Zhu Qinglan clenched her jaw; the silk she had used to gently slap Zhi Xuan’s face was immediately thrown into the corner of the room. That childish act, though satisfying her momentary annoyance, felt alien to her, who always maintained the grace of a Holy Fairy. She was Zhu Qinglan, Holy Maiden of the Ancient Zhu Clan, not a teenage girl bothered by a wild youth.

  She let out a deep sigh, staring at Zhi Xuan’s face, which was now clean of dried spiritual blood yet still looked pale and cruel. She could not kill this variable. Not only because of the thick karmic bond, but also because this youth had achieved a Consciousness Transformation stage unreachable by ordinary cultivators—a foundation that only appeared once in a million years on the Nine Plains. He would be a powerful Guardian Dao, if only he did not die from his own recklessness.

  She took a long spiritual breath, eroding all disturbing emotions. Her duty was to stabilize Zhi Xuan’s Dao and ensure this Devil regained consciousness before the Annual Disciple Celebration. Immortal Jade Peak must remain a peak of purity, isolated from the wickedness of the outside world.

  Zhu Qinglan hovered above the jade bed, her hands raised, radiating the pure Law of Water. The Law softly swirled, manifesting as cold essence strands that penetrated the burns on Zhi Xuan’s skin, relieving the pain and closing superficial cracks. She did this not with the warmth of healing, but with the cold efficiency of a celestial physician focused on results.

  Soon after, Mei and Ling’er returned, their shadows darting quickly and silently inside the Pavilion. They knelt beside the bed, the Seven Spirit Purifying Jade and the Thousand Night Grass Root enveloped in precious essence mist presented on a pine wooden tray. The Jade radiated an aura of Seven Elements that purified the soul, and the Thousand Night Grass Root carried thick spiritual vitality.

  “Holy Maiden, we have retrieved them from the private storage,” Mei whispered, her voice filled with fear. Both of them stole glances toward the bare-chested Zhi Xuan, their eyes immediately glued to the faint Devil pattern that still lingered on the youth's forehead.

  But the most striking thing was the red mark on Zhi Xuan's face that looked more like a slap, making Zhi Xuan seem like he had been struck by something soft yet hard, leaving a reddish mark on his face. Mei and Ling'er clenched their jaws, holding back even the slightest laugh that threatened to escape if they opened their mouths.

  Zhu Qinglan glanced briefly at Zhi Xuan's face. The red mark on the cheek caused by the silk slap was still evident, a trace of annoyance she released unconsciously. Seeing it through the eyes of the two maids, she felt heat creeping onto her perfect face. She clenched her jaw again, radiating a cold aura that stopped Mei and Ling’er from any ridiculous thoughts.

  “Good,” Zhu Qinglan hissed, her voice calm and firm. “Ling’er, prepare the Seven Spirit Purifying Jade. Crush it into powder and mix it into the coldest spiritual spring water. Mei, I only need this Thousand Night Grass Root.”

  Zhu Qinglan took the Thousand Night Grass Root; its rich spiritual aroma immediately filled the air of the Pavilion. She did not hesitate. With a cold and efficient movement, she channeled her Five Element essence into the Root, crushing it into a thick spiritual paste.

  She pressed the spiritual paste into Zhi Xuan's slightly open mouth. Zhi Xuan, although unconscious, instinctively swallowed the essence of life. His physical body immediately reacted, trembling violently. The Five Element essence aura from the Root immediately spread, fighting the internal shock caused by the Divine Furnace and the Devil essence.

  BOOM!

  Inside Zhi Xuan’s Sea of Consciousness, the thick spiritual paste exploded, not with destruction, but with abundant vitality. The root essence flowed rapidly, washing the slightly bowed Devil Tree of Life due to spiritual blood loss, and flooding his Perfect Five Divine Organs. The Tree returned to radiating vitality, strengthening its roots and suppressing the newly calmed Devil Seed.

  Zhu Qinglan withdrew her hand from Zhi Xuan’s mouth, observing. She could feel Zhi Xuan’s foundation stabilizing slightly, the drained essence starting to refill. However, the spiritual wound in his Sea of Consciousness was still wide open—cracks caused by the war of wills with something she did not comprehend.

