Chapter 10: Entering the Peak of Ruthlessness

After considering Li Shuang's wishes, this apprenticeship ceremony was, in truth, merely an announcement to the entire sect by Lin Qingling; she had no intention of inviting outsiders to witness it.

The only person to receive an invitation was Perfected Lingxu.

This was a specific request from Lin Qingling, prompting Luo Mingyue to make the trip.

"Hahahaha, so Sheng Yuan's face really did turn green? Good, good, good, I am satisfied with that." Listening to Luo Mingyue's feedback, Lin Qingling burst into laughter, completely disregarding her dignified image.

"It's a pity I didn't get to see Perfected Lingxu's expression with my own eyes; I imagine it must have been quite amusing." Luo Mingyue couldn't help but say, "When I went to deliver the invitation, the first thing Sheng Yuan said was: 'Is the Eldest Senior Sister here to beg for mercy?'"

"Beg for mercy? The people of Lingxu Peak are dreaming if they think that's happening." Lin Qingling rubbed her stomach, laughing uncontrollably.

Luo Mingyue said helplessly, "Master, watch your image, watch your image!"

Prompted by her eldest disciple, Lin Qingling suddenly snapped back to reality.

She sat up straight, cleared her throat, and looked at Li Shuang with a serious expression. "Xiao Shuang, just now..."

Li Shuang replied helplessly, "I didn't hear anything."

She had long heard that Peak Master Lin, despite being on the Emotionless Peak, was the most grounded in the mundane world.

To put it bluntly: she was the most boisterous and possessed the least amount of celestial aura!

Looking at her now, the rumors were not false in the slightest.

Li Shuang had been in a coma for three days and three nights. Upon waking, her meridians had already been repaired by the Supreme Oblivion Technique. Lin Qingling had been sitting by her bedside guarding her, staying for those same three days and nights.

Lin Qingling had asked her if she wanted to join the Emotionless Peak as her disciple. Li Shuang had agreed without much hesitation.

It wasn't just because of Lin Qingling's previous protection.

More importantly...

The inheritance of the Supreme Oblivion Technique was currently only preserved here on the Emotionless Peak; the other peaks had long since switched to practicing different secret methods.

Now that Li Shuang had entered the path of the Oblivion Technique, she had already felt the profound mysteries of this supreme cultivation method. Naturally, she intended to continue down this path.

Casting aside those attachments that would only lead to self-exhaustion, the path she intended to walk was the path to immortality.

Lin Qingling cleared her throat. "Xiao Shuang, you don't like crowds, and I don't like tedious formalities, so we will simplify this apprenticeship ceremony. You may just perform a simple bow."

Lin Qingling acted as if she were terrified that Li Shuang might run away.

Following the etiquette of joining a sect, Li Shuang performed the formal disciple's greeting with great sincerity.

Before she could even straighten her back after the ritual, Lin Qingling pulled her up.

She patted Li Shuang's shoulder. "I know that back on Lingxu Peak, there were many rules. But here, counting everyone up, there are hardly any people, and we don't really have many rules on a daily basis. Just act as comfortably as you like."

Li Shuang was somewhat unaccustomed to this change, but she nodded nonetheless.

Lin Qingling chuckled. "First, I'll take you to meet your senior brothers and sisters. Before you arrived, I had four disciples in total. My third disciple is currently away on a sect mission and hasn't returned. You can meet the other three first."

She pointed to Luo Mingyue. "This is your Eldest Senior Sister, Luo Mingyue. I won't say much about Mingyue; you should already know her."

Li Shuang felt a slight sense of helplessness.

Previously, she had been the Eldest Senior Sister of Lingxu Peak. Although she was younger, in terms of seniority, she was on the same level as Luo Mingyue.

Now, she had become the latest disciple to join the Emotionless Peak, and Luo Mingyue had become her senior sister.

However, this was a minor matter, and Li Shuang did not dwell on it. She called out, "Eldest Senior Sister."

Luo Mingyue's face instantly lit up with joy!

Hahaha!

Only those of their generation knew how dazzling Li Shuang had been back then.

