System crash? I prove it with my control panel!

Chen Wen was in a dilemma at this moment.

If he were a normal person, he would have accepted her without a second thought, since he could outlive her anyway.

I'm not exactly a good person myself, so there's no need for me to put on airs.

But this kind of...

Chen Wen could already imagine the miserable life he would lead if he married her.

The saying "When choosing a wife, choose a virtuous one" is no joke.

This is like marrying a tyrant!

There will inevitably be many conflicts in the future, and I will be restricted by the Qin family in every way.

He sighed softly and spoke slowly:

"Master, it's not that I'm unwilling, but I come from a poor family, while Miss Qin is of noble birth, like a phoenix perched on a parasol tree. How can I stoop to her level?"

Before Master Jingyao could even speak, Qin Wanrou exploded, her disdain overflowing as she pointed at Chen Wen and said:

"Who do you think you are, daring to refuse? I wouldn't even look at you. If it weren't for family arrangements, who would bother with a pathetic loser like you?!"

Chen Wen did not look at her, but waited for Jingyao Zhenren to speak.

In Chen Wen's eyes, this woman's remarks were nothing short of those of a clown, someone who sat at the same table as Shen Bo.

With the Purple Mansion True Person right in front of her, how could she possibly have a chance to interrupt?

as predicted.

The next moment, the hall suddenly felt cold.

An irresistible pressure instantly enveloped the entire mountain peak.

Even the rosy clouds in the sky began to churn and become unusually turbulent.

Jingyao Zhenren's expression remained unchanged, but her imposing aura already told Chen Wen that she was very angry.

With a scrutinizing gaze, she moved her eyes slightly to Qin Wanrou, who was trembling on the ground, completely terrified and unable to utter a word.

He spoke softly, "Go and inform your family of today's events. Go."

The voice was soft, but it sounded like thunder to Qin Wanrou, echoing in her mind. She stood up in a daze, walked out of the main hall, and flew away on her sword.

Chen Wen looked at her, somewhat puzzled. How could she be so frightened by just one sentence?

At this time.

Master Jingyao slowly spoke:

"Since you are unwilling, then so be it. From this day forward, you will be my sixth disciple, Qin Jingyao. Are you willing?"

"This disciple wishes... um?"

Chen Wen was prepared to be expelled from the sect, but he didn't expect to hear about being promoted to a full member.

He suddenly looked up at Master Jingyao.

On his exquisitely handsome face, so beautiful that one dared not look directly at him, a faint, ambiguous smile appeared.

"What, you don't want to?"

Chen Wen immediately realized that what had just been said were two separate matters: one was official promotion, and the other was marriage alliance; the two were not confused.

Without hesitation, Chen Wen knelt down and respectfully said, "Disciple Chen Jingwen greets Master."

Thinking to myself, I realized I was just overthinking things...

No, maybe I didn't think too much about it.

Chen Wen suddenly realized that it must have been his master's doing. Firstly, the Qin family must have had some requirements, but his master either didn't like them or didn't care. Secondly, it was also a small test for him before he became a disciple.

With a flick of his sleeve, Master Jingyao sent three streaks of light flying toward Chen Wen: a bamboo, a piece of metal, and a jade slip.

She said:

"Upon entering my tutelage, you should know the hierarchy. I have seven disciples in total. My eldest disciple, Qin Yuliang, is away. My second and third disciples have died. My fourth disciple is Shui Ru, my fifth disciple is Liu Hongchen, and my seventh disciple is the newly accepted disciple, Qin Guangzhi. Although you have not met him, you should know this."

Chen Wendao: "This disciple will remember!"

Master Jingyao nodded slowly. "Get up. You may accept these three items. I see that you love spirit bamboo, so I will give you this second-grade superior-quality Azure Bamboo to decorate your cave. There is also a second-grade inferior-quality Tide Thunder Stone, which can help you refine the Divine Firmament Sword Pill. Finally, this jade slip contains the true teachings of Purple Cloud Peak. Although you have not practiced the Secret Record of Radiant Light, you can still learn it to inherit the legacy."

Looking at the spiritual materials brimming with spiritual energy before him, Chen Wen was secretly delighted. Sure enough, it was good to have a powerful backer. Second-tier spiritual materials were incredibly valuable to him, but to his master, they were just ordinary rewards.

He immediately put the three items into his storage bag, bowed again in gratitude, and said, "Thank you, Master, for bestowing these treasures upon me."

Master Jingyao nodded slowly and said:

"This matter will be put aside for now, and the apprenticeship ceremony will be unnecessary. I will inform the sect later, and someone will come to visit you. Please be prepared."

"Now, if you have any questions, please ask them all at once."

Chen Wen felt a little regretful upon hearing this, but he also knew that such a conventional ceremony of apprenticeship was unnecessary, especially for cultivators who could accept disciples every year. If they held a ceremony for each disciple, wouldn't they have no time left for cultivation?

Therefore, a formal ceremony is usually only held when the mantle is passed on.

But now, he can finally ask a question.

After thinking for a moment, he spoke:

"Master, I have many questions: first, about cultivation; second, about my own situation; and third, about my future."

