My little sect, which disappeared a thousand years ago, has become a sacred site!

Luo Qingchen paused, seemingly finding it difficult to speak, but continued under Gu Changyuan's encouraging gaze:

"Back in the Outer Realm, when my senior sister and the others were in dire straits, I... I felt like there was nothing I could do."

They could only watch helplessly as their eldest sister was surrounded and injured, as their second sister suffered a backlash from her soul and coughed up blood, as they were all plunged into peril...

In the end, even when my senior sister wanted to sacrifice herself to save us, I could only watch.

I...I don't think I can offer any real help at all.

As she spoke, she lowered her head and looked at her toes dangling in the air.

"And this time, refining the sacred bone... I was the last one to finish."

My senior brothers and sisters, and even some of the senior sisters who started refining later than me, are all faster than me.

Am I...am I too stupid? My talent...isn't actually as good as I thought? It's only because you kindly took me in back then, Master, that I'm where I am today..."

Luo Qingchen's voice grew softer and softer until it was almost inaudible.

She still tried to maintain a smile, but the smile was tinged with bitterness and loneliness, and the light in her eyes had dimmed considerably.

Gu Changyuan listened quietly, and instantly understood.

So that's how it is... This silly girl is suffering from the typical mental exhaustion caused by "post-war psychological gap" and "comparison mentality".

In normal times, when faced with external threats, shouldering responsibilities, or having clear goals, they will maximize their potential and focus, rarely having time for self-doubt and comparison.

But now, things are different.

He is back.

This greatest goal they had pursued and waited for for thousands of years was suddenly realized.

His demonstrated strength made them realize that even the greatest external threat no longer seemed to be a problem.

When immense external pressure and clear goals suddenly disappear or diminish, the balance within the mind can easily be disrupted.

When the tension is released, those suppressed thoughts about one's own inadequacies are more likely to surface.

They will unconsciously begin to measure themselves against higher standards, amplify their "powerlessness" in the crisis, compare their "progress" in self-cultivation, and thus fall into a vicious cycle of self-doubt.

This kind of mentality is by no means a trivial matter for cultivators.

It may just be a temporary emotional low, and you'll be able to get through it quickly with your own willpower.

However, it may also take root and sprout like a seed, and be continuously strengthened when encountering other setbacks, eventually evolving into a mental demon that hinders the path and may even lead to demonic possession.

This is one of the reasons why Gu Changyuan has been paying close attention to his disciples' condition in order to prevent this situation from happening.

He didn't immediately refute her words, nor did he directly say things like "You're great."

Instead, she tilted her head slightly and looked at the bright moon, as if she were recalling something.

"Light dust".

He spoke slowly, his voice calm and melodious.

"Do you know? When I first saw you under this tree, you were covered in blood, your wings were broken, and you could barely stand."

Luo Qingchen was slightly taken aback and looked up at her master's profile.

"But I remember your eyes very clearly."

Gu Changyuan turned his head and met her gaze.

That's not despair, nor is it giving up.

That was resentment, anger, and the fierce determination to bite the enemy even with one's last breath.

"That spirit, that unwavering resilience in the face of adversity, is the most important reason why I chose you and decided to take you as my disciple."

Talent? Bloodline? Those are certainly important, but in my eyes, an indomitable, pure, and steadfast heart is the foundation for the path to the Great Dao.

A ripple appeared in Luo Qingchen's eyes, as if she had been brought back to that distant and vague memory fragment.

"As for matters concerning the outer realms,"

Gu Changyuan's tone turned serious.

"You think your 'Holy Light Purification' is useless? You're wrong."

If it weren't for your timely treatment, Qingxue's injuries would have worsened even faster, and Lingxi's soul backlash would have been even more severe.

You think fighting only involves swinging your sword and charging in? Support, healing, restraining, boosting morale...

Every role is indispensable and crucial.

Without your holy light, they might not have made it to my destination.

"As for the speed of refining the sacred bones..."

A smile appeared on Gu Changyuan's lips.

Do you think that speed is good?

Different sacred bones contain different great principles, and the time required to digest these different principles also varies.

Refining the sacred bones too quickly leads to an unstable foundation and shallow understanding, which can actually cause harm.

Therefore, the speed of its refining is not a standard for judging ability; on the contrary, it shows that you value it enough.

With a calm and composed mind, he has been meticulously refining himself, gradually integrating the essence of the sacred bones into his bloodline and nourishing his demon core, without the slightest impatience.

He reached out and gently patted Luo Qingchen's shoulder, his touch both gentle and firm.

"Qingchen, do not compare your weaknesses with others' strengths, and do not use a momentary sense of powerlessness to deny your thousands of years of effort and growth."

Your path is different from others; there's no need for comparison.

Just be yourself, utilize your strengths, and remain steadfast in your faith—that's enough.

"Remember, you are the disciple personally chosen by your master, and you are the third seat of the Heavenly Demon Pavilion."

Your worth doesn't need to be proven to anyone, nor does it need to be compared with anyone.

Luo Qingchen listened quietly, the confusion and loneliness in her eyes gradually fading away.

She took a deep breath of the cool night air and slowly exhaled.

The bitter smile on his face finally turned into a bright smile of relief mixed with a touch of embarrassment.

"Master..."

She turned to look at Gu Changyuan, her expression a mix of coquettishness and gratitude.

"Have you secretly learned how to charm girls? You're making me... almost believe you."

Gu Changyuan chuckled:

"I'm just telling the truth."

"Thank you, Master."

Luo Qingchen said softly, her tone sincere and gentle.

"I... feel much better."

......

The next day, before the morning mist had completely dissipated, the Heavenly Demon Pavilion erupted with earth-shattering spiritual energy fluctuations.

With the Heavenly Demon Tower as the absolute center, a massive, three-dimensional array network, covering almost half of the core area of ​​the Heavenly Demon Pavilion, solidified and unfolded simultaneously on the ground and in the air above the Heavenly Demon Pavilion.

It was the teleportation array that Gu Changyuan had set up here.

From then on, Gu Changyuan could freely return to the Heavenly Demon Pavilion through the teleportation array, and the basic principle was similar to that of the Heavenly Human Holy Land.

The spiritual energy required by the array is obtained through the spiritual veins, and then replenished after it is transmitted.

The magnificent sight of the successful activation of the grand formation naturally attracted the attention of all the disciples of the Heavenly Demon Pavilion.

This also prompted the ten demon ancestors who had just finished cultivating and consolidating their realms, along with Ye Qingxue and the other two women, to arrive at the Heavenly Demon Tower immediately.

Gu Changyuan slowly emerged from the still-present light of the array, his breathing steady.

"Master!" The disciples gathered around, their faces filled with excitement.

Such a miraculous formation, in their eyes, was proof of their master's great supernatural powers.

Gu Changyuan nodded slightly, his gaze sweeping over the disciples, and said:

"The grand formation is complete, making future travel much more convenient. Next, there are still matters to attend to."

"First, deal with the matter of the Ten Thousand Demon Alliance and solve this problem once and for all."

Then, head to the Demon Realm to find Mo Yingluo and the others, and settle the lingering concerns with the Heavenly Demon Sect.

Upon hearing that their master was going to personally deal with the Ten Thousand Demon Alliance, the demon disciples were invigorated.