The target she used to pursue had now become her Junior Sister.

Luo Mingyue beat her chest. "Don't worry, Junior Sister! From now on, no matter how big the problem is, just hide behind me! Anyone who wants to hurt you will have to step over my dead body!"

"Thank you, Eldest Senior Sister." As she kept calling her that, Li Shuang actually found herself getting used to it.

Lin Qingling nodded. "Go and call the two outside in."

Luo Mingyue complied and called the two people outside.

Lin Qingling introduced them one by one.

"This is your Second Senior Brother, Liu Juncheng. He is a boring and annoying person; try to avoid interacting with him as much as possible." Lin Qingling's voice was full of disdain.

Li Shuang froze for a moment. Did Master dislike this Second Senior Brother?

Before her thoughts could even settle, Liu Juncheng's rigid, methodical voice rang out: "Master, you are, after all, a Peak Master, and today is a major event of accepting a disciple. You should at least maintain proper decorum! Was that your manner when receiving the greeting just now—so casual and lax? If others were to see this, it would surely..."

Lin Qingling instantly covered her ears, then shot Li Shuang a look.

*See? Isn't he annoying!*

A hint of a smile flashed in Li Shuang's eyes as she observed this Second Senior Brother closely.

Liu Juncheng had a cold, stern countenance, looking like the aloof type, but the moment he spoke in that pedantic manner, he inexplicably gave off the vibe of a nagging mother.

"Hello, Second Senior Brother," Li Shuang said, unable to help but smooth things over after seeing how pitifully Lin Qingling was being lectured.

As soon as she spoke, Liu Juncheng immediately ceased his long-winded lecture. He looked at Li Shuang with a softened gaze. "Hello, Junior Sister."

He knew of Li Shuang.

She was the most rule-abiding Eldest Senior Sister of Lingxu Peak.

This was perfect.

Their Emotionless Peak finally had another reliable person.

Lin Qingling hurried to introduce the next person. "Your Fourth Senior Sister, Jiang Yi. Your Fourth Senior Sister is good at everything, except she is a bit introverted and timid. You'll get to know her as you spend time together."

Li Shuang looked at Jiang Yi.

This Fourth Senior Sister had a baby face and doe-like eyes, making her look as if she might be startled at any moment.

*I should be careful when interacting with Fourth Senior Sister,* Li Shuang reminded herself, then softened her voice. "Hello, Fourth Senior Sister."

Jiang Yi was indeed quite introverted; her body was tense, and she responded with a slight tremble, "Hello, Junior Sister."

"Alright, that's about everyone. Once your Third Senior Brother returns, I'll introduce you all properly." Lin Qingling had finally managed to sit up straight for a moment to speak, but her body was already beginning to slump back into the chair.

"Master!" Liu Juncheng's reminder arrived, albeit late!

Lin Qingling gave Liu Juncheng a helpless look.

She was supposed to be taking in a disciple.

How did she end up taking in an ancestor instead!

Lin Qingling forced herself to sit upright and said, "You all have heard about your Junior Sister's situation! There isn't a single decent person on Lingxu Peak; they bullied Xiao Shuang to such an extent. From now on, when you go out, you are not allowed to speak to anyone from Lingxu Peak."

Li Shuang was caught between laughter and tears.

This Master...

Was she really this willful?

"Not allowed to speak to people from Lingxu Peak"—it sounded like something only a child would say.

Her grievances with Lingxu Peak had already been settled; there was truly no need for such things.

Just as Li Shuang was about to say something, Liu Juncheng spoke up.

"Master, you are not young anymore. Why are you still speaking so childishly?"

Li Shuang breathed a sigh of relief.

It seemed that the one truly in charge of the Emotionless Peak was this Second Senior Brother. He was quite the level-headed one.

Liu Juncheng said calmly, "What impact can simply not speaking have on them? If we want to vent our anger for Junior Sister, we should naturally suppress them in every possible way, so they know the meaning of regret."

Li Shuang: "???"

This Second Senior Brother wasn't quite as steady as she had imagined.