The Cold and Aloof Palace Master's Daily Demon-Slaying Life

Chapter 105 Throughout my life, Jiang Caiwei has never been inferior to anyone.

"Everyone thinks that the Jiang family's power in Taihua is because you became the sect leader. But they are wrong, terribly wrong." A faint, slightly sarcastic smile flickered across Master Bibo's lips. "It is because I, Jiang Caiwei, am here that you were able to become the sect leader, and that the Jiang family has achieved its current status!"

"Once my lifespan is exhausted and I pass away peacefully—ha, do you believe it or not, those elders and clan leaders who are now so respectful to you will turn around and pounce on you, devouring the entire Jiang family! At that time, your position as sect leader will be nothing more than a death warrant that will hasten the Jiang family's demise!"

Jiang Shaoling felt as if he had been struck by lightning, and a layer of cold sweat instantly seeped out from his back.

Yes—power!

He had gradually forgotten the most fundamental ironclad rule of the cultivation world while he was in the labyrinth of power!

The reason he was able to coordinate with all parties, enforce orders, and command respect was primarily due to the deterrent effect of the sect's laws and regulations, but also because he was a cultivator at the peak of the late Purple Mansion stage and the only son of Bibo Zhenren, one of the ten elders! Without the support of these powers, the position of sect leader would be nothing more than a castle in the air.

"Mother—your lifespan—could it be—?"

Jiang Shaoling's voice was hoarse.

My mother is over nine hundred and fifty years old. To this day, she has been stuck at the Great Perfection of the Purple Mansion for nearly three hundred years, still unable to obtain that trace of immortal [Golden Nature], and seeing no possibility whatsoever that the True Lord of the [Kan Fruit Position] above her will pass away and abdicate.

Her time is indeed running out.

"I still have over two hundred years of lifespan left," said Master Bibo casually, as if discussing someone else's affairs. "At most, I will pass away in two hundred and fifty years. At that time, the Jiang family will only be able to rely on you, their ancestor. If you are still stuck in the late stage of the Purple Mansion realm, obsessed with the power of the sect leader, and unable to break through to the Great Perfection—what will the Jiang family's great ship rely on to sail through the stormy seas?"

Jiang Shaoling was completely speechless, his mind in turmoil.

My mother's words stripped away all the glamorous facade, revealing the cold and cruel truth.

"But Mother, you—" Jiang Shaoling looked at his mother, his eyes filled with reluctance and a hint of unwillingness, "Your cultivation is extraordinary, you are only one step away from the Golden Core stage, is there really no way—? I heard that the True Monarch Kan Shui of the [Tianya Haige] does not mind taking in female disciples, perhaps—"

He thought that perhaps they could find a way to become disciples of the True Lord who was in harmony with the Great Dao of Kan Water. With his mother's cultivation and talent, she might be able to obtain the rank of "Immortal Holding a Talisman." Although she would not achieve complete immortality, she could at least extend her lifespan significantly and share some of the power of the rank.

Before he could finish speaking, Master Bibo's gaze suddenly turned cold and arrogant as he interrupted him: "What? You want me to become Master Kanshui's disciple?"

She sneered, "Shaoling, remember this: I, Jiang Caiwei, have never been inferior to anyone in my life! I cultivate the Great Dao of Kan Water, and I will do so with integrity, proving my Dao through my own actions, seeking that trace of immortal golden nature! How could I possibly wag my tail and beg for mercy, relying on others to become a dependent who shares the scraps?"

Her voice was resolute, carrying an unyielding and fierce determination: "I would rather exhaust my last bit of lifespan and return to heaven and earth at the Great Perfection of the Purple Mansion realm than do such a despicable thing!"

"This is Jiang Caiwei's path, and this is Jiang Caiwei's integrity!"

Jiang Shaoling looked at his mother's resolute profile and was deeply shocked.

He suddenly understood why his mother had admired, even favored, Zuo Qingqiu so much back then.

