9: Cause and effect

Subsequently, Lin Luoxue began to explain the complete cause and effect of the entire matter, bit by bit.

The story must start with the time that Nascent Soul Loose Cultivator came to the Cloud Sword Sect, wanting to take Lin Luoxue as a disciple.

Although Lin Luoxue decisively rejected the Nascent Soul Loose Cultivator's kind offer at the time, ever since that incident, Lin Luoxue keenly sensed that her Revered Master's attitude toward her had undergone some kind of change.

Initially, Lin Luoxue didn't pay it much mind, as anyone would feel emotional if someone tried to poach their disciple right in front of them.

But it wasn't long before Lin Luoxue noticed that Yun Changqing's pursuit of her was becoming increasingly overt.

Even her Revered Master, Yun Lingxiao, began intentionally or unintentionally trying to set her up with Yun Changqing.

During one of Yun Changqing's confessions, Lin Luoxue finally reached her limit and sternly rejected him.

Afterward, she proactively sought out her Revered Master, Yun Lingxiao, first expressing her apologies, and then firmly stating her Devotion to the Dao, explaining that she did not wish to be distracted by romantic affairs.

To this day, Lin Luoxue remembers that after she finished speaking, her Revered Master Yun Lingxiao's expression was unusually cold.

After simply replying with the word 'fine,' he left immediately.

In the following days, Lin Luoxue did exactly as she had said: aside from Cultivating, she underwent trials and battles, and her cultivation base continuously and rapidly increased.

It wasn't until she had Cultivated to Foundation Establishment Perfection and was about to Breakthrough to the Purple Mansion Stage that Yun Lingxiao found her again and directly asked if she was willing to become Dao Companions with Yun Changqing.

Yun Lingxiao even promised that if Lin Luoxue agreed, he would pass the position of the next Cloud Sword Sect Revered Master to her.

Just like the previous time, Lin Luoxue refused Yun Lingxiao's proposal, citing her Devotion to the Dao.

This time, Yun Lingxiao didn't show any displeasure; instead, he nodded calmly, left her some Cultivation resources, and then announced he was entering seclusion for Cultivation.

As for the poisonous purple heart barrier-breaking pill, it came precisely from these Cultivation resources.

After that, Lin Luoxue consumed the poisonous purple heart barrier-breaking pill, which led to a failed Breakthrough, a dantian rupture, and her becoming a cripple.

When the Elder who was acting as her Protector discovered this incident, he immediately sealed the news and summoned the high-ranking officials, trying every possible way to repair her Dantian.

At this critical juncture, Yun Lingxiao, as Lin Luoxue's Revered Master, chose to remain in seclusion.

Citing that his own Cultivation was at a critical point, he handed Lin Luoxue's matter over to the other Elders to handle.

Initially, the Elders enthusiastically searched for various methods to repair Lin Luoxue's Dantian.

But as time passed, these Elders gradually noticed Sect Master Yun Lingxiao's cold attitude toward Lin Luoxue and began to distance themselves from her.

After everyone started avoiding her, Yun Changqing appeared before her once again.

This time, Yun Changqing didn't confess his feelings; instead, he directly asked her if she was willing to become his Dao Companion.

Seeing this, Lin Luoxue belatedly understood what was happening and decisively chose to refuse.

After being rejected by Lin Luoxue, Yun Changqing completely lost his composure.

No matter what, he was the son of the Cloud Sword Sect Revered Master, his status was that of Young Sect Master, and his Aptitude was High Grade Fire Spiritual Root—he had been sought after since childhood.

Yet, Lin Luoxue had repeatedly rejected his confessions and advances.

In his breakdown, Yun Changqing spoke a lot of nonsense, but one sentence caught Lin Luoxue's profound attention.

His exact words were: "My father was right! You really do want to leave the Cloud Sword Sect!"

Hearing this, Lin Luoxue finally understood everything.

