What if something happens suddenly and you can't solve it?
Then, either escalate the problem so someone more capable has to step in, or make a scene, throw a fit, and steer the matter in a different direction.
This little trick from the workplace was something Xu Luoshui had mastered to perfection.
Her clumsy acting and fake innocence, mixed with some wild crying and rolling around, turned what was originally a serious power struggle into a complete farce.
Yu Shisheng ended up in a mess and left fuming.
As for revenge, petty schemes, or being targeted, the clone didn't care one bit. In fact, she might even gain some sympathy from it and find another way to profit.
******
As the welcoming ceremony wrapped up, two rumors began spreading through the sect.
The first was about Ancestor Haoyu's personal disciple, who was said to be stunningly beautiful, like a fairy from a painting.
Thanks to the sharp contrast that Cheng Qian had intentionally created between filth and purity, everyone now saw her through a flattering lens. It was true—contrast always left a lasting impression, especially on men.
The second rumor was about Yu Shisheng, the old Grandmaster Yu, who had publicly clashed with Ancestor Haoyu and even bullied Xu Luoshui, who had just become his disciple.
The inner disciples who hadn't attended the ceremony felt like they'd missed out on something huge.
The clone also officially moved into the inner sect. She was assigned a mountain of her own to cultivate on. Compared to Cheng Qian's little cave dwelling in the outer sect, this was like a royal mansion in the capital compared to a thatched hut in the mountains.
Over the next few days, visitors came frequently to her place, and none of them came empty-handed.
Among them, Xiao Wenchuan, the chief disciple, came especially often.
His master was the Golden Core cultivator who had seemed spaced out during the welcoming ceremony.
He also had a medium-grade single fire spiritual root.
He had two reasons for taking such an interest in her.
One was physical desire. She was undeniably beautiful and pleasing to the eye. Even though cultivators usually didn't care too much about outer appearance—many even altered their features during Foundation Establishment—Xu Luoshui felt different to him. He couldn't explain why, but everything from her expressions to her clothes just drew him in. What would it be like to marry a cultivator like her and bring her home?
The other reason was purely strategic. Lately, he had been thinking hard about his future.
He was on the verge of reaching Foundation Establishment. After that, his next goal would be moving toward the Sect Leader position. He wasn't too worried about his cultivation level. What he needed now was more support from Golden Core elders.
The final decision lay with the grandmasters. And the Sect Leader's role was tied to opportunities for reaching the Golden Core stage, something no one could afford to ignore. But now, a problem had appeared: another single fire spiritual root cultivator, and one with a higher grade than his.
If that were the only issue, he wouldn't be too concerned. He had the early advantage. But that person had two grandmasters backing them. That changed everything.
Resources that used to belong to him might get taken away. Even the position of Sect Leader could now have a powerful rival. But Xu Luoshui's sudden rise gave him a new opportunity. If he could form a bond with her, he would gain not just his own master's support, but also that of Ancestor Haoyu.
Once he became Sect Leader and advanced to Golden Core, he could support Xu Luoshui in return. With her as the sect's orthodox heir and him standing beside her, they would both be Golden Cores. When all the grandmasters eventually passed on, wouldn't Lingyun Sect belong to the Xiao family?
******
Present time, inside Xu Luoshui's residence.
"Junior Sister Luoshui, has Ancestor Haoyu gone into seclusion again?" Xiao Wenchuan asked as he sat before her.
She nodded obediently. "Yes, Senior Brother."
"Mm. If you have any problems with your cultivation, you can come to me or to Junior Sister Qingling. The two of us are fairly experienced with single-root cultivation."
"Thank you, Senior Brother. But if I trouble you too often, won't it affect your own cultivation?"
"Hahaha, you're overthinking it. I'm about to reach Foundation Establishment. Right now, I'm mostly trying to comprehend the Dao and search for opportunities. Who knows, maybe I'll find my chance here with you."
"Then if you're free, do visit more. I have no one else here. I've met many people lately, but I still feel closer to you and Senior Sister Qingling."
"I'm just worried that if I come by too often, people in the inner sect will start gossiping."
"You're the one who guided me into the sect." Xu Luoshui gave him an excuse to hold onto.
'If you don't show up often and put some pressure on the other senior brothers and disciples, how long am I going to have to wait to reach the peak of Qi Refining? If I don't show my value fast, how will I get their attention? How will they place their bets on me?' she thought to herself.
Time was precious. If both sides are willing, why not speed things up? And if anything goes wrong later, just wipe away the tears and say, 'It's all my fault. I saw you as my brother. I didn't mean to trouble you.' That would solve everything.
'If I don't act fast, when am I ever going to send resources back to my main body?'
Just then, A slightly immature voice called out from outside.
"Is Senior Sister Luoshui in her cave residence?"
It was none other than Yu Dazhi.
The Yu family wasn't stupid. Since they had failed to prevent her from joining Ancestor Haoyu and couldn't stop the suppression, they had to come up with a new plan.
Naturally, they set their sights on Xu Luoshui. If they couldn't stop her, they could just marry her into their family. The result would be the same.
