You've chosen the right path

Liyuan Holy Land.

Inside a quiet and elegant small building.

Rip—

Qin Lingxue's beautiful face flushed red as she closed the book in her hand. Due to her agitated state of mind, her slender fingers used too much force, accidentally tearing a large gash in the cover.

Her eyes were hazy, and scenes that made one's heart race and face flush replayed constantly in her mind, leaving her heart in a state of extreme turmoil.

"This... how is it possible? The Dao Child of Tai Xuan would actually recommend that I read such scandalous things!"

Qin Lingxue was both ashamed and annoyed, her exquisite and flawless jade-like face covered in frost. She wished she could draw her sword, drag a certain someone out, and hack him into several pieces.

But she quickly calmed down from her embarrassment:

"Could it be that I just happened to pick out a book of this type, and most of the other books are normal..."

Thinking of this, she took out another book and flipped through it, only to see even more explicit content.

Next, she took out the entire pile of books from her storage bracelet and checked them one by one. The more she looked, the more her face burned with heat. In the end, she confirmed a fact:

Not a single one of the books the Dao Child of Tai Xuan gave her was proper.

"This is too much!"

Qin Lingxue was so angry her willow-like brows stood upright. She immediately wanted to destroy all these unsightly books... Just then, a gentle and pleasant female voice came from outside the door:

"Xue'er, are you there?"

Revered Master is here!

Hearing the voice, Qin Lingxue was startled. She hurriedly put all the books away in a fluster, then slightly adjusted her appearance and went out to greet her with a guilty conscience.

If Revered Master discovered she was reading such improper books, she would surely be very disappointed... Qin Lingxue's heart was uneasy, and even her breathing was a bit disordered.

Standing under the porch was a graceful woman in palace attire. She was tall, with a face like a lotus and eyes like autumn water. Amidst her elegant and dignified bearing, a powerful Sword Intent faintly swirled. She was none other than the Grand Elder of Liyuan Holy Land, Qiu Lan Jun.

Upon seeing the beautiful woman, Qin Lingxue quickly stepped forward and bowed respectfully.

"Disciple greets Revered Master. I wonder for what matter Revered Master has come to find me?"

Qiu Lan Jun sized up her Disciple and keenly noticed a difference. She asked softly:

"Xue'er, are you hiding something from me right now?"

Hearing this, Qin Lingxue's heart immediately skipped a beat, and her expression became unnatural:

"No, there's nothing. I was just reading a book."

She was originally not good at lying; being able to hold out without revealing the contents of the books was already her limit.

"Reading?"

Qiu Lan Jun's dark brows furrowed slightly as she looked at Qin Lingxue suspiciously.

She found that her usually cold and indifferent Disciple seemed like a different person at this moment. Her complexion was rosy, her eyes were bright, and her whole person exuded an indescribable agility and vitality.

Qiu Lan Jun observed for a moment and finally couldn't help but offer encouragement:

"Xue'er, although I don't know what you used to become like this, what I want to say is, you are on the right path!"

"I know you have been troubled by the Heart-Nature issues brought by the mingshuang sword, not wanting to become an emotionless walking corpse, which is why you tried many methods to awaken the feelings in your heart."

"Originally, I was worried you would go astray if you continued like that, but unexpectedly, looking at you now, the method you found this time is very effective..."

"Huh?"

Qin Lingxue was completely dazed. She had originally intended to confess the matter to Qiu Lan Jun and was even prepared to be punished.

She didn't expect that her Revered Master not only didn't pry into the details but actually encouraged her to continue... What kind of development was this?

Looking at the bashful Qin Lingxue, Qiu Lan Jun nodded with a face full of smiles and said earnestly:

"Disciple, as Cultivators, what we pursue is to transcend the world and be free and easy. As long as you find something you are interested in, there is no need to care about others' thoughts; just follow your heart."

"You must remember, the mingshuang sword is a sword of righteousness, not some malicious Demonic Weapon. How could it possibly freeze the emotions and soul of the wielder? What can truly trap you has always been yourself."

After saying this, she turned and left, leaving a bewildered Qin Lingxue standing frozen on the spot.

After a long period of deep thought, Qin Lingxue finally snapped out of her daze and murmured to herself:

"Revered Master's meaning is for me to... try it?"

At the thought of having to continue reading those kinds of books, she felt a burst of fluster.

Thinking about it now, the sense of taboo, novelty, and excitement when reading those books was indeed something she had never experienced before... Half a month later.

