43. Don’t You Like Her?
“Is this answer sheet… really from our people?”
In the supervising elders’ chamber, a heated discussion was underway.
The answer sheet was mostly blank, with only six questions answered. But these six answers were clear, concise, and incredibly insightful, offering feasible solutions.
And not just feasible.
After a night of experimentation, they confirmed that the methods provided could indeed solve the six problems.
But… this was unbelievable.
The high point values of these questions indicated their difficulty. Four of the six were considered almost impossible by the elders, yet this answer sheet had proven them all wrong.
What did this mean?
“A small Ruohuai Daoist Mountain… with such hidden talents.”
Feng Ruhong sighed. “First, they cleverly won the first round, and now they’ve taken first place in the second with sheer knowledge. How did I not know Ruohuai Daoist Mountain had such people?”
“They’re new.”
An elder responsible for registration looked at the others and said, “I had someone investigate last night. The key contributors in both rounds were a girl named Lü Youyuan and her companions.”
“They joined Ruohuai Daoist Mountain recently and were immediately sent to Qian Yue Academy. This is only their third week here.”
“And their strength?”
“A Core Transformation cultivator who can defeat a Profound Void cultivator. The others are at Return to Origin, and one seems to be an ordinary talisman master, but…”
“But what?”
The elder frowned at the report, his face filled with doubt. “If the record is correct, that talisman master is also not simple.”
“She can draw talismans on yellow rough paper with considerable skill, but she has shown no spiritual talent and didn’t even choose the South Courtyard.”
“Yellow rough paper!?”
This shocked the elders proficient in talisman arts. “A young girl can draw talismans on yellow rough paper!?”
They all knew what yellow rough paper was. How could an ordinary talisman master draw on paper that blocked spiritual energy?
Only a high-level talisman master, capable of communicating with natural spiritual energy and condensing it with their will, could do such a thing.
“Elder Chongfang was present, but he didn’t report this. I don’t know why.”
“Why else?” Gu Falie sneered. “His Ye Ao Daoist Mountain has a grudge against Ruohuai Daoist Mountain. He wouldn’t do anything to boost their prestige. Aren’t you all the same?”
“Brother Gu, you’ve gone too far. We are all part of the academy. How could we let our personal desires affect the entire academy?”
“Yes, Brother Gu, that’s uncalled for.”
“You know what you’ve done.”
Gu Falie glared at them impatiently and tossed the answer sheet and a few investigation reports on the table.
While they were arguing, a white-robed woman picked up the reports and the answer sheet.
“Lü Youyuan, Qiu Ming, Chunhuai, Lu Xinyao, and Miss Yan…”
The woman admired the answers, but her expression changed subtly when she read the other names.
—”Do you know their names and appearances?”
—”Their appearances are likely disguised, and their names are probably fake. But I know they’re called Qiu Ming, Chunhuai, and so on. And it seems the Fifth Princess of the Heartflame Empire is also her disciple, under the alias Lu Xinyao.”
These names, combined with their arrival time at the Daoist mountain and Qian Yue Academy…
Even if she were a fool, she would have figured it out by now. And she was only a little bit foolish in front of her daughter. What harm could she possibly have in front of her daughter?
But then Yan Chuyue…
“What are you thinking about?”
When she came back to her senses, the girl, who was around the same age as her daughter and reminded her of her in many ways, was sitting in front of her.
“No, nothing!” Gong Muzhi quickly shook her head and chuckled. “Miss Yan’s food is too delicious, much better than anything I’ve eaten before.”
“Daoist sect’s cuisine is usually bland. Auntie Mu seems to prefer strong flavors, so it’s normal that you don’t like it.” Yan Chuyue smiled and pushed the pickled pepper bullfrog towards Gong Muzhi.
“Aren’t you eating, Miss Yan?”
“I’ve already eaten. Don’t you see what time it is, Auntie Mu?”
It was already dark outside.
Since returning this afternoon, Gong Muzhi had been pondering a foolproof plan.
For the survival of the demonic sects, she had to eliminate that Immortal Master’s disciples.
But there were other ways. She could cripple their cultivation and imprison them in the Pear Blossom Blood Orchid Palace, a form of protection.
After all, if the other demonic sects found out, they would surely be killed and their bodies left to rot.
This way, even if Miss Yan resented her, she wouldn’t feel too guilty.
“I was so happy I forgot the time.” Gong Muzhi suppressed her regret and smiled. “So, you’re excited about getting first place in two consecutive rounds?”
“Auntie Mu knows about that too.” Yan Chuyue poured her a cup of herbal tea, her eyebrows curving into a smile. “Of course. Although it doesn’t mean much to me, being able to help Ruohuai Daoist Mountain and Miss Lü… hehe.”
She wouldn’t show such emotions in front of Gong Yiling, but it was different with an elder.
Even knowing Lü Youyuan was Gong Yiling, Yan Chuyue’s affection for her hadn’t faded.
—Compared to the tool-like male lead, Yan Chuyue actually preferred Gong Yiling.
And this Gong Yiling seemed different from the one she had written, more approachable and caring. They didn’t seem to have much in common, yet they were both confident and radiant, as dazzling as the sun.
Such a person, even if a woman…
“Miss Yan…” Gong Muzhi looked at her, resting her chin on her hand, a lovesick expression on her face. “Don’t you… like that Miss Lü?”