In the future, they'd even gain a potential Golden Core cultivator.
The only concern was whether the rest of the grandmasters would oppose it. But once the rice was cooked and it was too late to stop, what could they do?
So Yu Dazhi began visiting frequently, both to apologize and to get closer to her. Since she had stolen the chance for him to become a disciple of Ancestor Haoyu, he would just make her his dao companion. Bring her home, and dual cultivate with her every day, maybe that would help ease the bitterness in his heart.
With less pressure in his current cultivation phase, he was quite invested in this idea.
When Xu Luoshui heard his voice, then glanced at Xiao Wenchuan sitting before her, a plan formed in her mind.
Time to increase the intensity for Senior Brother Xiao.
"I'm here. Is that you, Junior Brother Yu?"
Xiao Wenchuan smiled and nodded slightly.
He more or less understood what the Yu family was planning. Honestly, if he were in their shoes, he'd probably do the same. Xu Luoshui was currently positioned right at the intersection of sect politics and benefit. Add her stunning looks, and he figured winning her over would be fiercely competitive.
When Yu Dazhi entered the cave residence, his eyes landed on Xiao Wenchuan at once.
He quickly stepped forward. "Greetings, Senior Brother Xiao."
"Hmm. Settled in already?" Xiao Wenchuan sat up straight, speaking with a pretentious tone.
"Yes."
"Focus on your cultivation. Don't waste your natural talent. If you run into any problems, feel free to come to me."
"Thank you, Senior Brother."
"So what brings you here today, Junior Brother Yu? Didn't you just come by yesterday?" Xu Luoshui asked.
"Senior Sister Luoshui, the new disciples are having a gathering. It's tradition. I was asked to invite you."
"When?"
"Tonight, in the outer sect."
"I'll come with you then?"
"Sure!" Yu Dazhi's eyes lit up. Looks like his sincere apologies and all those gifts were working. At least her guard wasn't as high anymore.
"Senior Brother, I'll need to accompany Junior Brother Yu to the outer sect, so I won't be able to host you today. I actually planned to cook something myself to thank you..."
"Heh, no problem. Another day will do. But remember, you owe me one."
"Of course! You're welcome anytime."
The three of them walked out together.
Just before parting ways, Xiao Wenchuan pulled Xu Luoshui aside and whispered in her ears.
"Junior Sister, you're too naive. Some things aren't as simple as you think."
"Are you referring to something specific, Senior Brother?"
"That Yu family. They've got big ambitions. And interfering in someone's path to cultivation is like killing their father. You saw how Grandmaster Yu looked that day."
"But… Junior Brother Yu sincerely apologized. He even sent me many gifts on behalf of Grandmaster Yu..."
"That's exactly why I say you're too pure. I don't have time to explain now, but tomorrow, I'll tell you all about the Yu family. Be cautious when dealing with them, alright? I'm only telling you this for your own good."
"Thank you, Senior Brother. I'll be careful."
After saying their goodbyes, Xu Luoshui intentionally distanced herself from Yu Dazhi and didn't talk much. A sense of aloofness hung in the air.
Of course, Yu Dazhi noticed. It had to be something Xiao Wenchuan said. Otherwise, she wouldn't be acting so differently.
Thank goodness she was simple-minded and not great at hiding her feelings. If not, he might've thought things were warming up between them.
Though this raised his guard again, at least now he knew where to strike.
Once they reached the outer sect, Xu Luoshui suddenly stopped walking.
"What's wrong, Senior Sister?"
"I… I don't want to go to the gathering anymore. I'd rather visit my cousin. Senior Brother Xiao told me to be cautious, and I think he had a point."
"Senior Sister, he's just trying to manipulate you. Now that we're getting closer, he's trying to turn you against me."
"Forget it. Senior Brother would never hurt me. It's already getting dark. I'll just visit my cousin and head back. Also, please don't come looking for me in the next few days. I don't want him getting the wrong idea."
Before Yu Dazhi could say anything, she turned and ran off.
She never intended to go to any gathering anyway. She just needed an excuse to transfer all the pills, spirit herbs, and cultivation materials she had recently received to her main body.
And while she was at it, why not stir the pot between Yu Dazhi and Xiao Wenchuan? Even without the latter's warning, she would've done the same once she left the inner sect.
Without conflict, there's no gossip. And without gossip, no one would focus on her—the eye of the storm.
The higher the stakes, the more desperate people would become. Marrying her meant securing a future Golden Core cultivator as a dao companion, and possibly the Sect Leader's throne. With such rich rewards dangling before them, they'd lose all reason.
Only then the "naive" Xu Luoshui would begin her real game. After all, she needed to be coaxed, didn't she?
At that moment, Yu Dazhi stood frozen, watching the direction Xu Luoshui had run off to.
His fists clenched tight. Under the darkening sky, his expression turned frightening.
"Xiao Wenchuan… Xu Luoshui… Just wait."
He couldn't retaliate outright—for now. But he could make them squirm.
He already had a plan, and he was going to act on it tonight.