Western Demon Territory.

Mining Area.

Within the canyon, not a blade of grass grew. The exposed rocks showed an eerie brownish-red color, making it hard to distinguish whether it was rust or dried bloodstains.

In the center of the canyon was a bottomless underground rift.

Waves of tangible Golden Baleful Qi seeped out from the rift. Combined with the whistling, piercing cold wind, it made this gloomy chill penetrate deep into the marrow.

From time to time, a team of Demonic Sect Disciples carrying torches and weapons would fly past, patrolling back and forth in the canyon to prevent the laborers in the mine from taking the opportunity to escape, while also ensuring that the precious Red Gold vein here was not raided by outside Cultivators.

In a luxuriously decorated quiet room deep underground, a middle-aged man in a black robe with a golden belt and a fierce aura sat at the head, listening to his Subordinate's report with a heavy expression:

"Reporting to Deacon Situ, this month's production of high-quality Red Gold is thirteen thousand seven hundred catties. A total of twenty-eight laborers have died..."

The one speaking was a thin, dark-skinned old man. He clearly knew that these figures would not satisfy his superior, and he knelt on the ground trembling, not even daring to raise his head.

Sure enough, hearing this number, Situ Yun, the Deacon Elder in charge of the entire mine, immediately frowned deeply and said coldly:

"A bunch of useless trash, can't even do such a small thing. It's almost the end of the year. If we can't complete the annual requirements set by the sect, then you and I can just wait to prepare for our funerals."

Hearing this, the thin, dark old man trembled all over and hurriedly said:

"You also know that last month a group of Gold-Eating Beasts suddenly appeared deep underground. Although they were quickly cleared out, over a hundred laborers still died."

"We were already short-handed, and this month we increased mining efforts, which worked many more laborers to death."

"However, I have already notified various branches that our mine is purchasing laborers at a high price. Try not to kill the Cultivators captured during this time; selling them here can fetch double the Spirit Stones as before."

"This move has been quite effective. A batch of newcomers was added today, and production will be able to go up next month."

Red Gold ore is a basic material for refining Magical Artifacts. Most of it is located deep underground, over a thousand feet down. Additionally, Red Gold ore is extremely hard, and Mortals simply cannot endure such harsh mining conditions.

Therefore, those able to serve as laborers in this mine are all Cultivators. Besides a large number of Qi Refining Realm Cultivators, there are even many Foundation Establishment Realm Cultivators.

The vast majority of the laborers are Righteous Path Cultivators or Loose Cultivators captured alive by Baleful Yin Sect Disciples, with some Baleful Yin Sect Disciples who have committed errors mixed in.

"Good."

Hearing this assurance, Situ Yun's expression softened slightly, and he said indifferently:

"You know the Yin Sha Sect's methods for punishing useless people. If you don't want to take a trip to the Soul Refining Cavern, you'd better exceed the quota."

"From now on, the mining time for all laborers will be extended by one hour. I don't want to hear about casualty numbers, only the production of Red Gold. If anyone dares to cause trouble, kill them directly. Do you understand?"

By the end, his voice was harsh and full of Killing Intent.

Once this order was issued, it meant that the already terrible living conditions of the laborers would further deteriorate. No one knew how many people would be worked to death.

Of course, if they really cared about human life, the Baleful Yin Sect wouldn't be called a Demonic Sect.

"Your Subordinate obeys!"

Cold sweat poured from the thin old man's forehead as he hurriedly complied and left dejectedly.

After his Subordinate left, Situ Yun's expression instantly turned gloomy.

If possible, he was ten thousand times unwilling to come here to be some Deacon Elder.

The Spiritual Qi in the mine was thin, he was burdened with chores, and the cultivation environment was extremely poor. Doing a good job was expected, but if problems arose, it was easy to become a scapegoat; it was simply a thankless task.

As a direct descendant of the grand Situ Family, having committed no errors, he was actually banished to this godforsaken place to mine by a Peak Revered Master who was a member of the Ji Clan. If this wasn't an insult, what was?

Unfortunately, now that the Ji Family Old Ancestor has broken through to the Mahayana Peak, the Ji Clan is at the height of its power within the sect. He could only swallow his resentment.

"I only hope the Family Head reaches an agreement with the Shen Clan as soon as possible to jointly oppose the colossus that is the Ji Clan. Then, I won't have to suffer this indignity anymore..."

Thinking of this, Situ Yun gave a long sigh and sank back into his cultivation.