Players: All NPCs in the Sect Are Moles

The three hundred and eighty-sixth time.

Amidst the endless clamor and mental torment, Su Ling’er felt herself gradually growing numb.

It wasn’t until her Eldest Senior Brother’s footsteps drew near that a jolt shot through her numb senses as if from a needle prick, and she tensed instinctively.

The aching fatigue born from repetitive labor was instantly suppressed by a much stronger sense of wariness.

She turned around, forcing a smile that looked more pained than tears.

"Eldest Senior Brother, is there anything else?"

The deafening racket seemed to only accentuate her loneliness and helplessness.

The shadow of her Eldest Senior Brother, who approached as if riding the wind, fell over Su Ling’er and completely enveloped her.

His gaze lingered on the strands of hair plastered to Su Ling’er’s cheek by sweat.

"Are you tired, Junior Sister?"

he asked with concern.

"Do you need them to put in a bit more effort?"

"Are their shouts too quiet? Can you not feel the power they’re trying to give you?"

"Should I have them put more heart into it?"

Su Ling’er’s heart trembled at his words.

’Eldest Senior Brother!’

’Bro!’

’I’m begging you, please!’

’Just make them stop shouting!’

’Louder?’

’Are you trying to kill me faster?!’

’I’m already at my limit! I feel like I’m going to die!’

’Making them shut up would be the best "concern" you could show me!’

The noise, which she had almost grown accustomed to, now sounded even more piercing because of her Eldest Senior Brother’s words.

Su Ling’er quickly replied:

"I’m not tired! Thank you for your concern, Eldest Senior Brother! It is my duty as a disciple to do things for the sect!"

"Mm."

Lin Qingfeng nodded slightly, an approving look on his face, but his words took a different turn.

"Duty is important, of course, but method is even more critical when it comes to cultivation."

"You practice the True Understanding of Ten Thousand Transformations Returning to the Origin, but that technique is merely for solidifying your foundation. It is only the first step."

"If you also start practicing our sect’s Sword Refining Skill, you can use your body as a furnace to temper your muscles, bones, and flesh. Your body would become resilient, and your Spiritual Power would flow without obstruction."

"How could menial chores like sweeping leaves and carrying water possibly tire you out then?"

’Oh my god!’

’Are you seriously recommending that Cultivation Technique just so I won’t get tired of sweeping floors and carrying water?!’

’When will these days of sweeping and fetching water ever end?!’

’I’d take any other job!!!!’

’Oh, Heavens!’

’Oh, Earth!’

’Oh, Celestial Dao!’

’When will this nightmare ever be over!’

And her Eldest Senior Brother was using that ’I’m doing this for your own good, planning for your future’ tone to tell her that the only reason she was suffering so much was because she hadn’t started practicing that cruel, demonic technique.

If only she were willing, all this suffering would naturally be trivial.

He was using the promise of future power to justify her present torture.

Right on cue, a trace of guilt appeared on Su Ling’er’s face.

"Your teachings are wise, Eldest Senior Brother. 𝐟𝕣𝗲𝕖𝕨𝗲𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝗲𝚕.𝗰𝚘𝐦

It’s just that I believe cultivation is like building a high wall—the foundation is the most important part.

I have only just reached the peak of the Qi Refining realm, so my foundation is still unstable.

Besides... after witnessing that Senior Brother’s tragic death, I’m still finding it difficult to calm my mind. I’d like to use these menial tasks to temper my character and solidify my foundation, bit by bit.

Once my state of mind is free of flaws and my foundation is firm, I will absolutely begin practicing the Sword Refining Skill."

She looked up, meeting Lin Qingfeng’s gaze with utmost sincerity.

"There’s no need to rush, Eldest Senior Brother. I said three to five days, and I will definitely give you a satisfactory answer within that time.

By then, I’m sure my progress will be twice as fast, and I will not fail the expectations of the sect, you, or our departed senior brother!"

"Fine... I suppose."

Lin Qingfeng nodded, seemingly accepting her explanation.

"Oh, by the way, Junior Sister,"

"You only need to complete this task another one hundred and fourteen times, then you’ll be able to take on a new task. The rewards will be much more generous than your current one."

He glanced over at the "hype squad."

"Are you sure you don’t need your senior brothers and sisters to give you a bit more encouragement?"

She frantically waved her hands. "No, no, that’s not necessary!

I truly appreciate how hard my senior brothers and sisters are working. They’re giving their all to encourage me, and I’m deeply touched!