  Mei and Ling’er, after seeing their Holy Maiden coldly and mercilessly shove the Thousand Night Grass Root—a treasure that could recover a Five Element cultivator from internal injury—into the unconscious Devil youth’s mouth, immediately returned to their duties. Ling’er, with a face still pale from tension, immediately crushed the Seven Spirit Purifying Jade in a small jade mortar.

  The Jade, radiating a pure and calming seven-colored aura, immediately turned into a very fine powder. Ling’er mixed it with Cold Spring Spiritual Water, creating a thick jade concoction, the essence within it softly whirring, radiating a will to purify.

  Ling’er served the small jade mortar containing the thick jade concoction with trembling hands. She and Mei did not dare to look at Zhi Xuan's face again. Not because of fear of the Devil, but because they saw the distinct reddish mark on the youth's cheek—a gentle spiritual blow that left a trace of arrogance. They knew that in the presence of the Holy Maiden's grace, even a Phenomenon could receive an invisible slap.

  Zhu Qinglan turned, taking the jade mortar from Ling’er’s hand. She smelled the soothing jade aroma and felt the strong will of purification within it. This concoction was crucial. The Seven Spirit Purifying Jade not only replenished essence but also cleansed Dao impurities and—most importantly—could stabilize cracks in the Sea of Consciousness.

  She stared at the helpless Zhi Xuan. This youth had crashed into her, disrupted her ritual, forced her hand, and dirtied her bed. The feeling of annoyance, which she had suppressed since he stepped into the Pavilion, surged again. She would not give him ease.

  “You asked for it, Devil,” Zhu Qinglan hissed coldly.

  With a motion far from the grace of a Holy Fairy, she gripped Zhi Xuan’s jaw with her thumb and forefinger. The grip was subtle, but it carried the strength of the Five Element realm, enough to hold his head still and slightly open his mouth.

  "You think saving you is as easy as feeding a pet dog?" Zhu Qinglan murmured, her beautiful eyes narrowed.

  She poured the entire contents of the jade mortar. The thick Seven Spirit Purifying Jade concoction mixed with Cold Spring Spiritual Water poured rapidly; most of it went down Zhi Xuan’s throat, but a small part also spilled over the corner of his lips, dirtying the face she had just cleaned.

  "Hurry up and finish it! I don't have time for your awkward drama!" Zhu Qinglan hissed, her voice sharp and impatient. Ling’er and Mei held their breath. They were witnessing a scene that would shock every cultivator on the Xing Luo Plains. Holy Maiden Zhu, known for her otherworldly grace, now looked like an angry nurse.

  Zhi Xuan’s jaw was gripped subtly yet strongly, his head lifted slightly, and the precious jade concoction was poured brutally and un-elegantly. The piercing coldness from the Cold Spring Spiritual Water shocked his tattered system, and the unconscious Zhi Xuan suddenly coughed violently.

  COUGH! COUGH!

  The cough did not just expel air, but also spat out a small portion of the jade concoction he had just swallowed, dirtying the heavenly silk on the jade bed. Zhi Xuan’s face crumpled in pain and discomfort, as if he were being force-fed poison instead of celestial medicine. He suddenly opened his eyes due to the piercing pain.

  This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

  SLAP!

  Zhu Qinglan snorted, her eyes widened in disgust and frustration. The sound of a slap, which this time was not silk, but Zhu Qinglan’s slender hand slapping Zhi Xuan’s face directly. Zhi Xuan’s eyes, which had just opened due to the cough, suddenly closed again, returning to unconsciousness with a red palm mark on his cheek.

  In the face of the sight that destroyed all cultivation etiquette, Ling’er and Mei trembled. They immediately bowed their heads, burying their faces to the jade floor, struggling hard to hold back inevitable laughter. That wild youth, the bringer of calamity, who had just defeated a Five Element cultivator and fought the Supreme Law, now received a hard slap from their Holy Fairy—a slap fueled by annoyance because the celestial concoction had spilled.

  Zhu Qinglan withdrew her hand roughly; her newly slapped hand felt slightly stinging, but her anger dominated far more. She stared at her own palm, then turned to Zhi Xuan's face, which now had two slap marks—one faint mark from the ridiculous silk, and one blazing red mark from her real hand. This slap was not intended to injure, but to vent her burning frustration.

