Ling Xue hears Chen Ping’s account and is furious beyond measure. Her originally cold eyes now burn with raging flames, her whole body emitting a chilling aura that makes people tremble.
She coldly scans Zhao De, Wang Hu, and the others, her voice icy like icicles in midwinter: “You scoundrels dare to act so recklessly, turning the Sword Sect into a mess of smoke and filth. Today, you cannot be left alive!”
As soon as her words fall, Ling Xue draws her long sword. The sword light flashes like a meteor streaking across the night sky.
Her figure moves, flitting among the crowd like a ghost. Sword shadows fly, each strike carrying sharp killing intent.
Zhao De and Wang Hu stare in terror with wide eyes, wanting to dodge, but find their bodies bound by an invisible force, unable to move.
In mere moments, Zhao De, Wang Hu, and those Sword Sect scoundrels who bullied new disciples and rigged operations all collapse to the ground, blood staining the floor red.
The surrounding disciples are stunned by this sudden change, not daring to breathe.
Chen Ping watches Ling Xue’s swift and decisive methods, secretly admiring her in his heart.
After Ling Xue sheathes her sword and stands still, he steps forward and asks, “Senior sister, why has the Sword Sect become like this? When I left, though the sect had its ups and downs, the disciples were still united. Now it is all smoke and filth.”
Ling Xue’s face is full of shame. She sighs softly and says, “Junior brother, after Master went into seclusion, I handled all the sect’s affairs alone.
At first, I could maintain order, but as time passed, the tasks grew more complex, and I gradually felt overwhelmed.
Some people with ill intentions took advantage of the gaps, forming cliques, engaging in private dealings, and turning the Sword Sect into a mess.
I tried to rectify it many times, but was always hindered by various factions, leading to the current situation.”
Chen Ping nods after hearing this and says, “Senior sister, do not blame yourself. Now that I am back, I will help you and restore the Sword Sect.”
A flash of gratitude and relief passes through Ling Xue’s eyes. She says, “With junior brother’s help, I can surely bring the Sword Sect back on track.”
In the following days, Chen Ping and Ling Xue manage the Sword Sect with iron-fisted methods.
They first reformulate strict sect rules, clarifying rewards and punishments. Violators, no matter their status, are punished without mercy.
At the same time, they overhaul the assessment system to ensure fairness and justice, selecting disciples with true talent and strength to join the Sword Sect.
To address old disciples bullying new ones, Chen Ping and Ling Xue set up a special oversight body, encouraging disciples to watch each other. Any bullying reported is dealt with immediately.
For offending old disciples, minor cases mean fines of spirit stones or confinement; severe ones lead to expulsion from the sect.
Under their efforts, the sect’s atmosphere gradually improves.
New disciples feel fairness and justice, cultivating even harder. Old disciples curb their former arrogance and focus on improving their own strength.
However, Chen Ping knows well that in this dog-eat-dog world of cultivation, good order alone is far from enough. Personal strength is the true foundation for survival.
After making love with Ling Xue, Chen Ping says to her, “Senior sister, this time I came back because I need to cultivate quietly. Once my strength improves a bit more, I will go to the Ninth Heaven.”
“The Ninth Heaven?” Ling Xue’s face is full of shock.
You must know, in the eyes of us Fifth Heaven cultivators, the Ninth Heaven is a world beyond reach.
“Junior brother, I know you have grand ambitions. Right now in the Fifth Heaven, our Sword Sect is the strongest. Just cultivate here in peace.”
“Go to the valley behind Sword Saint City. I will send people to guard you…”
Ling Xue knows that Chen Ping does not belong to the Fifth Heaven, nor to her.
