All of this—it is all because of the Profound Enlightenment Pill given by Master. Everything originates, everything begins, with Master—”

Lin Xuanshuang heard this, yet let out a cold laugh. “Then, before the fact, did I ever warn you? That this Profound Enlightenment Pill carries hidden dangers? That it might awaken your Celestial Fox bloodline and primal nature?”

Zong Shou frowned. He had indeed said that at the time. But the circumstances then involved first detailing the benefits of the Profound Enlightenment Pill. As for the pill’s hidden dangers and potential consequences, it was glossed over, clearly intending a certain implication—

Yet, to use that to accuse her seemed baseless.

Lin Xuanshuang then continued, “We cultivators must constantly remember to maintain our core self, not to be swayed by the Six Desires and Seven Passions. You indulged in your instinctive nature; this is a major taboo in cultivation. At a time like this, instead of reflecting on your own failings, you actually find justification to accuse your Master? Shifting everything onto my shoulders.”

Zong Shou was even more speechless, having no words for a rebuttal.

To speak of maintaining one’s core and subjugating the Six Desires and Seven Passions sounded reasonable enough, but the medicinal properties of the Profound Enlightenment Pill at that moment were simply too potent, exceeding his capacity to endure.

In truth, it wasn't entirely impossible to suppress it. He could have managed it in the end, but he was just a fraction too slow, letting the milk spill before the rice was cooked—

If he hadn't allowed for the release, suppressing that medicinal power deep within his body would only result in a more violent eruption later.

However, what Lin Xuanshuang said wasn't entirely wrong either.

Rendered silent, Zong Shou, after a moment, recalled something else and turned his head to ask, “Then why did Jingyin suddenly run over here for no apparent reason?”

Jingyin was startled by the question, then looked at Lin Xuanshuang with a dazed expression.

“I don’t know either. I just felt a strange impulse in my heart, as if someone was calling me, and then I arrived here—”

Zong Shou’s imposing aura surged again, fixing a cold stare upon Lin Xuanshuang.

There were only three powerful beings present here. Neither he nor Lu Wubing would engage in such a pointless act; that left Lin Xuanshuang, who was the most suspicious.

“Was it me?”

Lin Xuanshuang tapped her chin with a finger, then pressed her hands together in a gesture of apology, looking quite embarrassed. “Oh dear! I remember now. That day, I intended to give pointers to my disciple, and I was discussing Jingyin’s past life matters with her, but then something else came up, and I completely forgot about Jingyin’s situation. In that case, Master truly does bear responsibility. It’s my fault, please don't blame me, Jingyin!”

Jingyin, who had already begun weeping softly, sniffled and shook her head upon hearing this.

No matter how innocent she was, she now understood that she had been schemed against and taken advantage of by Zong Shou, her Master.

But seeing Lin Xuanshuang apologize so sincerely now, she couldn't bring herself to hate her.

In her entire life, apart from Lu Yantian, who loved consuming Primordial Fire Essence Marrow and caused her family’s ruin, she had never truly hated anyone, no matter how severely they had wronged her. Today was no different.

Lin Xuanshuang then wore an expression of guilt and shame. “It was all my fault... Even though you don’t blame me, Jingyin, my conscience still feels uneasy. I will punish myself with thirty years of confinement to reflect on my sins. If there is an opportunity in the future, I will certainly compensate you. And Zong Shou, you are my disciple. Since you committed such barbaric acts, you must take responsibility. You cannot leave the young lady without a place to settle.”

With that, without waiting for Zong Shou to speak, she straightened her face and left the quiet chamber.

Zong Shou stood stunned, thinking that his Master had simply dismissed the serious issue with a light touch and considered it resolved?

He then glared at Jingyin with frustration, feeling she was being entirely too weak-willed. He had been determined today to demand an explanation from Lin Xuanshuang, no matter what.

This little nun was truly disappointing.

As he stood there, unsure how to proceed, he heard Lu Wubing chuckle softly.

“I didn’t expect True Person Xuanshuang to be so adept at military strategy—”

Both Zong Shou and Jingyin looked toward him in surprise. Lu Wubing continued with a smile, “Meeting the Sovereign when his righteous energy is at its peak is avoiding the sharp edge. When the Sovereign’s spirit has nowhere to vent, it will naturally decline over time. This is a common tactic in battlefield engagements—”

Zong Shou’s eyebrows rose; it was true. When he first woke up yesterday, he had been furious enough to burst a lung. If he had seen Lin Xuanshuang then, he might have done anything reckless.

But today, Lin Xuanshuang had summoned him deliberately. After a night of careful contemplation, he had calmed down, precisely when his intense spirit had waned.

This was indeed a frequently used stratagem in warfare, often most effective against an army fighting out of desperation or one eager for battle—

So, had he fallen into Lin Xuanshuang’s scheme without realizing it?

“And today’s avoidance of the critical point goes without saying.”

Lu Wubing shook his head and let out an involuntary laugh. “In my estimation, in about three quarters of an hour, we will reach the vicinity of the Nine Deaths Prison…”

Zong Shou was dumbfounded. In other words, he still had to go beg this unreliable Master and shouldn't subject himself to this self-imposed suffering. That confinement sentence might as well be forgotten—

He couldn’t help but feel a wave of dejection. He had truly been toyed with by True Person Xuanshuang, held completely in the palm of her hand.

Yet, in the very next moment, Lu Wubing let out another light chuckle. “However, Sovereign, forgive my frankness. Who benefited the most today, who thoroughly cleaned up by consuming everyone else, was still you, correct? What is this charade today? Are you feigning innocence after gaining an advantage?”

Zong Shou’s breath caught again, and his anger completely dissipated. He realized Lu Wubing was right. One Profound Enlightenment Pill had allowed him to thoroughly comprehend the Source Character True Law, saving him a thousand years of arduous cultivation, and he had also gained a massive amount of pure Yin essence from a virgin.

For the immediate future, even before reaching the Saint Realm, he wouldn't need to worry about Yin-Yang balance again.

Currently, his body possessed an unprecedented level of Yin-Yang harmony. The benefits to him were indescribable.

Regardless of what means Lin Xuanshuang employed or what she was plotting, this time, it was his disciple who had profited the most.

He just felt a little guilty toward Jingyin.

Looking across at her, he saw Jingyin’s face flushed crimson as she offered him a slight bow.

“To serve the future Boundless Buddha with a pure body was always Jingyin’s deepest wish. The future Buddha need not concern himself with it.”

Having spoken, Jingyin seemed unable to remain seated any longer and rushed out the door.

Zong Shou let out a long sigh. After a moment of hesitation, he did not immediately give chase.

If this were any other time, pursuing her would be the obvious course of action. But at this juncture, he truly had no time for romantic trifles.

His thoughts fixed on the approaching Nine Deaths Prison, he suddenly clenched his hands tightly, his eyes flashing with fierce intent… Almost at the very same instant, in the Yuan Lian Realm, separated by an unknowable number of spatial layers.

Another Jingyin was weakly climbing off a bed.

Waves of pleasure still coursed through her entire body. Her delicate hand clutched the source stream between her legs, unwilling to let go. She felt intensely empty within her body, yet strangely fulfilled.

She stared blankly at the rumpled bedding before her, where some sticky, transparent fluid was scattered around.

The entire room was saturated with an intensely sensual atmosphere.

Yet, at this moment, Jingyin was entirely unaware of the reason why.