A chilling spiritual energy surged from Zhao Ruorui, causing the immortal attendant’s expression to change abruptly. “Master Zhao! You mustn’t do this!”  

The icy aura condensed into the form of a dragon, rushing straight toward Shen Qixi’s face.  

Zhao Ruorui watched coldly.  

He had held back much of his power in this strike—it wouldn’t be fatal.  

Disciples within the sect often sparred and tested their skills against one another, but for a mortal, this was unthinkable.  

He wanted this mortal to understand: she was utterly unworthy!  

Yet, the moment the frigid spiritual energy was about to touch Shen Qixi, it was instantly obliterated by a golden radiance.  

Instead, Zhao Ruorui was struck by the rebounding golden spiritual energy. He staggered backward, his chest heaving as he stared at Shen Qixi in shock.  

That golden spiritual energy belonged to his master, Rong Xueci—had his master arrived?!  

A mix of joy and guilt surged in Zhao Ruorui’s heart.  

However, when he glanced around, he saw no sign of Rong Xueci.  

“It’s a protective charm on you?” Zhao Ruorui realized.  

Sweat beaded on Shen Qixi’s temples as she replied, “That’s right.”  

Ever since entering the world of cultivation, she had been under Rong Xueci’s protection.  

This was actually the first time she had faced a direct magical confrontation.  

That icy spiritual energy carried a deadly threat—her legs trembled, too weak to move.  

Shen Qixi clenched her fingers inside her sleeves.  

Rong Xueci had sheltered her too well.  

She had no ability to handle danger on her own.  

The immortal attendant let out a relieved sigh and urged, “Master Zhao, let’s stop here.”  

The attendant of Elder Kongling was no ordinary disciple.  

Having achieved his goal, Zhao Ruorui didn’t press further.  

“Master treats his wife exceedingly well,” Zhao Ruorui said coldly, withdrawing his spiritual energy. “But for a woman like you, who relies entirely on him, do you truly believe it’s right for you to be with him?”  

Was this really the kind of person—someone so powerless—that Rong Xueci loved?  

A pang of pain shot through Shen Qixi’s heart. She looked at Zhao Ruorui and said, “A junior should not interfere in the affairs of their elders.”  

Zhao Ruorui murmured, “A teacher for a day is a father for life.”  

He couldn’t bear to see Rong Xueci burdened by her.  

Shen Qixi thought that in the eyes of Rong Xueci’s adoring disciples, she was nothing but a leech, undeservingly enjoying his protection.  

Moreover, as Rong Xueci’s disciple, Zhao Ruorui must have spent much time with him.  

Did Rong Xueci know about these words, these beliefs of his?  

When Rong Xueci turned his back on her, what did he truly think of her? Was he really as selfless and unwavering as he seemed…?  

“Ah, are you alright?” the attendant asked.  

Shen Qixi snapped out of her thoughts and replied, “I’m fine.”  

“Master Zhao is usually quite mild-tempered. This time, he came to serve as the leader, protecting the sect’s disciples entering the secret realm,” the attendant explained carefully. “Magical duels are common among cultivators—it’s never truly about killing.”  

Would the immortal master’s mortal wife be too fragile?  

If Master Zhao’s actions had terrified her, it would be troublesome.  

“I understand,” Shen Qixi nodded.  

Seeing that she didn’t seem overly shaken, the attendant relaxed. “Though representatives from each sect will gather later to discuss matters, the decision to open the secret realm has already been made—it will definitely open. The meeting is just a formality. All you need to do is wait. Once it’s over, you can return to the sect.”  

Soon after, representatives from each sect gathered to cast their votes.  

The attendant handed Shen Qixi a stone.  

To vote in favor, she needed to channel spiritual energy into it.  

Shen Qixi mustered her meager spiritual energy with great effort, barely managing to infuse it into the stone.  

The other representatives casually tossed their stones forward.  

Struggling, Shen Qixi watched as the stone in her hand, now infused with energy, transformed into a red glass orb, merging with the others.  

The stone turning into a glass orb signified approval.  

“Well, aside from the Wuyue Sect opposing, all other sects are in agreement.”  

“The Floating Life Scroll Secret Realm will open this time.”  

As soon as the one tallying the votes announced the result, someone asked in confusion, “Who objected?”  

“Hmph, who knows?”  

“It’s the Wuyue Sect causing trouble again, no doubt.”  

“Just trying to draw attention to themselves,” someone sneered. “Not at all befitting a righteous sect.”  

A soft, melodious voice chimed in, “Hehe, little friend, we merely stand by our beliefs.”  

“Without the Immortal Venerable present, what if something goes wrong with the secret realm? Wouldn’t that be a disaster? Don’t you agree?”  

“Elder Huaying worries too much. The Floating Life Scroll Secret Realm opens once every ten years—it’s a long-standing tradition. There’s never been an issue before, and it’s merely a training realm,” the representative from the Moxue Sect said placatingly.

