It has the aura of a master.

The wind of the Purple Bamboo Forest, carrying the unique dampness and slight chill of the early morning, gently brushed against the hem of Su Ye's robes.

As the heavy vermillion lacquer door behind him slowly closed, the last traces of sensuality and the scent of blood were completely sealed away within the Cold Jade Palace.

Su Ye stood on the steps and took a deep breath.

The air was filled with the fresh fragrance of purple bamboo; it was the scent of freedom and power.

He slightly closed his eyes as the Heaven Swallowing Demonic Art within him operated on its own. The massive amount of primal yin he had forcibly plundered from Yun Yuzhen's body last night now transformed into surging, pure energy, roaring and churning within his Dantian.

Golden Core Fifth Heaven.

In just a single night, he had surpassed a hundred years of hard cultivation for others.

Su Ye opened his eyes, and the gaze that had originally appeared somewhat dark due to desire and tyranny quickly shed all negative emotions.

In its place was his usual gentleness and clarity, like a bottomless ancient well.

He raised his hand to tidy his collar, a perfectly measured curve hooking at the corner of his mouth. The Senior Brother who haunted the dreams of countless female Disciples in the Taichu Holy Land had returned.

“Senior Brother!”

Just then, a crisp and pleasant voice, like a warbler leaving a valley, broke the silence of the Purple Bamboo Forest.

At the end of the distant bamboo path, a petite and charming figure was running over, skipping and jumping.

The girl was about sixteen or seventeen years old, dressed in the light pink Disciple uniform of Purple Bamboo Peak. She wore her hair in twin tails, her skin was whiter than snow, and her large eyes were so lively they seemed to speak.

She was the Third Junior Sister of Purple Bamboo Peak, Lin Waner.

Purple Bamboo Peak had always been sparsely populated.

Yun Yuzhen had a cold personality and disliked noise. Over the past few hundred years, she had only taken three Personal Disciples: Su Ye, Second Junior Sister Ji Ziyue, and Third Junior Sister Lin Waner.

The rest were merely some menial servants for cleaning.

Now that Second Junior Sister Ji Ziyue was away on a journey of experience, this vast Purple Bamboo Peak was left with only him and this quirky little Junior Sister, aside from their imprisoned Revered Master.

“Waner.”

Su Ye stopped in his tracks, the smile on his face as warm as a spring breeze. “It's so early, why aren't you in your room cultivating?”

Lin Waner dashed up to Su Ye in a few steps and, without any hesitation, directly hugged Su Ye's arm, her not-yet-fully-developed body pressing tightly against him.

“I missed Senior Brother!”

Lin Waner shook Su Ye's arm coquettishly and pouted, “Senior Brother has been locking himself in his room these past few days and hasn't accompanied Waner in sword practice. I've been bored to death.”

Su Ye calmly withdrew his arm and took the opportunity to lightly scratch her small nose, saying dotingly, “Senior Brother also needs to Cultivate, doesn't he? If my cultivation falls behind, how can I protect you all in the future?”

“Hmph, Senior Brother is already a Genius of the Golden Core Realm. Who would dare bully the people of our Purple Bamboo Peak?”

Lin Waner wrinkled her nose, seemingly not buying it.

Suddenly.

As if she had discovered a new world, her small nose leaned toward Su Ye and sniffed vigorously.

“Sniff, sniff...”

Lin Waner's movements paused slightly, and her large eyes were instantly filled with doubt and curiosity.

Su Ye's heart skipped a beat, but his expression remained unchanged, maintaining that same gentle smile.

“What's wrong? Is there some strange smell on me?”

“It's not a strange smell...”

Lin Waner leaned even closer, almost burying her face in Su Ye's chest, carefully discerning that faint, indistinct aura.

“Senior Brother, why do you... have Revered Master's scent on you?”

As soon as these words were spoken, the surrounding air seemed to freeze for a moment.

Lin Waner looked up, blinking her large eyes as she looked at Su Ye with an innocent expression: “And the scent is so strong. It's just like... just like the ‘Cold Moon Orchid’ fragrance that Revered Master usually uses, mixed with a little bit of... well, I can't quite say, it's a bit like sweat, yet also a bit sweet.”

Of course it was.

Su Ye sneered inwardly.

Even though he had already used a Dust-Cleansing Art just now, that aura of union originating from the depths of the Soul was not something that could be easily dissipated.

Especially for someone like Lin Waner, who was born with a sensitive sense of smell.

An imperceptible cold gleam flashed deep in Su Ye's eyes, but it vanished in an instant.

He reached out and naturally patted Lin Waner's head, laughing, “You girl, your nose is even sharper than the Mountain-guarding Spirit Dog.”

“Of course!”