Master Jingyao smiled slightly, "Cultivation cannot be forced. Now that you have obtained the Earthly Fiend Qi, you can slowly refine and integrate it, and just go with the flow."

"But be careful, the Earthly Fiend Qi is dangerous. A slight mistake could lead to utter destruction. You... wake up now!!!"

The last sentence, like a thunderclap and like the glow of dawn, shook Chen Wen to his core.

Chen Wen thought his master was about to attack him, and he panicked.

However, a sense of relief suddenly arose in his mind.

He froze on the spot.

In his mind, the Xuanhuang Refining Heart Technique was running rapidly.

In conjunction with the impact of that sound, streams of black energy were extracted from its soul and refined.

However, due to insufficient cultivation, refining it was extremely difficult.

Chen Wen gradually regained his composure, and his mind became clear.

So, I've already been infected!

It dawned on him.

No wonder people often say that the Earthly Fiend Qi is dangerous, but I have never felt any danger after I was unsealed.

Even his own Xuanhuang Refining Heart Technique was silently blocked, altering his thoughts.

No wonder I felt panicked and terrified when I was at the Chen family's house...

Once things calmed down, all the abnormalities from before became obvious and awkward, like the black grime under a fingernail.

But he was unaware of it...

Suddenly, a sense of relief rose in Chen Wen's heart.

It was his own prudence that saved him.

After his mind was corrupted, he lost control several times, such as killing the Chen family. He could have simply erased their memories, but he chose to kill them instead.

This was influenced by the soul energy of the Inumuma, but it was also caused by his inner insecurity.

There was also the torture and murder of Chen Polang, leaving his soul intact to be used as a soul lamp for eternal torment...

Fortunately, he adhered to a prudent approach. Without the Xuanhuang Refining Heart Technique, he felt an inexplicable sense of insecurity, which made him eager to return to the sect.

Fortunately, he followed his heart, returned, and saw his master!

otherwise......

He dared not think further, cold sweat pouring down his face. He quickly bowed deeply, saying, "Thank you for your guidance, Master!"

Seeing his clear and calm eyes, Master Jingyao nodded in satisfaction.

"While your cultivation of the mind is commendable, you must not be complacent. The word '煞' (sha, meaning evil or malevolent) in the Earthly Fiend Qi already points to its danger. What is '煞'?"

"The term '煞' (sha) signifies malevolence, evil, malice, poison, cruelty, and calamity..."

"Once you get involved, you will either succeed in building your foundation or die and your cultivation will be destroyed. You were unaware of the dangers before and were misled by it, but now that you are on guard, it will not be easy for it to tempt your mind again. In the future, do not be greedy for merit and prioritize stability."

Master Jingyao's words were like a revelation to Chen Wen; it's truly good to have a master!

He nodded earnestly, "This disciple understands."

Afterwards, Master Jingyao took a sip of tea and continued:

"As for our situation, you only need to know one thing: we are the extraterrestrial demons!"

Upon hearing this, Chen Wen was struck dumb.

Are we the extraterrestrial demons?

So, are the Lei family members on the side of justice?

Risking danger to destroy the Heavenly Demon's lair?

Master Jingyao was already used to his reaction, and the Foundation Establishment disciples were also hard to accept when they learned of it.

She said softly, "The struggle for supremacy is inherently like this. The word 'struggle' is enough to show that it has nothing to do with right or wrong, good or evil, only strength and weakness!"

Chen Wen murmured, "So, we must plunder other worlds to strengthen ourselves..."

Master Jingyao gave him an approving look, "It's excellent that you have such awareness!"

"As for where the future leads, even I, your teacher, do not know. Everyone has their own path, but as long as you are on the road, that is good!"

Upon hearing this, Chen Wen was startled. Yes, why worry about what the future holds? He was on his way right now, and that was enough!

He stopped thinking about it and bowed to Master Shuiyao, truly acknowledging her as his master.

In this realistic sect, one should not seek to gain much benefit from it; that is something one must strive for oneself.

Being able to give me some guidance and help me avoid detours is already a great help.

Master Jingyao was quite satisfied to see that his newly accepted disciple understood things so quickly.

For someone of their level of cultivation, those who can become their disciples are all exceptionally talented.

But mindset is the most important thing.

...

After returning from my master's place.

Chen Wen sent a message to Chu Feng.

Having resolved this major threat, it's only natural to invite friends to share a cup of... tea.

Minors are prohibited from drinking alcohol.

Chen Wenming kept it in mind.

Chu Feng was refining pills and happened to have nothing to do, so Chen Wen invited him to enjoy the bamboo scenery together.

Unexpectedly, as soon as they entered the valley, while using their spiritual sense to investigate, they discovered that the servants were whispering among themselves, their eyes pointing at Ye Fan, who had a bruised and swollen face, not far away.

"He dares to provoke Senior Brother He? He's really overestimating himself!"

"He was just acting out of a fit of rage for a woman, what do you know?"

"It's clearly a case of a mantis trying to stop a chariot; it's just asking for humiliation, hahaha~"

"I've come to realize a truth: beautiful women are often a source of trouble. Brother, you smell so good!"

