Under the guidance of Luo Li, Lin Qingxue took the first step in scheming against Lu Chuan.
And then, the scene from before happened again. Lin Qingxue straightened Lu Chuan's collar in front of many elders.
Thinking back to her actions just now, Lin Qingxue's heart raced, her face flushed, and she covered her face with her hands to prevent others from seeing.
"What did I just do?"
Following Luo Li's advice, she had made physical contact with Lu Chuan. But she didn't know what he would think of her, whether he would think she was too frivolous.
She had never been in a relationship before, and her only understanding of love came from the novels she read during her worldly experiences. She didn't know what the right thing to do was.
"What should I do?"
She could only trust Luo Li's advice here.
Her disciple was delicate and handsome, clearly popular among women. He must have had experience in love. Moreover, he was a man, so the advice he gave from a man's perspective would surely be useful.
Lin Qingxue encouraged herself.
If Luo Li knew what her master was thinking, she would definitely complain in her heart.
In fact, she was a woman herself, and she was a blank slate when it came to love and romance. The advice she gave was all forced upon her by her mother on the day of her coming-of-age ceremony.
She thought that she wouldn't need it, but unexpectedly, it came in handy.
The perspective shifts back to Lu Chuan.
At the entrance of the Sacred Land sect, Elder Wang Song was checking the list.
"We're only missing one person but we shouldn't delay any longer. Let me inform everyone of the rules to follow in the Sacred Land."
Elder Wang Song had the appearance of a middle-aged man, completely different from the youthful face of his brother. If Lu Chuan were to view it from his past life's perspective, it would be hard to believe that these two were brothers of similar age.
Standing in front of Wang Song were about thirty people, all core disciples who had been accepted as the sect leader's and elders' direct disciples in the past ten years.
They were all unfamiliar faces, and the only names Lu Chuan could recall were Sima Dong and Luo Li.
A white-dressed girl standing in the front row caught Lu Chuan's attention. She was holding a pure white fox in her arms. While everyone else was attentively listening to Elder Wang's words, she was playing with the fox with her head lowered.
The fox seemed to enjoy being touched and made chirping sounds, while she smiled lightly, appearing fresh and elegant.
Lu Chuan recalled the plot he knew and guessed that this pure-looking girl holding the white fox was one of the female leads in the novel.
Her name was Wang Yueyan, the precious pearl in the hands of Elder Wang, and the famous little princess of the Sacred Land sect.
Her story focused on her comforting Luo Li after Lin Qingxue's death and Elder Wang's tragic death, opening up her heart to encourage and support Luo Li with love; helping her overcome her shadow.
Lu Chuan quite liked this tsundere little princess when he read the novel in his past life, especially her jealous and shy appearance when she claimed to be just ordinary friends with the protagonist while showing jealousy by her side.
Luo Li's interactions with her would come later, so it shouldn't trigger any tasks related to her for the time being. Lu Chuan really wanted to tease this tsundere little princess and see her lose in a battle of pride. It would definitely bring him great pleasure..
"Elder Wang, I apologize for being late." Lu Chuan reported to Wang Song.
"So, you're Lu Chuan. Why are you so late? The Sacred Land is about to open. Join the team quickly and listen to my instructions."
Just as Lu Chuan stood beside Luo Li, he received a transmission from Luo Li.
"Senior Brother Lu Chuan, why are you so late?"
Lu Chuan couldn't truthfully say that he got lost inside the sect, so he hesitated for a moment before answering, "I got immersed in cultivation and lost track of time."
Luo Li thought that the master had done something to Lu Chuan. It seemed that she had overestimated her master.
After the internal competition, Lu Chuan was quite popular among the female disciples of the sect. If her master didn't take action soon, how could she compete with those shameless vixens?
No, it seemed that she needed to put in more effort this month and create some opportunities for the two of them.
"Senior Brother Lu Chuan, do you know? My master has been troubled these past few days. There's an elder in the sect who has been harassing my master at our mountain gate."
"Why is that elder bothering your master?" Lu Chuan was puzzled.
"Because he is pursuing my master."
Luo Li's words reminded Lu Chuan that when he first arrived, there was a young man who was always around Lin Qingxue. He was probably the senior elder Luo Li mentioned.
