Xuanqing Sect, Tianyuan Hall.
The grandest hall in the entire sect stood cloaked in silence.
Sect Master Gu Changyuan had finally emerged from three years of secluded cultivation. Originally, he just wanted to stretch his legs and casually check on the sect's disciples.
But the moment he stepped out of his cave dwelling, he was greeted by an explosive, world-shattering rumor that had swept through the sect like wildfire:
"Junior Sister Xu Nian pulled a primordial beast out of the ground while weeding—and it even recognized her as its master!"
Gu Changyuan: "…"
His first reaction wasn't delight. Nor shock.
It was to clench his jaw and growl, "…Was it those lunatic disciples of mine again?"
—
Meanwhile, Xu Nian sat nervously at the Main Peak, awaiting the Sect Master's warm and friendly "chat."
Her legs trembled a little—not because of Gu Changyuan himself, but because the five senior brothers beside her were all wearing expressions that screamed 'touch our sister and die.'
"Don't worry, Junior Sister," Shen Wang said coldly. "If he dares give you trouble, I'll slice the Sect Master's chair in half."
"I'd rather burn the whole hall down first," Xie Linyuan muttered, arms crossed.
Bai Qi smiled gently. "It's fine. Worst case, we take her and start our own sect."
Xu Nian: "???"
"Can you all PLEASE stop talking?! He's going to think I'm leading a rebellion!"
Just then, the air inside the hall turned heavy. A tall, graceful figure approached with steady steps.
The legendary Sect Master—Gu Changyuan—had arrived.
Clad in flowing white robes, with deep, refined features and an aura of ethereal elegance, he looked like the embodiment of the Dao…
But inside? He was already having a spiritual panic attack.
"So this… is Xu Nian?"
He gazed at the sweet-faced, innocent-eyed girl in front of him—then looked down at the violet furball in her arms.
Golden eyes, swirling aura, a tail of radiant feathers… It was unmistakably a primordial spirit beast—one that had already imprinted on her.
Gu Changyuan was silent for a long while.
Then he let out a sigh.
"…She's a child of destiny."
He glanced at Shen Wang and the others, and sighed again. "And a truly unfortunate one."
Shen Wang: "?"
Gu Changyuan sighed a third time. "With you five lunatics pampering her like this, it's a miracle she's survived at all."
Xu Nian: "???"
Excuse me?! What do you mean, Sect Master?!
But things didn't stop there.
After a long pause, Gu Changyuan finally dropped the bombshell:
"From today onward, Xu Nian shall be designated as a Top-Level Protected Disciple of Xuanqing Sect.She will be placed directly under my authority.She will receive priority access to cultivation resources and be allowed to bypass rank restrictions."
The air turned frosty.
Shen Wang's gaze darkened. "Sect Master… are you trying to take my Junior Sister as your personal disciple?"
Gu Changyuan replied coolly, "I am simply protecting her."
Xie Linyuan's eyes glinted dangerously. "You mean to take her away from us?"
Gu Changyuan raised an eyebrow. "She joined Xuanqing Sect. Not your private cult of maniacs."
Lu Jin sneered, "Better maniacs than cold-hearted cowards."
Bai Qi smiled softly. "The Sect Master may have a point. But we still say no."
Gu Changyuan: "…"
Xu Nian: "…"
Wait a minute. Are you people really about to throw hands in the great hall… over me?!
[Warning! Mascot Pampering Levels Reaching Critical Mass!Spiritual energy distortion imminent.Host, this is your one and only chance to prevent the Sect Master's throne from being split in two.]
Xu Nian sprang into action, clutching the violet furball and rushing forward.
In the softest, cutest voice she could muster, she cried out:
"Senior Brothers… if you keep fighting—Snowball's going to cry!"
"Squeeee—"
Snowball blinked his golden eyes with heartbreaking innocence, gave a pitiful whimper, and inhaled deeply—just enough to summon half a thundercloud with a casual roll.
The room: "…"
Gu Changyuan fell silent for two full seconds.
Then turned around and left.
"…Meeting adjourned.Nobody touch her.Don't provoke that furball.And for the love of the Dao—don't mess with the lunatic squad behind her.I still want to live."
—
Not long after, yet another shocking rumor spread throughout the sect:
"Junior Sister Xu Nian isn't just the master of a primordial beast—Even the Sect Master doesn't dare lay a finger on her!"
"What's her background? Why are her senior brothers bold enough to challenge the Sect Master himself?!"
"The Sect Master gave her her own spirit farm and 100 spirit stones a month! That's more than inner elders!"
Xu Nian sat on her bed, cradling Snowball, surrounded by waves of mistaken awe and dramatic exaggeration.
She just wanted to stay low-key and survive… was that too much to ask?
Snowball licked her palm affectionately and chirped in his soft, fluffy voice:
"Master… was amazing again today!"
Xu Nian sobbed, "I don't want to be amazing… I just want to go home…"
[Ding! Plot deviation now at 43%.Blackening probability for senior brothers has dropped by 5%.Main characters from the original story are preparing to appear.Side quest: "Clash of Fates" will soon be unlocked.]
Xu Nian's eyes widened. "…The protagonist team is coming?!"
The system yawned lazily:
[Yes. They'll show up next chapter… under the pretense of a friendly sect exchange.]
Xu Nian: "Oh no.This smells like the start of a massive love-triangle death match."
She turned to look at her five gorgeous, emotionally unstable, overpowered senior brothers.
Suddenly, she wanted to light incense… for the protagonist team.
To whoever's coming next—This is your last chance. Turn back while you still can.