Chapter 23: The Dawn of Truth

With just a few words, Qian Lin was pushed to the brink of an explosion.

As Lu Ling raised her arm, ready to engage in battle, a gentle and graceful voice drifted over from a distance, extinguishing the sparks of conflict.

"Ah Lin, as a senior sister, you should lead by example."

At this sudden intrusion, everyone turned their gaze toward the source.

The speaker wore an exquisite pink dress adorned with highly expensive pendants. A top-tier storage bag hung from her waist, and even the two thin bracelets on her wrists were magical artifacts.

Song Junyu’s eyes darkened significantly.

Isn’t this that woman, Shu'er?

She recalled seeing her behind Master Baoluo when the assessment began; why was she here now?

Sheng Shu'er walked over slowly, her soft, beautiful face filled with disapproval.

"I heard from afar that you had captured someone. Who exactly have you seized?"

Qian Lin was quite surprised to see Sheng Shu'er, but she was too preoccupied to dwell on it. Under the scrutiny of the woman before her, she felt a sudden rush of panic.

Her recent success was entirely due to the support of Senior Sister Sheng. If this person were to become dissatisfied with her, how would she fare in the days to come?

She immediately put on a submissive expression, bowing her head with a look of grievance.

"Senior Sister, how would I dare to capture anyone? I was merely being framed. This Fatty Dong... he didn't even let me speak before he started acting bossy and arrogant."

"I intended to communicate with him properly, but then these two junior sisters became incredibly aggressive."

Lu Ling had long witnessed this woman’s shameless conduct, but she never expected such a talent for twisting the truth.

She was infuriated and about to lash out, but someone was faster than her.

"What kind of nonsense are you spouting?"

"To pass off lies as truth—aren't you afraid of being struck by lightning? Tell me, Senior Sister Qian, have you ever considered why you haven't made any progress in your cultivation for so many years?"

"It’s likely because your habit of sowing discord has squandered all your good fortune!"

Wang Xinglong stood with his hands on his hips, his tirade so impassioned that spit flew from his mouth. His face grew flushed with the effort.

Seeing this scene, Sheng Shu'er felt a surge of annoyance. What was going on? Had these minor disciples not seen her before the assessment began? Why did they dare to be so insolent in her presence?

She was displeased, but she masked her emotions perfectly.

"If you continue to act this way, I will have no choice but to disregard our shared ties and have you sent to the Hall of Discipline for punishment."

Her tone was slightly stern, and the posture she struck was every bit that of a senior sister.

Upon hearing this, Qian Lin instantly halted her urge to retaliate. Even Wang Xinglong quieted down and glanced in Sheng Shu'er’s direction. Although he had some connections, he didn't want to burn them just to get himself out of the Hall of Discipline.

Seeing both of them settle down and noting the wary looks in their eyes, Sheng Shu'er felt her vanity satisfied once more.

"You must understand the rules of the assessment. It is meant to be a peaceful martial exchange, and seizing identity jades requires wisdom."

"Do not worry for now; I will not report you for demerits. I simply do not wish to see you harming one another."

After her speech, the younger disciples were moved. This senior sister was truly beautiful and kind-hearted!

Qian Lin felt a sense of security return. Knowing she had a powerful patron by her side, she looked over with a provocative smirk.

"Junior brother, since Senior Sister Sheng is here today, I will not hold this against you."

"Senior Sister Qian."

"We have no intention of arguing with you, but you seem to have forgotten one thing. The disciple you captured—you haven't released her yet, have you?"

Lu Ling’s gaze was cold as she posed the question.

Sheng Shu'er looked over, looking rather puzzled. "Who exactly was captured?"

"...Senior Sister, it's not a capture, just a temporary arrangement. Her name is Li Zhaodi."

Sheng Shu'er frowned slightly. "Why would you do such a thing?"

In front of everyone, Qian Lin clearly found it difficult to explain. But with the pressure of the moment, she stammered for a long time before finally biting the bullet.

"I didn't mean to capture her! It's just that I feel as though whenever she is with me, I can find treasures in this assessment zone."

"She wasn't very willing to listen to me, so I had to... tie her up for a while."

"Senior Sister’s words are laughable. She is a human being, not an inanimate object to be used for treasure hunting."

A calm voice cut through the back-and-forth.

Song Junyu slowly raised her eyes to meet Sheng Shu'er’s gaze.

"Since Senior Sister Sheng is here, why not preside over this for us and release Li Zhaodi?"

From the moment Song Junyu first saw Sheng Shu'er, she felt an inexplicable, profound discomfort. An instinctive sense of aversion welled up within her.

She did not believe that Sheng Shu'er was truly a kind person. If she were, she wouldn't be clinging so tightly to her master in front of everyone, regardless of propriety.

Everything she was doing now was merely an act.

Sheng Shu'er, however, assumed Song Junyu was flattering her. She felt quite smug, her smile becoming even gentler. "Naturally. Ah Lin, why haven't you released her yet?"

Qian Lin, though seething with suppressed rage, had no choice but to wave her hand. Her subordinates went away for a moment and finally brought Li Zhaodi out.

The moment Song Junyu saw her, her eyes turned as cold as frost.

Li Zhaodi’s body was covered in bruises, and there was hardly an unblemished patch of skin on her face. She wasn't bound by ropes, but by sharp, thorny vines that had dug into her thin vest.

"Senior Sister Qian, such grand authority you wield."

"Do you treat your fellow disciples like slaves in the assessment zone?"

The cold, piercing voice cut like a blade, cornering Qian Lin. The latter shivered upon meeting Song Junyu’s gaze. Such a terrifying look.

She turned to Sheng Shu'er, her eyes filled with tearful complaints.

"Senior Sister Sheng, I’ve already returned her! Look at how they continue to bully me!"

Sheng Shu'er, unable to truly abandon her lackey, let out a performative sigh.

"You, you really must not do this next time."

Having said that, Sheng Shu'er turned back and said softly, "Junior sister, I’m sure it was just an unintentional mistake. There is no need for such confrontation. Ah Lin’s heart is not bad; she knows how to correct her errors. Please, forgive her this once."

Hearing this, Song Junyu couldn't think of a more fitting description than "white lotus." She lowered her eyes and let out a light, mocking laugh. "I wonder who Senior Sister studied under to possess such broad-mindedness."

Sheng Shu'er, thinking it was a compliment, answered with satisfaction: "My master... is the Master of Baoluo Peak."

Song Junyu’s voice grew even colder. "Oh? I have never seen you before, Senior Sister."

Sheng Shu'er chuckled. "I have been by my master’s side for a very long time, but I was in poor health for many years. My master and my senior brother tried many methods..."

"Fortunately, their efforts were not in vain. I finally recovered three years ago."

The words fell, and Song Junyu felt as though she had been struck by a thunderbolt.

Three years ago.

When was that?

It was the time when she, no longer needed for blood-tempering, was finally cast aside.

So, the truth was—