The Demon Eye of a Mortal's Journey to Immortality

Chapter 102 Cultivators Should Strive for Self-Improvement

Tianxing City, Miaoyin Gate Council Hall.

The air inside the hall was filled with the fragrance of sandalwood, and wisps of smoke curled upwards, but they could not conceal the subtle and oppressive atmosphere within the hall.

Zi Ling sat gracefully on the main seat of the rosewood chair, her purple dress trailing on the ground, her face half-covered by a veil.

Her confidante, Fan Jingmei, stood obediently to her side, ready to serve at any time.

At this moment, Zi Ling rested her chin on her hand, looking calmly down.

Although she only has the cultivation level of Foundation Establishment, with the momentum of the situation being settled, the composure of a sect leader has become increasingly natural in her.

Mu Chunfeng, dressed in a black robe, sat calmly on a wooden chair in the guest area.

In the center of the main hall, Zhao Zheng and Fu Bai stood looking disheveled.

After being "closely escorted" by Mu Chunfeng the whole way, the two were already exhausted, both physically and mentally.

They were already badly injured by Sun Li and his men, and with the constant travel, their faces were as pale as paper.

"Sect Master..."

Zhao Zheng steeled himself and stepped forward, bowing as he said:

"My junior brother Fu and I went out to sea to search for goods, but unexpectedly we were ambushed by demonic cultivators near Black Reef Island. Those demonic cultivators were incredibly powerful, and we fought desperately, nearly losing our lives. Fortunately, Elder Mu arrived in time and repelled the demonic cultivators, thus saving the sect's goods..."

As he spoke, he secretly glanced at Zi Ling in the main seat, his heart filled with extreme unease.

Zi Ling listened quietly, her beautiful face revealing no flaw whatsoever.

Her red lips parted slightly, her tone conveying just the right amount of concern and lingering fear:

"When I heard the news that the two elders were in danger at sea, I was truly worried. Fortunately, Elder Mu was there this time. If anything had happened to the two elders, it would have been the greatest loss for my Miaoyin Sect."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Zheng and Fu Bai felt a chill run down their spines instead of feeling relieved.

They knew all too well that Zi Ling was targeting them.

Sure enough, Zi Ling changed the subject, her gaze falling on Zhao Zheng's face with a deep look: "However, it seems that business at sea is far too risky. Elder Zhao and Elder Fu were seriously injured this time, and they will have to go into seclusion for several years to recover their strength."

She sighed softly:

"Very well, it would be best for the two elders to avoid the storms at sea from now on. From now on, you should focus on assisting the sect master within the sect and recuperating."

This statement, ostensibly meant to show consideration for meritorious officials, was in reality a way to legitimately strip them of their real power in overseas procurement and the Imperial Household Department.

Zhao Zheng trembled and subconsciously wanted to speak up to defend himself, but when he caught a glimpse of Mu Chunfeng sitting to the side, playing with the teacup in his hand, he swallowed the words that were on the tip of his tongue.

He knew that if he didn't know how to behave now, he wouldn't be so lucky next time.

"I am deeply grateful for the kindness of the gatekeeper."

Zhao Zheng smiled bitterly, then took out two jade seals representing the authority of the Imperial Household Department and the overseas procurement authority from his pocket, and raised them high above his head:

"I, Zhao, am ashamed of failing the sect leader's great kindness. I am willing to hand over the seal and return to my cave to recuperate in seclusion. I will not leave until I am fully recovered. All matters within the sect are to be decided by the sect leader and Elder Mu."

Seeing this, Fu Bai, who was standing to the side, didn't dare to hesitate for a moment. He quickly handed over his authorization token and obsequiously echoed, "It's all up to the sect leader's arrangement..."

Seeing the two below who had completely given in and no longer mentioned fighting over the affairs of the sect, Zi Ling nodded slightly, signaling Fan Jingmei to accept the seal.

"The two elders are both very righteous and have worked hard for our sect for many years. Now that they need to recuperate, I, the sect leader, will naturally bestow upon them generous gifts. Pass down the order to give Elder Zhao and Elder Fu two bottles each of the best healing pills. Furthermore, their annual stipends during their seclusion will continue to be paid in full to support their seclusion and healing."

Seize their power as a sign of authority, bestow upon them elixirs as a sign of favor.

Zi Ling's combination of kindness and severity served to both reprimand the two while maintaining the outward harmony within the sect. Her outward appearance was impeccable. As for what the two thought in private, that was beyond her control. After all, every gain and loss had its own price.

"Thank you for your kindness, Master!"

The two bowed deeply once more, and then, led by Fan Jingmei, they left the main hall as if granted a pardon.

As the palace doors slowly closed, only Zi Ling and Mu Chunfeng remained inside.

Once she was sure the strangers had gone far away, Zi Ling's previously tense shoulders finally relaxed slightly.

She stood up, straightened her purple skirt, and then bowed gracefully to Mu Chunfeng, her voice filled with heartfelt gratitude:

"Zi Ling thanks Elder Mu for his help this time. If the elder had not used his thunderous methods to completely intimidate these two, today's operation would not have been so successful."

