Refuse to trample on the pride of heaven

Jun Ning felt like she was being set up.

Think about her, as the head of the Discipline Hall of the Wenxian Sect, in charge of punishments and rewards, and enforcing fair punishments. She has always been known for her impartiality and insight into people's hearts. Her cultivation is outstanding and her mind is far beyond her peers. Looking at the entire cultivation world, there are only a few things that can make her frown.

But now, such a powerful person as her has encountered the most difficult and frustrating thing in her life since she started practicing - her precious disciple Lu Wensheng, who she has carefully cultivated and is becoming more and more brilliant, has been drugged by that damn brat Liu Jiqian and has come to report in a serious manner that he plans to become a Taoist partner with him!

You came to see Master specially, and Master was very happy, but when you said you wanted to form a contract with Liu Jiqian, Master didn't like it.

Even if Liu Jiqian did have a face that would bring disaster to the nation and its people, even if he was exceptionally gifted in the way of the sword and unrivaled among the younger generation, even if his character and demeanor seemed impeccable and exemplary to outsiders, even if he was the direct grandson of the Grand Elder and held an extremely noble status… well, regardless of all his merits, in her eyes, none of them were worthy of her Wen Sheng! She simply disagreed!

That kid is annoying no matter what. Beneath his cool and elegant appearance, he hides eight hundred schemes and is good at seducing her pure-hearted little apprentice!

Jun Ning had just sent away his beloved disciple who looked calm and unaware of the shock he had caused, and before he could catch his breath, the "culprit" came again and specially invited the great Buddha, the Supreme Elder, to come with him.

Looking at the grandfather and grandson in front of him with warm smiles and an expression as if "we are here to reason", Jun Ning felt his heart rage. He snorted coldly and swept his eyes across Liu Jiqian like an ice blade - this kid actually dared to smile so frivolously?

Liu Jiqian, who only smiled politely but inexplicably sensed a stronger murderous intent, said: "???" Why does it feel like Elder Jun is looking at me even angrier than before? I even deliberately slowed down my breathing...

The Grand Elder was naturally an old and experienced man, and seemed to be completely unaware of Jun Ning's dissatisfaction that was almost condensed into substance. He stroked his long beard with a smile, and first praised Jun Ning for how well he taught Wen Sheng in a casual manner, and then subtly turned the topic to the two juniors.

He spoke sincerely, and every word made sense: "Elder Jun, you and I both know that Ji Qian and Wen Sheng are a perfect match in terms of family background, cultivation, aptitude, and character. They can be said to be a match made in heaven.

Now that the two children are interested in each other and are in love, it is truly a great blessing. Furthermore, the demons have been stirring up trouble lately, and the world of cultivation has been in turmoil. Such a happy event is exactly what we need to dispel the gloomy atmosphere, and also to allow the disciples to share in the joy, boost morale, and work together to overcome the difficulties."

What kind of critical period needs a happy event to boost everyone's morale? Jun Ning almost laughed in anger when she heard this - encouragement? She thought it was just to make things difficult for her! This was clearly using the name of righteousness to pressure her and put her on the spot! The grandfather and grandson were singing the same tune, one playing the good cop, the other the bad cop. What else could this be but a scheme? She didn't even bother to say it!

Jun Ning maintained a forced smile on his face, but countless thoughts were already swirling in his mind as he pondered how to resist this "high-sounding" persuasion.

As expected, different positions lead to completely different ideas. The visiting party felt that they came with sincerity and reason, but in the eyes of her master who was on high alert, they were the "enemy" that was closing in step by step.

Jun Ning naturally couldn't just say "I just don't like your grandson". She took a deep breath and began to come up with various reasons to refuse, such as "Wen Sheng is still young, and his Tao heart is not yet determined. It's too early to talk about marriage", "People who practice Taoism should focus on the Tao and should not indulge in love affairs too early", "Both children are the future pillars of my righteous path. If we form a contract at this time, they may be distracted and it will be detrimental to our practice", etc. She said that forming a contract at this time might cause trouble again.

Although the world of cultivation does not have as strict marriage age restrictions as the mortal world, it is generally believed that one should only consider the matter of a Taoist partner after one's mind is mature and the foundation is solid. Lu Wensheng is indeed still relatively young in the world of cultivation.

The Supreme Elder and Liu Jiqian were such important figures that they naturally immediately heard the undisguised rejection deep in Jun Ning's words.

The Grand Elder understood immediately, even cracking a smile. He chuckled inwardly, "You're playing this 'dragging it out' game with me, aren't you? Your excuses are quite plausible! It seems you won't give in unless I show some real skill—today, I'll show you what it means when you're older, you're still the wisest!"

The Grand Elder remained calm and composed, still looking like a kind elder. He followed Jun Ning's words and responded to each of Jun Ning's moves one by one.

He said that although Wen Sheng was young, his tenacity, breadth of knowledge, and composure far surpassed his peers. How could he be said to be undetermined in his Dao? On the contrary, he needed a like-minded Daoist companion to support him and share his Dao.

It is also said that the Tao is ruthless but also has feelings, and sincere friendship can also be transformed into a driving force to sharpen one's heart. There are also many sages in the immortal sect throughout the ages who became Taoist companions and then ascended to the immortal path together. How can we generalize?

As for the outside world's criticism, he laughed out loud, his voice as resounding as a bell: "When I ask the Immortal Sect to act, why should we consider the opinions of outsiders? The clear will be clear, and the turbid will be turbid! This is a perfect opportunity to announce it to the world with a grand ceremony and completely shut up those scoundrels. Wouldn't that be satisfying?"

His words were flawless, saving Jun Ning's face while resolving her reasons one by one. Instead, it seemed that supporting the contract was the wiser choice in terms of public and private interests, as well as emotion and reason.

Finally, the Grand Elder looked at Jun Ning with a smile, his tone gentle but with undeniable weight: "Elder Jun loves my little disciple so much, and I empathize with you. However, since the two children are so attracted to each other, if you and I, as elders, insist on stopping them, wouldn't we be ignorant of romance and only draw resentment? Accomplishing such a beautiful thing is also a great merit."

I also persuaded them with both emotion and reason.

Jun Ning remained silent: "..." You have already said everything good and bad, what else can I say?

She just felt a tightness in her chest, as if a breath of depressed air was stuck there, unable to go up or down.

She was always sharp-tongued and had the final say in the Discipline Hall, but for the first time, she felt that her words were so powerless in the face of the "truth" that the grandfather and grandson echoed. She even seemed a little clumsy and helpless, as if whatever she said was wrong.

Helplessly, she had to give in for the time being, rubbed her aching forehead, and said stiffly: "...Let me think about it for two days." She needed time to calm down and think about what other reasons she had to stop this "unpleasant" marriage.