Wen Li pulled out a small chalkboard and some chalk.
“Come on, come on, quiet down. Today, I’m going to teach you a method to enhance the power of your Divine Sense.”
At those words, everyone began to listen intently.
“What do ordinary cultivators rely on to increase their Divine Sense?” Wen Li asked seriously.
“Cultivation techniques specifically for Divine Sense,” Xie Tinglan replied.
“Controlling artifacts with the mind,” Yao Dai suggested.
Gu Linshu thought for a moment. “Using spirit cores to absorb spiritual energy and having Soul Formation cultivators assist in expanding the Sea of Consciousness.”
That was how his parents had helped him.
“...”
A silence fell over the room as everyone instinctively turned their heads to stare at him.
Wen Li thought to herself: “Boy, didn’t I tell you not to let them know you’re rich? Fine, they already know you have money, but they shouldn’t know you’re filthy rich!”
Xin Jiuxian asked curiously, “What’s a spirit core?”
She had heard of spirit stones, but never spirit cores.
Aside from Zongzheng Huangyue, the other disciples didn't know what spirit cores were either, though they understood the part about “Soul Formation cultivators helping to expand the Sea of Consciousness.”
Yao Dai’s hands were itching to rob him, but she knew it wasn't the time. “Fine, just stop talking.”
Xie Tinglan regretted not searching him for more treasures a few days ago.
Hua Cishu sat silently, his head slightly tilted and his gaze dark, looking at Gu Linshu as if he were a fat sheep ready for slaughter.
“Cough, alright, alright. You’ll find out what spirit cores are eventually, but you can’t get your hands on them yet.” Wen Li stepped in to smooth things over and bring the class back to order. “Right, the methods the three of you mentioned are all valid, however...”
“I know a shortcut.”
Everyone looked up.
“I have a self-created secret method. By killing people, extracting their souls, and refining their Divine Sense, you can strengthen your own. The more you kill, the more powerful your Divine Sense becomes. After hundreds of years of practical improvements, this method has absolutely no downsides—except that it’s easy to suffer a cultivation deviation.” Wen Li proudly handed out six small booklets to the group.
Gu Linshu was speechless. “...” How was that not a downside?!
It had been so long since he’d seen his master that he had almost forgotten what kind of person she was.
An orthodox cultivator would say, “I know a grand path.” An evil cultivator would say, “I know a shortcut.” It truly was a shortcut—simply taking what others already had. Master truly deserved her title as the leader of evil cultivators!
The other five calmly opened their booklets and studied the notes on killing, soul extraction, and methods for plundering Divine Sense. They didn’t seem to care at all about Wen Li’s warning regarding cultivation deviation. After all...
Their current behavior was already demonic. If a demon suffered a cultivation deviation, they would probably just become more powerful. It would likely be beneficial for them.
They were looking forward to it.
After Wen Li finished explaining the precautions in the booklet, she felt the flying boat descending as it approached the city gates of the Qisu Kingdom. She gave the six of them a final instruction.
“Once we arrive in the Qisu Kingdom, keep a low profile. Use disguises and voice-changing techniques as needed, and make sure your fake names are ready. If any trouble happens, run immediately. Don’t turn back to look for me, because I’ll have run off before you anyway. If we get separated, wait until it’s safe to contact me through the communication devices. Don’t bring a pile of trouble back to me, or I’ll skin you alive.”
“As I said before, don’t count on my cultivation. I’m just a Foundation Establishment cultivator. If you get beaten to death, I’ll just find a new disciple. If someone hits you, hit back. If you can’t win, run. If you’re trash, practice more. Understood?”
The six of them sighed helplessly. “Understood.”
They had already experienced Master’s talent for fleeing. They didn’t expect her to save them in a moment of danger; it would be a blessing if she didn’t throw them back to act as human shields.
The seven of them began to get busy, preparing Disguise Pills and Voice-Changing Pills.
Xin Jiuxian watched curiously as Yao Dai stuffed specially-made pills into the seams of her custom-designed clothes. “What are those?”
“Estrus Pills, Sterilization Pills, Frenzy Powder, Itching Powder, and Diarrhea Pills. Oh, wait, I forgot—I haven't packed my poisons yet. You never know when you might need them in a pinch.”
