The male supporting character was actually myself.

Thinking about it now, it was indeed inappropriate.

There are many powerful demonic beasts in the back mountain, and it would be too easy for them to conceal their presence from being detected.

Moreover, Zhou Zhixue was so moved by love that night that she couldn't control herself and made quite a commotion. It was entirely possible that some demonic beasts would notice and hear the whole thing!

This is how to do?

If this matter blows up, will the sect force me to marry that little slut Zhou Zhixue in order to quell the scandal? Or... will I be expelled from the sect?!

Chapter Three: Throwing Smears at Each Other

"Senior brother, senior brother, where are you going?"

"Senior brother, slow down! Your injuries haven't healed yet!"

Lin Xucheng felt the situation was becoming increasingly urgent. He quickly swallowed a pill, struggled to get up, ignored his two junior brothers' advice, put on a coat, and rushed straight to his master's meditation room.

"Master! Master, your disciple has urgent business to report!"

As soon as he arrived at the meditation room, he was stopped by a disciple. "Senior Brother Lin, please be patient. Master is in meditation and cannot be disturbed."

Lin Xucheng was extremely anxious, but only by asking his master for help could he get rid of the negative impact of this matter.

Ignoring the burning pain in his chest and the surging blood that seemed about to gush out, he lifted his long robe and knelt at the door of the quiet room to wait.

Regardless of how the sect handles the situation, at least I can show my attitude to my master. With my master, as the master of a peak, protecting me, I can escape this calamity!

Otherwise, the gossip could be overwhelming. What was originally just a one-night stand was no big deal, but if the rumors continue to spread, it could escalate to who knows what kind of situation.

Immortal sects value their reputation and honor above all else, and they must never allow anyone to tarnish their sect's image!

Those who cultivate immortality spend anywhere from a few days to decades in seclusion. Lin Xucheng was originally sent to the secret realm to find a spiritual plant for his master, True Person Qiubai. Although he was seriously injured, he did not fail in his mission.

He was very worried that after his master obtained the Ink Leaf Lotus, he would go into seclusion to cultivate for several years, and then he would be completely doomed!

Lin Xucheng was in a great hurry, and his protagonist aura shone even brighter, quickly enveloping the entire meditation room. After kneeling for half an hour, the door of the meditation room opened and a young boy came to invite him in.

"Master, your unfilial son has brought shame upon you." Lin Xucheng rushed in and knelt down with a thud, crying out hoarsely, "Master, please do justice for your disciple!"

Master Qiubai slowly opened his eyes, exhaled a breath of turbid air, and asked in a deep voice, "What happened?"

You went to the secret realm to find the Ink Leaf Lotus for me, and were seriously injured in the process, needing proper rest. What slander is there to speak of? Perhaps those little children are just gossiping?"

Now that things have come to this, this is the only way to preserve my path to immortality.

Junior Sister Zhou, don't blame me. Blame your bad luck. Who told that gossipy monster to expose this?

"Master!" Lin Xucheng kowtowed solemnly and said in a resounding voice, "It is because I lack experience and have no composure that I encountered Junior Sister Zhou Zhixue while comprehending the Great Dao in the back mountain two months ago. I was bewitched by her and she used her seductive arts to cultivate with me."

Your disciple knows he was wrong!

Master, I will accept whatever punishment you give me, but please, please seek justice for me. That despicable thing happened because she tempted me in every way, which led me to commit such a terrible mistake..."

Dual cultivation?

Upon hearing this, Master Qiubai frowned.

The practice of Yin-Yang harmony and dual cultivation is quite normal for cultivators. After all, if one has a like-minded partner, it is a very good choice to cultivate together to enhance one's magical power and form a reliable alliance, which can take hundreds or even tens of thousands of years.

However, those in the immortal sects are all cultivators who seek longevity. When choosing a cultivation partner, they must not only be careful but also go through all the proper rituals, including formal marriage and announcing it to the world. This is the correct procedure for becoming cultivation partners.

According to the disciple, the two of them cultivated together in the wilderness without any matchmaker's words or betrothal agreement. How is such behavior any different from illicit relations?

As one of the oldest sects on the Maple Orchid Continent, how could the Free and Unfettered Sect tolerate such a heinous act?

"You say Zhou Zhixue used seductive arts to bewitch you, do you have any evidence?"

Lin Xucheng's heart pounded wildly. When he heard his master ask about it, he gritted his teeth, clasped his hands, and said, "Master, you are wise. Your disciple's cultivation is not high and your willpower is not strong enough. You were bewitched on the spot and your essence was taken away by the demoness while you were in a daze. When you woke up, she had already left."

However, Zhou Zhixue, despite being from a prestigious sect, practices unorthodox and seductive arts; this can be easily discovered by investigating her cultivation methods!

Zhou Zhixue did indeed practice the art of seduction, but the manual was personally given to her by Lin Xucheng.

After securing the first kill, he felt that although the opponent was not very strong, she was still a beautiful woman who had taken the initiative to throw herself into his arms. Even a small mosquito is still meat. If he could add some fun to their interaction, wouldn't that be killing two birds with one stone?