In the original work, this elder was just a foil for the protagonist. His persistent pursuit of Lin Qingxue, who treated him as rubbish who must be avoided, was a highlight of the early part of the novel.
A lapdog, if you will, who ends up with nothing in the end.
Lu Chuan suddenly understood why his martial aunt was acting unusually today. She probably wanted to show their intimacy in front of this lapdog elder and make him retreat.
Lu Chuan didn't mind Lin Qingxue's intimate actions. She was a rare beauty in the world, and this cold swordswoman was only gentle towards him. The contrast was truly irresistible.
There was a moment just now when he even thought that Lin Qingxue might have fallen for him.
Come to think of it, he was a transmigrator from Earth, with differing views compared to the people of this world. Moreover, he, Lu Chuan, also had the identity of an antagonist in this world.
From Lin Qingxue's perspective, he was the one who forcefully took her first time, so how could she easily develop feelings for him?
Besides, even if Lin Qingxue did genuinely like him, Lu Chuan couldn't guarantee that he would be able to respond.
It doesn't matter what Lu Chuan thinks, the Demon Sect will invade soon. If he still didn't have the ability to protect Lin Qingxue from them, she would die.
He wanted to keep Lin Qingxue alive.
Regardless of natural disasters or man-made calamities, regardless of the plot setting, Lu Chuan was determined to defy fate.
For this, Lu Chuan had to strive to seize opportunities from Luo Li, and have more cards in his hand.
He was not only doing bad things for himself but also for Lin Qingxue.
Junior brother Luo Li, for the sake of your master's life, you should make some sacrifices.
When I can control you like I can control ants, when are no longer a threat to me, I will compensate you well.
"Pay attention, stop whispering to each other!" Wang Song looked at Lu Chuan and Luoli and said.
The fluctuations of spiritual energy when the two communicated were exposed.
"After saying so much, there is actually only one core point.
After entering the Sacred Land, sit down and meditate as soon as possible. When you wake up from the meditative state, leave the Sacred Land immediately.
If you stay in the Sacred Land for a time longer than necessary and absorb Dao Rhymes that you cannot accept, these Dao Rhymes will expand in your meridians, eventually bursting your physical body, even immortals won't be able to save you.
The elders are guarding outside the door. If you feel uncomfortable during meditation, come out and seek help immediately.
Do you all understand?"
All the disciples collectively said, "Understood."
The elder took out the sect leader's seal that was entrusted to him and pressed it onto the tightly closed door of the Sacred Land.
The door emitted a light and then opened inward. Wang Song signaled everyone to quickly enter the Sacred Land.
"Such abundant spiritual energy!"
"It truly deserves to be the former residence of the Saint who founded the sect. It's truly extraordinary!"
Several disciples couldn't help but marvel at the difference in spiritual energy inside the Sacred Land compared to outside.
On the other side, Wang Yueyan handed the white fox to Elder Wang Song and admonished him.
"Dad, while I'm not here, you must take good care of Xiao Bai. Don't let it go hungry, get hurt, or tired..."
Elder Wang Song hurriedly took the white fox. "My little ancestor, you should go in quickly. I raised you, so I should be able to take care of a little fox."
Everyone was attracted by the words of the elder and looked at Wang Yueyan.
"She's not called a little fox, she's called Xiao Bai."
As if agreeing with Wang Yueyan's words, the fox in Wang Song's hand made a chirping sound and even bit Wang Song.
"Ouch, ouch, ouch! How dare you, little fox!"
"Dad, you're not allowed to be rough with Xiao Bai."
Seeing the elder, who was so imposing in the sect, being scolded by his own daughter, everyone burst into laughter.
"Why are you laughing? Laugh again and I'll take away your qualification for comprehension!"
Amidst the laughter, the disciples entered the sect's Sacred Land.
Only Lu Chuan couldn't laugh. He opened the system and saw a few big characters written on it.
"Mission: Absorb the most Dao Rhymes during comprehension in the Sacred Land, stay in the Sacred Land for the longest time.
Reward: Encyclopedia of Alchemy, Entry-level Alchemy Technique.
Unlock additional rewards by fully absorbing the Sacred Land's Dao Rhymes: Update to the Points Shop."
Although he didn't listen carefully, he still heard the elder say that absorbing too many Dao Rhymes would lead to death.
This system finally stopped pretending. It really was the undercover agent sent by Luo Li!