Obedient Master

...Inside the Cold Jade Palace.

The lighting was dim, with only a few Night-Luminescent Pearls emitting a soft glow.

In the center of the main hall.

Upon a massive Cold Jade Cloud Bed.

An exquisitely beautiful white figure was sitting cross-legged.

Yun Yuzhen.

She was still clad in snow-white robes, her three thousand strands of blue-black hair loosely draped behind her head, falling onto her jade-like fragrant shoulders.

Her cold and stunningly beautiful face was currently expressionless, like an ice-sculpted goddess who did not partake in earthly affairs.

A faint white Cold Qi lingered around her, making her appear even more unattainable.

However.

Only Su Ye knew.

This Revered Master, who appeared lofty and at the Peak of the Tribulation Transcendence Realm, was currently empty inside, her spiritual power suppressed to the level of the Qi Refinement Stage.

Furthermore... Su Ye's gaze subtly swept over Yun Yuzhen's lips.

A trace of extremely faint redness seemed to linger there.

She must have scalded herself while drinking the porridge earlier?

"Hmph."

The moment the two stepped into the main hall.

On the cloud bed, Yun Yuzhen slowly opened her eyes.

They were beautiful eyes as deep as a ten-thousand-year-old cold pool, cold, majestic, and intimidating.

When her gaze fell upon Su Ye, a flash of shame, resentment, and... a trace of almost imperceptible apprehension instantly crossed the depths of her eyes.

This Rebellious Disciple!

After humiliating me just now, how dare he swagger in with someone else!

If not for my cultivation being sealed right now... If not for that damned shadow recording stone you possess... Yun Yuzhen took a deep breath, forcibly suppressed the surging emotions in her heart, and strove to maintain the dignity of a Revered Master.

"Linglong, you're back?"

Her voice was cold and pleasant, like jade beads dropping onto a plate, revealing no trace of emotion.

Hearing the Revered Master call her name.

Ye Linglong immediately shivered, quickly darted out from behind Su Ye, knelt down with a thud, and respectfully kowtowed.

"Disciple Ye Linglong pays respects to Revered Master!"

"Disciple returns after three months of training, having fulfilled my mission, and has achieved a Breakthrough to the Eighth Heaven of Foundation Establishment!"

Ye Linglong kept her head bowed, not daring to breathe loudly.

In front of this Revered Master with a powerful aura, her little bit of naughtiness had long been thrown to the wind.

"Mhm."

Yun Yuzhen nodded slightly, her gaze softening somewhat.

She was quite fond of this Fourth Disciple.

Although her temperament was a bit wild, her talent was indeed good. It was truly rare for a Red Fire Spiritual Root to Cultivate in the extremely cold environment of Purple Bamboo Peak and still achieve such progress.

"Eighth Heaven of Foundation Establishment, acceptable."

"Since you have returned, settle your mind and do not become complacent over a small achievement."

"The path of immortality is long and arduous, and you still have a long way to go."

These words were impeccable, fully demonstrating the demeanor of a strict Revered Master.

If Su Ye hadn't already seen through her facade, he might have been fooled by this astonishing performance.

"Yes! Disciple respectfully heeds Revered Master's instructions!"

Ye Linglong felt as if she had received a great pardon and immediately kowtowed in agreement.

At this moment.

Su Ye stepped forward, smiling as he cupped his hands and said:

"Revered Master's lecture is correct."

"Junior Sister Linglong is indeed a bit restless after returning this time."

"Down the mountain just now, she was even clamoring to 'spar' with Fifth Junior Sister."

As soon as these words were spoken.

Ye Linglong, kneeling on the ground, suddenly looked up and glared fiercely at Su Ye.

Eldest Senior Brother!

How could you betray me!

Upon hearing this, Yun Yuzhen's beautiful brows furrowed slightly, and her gaze swept toward Ye Linglong.

"Spar?"

"Nonsense!"

A soft reprimand, carrying a faint, almost imperceptible "pressure."

Of course, this so-called pressure was merely simulated using her powerful Divine Soul power.

But to Ye Linglong, it felt like thunderous rage.

"Revered Master, please forgive me!"

Ye Linglong's small face turned pale with fright. "Disciple... Disciple just heard that the new Fifth Junior Sister is exceptionally talented, and I got a little eager to try..."

"Also..."

She bit her lip and muttered quietly, feeling somewhat wronged:

"Also, Eldest Senior Brother is too biased, giving Fifth Junior Sister special treatment every day..."

When Yun Yuzhen heard the phrase "special treatment," the corner of her eye twitched slightly.

She subconsciously glanced at Su Ye.

This Rebellious Disciple... could the so-called "special treatment" be similar to what he did to her...? Thinking of this, Yun Yuzhen felt her face grow hot, and a strange sense of shame rose in her heart.

But between him and Lin Qianxue... that must be normal Senior Brother and Junior Sister instruction, surely... it wouldn't be like that?

"Ahem."

Yun Yuzhen gave a light, masking cough, returning to her aloof demeanor.

"Light Snow possesses the Supreme Grade Ice Spirit Root, and also holds the Innate Sword Heart."

