Players: All NPCs in the Sect Are Moles

The moon hung high in the sky, and the bamboo shadows danced.

A red figure weaved through the bamboo forest. Su Ling’er had pushed her Body Technique to its absolute limit, unleashing the full potential of the Star Stepping Skill.

She made another attempt, trying to break out in a new direction.

But as she advanced, she couldn’t shake the feeling that something was wrong.

The surrounding scenery didn’t seem to be receding. ’Am I... running in place?’

’What’s going on?’

’Why can’t I get out?’

Just then, she felt the back of her collar tighten abruptly, and an irresistible force yanked her backward!

BAM!

That familiar feeling of weightlessness washed over her as the scene before her eyes began to rush backward at high speed.

Su Ling’er instantly recalled the battle against the Heaven-Devouring Frost Flame Wolf.

’It’s over!’

’Don’t tell me I’m...’

’being controlled by First Senior Brother’s Thousand Threads Puppet Show again?!’

The scenery continued to fly backward until she felt a hand land gently on her shoulder.

"Little Junior Sister."

The voice sent a jolt through her body like an electric current. Su Ling’er froze, every muscle tensed.

"Where are you off to so late at night?"

Su Ling’er’s limbs went stiff.

Slowly, she turned her head to look at the figure behind her.

He was dressed in black robes, his silhouette outlined by the moonlight.

!!!

’It really is First Senior Brother!’

’To think I’d run into First Senior Brother himself this time!’

’Why would he come in person?’

’After a battle like that, shouldn’t First Senior Brother be in his abode, soaking in a Spiritual Spring and sipping fine wine, enjoying his life as a demon lord?’

’What is he doing in a godforsaken place like this?!’

’You’re like a ghost that just won’t go away!’

"F-First Senior Brother... I... I just couldn’t sleep, so I came out for a walk."

"The fierce battle with the demon wolf left my mind in turmoil, and I still haven’t been able to calm down. So I came to this tranquil place to gaze upon the sea of bamboo under the moon and soothe my spirit."

Hearing this, the corner of Lin Qingfeng’s mouth twitched.

’Gazing at the scenery to soothe your spirit?!’

’Do you need to run back and forth this many times to do that?’

’Seriously, do you even believe what you’re saying?!’

’I can see right through you!’

Meeting her First Senior Brother’s gaze, her heart pounded with panic, and she instinctively lowered her head.

"Is that so, Little Junior Sister?"

"And yet, I happened to see you dashing back and forth along the sect’s borders more than ten times. Is that also part of soothing your spirit?"

’This NPC isn’t bugged, is she?’

’Whatever, I’ll hear her out first.’

Su Ling’er’s face burned hot.

’Surveillance!’

’He really is watching me!’

’He probably knows exactly where I’ve been, how many steps I’ve taken, and every turn I’ve made!’

’Has this demon lord been hiding in the shadows, spying on me this whole time?’

’Watching my every move, watching me try over and over, only to be stopped by the people he sends over and over!’

’I’m like an ant in the palm of his hand; no matter how much I struggle, I can never escape his grasp!’

’Are you some kind of stalker, First Senior Brother?!’

An immense panic surged through her, and Su Ling’er’s fingertips trembled.

’No, I can’t panic. I have to calm down!’

’Since he hasn’t called me out directly, maybe there’s still a chance to turn this around!’

An image flashed through her mind.

It was from the world under the blood-red sky. After her senior brothers and sisters had finished fighting the demon beasts, many of them sat down cross-legged, and some of them experienced a surge in their aura, breaking through their bottlenecks on the spot.

She hadn’t paid much attention to that detail at the time, but now, it could be her perfect excuse!

She took a sharp breath and lifted her head. A film of moisture instantly welled up in her eyes, making her look as if she was on the verge of tears.

"First Senior Brother, please understand!"

"I wasn’t trying to run amok. It’s just that my heart is full of turmoil, and my mind is a mess!"

"First Senior Brother... even though it was only by borrowing your divine might, I was the one who ultimately struck the killing blow on the Heaven-Devouring Frost Flame Wolf.

After that battle, many of my senior brothers and sisters—even Senior Brother Lu Wu and Senior Brother Shi Gandang—improved their Cultivation from the insights they gained. Some even broke through their bottlenecks on the spot!"