"Bro, you...don't scare me..."

.......

Chen Wen became interested and listened for a while.

It turned out that a few days ago, when Ye Fan went out to buy the items needed in the valley, he happened to see an outer disciple harassing a beautiful junior sister.

He immediately stepped forward.

However, the other party was in the late stage of Qi Refining, while he was only in the middle stage of Qi Refining.

Ye Fan was slightly inferior and was beaten black and blue by his opponent.

What he found most unacceptable was that his junior sister later complained that he had interfered and prevented her from getting close to a member of the He family's collateral branch.

Now that her reputation for being harassed is well-known, she no longer has the chance to be noticed by wealthy young men and can only find some honest junior brothers to take her in.

She even demanded that Ye Fan compensate her for the damage to her future.

Ye Fan vomited blood and fainted on the spot. Fortunately, a disciple came out to look for him when he did not return for a long time and rescued him.

After learning the whole story, Chen Wen understood.

This is because of myself.

If he doesn't use up all the energy in the jade plate, he should be able to break through to the late stage of Qi Refining during this period.

With the added blessing of good fortune, it should have been a beautiful story of a hero rescuing a damsel in distress, and the damsel in love giving herself to him.

However, the sword pellet had already been taken by Chen Wen, and its fortune was low, so it could no longer be blessed.

The beauty revealed her true nature, her opponent didn't act foolishly, and he remained as dull-witted as ever, naturally suffering a great blow.

Ye Fan's thinking is now sluggish, and he no longer has the same demeanor as before. He can't stand being talked about behind his back, and he gets angry easily, even to the point of wanting to fight.

Fortunately, he acted with restraint and did not delay the work of the other servants, so Chen Wen did not mind.

Since you've taken a bribe, you should still give him some special treatment.

As for taking Ye Fan's opportunity, do you feel guilty?

Chen Wen's answer was no!

Opportunities have no owner; you rely on luck, I rely on ability. Whoever gets it, it belongs to them.

In addition, Chen Wen gained profound insights from what his master said today.

This cannot be called robbery; it can only be described as a redistribution of wealth based on individual strength.

grab?

No, it should be called a contest of the Great Dao!

The older generation really knows a lot!

Chen Wen clicked his tongue in praise.

He dared not think about it while he was in the main hall, for fear that his master would notice something was amiss.

But at this moment, he was finally able to let go of his thoughts.

At this time.

A fiery cloud streaked across the sky and fell into Chenwen Valley.

The person who arrived was none other than Chu Feng.

Dressed in shorts and cloud-patterned boots, with a gourd hanging from his waist, he looked very capable.

Seeing this, Chen Wen went to greet him. A strange, fiery aura wafted over him, but Chen Wen remained unfazed, patted him on the shoulder, and laughed, "Going out for training?"

"Before starting the furnace, I went to the Qingming Mountains to look for medicinal herbs."

Chu Feng's still somewhat tired face relaxed a little when he saw Chen Wen.

Within this sect, one must always be vigilant; having a close friend is a rare and precious thing.

Chen Wen pulled him to the bamboo forest behind the mountain.

Just as his bamboo grove had grown, it surrounded the black jade bamboo like stars around the moon.

Using what was available, the Divine Firmament Sword Qi pulsed as it chopped down a low-grade spirit bamboo and shaved it into cups and saucers.

Take out a set of table and chairs, and some tea.

Prepare tea to serve guests.

Soon, the aroma of tea wafted through the woods.

The wind blew by, and the bamboo leaves rustled.

It is quiet and elegant, with a certain refinement to it.

Chen Wen couldn't help but recall the first time he met Zhai Jishi, a scene somewhat similar to this moment...

He raised his hand to pour Chu Feng a bamboo cup of tea and asked:

"Brother Chu, do you still remember Zhai Ji?"

"Of course I remember!"

Chu Feng's eyes flashed with disgust as he said:

"That guy has also advanced to the True Disciple level. I ran into him last year; he tried to scheme against me, but I saw through his plan and made him suffer a great loss!"

"Oh? Tell me about it."

Chen Wen remained unfazed. Zhai Ji actually dared to scheme against Chu Feng, but Chu Feng had a powerful grandfather; how could he possibly outmaneuver him?

After a long chat, the two of them...

Chu Feng picked up his teacup, took a sip, and then asked:

"Brother Jingwen, I'm afraid you've summoned me here for more than just tea. If there's anything you need, please don't hesitate to ask."

Chen Wen looked up at him, pondering whether it was him or the old man who had come up with the idea, and then said:

"Since Brother Chu is being so frank, then I'll get straight to the point!"

Chu Feng sat up slightly.

Chen Wen then took out a cylindrical object and a jade bottle, handed them to Chu Feng, and said:

"Didn't you search for soul-nourishing pills a few years ago? You happened to find some on this trip. Chu Feng, are you satisfied with them?"

Chu Feng's eyes widened in confusion upon seeing the items on the table, before turning to shock.

He hesitated for a moment, then asked cautiously without reaching out:

"What does Jingwen want?"

.........