It's not just because Zuo Qingqiu is exceptionally talented, but also because they share the same pride, the same persistence, and the same unyielding spirit that refuses to bow to fate or so-called "convention".

Of the ten elders of Taihua Sect, only my mother is a female cultivator.

For female cultivators, cultivation in this realm is inherently a hundred times more difficult than for men. The hardships his mother endured to reach where she is today are far beyond his imagination. And that indomitable spirit is perhaps the very backbone that has sustained her all the way.

"Mother, I understand." Jiang Shaoling took a deep breath, stood up, and bowed deeply to Master Bibo. "I will certainly remember Mother's teachings today, and will no longer covet power and fame. After this term, I will resign and retire to seclusion, devoting myself to cultivation and striving to attain the Great Dao of Immortality as soon as possible. The future of the Jiang family ultimately depends on our own efforts!"

As Master Bibo looked at the rekindled, primal yearning for the Great Dao that belonged to cultivators, the frost on his face melted slightly, revealing a faint yet genuine smile of satisfaction.

"Good. Go. Qiu'er gave you that jade slip; study it carefully when you get back. It's a good thing for the sect, and for you—"

"It is also a form of spiritual practice." She waved her hand and turned back to the sea of ​​clouds outside the window.

Jiang Shaoling bowed again and quietly left the pavilion.

Outside the pavilion, the sky is high and the clouds are wide.

He glanced back at his mother's slender yet upright back, then looked at the jade slip in his hand that carried the vision of "peace and prosperity".

The last trace of regret in his heart for not being able to find a "shortcut" for his family finally vanished.

The road ahead is long and arduous.

But this time, he saw the right direction.

A few days later.

Deep within the cave dwelling of Zixu Peak, in a rather elegantly furnished warm pavilion.

In the center of the warm pavilion stood a rosewood table and a large sandalwood chair, with a soft snow silk cushion on the chair.

On the wooden shelf against the wall, there are some oddly shaped stones, bonsai, and porcelain figurines arranged in a staggered manner.

The palace lanterns cast warm-toned light, creating soft, diffused patches of light that lazily spilled onto the smooth, cloud-patterned stone floor.

Everything appeared peaceful and serene.

Xiao Bai was sitting cross-legged on a wooden chair, with an exquisite food box on the table. The lid was open, revealing layers of various pastries inside:

Crystal osmanthus cake, as clear and translucent as amber;

The lotus seed paste pastry, shaped like lotus petals and with a delicate pink hue, is a perfect example of its texture.

Honeycomb cake sprinkled with golden icing and exuding a honey aroma;

There were also several milk pastries shaped like little rabbits and foxes, so lifelike and cute that it was almost too cute to eat them.

Xiao Bai picked up a little rabbit-shaped milk biscuit, first bringing it to his nose and taking a deep breath, a look of ecstasy on his face. Then, he carefully bit off one of the "little rabbit's" ears, chewed it slowly in his mouth, and happily squinted his eyes. The dragon tail behind him also unconsciously swayed gently, patting the ground and making a soft "popping" sound.

After taking a couple of bites, her eyes darted around, as if she had remembered something fun, and a sly and smug smile appeared on her face.

She picked up the food box and moved it to the next room in the warm pavilion.

There, against the wall, stood a floor-length mirror with an antique design.

It was the One Yuan Light Cave Mirror, a demonic mirror obtained from the Demonic Sect and containing the artifact spirit "You Li".

The mirror was not activated at the moment, but its smooth, obsidian-like surface reflected the figure of Xiaobai approaching with a food box and a "malicious" look on its face.

"Hey! Hey! Mirror spirit! Youli! Come out quickly!" Xiaobai stretched out her free hand and tapped the cold mirror surface with her finger, making a crisp "knock knock" sound.

The mirror did not react at all.

Undeterred, Little White knocked a few more times, shouting, "Stop playing dead! I know you're in there! Come out, I have something good to show you!"

His tone was full of coaxing, just like a mischievous child teasing a little kid with candy.