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

It was unclear how much time had passed before Shang Xu finally woke up from this nightmare.

When his gaze focused, the first thing he saw was Yu Luoning, who was guarding the bedside.

She curled up slightly in the chair, her elbows resting on the edge of the bed, her chin propped up with one hand, her long eyelashes casting a shadow.

The morning light shone on her haggard face, clearly indicating that she had been waiting for a very long time.

Shi Shangxu's eyes felt slightly warm.

Upon hearing the noise, Yu Luoning looked up and exclaimed in surprise, "Cousin, you're awake?"

"Hmm...you stayed up all night watching over me?"

"More than that, it took two whole days." Yu Luoning's tone was light, but it carried an undisguised weariness.

"You're trapped in a nightmare. Your mind is in complete disarray, and I dare not forcibly wake you up. I can only use my spiritual power to help you calm down little by little."

Cousin, if you don't wake up soon, I'm going to barge into the inner sect to fetch Elder Lei.

Shi Shangxu said with concern, "You've worked hard."

Seeing his bitter smile, Yu Luoning couldn't help but ask, "Are you feeling uneasy because of Senior Brother Lin Ye?"

Shi Shangxu lowered his eyes. "My senior brother did this to save me. If it weren't for me, he wouldn't have had to do it."

Yu Luoning looked at the deep, unyielding self-reproach in his eyes and sighed inwardly.

What she really wanted to say was that the earthquake and the opening of cracks in the ground were natural disasters.

As an inner disciple, it was Lin Shixiong's duty to kill the demonic beasts.

On the battlefield, death and sacrifice are inevitable. Senior Brother Lin risked his life to save him, which shows his noble character. But the man is already dead, and the living must continue to move forward.

But these words are too cold-hearted and ungrateful.

She ultimately couldn't empathize.

But she was also selfish. In her eyes, Senior Brother Lin was just a stranger she had met once. Even if he sacrificed himself, it would not be as good as the living lover in front of her.

"Does Senior Brother Lin still have any relatives alive?"

Yu Luoning suddenly changed the subject and asked in a low voice.

Shi Shangxu lowered his head, his voice somewhat somber: "There are three relatives, all of whom are at the outer gate."

Upon hearing this, Yu Luoning remained silent.

She remembered the sect's rules: when a cultivator dies, their relatives are also expelled.

There's no way around it; it's just that cruel.

Given Shi Shangxu's personality, he would definitely take Lin's relatives under his wing and care for them.

The problem is that Yu Luoning has already taken up one of his cousin's relative's spots, and he only has two spots left.

Brother Kelin has three relatives, this is going to be difficult.

This is not just about a quota; it also involves responsibility.

Yu Luoning's mind raced, but she didn't show it on her face.

She grasped Shi Shangxu's hand and said, "Cousin, whatever decision you make, I will support you and believe in you."

Shi Shangxu looked at her, a hint of warmth flashing in his eyes.

"Ningning, thank you."

Suddenly, as if he had thought of something, Shi Shangxu's expression froze.

Yu Luoning keenly noticed his change.

"What's wrong? Are you feeling unwell?"

"No." Shi Shangxu frowned, his eyes turning cold. "Ningning, I've thought carefully about what happened that day, and it feels unusual."

"It's understandable that the underground monsters rushed out due to the earthquake, but the originally docile native monsters of Xiling also went crazy, chasing and killing me in groups."

"I have never been chased by so many ferocious beasts in my entire life."

Yu Luoning was taken aback.

"This is a very serious matter. Have you explained it to Elder Lei?"

Shi Shangxu shook his head: "Not yet. This earthquake caused heavy casualties among the outer disciples, and seven elite inner disciples were also lost."

"The sect's higher-ups are in a frenzy trying to assign blame. Master hasn't been at Sword Peak these past few days either..."

Yu Luoning nodded, secretly making plans in her mind.

She couldn't let Shi Shangxu go and cause trouble at this time.

Now all the old guys in the sect are looking for a scapegoat.

If Shi Shangxu were to jump out at this moment and claim that someone was plotting against him, without any evidence, he would likely be falsely accused of shirking responsibility.

"Cousin, you should focus on recovering. We'll talk again when I come back from seclusion."

Yu Luoning stood up.

Although Shi Shangxu was reluctant, he understood the situation: "Go ahead, your seclusion is more important, I can manage on my own."

Yu Luoning's heart softened when she saw his gentle yet broken appearance.

She suddenly leaned over and hugged Shi Shangxu tightly.

She was much shorter than him, so the action became that she pressed his head into her arms, her chin resting on the top of Shi Shangxu's head.

This posture is a bit strange.

But Yu Luoning only wanted to give him some support.

She also wanted to accompany Shi Shangxu out, but Jiang Yuxing, that venomous snake, was still lurking in the shadows, and who knew what bad things he was up to now.

She has to go to Fengqi Town herself.

"Be good, wait for me to come back."

Yu Luoning planted a kiss on his forehead, then turned and walked out of the room without hesitation.

Throughout the entire Dongbao Shangzong sect, the only one who could possibly be enemies with Shi Shangxu is probably someone surnamed Jiang.

