After the Demon Lord was Reborn, She Switched to a Master-Disciple Romance Script - Chapter 38

Xun Juexue felt her heart soften.

She patted Zhu Jiyun’s head, her voice gentle, as if coaxing a little girl. “If I don’t spoil you, who else would I spoil?”

Zhu Jiyun remained silent, buried in her arms.

Master spoils me only because I’m her only disciple.

Yet Zhu Jiyun knew she couldn’t rush things.

Taking a deep breath, she seemed to draw strength from Xun Juexue’s embrace. She put her mask back on, concealing her pain behind it.

Lifting her head from Xun Juexue’s arms, she released her trembling fingers and smiled at her Master, her eyes filled with contentment. “Hearing those words from you makes me so happy.”

She added, “Master, now that the Tribulation Crossing is over, I haven’t properly checked my cultivation yet. I’ll go cultivate and stabilize it first.”

Xun Juexue nodded, watching her leave.

With the Thunder Tribulation passed, the dark clouds dispersed. Ji Chengyu opened his eyes, feeling utterly refreshed and sensing the spiritual power in the air was even stronger than before.

An uncontrollable surge of confidence swelled within him.

In just five years, he had advanced from the Spirit Void Stage to the Golden Core Stage. He could finally breathe a sigh of relief, if only briefly.

But this wasn’t enough. He wanted to become the strongest person in the world, so that no one would ever dare to look down on him again.

Ji Chengyu stood up and walked outside, his sharp features softening as he saw Xia Lianjiao waiting for him. “Jiaojiao, thank you for staying here with me.”

They had been discussing future plans when Ji Chengyu sensed his imminent Tribulation Crossing. He quickly found an open space to await the Thunder Tribulation.

Seeing Xia Lianjiao gazing westward, he assumed she had been watching his Tribulation Crossing and reassured her, “It was just a Golden Core Stage Thunder Tribulation. I’m fine.”

Only eight bolts of lightning. Ji Chengyu felt he had passed through it effortlessly.

Xia Lianjiao turned her head, her expression dazed.

Ji Chengyu stepped closer. Newly reconciled and still elated from his recent advancement, he noticed her strange expression and pulled her into his arms. “What’s wrong?”

Xia Lianjiao let him hold her, whispering, “Zhu Jiyun just underwent her own Thunder Tribulation.”

Ji Chengyu froze, the smile on his lips fading.

He instinctively asked, “When?”

“Right when you said you were about to undergo yours. I noticed the sky above Forgotten Solitude Peak had already changed.”

But at the time, Ji Chengyu’s mind had been entirely focused on his own Tribulation Crossing, leaving him no room to notice.

“She finished her Tribulation Crossing before you even started.”

Xia Lianjiao’s heart was filled with indescribable complexity. She recalled Zhu Jiyun’s casual words that night in the Human Realm when they were on a mission.

Thunder roared, one strike after another.

Standing outside, watching the two of them undergo their Tribulation Crossing, Xia Lianjiao couldn’t help but feel a pang of envy.

Ji Chengyu clenched his fist, his earlier arrogance and confidence instantly shattered.

He murmured, “How could this be?”

He had always been diligent and never slacked off in his cultivation. Yet, Zhu Jiyun had still reached Foundation Establishment before him!

Wasn’t he supposed to be the one with extraordinary talent?!

Xia Lianjiao stepped out of his embrace. Hearing his question, she replied, “Why wouldn’t it be? In terms of talent, Zhu Jiyun is no less gifted than you. And how can you be so sure she isn’t more diligent than you?”

She took a deep breath and continued, “Even someone as naturally gifted as you knows the value of hard work. What about me?”

I actually believed your foolish words back then, thinking that having you was enough. I kept that thought buried in my heart, and gradually, I grew complacent.

Ji Chengyu stared blankly at Xia Lianjiao, his expression stunned by her accusation.

Xia Lianjiao looked at him, her expression unusually calm. “The moment you heard Zhu Jiyun had reached the Golden Core Stage before you, you lost it. That proves you know how important cultivation is.”

