The Cultivation Method of Junior Sister is Unscientific

Zhou Li was about to speak up again, but Zhou Dai firmly gripped the hem of his robe.

Zhou Li clenched his teeth, forcibly holding back.

At this moment, the inexplicable fondness he had initially felt for Ye Danxia completely transformed into disgust.

Cultivators were born to defy the heavens, always competing for opportunities, treasures, and territory. He and his brother had been taking on missions outside the sect to secure their own future. Despite being disciples of the sect leader, they weren’t particularly favored, so they had to strive for many things on their own.

But now? With a single word, Zhao Wuji wanted them to remain in the sect, essentially becoming babysitters for their so-called Little Junior Sister.

If Ye Danxia had saved their lives or bestowed great favors upon them, caring for her might have been understandable. But in reality, it was their Demon-Breaking Token that had saved Ye Danxia’s life!

Giving up the token wasn’t enough; now they were expected to stay behind and look after her. What about their future? Their ideals and aspirations? Did those no longer matter?

Now, whenever Zhou Li thought of Ye Danxia’s pale, delicate face, a wave of nausea washed over him.

“Zhou Li, Zhou Dai, do you two have any objections?” Zhao Wuji gazed sternly at his disciples.

Before Ye Danxia, he had five disciples. His favorites had been his first disciple, Ruan Jun, and fifth disciple, Han Xiaoyu. Now, of course, the youngest, Ye Danxia, was most cherished.

The middle disciples were mere tools to Zhao Wuji. He hadn’t accepted them for their talent, but for other purposes. They had enjoyed the title of true disciples and better resources than others for years. It was time they made some contributions.

If they were willing, fine. If not…

A cold glint flashed in Zhao Wuji’s eyes.

“Master,” Zhou Dai said respectfully, “We’ve been away for years, unable to serve you properly, which has been a great filial failing. Naturally, we should remain in the sect now, to serve you above and care for our Junior Sister below. This is for the best.”

Zhou Dai spoke sincerely, and Zhao Wuji nodded with satisfaction. “Then I’ll leave Danxia’s care to you. Visit her tomorrow and provide whatever she needs. If she loses so much as a hair, I’ll hold you responsible.”

“…Yes,” they responded in unison.

“Alright, you two must be tired from your journey. Go and rest,” Zhao Wuji waved them away.

Zhou Li and Zhou Dai respectfully withdrew.

Only after returning to their room and activating a barrier did Zhou Li express his discontent. “Brother! What does Master mean by this? We’re already the least favored among the disciples, and now we can’t even seek our fortune outside? Just for some random Junior Sister, we’re to be confined to the sect?”

Zhou Dai’s expression was thoughtful as he replied, “Brother, many things have changed in the sect since we left. Why is Second Senior Brother following a strange girl? What’s the situation with this Junior Sister, and why is she confined to Heshan? I feel uneasy not knowing these things. Perhaps it’s better to stay and understand the situation before thinking of leaving.”

Zhou Li nodded reluctantly but couldn’t help adding, “I still think Master is being partial.”

Zhou Dai gave a bitter laugh. Partial was an understatement. The favoritism was extreme. But what could they do? They could only endure silently.

The brothers left their room, splitting up to gather information from friends about recent events. Upon reconvening and comparing notes, they fell silent.

They knew Zhao Wuji played favorites, but to this extent?

“Second Senior Brother may be eccentric, but he’s always been good to us! Yet this Junior Sister manipulated him against Yun Jin, and he alone bears the consequences?” Zhou Li clenched his fists in anger.

“Not only that! Second Senior Brother’s downfall was because of Ye Danxia, and instead of feeling guilty, she tried to have him killed?” Zhou Dai’s voice turned cold.

He knew things might be absurd, but he hadn’t imagined this level of absurdity.

Ye Danxia had committed numerous wrongs, yet was merely confined to Heshan. Meanwhile, Second Senior Brother was forced into a master-servant contract, forever bound and likely cut off from the path of immortality.

Was this… fair?

It wasn’t fair at all!

They were furious and resentful, seeing reflections of themselves in Gu Jinghong’s fate. But they were so insignificant. Zhao Wuji towered above them like a deity, easily deciding their fates.

Zhou Li wanted to say more, but seeing Zhou Dai’s expression, he fell silent. What was the use of talking? As if they could change anything. Not only could they not change things, they were now expected to carefully tend to their “pure-hearted” Junior Sister.

Pure-hearted… Zhou Li recalled Zhao Wuji’s assessment of Ye Danxia and sneered. Was their master truly blind or just heavily biased? If someone like her was considered pure-hearted, did such people even exist in this world?

After a long silence, Zhou Dai said, “That Yun Jin is quite interesting.”

Zhou Li nodded in agreement. He had only glimpsed Yun Jin once but had heard much about her exploits. In all these years, she was the only one who had pushed their master to such extremes.

Zhou Dai sighed, “We should find time to visit Second Senior Brother, bring some gifts, and hope Yun Jin treats him well. But we must do it secretly, without Master’s knowledge.”

Though frustrated, Zhou Li acquiesced, “I’ll follow your lead.”

The brothers talked a while longer before settling into meditation.

In the Sect Leader’s quarters, Zhao Wuji summoned Ma Hongyu and Ye Cheng, his face expressionless.

Ma Hongyu immediately prostrated himself, “Sect Leader, it’s all due to my poor teaching. I accept any punishment you deem fit.”

Ye Cheng, who had been looking down, suddenly raised his head, “No, it was my own lack of skill! If anyone is to be punished, let it be me.”

Zhao Wuji coldly regarded them both. “You lost so miserably today, bringing shame upon me! Now you speak of punishment? Had I known you were so useless, I wouldn’t have kept you all these years!”

Ma Hongyu was stunned. Kept them? Had they not contributed?

But Zhao Wuji was clearly enraged. After a vicious tirade, his voice finally steadied. He glanced at Ma Hongyu, then looked away. As the sect’s only fifth-rank cultivator, he still needed Ma Hongyu. This man couldn’t be touched yet.

But Ye Cheng… Both his crushing defeat by Yun Jin and his voluntary admission of loss had touched a nerve.

This person could not be kept.

“Come forward,” Zhao Wuji said coldly.

(End of Chapter)