In the sect's mission hall—
Young disciples gathered before the mission board, whispering amongst themselves.
"Who was that just now? She actually accepted that demon-slaying mission all by herself."
"Are you new? That's Senior Sister Su. She doesn't even bother with a small mission like that."
"Is Senior Sister Su always this intimidating? I forgot to breathe just now."
"Ah, this... you'll understand later."
Ever since Su Shenxue's first solo mission, it was as if a switch had been flipped.
She frequently accepted sect missions, and each time, it was either demon-slaying or missions involving information about demons.
There were many times she returned injured, but she paid it no mind.
Even in the midst of battles, she grew more fierce and fearless.
Unsure how many demons she had slain or how many wounds she had sustained, a trace of bloodlust began to tinge her aura.
Within her stagnant eyes, a fierce beast seemed to awaken.
If before she gave off an impression of being unapproachable and unsettling.
Now, she was unapproachable and terrifying.
When sect disciples went out on missions, they saw her amidst a horde of demons, braving the wind and rain of blood.
The scene was like a reenactment of hell.
Visually impactful.
Chilling to the bone.
After that, many disciples secretly gave her a title—'The Foremost Demon Slayer'.
...
Unlike Su Shenxue's sharpness, Que Sixi was like his jade flute.
Polished to a smooth, gleaming finish.
His ambitions were not in demon-slaying, nor in achieving ascension.
He simply wished for a carefree, everyday life.
Cultivating, eating, drinking, and playing.
Sect disciples, upon reaching a certain cultivation level, were mandated to undertake sect missions at least a few times a month, accumulating a certain amount of contribution points.
Failure to do so would result in punishment.
When it was Que Sixi's turn to undertake missions, he spent days picking and choosing.
He always opted for the easy and simple ones.
Such as descending the mountain to procure supplies, buying medicinal herbs from a designated location.
Or patrolling, surveying the territories belonging to the sect for any anomalies.
Or perhaps, transporting an item.
Even if the journey was long, as long as it was safe.
He could also explore various places along the way, killing two birds with one stone.
In terms of cultivation, he was also different from his diligent senior sister.
His progress was steady, neither fast nor slow.
One day, he even brought back a small goldfish and kept it in his room.
He spent his days amusing the fish, cultivating, and eating spiritual fruits.
One day, Jiang Lin's master looked at the large bags of mortal delicacies before him.
Inside were roasted chicken, roasted duck, and various snacks.
Even through the bags, the aroma seemed to waft out.
They were all gifts from his second grand-disciple after returning from a mission.
The master looked at Jiang Lin, "Aren't you going to do something about this?"
Jiang Lin picked up a bag of snacks and opened it. The rich scent of osmanthus immediately billowed out.
It quickly filled the entire room.
After tasting one, he said, "It's quite good."
Then he offered the bag of osmanthus candy to his master, "Would you like to try?"
Master: "..."
He forgot that this disciple was also fond of visiting the mortal realm and indulging in worldly food.
Moreover, he often achieved breakthroughs while eating.
After a moment of silence, the master picked up an osmanthus candy and put it in his mouth.
After a while.
His voice finally echoed in the room, "Too sweet."
He recalled how other peak masters in the sect would tell their disciples that cultivation required hardship and diligent practice.
Only those who endure the bitter can achieve the extraordinary.
His disciple, on the other hand.
Enjoyed the sweetest of treats, cultivating as if it were mere play.
He also adopted a rather hands-off approach to his two disciples.
He would say pleasantries like: not interfering with his disciples' thoughts.
He would even say that cultivation was also about fate.
When the destined moment arrives, one naturally achieves success.
"Aren't you afraid they'll cause trouble for you someday?"
The master couldn't help but complain.
Unexpectedly, his words proved prophetic.
...
"Su Shenxue of the Heavenly Mountain Sect, failed to slay demons and instead fell into the demonic path!"
"Su Shenxue was backlashed by inner demons, killing dozens, and became a demon overnight!"
"Constantly consorting with demons, she eventually became one!"
...
When these messages spread throughout the sect,
Jiang Lin stood in the Pear Blossom Courtyard, gazing at the two pear trees.
His master rushed over, nearly fuming with anxiety upon receiving the news.
Unexpectedly, upon seeing his disciple, the latter appeared so calm.
His mind raced, and he breathed a sigh of relief, "Is the news of my eldest grand-disciple falling into the demonic path a misunderstanding?"
"I knew it! Watch me go and shut up those gossiping mouths!"
He made a move to deal with people and had just turned.
When he heard his disciple say, "She has indeed fallen into the demonic path."
The master's footsteps halted, his body freezing.
His hand trembled slightly, "She killed dozens of people?"
Jiang Lin looked at the pear trees, "Yes. But they were all those with malicious intent."
In the cultivation world, life and death struggles were commonplace.
"Demons colluded with humans, severely injuring her and destroying her spiritual roots."
She survived, but she also fell into the demonic path.
The master's heart trembled. He looked at Jiang Lin.
His disciple's reaction... was perhaps too calm.
"Did you go to see her?"
"..."
Jiang Lin did not reply.
He neither denied nor confirmed.
Before his master arrived, he had indeed gone out once.
"You..."
The master opened his mouth, wanting to say something.
But in the end, he sighed and left.
Meanwhile, Jiang Lin looked at the pear trees.
He recalled something his eldest disciple had said after returning injured from a demon-slaying mission.
"Master, the demons in this world can never be completely eradicated."
As he spoke those words, his eldest disciple's stagnant eyes had flickered.
His face had also turned pale due to his injuries.
Humans have seven emotions and six desires.
As long as a deviant thought arises in the heart, demonic cultivators will continuously appear.
...
Three days later,
As the news of Su Shenxue falling into the demonic path and her blood-stained hands gradually spread.
More people began to seek out the Heavenly Mountain Sect.
Even the disciples within the sect were filled with suspicion and uncertainty day after day.
It was widely known that the Heavenly Mountain Sect had produced a rare genius in musical cultivation in recent years.
It was also known that this musical cultivator had taken in two disciples.
The eldest disciple was particularly outstanding.
And now,
This eldest disciple had fallen into the demonic path.
...
The master was summoned by the sect leader, and sought out by the peak masters of various peaks.
Although he felt helpless, he also knew that this matter indeed required a resolution.
Moreover, it was best to settle it as soon as possible.
He went to the Pear Blossom Courtyard and found Jiang Lin.
He stood there for a long time before finally speaking, "You need to make a statement."
Whether to protect or expel.
Jiang Lin continued to gaze at the pear trees, making one suspect he had been standing there all these days.
He looked calm, and spoke each word deliberately:
"Su Shenxue of the Heavenly Mountain Sect has fallen into the demonic path. Effective immediately, she is expelled from the sect."
"She is no longer a disciple of the Heavenly Mountain Sect."
As he finished speaking,
The master was stunned, not expecting such decisiveness.
Jiang Lin said calmly, "Her falling into the demonic path is a fact."
Regardless of the reason, regardless of whether he wanted to protect her.
Her falling into the demonic path was a fact.
Her entering demonic territory after falling into the demonic path was a fact.
Her not returning to the Heavenly Mountain Sect was also a fact.
...