Without cultivation, Ji Chengyu couldn’t possibly act arrogant in front of Zhu Jiyun.

Xia Lianjiao recalled the way Ji Chengyu had behaved whenever they’d crossed paths over the past five years.

Suddenly, her mind felt exceptionally clear.

Her eyes red-rimmed, Xia Lianjiao glared at him. “So how could you tell me not to cultivate so diligently?”

Deep down, Xia Lianjiao knew the root of the problem lay within herself.

It was her own laziness, her lack of perseverance, that had caused her to fall behind step by step.

But she couldn’t help but vent her anger on him.

Because even today, during their argument over Senior Brother Mu, Ji Chengyu had maintained the same attitude!

Xia Lianjiao shook off his attempt to hold her hand, her voice strained as she said, “I need to go back and cultivate. I need some peace.”

With that, she wrenched free from his grasp, turned, and hurried away.

His outstretched hand fell limply to his side. Ji Chengyu frowned, watching Xia Lianjiao’s small figure retreat, his heart seething with anger and confusion.

Why?

He’s all I need!

A vein bulged on his forehead as he swung his sword, slicing through a withered tree with a crack.

Ning Huaizhu, who had come to check on her disciple’s Tribulation Crossing, slowed her steps at the sight. She watched quietly for a moment, then turned and walked away, shaking her head.

His temper is still too volatile.

He doesn’t seem to be in any real trouble, though.

It wasn’t until Zhu Jiyun heard about the Secret Realm Trial from her Master that she realized it was indeed time for the event.

The Secret Realm Trial was a tradition in the Cultivation World. Each Sect sent its young disciples to a Secret Realm called Autumn Water Secret Realm, said to have been left behind by a Senior who had successfully achieved Ascension millennia ago.

This Secret Realm had only been discovered and utilized within the past thousand years.

Inside were trials set up by powerful cultivators of old. Though these cultivators had good intentions, the trials themselves were fraught with danger, ambushes, and perilous traps.

Yet disciples who ventured into the Secret Realm always emerged significantly improved. This was why the Sect Elders, despite knowing the risks, insisted on sending their disciples to undergo the trials.

The Autumn Water Secret Realm opened every twenty years and remained accessible for forty-five days. Those who failed to exit before the closing time would have to wait another twenty years for the next opening.

The chances of someone surviving unharmed inside the Secret Realm for twenty years, waiting for its next opening, were slim.

Strictly speaking, Zhu Jiyun’s first feud with Ji Chengyu in her previous life had begun during this very Secret Realm Trial.

She smiled faintly and asked, “Master, when do the disciples participating in the Secret Realm Trial depart?”

In previous years, Xun Juexue had never paid attention to such matters, but this time was different.

“In five days,” she replied.

Five days. Five more days to spend with her Master before embarking on a separation where they couldn’t even hold hands.

She didn’t try to hide her feelings, making it easy for Xun Juexue to understand her emotions.

Xun Juexue patted Zhu Jiyun’s soft hair and pondered how to tell her that after sending her off to the Secret Realm Trial, she would be going to Kangtuo.

In truth, she didn’t need to tell Zhu Jiyun.

But she had promised Zhu Jiyun never to keep secrets from her, especially those concerning her health.

Noticing Xun Juexue’s unusual expression, Zhu Jiyun asked, “What’s wrong? Is there something you want to tell me, Master?”

Xun Juexue looked up and said slowly, “After seeing you off, I must go to Kangtuo.”

Zhu Jiyun’s hand tightened on her lap, her expression shifting slightly. She asked tentatively, “To check the spread of the Malignant Qi?”

Seeing Zhu Jiyun pretending not to know what she clearly already suspected, Xun Juexue said firmly, “It’s more than that.”

More than that? Zhu Jiyun’s inner fire flared.

No, I can’t blame Master for this. It’s all that damned Malignant Qi and Wu Hongye’s fault.