"Her method of Cultivation is different from yours."

"As a Senior Sister, you ought to be magnanimous. How can you let jealousy disrupt your Dao Heart?"

Ye Linglong was reprimanded so severely she dared not raise her head, only meekly admitting her mistake:

"Disciple understands her mistake."

"Alright, stand up."

Yun Yuzhen waved her hand, and her wide white sleeves fluttered, carrying a gust of fragrant wind.

"Since you've returned, don't cling to your Eldest Senior Brother all day."

"Your Second Senior Sister is currently in seclusion in the Northern Plains Forbidden Land."

"On the entire Purple Bamboo Peak, you are the most playful."

Speaking up to this point, Yun Yuzhen's tone became serious.

She looked at Ye Linglong and said deliberately:

"I command you, starting today, to go into seclusion in the Back Mountain."

"Do not leave seclusion until you reach the Foundation Establishment Ninth Heaven!"

"Ah?!"

Ye Linglong suddenly looked up, her pretty face instantly falling.

"I have to stay in seclusion until the Ninth Heaven?!"

Is that a place for a person to stay?

There is only endless earth fire and magma, without even a person to talk to.

She just got back and hasn't had enough time to be affectionate with Eldest Senior Brother!

"What? You are unwilling?"

Yun Yuzhen narrowed her beautiful eyes, her tone carrying an air of absolute certainty.

"No... Disciple wouldn't dare."

Although Ye Linglong was a hundred times unwilling, she dared not resist under the accumulated authority of her Revered Master.

She pitifully looked toward Su Ye, her eyes full of signals for help.

Eldest Senior Brother, save me!

Su Ye received the plea for help.

But instead of pleading on her behalf, he nodded with an expression of approval.

"Revered Master is wise."

"The Lava Cave is rich in earth fire, and as Revered Master said, it is an excellent location for Cultivating fire-element Cultivation Techniques."

"Junior Sister Linglong, your temperament is too flighty. You really need to temper yourself in that kind of environment."

"Eldest Senior Brother! You..."

Ye Linglong was so angry she nearly cried.

At this moment, she felt abandoned by the entire world.

"Enough, go."

Yun Yuzhen clearly didn't want to say anything more and immediately ordered them to leave.

Her current physical condition was very unstable.

That feeling of alternating heat and cold had returned, and she needed to quickly circulate her Qi to regulate her breath.

Moreover... looking at Su Ye's half-smiling, half-not face, she felt a surge of irritation.

She just wanted to quickly send both of them away.

"Yes... Disciple takes her leave."

Ye Linglong stood up dejectedly, walking toward the hall entrance while looking back constantly.

When she reached the entrance, she still looked back at Su Ye, her eyes filled with resentment, like a little widow.

Su Ye gave her an encouraging look, signaling her to go without worry.

Until Ye Linglong's figure completely vanished outside the hall entrance.

The heavy dragon severing stone gate slowly closed.

Boom!

Inside the great hall, a deathly silence returned.

Only Su Ye and Yun Yuzhen remained.

The atmosphere instantly became subtle.

Yun Yuzhen, who had been sitting solemnly on the cloud bed, trembled slightly, and the majesty she had forcefully maintained instantly collapsed.

She leaned weakly against the Jade Pillow, a layer of fine cold sweat seeping onto her smooth forehead.

Forcing the mobilization of her Divine Soul power just now to intimidate Ye Linglong was an immense burden on her current self.

"Revered Master, why do you put yourself through this?"

Su Ye's voice rang out at the opportune moment.

He did not leave; instead, he slowly walked toward the cloud bed.

"You... what are you trying to do?"

Yun Yuzhen watched him warily, subconsciously gripping the white jade mat beneath her.

"Rebellious Disciple, Linglong has already left. You... you should also withdraw!"

"Withdraw?"

Su Ye stopped in front of the cloud bed, looking down at this gorgeous Revered Master who was usually so arrogant.

Due to the exhaustion just now, her face was somewhat pale, but that fragile beauty was even more captivating.

"Revered Master, Disciple is doing this for your own good."

"If you forcibly used your Divine Soul just now and damaged your Foundation, Disciple would be heartbroken."

As Su Ye spoke, he actually took out an exquisite Jade Bowl from his storage ring.

Inside the bowl was a steaming, fragrant bowl of Spiritual Porridge.

It was precisely the "ice heart jade purity porridge" from before.

"Come, Revered Master."

"You didn't finish the last bowl, so Disciple specifically saved this for you."

"This porridge contains Ten-thousand-year Snow Lotus and the essence blood of the Supreme Bone, making it most nourishing for the Divine Soul."

Looking at that bowl of porridge.

Yun Yuzhen's pupils suddenly constricted, and that shameful memory instantly flooded her mind.

"I won't drink it!"

"Take it away! Get out!"

She gritted her teeth. If she weren't currently unable to move, she truly wanted to strike this bastard dead with a palm.

"Ah, why is Revered Master acting as willful as a child?"

Su Ye sighed, speaking in a tone that was doting yet undeniably domineering, like coaxing a child.

"This is Disciple's filial piety."

"Moreover..."

