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

Elder Ye's expression changed drastically. He abruptly looked up at the sky and exclaimed in a low voice, "Holy Lord?"

Elder Chu looked alarmed. His outstretched hand was blocked in mid-air by an invisible force, unable to advance any further.

The other elders exchanged glances, having already recognized the source of the voice, and bowed in unison, saying, "Holy Lord."

The oppressive feeling around Lu Wanheng suddenly eased, and he looked in Shen Shuchou's direction, the coldness in his eyes slightly subsiding.

The person who spoke, Feng Wujiang, did not appear; only his indifferent words hung in mid-air.

"The rules of the Holy Land should also be followed according to the times and circumstances. Since the Holy Maiden is willing to take on a disciple, let her do so."

"No! This matter concerns the Holy Maiden; it must be discussed and decided upon with the Supreme Elders!"

Elder Ye's tone was firm, and he refused to budge an inch.

"I'm the one who calls the shots here."

The only response she received was a light yet overwhelmingly authoritative statement.

Lu Wanheng slowly walked up to Shen Shuchou.

Shen Shuchou looked up at her; the woman before him had a tall and straight figure.

She exuded an aura of cold indifference, yet beneath that coldness lay a calming tranquility that soothed the soul.

He could even smell a faint fragrance emanating from her, like the scent of plum blossoms after a snowfall, clear and clean.

"From now on, you'll be with me."

Lu Wanheng's voice remained calm.

"Disciple greets Master."

Shen Shuchou bowed slightly, his voice clear and melodious.

As soon as he finished speaking, a gentle and pure power quietly surged into his body, flowing through his limbs and bones like snow melting in spring.

The injuries he sustained on the Holy Battlefield were healing at a visible speed, and the surging blood and qi in his body were gradually calming down.

Shen Shuchou felt this power and his expression froze slightly.

This aura resonated subtly with a dormant power within him.

He looked up in surprise at Lu Wanheng's aloof and beautiful face, and a thought suddenly flashed through his mind.

In the latter half of the first trial, the power that inexplicably surged within him was initially attributed to the system's function, but now he realizes that it was actually her secretly helping him.

Lu Wanheng's expression remained cold and indifferent; he simply uttered three words: "Come with me."

Shen Shuchou responded and followed, watching her pristine figure as she walked away from the square.

Qi Yuan, who was some distance away, was so shocked that he couldn't close his mouth, his jaw almost dropping. He muttered, "So... your target was actually Her Highness the Holy Maiden."

As he watched Shen Shuchou's retreating figure, he suddenly realized that someone like Shen Shuchou might soon become famous throughout the world.

"Young friend, please wait a moment."

Just as the two were about to leave the square, a voice came from the group of elders.

Elder Chen flashed and blocked their way, bowing slightly to Lu Wanheng: "Greetings, Holy Maiden."

Then, he turned to Shen Shuchou, his gaze falling on his empty hands, and said gently, "Although we have no master-disciple relationship, you and this sword of mine seem to have a predestined bond."

After saying that, Elder Chen raised his hand and a three-foot-long sword with a blue and white luster appeared in his palm.

The scabbard was simple and unadorned, yet it could not conceal the faint light flowing within; it was the very same Shufeng sword that Shen Shuchou had used in the Holy Battlefield.

"This sword is named Shufeng."

Elder Chen gently stroked the sword, his tone tinged with melancholy, "It has already given its heart to you, young friend. If you do not accept it, it will become nothing more than a piece of ordinary iron, devoid of any edge. I humbly request that you accept it, young friend, even if it is just to keep it by your side, it is better than letting it gather dust and decay."

Shen Shuchou gazed at the scabbard, and could vaguely sense a faint sword intent emanating from within, like a candle flickering in the wind.

He instantly realized that in order to help him kill the Soul-Slaying Demon, Shu Feng had exhausted his sword spirit and damaged his foundation.

How could he possibly abandon such a sentiment?

Shen Shuchou stretched out his hands and respectfully accepted Shufeng. The moment his fingertips touched the hilt, a faint tremor seemed to come from within.

He bowed solemnly to Elder Chen: "As long as I live, the sword will live."

