Infiltrating the righteous path? Just another place to be a sycophant.

Zhao Mengyuan looked at the plate of spirit stones at Lu An's feet, her thoughts a jumble of emotions.

This guy, I didn't expect him to be so capable.

But if that's the case, he won't go back to playing the flute...

No, why would she want him to go back?! Wouldn't it be more peaceful without him?!

"Senior sister, so as long as this is the case, I won't bother you anymore..."

We've been bothering you for years, and only now you realize you need to change?!

Zhao Mengyuan felt a strong urge to hit someone, but she suppressed the impulse.

However, she only started paying attention to Lu An recently; before that, she had been ignoring him.

Now that he has made this choice, it is understandable.

But he had secretly liked her for several years, a fact known throughout the Heavenly Demon Sect! Why did he leave so soon?!

Why did you stop blowing?! Why did you stop blowing?! How could you be so obedient?!

Zhao Mengyuan's thoughts kept changing, and she became angrier the more she thought about it. The veins on her forehead bulged slightly, and her eyes became terrifying.

"Senior Sister... what's wrong?"

As Lu An watched Zhao Mengyuan's eyes gradually turn terrifying, he felt beads of cold sweat trickle down his forehead.

"Aren't you going to write a love letter anymore?" Zhao Mengyuan took a deep breath and decided to change the subject.

"A love letter? Didn't you tell me not to write one, Senior Sister?" Lu An was dumbfounded. Had this violent girl lost her memory today? Or had she simply forgotten?

It's true that important people have bad memories.

It's okay. He's been a seasoned sycophant for years, so his memory is still good; he remembers everything clearly.

However, the two were unaware that their words were immediately overheard by the paparazzi nearby.

The paparazzi hiding in the shadows pricked up their radar-like ears and squinted their eyes.

"Yes, I told you not to write, and you really didn't?"

"Is not it?"

Zhao Mengyuan was speechless again, unsure how to respond.

Damn it, I've been shut down by what I said back then.

"What do you need so many spirit stones for?" Zhao Mengyuan asked, looking at Lu An's plate full of spirit stones. She suddenly changed the subject.

"Buy magic weapons, for cultivation, and..." Lu An thought for a moment, then stretched out his fingers to list them.

"what else……?"

"Saving spirit stones for betrothal gifts..."

Zhao Mengyuan was stunned. Did Lu An even think of this?

However, this was just something Lu An made up on the spot, mainly because he couldn't think of anything else.

Why bother saving up for a bride price? Once your cultivation level is high enough, you can just lie down and relax, living a carefree life. Why the hell would you need a bride price?

I wouldn't take it even if you paid me! Anyone who does is a dog!

Just kidding, if you have enough, you can still be a dog.

"I'll give you a chance, go back and brag," Zhao Mengyuan said through gritted teeth.

"Give me a chance?" Lu An was stunned. What kind of talk was that? Give me a chance?

"Are you trying to play some new trick on me, Junior Brother Lu?" Zhao Mengyuan stopped beating around the bush and raised an eyebrow, saying, "You've been chasing me for so long, I'll give you a chance today. Go back and brag to me."

"No return."

"Why?"

"We can't earn spirit stones." Lu An pointed to the spirit stones in the plate and said very directly.

I don't want to keep being a simp anyway, so I might as well earn spirit stones here.

"Come play the flute for me in the next few days, understand?"

The next moment, several high-quality spirit stones were taken out of Zhao Mengyuan's pocket, and Lu An's eyes widened instantly.

Good heavens, a rich woman! A rich woman indeed!

No, this is the richest woman on the list!

He reached out, but Zhao Mengyuan took the spirit stones back: "Here they are, I will settle the score with you."

Chapter Five: The Sect Master's Personal Guidance

Having been invited by the richest woman on the list, he naturally couldn't stay there and had to go back to his old haunts.

And so, Lu An returned to the secluded bamboo forest and began playing the flute for the richest woman on the list.

Play the flute seriously, don't get the wrong idea.

However, the enthusiasm of the fans was also irresistible, and before long, the Bamboo Forest became overcrowded.

However, Xia Wan and Zi Yue quickly discovered them and chased them all away.

But there are always some staunch fans who appear in this small grove of trees covered with barriers.

They would disguise themselves and hide in the grass, or in the trees. Some even hid in the water with a bamboo tube, or used magical artifacts to conceal their presence and form.

Regardless, everyone loves Senior Brother Lu's flute.

The melodious sound of the flute rang out again in the secluded bamboo forest, but this time, a hurried call interrupted the melodious flute music.

"Senior Brother Lu! Senior Brother Lu!"

A disciple dressed in an inner sect uniform ran over and called out hurriedly.

The people hiding in the shadows wanted to beat him up, but because this was Zhao Mengyuan's territory, they didn't do anything.

"What's wrong? What's the matter that's causing this panic?!"

"The sect leader wants you to go to the council hall!"

Lu An was stunned for a moment. Why did this cheap master suddenly think of him?

