!"

She turned her head, her gaze fixed on Jiang Yuxing, her voice clear and bright, "Jiang Yuxing, if you come out and explain, I'll respect you for having some backbone. Why are you cowering in the back like a coward? Tell me yourself, did you give me this jade pendant, or did I steal it?"

In the square, everyone's eyes fell on Jiang Yuxing at the same time.

Jiang Yuxing stood there, his expression indifferent. He remained silent for a moment, then a slow, slight smile curved his lips.

"If Miss Luoning says it's a gift, then it's a gift."

"But shouldn't there be an explanation for the young lady using Jiang's things on someone else?"

"Or perhaps you knew all along that the jade pendant contained a mark, and deliberately used it on someone else? To give me something to talk about? Although I don't know what I did to offend you, young lady, well... never mind! I admit defeat. Elder Yun, please punish me."

Yu Luoning blinked, understanding.

This master and servant duo are truly capable of turning black into white.

It's such a shame he doesn't go into crosstalk.

Yu Luoning was silent for a moment, then said, "What a clever move of retreating to advance."

She turned to Elder Yun and curtsied. "Elder, the jade tablet was indeed given to me by Young Master Jiang. I didn't know it contained a mark and mistakenly gave it to Miss Lu, resulting in her being branded. But the one who cast the mark was Young Master Jiang; there shouldn't be any objection to that, right?"

Elder Yun nodded.

Yu Luoning remained calm and composed, and continued, "Now that the first matter is resolved, let's deal with the second. Did I know that there was a mark on the jade pendant? Was it a deliberate attempt to frame Young Master Jiang, or a deliberate attempt to frame Miss Lu?"

She raised her hand, and in her palm was a warm, smooth stone—a sound-recording stone.

This is based on past workplace experience: leave a record of your actions, it can save your life in critical moments.

Yu Luoning sneered and threw the recording stone into the air. The stone hovered in mid-air, emitting a soft halo, and then the sound flowed out from it, clearly echoing throughout the entire square.

"If you change your mind, young lady, I will still keep this precious jade talisman for you."

Then came Yu Luoning's own voice: "If I were to shatter this jade talisman, what would the price be?"

The man's voice was languid, tinged with amusement: "We're both smart people, why be so blunt?"

"...Trading four lives for one night. Do you think it's a good deal, young lady?"

The sound from the recording stone stopped, and the square was so quiet you could hear a pin drop. Everyone was silent, and no one spoke.

Then, gazes fell upon Jiang Yuxing, their disdain barely concealed.

Yu Luoning put the recording stone back into her palm and said coldly, "Did everyone hear that clearly? This jade talisman was given to me by Jiang Yuxing. He has impure thoughts about me and even planted something in the jade talisman. He's utterly wicked."

"I didn't know there was a brand inside. I only know that Miss Lu and her fellow Daoists couldn't hold on any longer on Blood Soul Slope, so I gave her the jade talisman."

"So, everyone, where did I intentionally frame anyone?"

Another commotion erupted from the audience.

"No way? Jiang Yuxing actually did such a despicable thing."

"He looks so respectable, I never imagined he could be so vicious."

"Luckily, this girl didn't use it herself, otherwise, wouldn't that have been exactly what he wanted!"

"A genius from the Northern Region? Who is this guy? Turns out he's just this kind of scum."

Ye Yanshan stood in the crowd, her face pale.

The thought that her conversation with the other person in the carriage might have been recorded filled her with shame.

If that's the case, and people find out, I'll look like a complete clown.

Lu Feishuang stood there without saying a word. She looked at Jiang Yuxing, the brand still haunting her, something struggling in her heart.

hateful!

Elder Yun's face had darkened considerably. He looked at Jiang Yuxing, his voice cold and hard.

"Jiang Yuxing, is there anything else you want to say?"

Jiang Yuxing stood there, his expression still indifferent, but his gaze toward Yu Luoning carried an indescribable sinister intent.

"Miss Luo Ning has some impressive skills."

Yu Luoning looked back at him, a slight smile playing on her lips: "You flatter me! How does it feel to lift a rock only to drop it on your own foot?"

"I'm beautiful, and I've always been grateful to those who like me. After all, it's only natural to be attracted to beauty. But you? You just disgust me. Being coveted by someone like you is like stepping in dog poop—sticky, nauseating, and incredibly unlucky."

Only then did Jiang Yuxing's hypocritical smile crumble inch by inch.

He suddenly clenched his fingers, and the veins on the back of his hand bulged.

Then, he lowered his head and let out a muffled laugh.

At this moment, Elder Chiyang stood next to the sect leader.

He suddenly spoke up: "This young lady has not formally joined the sect, but is only a relative. Although Jiang Yuxing's intentions are malicious, he has not violated the rules of the Dongbao Upper Sect. The charge of fratricide is unfounded, and I suggest that her qualification for entry be temporarily reserved."

Elder Yun pondered for a moment and glanced at the other party.

After much thought, he guessed that Elder Chiyang must have taken a liking to Jiang Yuxing's talent and wanted to protect him.

"Since that's the case, then we'll do as Elder Chiyang says. Your entry qualification will be retained, but the sect still has its rules. Jiang Yuxing, remember this, and don't let it happen again."

Jiang Yuxing cupped his hands in greeting and accepted.

The farce has ended, just as Yu Luoning had guessed.

She stood in the crowd, almost wanting to laugh.

After all, isn't there a term for academic cliques in modern times?

They set the rules, and they determine the punishments.

When it's an outsider's turn, they're expelled; when it's one's own people, they're treated leniently, with no exceptions.

This principle applies everywhere. She couldn't say anything; that's what happens when you have no connections.

She suddenly remembered a quote, though she didn't know who had said it.

The weak reason, the strong set the rules.

She is now the weaker party. So she can only watch as this unfair ending is so easily accepted by her.

Yu Luoning took a deep breath, raised her head, and looked at the distant mountain peaks, at the towering pavilions of the Dongbao Shangzong.

A fire ignited in her heart.

She wants to become stronger! Once she becomes stronger, she will stand tall, so tall that no one's rules can confine her.