Chapter 217 Law Enforcement Elder Guards the World (31)

The clouds drifted endlessly by, and Bai Tang’s gaze grew distant. Her voice, barely audible, whispered, “How could it not hurt? Master still has nerve endings. But after experiencing so much pain, so much that it was beyond counting, so much that it was unbearable, this pain truly is insignificant. I will endure it. I refuse to let them see my painful expression as they wish.”

She wasn’t born strong; she too had endured a long and desperate period of suffering.

Shen Zhuo was profoundly moved. His Master was really a good master—impartial, gentle, and resilient. She was different from those who spoke of virtue and righteousness in his previous life. Today’s events clearly could have been dealt with by him alone. Yet, it was his Master who took the blows, bore the wounds, and shed the blood, while he ultimately reaped the benefits.

After a long pause, Shen Zhuo finally voiced a question that had been on his mind. “Master, given all that you’ve done, in the end, were you still harmed and despised?”

Bai Tang answered earnestly, “Little disciple, I have always acted according to my heart. Remember this: always assess the situation and stop losses in time. I have a purpose when I act, but I never act with the expectation of gratitude or repayment. Once, I killed a malevolent demon in a village to save them. Yet, the villagers worshiped this demon as a deity and turned against me. I tried to explain, but they wouldn’t listen, so I left them to their own devices. I do what I believe is right, and if they choose to be grateful, that is their business. We should never have such expectations.”

Shen Zhuo reflected deeply on these words. In his previous life, he would have sought revenge by bringing a similar demon to the village, making them serve it, and then watching them regret their actions without intervening.

The Master was too kind, simply walking away.

Soon, they returned to the Divine Movement Sect. Bai Tang no longer concerned herself with anything related to Prince Shen’s Mansion. The place that had given Shen Zhuo endless darkness was left for him to understand on his own.

Back at the Divine Movement Sect, Shen Zhuo’s previously gloomy demeanor softened significantly. His daily training and study were earnest. He could cultivate both wood-type spiritual energy and demonic energy, and he chose to practice both his spiritual roots and innate bone grinding simultaneously.

In his previous life, as a demonic cultivator, he despised eating the flesh of immortal cultivators and had never done so himself. However, as a demonic cultivator, he was still universally reviled. Today, he openly practiced demonic energy in the very abyss where he had once fallen.

According to the sect’s rules, after reaching the Qi Refining stage, one could choose a weapon from the Sword Tomb. Zhong Jin, who had good luck, was chosen by a spirit sword left by a predecessor. Shen Zhuo, however, did not venture far into the tomb; he merely selected an inconspicuous sword from the edge and left.

After a period of cultivation, tasks were assigned, either individual or collective, which Shen Zhuo completed adequately.

Life at the Divine Movement Sect was quite satisfactory for Shen Zhuo. Perhaps due to not being tainted by blood in this lifetime, his heart was much more at peace. His wood-type spiritual energy cultivation was progressing well, and he would take time each day to channel spiritual energy into the weeping crabapples on Fanjing Peak, ensuring they always bloomed in soft pink and white.

After breaking through to the Nascent Soul stage, the sect would provide a training plan involving trials outside the sect. Shen Zhuo and Zhong Jin progressed rapidly, reaching the late stage of Nascent Soul, and the sect finally gave them their plan.

This trial would include disciples of other Elders who had also reached the Nascent Soul stage: Fang Xingyun, Su Wen, Kong Qing, Sheng Mingchu, and Sheng Tingfeng—a total of seven people.

Bai Tang had given all the necessary instructions and assignments. With her two disciples set for their trials, and the other demonic cultivation disciples’ training arranged, she decided to take some time to explore this world further.

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