Wen Xun felt guilty towards his daughter, "Shen Wu, Ranran was just frightened, that's why she behaved poorly. Don't take it to heart."
Receiving disapproving glances from others, Wen Ran realized she was being muddled by anger. Earlier, she had thought about how he moved her by holding her protectively, but actually, he was just using the situation to gain sympathy.
She secretly gritted her teeth, and when Shen Wu's cold eyes glanced over, she could clearly feel that he was mocking her.
Apart from her, no one knew how malicious a soul Shen Wu harbored beneath his aloof and detached demeanor.
Wen Xun asked with concern, "What exactly happened? How did this cause such a commotion?"
If they hadn't heard the rumbling collapse, they wouldn't have found this place.
Shen Wu took a Blood Replenishing Pill, and slowly some color returned to his face, but the blood-soaked clothes were still horrifying to look at. In comparison, Wen Ran's clothes were dirty, but she appeared much cleaner and tidier than Shen Wu.
No one knew just how much effort Shen Wu exerted to protect Wen Ran or how many dangers he faced.
He cherished Wen Ran so much, even in danger he would use his body to protect her. The other disciples couldn't help but feel admiration. If they were women, they'd want to marry such a responsible and dependable senior brother.
Unfortunately, the junior sister was still young and sometimes unruly. When she quarrels with senior brother again in the future, they must try to persuade her.
Wen Ran received many glances from the senior brothers, then glanced at Shen Wu's blood-soaked clothes, understanding that he didn't mind dirtying his clothes—it was one of his methods to elicit sympathy.
Shen Wu was a man of few words. Facing the master's inquiry, he lowered his gaze and slowly said, "Ranran and I fell into a cavern where we encountered a Snake Demon. The Snake Demon's sorcery was profound, and it took several rounds of combat with Ranran before we managed to kill it and narrowly escape."
Fortunately...
Wen Ran looked at Shen Wu's indifferent posture. His stern expression never changed. Had she not experienced it herself, even she would believe his words.
"That should be the Snake Demon your senior brother caught back from the Mortal World years ago," Wen Xun said, feeling fearful, "That Snake Demon transforms to tempt hearts, extremely tricky to deal with. It's lucky that both of you managed to escape alive."
A junior disciple eagerly asked, "Is it the Snake Demon from the story Third Uncle once told us?"
Third Uncle lived in the Medicine Garden and was the only female elder in Wen Xun's generation. Known for her meticulous mind, she focused on making elixirs and handling logistics, having cared for every new disciple at some point.
She often told stories to children during herbal classes. Back then, the Master subdued the Snake Demon with one sword stroke, becoming a heroic figure in their hearts.
Shen Wu said, "It had sword scars on its face; it should be that Snake Demon."
"Senior Brother, you killed that Snake Demon!"
"Which move did Senior Brother use to defeat the Snake Demon?"
"Senior Brother, you're amazing!"
Everyone complimented Shen Wu almost to the point of idolizing him.
Wen Xun also showed satisfaction. Shen Wu, the disciple he trained meticulously, would certainly achieve greater heights in Ascension Immortal Mansion.
Although Shen Wu claimed he dealt with the Snake Demon alongside Wen Ran, in everyone's heart, Wen Ran was perceived as a burden. Her limited strength barely prevented any hindrance, so fighting alongside Senior Brother seemed out of reach.
At that moment, Yan Qing joined the lively crowd then retreated, speaking to Wen Ran with a somewhat awkward tone, "Sister, in situations like these, you should prioritize yourself. If something happened to you, I wouldn't be able to live with my guilt."
Luo Huai also came over, more lively than Yan Qing, "You sent the rest of us away and stayed behind alone, really scared me! I am your senior brother. I should take the lead in facing problems. I'm relieved you're okay now; otherwise, I'd have to apologize deeply to the master!"
"I'm fine now..." Wen Ran felt a bit scared recalling the events. She wondered where she found the courage to stay behind.
Wen Xun had heard how Wen Ran sent her two senior brothers away, couldn't help but reprimand, "The Transmission Array isn't something you can casually draw! Consider your cultivation level; doing so could lead to Spiritual Power depletion and death!"
Wen Ran responded with an "Oh."
Shen Wu glanced indifferently at Yan Qing and Luo Huai, who didn't crowd around him like the other junior disciples. The color faded from his face again, becoming pale as a sheet, "Master, I must confess."
Wen Xun was about to explain the consequences of impulsivity to his daughter when he heard Shen Wu's words, asking, "What's wrong?"
"During the battle with the Demon Beast, the Seeking Flaws Sword Master gave me broke."
Seeing the two halves of the Treasure Sword in Shen Wu's hand, Wen Xun inhaled sharply.
Shen Wu continued, "To a Sword Cultivator, the sword is life; when the sword breaks, so does life. Breaking the Seeking Flaws Sword was my fault; I ask Master to punish me."
With that, Shen Wu's slender frame wobbled slightly, attempting to kneel, but Wen Xun quickly caught him.
Inside, Wen Xun's heart was bleeding with pain, but he knew escaping the Snake Demon's clutches with his daughter was already difficult for Shen Wu. He couldn't chastise him for a broken sword. Instead, he forced a smile, "Shen Wu, it's not your fault. Don't blame yourself."
The junior disciples quickly comforted him.
"Senior Brother, it was an accident, not your fault."
"If it were me, I doubt I'd survive a single move against the Snake Demon. Senior Brother's life is worth more than any sword!"
"Yes, Senior Brother, don't feel guilty. Master surely knows how to find someone to repair the Seeking Flaws Sword."
"Even if it can't be repaired, Master can surely procure a sword as good as Seeking Flaws for Senior Brother."
...
Wen Xun's expression was about to break.
A Seeking Flaws Sword was rare even in a century, and finding a better sword? Did these disciples think swords were like carrots planted in the ground, ready to be plucked at any time?
He took several deep breaths to calm his emotions slightly.
The girl called out, "Father."
Wen Xun was startled, having not heard his daughter call him this for years, followed by immense joy. He disregarded the pain for the Seeking Flaws Sword, shifting his gaze to his adorable daughter, happily asking, "Ranran, what's up?"
If Wen Ran wished for stars from the sky, he'd find a way to bring one down.
Wen Ran also produced a broken sword, blinking, "My sword has broken too."
Wen Xun looked at his eldest disciple's broken sword then at his daughter's broken sword, temporarily forgetting to breathe, his body swaying.
Everyone shouted, "Master!"