Su Ye flipped his wrist, and the faintly glowing shadow recording stone reappeared in his palm.

"Revered Master wouldn't want the scene of your dignity being swept away just now to be seen by Junior Sister Linglong, would you?"

"Or perhaps, seen by everyone in the Taichu Holy Land?"

"You—"

Yun Yuzhen was choked with anger, her chest rising and falling violently, the loose white robe unable to conceal the breathtaking curve.

Despicable!

Shameless!

Lewd!

She cursed Su Ye's ancestors for eighteen generations in her heart.

But ultimately.

All the anger and unwillingness, under the deterrence of the shadow recording stone, turned into a helpless sigh.

"Give it here."

Yun Yuzhen turned her head away, her voice as cold as ice shards.

"That's more like it."

Su Ye smiled like a fox that had stolen a chicken.

He sat on the edge of the bed, picked up the Jade Spoon, lightly blew on the steam, and then brought it to Yun Yuzhen's lips.

"Open wide."

"Ah—"

Yun Yuzhen humiliatingly parted her red lips and accepted the spoon.

The warm porridge liquid slid down her throat, turning into a warm current that quickly nourished her dry Meridians and damaged Divine Soul.

She had to admit.

This Rebellious Disciple's cooking... was indeed quite good.

Moreover, the spiritual power in this porridge was extremely beneficial for her recovery.

But this did not change the fact that he was a Rebellious Disciple who betrayed his Revered Master and annihilated his ancestors!

"Is it delicious?"

Su Ye asked with a smile while feeding her.

"It tastes awful!"

Yun Yuzhen said something she didn't mean, but her body honestly kept swallowing.

"Heh heh."

Su Ye didn't expose her, merely letting his gaze roam wantonly over her body.

From her delicate collarbones to her long jade neck, and then to the bare feet faintly visible beneath the white robe.

This Taiyin Sacred Body, even having seen it countless times, still left him amazed.

"What are you looking at! Look again and I'll gouge out your eyes!"

Yun Yuzhen noticed his gaze and glared fiercely at him.

However, with a bit of porridge stain on her mouth, her fierce expression looked not only harmless but also added a touch of charming cuteness.

"Looking at how beautiful Revered Master is."

Su Ye replied casually, then put down the empty bowl.

"Alright, the porridge is finished."

"Revered Master should rest now."

Su Ye stood up and stretched.

"Disciple still needs to go 'guide' Junior Sister Linglong. After all, she is going into seclusion, and some 'essentials' need to be explained."

Hearing this, Yun Yuzhen inexplicably felt relieved, but immediately afterward, a strange emotion arose.

This Rebellious Disciple.

Immediately after feeding her, he was going to find another woman?

Although that was her own Disciple, still... "Get out now!"

Yun Yuzhen coldly spat out two words, then closed her eyes, preferring not to see him.

"Disciple takes his leave."

Su Ye laughed heartily, turned around, and strode away.

When he reached the entrance, he paused and looked back, saying:

"Oh right, Revered Master."

"Disciple will be back tonight."

"After all, eliminating Cold Poison requires persistence, doesn't it?"

Having said that, Su Ye flashed his body and disappeared outside the door, giving Yun Yuzhen no chance to erupt.

"GET OUT!!!"

Behind him, Yun Yuzhen's furious roar of utter shame and indignation rang out.

Followed by the muffled thud of a pillow hitting the door... Leaving the Cold Jade Palace.

The teasing look on Su Ye's face gradually faded.

He glanced at the lonely and icy palace behind him, a flicker of tenderness in his eyes.

Revered Master, oh Revered Master.

That layer of solid ice around you will eventually be completely melted by me.

"System."

Su Ye silently recited in his heart.

[Host: Su Ye]

[Realm: Nascent Soul Fourth Heaven]

[Physique: Supreme Bone, Heaven Swallowing Demonic Physique]

[Cultivation Technique: Heaven Swallowing Demonic Art (Fifth Layer)]

[Current Target: Yun Yuzhen (Taiyin Sacred Body, Tribulation Crossing Realm, Tenth Heaven)]

[Affection: -50 (Deep-seated hatred/Secretly developing affection/Extremely complex)]

[Capture Progress: 30% (Physical and mental suppression)]

Looking at the bizarre Affection rating, Su Ye shook his head helplessly.

Deep-seated hatred and Secretly developing affection existing at the same time?

A woman's heart is indeed hard to fathom.

"Eldest Senior Brother!"

Just then, a resentful voice came from ahead.

Ye Linglong hadn't gone far. She was squatting on a large stone by the roadside, drawing circles with a stick in her hand.

"Why haven't you gone to the Lava Cave yet?"

Su Ye walked over and asked amusedly.

"I was waiting for you!"

Ye Linglong threw away the stick, jumped down, and said huffily:

"How can you be so confident throwing me into that terrible place?"

"You're too heartless!"

"Silly girl."

Su Ye rubbed her head, straightening the twin ponytails that had long been messed up by the strong wind.

"Revered Master is doing that for your own good."

"Besides, I never said I wouldn't visit you."

"Really?"

Ye Linglong's eyes lit up. "You'll come to see me?"