  "Ling'er! Fetch new cleaning silk!" Zhu Qinglan hissed, her voice sharp and filled with suppressed rage. She was not angry because Zhi Xuan spat out the concoction; she was angry because she herself had acted un-elegantly and, even worse, because this youth had made her spill it.

  Mei and Ling’er remained bowed, their shoulders shaking violently. They dared not laugh, but they also could not contain the tremor of amusement that ran through their bodies. Holy Maiden Zhu, who was always as graceful as the cold moon, had now slapped a Consciousness Transformation cultivator back into unconsciousness for spitting out medicine.

  "H... Ho-Holy Maiden, forgive this servant," Ling’er whispered, her voice sounding like a suppressed whine. She tried hard not to lift her face, afraid her eyes full of laughter would draw greater anger.

  Mei, who was calmer, immediately moved without a second command; she darted to the corner of the room and fetched a new water container and cleaning silk cloth. She knew the only way to appease the Holy Maiden was to move quickly and not ask questions.

  Zhu Qinglan let out a trembling sigh; her Five Element aura swirled wildly. She knew Mei and Ling’er were laughing at her inwardly. But how could she blame them? This entire situation violated every Heavenly Law she believed in. She turned away from Zhi Xuan, crossing her arms over her chest.

  "I cannot believe my own eyes," Zhu Qinglan murmured, her tone returning to a more steady coldness, but with a hint of defeat in it. "The Seven Spirit Purifying Jade is a concoction that should be welcomed with a solemn purification ritual, not force-fed and spat out like dirty water."

  She closed her eyes, taking a deep spiritual breath. When she opened them again, calmness had returned. She stared at Mei who was carefully and respectfully cleaning the overflowing jade concoction stain from the corner of Zhi Xuan's lips.

  "Mei," Zhu Qinglan called.

  "Yes, Holy Maiden?" Mei replied, her voice now calm, hiding the remaining tremor of laughter.

  "Kick him back to Heaven Sword Peak," Zhu Qinglan commanded, her gaze sweeping over Zhi Xuan’s tattered and bare-chested body. That sight, which should have evoked disgust, now only evoked cold frustration. "The concoction has healed his internal wounds and will slowly restore him. I will depart for the Annual Disciple Celebration."

  Mei and Ling’er exchanged startled glances. Kick? The Holy Maiden truly ordered them to kick an unconscious sect disciple back to his own mountain peak? That was something inelegant considering Heaven Sword Peak was one of the Peaks equivalent to Immortal Jade Peak.

  "K... Kick, Holy Maiden?" Ling’er asked, her voice trembling between fear and confusion. "Shouldn't he be transferred with the Seven Stars Boat he used to arrive?"

  Zhu Qinglan snorted coldly, her expression returning to a hard, eternal calmness. Her Five Element aura enveloped Mei and Ling’er like frost.

  “That Seven Stars Boat is tattered and its aura is drained like its owner. It is not suitable for transferring a guest,” Zhu Qinglan hissed, her eyes narrowing in annoyance. She glanced briefly at Zhi Xuan's face; the palm mark on his cheek felt like a personal insult to her own grace. “Wrap him in the remaining Heavenly Silk along with his boat, throw him back to Heaven Sword Peak!”

  Mei and Ling’er no longer dared to ask. The Holy Fairy’s command was Law, and the Law had been spoken. They hastily retrieved the sky-blue Heavenly Silk from the cabinet and carefully wrapped Zhi Xuan’s unconscious body. The body forged by the Heavenly Tribulation was wrapped like a large cocoon, a stark contrast to the fine Heavenly Silk.

  They also took the Seven Stars Boat—the exhausted Heaven-Grade Flying Artifact—and placed it beside Zhi Xuan’s cocoon. Mei and Ling’er, who had just cleaned the Pavilion of chaos, now had to create new chaos. With a nervous nod, Mei and Ling’er lifted the Heavenly Silk wrapping Zhi Xuan.

  They dared not literally kick, but they carried the Devil cocoon with incredible speed to the jade courtyard. In the courtyard, they no longer used the Seven Stars Boat. Ling’er channeled wind essence onto the Heavenly Silk-wrapped Zhi Xuan. In an instant, the cocoon hovered, enveloped in an aura of energy similar to a log in a river.

