Chapter 95: Like Master, Like Disciple.

Wang Xuanwu was stunned by Li Taixing's clever maneuvering. The Sect elders only intended him to gather a few resources, but he'd taken it a step further—chasing off nearly all the participants.

Initially, Wang Xuanwu had assumed that Li Taixing would simply command the king-level beasts to keep the other disciples at a safe distance, protecting them while ensuring his own power remained hidden. But as she watched disciple after disciple withdraw from the trial, realization dawned: Li Taixing wasn't just protecting himself and Lu Xuerou—he was clearing the entire field.

Suddenly, she choked on her wine, which she'd just sipped from her gourd. Coughing in surprise, she struggled to keep her composure.

"Fifth Elder, are you alright?" Zhu Qing asked with concern, assuming Wang Xuanwu was fretting over Li Taixing's safety.

Wang Xuanwu managed a smile through her coughing fit. "Yes, yes, I'm fine," she assured with a bitter laugh. She hadn't expected such an audacious approach from her disciple. As the remaining disciples dwindled, her expression grew more conflicted.

Seeing her disciple's antics now, she couldn't help but try to melt into the background to avoid the suspicious stares from the other elders.

Meanwhile, the other elders, although initially shocked at the rapid withdrawal of their disciples, now looked rather relieved.

"Thank goodness my disciple escaped in time," one elder muttered, patting his chest in relief.

"Third Elder, have all your disciples returned?" another elder asked, casting a sympathetic look at the beleaguered group.

"Yes, they've all come out," Zhao Dezhu replied wearily. "One of them fainted from fear and barely managed to press his trial token."

One disciple had even needed a nudge from a bear spirit who accidentally activated his token for him, sending him out just before he might have been… devoured. Zhao Dezhu sighed. The Nascent Soul-level beasts on the trial grounds were causing havoc for his disciples and everyone else.

The scene wasn't any better for the inner and elite disciples. At the first sight of these beasts, most had activated their tokens without hesitation, retreating in a flash of white light. Now, disciples were reappearing in droves, looking shaken as they recounted their encounters.

Zhao Wentian, observing the chaos, ran a hand across his forehead in resignation. "This trial session… it's over."

---

Back in the trial grounds, Lu Xuerou, unaware of the situation outside, was still vigilantly checking each area to make sure it was safe for Li Taixing. She constantly scoped out risky spots before allowing him to proceed, determined to protect him.

Meanwhile, Li Taixing strolled along, munching on roasted chicken legs as if on a leisurely picnic rather than a dangerous trial. Noticing her furrowed brow, he waved a chicken leg at her, grinning. "Want one, Senior Sister?"

Lu Xuerou shot him an exasperated look, rolling her eyes. Although she occasionally found traces of beast battles, she hadn't encountered a single fierce beast herself. And as far as other disciples went, there wasn't one to be found.

Growing perplexed, she continued leading him cautiously. Soon, she spotted a cluster of spiritual herbs ahead, her eyes lighting up.

"Junior Brother Li, there are spiritual herbs up ahead. I'll go pick them; you keep watch. If there's any danger, warn me immediately."

Li Taixing nodded, taking out his own wine gourd and imitating Wang Xuanwu's casual style. "Alright, Senior Sister. I'm on it."

Outside, Zhao Wentian and the elders focused intently on Lu Xuerou and Li Taixing, the last two disciples left in the trial grounds. Watching Lu Xuerou working hard to keep Li Taixing safe while he strolled along with a carefree attitude stirred a wave of irritation.

Zhao Wentian's forehead darkened with exasperation. Turning to Wang Xuanwu, he said through gritted teeth, "Like master, like disciple. Wang Xuanwu, I'm starting to question your teaching quality!"

"I agree," Lin Feiyi added, shaking his head. "We can't afford a second Wang Xuanwu in our Xuantian Sect." But realizing he'd said it aloud, he quickly stepped back, hoping to blend into the background before Wang Xuanwu noticed.

Wang Xuanwu looked just as bewildered as the rest of them, flustered by her disciple's antics. "When did I ever teach him any of this?" she protested. "I only taught him cultivation skills, nothing like this!"

No one seemed convinced, though, casting doubtful glances in her direction, as if to say, "Sure, Wang Xuanwu, we know you."

Now even Wang Xuanwu began to doubt herself, wondering if she'd accidentally taught him some of her habits without realizing it.

In the trial grounds, Li Taixing continued enjoying his break, while Lu Xuerou carefully gathered the spiritual herbs. As she examined each plant, he called out, "Senior Sister, are these herbs really that useful?"

Lu Xuerou glanced back. "They may seem ordinary to us, but they're essential for treating injuries among the disciples. Especially with all the new recruits in the Outer Sect, we need plenty for the assessments."

Li Taixing, moved by her dedication, paused with his gourd in hand. "You're very kind, Senior Sister Lu."

She rolled her eyes again, reminding him, "Keep an eye out, Junior Brother. If any beasts approach, we'll be in trouble."

"Got it, got it."

Though he'd considered actually helping, her reminder was enough for him to let go of the notion. Spying a tall rock nearby, he leapt up to sit atop it, pretending to keep watch but really taking in the scenery.

Wang Xuanwu, watching from outside, seized the moment to redeem herself. "See? Look, my disciple is actually helping, keeping watch! He's not that bad after all."

Zhao Dezhu snorted, unimpressed. "He's probably just admiring the view. If you call that helping…"

Wang Xuanwu grinned mischievously at him. "Oh, Zhao Dezhu, it sounds like you misunderstand my disciple. Maybe we should talk about life tonight?"

Zhao Dezhu shivered at the prospect, remembering past conversations where "talking about life" had been anything but pleasant. "Sect Master, since my disciples are out, I should go tend to the livestock—"

Before he could flee, Zhao Wentian shot him a stern look. "Third Elder, where did those pigs come from? Lin Tieshan? And Wang Xuanwu, if you keep this up, don't blame me if I take disciplinary action."

Wang Xuanwu merely gave him a casual shrug, her carefree smile unfazed.

Zhao Dezhu, realizing he'd dug his own grave, fought back a tear. 'If only I'd kept my mouth shut,' he thought with regret.