Upon hearing this, Elder Chen's tense shoulders suddenly relaxed, and a relieved smile appeared on his face: "I hope that Shufeng can join my young friend in the future, and once again display his brilliance and become famous throughout the world."

After saying that, he stepped aside and watched the two leave.

Elder Ye watched this scene from afar with cold eyes, remaining silent throughout.

Shen Shuchou gripped Shufeng and quickly followed Lu Wanheng's footsteps. The two figures soon disappeared from everyone's sight.

For Shen Shuchou, the journey of this life truly begins from this moment on.

Inside the Temple of the Holy Maiden.

Shen Shuchou stepped into the hall and felt that it was extremely spacious, yet cold and lonely, with spiritual energy around him far more abundant than that outside.

"What is your name?"

Lu Wanheng stood in the hall, looking at him with a calm gaze.

"Reporting to Master, this disciple's surname is Shen and given name is Shuchou."

Shen Shuchou responded respectfully.

"Shen Shuchou..." Lu Wanheng murmured these three words, his eyes flashing slightly as if he were savoring their meaning.

After a moment of silence, she asked again, "Do you know my name?"

"The name of our master resounds throughout the world, and this disciple naturally knows it."

Shen Shuchou said.

This is no exaggeration. As the Holy Maiden of Qingxuan Holy Land, Lu Wanheng's name has long been known throughout the cultivation world.

After he finished speaking, the hall fell silent once again.

Shen Shuchou could clearly feel that cold gaze was always on him, with a kind of scrutiny, but not entirely a probing, more like confirming something.

When he first met the female lead in this life, he still couldn't figure out her temperament.

In past lives, he was the one who led the other, but in this life, he is the one being led around. Although the situation is somewhat similar to that of the fourth life, the core is ultimately different.

"I don't know how to teach apprentices."

After a long silence, Lu Wanheng's cold voice rang out again, his tone flat and devoid of emotion.

Shen Shuchou's face showed a barely perceptible look of surprise.

He held his breath and waited for a long time, only to receive this one sentence.

He raised his eyes, meeting Lu Wanheng's calm gaze, and slowly said, "This disciple can study on his own. It is already my fortune to be able to stay by Master's side and listen to his teachings; I dare not ask for more."

Lu Wanheng looked at him, a faint ripple seemingly passing through his eyes, gone in an instant.

She nodded slightly, then turned and walked towards the inner hall: "There is a small courtyard on the west side of the hall where you can stay. The cultivation manuals and classic texts are in the library. You can take them by yourself with your identity token."

"Thank you, Master," Shen Shuchou replied.

Watching Lu Wanheng's departing figure, Shen Shuchou walked along the west corridor of the hall and soon arrived at the small courtyard she had mentioned.

In the courtyard, a bluestone path winds forward, with slender green bamboo planted on both sides. The bamboo leaves sway gently in the breeze, exuding a refreshing and invigorating fragrance.

Shen Shuchou looked at the Shufeng sword in his hand, then at the bamboo that was growing well.

A thought crossed my mind, but I quickly suppressed it. It wouldn't be right to cut down someone's bamboo so soon after arriving here.

But after walking a few steps, he turned back and, without hesitation, went into the bamboo forest.

"Click."

With a soft crack, several bamboo stalks of suitable thickness snapped in two.

Shen Shuchou carried the bamboo out of the bamboo forest and muttered to himself, "There are so many bamboos here, no one should notice if I cut down a few."

He continued along the stone path and soon came to see a small house.

Shen Shuchou placed the bamboo aside and pushed open the door to enter.

The room contained only a bed, a few simple pieces of furniture, and some books. Although it wasn't fancy, it was just right for him.

Stepping outside, Shen Shuchou began to process the bamboo.

Before long, a bamboo rocking chair appeared in front of us.

He lay down in the rocking chair and gently rocked, and his tense and turbulent emotions of the past few days finally began to calm down.

Unbeknownst to him, at that moment, a short, white-haired old man slowly walked into the bamboo grove.

A moment later, a furious roar echoed through the bamboo forest.

"Which blind fool dared to cut down my spirit bamboo!"