18

Chapter 262: The Third Direct Disciple
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Su Cheng's breathing was steady, his neck still bearing the scratch marks and lip prints she'd left behind. His sturdy arms were particularly alluring.

Cang Jue had never known a man could be this exquisite.

It was like poison, addictive, making one speak against one's will, leaving one trapped between a rock and a hard place.

She shouldn't have. She couldn't have. But she was wrong. She did it.

"Su Cheng, we shall never meet again! If we do, I will kill you!"

Gritting her teeth, she spat out the words with venom before flipping off the bed with fierce determination. But she stumbled, crashing to her knees…

Damn it, Cangjue was furious. Su Cheng was a beast, but what infuriated her even more was that Su Cheng truly treated her like an animal!

If she weren't a physical cultivator with exceptional constitution, who among ordinary cultivators could withstand Su Cheng's crushing blow?

Shaking and staggering, she pulled herself to her feet, clutching her trembling legs like secondhand goods. After pulling her clothes on, she pushed open the door.

Beyond the threshold stood Little Greedy Cat, her face brimming with envy. Elder Yu Lan~

"How was it? How was it? Was it satisfying?"

Damn it, Cangjue! She now believed there wasn't a single decent soul left in Lingxian Hall!

"Next time I see him, I'll kill him!"

Yu Lan dismissed it as bullshit. She didn't buy that nonsense for a second!

She even suspected it was just an excuse—a convenient pretext for sneaking another taste next time!

"Mm-hmm, I know. So, how was it? Did you enjoy it?"

"…So-so…"

Yulan's eyes were practically glowing!

Who could possibly understand, family?

Who knows how Longlong survived these past three days!

If she weren't afraid Chengcheng would be upset, she'd have barged in to duo queue with Cangjue!

Cangjue said nothing more. After informing Yulan, he stormed off in a huff!

Three whole days and nights!

Yu Lan felt a mix of envy and fear—she worried her body might not hold up.

Thanks to the mysterious cultivation technique and occasional dual cultivation sessions, Yu Lan's cultivation had advanced by leaps and bounds. Yet she still felt a bit timid…

Entering the room, she curled up beside Su Cheng and dozed for a while. When he awoke, she intended to tell him everything that had happened over the past three days.

"The third disciple's initiation gift has arrived. Yu Lan took the liberty of accepting it. Here is the gift list."

"I trust Longlong's judgment. I won't look at it. I'll sleep a little longer."

"Stop sleeping! Both disciples are waiting for you."

Su Cheng pouted. What could he do? This was his lot in life!

"I'll soak in the Spirit Pool. Tell Dongfang Jue to wait for me in the Main Hall. As for Shiyao… forget it. I can't bear to see her shed tears."

"I think you should personally speak with Shiyu. She's been kneeling in the Main Hall for three days and nights. No matter what I say, she refuses to rise."

Su Cheng smiled, gesturing for her to rest first while he went to see his second disciple.

After instructing Yu Lan to ensure his appearance was impeccable, he made his way to the Main Hall.

Standing outside the door, he glanced inside. Sure enough, Li Shiyu knelt upright in the center.

Beside her lay a tray with her breakfast. Yu Lan had mentioned that she hadn't eaten a single grain of rice in three days.

The meals delivered remained untouched—exactly as they were brought in, not a single bite taken.

He entered the hall with feigned nonchalance, pretending surprise at discovering his second direct disciple.

"Hmm? Shiyu, what are you doing here?"

"Master…"

Li Shiyu whipped her head around, instantly preparing to put on a mask of anguish. But Su Cheng had anticipated this!

He cut off her attempt to cast a spell, refusing to give her the chance to raise her hand!

"Go buy some things for me. I'm hungry too. Do you still have any pocket money?"

"Um…"

Li Shiyao froze. Huh?

What was Master up to?

Was he not going to punish Shiyu?

"Shiyu, why are you kneeling here?"

Startled, Li Shiyu's sturdy frame trembled as if she'd been caught off guard.

"Elder Cangjue…"

Su Cheng feigned ignorance, tilting his head suspiciously at Li Shiyu.

"Elder Cangjue seems to have been poisoned, but it's fine—your master has already taken care of it. What do you know, Shiyu?"

Li Shiyu pondered thoughtfully…

Could it be?

Master didn't know? Then what the hell was she afraid of!

Hehe~

Li Shiyu slowly stood up, scratching her head as she feigned ignorance.

"Hmm… Poisoned? How could that be? Elder Cangjue really was careless. Haha, Master, don't you agree~"

Su Cheng was laughing inside, but he had to pretend not to notice!

"Yeah, who knows where this poison came from~"

Li Shiyao chimed in, "Exactly, exactly! This poison… Shiyao has no idea either. Maybe Elder Cangjue accidentally drank it… Anyway, Shiyao really doesn't know…"

"Alright, go buy some things for me. Ask Elder Yulan what exactly to get."

Su Cheng chuckled. Finding a moment of leisure these days was truly difficult!

After a quick bath, he returned to the Main Hall where Dongfang Jue was already waiting.

Leaning lightly against Su Cheng's desk, Dongfang Jue leafed through the books Su Cheng had exchanged for recently. Compared to the previous two disciples, Dongfang Jue was more composed and poised in his demeanor.

Though the Holy Maiden Li Shiyao seemed promising, she was still a child at heart—far less mature and steady than Dongfang Jue.

"I hear Jue'er's initiation gift has arrived. Have you made your decision?"

Dongfang Jue was no fool. The gift was merely a reminder to Su Cheng; it wouldn't sway her decision to become his disciple.

"Jue'er made up her mind long ago. Once she decided to seek a master, she would never regret it."

As she spoke, Dongfang Jue slowly turned around. Today, she wore a red dress, unexpectedly shedding the armor that usually accompanied her.

"Disciple greets Master."

"No need for formalities. Sit down." Su Cheng smiled, gesturing for Dongfang Jue to take a seat. "Have you been waiting impatiently these past days?"

Dongfang Jue flushed with embarrassment but spoke frankly.

"I won't hide it from you, Master. Seeing my two senior sisters improve daily, I naturally wished to join the door as soon as possible. I want to follow in their footsteps and help ease your burdens."

"In that case, I shall accept you as my disciple today. What do you say?"

Su Cheng tilted his head, studying Dongfang Jue intently, trying to read something in his expression.

"Really?"

Dongfang Jue was both astonished and thrilled!

After waiting so long, he had finally heard those words!

"From this moment onward, you shall be my third direct disciple, Su Cheng. Even if I betray heaven and earth, I shall never betray you."

Dongfang Jue could no longer remain seated. He immediately knelt and kowtowed to his master!

"Thank you, Master! This disciple will never betray your trust in me, nor dishonor the name of Lingxian Hall's direct disciple!"

Su Cheng smiled and helped Dongfang Jue to his feet.

"But be prepared, Jue'er. My expectations for each disciple differ. What you seek is not the same as what Qinghan Shiyu sought…"

"This disciple fears no hardship! I am prepared!"

Su Cheng ruffled Dongfang Jue's hair and chuckled, "Jue'er, hear me out first."

"I have no intention of monitoring your cultivation daily, nor do I plan any grueling drills. Don't put pressure on yourself."

"Qinghan has been alone for so long, seeking nothing more than a place to call home."

"Shiyao is pure and kind-hearted; she seeks nothing more than carefree days."

"Jue'er cares for all living beings, viewing the protection of the world's populace as his duty. Your master will naturally aid you, but Jue'er must understand this is no easy task."

"What I know extends far beyond this."

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