Lin Waner raised her chin proudly, “No scent can escape my nose! Senior Brother, did you go to see Revered Master? Has Revered Master come out of seclusion?”

Without blushing or his heart racing, Su Ye nodded with a calm expression.

“Indeed. Last night, Revered Master reached a critical juncture in her cultivation and summoned me to act as her Protector, and she also gave me some pointers on the Profound Truth of the Purple Bamboo Sword Canon.”

“Revered Master usually loves using that Cold Moon Orchid incense the most. I stayed in the hall all night, so it's only natural that I'd be stained with a bit of her aura.”

These words were spoken flawlessly.

They both explained the source of the scent and provided a reasonable excuse.

Although Lin Waner was clever, her mind was simple, and she had unconditional trust in this Senior Brother whom she respected and loved the most. How could she possibly imagine the filthy and wretched truth hidden behind that glamorous excuse?

“So that's how it is...”

Lin Waner came to a sudden realization, then curled her lip somewhat aggrievedly, “Revered Master is biased. Every time she gives pointers on cultivation, she only calls Senior Brother and never calls Waner.”

“Silly girl.”

Su Ye chuckled and lightly flicked her forehead, “Revered Master does that because she cares for you. You are only at the Foundation Establishment Stage right now; if she were to forcibly instill too profound a Sword Intent, your Divine Soul wouldn't be able to bear it.”

“Once you form your Golden Core, Revered Master will naturally guide you personally.”

“Really?” Lin Waner's eyes lit up.

“When has Senior Brother ever lied to you?”

Su Ye asked back with a smile, his gaze so sincere it seemed capable of melting everything in the world.

Lin Waner immediately beamed with joy, hugging Su Ye's arm and shaking it, “I knew Senior Brother was the best! Then... is Revered Master still in the Cold Jade Palace? I want to go pay my respects to her.”

As she spoke, she was about to let go of Su Ye and run toward the Cold Jade Palace.

Su Ye was quick-eyed and fast-handed, grabbing her fair wrist.

His strength was slightly too much, pinching Lin Waner's wrist until it hurt.

“Ouch, Senior Brother, you're hurting me...” Lin Waner turned back, somewhat surprised.

Su Ye immediately relaxed his grip slightly, an apologetic look appearing on his face, before his expression turned serious.

“Waner, do not be reckless.”

He said in a deep voice, “After last night's cultivation, Revered Master seems to have gained some enlightenment. She is currently in Death Seclusion, impacting a higher Realm.”

“Revered Master specifically instructed that during this time, no one is allowed to approach the Cold Jade Palace by even a single step, so as not to disturb her quiet cultivation.”

“If you were to startle Revered Master and cause a Qi Deviation, could you bear the responsibility for that?”

Although Su Ye's voice wasn't loud, his tone carried a severity rarely seen from him, a majesty belonging to the Senior Brother of Purple Bamboo Peak.

Lin Waner was startled and shrank her neck, whispering, “Is... is it that serious...”

“Yes.”

Su Ye nodded, his tone softening a bit, “This is also for Revered Master's own good. During this time, you should stay in your room and Cultivate well; do not come running around here in the back mountain.”

“As for the Cold Jade Palace, I have already placed a Restriction. Aside from me delivering some Spirit Medicine to Revered Master every day, no one can enter.”

“Do you understand?”

Su Ye looked deeply at Lin Waner, his gaze containing both a brother's care and a command that brooked no question.

Although Lin Waner felt that Senior Brother was a bit strange today, she couldn't quite put her finger on what was wrong, so she could only nod obediently.

“I understand, Senior Brother. Waner won't disturb Revered Master.”

“Good girl.”

Su Ye smiled with satisfaction. “Alright, go practice your swordsmanship. I still need to go to Taichu Peak to report this matter to Sect Master Senior Martial Uncle.”

“Mm-hmm! Take care, Senior Brother!”

Lin Waner felt as if a weight had been lifted. She waved to Su Ye and turned to run toward the martial arts field on the front mountain.

Watching that pink figure gradually disappear into the depths of the bamboo forest, the smile on Su Ye's face cooled down bit by bit.

Finally, it turned into an indifferent coldness.

“Junior Sister, oh Junior Sister...”

“If you were just a bit more curious, I would truly have to lock you up as well...”

He murmured softly, his voice so low only the wind could hear it.

Subsequently.

Su Ye tapped his toes lightly, and his entire being transformed into a streak of light, soaring into the sky and flying toward the main peak of the Taichu Holy Land—Taichu Peak... The Taichu Holy Land consisted of thirty-six inner peaks and seventy-two outer peaks; the mountains stretched on endlessly, presenting a majestic and ever-changing atmosphere.

