Boom!
Thunder exploded across the sky as brilliant lightning illuminated a grim and solemn scene—countless disciples knelt in rows before Little Bamboo Peak of the Supreme Profound Sect.
Little Bamboo Peak, one of the eight peaks of the Supreme Profound Sect.
The disciples knelt in reverence, heads bowed, and each pulled out a dagger.
They all faced a breathtakingly beautiful woman in a drenched green robe, her face pale as snow.
She was the Peak Master of Little Bamboo Peak, Su Wanqing.
One disciple said, “Master, this is the last time we will call you that.”
“You are no longer qualified to teach us.”
Though the voice was firm and loud, every word pierced Su Wanqing’s heart like a blade.
She looked at the many disciples she had trained for years, her eyes filled with sorrow, despair, and bitter reluctance.
A choking pressure welled in her chest, making it difficult to breathe.
Beside the kneeling disciples stood a few powerful Elders, hands behind their backs, faces expressionless. Even the rain dared not touch their robes—each drop swerved away before falling.
One of the Elders said, “Su Wanqing, your cultivation is lost.”
“The Sect already gave you a month, but you’ve shown no progress on the path of restoration.”
“The Heavenly Tribulation for entering the Saint Realm—if you fail, you die and vanish from the path. You survived by luck, but I told you back then, surviving is already a blessing! And now you want to cultivate again?”
“The deadline has passed. The disciples you once took in are no longer yours to teach.”
From among the kneeling disciples, a woman stood up and cupped her fists respectfully. She was Su Wanqing’s first disciple.
She said, “Master, the cultivation world has always respected strength above all. Back then, we admired you as the most talented Sword Cultivator in the Northern Region and willingly joined the Sect.”
“But now that you’ve lost your cultivation, we fear you can no longer guide us. Sect Master has acknowledged your past contributions and is willing to let you retain your position as Peak Master of Little Bamboo Peak and care for you in your remaining years.”
“But we are still young. The Sect has high hopes for us. We must keep rising.”
“Following Sect Master’s directive, we now switch to new masters. We are sorry, Master, and we beg your forgiveness.”
The other disciples also spoke up.
“Master, we are sorry. Please forgive us.”
Several Elders smiled faintly.
One Elder said, “These talented disciples are no longer yours to teach. Do not let your stubbornness ruin our Sect’s future.”
“Su Wanqing, if you agree today, we can all part on good terms. If not…”
“Hmph.”
Under the gazes of the crowd, Su Wanqing trembled all over. Her face had lost all color.
Were those streaks on her cheeks raindrops or tears?
Years of guidance, and now every disciple was leaving her. Only one of them had cared about her condition.
But this was the truth—as they said, in the cultivation world, strength ruled all.
She had once been the most gifted Sword Cultivator in the Northern Region.
At a young age, she had reached the peak of the sixth realm and was about to Breakthrough to the Saint Realm.
If she succeeded, she would have become the fastest Saint in history and the second Saint in the Supreme Profound Sect after the Sect Master.
Maybe it was her desire for speed that destabilized her Dao Heart, and she lost her balance in cultivation.
Her breakthrough failed, and she suffered severe injuries.
When the Sect discovered this, they gave her many pills, hoping she could restore her cultivation.
But seven days passed without any improvement.
To a Sect, resources were life. The Sect Master gave her one month, considering her survival after failing the tribulation a miracle.
But miracles don’t repeat. Surviving was already divine grace—rebuilding her cultivation? Impossible.
So now, could she blame the Sect?
She whispered, “It’s come to this… how could I even stop you?”
In the crowd, a young man looked at the devastated Su Wanqing, expression complicated.
Chu Ning took a deep breath.
Eighteen years ago, she had taken him in. Since then, he had lived on Little Bamboo Peak, under her care.
But his aptitude was poor. Even now, he was only at the 3rd stage of the Body Tempering Realm.
In cultivation, aptitude was everything.
Around him were disciples in the 3rd and 4th realms, and Elders at even higher levels.
What could he possibly do?
But the truth was obvious—this wasn’t the Sect Master’s order. These disciples already saw no use in staying and chose to leave.
Chu Ning let out a long sigh.
Humans aren’t grass or trees. How can they be without emotion? But these people had hearts colder than ice.
Was this what all cultivators became? So heartless that they couldn’t spare even a word?
He couldn’t hold back anymore.
He said, “Fellow Disciples, has Master not guided you all with devotion for years? And now you speak of some ‘righteous cause’ to abandon her? That is heartless…”
“Besides, Elders, you know well that Master contributed greatly to the Sect. Without her, would we be one of the top seven sects in the Human Domain?”
“To treat her like this now… isn’t it shameful?”
Though Chu Ning was weak—only at the 3rd stage Body Tempering Realm—he had to speak.
He wanted to curse all of them—disciples and Elders alike—for their coldness. But without strength, he could only say one just word for Su Wanqing.
An Elder sneered, “Chu Ning, you’re just a useless trash. Do you think you’re in any position to speak?”
“After eighteen years, you’ve only reached the 3rd stage of Body Tempering. You dare act arrogant before us?”
“But what you say isn’t entirely wrong. The Sect is still keeping her as Peak Master and offering her support in her later years. Isn’t that enough?”
Then his voice turned sharp.
“Speak again, and you’ll be expelled from the Supreme Profound Sect. With your aptitude, you don’t deserve to stay here.”
Until now, they had tolerated Chu Ning out of respect for Su Wanqing. But if they chose to act, no one could stop them.
Chu Ning’s eyes trembled as he clenched his fists.
As that Elder said, the weak don’t even get to speak.