It just so happened that when he went down the mountain to train, he casually picked up a piece of black iron at a street stall. When he bought medicinal herbs, he got it for free, and it turned out to contain a high-level cultivation technique for female cultivators.

Cultivators can make themselves more attractive, captivating people with every smile and frown.

Dual cultivation adds a lot of charm, allowing both people to have the ultimate experience.

Sure enough, Zhou Zhixue was overjoyed to find a superior cultivation technique that could make her more attractive. She didn't care at all that practicing seductive arts was a major taboo of the sect, and instead often pestered him to test the effects of the cultivation...

"Since you knew that someone in the sect practiced bewitching arts and easily seduced you to steal your essence, why did you only say so now?" Master Qiu Bai frowned slightly and said in a deep voice, "As a disciple of the Xiaoyao Sect, your first duty is to uphold the righteous path. Upon learning that Zhou Zhixue practiced evil arts, you should have reported it to the sect immediately!"

Lin Xucheng knelt on the ground, not daring to raise his head, and stammered, "I cultivated with great difficulty in the lower realm before I was able to ascend to the cultivation world and join a sect. Over the years, I have remained true to my original intention and have never been moved by personal feelings."

Therefore... therefore, after being captivated, one can't help but feel somewhat reluctant to be harsh on the beautiful Zhou Zhixue...

My disciple has already severed ties with her and we're no longer close. But for some reason, a demon beast in the back mountain has been spreading the news of that night everywhere. Now… I'm afraid more than half the people know…”

The character of Lin Xucheng, the male lead, is clearly defined in the script: he is single-mindedly devoted to cultivating the Great Dao and seeking immortality.

Although he spent most of his time and opportunities catching fish in the pond, his ultimate goal was to ascend to become a banished immortal. Therefore, establishing a firm foothold in the most ancient sect was what Lin Xucheng urgently needed.

The protagonist's halo naturally lends a helping hand, quickly enveloping Qiu Bai Zhenren and successfully lowering his intelligence.

"Sigh...you child, you still lack self-control." After a moment, the other party sighed and said softly, "I can understand your complicated feelings for Zhou Zhixue. After all, it's your first time, so it's natural to have some lingering attachment."

"In that case, go and recover well. I will help you get justice."

"Thank you, Master!" Lin Xucheng kowtowed deeply, finally letting out a sigh of relief.

However, before he could leave, Master Qiubai spoke again: "Once your injuries have healed, go to the Punishment Hall to receive your punishment and go to Lingya Peak to reflect on your mistakes."

"Yes!" He obediently accepted the punishment and left the meditation room, exhaling a breath of stale air.

Lacking sufficient strength, I can only survive by clinging to the margins, waiting for the day when my divine skills are fully mastered...

Lin Xucheng recalled the hardships he had endured, clenched his fists, and thought bitterly, "Once I ascend to immortality, I will make those who insulted me die without a burial place!"

After regulating his breathing for a while, Qiu Bai Zhenren showed a hint of weariness on his face.

"It seems the medicinal properties of the Ink Leaf Lotus aren't enough. I still need to ask Liu Jiangchen to help me refine a pill before I go into seclusion. Only then will I have a chance to completely cure my old ailment." He got up, summoned a boy, and after inquiring about the rumors, frowned deeply. "Go and find out which gossipy demon beast in the back mountain is spreading rumors and insulting my Qiubai Peak disciples. It's too outrageous!"

When the boy went out, the monsters in the back valley were chatting animatedly.

For the simple-minded and physically strong monsters, they can get along well as long as they are not on each other's diet, so the atmosphere in Monster Valley is very harmonious.

"Caw caw!" A huge Wind Chaser Eagle flapped its large wings and shouted in a loud voice, "Truly, each generation is worse than the last. There are too many shameless young cultivators these days."

Even a bird like me has to go to great lengths to win a girlfriend. Back when I was pursuing my girlfriend, how many baskets of good things did I send to her owner? That was the betrothal gift!

"Tsk tsk, I heard that the two scoundrels who were having a tryst in the Purple Bamboo Grove didn't even know each other before, but they got carried away and started doing it right away. Aren't they ashamed of themselves?"

The two-headed dog monster spat upon hearing this, "Tui! What did the dogs do to you? They're shameless, even worse than monsters. Why do you use such a noble word as 'dog' on them? Woof... If you insult us dogs again, I'll tear your stupid bird's mouth apart!"

"Hmph! Stop arguing, you stupid bird, don't you have any new gossip?" The largest wild boar demon beast lay on the ground like a small mountain, its aura overwhelming, and said, "The Free and Unfettered Sect is becoming increasingly decadent. With disciples and followers like this, why don't you hurry up and deal with them to maintain the sect's reputation? Hmph~"

The Wind Chaser Eagle was clearly used to being teased, after all, apart from its speed, its strength was far inferior to that of other demon beasts. After grunting twice in the voice of a wild boar, it flapped its wings and said, "Gah, I just found out that Peak Master Qiubai Peak has personally gone to investigate the little demon girl's responsibility."

