3. Mask Off, Non-Existent
The legendary female disciple stood there, silent, afraid of drawing more attention.
But it was useless.
Public opinion wasn’t something you could just ignore.
Just as Gong Yiling was about to use the “bathroom” excuse, she was surrounded by cultivators from various sects.
They showered her with praises: “Miss Lü, you’re a peerless beauty, a heavenly talent, your cultivation path is unstoppable.”
Gong Yiling rubbed her forehead.
Sisters… no offense.
But this is too much.
If they said she was smart or had a good figure, she might have played along.
After all, those were facts.
But calling her beautiful—had they even seen her face under the veil?
Let alone her “superior” cultivation—were they blind? Compared to the others present, her strength on paper was a joke.
Miss Gong was so annoyed she almost burst out with a stream of curses, but out of respect for Lan Suqin, she held back.
Until—”Miss Lü, with your beauty and talent, it’s a waste for you to stay here.”
The person who said this was a random cultivator in the crowd. A moment of silence fell.
Gong Yiling raised an eyebrow and muttered to herself—”Are they trying to poach me?”
But she wasn’t a fool.
Why were they targeting her? Because she was a target worth poaching.
Although Ruohuai Daoist Mountain was now a third-tier sect, it was clear that this “Miss Lü” was the reason for their success.
Without her, they wouldn’t even be able to maintain their sixth-tier status.
Regardless of her current cultivation level, the fact that Gu Falie had taken an interest in her was enough. As for the rest, who really cared?
“Don’t misunderstand, Miss Lü.” The man, realizing he had started something, continued, “I’m not saying Ruohuai Daoist Mountain isn’t suitable for you, but you could have better options, for your own development.”
“Is that so? For my own development?” Gong Yiling repeated his words, then chuckled. “Since Elder Gu has taken an interest in me, then surely the other sects outside Qian Yue Academy would too.”
“I think Tianli Daoist Mountain is quite good. If it’s for my development, why don’t I go there?”
Her words stunned everyone.
She was right. Gu Falie’s actions had elevated her to a new level.
This was the opinion of a sect elder. Even the most arrogant sects would have to consider it.
And among them, one person’s eyes flickered.
“Yiling…”
The one who muttered this was Yan Chuyue.
She knew what Gong Yiling had endured at Tianli Daoist Mountain.
A brilliant talent, a stunning beauty, recognized by the elders at a young age, becoming an inner disciple with a limitless future.
But… when her identity was exposed, those who once called her “Senior Sister,” those she trusted most, the man she once loved, and the master she revered…
They pushed her into the abyss.
Gong Yiling’s deep-seated hatred for the Hundred Paths Mountain stemmed from this.
She had never done anything wrong. She had even risked her life to save her fellow disciples, unleashing her demonic power.
But this so-called righteous path…
They condemned a kind-hearted child, ambushed a pregnant woman…
So don’t blame her for being ruthless after crawling out of the abyss.
And now… the author looked at Gong Yiling, as if looking at her own child (?), her heart filled with a mixture of sadness and guilt.
What was Yiling thinking when she said those words?
“Have you run out of things to say?” Gong Yiling asked calmly. “Whether it’s for favors or just because you like the atmosphere here, if you all have the same idea, then I’m sorry.”
The expressions on their faces were a sight to behold. Most of them took her words as a dismissal and left.
A few who genuinely wanted to befriend her exchanged a few pleasantries and then also left.
After getting rid of them, Gong Yiling returned to her seat and stretched.
“Yiling.”
“What?” Miss Gong instinctively replied, then froze.
She thought it was Youyuan, but it was Yiling. And this was the first time someone had called her that since she came here.
She turned to look at Yan Chuyue—with Auntie Mu and her demonic identity, it wasn’t surprising that she had figured it out.
But why would Chuyue suddenly expose her like this?
“I knew you would guess.” Gong Yiling shrugged helplessly. “But what’s wrong? Why did you suddenly call me that?”
“Because I felt like it.” Yan Chuyue smiled. “Yiling, you won’t kill me for knowing your identity and Auntie Mu’s, will you?”
This girl… what was she saying? If she had that kind of power, Tianli Daoist Mountain would be crawling at her feet.
“I’d like to, but I can’t bring myself to do it.” Gong Yiling sighed. “They say villains die from talking too much. I’m different. I’ll probably die from being too soft-hearted.”
“Pfft…”
Yan Chuyue burst out laughing, her body shaking. After a while, she teased, “Come on, I don’t know what got into you. A dignified Young Palace Master of a demonic sect, reduced to this state. How embarrassing.”
“I like it.” Gong Yiling rolled her eyes. “You’re still my disciple. Is that how a disciple speaks to her master?”
“You, you, you!!!”
Hearing this, Yan Chuyue pointed at her, flustered. “I told you that was fake! You’re not my master!”
“Not my master?”
Her voice was a bit too loud, and even Lan Suqin, nearby, heard it.
Gong Yiling and Yan Chuyue quickly waved their hands dismissively, then continued their silent argument with their eyes.