"But me!

I’ve made no progress at all! I’m still at the peak of Qi Refining, and Foundation Establishment feels impossibly far away!

I was so anxious that I started running around like a headless chicken, desperately hoping to find some opportunity for a breakthrough. I never meant to disturb you, First Senior Brother. Please punish me!"

Lin Qingfeng listened to his Little Junior Sister ramble on. He didn’t catch every word, but he got the gist of it.

’Oh, so she saw everyone else level up while she’s still stuck at the peak of Qi Refining, unable to reach Foundation Establishment, and she’s having a meltdown over it.’

’Well, that’s an easy fix!’

’Wait a second...’

’Is Little Junior Sister trying to hint at something?’

’Does she want me to take her to practice the Sword Refining Skill?’

Lin Qingfeng instantly had an epiphany.

’She’s been so indecisive. That’s why I said her "time to consider was running out."’

’So that’s it. Her mind is a mess. She’s terrified of the pain of the Sword Refining Skill and wants to run away...’

’but she also yearns to pursue the path of Cultivation.’

’That’s why she keeps rushing to the edge of the sect, only to turn back every time!’

’She’s wrestling with herself!’

’Does she want me to force her, to help her finally make a decision?’

’I never thought Little Junior Sister had such a complex hang-up!’

’In that case, as her First Senior Brother, I have no choice but to give her a little "push"!’

"I see. In that case, why don’t you just come with me to cultivate the Sword Refining Skill?"

Having figured it out, Lin Qingfeng stood with his hands behind his back. His expression instantly became profound and inscrutable as he spoke slowly.

’Here it comes!’

’I knew it was coming!’

Alarm bells screamed in Su Ling’er’s mind. ’He went around in such a huge circle, but his ultimate goal is still that evil technique that requires a blood sacrifice!’ 𝕗𝚛𝚎𝚎𝐰𝗲𝗯𝗻𝚘𝚟𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝕞

"I-I’m a bit slow, First Senior Brother. I’d like to... consider it a little more..."

"There’s no need."

Lin Qingfeng cut her off.

"I know what you need most right now is for someone to give you a push.

The Sword Refining Skill is that opportunity.

The day you master its basics will be the day you achieve Foundation Establishment!

Then, why would you need to envy anyone else?"

"No, no, no! First Senior Brother!"

Su Ling’er waved her hands frantically in terror.

"I’ll think of another way, I’m sure I can do it!"

’I don’t want to cultivate an evil technique that requires a blood sacrifice! Purification of Essence and Marrow should be enough, so why do I have to sacrifice other people’s lives?’

’What if *I’m* the one who’s supposed to be the catalyst?’

But Lin Qingfeng, as if seeing right through her "dilemma," spoke in a tone that was both gentle and firm.

"Little Junior Sister, I know you’re hesitating."

"At times like this, you just need someone to give you a little push."

"Don’t worry. If it comes to it... I’ll be the bad guy."

"Don’t blame me. This is all for your own good."

Before his voice had even faded,

his figure appeared instantly beside Su Ling’er. He grabbed the sash at her waist and lifted her up again, just like a briefcase.

"Ahhh—!"

Su Ling’er shrieked and latched onto a nearby bamboo stalk, refusing to let go no matter what.

"I’m not going! First Senior Brother, spare me!"

"I don’t want to be hammered! I don’t want to reach Foundation Establishment this way, ahhhh!"

Lin Qingfeng looked at her struggling form and nodded.

’Just as I thought!’

’Little Junior Sister desperately wants to train, but she just needs a "villain" to help her overcome her mental block.’

’How could a senior as considerate as myself possibly refuse?’

’Besides, if you don’t reach Foundation Establishment, who’s going to help me welcome the new disciples in the future?’

’I can’t possibly be the one welcoming them every day, busy as I am. I want to explore this Cultivation World on my own in the future!’

Heh heh heh heh heh!

’Either way, you’re cultivating this technique! It’s settled!’

’And you’re going to be the one welcoming new disciples! That’s also settled!’

’Don’t be scared, Little Junior Sister. I’m taking you to achieve Foundation Establishment right now!’