"Meow?" The cat demon, half asleep and half awake, yawned and opened its eyes, which seemed to hold the stars and the sea, and asked, "Usually when these kinds of things are exposed, it's the female cultivators whose reputations are damaged, right? Why is the man also taking responsibility?"

I heard it all clearly that night. It was clearly the guy who approached the girl first, and then they were exchanging sweet nothings before I started undressing. How dare he mess with her?

The Wind Chaser flapped its wings and lowered its voice slightly, "Shh! Sister Cat, you can't say that!"

Qiu Baifeng is notoriously protective of his own people, how could you not know that?

Old Man Qiu Bai even had people investigate where the news leaked from, complaining that we, the gossipy monsters of the back mountain valley, had exposed the filthy affairs of us—no, we rats.

The description that the Xiaoyao Sect's Beast Valley did not raise rodent-like demonic beasts was agreed upon by all the demonic beasts.

The cat demon, in particular, felt most at ease, nodding in understanding. "Old man Qiu Bai, that guy is petty, protective of his own, and stingy. I don't know how he became the peak master. In my opinion, his senior brother Qiu Shi is the most suitable!"

"Hmph! Sister Cat, old man Qiushi failed his tribulation and died many years ago."

"Already dead? Humans are so fragile." The cat demon closed its eyes again and began to doze off. "Anyway, that woman wasn't a good kid either. I heard Xiao Liu liked her?"

As a rare alchemist, Liu Jiangchen often needs to collect the hair and horns shed by demonic beasts for alchemy. In addition, the demonic beasts also occasionally need some pills to improve their strength, so the two sides cooperate happily and have a good relationship.

"Hehe, no way! I heard it's because Zhou Zhixue looks like Xiaoliu's younger sister who died young that she's been nicer to her. If she really liked pursuing someone, how could she not have even held hands?"

"Woof! Luckily it has nothing to do with Xiaoliu, otherwise that child would be so heartbroken."

"I heard that Liuwazi went on a long trip? Since it has nothing to do with him, hmph~ then let's say less. Although we are not afraid of old man Qiubai causing trouble, it's none of our business if those two scoundrels fight like this."

The Wind Chaser Eagle's eyes gleamed with a gossip-like light as it flapped its wings and took flight. "Gah, I'm going to go take another look around and see what's going on."

With its enormous wings spread, it silently flew towards the distant, ethereal mountain peaks.

"Master, Master, what brings you here?" Zhou Zhixue was still feeling melancholy.

At the mountain gate, she was mocked by Liu Jiangchen and abandoned by her lover who was full of love for her. Her mind was filled with the ruthless, cold and hurtful look in his eyes.

After returning to Wanhua Peak, the heartbroken Zhou Zhixue locked herself in the secret base that Liu Jiangchen had built for her at great expense—the Prosperous Flower Pavilion—to silently lick her wounds.

She didn't know what she had done wrong.

Why was Brother Lin so heartless to himself?

She worked very hard to cultivate the skills he gave her, hoping to make herself more charming and capture his heart, but why didn't Brother Lin feel any pity or emotion?

She silently shed tears while gazing at the fire in the stove. Her mind was in turmoil, and she had no idea what rumors were circulating outside.

"Why am I here?" The extremely angry Fairy Xuanzhu laughed in anger. "Zhou Zhixue, do you really not know what shameful and stupid thing you did? The details of your secret rendezvous in the Purple Bamboo Forest have spread throughout the entire Xiaoyao Sect!"

From the very first day you entered the sect, how did your master teach you?

As women, we must maintain our integrity and never stray from the right path, indulging in pleasure and abandoning our self-respect.

You have a genius like Liu Jiangchen to marry properly, but you insist on bringing shame to Wanhua Peak by having a secret rendezvous with a strange man in the middle of the night. You are not even as modest and self-respecting as the daughters of ordinary families down the mountain!

Not only have you caused a huge disaster, but you've also implicated all the fairies of Ten Thousand Flowers Peak!

The Myriad Flower Peak within the Free and Unfettered Sect is the most unique, as almost all female cultivators who join the sect cultivate there.

Fairy Xuanzhu is not the peak master; she is merely the head of the Lihua Hall. Her disciples are all female cultivators with relatively low aptitude, and besides cultivation, they are responsible for setting up venues for important sect events.

Zhou Zhixue was originally the most promising of her three disciples—she was quirky and clever, had excellent interpersonal skills and was very popular. She was also favored by the alchemist Liu Jiangchen, who would give her some pills to help with her cultivation from time to time.

She had someone to guide her when she went down the mountain for training; she had a master alchemist to help her with her alchemy cultivation. Her future prospects were definitely smoother than her two other senior sisters. Who knew she would be so disappointing!

"Master, please let me explain." Zhou Zhixue was sobered up by her scolding and realized that spending a night of passion without proper consent was a shameful thing, and if not handled properly, it could even ruin the reputation of many female cultivators on Wanhua Peak.

If it escalates to that point, it will be far too serious!