After nine lifetimes of reincarnation, the yandere villainous heroine descends.

In the Qingxuan Holy Land, on the plaza outside the main hall, several towering stone pillars engraved with runes stand around, encircling the bloodstained figure in the center.

Shen Shuchou stood between the pillars, facing the scrutinizing gazes of the elders. His eyes remained calm and unwavering as he met their gazes one by one without the slightest fear.

As he scanned the crowd, he frowned slightly—the female lead of this life was not present.

Compared to his composure, Qi Yuan beside him was already at a loss.

Although most eyes were focused on Shen Shuchou, he still felt uncomfortable and subconsciously clenched the hem of his clothes, whispering, "Thank you... My life is yours from now on."

At this moment, he was filled with relief that he hadn't wavered back then, otherwise he would have perished in the illusion of the Holy Battlefield like those others.

Shen Shuchou did not respond, but merely raised his gaze slightly.

Just then, a slightly excited voice rang out: "Would you be willing to become my disciple?"

Elder Chen took a step forward, his eyes filled with undisguised joy as he looked at Shen Shuchou.

"Hmph! I don't think this is a good idea!"

Before he could finish speaking, Elder Chu interrupted him coldly, his tone filled with obvious hostility.

Elder Chen's face darkened, and he turned to glare at Chu, saying angrily, "What do you mean by this, you surnamed Chu?"

"It doesn't mean anything."

Elder Chu sneered and glanced at Shen Shuchou.

"I just feel that this kid's origins are unclear. Before we can thoroughly investigate him, he should be placed under the jurisdiction of the Law Enforcement Hall to avoid bringing trouble to the Holy Land."

"You dare!"

Elder Chen roared angrily.

He knew all too well that once Shen Shuchou entered the Hall of Law Enforcement, the so-called "investigation of his origins" would be nothing but an excuse, and he would ultimately have no chance of survival.

"What's wrong?"

Elder Chu's sinister smile deepened.

"I did this for the safety of the Holy Land. But Elder Chen, why are you so impatient? Do you perhaps want to fight me?"

"Alright! I've never been afraid of anyone in a fight!"

Elder Chen rolled up his sleeves, ready to step forward and argue, his aura growing increasingly fierce.

"That's enough!"

The white-haired old woman at the head of the table finally spoke. Her voice was not loud, but it carried an imposing authority that instantly calmed the tense atmosphere in the room.

"Holy Land Square, how dare you quarrel here! What kind of behavior is this!"

As soon as she finished speaking, the white-haired old woman slowly turned her gaze to Shen Shuchou.

The next instant, a vast and unparalleled divine consciousness silently probed into his body.

The divine sense moved like a serpent, meticulously examining his meridians, bones, and aura, leaving no blind spots.

After a few breaths, the old woman withdrew her divine sense, her tone calm:

"Would you like to become his disciple?"

Elder Chu, standing nearby, immediately couldn't contain himself: "Chief, this boy's origins are unknown; we absolutely must not allow this."

"I have already checked."

The white-haired old woman interrupted him with a casual remark.

Elder Chu wanted to argue further, but when he met her indifferent yet imposing eyes, he ultimately gritted his teeth in reluctance and said no more.

Shen Shuchou clasped his hands slightly and said calmly, "Thank you for your kindness, Elder, but this disciple is unworthy to receive it."

The expectation in Elder Chen's eyes froze instantly, replaced by astonishment.

Even the white-haired old woman frowned slightly, but quickly asked, "Then whose disciple do you wish to become?"

Upon hearing this, the previously calm expressions of the elders present immediately became lively.

In the illusion of the Holy Battlefield, many of the young men they had their eyes on had perished, and only two had emerged.

Shen Shuchou's performance amazed the audience, while Qi Yuan's performance was unremarkable.

Originally, out of respect for Elder Chen, the crowd did not intend to fight over it.

Seeing that Shen Shuchou had rejected Elder Chen, his mind immediately started to work.

"Young friend, if you don't mind, would you be willing to become my disciple?"

An elder dressed in a blue robe spoke first.

"Come to me, become my disciple, and you will be a true student, with all resources at your disposal!"

Another red-faced elder hurriedly spoke up as well.

"Don't listen to him! That old man already has a mountain of disciples, how could he possibly have the energy to teach you? Come to me, I'll personally guide you!"

"You old fool, stop talking nonsense!"

The elders immediately began arguing, their voices rising and falling, almost escalating into a heated argument.

Elder Chen, who was standing to the side, opened his mouth, looked at Shen Shuchou, and listened to the argument around him. Suddenly, he sighed softly.

Shen Shuchou bowed slightly to the crowd, his tone remaining calm.

"Thank you for your kind words, elders, but I am still unworthy of them."

The square fell silent instantly.

All the elders stared at him in disbelief.

The people who had been arguing heatedly just moments before now looked embarrassed, as if they had been publicly humiliated.

Elder Chen saw all of this and felt inexplicably relieved.

"What...what exactly are you trying to do? Why aren't you choosing any of these elders?"