Elder Huaying swayed her fan, her eyes shimmering as she hid the lower half of her face behind it, her crescent-moon eyes smiling in silence.  

A delicate fragrance wafted from her as she cooed, “You’re quite right.”  

The representative from Moxue Sect paled slightly—that scent was meant to bewitch the mind.  

He quickly held his breath, fearing Elder Huaying might ensnare him.  

Elder Huaying’s curved eyes swept the room as if searching for suitable prey.  

Moments later, she stopped before Shen Qixi.  

“There’s no need to engage too much with Elder Huaying,” the immortal attendant warned, tense as if facing a great enemy.  

“Ah, such fear wounds me,” Elder Huaying pouted.  

The ghostly fragrance around her intensified.  

The attendant beside Shen Qixi accidentally inhaled it, his expression turning dazed.  

Elder Huaying turned her gaze to Shen Qixi.  

Shen Qixi met her eyes with clear curiosity, studying her.  

She… wasn’t affected at all.  

A flicker of surprise passed through Elder Huaying’s heart.  

Was it because the Immortal Venerable’s wife was a mortal?  

No—if she were a mortal, she should have been even more susceptible to her bewitching power.  

Interest gleamed in Elder Huaying’s enchanting eyes.  

“Fellow Daoist Shen, is it?” she asked sweetly.  

“Elder Huaying, what do you need?” Shen Qixi replied cautiously.  

An elder of a sect wielded immense power—someone she couldn’t afford to provoke.  

Elder Huaying laughed delightedly at her words.  

Shen Qixi was puzzled, unsure why the elder seemed so amiable.  

Seeing the girl’s clear, untarnished gaze, Elder Huaying only smiled wider.  

As Rong Xueci’s wife, Shen Qixi could have dismissed her outright, just as the attendant had.  

A mortal untouched by the ways of the cultivation world—how refreshing.  

“Fellow Daoist Shen, I’d like to ask you a question,” Elder Huaying said with playful curiosity.  

Shen Qixi tensed.  

“Don’t be nervous. I merely wish to know… how did you bewitch the Immortal Venerable?”  

Shen Qixi’s lashes trembled slightly.  

“To be precise, what method did you, a mortal, use to make him fall for you?”  

“Everyone in Wuyue Sect is *so* curious.”  

Wuyue Sect specialized in enchantment and manipulation—twisting hearts was their craft.  

Shen Qixi didn’t answer.  

Elder Huaying fluttered her fan, smiling warmly. “Of course, perhaps that’s a secret you cannot share.”  

“However, if you ever tire of Beichen Sect, you’re welcome to join us at Wuyue.”  

“Elder Huaying, the secret realm is about to open. Please make your preparations.” A cold, youthful voice cut in.  

Activating the Floating Life Scroll required several powerful cultivators to jointly initiate the formation.  

Elder Huaying’s gaze slid over Zhao Ruorui, her smile unshaken. “The Immortal Venerable’s little disciple, must you be so stern?”  

A barrier of spiritual energy flickered around Zhao Ruorui, blocking her seductive fragrance.  

For someone so young to manipulate spiritual energy so precisely—no wonder Rong Xueci had taken him as a disciple.  

Elder Huaying shrugged.  

“…”  

“Shiniang, do not associate with Wuyue Sect in any way,” Zhao Ruorui said sternly, eyeing Shen Qixi with disapproval.  

“Of course I won’t,” Shen Qixi replied, meeting his gaze. “Why would you assume otherwise?”  

Zhao Ruorui fell silent.  

“Once the meeting ends, Shiniang should return with the attendant immediately.”  

Rong Xueci’s disciple clearly had no desire to spend time with her—only to ensure she didn’t embarrass his master further.  

She didn’t belong here.  

Perhaps Rong Xueci had kept her isolated precisely because he foresaw this.  

Still, even without Zhao Ruorui’s warning, she had no intention of lingering. After the meeting, the cultivators’ activities would become private matters. With intricate rivalries between sects—even among righteous elders—some were best avoided.  

The representatives channeled their spiritual energy, activating the formation.  

“Floating Life Scroll Secret Realm—open!”  

“Disciples participating in the trial, enter in an orderly manner.”  

Just as the disciples began moving, the formations atop Kunshi Cliff lit up one after another. Strange runes flickered across the towering stone pillars, the ground trembled, and a blinding white light flashed.  

“What’s happening?!”  

In an instant, Kunshi Cliff stood empty.  

…

Inside the secret realm.

The attendant crashed to the ground, dazed, before realizing what had happened.  

No!  

The secret realm had malfunctioned—sucking everyone present inside.  

Which meant… the Immortal Venerable’s wife was here too.  

A mere mortal, how could she possibly survive in a secret realm?  

This was bad.