Mu Chunfeng remained seated in the rosewood chair in the guest section, casually picked up the spiritual tea on the table, took a sip, and waved his hand:

"Sect Leader Ziling is too kind. Since I have made an agreement with you, I will do my best to fulfill it."

Although Mu Chunfeng spoke lightly, Zi Ling knew perfectly well what was going on.

She knew very well that Zhao Zheng and Fu Bai were special envoys of the Star Palace, and that the Sixth Elder was backing them up.

Logically speaking, even if Mu Chunfeng is very strong, at worst everyone will fight to the death. Why are they so scared that they don't dare to say a word about vying for power, and even hand over their seals?

What fatal weakness did Mu Chunfeng seize upon? Or rather, what terrifying trump card did he reveal that made these two old foxes so wary, even willingly lying low?

Zi Ling parted her red lips slightly, the question "What methods did the elder use?" already swirling on her tongue.

But the next second, she swallowed those words back.

Now that the conflict within the Miaoyin Sect has finally subsided, asking too many questions might displease the other party and would be counterproductive.

Since he won't say, I absolutely mustn't ask.

Zi Ling was an extremely intelligent woman. She immediately concealed the probing look in her eyes, replaced it with a gentle and respectful smile, and didn't mention the matter again, only saying softly:

"Elder, your noble deeds will be forever etched in my heart. Now that the internal troubles have been eliminated, the entire Miaoyin Sect can finally unite as one."

Zi Ling's beautiful eyes flickered, as if she had remembered something. A gentle smile curved her lips as she softly added:

"Elder, you have been traveling for days, working tirelessly for the affairs of the sect. You must be exhausted. I happen to have two female disciples under my command who have been specially trained for several years using the 'Furnace and Cauldron' method. Not only are they beautiful and graceful, but they have also retained their virginity, which will be beneficial to the advancement of your cultivation, Elder."

At this point, Zi Ling leaned forward slightly, her tone revealing a sense of taken-for-granted consideration:

"I will have them sent to the elder's cave shortly. The night is long, and with them by his bedside, adding fragrance to his life and allowing him to enjoy his bounty, the elder can finally relax and relieve his fatigue."

In the world of cultivation, bestowing a furnace or cauldron is a common tactic used by those in power to win over high-level cultivators.

Zi Ling stared intently at Mu Chunfeng's face, wanting to see how this man, who had previously refused Fan Jingmei's service, would react to such a "generous gift."

However, the moment the words "furnace" were uttered, Zi Ling keenly noticed that a strange emotion flashed across Mu Chunfeng's originally calm eyes.

That wasn't the greed a male cultivator felt upon hearing about a peerless furnace, nor was it the feigned aloofness of a hypocrite.

It was a look that... was mixed with anger and sorrow, which ultimately turned into a deep sense of helplessness.

It was as if he felt sorrow for the cruel rule of the cultivation world that treated living female cultivators as playthings and consumables, yet he was helpless because he could not change this world with his own power.

Zi Ling's heart skipped a beat. Before she could even process the deeper meaning in that gaze, Mu Chunfeng had already looked away.

"I appreciate Sect Master Ziling's kindness."

He stood up casually, straightened his sleeves, and said in a calm tone:

"However, I, Mu, never rely on any furnace or cauldron for cultivation."

Having said that, he didn't leave immediately. Instead, he glanced sideways at Zi Ling, giving her a deep look, and left behind a meaningful remark:

"The cultivation world is a dog-eat-dog world, and it is already difficult for female cultivators to survive. As the leader of the Miaoyin Sect, it would be a pity if you only regarded them as vessels to be used by others."

"Cultivators should strive for self-improvement. If the sect leader can lead his disciples further on the path of cultivation and give them their own foothold, that is the true long-term plan for the Miaoyin Sect."

Mu Chunfeng spoke these words calmly, without lecturing or blaming; they were more like a casual philosophical discussion.

In the cultivation world, which sect or family doesn't use low-level female cultivators as bargaining chips for marriage alliances and resource acquisition? Who cares about their lives or the path to immortality? Yet this powerful male cultivator actually uttered the words "Cultivators should strive for self-improvement," which seem extremely "naive" in the Chaotic Star Sea but carry immense weight.

Zi Ling stood there, stunned, a complex and strange light flashing in her eyes.

By the time she came to her senses, Mu Chunfeng had already slightly cupped his hands in greeting:

"I will take my leave now. If there are any important matters within the sect, please send me a message."

Having said that, he had no more lingering thoughts. He strode out of the hall, transformed into a golden streak of light, and headed straight for the sacred mountain cave.

In the empty hall, only Zi Ling remained standing there, gazing in the direction he had left, speechless for a long time.

"Cultivators should strive for self-improvement..."

Zi Ling murmured these five words repeatedly, her red lips under the veil slightly pursed, and the probing in her beautiful eyes had long since vanished, replaced by an unprecedented respect and deep contemplation.