One disciple stood up, dagger in hand, and cut his sleeve and robe.
“Today, I sever all ties with Master. From now on, we are strangers.”
Su Wanqing, whose Dao Heart had already crumbled, felt deep bitterness.
She asked, “Qingyue, you were my first disciple. Do you really have nothing else to say?”
The woman bowed, “Elder Su, I am now under the Sect Master’s tutelage.”
Su Wanqing had expected it. She turned to another.
“Miaoyin, I’ve always cared most for you. You…”
“Elder Su, we’ve severed ties. We are no longer related.”
Pain. Heartbreak. Suffocation.
She was on the verge of collapse as she watched her disciples—those she had taught for years—leave one by one.
The Elders who received her disciples were smiling now.
One of them laughed, “Haha! Thank you, Elder Su, for your years of guidance. I’ve picked up a real gem!”
“Don’t worry, under my tutelage, they’ll do far better than staying on Little Bamboo Peak!”
Gradually, everyone left.
Only Chu Ning remained. With his poor aptitude, no one wanted him, and no one wanted to carry another burden like Su Wanqing.
Su Wanqing stood there dazed, eyes empty.
Her cultivation was gone. Her disciples were gone. Everything had crumbled.
She had ruined it all.
But without this collapse, how could she have seen her Sect for what it truly was?
Chu Ning stepped forward, cupped his hands, and said, “Master, please return indoors. Staying in the rain may harm your health.”
Su Wanqing no longer had the will to care.
What was another injury compared to what she’d already lost?
She looked at her only remaining disciple, eyes filled with complicated emotion.
If Chu Ning had better aptitude, he wouldn’t have stayed either.
She gave a bitter smile and took out a storage pouch.
“There are some spirit stones and sword techniques in here. Chu Ning, go find a new path.”
She knew—without cultivation, she had no right to be a teacher anymore.
That’s just how the cultivation world was.
But she hadn’t expected her disciples to leave without even a word of comfort.
They spoke of duty to the Sect. Who cared about her feelings?
Even a single word of comfort would have meant something. But she understood her situation.
As for Chu Ning, she had found him as a baby abandoned beyond the Sect during her travels. She brought him back and raised him.
She hadn’t been a parent, but she ensured he was fed and warm, and taught him cultivation.
Though his aptitude gave her headaches, she never abandoned him.
She wanted to give him a different path now.
As for herself, maybe she no longer had a reason to live…
“Go. Find a better path.”
“Even if cultivation is hopeless, these resources can help you live a decent life.”
Chu Ning shook his head, took a deep breath, and bowed deeply.
“Master, you took me in and saved me from the jaws of beasts. I will never forget your kindness. I only wish to stay by your side!”
“If my path to cultivation is blocked, then I’ll spend the rest of my life serving you—to repay your care and teaching.”
To Chu Ning, her kindness meant everything.
He had transmigrated. He understood things more deeply. He didn’t think like the people of this world.
If one’s parents grow old and useless, should they be abandoned?
If one’s Master loses her cultivation and brings no benefit, should she be cast aside?
No. Not for him. He wouldn’t leave Su Wanqing alone.
Hearing his words, warmth flowed through Su Wanqing’s bitter heart. But her smile was still tinged with sorrow.
She said, “Chu Ning, if I can’t even protect Little Bamboo Peak, staying with me will do your path no good.”
Chu Ning didn’t hesitate, “Master’s kindness is unforgettable. I wish only to remain with you—through wealth or poverty.”
At those words, Su Wanqing couldn’t hold back anymore. She rushed forward and tightly embraced her only remaining disciple.
In her darkest hour, the others asked only when her cultivation would return. They only wanted to know what she could still offer.
Only Chu Ning had said she would recover and not to lose heart. He had cheered her on.
Now, he was the only one who stayed—with the worst aptitude of them all.
How could that not touch her heart?
Chu Ning was stunned, but then said, “Master, as they say—when the heavens close one door, they open another. If you survived, there is still hope.”
“You will regain your strength and rise again. As for those disciples—they never had the fortune to follow you.”
Su Wanqing’s heart trembled.
He was right—there’s always a way!
Cultivators defy the heavens. If she was still alive, some blessing must remain.
She had no reason to sink into despair—or worse, consider ending her life.
She took a deep breath. Until now, she hadn’t cried. But at that moment, her eyes turned red.
She said, “Good. Chu Ning, I understand now.”
“Don’t worry. I will do everything I can to reclaim my cultivation. I won’t let us fall so low as to be scorned like stray dogs!”
“I will make those Elders witness my rise again!”
Chu Ning smiled gently and said, “I believe in you, Master.”
“Thirty years east of the river, thirty years west—don’t bully a poor girl!”
Hearing that, Su Wanqing couldn’t help but let out a bitter laugh. “Who are you calling a girl…”
Chu Ning was about to respond when suddenly—Ding!
[Host has comforted his despairing wife and soothed her suicidal thoughts. Contribution Value +1,000.]
[Wife-Pampering System Activated.]
[Pampering your wife earns contribution value. Contribution value can be exchanged for various items. Host, go crazy pampering your wife—love her for ten thousand years!]
Chu Ning froze.
Another clap of thunder rumbled overhead.
Was it an illusion?
No—it was real.
And before his eyes, a system panel appeared…
….
[Author’s Note: Realm Stages—Body Tempering (9 stages), Spiritual Awakening, Refined Insight, Destiny Comprehension, Heaven Ascent, Abyssal Enlightenment, Clarity Comprehension, Void Break, Limitless, Celestial Manifestation. Clear stage divisions, no confusion—fully marked throughout the novel. Read with ease!]