They... they really don’t need to keep this up.

I’ve received their sentiments, but their own cultivation is more important. They should hurry back to their residences and practice."

"Don’t worry about it, Junior Sister,"

Lin Qingfeng waved his hand magnanimously.

"Then we’ll have them continue as they are, without increasing the intensity. You just keep working hard.

As your senior, I see all the effort you’re putting in for the sect.

Furthermore, as long as you cultivate diligently, our sect’s Guixi Secret Realm will be opening soon.

This is the greatest opportunity our sect has to offer, one that isn’t available on any ordinary day. When the time comes, I will certainly fight to get a spot for you."

’A Secret Realm?’

’A sect Secret Realm?’

’Could it be one of those legendary treasure-filled lands where you can go on adventures and obtain all sorts of opportunities?’

’That’s a privilege that even the Inner Sect Disciples of Qingxu Temple never had!’

’Even the Direct Disciples of Qingxu Temple rarely had the chance to go to a secret realm.

And after exploring a secret realm, they had to hand over a portion of their gains to the parent sect. If they found any treasures the parent sect took a liking to, they’d be forcibly ’exchanged’ for something else.

For the disciples of Qingxu Temple, whether from the Inner or Outer Sect, it was something they wouldn’t even dare to dream of.

After all, were they worthy?’

’Was I, a former third-stage Qi Refining Outer Sect Disciple, worthy?’

’Even just to get the scraps, only the Direct Disciples of Qingxu Temple had a chance to get a taste from a secret realm.

And this demonic sect was actually going to let me enter their secret realm?’

’How could such a great opportunity fall to a new disciple like me?’

’Unbelievable!’

The word "opportunity" held an irresistible attraction for any Cultivator.

’But this... "Guixi Secret Realm"... what exactly is it?’

"I am ignorant and have never heard of this Guixi Secret Realm. Could you please explain it, Eldest Senior Brother? What kind of realm is it, and when will it open?"

’Here it comes,’ he thought. ’A specific question.’

Lin Qingfeng’s expression didn’t change, but he was screaming internally.

’Doesn’t it all depend on when you, my dear Junior Sister, manage to grind out those five hundred thousand contribution points?!’

’It’ll open when you’re done grinding! How the hell am I supposed to know when that is?!’

’It’s all up to you!’

’You’re the only pure-blooded, native NPC in our entire sect!’

’I can’t just say, "It’ll open on its own after you complete a hundred thousand sect tasks," can I?’

’For one, that explanation makes no sense! And for two, what would that do to my image as a profound and enlightened master?! Do I want that image or not?!’

So, he once again stood with his hands clasped behind his back, casting his gaze into the distance, his expression becoming profound and inscrutable.

"The Guixi Secret Realm is the very foundation of our sect. It contains a world of its own and is exceptionally profound."

"Only those who possess great karmic fortune may enter its gates."

"As for when it opens..."

"That is a secret of the heavens that cannot be divulged."

"You need only remember this: opportunity only smiles upon those who are prepared."

"When you have done enough for the sect, and when your own ’Dao’ has become sufficiently solid, the gate to the Secret Realm will open for you."

Su Ling’er’s lips twitched.

’Unbelievable!’

’Wasn’t that the same as saying nothing at all?!’

’What does he mean, "done enough for the sect"? Isn’t that just a fancy way of telling me to keep slaving away?’

’And "your own Dao has become sufficiently solid"? Isn’t that just telling me to wait until I’ve been worn down completely and finally admit defeat?’

’And it will "open for me"?’

’Do I really have that kind of power?’

’The Secret Realm will open just for me?’

’Why don’t you just go ahead and say the entire Cultivation World revolves around me!’

Her Eldest Senior Brother was just making another empty promise.

The ways this demonic sect exploited its junior disciples were truly endless and incredibly malicious.

Using a vague and illusory promise to squeeze every ounce of value from you in the present.

Su Ling’er let go of any hope, clinging only to what her Eldest Senior Brother had said before.

’I... I just have to do this another one hundred and fourteen times!’

’Then it’ll be over!’

’At the very least, I won’t have to carry water and sweep floors anymore!!!!’

’Maybe the next tasks will have rewards like Spirit Stones.

At this thought, she no longer hesitated. She began to control the output of her Spiritual Power, striving for even greater precision as she completed the menial chores of sweeping and carrying water.

’I have to make sure I don’t wring myself dry before finishing these last one hundred and fourteen repetitions!’