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

Yu Luoning had been wondering about it before.

According to the sect's rules, once an inner disciple dies, his or her relatives are usually expelled if they have no other support, and the cave dwellings and cultivation resources allocated to them by the sect will be taken back.

Of course, the sect is not completely heartless; when dismissing someone, they will provide corresponding magical treasures and pills as severance pay.

Even the elders of the peak would use their private funds to provide some compensation to the families of the fallen disciples.

Fellow disciples who are on good terms with you will also go to offer their condolences.

Lin Ye was well-liked, and many of Jianfeng's disciples sent gifts to his relatives, including Shi Shangxu.

Of course, simply giving condolences is not enough; after all, forestry is something that dies for the sake of the times and the business world.

As for the question of whether the forestry couple should stay or leave, the elders seemed to have other ideas to discuss.

"Brother Lin left behind three relatives before his death," Mo Fei said in a low voice. "Given Brother Shi's responsible nature, he certainly wouldn't abandon them. Therefore, two of those relatives will most likely be transferred to Brother Shang Xu's care."

Yu Luoning sat quietly to the side, listening without offering any opinion. She simply nodded calmly, indicating her understanding.

At this point, Lu Feishuang and Mo Fei exchanged a glance, and their gazes towards her suddenly became somewhat subtle.

Yu Luoning touched her face, puzzled, and asked, "What's wrong? Why are you all looking at me like that?"

As a well-informed and worldly-wise young lady from a prominent family, Lu Feishuang directly brought the matter to the forefront.

She said, "Everyone knows the value of the relatives of the Dongbao clan. Whether Brother Shi himself likes it or not, the possibility of the Lin family taking advantage of the situation to seek repayment is very high."

Taking advantage of someone's kindness?

Yu Luoning was somewhat confused.

Lu Feishuang continued, "Do you know that one of his two relatives is his proper Daoist partner?"

I specifically inquired about that woman for you; she's extremely beautiful. Now that Lin Ye has perished, do you think she'd willingly leave the Dongbao Upper Sect and give up such unparalleled cultivation resources?

It is said that before his death, Lin Ye used almost all of his contribution points and spoils to exchange for top-grade anti-aging pills and longevity pills to support this woman.

There was no other reason than that she possessed no spiritual energy; she was merely a mortal. Mortals have short lifespans and their beauty fades quickly. If a cultivator wished to remain with a mortal for a long time, this was the only way to endure it.

Yu Luoning remained silent, but Mo Fei couldn't help but speak up: "Be more careful. I've seen this kind of scenario many times. Now that her biggest support, Senior Brother Lin, is gone, she'll definitely try to find a way out for herself. Because of the life-saving grace, she might cling to Brother Shi and refuse to let go."

Given Brother Shi's personality, he'd probably have to go and care for someone just by giving them a light call.

Once or twice is fine, but if it happens repeatedly, even if your relationship is very good, problems will arise.

Yu Luoning listened in silence for a moment.

This is a classic scene from a short drama.

The husband took care of his comrade's orphan, neglecting his original wife, causing her to live a miserable life. Then, the female protagonist was reborn and tore apart the scheming woman, dumping her scumbag husband.

Upon hearing this, Yu Luoning couldn't help but burst out laughing.

Lu Feishuang, Mo Fei, and Lu Mingyu all stared at her with wide eyes.

I thought she would feel wronged, sad, or lost, but she acted like nothing had happened and even laughed.

Mo Fei couldn't help but complain, "Aren't you being a little too carefree?"

Yu Luoning smiled and shook her head. She sat on the stone stool, arms crossed, legs crossed, looking relaxed and carefree.

"Okay, so what do you think I should do?"

Lu Feishuang raised an eyebrow and sneered, "According to the way our aristocratic family does, the debts owed to the dead must indeed be repaid."

However, this method of repayment must be measured. If the other party demands mountains of gold, give them mountains of gold; if they demand power, give them power. As long as their appetite is satisfied, this grudge can be settled cleanly.

But there's one type that's truly troublesome: those who don't want money, only favors. Using the name of a dead person as a front, intending to leech off others for life—that's the kind of debt that's hardest to repay.

Lu Feishuang paused, then said in a chilling tone, "So if the other party doesn't know their place and crosses the line, our aristocratic family has a thousand ways to make him die unexpectedly, without anyone finding fault with his character."