And Taichu Peak, as the main peak, towered into the clouds and pierced the sky like a sharp sword, suppressing the Luck of the entire Eastern Wasteland.

Along the way.

Su Ye traveled by sword, his white robes fluttering, looking like an exiled immortal descending upon the world.

“Look! It's Senior Brother Su Ye from Purple Bamboo Peak!”

"So handsome! Senior Brother Su is still as elegant as ever!"

"I heard Senior Brother Su went into seclusion a few days ago. Did he have another Breakthrough? This aura... seems even more unfathomable than before!"

"That's a given. Senior Brother Su is a peerless Genius with a Saint Spiritual Root; he is bound to attain Sagehood in the future!"

Disciples from various peaks encountered along the way stopped what they were doing upon seeing Su Ye. They either bowed in greeting or cast looks of worship and admiration.

Su Ye wore a smile, nodding to the Disciples from time to time. Every gesture and movement exuded the grace of a true Revered Master.

Who could have imagined?

That such a noble and flawless Prodigy of the Holy Land, in the eyes of the public, currently had ten thousand shadow recording stones hidden in his storage ring—enough to destroy the reputation of a peak Revered Master.

Beneath every inch of his skin flowed the poisonous blood named 'ambition'.

Basking in the worship of the crowd, the desire for conquest within Su Ye's heart swelled even further.

This was how it should be.

This world has always been a place where the strong prey on the weak.

As long as one is strong and ruthless enough, black can become white, and a devil can don the mantle of a Saint.

Before long.

The grand and majestic Taichu Great Hall was already right before his eyes.

Su Ye reined in all his thoughts, adjusted his robes, and landed on the square in front of the Taichu Hall.

"Purple Bamboo Peak Disciple Su Ye requests an audience with the Sect Leader Holy Lord."

Standing outside the great hall, Su Ye bowed. His clear voice rang out across the entire square.

"Come in."

A moment later.

A majestic yet cold female voice drifted from the depths of the hall.

The voice wasn't loud, yet it seemed to contain the ultimate truths of heaven and earth, causing the surrounding Spiritual Qi to tremble slightly.

Su Ye took a deep breath and stepped over the high threshold, entering the hall that symbolized the supreme power of the Taichu Holy Land.

The interior of the hall was magnificent, with countless star gems embedded in the dome, as if the entire starry sky had been moved inside.

At the very top of the hall, seated upon a throne carved with the Nine Heavens Divine Phoenix, was a figure of peerless elegance.

The Taichu Holy Lord, Holy Master.

She looked to be only in her thirties, with an exquisite face that bore a cold arrogance, keeping everyone at a distance.

A golden phoenix robe draped over her graceful figure, highlighting her curves while exuding endless majesty.

This was a true Half-Saint expert!

She was only half a step away from the legendary Saint Realm.

Eight hundred years old, at the Half-Saint Realm.

Such talent was rare even across the entire Eastern Wasteland.

At this moment.

Holy Master was looking down, reviewing a Jade Slip in her hand. Sensing Su Ye's entrance, she didn't look up but simply asked indifferently:

"Su Ye, why have you come here instead of cultivating properly at Purple Bamboo Peak?"

An invisible pressure, like a massive mountain, weighed heavily on Su Ye's shoulders.

This was the natural suppression of a superior over an inferior.

In the past, Su Ye might have felt terrified.

But now, with the Supreme Bone implanted in his body and having cultivated the Heaven Swallowing Demonic Art, he kept his spine perfectly straight in the face of this pressure.

"Reporting to Sect Leader Senior Martial Uncle."

Su Ye stepped forward two paces and bowed again, his tone respectful and steady.

"This Disciple has come specifically to report on my Revered Master's situation to Senior Martial Uncle."

Upon hearing the word 'Revered Master', Holy Master finally put down the Jade Slip and looked up.

Her phoenix eyes, which seemed capable of seeing through one's heart, fell upon Su Ye.

"Yuzhen? What happened to her?"

Holy Master's brow furrowed slightly, a hint of concern entering her voice.

She and Yun Yuzhen were not just fellow Disciples from the same sect; they had a friendship spanning centuries and were as close as sisters.

"Senior Martial Uncle, please rest assured."

Su Ye looked up, his face wearing his usual sincere smile.

"Revered Master is fine. It's just that while comprehending the Heavenly Dao last night, she seemed to touch upon that barrier. Feeling inspired, she decided to immediately enter Death Seclusion to charge toward a higher Realm."

"What?!"

A rare look of surprise appeared on Holy Master's usually stoic face.

She stood up abruptly, and a terrifying aura instantly swept through the entire hall.

"You mean Yuzhen... is about to break through that Bottleneck?"

Yun Yuzhen has been stuck at the Tribulation Crossing Realm, Tenth Heaven for fifty years, unable to take that final step into the Half-Saint Realm.