Qi Yuan lowered his voice and secretly tugged at him in a hurry.

The white-haired old woman frowned again, staring at Shen Shuchou for a long while before suddenly speaking: "You wish to become my disciple?"

She paused, then added, "Although I haven't accepted any disciples for many years, I might make an exception if you are sincere."

Upon hearing this, the embarrassment on the faces of the other elders immediately disappeared.

The white-haired old woman was not only the head of the elders, but also one of the hidden supreme elders, whose status was far above theirs. It would be quite reasonable for Shen Shuchou to become her disciple.

All eyes were once again focused on Shen Shuchou, awaiting his reply.

Just then, a figure in pure white slowly approached from afar, her robes fluttering as if walking on moonlight.

As the figure approached, all eyes in the square were involuntarily drawn to it.

It possessed an aura that blended coolness and sanctity, making it something one dared not easily defile.

"This is the Holy Maiden of Qingxuan Holy Land, Princess Lu Wanheng."

Qi Yuan gazed at that figure and couldn't help but sigh softly.

"As expected of the foremost Holy Maiden of the Four Great Holy Lands, seeing is believing."

After saying that, he turned to look at his side, only to find that Shen Shuchou had already stepped forward and was walking towards the figure in white.

"Hey! Where are you going?"

Qi Yuan hurriedly called out, but Shen Shuchou did not stop walking.

Shen Shuchou dragged his heavily injured body slowly to a spot not far from Lu Wanheng.

He then bowed deeply to her, his voice clear and firm: "Disciple Shen Shuchou wishes to become a disciple of the Holy Maiden, please accept me as your disciple, Your Highness."

As soon as he finished speaking, the entire room fell silent.

The white-haired old woman's expression suddenly changed, and she became furious.

"No!"

"Can."

Two voices rang out almost simultaneously, one rebuking and the other responding, completely opposite.

The white-haired old woman's face darkened as she looked at Lu Wanheng and vehemently objected: "Holy Maiden, you mustn't be joking! The Qingxuan Holy Land has been established for a thousand years, and there has never been a precedent of a Holy Maiden accepting a disciple. This precedent must not be set!"

"Precedents are meant to be broken."

Lu Wanheng spoke in a flat tone.

The white-haired old woman and the elders' expressions changed drastically.

"Your Highness, this is absolutely unacceptable, and you must not accept him as a disciple," the old woman persisted in trying to dissuade her.

"What if I insist on accepting it?"

Lu Wanheng raised his eyes, his clear, cold eyes, as cold as snow, staring straight at the white-haired old woman.

"Then I will have no choice but to personally invite the Holy Maiden back to the Qingxin Palace for a period of seclusion and recuperation, until you have thought things through!"

The white-haired old woman spoke, then slowly stood up.

A tremendous pressure suddenly erupted from her body, sweeping towards Lu Wanheng like an invisible giant wave.

That was the terrifying power of the Supreme Elder, enough to suffocate most of the people present.

Lu Wanheng stood still, his white robes fluttering slightly under the oppressive aura, yet his posture remained upright.

She looked at the white-haired old woman, her gaze unchanged: "Is Elder Ye trying to intimidate us with his power?"

"I am merely upholding the rules of the Holy Land."

The white-haired old woman spoke in a deep voice, her imposing aura undiminished.

"This child's origins are unknown and require further investigation. For now, he will be handed over to Elder Chu and placed under the temporary care of the Enforcement Hall."

Elder Ye said coldly.

Upon hearing this, Elder Chu, who had previously looked unwilling, immediately showed joy. He glared at Shen Shuchou with a sinister look and stepped forward.

"Who dares to touch him?"

Lu Wanheng's eyes suddenly flashed with killing intent. Even though he was locked in by Elder Ye's oppressive aura, his momentum was not weak at all.

"presumptuous!"

Elder Ye roared, "I address you as Holy Maiden, but that doesn't give you the right to disregard the rules of the Holy Land! Now, please come with me back to the Qingxin Hall to recuperate for a while and reflect on your actions!"

Elder Chu had already walked up to Shen Shuchou, his face filled with undisguised malice.

Before this elder of the Law Enforcement Hall, Shen Shuchou was utterly powerless to resist.

"Boy, once you enter the Hall of Enforcement, I will make you wish you were dead."

Elder Chu smiled sinisterly, and a withered but powerful hand reached out to grab Shen Shuchou's shoulder.

Lu Wanheng was suppressed by Elder Ye's terrifying power and had no way to stop it. He could only watch helplessly as the hand approached.

"How much longer do you want to keep watching?"

Her voice turned completely cold.

As soon as he finished speaking, a barely audible sigh suddenly echoed across the square, calm yet carrying a power that permeated the entire area.

That's fine.

As the voice faded, a gentle yet irresistible aura quietly spread out.

It instantly neutralized the pressure Elder Ye was exerting on Lu Wanheng, and also froze Elder Chu's hand, which was about to touch Shen Shuchou, in mid-air.

P.S.: Good morning!