After disappearing for ten years, the junior sister made the entire sect kneel down to welcome her.

Seeing this, Lei Ziyue forcefully pulled her to sit down on a nearby rock, took off her shoes and socks, and saw that, sure enough, her ankles and toes were blistered.

She was certain that Lei Ziyue wouldn't let her continue on her way.

Sure enough, Lei Ziyue said with a pained expression, "No. How can you continue walking like this..."

Lei Ziyue turned to the group behind him and said, "Why don't we all rest here for a while?"

Upon hearing Lei Ziyue's words, the disciples, who had been full of energy and eager to climb Mount Ling as soon as possible to seek opportunities, immediately lost their smiles.

Aren't they tired?

The secret realm will only be open for half a month. We need to make the most of every second. How can we rest here?

Moreover, there were children among the Xuantian Sect disciples undergoing the trial this time, with Luo Huanzhen being one of them.

To keep up with everyone, her short legs moved so fast they were almost blurry, but she never complained.

Why is Junior Sister Su unable to do it?

Oh... it's because of her elaborate and gorgeous white floor-length dress and those exquisite glass boots.

Some disciples who were initially amazed and captivated by Su Mingyue's appearance suddenly harbored resentment—

Why are you dressed so formally for the secret realm trial and fighting?

Now look at it, it's not even as good as a child.

As one sect team after another overtook them, the anxiety and unease in everyone's hearts grew stronger.

Su Mingyue bit her lower lip tightly, forcing a smile, and said in a deliberately relaxed tone, "Second Senior Brother, I'm really fine. I'll rest for a while. You lead everyone to continue on our way."

Upon hearing this, the disciples secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

Lei Ziyue knew that what he said made sense, but when he looked up at Su Mingyue, he saw that her face was pale, her eyes were red from pain, and she was trying to be tough, which made her look particularly pitiful.

His heart softened, and all his resolve crumbled instantly.

Lei Ziyue said in a deep voice, "Those who are eager to move forward can go ahead on their own. As far as I am concerned, he is Mingyue's senior brother first, and then your team leader. I absolutely cannot abandon Mingyue and travel alone."

After a pause, Lei Ziyue continued, "When an opportunity arises, the surrounding environment often undergoes subtle changes. While we wait, I will explain the differences to you in detail."

After saying that, he sat down next to Su Mingyue and gently rubbed her swollen little feet with his large hands.

"Does it still hurt? Let me rub it for you."

Su Mingyue nodded with red eyes.

She was secretly pleased with herself, knowing that Lei Ziyue would never leave her behind and go alone.

The onlookers were speechless.

Without Lei Ziyue, even if they set off first, they would lack the help of a leader compared to disciples from other sects once they reached the top of the mountain. But if they waited for the two of them to go together, who knew if they could climb up before dark? They would probably be among the last cultivators to arrive!

Just as the disciples were caught in a dilemma, a crisp voice rang out.

"Then I, the Venerable One, will lead the team!"

The disciples looked in the direction of the voice and saw Luo Huanzhen step forward, confidently patting his chest.

She said, "Disciples from other sects are all moving up the mountain, and Xuantian Sect can't fall behind! Besides, I sensed the aura of treasures on the way up. If we're too late, other sects will snatch them away."

After Luo finished speaking, he continued climbing, huffing and puffing.

She's going to steal the treasure!

The disciples who remained looked at each other—

"Should we...go with her?"

"You believe her... she's only six years old. Besides, Junior Sister Su is also very pitiful, I think I'll stay..."

"I won't wait. She survived for ten years in the Demon Cave and came back alive; she must be really skilled! I'll take the gamble!"

"I think the experience shared by Senior Brother Lei is more reliable."

Of the nearly one thousand disciples, more than 70% stayed, while 30% left with Luo Huanzhen.

It's not that they believed Luo Zhenhuan completely.

Rather, they didn't want to waste time on the way up the mountain.

"Hey! Isn't this Su Mingyue, the genius Su, and her brain-dead, die-hard second senior brother? What happened? Did you twist your ankle?"

Just then, a sarcastic voice rang out, and a group of female disciples dressed in a sleek, dark red outfit passed by the mountain path where they were resting.

The leader carried a sword across his chest, his jet-black hair tied in a high ponytail at the back of his head, revealing a smooth forehead and a pair of cunning eyes.

However, like a flawless gem, she had a whip scar on her left cheek that stretched like a vine across her right neck. Fortunately, she was beautiful, possessing a sharp and cold beauty that overshadowed the scar's unsightly appearance.

Before Su Mingyue could speak, Lei Ziyue spoke first, his face darkening as he said, "Xiao Fenglan! Watch your mouth!"

Xiaofenglan.

He was once a disciple of the Xuantian Sect, and is now a cultivator of the Red Leaf Valley.

Xiao Fenglan glanced at Lei Ziyue and gave a mocking laugh: "Where did I swear? Aren't I just stating the truth? Isn't she the Xuan Tian Sect's unparalleled genius junior sister?"

A female cultivator behind her covered her mouth and chuckled, saying, "Senior Sister Xiao, she wasn't a woman a month ago. I heard she was a fake."

Xiao Fenglan clapped her hands in delight: "Oh my, I was really prescient back then!"

Xiao Fenglan possesses a superior spiritual root and has excellent aptitude and comprehension. However, three years ago, she was targeted by Su Mingyue for questioning her, and Su Mingyue instigated Lei Ziyue to beat her half to death and expel her from the sect.

The whip mark from her face to her neck was inflicted by Lei Ziyue years ago.

The sect leader of Red Leaf Valley found her by the roadside and nurtured her with great care. Now she has reached the Great Perfection of the Golden Core stage and is no longer the helpless little female cultivator who was powerless against Lei Ziyue back then.

Therefore, after learning about the farce of the Xuantian Sect, she had long wanted to watch the drama and mock it.

I didn't expect the opportunity to come so quickly.

Xiao Fenglan sized Su Mingyue up and down, then said venomously, "Glassy boots, a full skirt, crimson lips, and a gold hairpin with floral decorations... Anyone who knew you was here for a trial in the secret realm would think you were going to participate in some kind of beauty contest. Tsk, Su Mingyue, you really haven't changed at all, just as pretentious and affected as you were back then."

Lei Ziyue's face darkened, and he defended her, saying, "Mingyue can dress however she likes, it's none of your business. With me here, I'll take care of everything for her in the secret realm!"

Xiao Fenglan sneered: "Then don't waste so many fellow disciples' time with you! I'm too lazy to talk to you, it's a waste of our time too."

After saying that, he led the group of Red Leaf Valley disciples up the mountain.

Every Red Leaf Valley disciple who left would give Su Mingyue a disdainful look.

Su Mingyue was trembling with anger, but not a single Xuantian Sect disciple came out to defend her.

She knew that although they stayed, they actually resented her.

With red eyes, Su Mingyue stood up stubbornly. "Let's go up the mountain. I can walk. Mingyue will never be a burden to anyone."