It seems that after being promoted to a true disciple, he has always been relegated to the sidelines. He is ignored every day for playing the flute, no tasks are assigned to him, and he is not taught any unique skills. It seems that he has not received any of the treatment that a true disciple should have.

Aside from the token and the privileges of a true disciple, there are still other benefits.

On the other hand, Zhao Mengyuan was said to have been very protective of her before she broke through to the Dao!

"Am I the only one?" Lu An asked.

"And...and Her Highness the Holy Maiden..." the disciple said anxiously, "but she has already passed away."

Lu An was speechless, looking at the flute in his hand, and instantly felt like a stupid donkey.

Well, I went there first. Turns out, they just paid me to play the flute here, and I didn't listen to it at all.

Upon arriving at the council hall of the Heavenly Demon Sect, a familiar figure appeared at the entrance.

Upon seeing this figure, Lu An's heart skipped a beat.

"Hello, senior sister."

"You're here? Let's go in together."

Zhao Mengyuan glanced at him, and for some reason, he felt as if she was waiting for him.

"Senior sister, were you waiting for me?"

"They just happened to be at the door."

The two exchanged a glance, said nothing more, and instead opened the doors to the council chamber and went inside.

Upon entering, one sees a figure sitting in the main seat of the council chamber.

His black and red Taoist robe gave him the air of a demonic person, but his kind and benevolent appearance made him seem more like a righteous person.

Especially that goatee, it even gives off a bit of an ethereal, old Taoist priest vibe.

Even so, the imposing aura and power he exuded in every gesture were undeniable.

The sect leader of the Heavenly Demon Sect, Li Podao.

"Master!"

"Master!"

The two bowed respectfully.

"Hmm, you two look quite well." Li Podao looked at the two of them, stroking his beard, and said, "Have you been neglecting your cultivation lately?"

"I have already reached the eighth level of the Void Refinement stage and originally wanted to break through to the ninth level, but recently I have been busy with sect affairs, so I have been a little lax in my cultivation."

"It's alright. The Righteous Alliance has been quite troublesome lately. Thank you for your hard work." Li Podao nodded: "At the eighth level of the Void Refinement Realm, you are about to step into the threshold of becoming a great immortal cultivator."

"I dare not. There is still a long way to go. The path of cultivation is arduous and far-reaching."

“Yes, the higher you go in cultivation, the more time, opportunities, and resources you need to accumulate for each level. You can’t rush it.” Li Podao sighed, “Unlike me, I’ve been stuck at my current cultivation level for almost a thousand years.”

"Master is blessed with boundless good fortune. Given time, we will surely obtain an opportunity to break through to the next level of cultivation!" Zhao Mengyuan said somewhat flusteredly.

Upon hearing this, Lu An broke out in a cold sweat.

Good heavens, my senior sister is a Void Refinement expert, so why is Li Podao recruiting me as a true disciple? Is he just filling a quota?

"Alright, let's stop saying things like that. And you, Lu... Lu An...?" Li Podao thought for a moment, then called out his name with some uncertainty.

"Yes, disciple is here." Lu An immediately bowed.

This old man, he really seems to have almost forgotten me; he can't even pronounce my name properly anymore.

"The fact that you all came in together shows that you two have a good relationship."

"It's all thanks to my senior sister's good care," Lu An quickly replied.

Lu An was speechless. How could they say they had a good relationship? They were just familiar strangers who happened to come in together.

"Mengyuan, you must take good care of your junior brother, after all, she belongs to the same sect as you," Li Podao instructed.

"I know, I have been taking good care of you," Zhao Mengyuan nodded in reply.

Good, good, you've taken good care of me, haven't you? The spirit stones for asking me to play the flute haven't been used yet, have they?

"I've heard it for a long time, Lu An, that you were playing the flute in the secluded bamboo forest outside Mengyuan's residence?"

"It's just a hobby, but my senior sister has never liked me bragging about it."

Zhao Mengyuan frowned. For some reason, she felt that there was something wrong with what the boy was saying.

"So I heard you changed your playing location and even received spirit stones as a reward?"

"I only made a little money, nothing to brag about," Lu An waved his hand and said.

"Oh...I see..."

Li Podao stroked his beard and nodded.

What exactly are you trying to say, old man? You called me here just to ask how I am doing?

"By the way, Lu An, how many years have you been my true disciple?"

“Seven years,” Lu An replied, his eyes darting around.

Well, you old rascal, you've really sidelined me. You've even forgotten how many years I've been under your tutelage.

“Oh, it’s been seven years. Thinking about it, it seems I haven’t taught you anything,” Li Podao said.

Upon hearing this, Lu An immediately became excited.

Are you saying this because you've finally remembered me and are planning to teach me something?

I knew it! I, Lu An, am a true disciple of the sect leader! How could they just ignore me and banish me to the cold palace like this?

"Master is busy with many affairs, I understand..."

"Hmm, you're a promising student. How's your cultivation level?"

Lu An looked up, startled.