NOVEL WEB chapter 157
157. For Those Who Strive
“The power of the Demon Refining Sect grows ever stronger, and even a mere witch possesses such astonishing power. Everyone must be extremely cautious in their actions from now on.”
Currently, Daoist Master Wu Hui is still recuperating from his injuries. Su Kexin and Liu Shuqin came to visit him, and he took himself as a negative example, earnestly advising them.
They felt the situation becoming grave. The formidable rise of the Demon Refining Sect undoubtedly threatened all beings under the heavens. The demonic cultivation techniques were extremely brutal and malicious, and more and more people were led astray, joining this demonic sect. Most could not withstand the strain on their bodies and met with tragic deaths. Those who survived cultivated higher-level techniques, becoming demons that plagued the world.
Demonic cultivation is an abyss. Once one falls into it, it’s hard to escape; one either dies tragically or falls into demonhood, which is utterly terrifying.
“It’s very kind of you two to visit our Daoist Master. On behalf of the Daoist Hall, I express our heartfelt thanks!”
A Daoist from the Daoist Hall bowed deeply with utmost respect, offering his gratitude, “If you don’t mind, please join us for dinner at the Daoist Hall tonight, so we can exchange and communicate. The tasks of slaying demons and pacifying beasts will still require everyone’s efforts afterward.”
“It’s nothing, nothing at all. The welfare of the people is not only the concern of your hall; we all hold the world in our hearts and should act for the greater good,” Liu Shuqin said earnestly.
“Yes, our master taught us that supporting the weak and promoting justice are our inherent duties. There’s no need for formalities with us,” Su Kexin added with a light laugh.
The Daoists in the hall were quite welcoming of the two ladies from Tianling Mountain—beautiful, kind-hearted, responsible, and with exceptional abilities.
Recently, many places have been troubled by rampaging beasts, with countless innocents becoming prey. Among these, villains took the opportunity to loot, causing great chaos. Liu Shuqin and Su Kexin were two representatives from Xuan Yun Sect who came to suppress the beasts and eliminate the villains.
The Daoist Hall gathered many righteous Daoists, and its philosophy was not much different from that of Xuan Yun Sect—both took the welfare of the world as their duty, supporting the weak and upholding justice.
Alas, recently, various factions have risen, whether it’s the underworld, the dark alliance, or the Demon Refining Sect. These malevolent organizations have emerged powerfully, bringing disaster to the world. The Daoist Hall has also paid a painful price in the struggle against these evil forces, with fewer and fewer Daoists left, and a shortage of personnel, forcing them to seek help from major sects.
In fact, Xuan Yun Sect wasn’t faring much better. The disciples who could be dispatched had already been sent out, and most of the elders and revered masters had descended the mountain, spreading out across the land to promote justice.
Other sects also came to support the Daoist Hall, but Liu Shuqin and Su Kexin arrived the earliest and even eliminated some fierce demonic beasts along the way.
Liu Shuqin and Su Kexin agreed to stay and coordinate with the Daoists when the time came.
The two walked into the courtyard, discussing the recent events.
“Kexin, this isn’t your first expedition. Don’t overexert yourself. The demons are treacherous, and the beast chaos might be closely related to them.”
“Mm, I know. Indeed, as Daoist Master Wu said, a little witch has become eerily strong and even killed two seniors. These demonic techniques are indeed too terrifying.”
Su Kexin spoke with concern, then sighed deeply, “Speaking of which, I’ve escaped death many times thanks to my senior brother. He’s been away for a long time; I wonder how he is now.”
“You don’t need to worry about your junior brother. With his strength, he might have already achieved great deeds and earned a good reputation somewhere in the world. As for us, we’ve benefited from his help in previous expeditions. Now that he’s not here, we need to be more cautious. It’s most important to stay safe, not necessarily to achieve great things.”
“Mm, but it would be best to achieve great things and make a name for ourselves, otherwise, we’ll be too far behind senior brother,” Su Kexin giggled, her face lighting up whenever she mentioned Lin Nuo.
Liu Shuqin had noticed that no matter the topic, Su Kexin could always bring up Lin Nuo, and it was always in praise—his strong abilities, his modesty, his handsome and carefree demeanor. She used all kinds of complimentary words.
Willow leaves fluttered in the courtyard, and the river flowed gently by, reminiscent of March in Jiangnan, where a young girl on the shore longed for the return of her beloved from afar.
Liu Shuqin asked softly, “Kexin, what is it that you cultivate for?”
“For what… Of course, it’s to save all beings under the heavens.”
“That’s the big picture. On a smaller scale, would you cultivate for someone?”
“Oh, for senior brother.”
Having just spoken of saving the world, Su Kexin had to think for a moment, but now, when asked for whom she cultivates, she replied without hesitation.
Liu Shuqin’s heart trembled, but her face maintained its usual color.
“Why is that?”
“Because my senior brother is strong, and he has been kind to me. In him, I see the qualities of a true virtuous elder—powerful yet humble, not boastful, a man of few words, practical in action, embodying the principles of righteousness in his deeds, indifferent to fame and fortune, devoted solely to the promotion of justice. As his junior sister, I should push myself even harder, taking him as my role model, to become a person of high virtue like him.”
Su Kexin responded earnestly. In her heart, Lin Nuo’s image had long surpassed that of the revered elders of Xuan Yun Sect; he was the person she aspired to be.
It seems Kexin’s feelings for her junior brother are growing stronger.
At Xuan Yun Sect, Han Xianzi once said that Su Kexin harbored a vague romantic interest in Lin Nuo, a common sentiment among young girls, but it was just a fleeting fancy. As she grew older, she would realize it was merely a childish emotion.
But now, in Liu Shuqin’s eyes, it was not a childish emotion. To strive for someone, such feelings only intensify with age, far surpassing the naive affections of youth.
In fact, wasn’t she the same?
To become stronger for Lin Nuo, it was no longer a naive romantic sentiment.
…
“Achoo!”
Lin Nuo’s nose itched, and he sneezed several times. “Who’s cursing me now?”
He rubbed his nose. Although the mountain was cold, his body should not be susceptible to the chill.
“Master, are you catching a cold? Maybe we should soak in the spirit spring. They say embracing each other in the spirit spring can strengthen the body and improve cultivation,” Ling Meng suggested, coming closer.
“What kind of nonsense is that? It’s just a few sneezes, not a cold. By the way, have you mastered the technique I taught you?”
“I’ve been practicing for a long time. I think it should be about right. Master, shall we train the next technique?”
“Don’t tell me what you think, I want to know what I think. What do you mean ‘about right’? You’ve only learned the basics. Come on, if you’re so confident, show me the Localized Tempest.”
“Alright!”
Ling Meng confidently agreed, immediately gathering spirit in her hands and gesturing towards the ground.
“Ah!”
Suddenly, a black whirlwind burst from the ground and swept Lin Nuo into the sky.
Come on, I asked you to demonstrate, not to do it right away. At least let me get out of the danger zone, hey!
…