Mo Fei clicked his tongue and continued, "Sister Lu is right, this is a compassionate approach. If it were those eccentric evil cultivators, they would just kill the person and that would be the end of it."

Sitting to the side, Lu Mingyu lowered his eyes, his face full of disapproval. Hearing this, he couldn't help but mutter under his breath, "To repay kindness with enmity—is that the behavior of a gentleman?"

"Then tell me, what's a good way to do it?" Mo Fei glanced at him sideways.

Lu Mingyu hesitated for a moment, then couldn't help but say, "I... I really don't have any good ideas, but I don't think it's good for us to gossip about this behind our backs."

Moreover, you're thinking too badly of Lin's relative. What if she's a sensible and polite girl, not the kind of person who takes advantage of kindness?

Mo Fei rolled his eyes and retorted irritably, "Knowing your limits is good, of course. But aren't we making the worst-case scenario plans right now? Don't you understand the importance of being prepared for the worst? Whose friend are you anyway?"

Lu Mingyu was speechless after being rebuked, and glanced at Yu Luoning next to him.

He muttered to himself, "But saying this in front of Miss Luo Ning will only add to her worries and psychological burden."

Upon hearing this, Mo Fei put his hands on his hips.

"Hey Lu Mingyu, I've noticed that you're a real loner. Everyone's chatting and brainstorming, but you just barge in and spout some grand, righteous nonsense, making yourself seem superior and noble. It's like you're the only gentleman in the whole world."

We've already said we're just discussing this temporarily, brainstorming behind closed doors. Are we going to wait until Luo Ning is heartbroken before we start making sarcastic remarks?

Lu Mingyu was so embarrassed by these words that he couldn't find a reason to refute them.

Although Mo Fei's words were harsh, they were all in defense of Luo Ning.

Lu Mingyu immediately changed his stance, saying, "...That seems to make sense. Miss Luo Ning, you should make plans as soon as possible. I...I will always support you."

Yu Luoning watched the three of them arguing heatedly for her sake, and a strange feeling welled up inside her. Of course, she still remembered when these people went to Phoenix Perch Town to provide support. She never expected that one day, in this cruel world of cultivation, she would receive such favor and care from her friends.

Surprisingly, it felt pretty good.

I know you're worried about me.

Yu Luoning smiled, her eyes clear. "But don't worry, I know very well that if the worst happens and my cousin can't distinguish right from wrong, then I will reconsider my relationship with him."

Anyway, my main goal right now is to enter the inner sect and become a true inner disciple. I see that there are quite a few exceptionally talented and handsome senior brothers in the inner sect.”

Lu Feishuang listened to the first half of the sentence with admiration, appreciating Yu Luoning's magnanimity and carefree attitude. But when she heard the second half, her beautiful eyebrows immediately furrowed into a small mountain.

"Why do you always focus on finding men? Can't you just focus on improving yourself?"

Yu Luoning snorted: "I just love being in love, especially sweet love. The fact that they're good-looking is my motivation for cultivation."

If you can copy with one click and take a shortcut, who would want to go through the hardship of self-study?

Unfortunately, I can't say it outright.

Upon hearing this, Lu Feishuang's expression was as if she had swallowed a fly.

On second thought, Yu Luoning's identity is mysterious, and she is very likely backed by a hidden super family.

With such a strong foundation, she certainly has the confidence to keep trying and making mistakes.

Unlike myself, who pays a heavy price for every wrong step I take.

So Lu Feishuang sighed and didn't try to persuade her any further.

After spending these days together, she has come to understand.

Luo Ning is definitely not someone who can't understand good or bad words.

She only responds to gentle persuasion, not force; she depends on the attitude of the person speaking.

Sometimes, even when she knows the other person is right, if they keep forcing her, she will develop a strong rebellious mentality and insist on doing the opposite.

The group was having a lively conversation.

Suddenly, a powerful aura of an inner disciple descended outside Yu Luoning's courtyard.

A senior disciple dressed in inner sect attire stood outside the door and asked in a deep voice, "Where is Luo Ning, a relative of Shi Shangxu?"

Luo Ning paused for a moment, then stood up and went to greet him.

The inner sect senior brother remained expressionless, cupped his hands, and said, "By order of the sect leader, I summon you to the Discipline Hall immediately."

"ha?"

Yu Luoning blinked, looking completely bewildered.