She was going to find Lu Feishuang and ask her some questions.

At this moment, the tenderness in her eyes faded, leaving only icy coldness.

~

Jiang Yuxing Cave,

The night was deep. He sat upright in the main seat, dressed in a long black robe, with a confident smile between his brows.

Below, a figure knelt gracefully; it was Lu Feishuang.

She wore a dark purple robe, her hair was neatly tied up, and her restraint was just right.

Jiang Yuxing's gaze swept over her, and he smiled with satisfaction. "You really put in the effort to get that Shadow Stone from under that bitch's nose last time."

A dark glint flashed in Lu Feishuang's lowered eyes: "I will do my utmost to fulfill the tasks entrusted to me by the young master."

Jiang Yuxing raised his hand, and in the next instant, a black token with gold trim appeared in his palm.

The token is entirely black, with only a single golden sword character engraved on the front.

"This is the Sword Alliance's Hundred Kill Order. Seeing this token is like seeing this young master. You can mobilize the Northern Region Sword Alliance's secret guards."

Lu Feishuang's pupils contracted slightly as the token slowly floated down in front of her.

"Young master, Feishuang only did a small favor; how could I dare accept such a generous reward?"

Lu Feishuang's voice trembled, her face showing barely suppressed emotion.

Jiang Yuxing's gaze lingered on her face for a few moments, and a hint of a contented smile appeared in his usually gloomy eyes.

"This is a reward you deserve. I never mistreat my capable subordinates. Take it; it will make things much easier for you to do things for me in the future."

Lu Feishuang reached out and held the token in both hands.

Looking at Jiang Yuxing, a thin layer of tears slowly welled up in her eyes, seemingly filled with infatuation and anticipation.

Jiang Yuxing's smile deepened as he looked at her expression.

He slowly got up and walked down the steps until he stopped in front of Lu Feishuang.

He bent down, stretched out his fingers, and gently pinched Lu Feishuang's chin.

"Feishuang, as long as you continue to serve me, you will have a place in the Northern Sword Alliance in the future, and it's not impossible for you to become my woman."

Upon hearing this, the woman blushed slightly, a touch of shyness perfectly gracing her cheeks.

"Feishuang will certainly not let down the young master's good intentions."

Jiang Yuxing smiled and waved.

Lu Feishuang gripped the Hundred Kill Token tightly, bowed deeply to Jiang Yuxing, and respectfully took her leave.

Only when they reached a deserted forest path did he raise his hand and scrub his chin hard, on the spot where Jiang Yuxing had touched him.

Dirty man.

Jiang Yuxing, that damned bastard, he'll pay the price sooner or later.

She lowered her eyes, her gaze falling on the Hundred Kill Token in her palm.

After Lu Feishuang left.

A subordinate in a gray robe emerged from the shadows and clasped his hands in greeting to Jiang Yuxing.

"Young master."

"The beast-attracting incense you gave to Second Master Jiang Tuo during the last battle at Xiling has been applied to that kid surnamed Shi as planned."

The subordinate paused for a moment, his expression slightly hesitant.

"But... that kid was lucky to survive."

Jiang Yuxing's brows furrowed slightly.

"He survived?"

The subordinate lowered his eyes and said in a low voice:

"Lin Ye, an inner disciple of Sword Peak, saved him. By the time Elder Lei arrived with his purple lightning, Lin Ye was already dead. The boy was unconscious and was brought back to the sect."

Jiang Yuxing scoffed, "It's worth it even if one Sword Peak disciple dies. Shi Shangxu should be devastated, and he won't have the energy to care about anything else for a while."

"What you say is true, young master," the servant flattered.

Jiang Yuxing waved his hand leisurely, "Has the matter of the Beast-Attracting Incense been resolved?"

"Don't worry, Master. Second Master Jiang Tuo is always clean in his work. He has completely removed all traces of the beast-attracting incense. Even if Sword Peak has any suspicions, they won't be able to find any evidence."

"Very good, the trouble on Sword Peak is temporarily put on hold. Now it's that bitch's turn."

Jiang Yuxing pondered for a moment, his eyes darkening: "How are the arrangements for Phoenix Perch Town going?"

Subordinate: "Reporting to the organization, everything is ready. But who does Young Master intend to send to Phoenix Perch Town?"

"Don't you have three Golden Core elders in your family? Please send one over."

The subordinate paused for a moment, his expression changing.

"Inviting a Golden Core expert is like using a sledgehammer to crack a nut."

Jiang Yuxing's gaze immediately turned cold. "Are you questioning my decision?"

The subordinate immediately lowered his head, saying, "This subordinate dares not."

...This is someone logging off...

Sect, Lu Feishuang's cave.

Lu Feishuang released the restraints and quickly walked into the house.

Suddenly, her expression froze as a familiar aura entered her consciousness.

There was a woman standing quietly by the window.

Her black hair was loosely tied up, with a few strands falling beside her cheeks. She was extremely beautiful, with delicate and picturesque features, yet her eyes were sharp and piercing.

"When did you arrive? You did it... without a sound?"