Chapter 82: The Sword Immortal’s Misunderstanding

Qin Hongxiu was silent for a moment, then turned her head and said seriously, “The inner sect cannot interfere in the affairs of the outer sect. That’s the rule of the East Mountain Sect.”

Lin Ze rolled his eyes.

He had never believed in such things. Since when would the strong make rules to restrain themselves? The only true rule was the rule of the strongest. Perhaps such rules were written somewhere, but only a fool would take them seriously.

Seeing the change in his expression, Qin Hongxiu helplessly tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear. She really disliked dealing with people who overthought everything—it was exhausting.

After pondering for a while, she spoke again. “There are too many branches in the sect and not enough territory to divide. That’s all there is to it.”

When the sect was first founded, East Mountain was a sword sect in the truest sense. But as the number of disciples grew and the land expanded, pure swordsmanship was no longer enough to sustain such a behemoth. The path of alchemy, artifact forging, body cultivation…

If even flowers come in a hundred shades, how much more so for those who seek the immortal way? Each person searches for the path most suited to themselves. Over the long years, countless Golden Core cultivators rose, established their own peaks, and passed down their teachings. Now, with so many divisions, things had become rather complicated.

With the Heavenly Demon Sect eyeing them covetously from the sidelines, the inner sect felt a growing sense of crisis, and gradually began to talk about keeping the essence and discarding the dross.

Unfortunately, Green Mountain was considered part of the dross.

No one wanted to admit their own line was failing; Qin Hongxiu was no exception. Besides, Green Mountain’s decline was clearly the result of deliberate sabotage.

She glanced silently at the “culprit” beside her.

Though the main issue was Zhang Dahai’s stubborn nature, it was the man surnamed Lin who had started it all. A conflict between two low-level disciples had ultimately led to the downfall of an entire branch—ridiculous as it sounded, it was the truth.

A certain elder’s only son had tried to act improperly, only to be caught by the newly joined hothead, who, in a fit of rage, delivered a kick that ended the other’s lineage. Even she had to admire the man’s guts.

That elder had waited five centuries for a son. He’d barely enjoyed a decade of happiness before being plunged into despair—who could bear such a blow?

“If you can’t hold Green Mountain, then I can only…”

Qin Hongxiu deliberately raised her brows. Seeing Lin Ze look over, she curled her lips and said, “Don’t worry, I’m not that petty. At most, I’ll send you away.”

Though she spoke half in jest, there was little trust in her tone. It was the attitude of someone trying anything in desperation.

She could use her sword to suppress the whole Wolong Mountain, making others think twice before resorting to underhanded tricks, but she could not defy the will of the inner sect. She could only watch as they branded Green Mountain as worthless.

Unless Lin Ze could prove Green Mountain’s value.

But that was an almost impossible task. Once the others had lured away all his disciples, even the most capable woman cannot cook without rice.

That was where Zhang Dahai had failed.

The stewards of the mountain would go to the southern hall to take on tasks, but before they even arrived, the spirit beasts or herbs would already have been intercepted by others. The disciples of Green Mountain were constantly targeted, provoked in the streets, or struck hard during competitions, unable to lift their heads within the sect.

Cultivators couldn’t live on air alone. Once the others offered them the slightest benefit, they’d flock away. Elder Zhang, unwilling to lose face by forcing anyone to stay, could only endure in silence.

Their methods were crude to the extreme, leaving Green Mountain utterly powerless to resist.

Qin Hongxiu never expected Lin Ze to do much. This wasn’t something a mere Foundation Establishment cultivator could change. The only reason he could remain so calm was because Green Mountain hadn’t yet caught the attention of those people again.

But she couldn’t bring herself to give up so easily.

She would drag things out as long as possible.

Lin Ze caught the meaning behind his junior aunt’s words and gazed into the distance. After a long silence, he pointed at the ground beneath his feet. “This is my place.”

In his previous life, he had slaved away just to become a homeowner, pouring in years of savings, only to transmigrate before he could even move in. Because of this, he had a deep attachment to territory.

What’s mine, no one can take.

Qin Hongxiu was momentarily surprised, then patted the Daoist’s shoulder and shook her head. “You almost convinced me, but you’d better focus on passing this first hurdle.”

Lin Ze glanced over.

The moment her hand landed on his shoulder, he immediately activated his simulator.

[Extracting Character Card: Qin Hongxiu]

[Decomposing...]

[Insufficient Trust Level]

[Extraction Aborted]

Seeing the progress bar stuck at the very end, Lin Ze felt a bit disappointed.

This was the first time he’d failed an extraction, meaning her trust wasn’t even at the lowest threshold.

It was understandable. He hadn’t done anything to earn her trust yet. To become the pillar of support for a Golden Core Sword Immortal was no easy feat.

“All right, it’s getting late,” Qin Hongxiu said, brushing off her robes as she stood.

She drew her pitch-black heavy sword and scanned her surroundings, as if searching for something. Soon, her hand made a grasping motion in the air.

Far off, the white fox dug its claws into a crack in the stone, struggling desperately, but was still pulled over by an invisible force.

It looked pitifully at the two of them.

Lin Ze glanced at it and suddenly said, “Let it go this time.”

A Golden Core-level demon beast was far stronger than a Foundation Establishment cultivator. Though he was cautious by nature, he knew he needed battle strength right now. Besides, with Yuexian having just scared the fox half to death, it might be useful for a while.

The white fox’s face lit up with joy.

Qin Hongxiu looked over in surprise. “Are you sure?”

The change in him over just a few days was remarkable.

Suddenly, she seemed to realize something. She frowned at the fox and commanded, “Show your human form.”

The white fox nodded obediently. Wisps of white smoke rose, and in an instant, a seductive figure appeared on the ground.

With fair skin, alluring attire, and a charming face with trembling, pointed ears, it was enough to make any man’s heart stir.

Qin Hongxiu’s expression became strange.

No wonder.

Her gaze at Lin Ze grew tinged with disdain.

So much for being proper—this fox even had a child.

“Do as you please,” she said impatiently, waving her hand. “If you succumb to beauty, you deserve whatever comes.”

Lin Ze glanced at the progress bar on his panel, which receded further. He felt utterly baffled.

Wasn’t it normal for fox demons to take on human form? Why blame him for it?

In the end, Qin Hongxiu left a mark on the fox’s wrist, stepped onto her heavy sword, and vanished into the sky without so much as a farewell.

“Immortal Lin…” the white fox seemed to understand something, crouching and weakly clutching the Daoist’s pant leg.

It rarely transformed into human shape, and only now realized how lethal its appearance was to men.

“Change back,” Lin Ze said, a shiver running down his spine as he looked down at it.

Such a foxy creature—why pretend to be a woman?

With so many beautiful female cultivators around, he’d have to be out of his mind to mess with a demon.

The white fox withdrew its hand resentfully and obediently resumed its original form.

What are you thinking? All I wanted was to flatter you a little.