Maintaining a calm facade, she moved her lips and finally managed to say, “Then Master must take care of herself.”

Zhu Jiyun frantically recalled the Sect Leader Martial Aunt’s behavior during this period in her previous life.

Thank goodness, she thought. After emerging from the Secret Realm in her past life, she hadn’t heard anything amiss about the Sect Leader. When she saw Ning Huaizhu, her expression seemed normal, with no signs of excessive grief.

With this thought, Zhu Jiyun breathed a slight sigh of relief.

In front of Xun Juexue, she opened her Cosmic Pouch and retrieved a small wooden box.

Xun Juexue recognized the familiar box immediately, her expression shifting slightly in surprise. “A Primordial Return Pill?”

Zhu Jiyun nodded, placing the wooden box in her palm. She slowly closed Xun Juexue’s fingers around it, their slightly calloused hands brushing against each other, creating a faint, ticklish sensation.

Xun Juexue had grown accustomed to this sensation. In recent days, her disciple had been seizing every opportunity to spend time with her.

At first, she had been uncomfortable, instinctively pulling away. But now, she was used to it, completely accepting it as a normal part of their interactions.

After placing the item down, Zhu Jiyun tugged at the corner of her lips and said gravely, “This was just spat out by the Black Clam a few days ago. Master, please keep it safe. Once you reach Kangtuo, take the Primordial Return Pill immediately.”

Sensing her disciple’s deep concern, Xun Juexue pressed her lips together, tightened her grip on the item, and nodded. “I will.”

A hint of a smile bloomed in Zhu Jiyun’s eyes, her voice softening. “That’s good. With the Primordial Return Pill in your hands, Master, I won’t worry so much.”

Xun Juexue felt a tickle in her heart.

Just as she had grown accustomed to Zhu Jiyun’s occasional touches, she now found herself growing used to the disciple’s frequent expressions of concern and worry.

No one could remain indifferent when faced with eyes that held only her, and no one could see such eyes without their heart softening.

As her disciple had said, there was no rule that forbade a disciple from worrying about their master.

Indeed, there was no such rule.

Xun Juexue was gradually growing used to her disciple’s treatment of her.

Remembering something, a gentle smile bloomed on Xun Juexue’s lips as she gazed intently at Zhu Jiyun.

Zhu Jiyun’s hand, which had just withdrawn, tightened slightly, her heart tingling.

Her Master always knew exactly when to bewitch her, to ensnare her.

Zhu Jiyun’s voice carried a hint of heat. “Master, your smile is truly beautiful.”

Xun Juexue’s eyes flickered slightly, rippling like clear water.

Was it the same ethereal grace when a pristine lotus slowly unfurled its tender petals, revealing the soft, delicate yet captivating stamen within? A beauty so unconsciously alluring, so utterly enchanting?

Zhu Jiyun, who had no habit of admiring lotuses, couldn’t know for sure.

But she knew her Master’s casual elegance surpassed countless spring breezes.

And this peerless grace was unveiled solely for her, in this secluded corner.

Startled by Zhu Jiyun’s burning gaze, Xun Juexue hastily averted her eyes, unable to meet her gaze any longer.

Even sitting there felt awkward.

Yet in the blink of an eye, her disciple’s eyes held only soft joy, the scorching gaze that had seemed to melt her was merely an illusion.

Xun Juexue cleared her throat, suppressing her unease. “Alright, stop staring at me,” she said helplessly.

Zhu Jiyun withdrew her gaze as requested, but her words continued, laced with amusement. “Master is just so beautiful.”

Therefore, Zhu Jiyun absolutely couldn’t let anything happen to her beautiful Master.

This Secret Realm Trial was a minor matter. Seizing the opportunity to complete the System’s task and obtain the Primordial Return Pill was the true priority.

As she recalled the System’s criteria for defining a male supporting character, Zhu Jiyun’s eyes darkened.

Support After the Demon Lord was Reborn, She Switched to a Master-Disciple Romance Script