Troublemaker’s Guide to Immortality

Ye Danxia bit her lip hard, eyes brimming with resentment.

Again.

Once again, Yun Jin had stolen the spotlight.

And this time, she had a gut-wrenching certainty—if not for Yun Jin, she would have been the one earning Elder Ming's favor.

She could almost see it in her mind: Elder Ming praising her, guiding her as if she were his own disciple.

But that future had been snatched away.

Elder Ming hadn't even glanced at her. Instead, he'd taken a shining to Yun Jin.

Ye Danxia truly could not understand it.

She possessed the rare Heavenly Spiritual Root. In what way was she inferior to Yun Jin?

Yun Jin was just a Five-Spirit Root, nothing more.

Looking at Yun Jin's obedient and sweet facade, Ye Danxia could no longer suppress the bitterness in her heart. She stepped forward with a smile and said, "Xiao Jin, congratulations on earning Elder Ming's recognition."

Yun Jin glanced at her calmly. "Elder Ming always appreciates hardworking disciples."

Ye Danxia kept her smile. "Xiao Jin, I'm really happy for you. After all, you're only a Five-Spirit Root. I used to worry that your cultivation, boosted by those rare treasures and spirit herbs, might stagnate one day. But now that Elder Ming has taken an interest in you, who knows, maybe in a hundred years you'll even reach the Golden Core stage."

By now, everyone knew these two were masters of passive-aggressive warfare.

But every time, Ye Danxia struck first…

And every time, Yun Jin crushed her without mercy.

Now, they all leaned in, anticipating the counterattack.

But Yun Jin simply showed a hesitant expression, then sighed softly. "Danxia, you have the Heavenly Spiritual Root. Your future achievements will definitely surpass mine. I know you're a bit upset that I entered the Foundation Establishment stage before you, but with my aptitude, I wouldn't dare hope for Golden Core. You'll overtake me in no time."

Everyone: "???"

Since when was Yun Jin this humble?!

Ye Danxia's expression shifted slightly. She thought Yun Jin was finally yielding and was starting to feel pleased.

But then Elder Ming gave a cold snort, his eyes turning sharply toward Ye Danxia. His tone grew stern as he addressed Zhao Wujie instead.

"This is how you educate your disciples? She doesn't even understand the basics. In the cultivation world, spiritual herbs and heavenly treasures are plentiful. If relying on them was enough to advance, wouldn't all those great cultivators' descendants have become great cultivators themselves?"

"Raising one's cultivation realm is easy enough. But the hard part is the soul. Without a corresponding soul realm, no amount of treasures or pills will help!"

"I examined Yun Jin's cultivation. Though she's just entered Foundation Establishment, her foundation is solid and stable. There is no trace of instability. Her soul realm has likely surpassed the early stage and may even have reached mid or late Foundation Establishment. That's why she can control spiritual power with such finesse."

"As for your disciple..." Elder Ming's words became sharper, "Her talent is real, but her temperament is erratic and filled with jealousy. Even if she trains her spiritual energy swiftly, if her soul realm can't keep up, what good is it? Zhao Wujie, you've chosen wrong again. This little disciple of yours is not fit for the grand stage!"

Each of Elder Ming's words cut like knives, stabbing directly into Ye Danxia's heart.

Her face turned ghostly pale.

She'd only made one offhand remark! No real harm done! Why was Elder Ming tearing into her like this?!

Feeling aggrieved, Ye Danxia looked to Zhao Wujie for support.

But his face had darkened too. He didn't dare argue. He could only lower his voice and say, "I will discipline my disciple properly. Elder Ming, perhaps we should proceed to open the Scripture Pavilion?"

Though the scolding had been aimed at Ye Danxia, the slap in the face had landed on Zhao Wujie too.

The unspoken plea was clear: Please stop humiliating me in front of everyone.

He was even beginning to doubt Ye Danxia's potential. With such a shaky temperament, could she truly reach the summit, even with a Heavenly Spiritual Root?

As Zhao Wujie avoided her gaze, panic rose in Ye Danxia's heart.

Was he… giving up on her?

No! Impossible!

She was a once-in-a-century genius! Her future was limitless!

Yun Jin's petty victories were temporary. Sooner or later, she'd be left in the dust.

Zhao Wuji had to know that.

Taking a shaky breath, Ye Danxia forced herself to calm down.

So what if Elder Ming was blind?

She was destined for the heavens. One day, even he would be nothing but an ant beneath her feet.

Seeing that Zhao Wujie had backed down, Elder Ming snorted coldly. "Very well. The rest of the Scripture Pavilion is protected by barriers. New disciples may only browse the Yellow-Tier techniques. You have the time it takes for one incense stick to choose."

With a flick of his sleeve, a stick of incense ignited, and the doors of the Scripture Pavilion slowly creaked open.

The new disciples rushed inside, eager to make their selections.

Yun Jin remained where she was, standing obediently at Elder Ming's side.

Elder Ming glanced at her. "You little girl, you're just too honest. If I hadn't spoken up for you, you'd have let them insult you without even realizing it."

Yun Jin looked aggrieved. "Elder Ming, Danxia is my best friend. She wouldn't insult me. Maybe you misunderstood."

Elder Ming grew even more exasperated. "You silly girl! Remember this well, stay far away from that so-called best friend!"

Yun Jin nodded meekly.

Zhao Wuji: "..."

Lin Ya: "..."

Everyone else: "..."

Was she for real?!

Yun Jin, suffer a loss? More like she hadn't exploded yet, that was already a miracle.

Elder Ming glanced at Zhao Wujie again. "I've said all this about your disciple. You have no objections?"

What could Zhao Wujie say?

He could only offer a bitter smile and shake his head.

"Cultivation is about temperament above all. Disciples like Yun Jin, who are steadfast and grounded, are the ones who will make it to the end. Without that, even the best talent is wasted." Elder Ming wasn't done. He launched into another round of scolding.

Zhao Wujie had no choice but to lower his head and endure it.

Every time Elder Ming paused for breath, Yun Jin would helpfully hand him tea—fueling his next round of scolding.

By the time the incense burned out, Zhao Wuji's patience had been thoroughly charred.

Finally, Elder Ming waved a hand.

Every Yellow-Rank sword art manual in the pavilion materialized before Yun Jin.

"You may select three, correct? Here are all fifteen of the sect's Yellow-Rank sword arts. Take your pick."

Zhao Wuji's lips twitched.

This was blatant favoritism!

But if he protested now, he'd only invite another lecture.

So he swallowed his fury—for now.

Men like Elder Ming, Sword Elder, and Ling Fei held lofty status but rarely interfered in sect affairs. Tianxing Sect was his domain!

Yet ever since Yun Jin's arrival, these old relics had begun siding with her—and by extension, Tianjian Peak.

If they openly shielded her, his hands would be tied.

This couldn't continue.

There was only one solution.

Three months from now, Ruan Jun would kill her—fairly, publicly, irreversibly.

Only then would order be restored.

Let her enjoy these three months.

Her time was running out.