This was also a source of anxiety for Holy Master.

Hearing this news now, how could she not be excited?

Feeling the terrifying pressure washing over him, Su Ye sneered repeatedly in his heart.

Breakthrough?

Yes, she does want to break through.

Except it's just her defenses that I've broken through.

"Exactly."

Without changing his expression, Su Ye continued to weave this grand lie. "Revered Master entered seclusion in a hurry last night and specifically instructed me that this seclusion is a matter of life and death. It could last from three to five months to several years, and no one is allowed to disturb her during this time."

"Even if something monumental happens, no one is to knock on her door. Otherwise, if her mind wavers, the consequences would be unimaginable."

"Therefore, Revered Master ordered me to come and ask for leave from Senior Martial Uncle. During this period, all affairs of Purple Bamboo Peak will be temporarily handled by me on her behalf."

Holy Master stared into Su Ye's eyes, seemingly trying to find any flaw.

Su Ye met her gaze calmly, his eyes clear and devoid of fear.

A moment later.

Holy Master withdrew her aura and sat back down on her throne, a gratified smile appearing on her face.

"Good! Good! Good!"

She said 'good' three times in a row, clearly in high spirits.

"If Yuzhen can break through to Half-Saint, then our Taichu Holy Land will openly have two Saints, enough to deter the other major Holy Lands for a thousand years!"

"Su Ye."

"This Disciple is here."

Holy Master looked at the young man in white below, becoming more satisfied the more she looked.

She swept her Divine Sense casually and noticed Su Ye's current cultivation.

"Eh?"

Holy Master let out a soft exclamation of surprise, her eyes flashing with astonishment. "Your cultivation... is at the Golden Core Fifth Heaven?"

"I remember half a month ago, you had just broken through to the Golden Core First Heaven, hadn't you?"

Su Ye's heart skipped a beat, but he had already prepared his explanation.

He smiled slightly and cupped his hands. "Before Revered Master entered seclusion, she bestowed several rare Spirit Pills from Purple Bamboo Peak's collection. Coupled with some insights I've had over the past few days, I managed to break through by Luck."

"What a 'by Luck'."

Holy Master nodded in appreciation. "Not arrogant or impulsive, with a steady Heart-Nature. You truly are a fine Disciple taught by Yuzhen."

"Since your Revered Master is in Death Seclusion, I shall leave Purple Bamboo Peak in your hands."

As she spoke.

Holy Master waved her fair hand, and a token emitting a faint purple light flew into Su Ye's hand.

"This is the taichu token; seeing this token is like seeing me in person."

"By my decree: from this day forth, Purple Bamboo Peak is sealed. No one is allowed to enter without permission except for Su Ye. Violators will be dealt with according to sect rules!"

"If other peak Revered Masters or Elders wish to visit, use this token to stop them and tell them it is my wish."

Clutching the heavy taichu token in his hand, an indescribable ecstasy welled up in Su Ye's heart.

With this token and Holy Master's word as law.

It was equivalent to adding the strongest protective talisman outside the Cold Jade Palace!

From now on.

Purple Bamboo Peak, the Cold Jade Palace, and even that high-and-mighty Revered Master... would truly become Su Ye's private back garden.

Could there be anything more ironic in this world?

The best friend who cared most about Yun Yuzhen, the Sect Leader Supreme of the Taichu Holy Land, had personally pushed Yun Yuzhen into the abyss and even thoughtfully locked the door for the devil.

"Thank you, Sect Leader Senior Martial Uncle!"

Su Ye tucked the token into his robes and bowed deeply, his voice full of 'gratitude'.

"This Disciple will certainly not fail your trust, Senior Martial Uncle. I swear to protect Purple Bamboo Peak and my Revered Master with my life, and I will never let anyone disturb Revered Master's 'secluded cultivation'!"

He specifically emphasized the words 'secluded cultivation'.

Unfortunately.

Holy Master, seated high upon her throne, did not catch the underlying meaning.

She simply waved her hand in satisfaction.

"Go now, and protect your Revered Master well."

"Yes."

Su Ye straightened up and slowly withdrew from the hall.

The moment he turned around, a heart-palpitating, sinister smile instantly surfaced on his respectful and humble face.

Sunlight spilled across the Taichu Peak square, stretching his shadow very, very long.

Like a claw-baring devil, it was bit by bit devouring this sacred land.

"Revered Master..."

Su Ye caressed the taichu token in his robes, his gaze fixed on the direction of Purple Bamboo Peak, a sickly excitement flickering in the depths of his eyes.

"Look, even Sect Leader Senior Martial Uncle has agreed to hand you over to me."

"Tonight..."

"Your Disciple will surely 'repay' you well."