Xin Jiuxian’s pale, weak-looking face remained calm. “Give me some.”
“...” Yao Dai considered it, thinking of how Xin Jiuxian had shared pills with her last time—even if they were poison. But no, business was business.
“You have to trade me something for them.”
Xin Jiuxian frowned. “I gave you pills last time.”
“That was then, this is now. This is extra.” Yao Dai had gotten those through her own efforts; why should she count that as a favor?
Xin Jiuxian was speechless. After a moment’s thought, she simply pulled something out of her storage bag and offered it with a domineering tone.
“I’ll trade this for them.”
Gu Linshu, standing nearby, happened to glance over and froze. He whispered, “...T-T-That’s... isn't that my Phantom Mirror?”
Though his voice was low, everyone present had excellent hearing.
The other two robbery accomplices silently turned their heads away. Xin Jiuxian, however, looked at him righteously with an expressionless face.
“What do you mean 'yours'? This is mine. Master said that if you snatch it, it’s yours.”
Her simple, frail appearance combined with her deadpan delivery perfectly matched Wen Li’s bandit-like style.
Wen Li’s eyes widened. “...” Hey, why was this silly girl selling her out now? What a great disciple!
Feeling Gu Linshu’s gaze, Wen Li also turned away and pretended she didn't see anything. No, I never said that. I don’t know anything, don’t ask me. If you want it back, snatch it yourself.
“Since Junior Sister said so... then it’s indeed yours now.” Seeing the situation, Gu Linshu sighed. He didn't actually want it back; he had truly been too careless and underestimated his opponents. Who would have thought they would attack him even after he revealed his identity?
He would just consider it the cost of a lesson. However, the gifts he had originally intended for five people had now been split between the three of them. He would have to find another day to give gifts to Old Four and Old Five.
Hearing him say that, Xin Jiuxian calmly accepted it. “Yes.”
She held the Phantom Mirror and asked Yao Dai, “Will you trade or not?”
Yao Dai looked down at the Phantom Mirror. It was a High-Grade magical artifact, but...
“How do you use this?” She couldn't trade for it without even knowing its function.
Good question. Xin Jiuxian turned to look at Gu Linshu and asked like a human bot, “How do you use this?”
“...”
Stealing someone’s stuff and then asking them how to use it... what a piece of work.
Xie Tinglan and Yao Dai couldn't bear to look. Zongzheng Huangyue suppressed a light laugh, while Hua Cishu rolled his eyes. And she thought she could deal with him?
Well, they might not all agree on who the smartest among the six was, but they all knew who the dim-witted one was now.
Wen Li also felt a headache coming on. Xin Feiliu had focused so much on teaching Old Six how to fight and curse, but why hadn't she taught the girl how to use her brain? She looked at Zongzheng Huangyue and sent a mental transmission.
“Share some of your brain with her.”
Zongzheng Huangyue knew her master was telling her to guide her junior sister. She nodded silently without a word.
Gu Linshu hadn't expected his junior sister to have this kind of personality. He opened his mouth, but in the end, he helplessly stepped forward to teach her how to use it step-by-step.
Once she learned, Xin Jiuxian said, “Okay.” She immediately turned back to continue her transaction with Yao Dai, asking for the third time, “Will you trade or not?”
Her social processing speed was truly far too slow, just like an NPC.
Gu Linshu’s head throbbed. “...”
He looked toward Wen Li and pointed to his head while looking at Xin Jiuxian, genuinely worried if Master had checked for any mental disabilities in his junior sister.
Seeing that he was asking sincerely and not mocking her intelligence, Wen Li had no choice but to tell him about Xin Jiuxian’s background—how she had been nurtured within the Yulan Floating Light Zither for over a decade and had never met a fifth person.
After hearing this, Gu Linshu’s gaze turned sympathetic. It turned out his junior sister had such a tragic past.
Xin Jiuxian was happily trading for poisons with Yao Dai. When she turned and saw the look in his eyes, she didn't like it at all. She frowned irritably.
“What are you looking at? Look again and I’ll beat you up.”
“...”
Gu Linshu turned his head away, his sympathy instantly vanishing. Insane. They’re all insane!
Rate on N.U.
