"Master, please, don't abandon your most loyal servant," Gu Jinghong begged desperately.
Yun Jin couldn't help but feel a little speechless. She waved her hand casually.
The next moment,
Gu Jinghong let out a cry of utter despair. The master-servant contract… had been broken! His master… didn't want him anymore!
"Gu Jinghong," Yun Jin said, a little helpless, "I don't know why you have such… strange thoughts. But if you want to pursue the Dao, you have to let go of attachments and walk your own path."
"Master… you don't want me anymore… you don't want me anymore…" Gu Jinghong didn't seem to hear a word. He murmured as if he were on the verge of madness.
Yun Jin: "??!!"
No, she had just released him from the master-servant contract. Why did Gu Jinghong look even more miserable than when they first made the contract?
Seeing him on the verge of succumbing to his inner demons, she frowned and spoke sharply, "Gu Jinghong!"
That tone! The master is angry!
Gu Jinghong immediately looked at her, his eyes full of hope.
Yun Jin snorted coldly, "Listen carefully. Breaking the master-servant contract is the harshest punishment I can give you! I want you to obsess over cultivating the Dao to perfection, yet never again be my servant! This is my final judgment for you!"
Gu Jinghong froze for a moment. His blood-red eyes slowly returned to normal.
He murmured, "Punishment… this is a punishment… yes, being the master's servant was my lifelong wish. How could that ever count as punishment? Breaking the contract… that's the real punishment."
He had made mistakes before. So he deserved to live in eternal pain. -He lifted his gaze to Yun Jin, "Master, is there any hope I can… become your servant again?"
His eyes were full of anticipation.
Yun Jin had never heard such a… strange request before. But seeing his unwavering determination, she said casually, "If one day we meet again in the God Realm, I'll take you as my servant once more."
Right now, they were still in the small world.
The Immortal Realm.
The God Realm.
That was still an unimaginably long road ahead.
Even though the disciples of Wushuang Sect all had exceptional talent, the odds of any of them ascending to the God Realm were slim.
Yun Jin only gave him a casual condition.
Gu Jinghong's eyes suddenly lit up, and he said with immense joy, "Yes!"
The God Realm, huh?
No matter how difficult the path, he'd give his all to become the master's servant again.
Yun Jin couldn't help but smile.
Gu Jinghong had been stubborn in his previous life, and in this one, he was stubborn in a place he shouldn't be.
Well.
By the time he truly reached the God Realm and gained world-shattering power, he probably wouldn't even want to be a small servant anymore.
She said, "Alright, you may leave now."
Gu Jinghong stood up and left respectfully.
Back at the Mission Hall, Zhou Li and Zhou Dai were waiting.
Seeing Gu Jinghong's pale expression, Zhou Dai asked worriedly, "Jinghong? What happened?"
Gu Jinghong's face twisted in anguish, "The Sect Master…"
Zhou Li and Zhou Dai strained to listen.
"She broke the master-servant contract between us." Though he had a goal now, Gu Jinghong couldn't hold back tears.
Zhou Li and Zhou Dai: "???"
Breaking the contract isn't supposed to be a bad thing? What on earth was Gu Jinghong doing?
He spoke softly, "But the Sect Master said that if I meet her again in the God Realm, she'll take me as her servant once more."
Zhou Dai couldn't help but say, "The Sect Master just wants you to focus on your cultivation, right?"
Gu Jinghong glared at him instantly, "You don't understand!"
Zhou Dai wanted to say more, but Zhou Li tugged at him, and he had no choice but to shut up.
Zhou Li chuckled, "Jinghong, don't think too much. Tonight, the entire sect celebrates, and we'll drink until we pass out."
Gu Jinghong shook his head, "No, my cultivation is too slow. I have to practice."
With that, he turned and walked toward the Trial Tower.
Zhou Dai stared at his back, dumbfounded, "Senior Brother Gu… has he lost his mind?"
Zhou Li remained calm, "Not exactly. If the Sect Master says she wants to recruit a pet, humans can also apply. Would you sign up?"
Without hesitation, Zhou Dai replied, "Of course!"
It's the Sect Master's pet!
Zhou Li chuckled, "So… I guess it's understandable."
Zhou Dai paused and nodded thoughtfully.
Night fell.
All the disciples of Wushuang Sect had returned to the sect.
That night,
The Night Pearl shone brightly, and the strong aroma of wine filled the sect.
An Tong danced with the Tian Po Sword, naked, wobbling but laughing.
Lin Ya held a wine gourd, bragging to the nearby disciples that he was Yun Jin's first mentor.
Yue Zhao and a few others were forced to play the comic relief.
Hong Ye polished her great blade again, but her eyes held less intensity this time, and her movements were cheerful.
"Watch me perform the Water-Fire Swap Technique!" Su Lingling shouted, spitting a mouthful of wine, which turned into flames the next moment.
Gao Jingxuan looked helpless, "Junior Sister… that's just a street trick…"
"Second Senior Brother, just admit it swapped or not!" Su Lingling giggled.
Ye Cheng quietly watched nearby, a hint of a smile in his eyes.
Outside the crowd, Li Xiaoran watched the scene in a daze.
For a moment, she remembered having wonderful companions and seeing similar joyful moments before.
"Come, drink." Someone handed her fine wine.
Li Xiaoran smiled softly and didn't think further.
Even a top cultivator could take a night off to drink instead of practicing.
Qin Ping quietly watched the warm and lively scene, a smile tugging at his lips. He wanted to protect this simple, human warmth. He wanted to protect the people before him. He hoped this happiness would never fade.
"The Sect Master said everyone should celebrate together. But she only drank a few cups and left," Bai Yiran suddenly said.
Qin Ping turned toward the Trial Tower, "The Sect Master… went to the Trial Tower."
Bai Yiran sighed.
The Demon Clan had been destroyed, and humanity was about to enjoy long-lasting peace.
Yet,
The Sect Master hadn't relaxed for a moment. She carried burdens they couldn't even imagine.
She still wasn't strong enough. If they were stronger… could they share some of her burden?
Qin Ping patted her shoulder, "Don't overthink it. Tonight's laughter and joy are the greatest comfort for the Sect Master."
Bai Yiran nodded.
At the top of the Trial Mountain,
Yun Jin looked down at the lively scene, a warm smile on her lips.
Then, she turned and walked without hesitation into the Trial Tower.
Trial Tower: Hard Mode!
She was here to take on the challenge!