It turned out that ever since the Nascent Soul Loose Cultivator came to poach her last time, her Revered Master Yun Lingxiao understood that with her Cultivation Aptitude, she would eventually leave the Cloud Sword Sect.

Therefore, in order to keep her, Yun Lingxiao wanted her to become Dao Companions with Yun Changqing.

In that case, it would be a good thing for the Cloud Sword Sect and for his Yun Family.

But her stern refusal and firm Devotion to the Dao later ruined his plan.

Even later, perhaps her progress in Cultivation, nearing the Breakthrough to the Purple Mansion Stage, further provoked Yun Lingxiao.

Thus, he came up with the plan to use the poisonous purple heart barrier-breaking pill to cripple her.

"If you can't have her, destroy her. Heh! That is truly disgusting."

After hearing Lin Luoxue's account, Zhang Daobai couldn't help but feel disgusted by the actions of Yun Lingxiao and his son.

"No, it's 'destroy first, then obtain,'" Lin Luoxue corrected, shaking her head slightly.

"They wanted to cripple me first, then obtain me when I was most helpless. Only after I married Yun Changqing, had children, and established ties, would they try to repair my Dantian."

Repair her Dantian?

Hearing this, Zhang Daobai suddenly thought of something, and immediately activated his Eye of Appraisal and looked at Lin Luoxue.

[Human Race: Lin Luoxue]

[Gender: Female]

[Aptitude: top grade Metal and Lightning Dual Spiritual Roots]

[Talents: Clear Sword Heart, Ice Muscle Jade Bone]

[Status: dantian rupture]

[Treatment Plan: 1. Use five elements spirit items as a foundation to reshape the Dantian, 2. Use a Fifth Grade Heaven Mending Pill to repair the Dantian, 3...]

[Evolution Plan...]

[Overall Rating: Eight Stars]

This time, Zhang Daobai was smarter and changed the treatment plan to sort by lowest to highest difficulty requirements, instantly finding the treatment plan with the lowest requirements.

"five elements spirit items?"

Zhang Daobai frowned and pondered for a moment as he looked at the first treatment plan.

"Lin Luoxue, do you know what five elements spirit items are?"

Zhang Daobai had been a Utility Disciple for ten years and had never come into contact with anything too Advanced.

"Huh?"

Although Lin Luoxue was slightly confused by Zhang Daobai's sudden change of topic, she still explained: "five elements spirit items are special spirit items condensed from pure Five Elements Spiritual Qi."

"For example, the thunder pearl I detonated earlier is a spirit item belonging to the Thunder attribute."

"I have a way to reshape your Dantian, but it requires five elements spirit items as Materials."

After understanding what five elements spirit items were, Zhang Daobai immediately stated the treatment plan.

Hearing this, a brilliant light suddenly burst forth from Lin Luoxue's lifeless eyes, and she looked intently at Zhang Daobai.

"You... are you serious!?"

Lin Luoxue asked for confirmation, her voice cautious yet filled with anticipation.

"Yes, it's true. As long as we have five elements spirit items, I can help you reshape your Dantian through the Spirit Taming Contract." Zhang Daobai nodded affirmatively.

Looking at Zhang Daobai's confident gaze, Lin Luoxue took a deep breath, remained silent for a moment, and then said, "Thank you!"

"If you recover your cultivation base, it will also be greatly beneficial to me," Zhang Daobai said softly.

Hearing this, Lin Luoxue gave Zhang Daobai a profound look, then raised her hand, removed the bracelet from her left wrist, and tossed it to him.

"This is my storage bracelet. It contains all my savings, including two five elements spirit items. I leave them all to your disposal."

Zhang Daobai took the bracelet, thought for a moment, and then tossed it back, saying, "Later, I will transfer some Spiritual Qi to you through the Spirit Taming Contract.

Although your dantian rupture means you can't retain Spiritual Qi, you can use that Spiritual Qi to retrieve a set of clothes and change into them first."