  “Throw! Make sure he doesn't land at the foot of the mountain!” Mei hissed, trying to suppress the laughter in her voice. They glanced at Immortal Jade Peak, seeing Zhu Qinglan standing at the Pavilion door, her face cold and demanding efficiency.

  Ling’er took a deep spiritual breath, gathering all the Organ Transformation essence she possessed. She gave a powerful push to Zhi Xuan’s cocoon.

  WHUSHHH!

  The Heavenly Silk cocoon shot out like a projectile from a slingshot, splitting the sky of the Thousand Heavens Sect. It flew at a speed far faster than when Zhi Xuan arrived, heading directly toward Heaven Sword Peak, the peak enveloped by a silent aura of swords and thunder. Mei and Ling’er watched the Heavenly Silk log containing the Devil disappear on the horizon. They exchanged glances; the laughter they had suppressed erupted in a whisper.

  “I can’t believe it,” Ling’er whispered, her shoulders shaking. “The Holy Maiden slapped him, force-fed him, and now… threw him like a stone.”

  Mei offered a subtle smile, a smile that respected the Holy Maiden's suppressed anger. “He deserved it. Who told him to crash into the Holy Maiden while covered in Devil blood?”

  Both of them quickly returned to the Pavilion, bowing their heads respectfully before Zhu Qinglan.

  “It is done, Holy Maiden,” Mei reported.

  Zhu Qinglan nodded coldly, no longer looking at the sky. She ignored the trace of madness that had just occurred. “Good. Prepare the Jade Boat. I will attend the Annual Disciple Celebration. And never again mention this disgusting incident.”

  As she walked out of the Pavilion, Zhu Qinglan touched her cheek, which still felt the rough touch of the slap she had given Zhi Xuan. She snorted softly, a faint smile—a smile far from the grace of a Holy Fairy—appeared at the corner of her lips.

  In the middle of the courtyard, hundreds of core disciples and geniuses from small factions gathered, each radiating a spirited essence aura. The sight was a sea of silk robes and shimmering spiritual weapons. Feng Yi, wearing a blazing crimson robe with a fire phoenix emblem, walked with confident steps beside Fei Sheng. His sharp eyes scanned the crowd, looking for the wild Black-Haired Devil figure.

  "Strange," Feng Yi muttered, his delicate eyebrows furrowed. "He should have arrived. I know he is the newest disciple with the most challenging foundation in this sect. Is he too afraid of a fight, senior brother Fei Sheng?"

  Fei Sheng, always calm, closed his jade fan with a single flick. His handsome face smiled faintly. "He is not the type to run away, junior sister. Perhaps there was... urgent business he had to settle before his dramatic appearance."

  At the same time, amidst the merriment of the Annual Disciple Celebration. Feng Yi, Fei Sheng, and Su Baolian were walking in the courtyard of the Great Hall which was the highlight of the Annual Disciple Celebration. However, there other disciples were pointing up and whispering loudly. Suddenly, the whispers around them turned into roars of astonishment. Hundreds of pairs of eyes were no longer focused on the offering altar, but pointing to the sky.

  "That... what is that?"

  "A log? No, it's a flying artifact! But why is it wrapped?"

  "And it's heading toward Heaven Sword Peak!"

  Feng Yi looked up, his eyes containing spiritual fire narrowed. In the distance, a small sky-blue dot shot at an absurd speed, slicing through the Thousand Heavens Sect's wind formation. The speed was indeed impressive, but the object itself... felt ridiculous.

  It was a long log neatly wrapped in sky-blue heavenly silk. The object flew uncontrollably, with no divine sense guiding it, like a projectile thrown by a giant hand. Right beside it, a dull Seven Stars Boat, a Heaven-Grade flying artifact, hovered listlessly, as if being dragged by an invisible rope.

  "Why is it heading toward Brother Zhi's Peak?" asked Su Baolian, a genius who had not seen Zhi Xuan, whom he considered his brother, standing near them, his voice filled with curiosity.

  Fei Sheng, his gaze calm, immediately focused his essence. He could feel faint essence fluctuations from the object—very strong, yet very exhausted. But most strikingly, the object was heading directly toward Heaven Sword Peak, the residence peak of the newly arrived disciple.

  Feng Yi snorted in disgust. "I don't know, let's gather. This is a holiday, not sect waste disposal!"